Though the ex-General knew this would be a far easier promise to keep than anyone would have ever expected as soon as she saw the tears that shimmered so warmly in Frances' eyes. Tears of happiness, of a life renewed. Tears that mirrored the ones that coated Helena's lashes as she looked down fondly at her beloved.

"Helena! You did it!"

Soft, comfortable arms coming to wrap around the blonde's waist with such elation that Helena nearly lost her footing. A mop of brunette buried deep into her chest. The Sorceress chuckled, fingers stopping just short of stroking through the curvy woman's hair.

"Frances, are you not aware that none of this would have been possible if it were not for you?"

Helena’s gentle tone brought a fierce and unbridled blush to the brunette’s face - a sight the Sorceress was quickly finding out to be one of her favorites. Amused, she shook her head softly before continuing.

“While I admit to taking the final step in the matter, it is your support that has led me here, little one. Your ability to make me see that I was worth it.” Helena paused, if only to smile fondly for a moment. ”Even if this venture does not work out, you will forever have my gratitude, Frances.”

The round woman’s blush grew ever so slightly as she took the ex-General’s hand in hers.

“Well, you will always have my support, Helena. For as long as you want it.”

Helena only nodded, the growing flush that moved like tepid water across her face brilliant against the strands of moonlit hair that fell so freely into it. Being as beautiful as she was, anyone who didn’t know the Sorceress would lack the understanding as to how such simple words could fluster her in such a way.

But when it came to the name Helena Klein, beauty did very little to drive the words of kindness.

In fact, as the two turned hand in hand to make their way down the long hallway that led to their quarters - Helena did her best to try and think of another time in which she had ever heard those words. Where she had meant enough to another person for them to actually support her - believe in her. Listen to the things she wanted and not turn them into something dark and cold.

“Take care you two.” The suspicious golden eyes of one Altea Bellarose narrowed as the Sorceress was pulled from her thoughts - the small Wizard standing before them, “Either of you step one toe out of line against Reiner's orders and I will curse you where you stand.”

“We shall keep that in mind, Bellarose.” Helena replied coolly.

A tiny huff and some indistinct grumbling could be heard echoing all the way down the corridor as Altea hastily retreated from the throne room, leaving Helena and Frances to the peace of their own thoughts and the embrace of each other. Frances' soft body trembling gently as the ex General held her close.

The sound of leather against marble all that to be heard when the couple finally let go of eachother and made their way down the hallway to the bedroom that they would now be allowed to share. Their hands interlocked as if they were both just waiting for the other to disappear. For it all to be a dream and Helena to awaken with cold concrete against her skin.

But no matter how many times Helena blinked, Frances was still there.

"I'm.. I'm glad I decided to stay with you last night, Helena. As nice as the room is, it would have been nowhere near as comfortable not having you close by. I'm looking forward to, you know, actually sharing a bed tonight.. ah, sleeping in a bed, I mean.. er.. together, that is."

Helena chuckled before smiling softly. "I am looking forward to that, as well, my love."

And while Francis was right, the room was nice, as was the bed (though, sleeping was the farthest thing from the Sorceress' mind) - it was nothing compared to the lavishness of her room at the Witch Queen's castle. But then again, it was nowhere near as cold either.

"Would you like me to draw you a bath?" Frances asked upon entering.

"I would like that, Frances, thank you. You are welcome to join me, if you would like."

The curvy woman bit her bottom lip before shaking her head.

"That's kind of you, but I don't think both of us would fit in there. I'm rather.. well, you know."

"Rather beautiful?" Helena replied with a soft smirk.

"Ah.. that.. is not what I was going to say."

Helena chuckled. "I am well aware of that, little one. But it does not make it any less true."

The blonde paused for a moment, suddenly worried that she may be moving a tad too fast for her companion and quickly redirected her rhetoric.

"But a bath sounds wonderful, thank you."

"Of course."

The round woman smiled, grateful to have something to do as she exited the room in search of Solaire and some hot water. The tub itself certainly large enough for both women, there was no denying that, but Helena would push the fact no further. She, after all, wanted her beloved to be comfortable above all else. No matter how badly she had been longing to lay her eyes upon Frances' soft curves and everything that laid between them.

