Falling for Forever by Caitlin Ricci

blushed deeply and looked over her shoulder as the fire's soft roar slowed to a gentle simmer.
    Mariah chuckled at her and leaned back against the couch. The glowing embers of the dying fire reflected in Bryn's large eyes as its fragrant smoke drifted throughout the cabin. Her wings were looking much healthier, holding no resemblance to their former stubs.
    "I am glad she finally left." Mariah said. "I have dealt with her antics for far too long. Perhaps this time she will stay gone. The wards should have never let her in, but I suppose since she's been here before they thought she meant no one any harm. They'll keep her out now. If she persists or means to harm either of us in the future, she'll be dealt with accordingly."
    *~*~*
    "Why don't you like her, Mariah?" Bryn asked as she stretched out on the couch. "She looked very pretty. Or perhaps your heart belongs to someone else?" She was hopeful, but she did not let it show.
    Mariah delicately took her small hand within hers and stroked her palm with her own fingertips. "We are simply not a good match, Bryn; she is quite interested in playing the social game while I try to avoid it if possible." Mariah pondered her next words carefully. "My heart has not been tied to anyone for a very long time…" Before finishing her words, her face flushed slightly, and she turned away from her to peer into the fire.
    Bryn's heart fluttered in her chest. She watched Mariah's face closely before deciding on what she had wanted to do for a while. She leaned toward Mariah and cupped her soft face between her hands.
    Bryn looked into her eyes briefly before pressing her lips against her cheek. She held Mariah for a moment and then reluctantly forced herself to stand up. She gazed into her eyes one last time before closing her wings around her shoulders and walking toward the bedroom. "Goodnight, Mariah," she said over her shoulder. "You're welcome to sleep on the floor if you wish." She departed into the bedroom; her cheeks still flushed a dark red.
    Mariah nodded at her and followed into the bedroom. She prepared her bed upon the floor and extinguished the torches around the room as Bryn settled under the bed covers. "Goodnight, Bryn. May you sleep peacefully this night."
    Mariah snuggled into the bedroll and slowly shut her eyes. Bryn lay silently under the covers until her breathing became regular and the songbirds outside had been replaced by the hooting of an owl. She sat up in bed slowly and pulled the white gown over her head. Bryn crept out of bed and draped the gown over the back of a chair. She gazed at herself in the mirror, the nakedness of her healed body a wondrous fascination.
    Mariah stirred, and Bryn quickly returned to the bed. Tentatively, she leaned over the edge and smiled at her sleeping form. Mariah's pale blond hair was disheveled, her finely chiseled face perfectly illuminated in the moonlight. Bryn slowly extended a hand to her face and traced the curves of her mouth and chin. Mariah's breath warmed her touch and she felt a stirring deep within her soul. Finally, she pulled away from her and brought the covers up around her shoulders.
    "I think I am falling in love with you," she softly said to Mariah. The owl hooted in the distance and she could no longer resist drifting off into a deep and blessedly dreamless sleep.

Chapter Seven
    Bryn awoke with the sunrise and slid silently out of bed. She tiptoed cautiously around the still sleeping Mariah. As Bryn watched her sleep, she had the instant urge to kiss her soft lips. She knelt down next to her and ran a finger over her cheek and neck. She trailed her finger down over Mariah's chest and stomach. Mariah stirred in her sleep as Bryn neared her waist. She smiled warmly at her and pulled a white summer dress over her head. A white light flashed by the window, and she heard a soft nicker from outside and started walking toward it. At the door, she turned back and gave one last smile to Mariah and blew her a kiss before