Fervid Fables of a Forgotten World

Dark Part 4

I wake up just at cock's crow, having had the best sleep since...let's just say it has been a while. Despite the fire burning in the hearth, last night had been freezing. Cherry lay in the room's tiny bed, bundled in anything and everything we could find to keep her warm. I had started the night by keeping watch at the door, trying to get as comfortable as possible in this twice-cursed, rickety old chair. That didn't last long. The damned chair completely gave out underneath me, sending me crashing loudly to the floor. Once she was finally able to stop laughing at my misfortune, Cherry surprised me by offering to share the bed.

"I trust you to behave like a gentleman," she tells me while pulling the blankets aside.

And to my credit I did. It took every ounce of self-control I had, but I somehow managed to not make an ass of myself. I left as much space between us as I could without falling off the side. I kept my hands, feet, and tail to myself. I attempted to make myself as unobtrusive as possible.

Turns out I didn't save a shy temple maiden, but a heat-seeking octopus. Seems Cherry is a snuggler when she sleeps. Normally I am not, but it's fucking cold, and I've been craving this woman's touch since they tossed her in the cell next to mine. So I allow those icy fingers and toes to stray wherever they pleased while keeping mine away from any dangerous bits.

I must have been exhausted because I pass out despite my angel's wandering fingers. I wake up to the sun just beginning to peek through the window. The fire is nothing more than dying embers, and the morning is so cold my breath comes out in white puffs. Cherry is sleeping soundly next to me, her head on my chest and arm draped over my stomach. Our legs are tangled together in such a way that one of her thighs is brushing against my cock. Not that I mind. I usually wake up to a boot kicking me in the stomach, so I consider this a vast improvement. My tail must have gotten chilled at some point during the night because I find it curled around her calf. I swear that thing has a mind of its own at times.

Content, I lay here watching her for a moment letting my fingers lazily stroke her arm. She is so small next to me, my tail could easily wrap around her waist at least twice. Her arm barely reaches across my chest and her skin looked like milk against the blood-red of mine. I wanted nothing more than to just lay here and watch the sun dance across her skin, but we had to get moving. Those priests would be looking for us. It wasn't safe to stay in one place for long.

Careful not to wake her, I slip out of bed and get the fire going again. Cherry has curled up into a tight ball, cocooning herself in bedding as she rolls into the spot I once occupied. Figuring I have a few minutes before she wakes, I sneak downstairs to take care of nature and grab us some breakfast. Just some simple bread and cheese, but it was fresh and the bread was still warm from the oven. Cherry is still asleep when I get back, so I set out food aside and take some time to freshen up a bit.

I was only in that cell a couple of weeks, but it had taken its toll on me. The person greeting me in the small chipped mirror hanging by the door is not the man I remember. My hair was a stringy mess, and the two weeks' growth of beard and dirt marring my face made me look like a beggar. Stripping out of my vest, I use some water from the basin to wash with. Satisfied that I had removed most of the grime from my skin I take the bar of lye and the razor I had found stashed in the nightstand and begin working on ridding myself of these whiskers. Once that's done I give my hair a wash. I'm working on trimming up the ends when Cherry starts to stir awake.

"D-dark? Mm...something smells good...Oh!"

I glance in the mirror to see Cherry sitting up in bed, her eyes wide and cheeks flushed as she stares at my uncovered back.

"Morning, Angel. You sleep well?"

I barely hear her squeak out a yes as she gives me a weak nod while her large eyes continue to take me in. Got to admit, seeing her getting flustered like this was a definite ego boost.