She had already started to undress when the two women returned to the room. The steam from the water encasing her beloved's body in a most arousing way. Helena cleared her throat, wearing nothing but her undergarments when Frances finally looked up - letting out a small squeak and almost dropping the pails to the floor.

"Shit, sorry! We should have knocked first!"

The ex-General waved her hand dismissively. "It is no matter. I am not one to be shy, my love. Especially when you are the one looking."

Solaire let out a soft chuckle as she helped Frances pour the water into the tub, filling it to the rim.

"Well," the faerie began, "I'll leave you two to.. relax, then."

Helena smiled softly when she caught the small wink that Solaire gave Frances as she departed the room. Not so much because of the implications of the wink, or even the slight blush that it brought to the brunette’s face, but more so because if someone like Solaire - someone who had seen the absolute worst of Helena - could even remotely support what she and Frances had. Well, that.. that was worth more than even the Sorceress herself knew.

When the door closed with a soft thud, it was almost second nature for the blonde to quickly make her way over to it and raise her hands to seal it. That was until she remembered that she had no magic for which to seal it with. That the constant tingle that she had grown so accustomed to no longer hummed just beneath her finger tips. It was a rather unpleasant feeling - unnatural. Making her body feel not only slightly empty but also a little cold as she shuddered.

The soft touch of her beloved’s touch swiftly bringing her attention away from the large wooden door and her thoughts as Frances’ fingers tangled in hers.

“Helena? Come on, angel.. let’s get you into that bath before the water gets cold.”

Helena was almost certain that the blush that Frances’ pet name left her with was entirely too fierce. That it trailed all the way up to her ears and speckled across her fair skin in a way she surely wasn’t quite used to. For once, she found herself rather thankful for the waves of moonlight that covered them as she gave the brunette a small nod, moving to remove the last of her clothes before stopping.

“I will not be offended if you would prefer to avert your eyes, my love.”

Frances cleared her throat, eyes immediately dropping to the Sorceress’ body. “I- ah, no.. no, it’s alri-! .. ah, I mean.. I’m good.”

“Very well.” Helena replied with a single nod before dropping the last bits of fabric to the floor.

Now, to say that the ex-General was no stranger to people appreciating her beauty - that more than a few times not only had she been used for it, but that she had also used it to get what she wanted - would be nothing more than an immense distortion of the truth. But no one, not in any realm, had ever looked at her the way the woman that stood before her did.

The warm brown eyes that took their time tracing over her. A mix of affection and adoration coating over them as they took in every lean muscle that the blonde had to offer, a layer of something more heated and a slight twitch to her fingers when Frances’ gaze fell upon some of the scars that decorated her luminous skin.

“... you’re a Goddess.”

The words were barely above a whisper but Helena heard them nonetheless, an even fiercer blush coming to her cheeks that grew deeper still as she lowered herself into the tub - swirls of steam enveloping her. The Sorceress let out a deep sigh, immediately feeling her muscles begin to relax in the tepid water.

“You are far too kind, my love.”

“If anything, I’m far too honest, Helena.” Frances replied softly.

“Mh.. perhaps a little of both.” The ex-General smirked in return, taking the washcloth in her hands. Even with her concentration periodically elsewhere, the small piece of cloth washing over her beautifully flushed skin, she could still feel Frances’ gaze as it followed along with it.

“Can I.. ah, can I help? Wash your back for you, maybe?”

“That would be much appreciated, little one.”

Frances’ fingers trembled slightly as she took the washcloth from her beloved’s hands, bringing it to her perfectly wettened skin with such gentleness that Helena could barely feel it at first. It was odd to the Sorceress sometimes, to be handled with such care - to be treasured in such a way - to not be coveted like something tainted and dark, only to be controlled. In fact, she was fairly certain that it was the first time she had ever been touched intimately where she didn’t immediately want to flinch away. Each stroke across her back tender - loving. Emanating everything that the curvy women felt for her.

Helena relaxed into the soft movements, moaning ever so slightly when Frances' fingers found a particularly deep scar across her shoulder blade - her bare skin almost charged against it. Before the Sorceress was even aware of it, she took the initiative, turning to face her beloved.

Long fingers coming to cup the brunette's cheek. Helena's breath hitching for just a moment as she leaned up for a kiss, only to be met with a tiny squeak and splash of water as Frances dropped the washcloth into the tub and quickly took a step back.

"Oh, I- .. fuck, shit."

