Peniel

[Valeriya]

It was warmth and the need to empty herself that stirred Valeriya awake. She found the supple flesh of her sister’s arm draped near her cheek, and her lips naturally pursed upon the softness. Rowan’s injuries were superficial, she came to learn early, but the Eye searched their remnants anyway. Even the simplest of wounds may weep pus after a day or two. Sometimes, deadly fevers followed.  After finding Rowan would be okay, glory be to the Great One, she sat up and searched herself over. She was not herself without marks, but they were acquired in Radenyi, bites and scratches that twinged even today with wonderful ache. Her skin wasn’t the only place that ached, she found with great amusement, upon getting up.

A brief search told her that her great love was near the front of the vessel, and Rowan slept as she needed. So Vale went to relieve herself and returned some minutes later. She wore a robe that hung open down her belly, and her hair remained tangled and gnatted. It would be perfect for tying up the finger bones of that leper fish that attacked them, but alas, she lacked such ornamentation. Rowan had pretty stones and jewels. They would suffice, but that was for later.

She wound her way up toward the front of the vessel, slipping the skeleton of her hand upon her love’s shoulder, squeezing it tenderly.

“Whom did you speak with, Great One?” She asked with eyes full of love.