The rest of the day as well as the next passed uneventfully, for which they were thankful. Despite the unfortunate events of the previous day, they were feeling a lot better having eaten properly, and even slept in a little more comfort.

 Toward the end of the second day, they eventually reached a more forested area. As they were looking around, they found that there was a river running through the area. They settled on setting up camp at a slightly bigger patch of forest which was split in half by the river. Anaya worried that it was something of an obvious spot, but Rue reassured her it wouldn’t be a problem, so she yielded.

 As they’d freed the horses to graze, Anaya went to get something to eat but was interrupted by Rue.

 “I was thinking of getting a bath first. I’m feeling rather grimy.” Anaya knew what she meant – they’d been travelling for two and a half days now. Not an unusual amount of time to go without bathing while travelling by any means, but since the opportunity now presented itself…

 “Alright. I will come as well. We best stay close, just in case.” She was puzzled by the amused grin Rue gave her. She only realized what it meant when they reached the shore of the river and Rue started undressing. With a blush, she turned away. She’d not thought about this aspect of it and had been caught by surprise.

 “Are you sure you don’t want a look?” came Rue’s voice after a while. She could hear the light splashing as the witch walked into the river. “Perhaps even more than a look?” Anaya could hear the smile in Rue’s voice and steeled herself.

 “I do. Want that, I mean.” She turned back around. Rue was waist-deep in the water, her body facing toward the opposite side of the river, but with her head turned so she could see Anaya.

 “As I told you, I have no objections to your feelings. Or perhaps I should say… desires.”

 “But shouldn’t we keep watch?” Even as she said it, she could already feel her resistance crumbling.

 “I can tell if someone is approaching while we are here. Just like I did with… what was his name? Uldon?” Rue’s smile and voice were both teasing and inviting. “Perhaps we can do something about those frustrations of yours.”

 Unable to restrain herself further, without another word Anaya removed her armour and clothing as fast as she could and stepped into the river.

 Anaya had had the occasional casual tryst back in Illion, but none of them had left her as satisfied as she felt now, lying there on the riverbank. Rue was standing and looking at the river, stretching herself. She made for quite a sight, much more enticing than the riverscape. Water was still dripping down her body. The evening was getting chilly, but if anything, Anaya felt hot.

 “Enjoying the view?” Rue asked without looking at her. Anaya could tell she was smiling. She couldn’t help but admire her companion’s level of self-assurance. It didn’t seem like the self-absorbed variety, which made it all the more alluring.

 “Yes,” Anaya answered instantly and unapologetically.

 “Well, thank you. You are not entirely without charm yourself.”

 “High praise coming from you, I’m sure.”

 “I do have high standards. I am something of a free spirit, and as such not just anyone’s for the taking.”

 “Then as one of the privileged ones, perhaps I will ‘take’ you again right now,” Anaya muttered, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. She was more than willing to go at it again.

 “Oh? But can you?” Rue didn’t even turn around, but suddenly roots sprouted from the ground around Anaya and pinned down her legs and arms, tightly but not painfully. Playfully Rue walked up to her, straddled her while getting on her knees and sat back. “Now, whatever shall I do with you?” Her fingers walked from Anaya’s belly button all the way up to her lips and then stroked her cheek, her touch gentle but teasing.

 Now this was definitely something new and unexpected, Anaya thought. She was the bigger and by far stronger of the two physically, but here she was, completely helpless and exposed. Yet she felt overwhelmingly aroused rather than worried. Had Rue known she would feel this way? And just how did she trust this woman so completely already that she didn’t feel concerned despite being entirely at her mercy like this? Even if she admittedly shouldn’t have any reason to want to harm her? A previous thought revisited her – perhaps she truly was bewitched. But at that moment she did not care even if she was. Pure desire overruled any other considerations. After all, if it felt this good, did the reason truly even matter?

 “Whatever you want,” came her breathy admission of surrender.