The Heat of Summer

Author’s note: I hope this story brings a smile to you guys. This is a continuation of my Touch of Spring series, and I hope to continue it more in the future.

I would also like to add a warm thank you for reading my stories. I’m really happy to share something near to my heart to others, and I’m glad it has been received.

I hope you have a wonderful day. And thank you once again!

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Birds chirping and singing marked the rise of a beautiful morning. James arched his back, nestling his head into the yielding coils of his lovers. A gentle coo and a kiss met James’ lips as he dreamily returned the gesture.

“Mmm morning. *Yawn* Selania you…” James opened his eyes a bit more to see her eyes still shut, but a happy and satisfied smile on her face. She shifted a bit while still wrapped taught around her prize, rolling her soft coils around his growing manhood. Despite being asleep, she still cooed and kissed him.

James chuckled to himself, lying back into her embrace once again. He may be stuck here just a bit longer. But that was alright. He could sit and watch the sunrise in her arms, no problem.

Shifting his arms free of her coils, he noted the others all around them. Easily the entire tribe, give or take maybe one or two, was out here. All wrapped up amongst themselves, some cuddling, others completely passed out on each other. It was… peaceful.

His new home was looking to be truly worth something.

“Hmm… new home…. now what do I do for them that they would love….”

The sun began to peak out from the east, as storm clouds passed the north. The golden rays shone out all the brighter for it as light slowly began to bathe the small village.

As James looked out from his serpentine bed, he saw one particular lamia slowly creeping out to the woods edge. The black and red colored one from the night prior. James jolted a bit as he recognized her, reaching out instinctively.

“Wait…” A whisper fell out of him before he could think. His arm glowed a dim blue as he reached, catching his eyes and startling him. The girl slowed and turned her head for a moment, before resuming her trek.

James retracted his arm, eyeing it as its glow lingered for a moment longer. Long enough for him to notice Selania’s arm have a similar glow to it.

She stirred as she furrowed her brow, breathing in deeply, then sneezing herself awake.

“*Achoo!* Gah, what-where, who was just…” Her eyes darted around, before settling on James. “Oh, heehee, was that you? Sorry, I thought my sisters were playing a prank again.”

That giggle and smile. Better than any sunrise I’ve ever seen. A guy could get used to this.

Selania grinned as she nuzzled her head into his chest. “You’re pretty easy on the eyes too big guy. I could get used to this too.”

The ground shifted as Selania released James, causing a few others to stir. The night prior had taken its toll as most barely budged, content with their shared heat. James took a wobbly first few steps, still regaining feeling in any extremity that wasn’t his arms, head, and well…..

“So, Selania… I, well, how do I put this…”

“What do we do now,right?” She rolled a coil around herself as she snuggled back into the nest of lamia. “Well, we don’t really move around much in the morning, until we get warm enough. Most of us can’t even move that much until mid day. Save for a few of us that is.”

Selania pointed towards the village, noting the larger houses. “Some of us like going out and getting fruits, wood, meat, whatever our tribe needs. I’m gonna go ahead and bet that we need some more food today.”

James nodded as he stretched his arms, grabbing up his tools and putting them into his pack. “Sounds like a job. Alright, consider me hired, I’ve been meaning to do something for all of you for awhile now.”

Selania smiled broadly as she lay back. “You know, food and wood isn’t all we want from you. I’d save some of that energy for later. Trust me, your days are gonna have plenty more *ahem* work.”

James bit his lips as he swallowed, looking over the field of lamia spread out. “Y-you mean…..”

“Mhm~ you’re mine James, and you’ll come back to me every single night. But, well, these girls need some love too. And…” She bit her lip, thinking for a moment. “…well I think Illessi can tell you more about how we live. She usually goes out early in the morning. Maybe you can go talk to her?”

James shielded his eyes as he looked towards the woods, nodding his head. “Yeah… I think I can gather a bit of what you’re saying. Ok then, I’ll go out and see if I can help a bit. Oh, and Selania?”

James leaned in, wrapping his hand around her head as he pulled her into a passionate kiss. Selania gasped as her tail stiffened, before she giggled into his mouth, returning with a passion of her own. Clenching her fist, she pulled back, gently pushing him away. She blushed, grumbling to herself.

“Mmm, you’ve got ten seconds to go about your day, or you aren’t gonna be free until tomorrow.” Selania licked her lips, eyes glowing golden.

“Message received, I’ll get going. See ya later.”

Selania grinned as she lowered back, yawning and nestling into her coils, rubbing the warm spot left by James. Before going to sleep, she drew a sigil into her arm, giggling to herself.

“Have fun darling… I’ll be calling soon.”

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James pushed out into the brush, travelling back to where Illessi was last perched. The sweet fragrence of the fruits and flowers reminded him of his last venture out here. He lips felt a bit dry all of a sudden.

“Illessi? You out here?”

James listened intently, hearing a snapping branch off in the distance, traveling further out into the wild. Shrugging, he treked out after it, grabbing up a fruit as he went.