"I am sorry, my love. I should not have-"

"No! Shit. No! You've done nothing wrong, angel.. I'm just, fuck."

Helena had never heard so many curse words come from her beloved in tandem before as Frances paced almost frantically around the room, toying with her own fingers.

"Meine Liebe.. breathe.. tell me what is troubling you."

"It's just.. you.. me.. I.. fuck. Please, don't be mad."

The curvy woman groaned as she brought her hands to her face and shook her head.

"I could never be mad at you, Frances. If I overstepped, I am the one who is in the wrong."

"It's not that! You didn't.. I know I'm a hot mess at the moment, but.. I really do want this.. it's just-"

At this the blonde rose from the tub and instantly covered herself in a towel before coming to stand before the woman who had stolen her heart.

"It is alright. Breathe." Helena replied, stroking her fingers softly through Frances' hair. "Am I.. am I to be your first?"

The brunette snorted and shook her head. "You'd think that with how foolish I'm acting."

"Needing to be comfortable in a new situation is not foolish, my love. Quite the contrary."

Frances took a deep breath, smiling at the Sorceress and wondering how she ever got so lucky.

"You're incredible, Helena. You know that?"

The ex-General blushed, still unsure of how to take a genuine compliment from someone who looked at her the way this amazing woman did. She cleared her throat, shifting from one foot to the other.

"You should always be comfortable. Especially when it comes to things of an intimate nature."

"And I appreciate that you see it that way, lovely. Believe me. And it's not like I haven't had sex before. And I do like sex.. it's just.. well, it's not something I've ever wanted before.. not like this, anyways. Not at this level of...”, a slight pause as Frances cleared her throat, “... need."

Helena only blushed deeper. "I.. believe I understand, my love.”

As if she’d been holding it in all day, Frances let out a large exhale and took a seat on the edge of the bed. The emotions that were painted over her round face and soft features were not the usual beams of light that the Sorceress was used to. For the first time since the two women met, Frances was allowing Helena to see a part of her that not many had ever been privy to - a peek beneath the mask, so to say.

“Let’s just say.. when you talk about the things the Witch Queen did to you… that I understand how you feel on a personal level."

Helena sat down next to the brunette, instantly taking a hand in hers. "I see."

"I was, admittedly, much younger when it happened.. and I promise to go into more detail about someday, but yeah…"

"I am sorry that happened to you, little one. And I am honored that you trust me enough to share this with me."

"I trust you with my life, Helena."

The curvy woman blushed at her own words before giggling softly - a sound that always made the ex-General smile.

"What is so humorous, my love?"

"It's just… I told you no one has ever made me feel this level of.. thirst before, but that's not completely true. There was one other."

"I... thirst? Do you need some water?"

Frances snorted with laughter, shaking her head. "No, sorry.. where I'm from that's another word for a person's .. ah.. desire for another."

"Ah, I see." Helena replied, chuckling softly. "And who is this person that struck such desire in my beloved, hm?"

"Well, her name was Xena.. but the thing is.. she wasn't exactly.. real."

Helena leaned back looking faintly confused, the towel that covered her exquisite body falling ever so slightly and just barely covering her dampened skin.

"I.. I am not sure I understand, my love."

"Shoot, hm…how can I explain- Wait! You have theater here, right?"

"Oh! So this Xena was a thespian!"

Frances chuckled openly. "Close enough, yes. She played a fierce and loyal warrior."

"Mh, seems you may have a type, meine Liebe." The Sorceress smirked.

"Heh.. right down to the swords and open-chested armor."

The brunette's eyes immediately dropped to Helena's ample chest as she replied, blushing.

"You are adorable, Frances." Helena replied, bringing the hand she still held to her lips. "And you are much stronger than you tend to think of yourself, my love. I understand now why the Witch Queen was unable to possess your mind. I can not imagine what it would be like having to suppress a desire of that magnitude for that amount of time. You never cease to amaze me, little one."

Frances bit her bottom lip before shyly averting her eyes.

"Pft.. strong? Me? If I was that strong, I wouldn't have been practically on the verge of begging you to touch me."

The all too hungry smirk that Frances could feel curling it's way across Helena's lips almost made the brunette whimper out right.

"Oh? Mh.. now that is a sound I certainly would not mind hearing."

