Bael briskly made her way through the forest, dancing between the underbrush with sheer poise, only stopping to grab various plants and herbs along the way. Deciding she had enough, she spread her wings, and leapt through the canopy above, soaring through the summer sky, the sun warming her outstretched wings.

It took Bael only a few minutes to reach her cottage, circling above it for a moment, hesitating as they saw a collapsed body at the foot of the steps. Panic set in, her chest tightening. She raced towards the ground, landing with a loud thud, and looked up to see Shandalar collapsed and unconscious. She rushed to her kneeling beside the fallen elf and scooped her up in her arms, the elf sweating and groaning, and rushing her to the bed.

“No no no! You can’t not yet, it’s too soon.” Bael placed Shandalar gently on their bed, and rushed to her wife’s workshop, rummaging through vials and jars frantically. She grabbed one, and hurried back to their bedroom, rubbing the contents over her chest, the elfs groaning, abiding, and her breathing becoming regular.

Bael caressed the necklace around her neck, “Soon, but not now, my love.”

Batan was tending to his flower display when he heard the bell ring as someone entered his store. Standing before him was a colossal woman, covered in crimson scales. His eyes lit up, beaming at the dragoness. “Bael! I haven’t seen you in years. Where have you been?”

“I had… something I needed to do, but I’m back here for good. You were up to my knee last I saw you.” Bael grinned, no one flinched at her smile anymore, but rather became enraptured by something warming then the midsummer sun.

Batan laughed back at her. “Yes. I’ve taken over my parent’s store since, and you have to meet my husband Lia Shio. He’s from Xaxia, a travelling merchant who decided to stay when he met me.”

Bael nodded, looking around the store, the fragrances almost overwhelming her. “Oh indeed, I absolutely will have to. Do you have any chrysanthemums?” The florist nodded, busying himself around the store, picking up certain flowers and arranging them into a vivid array.

“Will this do?” The lithe man offered the bouquet to the giant woman.

“Ah yes, perfect. Now Let me fetch your payment.” She opened her satchel, and began digging around, frustration planted on her face.

“How long have you been together? It must be far longer than I’ve been alive.” Batan asked curiously.

The dragoness continued vigorously searching her bag, “About… perhaps two hundred and thirty years?”

The florist's eyes went wide. “Goddesses how old are you two?”

Bael seemed to ignore his question, “Ah, here we go.” She pulled out a hunk of gold the size of Batan’s fist. “I seem to have run out of crowns, will this do?”

Batan reeled in shock, “No! I can’t possibly accept that, something that valuable could buy my shop several times over!”

Bael seemed to be in her own world, nodding but not really listening. “Mhm, yes well have a good day.”

Batan tried to stop here, but she was already out the door, with a large chunk of gold sitting on his counter.

The dragoness and the elf sat side by side on a bench in their garden, Shandalar leaning against her wife for support. “... and that is why I taught him, so he didn’t have to keep coming back. I think many of the women in town were happier after that.”

Bael giggled, stroking the elfs long grey hair. “They live short lives, which makes for short memories. Good story though.”

Shandalar closed her eyes. “Indeed. Though I think I prefer your stories”

The Dragoness nodded, her smile taking on a more solemn look. “My dear, I think I’m done.”

“I know my love.”

“I’ve been able to cure my immorality for a while.”

“That’s why you left me for so many years.”

“I’m so sorry. So, so sorry.” Bael held a claw to her face, tears streaming down her face.

Shandalar placed her hand on her wife's leg, shushing her. “It’s okay.” Shandalar sighed, and looked around at her garden, a beauty that paled in comparison to the single most important person in her life.

Bael sobbing began to wane, sniffing as she wiped her tears away. “When it is your time, I’ll take us to that field of lilies, I’ll cast this spell, “She grasped at her necklace, “and we will sleep forever.”

Shandalar closed her eyes, and smiled. "I've only a few days left at best and you’ve made this old woman feel loved for a very long time. I anticipate spending the rest of eternity with you."

“I do too my love, I do too.”