More cracking branches and humming came from beyond his view. James took a bite out of his breakfast, cherishing its juicy texture, reminiscing on the last couple of days that changed his entire course in life.

This was too amazing to be true. A life with a family that loved him. Where he could trek in the wild, hunt, gather, and all of it would be valuable. He would be valuable. Gratitude wasn’t going to cut it, as much as he was grateful. His smile slowly turned to a frown as a single thought began to echo in his mind.

Just what would it take to ever repay this?

“Illessi, I-” James stepped out from the treeline into a grotto of flowers. He heard a gasp as he looked up, realizing the mistake he made.

It was the red and black lamia from last night. Her scales reflected the light, shimering almost independantly from each other. A thin line of yellow scales met the red, as the red met the black. She cupped her mouth as she saw James walk up, her face blushing almost immediately.

“*Eep!* Oh, hi, uhm, sorry I didn’t-” Her coils wrapped in a tight loop around her as she lowered back towards the ground. She dropped a flower onto the ground as she tripped over herself trying to grab it again. All for naught, as she landed on the ground in front of him.

James reached his hand out, trying to stifle a laugh as he watched. “Heh, oh I’m sorry, you need a hand?”

The girl huffed to herself, picking up the flower as she extended it to him as she closed her eyes. “I-I got this and I thought, well it’s pretty valuable, and I liked it, and I thought that since you were new here, and you’d need a gift maybe… uhm, would you like it?”

James paused, unsure of how to respond. Most of the lamia he had spoken with were so forward. So certain of themselves.

And here was one that wasn’t so different from him.

“I-of course. Yes I’d like it. But, well, I don’t have anything for you.”

She quickly shook her head as she slithered towards him, holding it out like a treasure as she lowered her eyes. “No no, I wouldn’t dare impose, I just, well everyone was so excited to see you and I didn’t know how to show that, and, you see, well, uhm…” She looked back up at him as her voice trailed off to barely a whisper. “Uhm, I didn’t…. know what humans…. liked and…”

James reached his hand out, barely grazing hers as she gasped, caressing his fingers before quickly retreating back to her chest. Blushing she started to back away as she stammered out a quick apology.

“Sorry! Sorry, I’ll just, it was nice, bye, seeing you!” She quickly darted off into the brush as James stood there with a flower in his hand, stunned at the transaction. Before he could stammer out anything, she was gone, into the brush.

Looking down, he noted the petal’s colors didn’t match any of the flowers he was surrounded by. Where they were mostly red or purple, this flower was a vibrant pink, turning to a deep red in the center. It smelled earthy, but sweet. Almost unnaturally so, in deep contrast to the rest of the flowers out here.

Wait, did he smell… cheese cake? Was his nose completely off? He leaned in again to take another breath. This time deeper. There was no denying it, he smelled the sweet aroma of cheese cake.

Smelling it did make him feel slightly….happy. Healthy even. Not wanting to lose a gift, he placed it gently in his pack, hoping to not smash it on his trip.

Shame I didn’t catch her name. Or give mine. But maybe I’ll get a better chance later, and with some company. She seemed so nervous around me. Maybe I could hunt something down for her to make her a bit more comfortable. Like, some other flower or maybe something from the city.

James stopped for a moment, thinking about his belongings back at his old apartment. Just sitting there, gathering dust.

Maybe he would make a trip back there sometime. Maybe bring some things back for them to enjoy.

First things first though, gotta get some firewood. Reaching into his pack, he pulled his hatchet, checking around for any small trees or large branches he could get to work on.

The sun began to rise as he got to work. In no time at all, the heat of the day had begun to set in as sweat began to form on his brows. Rolling his sleeves back, he got to work.

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Off in the brush, the lamia watched in fascination as he gathered fire wood, curious at how his methods differed from her tribe. Her tail swished in time with his axe as she observed.

“Thought I’d find you out here Lineysha!” A voice boomed behind, making her squeel as she jumped up, soliciting a laugh from her assailant. A red and black lamia grinning ear to ear slithered around her, putting her arms on Lineysha’s shoulders. “Boo.”

“*Eep!* Iphresse! I-you-what are you doing out here?!” Lineysha threw her arms down, pouting as she realized who was messing with her again. “I thought you weren’t going to be up for awhile!”

“Well, I waaas going to sleep in, but last night got me thinking. We were a couple lamia short for the festivities, weren’t we? And I happen to know of one particilarly shy girl that usually avoids parties. You wouldn’t happen to know who that is, would you?”

Lineysha grumbled under her breath as she looked back towards James, shooing her as she peeked from under the brush. Iphresse looked up as well, noting the man of their tribe now trying his best to give back.

“Well look at him go. He may not have a tail, but he’s got some endurance and some mus-cle.”

Looking back, she noticed Lineysha completely entranced by the newcomer. She cooed as she noted her sister’s blushing cheeks, knowing all too well that it wasn’t her that was the cause of her real frustration.

A wicked smile began to form as she leaned in closer to Lineysha, watching James as she spoke in hushed tones.

“You knoooow…. He’s Selania’s now, and that makes him the tribe’s too… He’s Selania’s, Illessi’s, miiine…. yooours….”