A fierce and satisfying crimson spilled unhindered across Frances’ cheeks, making the Sorceress smirk even more. The brunette swallowed once before trying to respond.

"Well, I- .. erm."

Helena chuckled. "And tell me, my love. What would you beg for right now?"

"I-" Frances' blush grew even deeper, finally bringing deep brown eyes up to meet pools of blue. "Another kiss? I.. I haven't stopped thinking about it since last night."

Even though the Sorceress had just spoken the words, the curvy woman truly never did cease to amaze her. Where most people would have taken one look at Helena and attempted to take advantage of such an offer, Frances was so pure of heart that her deepest desire in the moment was nothing more than a simple kiss.

A kiss that Helena hoped would possibly evolve into something more once their lips were reunited.

The ex-General hummed in both content and arousal as she leaned in closer, the towel that barely clung to her still damp skin falling just a little bit lower as she did. Long fingers gently tangling into locks of brunette and cupping the flushed, round face of her beloved before Frances' lips pressed eagerly against her own.

Each sweep of their tongues, warm - inviting. Playing over the other’s with sensual ease and stealing respective breaths. The energy between them quickly building - ionizing the air with an almost crackling electricity. It was nothing either had ever experienced before - an all consuming want that left them both panting and flushed by the time the kiss finally broke.

"Helena, I-"

The Sorceress smiled softly, gently tracing her thumb over Frances' flushed cheek.

"If at any point you wish to stop or slow down, my love, just give me word."

Frances nodded, a shy bite to her bottom lip as she began to undo the ties on her tunic, Helena's eyes hungrily following each gradual movement of her beloved’s fingers. The air around them charged - raw - like a current that only grew stronger with every voluptuous curve that was slowly unearthed.

“You are breathtaking, meine Liebe.”

"I am yours, my angel."

A breathless phrase that fell like embers from the brunette's lips - effortless and soft - much like the fabric that fell all too eagerly from her body. The miles of perfectly flushed skin that practically begged to be touched almost bearing too much for the Sorceress' restraint to handle as her own towel fell to the floor.

Helena wasted no time in pulling the woman that laid before her completely nude back in for a deep kiss - a kiss so heated it practically stole every last breath from Frances' lungs. The space between them growing hotter and hotter with every inch that they closed, with every soft caress of their fingertips and the easy tangle of their legs.

The ex-General felt herself melt comfortably into the simple sensations that quickly enveloped her. Where she thought she had known pleasure before, she had never known it to be so free - so easy - so pure of heart that it not only set her body aflame, but her soul as well. Normally, sex was something Helena was all too happy to get over with. Even when she had convinced herself that the Witch Queen had actually loved her - it was not an act she was ever particularly fond of.

But with intimacy like this? Sex was something she was not only finding herself truly enjoying - but something she wanted to take slowly, to savor every minute of.

The soft kisses between them quickly becoming deeper and more passionate with every sweep of their tongues. Hands exploring over crimsoned skin, fingers that traced over unique scars and the perfect imperfections that decorated each of their bodies. And when Helena pulled the brunette a little closer, her arousal dampening the smooth skin of Helena's thigh - she felt herself moan softly into the touch of it.

"Helena.. please.. my angel."

"Mh.. and here I thought I was prepared for just how beautiful that word would sound coming from you."

The Sorceress looked down at her beloved, tears of bliss coating both of their eyelashes as she placed a soft kiss to Frances' lips and pressed her thigh firmly into her core. The shuddering breath that slipped through the mid-morning air with utter ease and imprinted itself into Helena’s lips - the softness in which they held each other. Limbs entangled like century old tree branches - gentle, bonded. Each kiss building their arousals higher and higher.

“M-more.. please.”

A hum of pure want reverberating deep in the ex-General’s throat at the request as she pulled Frances closer, kissing her deeply and moving her thigh generously over her entrance.

“You are perfect, little one.”

Helena punctuated her praise with another arousing circle over the brunette’s core, this time indulging earnestly in her clit. The soft whimper that fell from her beloved's lips instantly filling her with a need like no other - desperate and yearning - willing an unyielding heat along the length of her skin.

Another deep kiss before the Sorceress' breath found Frances' ear, forcing a prompt shiver across the soft curves of her body.

"You are beautiful like this, meine Liebe."

