“c72″> 

The
blond woman’s tongue flicked over Xena’s clitoris,
circling it, making contact for the fraction of a heartbeat, and
retreating immediately. When she finally began to suck more
thoroughly the taller woman already was lingering at the edge of
another climax. Somehow, she managed to focus at least a part of
her attention on lavishing her young lover.

“c72″> 

They
once again were in sync, driving each other to new heights of
desire, and bonding in a way none of them would have thought
possible. They came at the same time, and they came
hard.

“c72″> 

After
the spasm had died away, both of them still were wrapped in a
feeling of bliss and wholesomeness that stayed with them not only
throughout the night but for moons to come.

“c72″> 

Xena
gathered the former slave in her arms, held her tight and
revelled class=”c72″>in the feeling. Now, she not only knew for sure that
she loved the young woman but she also knew that they belonged to
each other. There now was an unquestionable bond between them, so
strong it was almost tangible, something she always had believed
only being possible in dreams or fairy tales.

“c72″> 

END
OF FLASHBACK

“c72″> 

“c72″> 

x x x
x x x x x x x

“c72″> 

“c72″> 

Xena
had to shake herself out of these memories. They had taken her mind
away from the trial but also had awakened her body in a way not
suited to stand in front of a crowd. To calm down she began to
think of the beginning of this day.

“c72″> 

The
trial was scheduled to start three candlemarks after dawn, to give
everyone the chance to sober up after yesterday’s
celebration. Shortly before dawn, she reluctantly got up to
mentally prepare herself for the things ahead and ran into Anara
when leaving the infirmary.

“c72″> 

“c72″>'I already told her yesterday but please remind
Gabrielle that I need some time alone before the trial
starts.'

“c72″> 

“c72″>'I’ll tell her as soon as she wakes up. I
suppose you want to resume this warrior’s mask of
yours.'

“c72″> 

“c72″>'I don’t know what you’re talking
about, Anara.'

“c72″> 

The
healer smiled and answered. 'I’m talking about this
inscrutable face that slips away every time you look at Gabrielle
and every time you talk to Thania, that face you hide your feelings
behind, your heart and your soul, that face that no longer can fool
me.'

“c72″> 

Xena
tried to look stern and disapproving, rather unsuccessfully.
'Go ahead. We’ll take care of Gabrielle. Eponin and
Solari volunteered to put her in the chair later on, and Thania
will make sure that they’re very careful, so don’t you
worry.'