At this point Frances was all too aware that any attempt to stop the fierce flush that built steadily would end in swift defeat. And she was also quite certain that her cheeks were about to burst into flames at any second. To be praised so indulgently by the one and only Helena Klien. It could truly only be a dream.

The funny thing was that Helena found herself having much the same thought. As she held onto Frances' sides, moving her in perfect rhythm with the thigh that rested firmly against the slit of her. Listening to the beautiful sounds that slipped arousingly from the brunette's body - her core practically soaking the ex-General's thigh.

Yes, Helena felt very much lost in a dream world of her own.

"More.. please, my angel… I.. need more of you."

There was almost an unconscious shift of her body as the Sorceress moved from her side to lay on top of her beloved. A landscape of supple pink skin laid out beneath her. Her eager mouth wasting no time in worshipping it, savoring over every inch of it. Placing the most gentle kisses to as much of it as she could.

"You are welcome to touch me in turn, my love." Helena said softly before clearing her throat. "If that is something you wish, of course."

The brunette's blush only grew deeper, a feat almost determined to be impossible.

"Oh- .. I- .. I would very much like that, Helena."

Frances had only about a second to bite her bottom lip before Helena's were back on her - long fingers sliding deep into her core.

"Oh, fu-" Frances gasped.

"I take it you are comfortable, little one?"

The ex-General chuckled softly before kissing Frances again, this time starting a slow place with her fingers and spreading her legs for her even more.

"Mh.. never been better." The brunette replied, her own hands exploring down the length of the Sorceress. Gentle fingers lingering over the many scars along the way - making a mental note to spend no less than an hour the next time worshipping over each and every one of them.

The wholly sinful moan that slipped from Helena's lips as soon as she felt the fingers of her true love slide deep inside of her, immediately moving her hips in motion with her own.

"Kiss me, please."

Frances' voice was barely above a whisper but dripped with want. The soft curves that the Sorceress loved so much moving exquisitely within the warm rays of sunlight that danced so freely throughout the room. Of course, Helena was more than happy to oblige - cupping her beloved's round face and kissing her passionately, stealing the words right from her lips.

There were very few moments in her life where Helena could ever remember being truly happy. Where, for just a moment stolen in time, she could feel all of the walls around her melt away and her spirit were able to roam free. Frances was the first person she had known where life just felt easy with. Where the love was effortless. And while she still wasn't sure if she was worthy of it, she knew she would treasure it nonetheless.

"There are not enough words in any realm to describe how much you mean to me, my love."

With lips just inches from her own, a fierce heat moved swiftly across her cheeks and rest of her body as Frances placed her free hand ton gently cup the ex-General's face. Breath shuddering from the steady thrusts of Helena's fingers.

"O-oh, Helena. You.. really have no idea.. just how amazing you are.. d-do you?"

Helena's only response was to kiss her again - deeply, completely - to make the brunette feel as good inside as she always did. Sexually, emotionally, mentally. Mere half breaths between kisses as the Sorceress drove her fingers even harder into her dripping core - the pace of Frances' fingers quickly following suit.

"Meine Liebe." Helena gasped softly, bodies flowing like dancers that only moved to the sounds of each other's pleasure.

"M-my angel."

"Mh.. come with me, my love. I long to hear you."

Half a command, half a plea - forcing a pricking heat across her beloved's body as the orgasm swiftly crashed over her. Frances' arousal coating Helena's fingers as the Sorceress' own pleasure took over. Deep shudders, entwined moans filling the heated space between them and ricocheting off the castle walls as they fell practically breathless against each other.

Before she could stop it, the ex-General could feel a single tear rolling down her cheek. For the first time in her life she felt true bliss - she felt free.

"Helena? Are you okay?"

"Mh.. as you say, never been better."

The smile on Helena's lips lingered long into the kiss as she pulled Frances a little closer.

"And you, little one? How are you feeling?"

The brunette let out a deep breath before chuckling. "Better. I no longer feel like I'm going to burst out of my skin if you don't touch me."

Helena hummed thoughtfully, a soft smirk coming across her lips.

"Is that to say that you would not be up for round two, then?"

Frances' blush moved back in almost immediately.

"Well, no-! I'm.. not saying that at all.. I mean-"

The Sorceress chuckled - a soft kiss to her beloved's lips.

"Mh… and such a good girl you are for telling me, Frances."