Lineysha looked back to her sister for a moment, her face lighting up at her last words, before biting her lip and returning her gaze to James.

James wiped his brow as he took his shirt off, much to Iphresse’s glee. She rolled a coil over Lineysha’s tail, quietly wrapping her in a tight knot to hold her still.

“Oh look at that. His muscles on display just for you…as he swings again and again… Could you imagine him using those muscles for something… else?”

Lineysha’s breathing became a bit more ragged as she felt her hand trail down her body. She shook her head, trying to clear out the mental pictures that were rapidly taking over her mind.

“Uhm…. wait no, that’s ok, I’ll just be going now!” Lineysha tried to pull away, but realized all too late that Iphresse had her in a bind. Grinning, Iphresse put her fingers to Lineysha’s chin, guiding her back to James, who was now swinging harder, grunting as he worked.

“Oh? But you were just so curious about him just a few moments ago. Don’t you want to watch him…. finish?”

Lineysha squirmed as her face turned red. “I-I-Mmph!”

In a flash, Iphresse wrapped her tail around her mouth, pulling her close as she grinned, pointing back at James. Lineysha could feel drool starting to form on the side of her lips as she tried to will her eyes shut.

“Now now… It’s only polite that you admire all that hard work he’s putting in.” Iphresse leaned in close as she whispered in her ear. “Sooo…. be a good girl and watch.”

Lineysha whimpered into her tail as she watched James, a heat flowing through her body as she felt her pussy ache with need. She wanted to be a good girl. She needed to be a good girl.

“Oh you are positively a mess. You know…. Selania got ahold of him out in the woods, and had him alllll niiiiight. And then Illessi got a shot right over there. Preeetty close to where we are right now. He was the center of attention at the celebration last night…. And if we’re counting all that were present as getting to know him, why, that really only leaves one more to get to know him. One more to claim him as part of the tribe.”

Iphresse pulled her tail back a bit as Lineysha bent obediently back, eyes watering with need as her muffled begging turned to moans.

“But maybe, you’d like him to claim you. Let him take charge? To do whatever it was he wanted and practically…. own you?”

Lineysha whimpered as she reached down her belly towards her eager pussy, desperate for release as she wriggled and writhed.

“Now now, I don’t think anyone gave you permission to do that! Hands back!” Iphresse tightened her grip, while guiding her hands back to her sides. “That’s more like it. You don’t want to give in just yet…. You know, I’ve been thinking of a way to properly introduce you two, and I think I have a way of doing just…. that…. Would you like that?”

Iphresse rotated around, blocking her view of James as she smiled wickedly. Lineysha felt her head nod of its own accord, making Iphresse giggle with glee as she released her prisoner, letting her fall back onto her own coils.

“Then it’s settled! But keep on the edge, like the good girl you are. Because tomorrow….” Iphresse leaned over as she gently caressed Lineysha’s tail. “…I’m gonna get you both a bit more…. acquainted.”

Lineysha nodded, eyes still locked on James. She slowly backed away, her hand barely teasing herself as she left. Iphresse giggled as she wiped the sweat off of her brow. Now, for part two of her master plan.

Smiling confidently as she watched James gather up as much wood as he could carry. Puffing her chest out and tilting her head back, she slithered out into the clearing, putting her cocky persona on display.

“Ah! The life of last night’s party! So how was the company?”

James jolted, smiling, before realizing he was bare chested. Embarrassed, he darted back and forth looking for his shirt, as Iphresse pulled her tail up to rest her elbow, cocking an eyebrow while James quickly tried putting his shirt back on.

“Oh hey! You… wait you’re not the same girl….” James leaned in, finally getting his shirt over his head, and properly getting a good look at her.

“That’s right, take it all in. I’m worth a second take.” Iphresse rose spreading her arms and pulling them over her head, winking at him as she posed.

“That’s right! You’re the cook! That makes a lot more sense actually! Oh, and I never really got to say this, but thank you. Your cooking was incredible.”

Iphresse could feel her cheeks turn red out of the blue, making her a bit flustered. She quickly turned and laughed as she twirled her hand dramatically.

“Hah, well I don’t mean to brag, but I’d say that’s pretty on point! And thank you for coming, wouldn’t have had much of an occasion to show off my talents otherwise!”

“Well, your welcome I s’pose. Hoping to help with your next ‘occasion’ here.” James pointed to the large pile of wood behind him, returning his hatchet to his large pack. Iphresse noticed the flower tip in the pack as he did, recognizing just what he had stumbled on.

“Hey, didn’t know you were into plantlife. How’d you come across that rare find?”

James stopped for a moment, looking back to the wood with a concerned look. “Uhm, was I not supposed to chop that?”

“No no, this!” Iphresse boldly reached for the flower in his pack, before James put his hands up to stop her.

“Woah, easy that was a gift! I don’t exactly know what it does, but I think it’s pretty fragile.”

“A gift? Wait…” Iphresse eyes widened as she realized just what her sister was doing out here. “…oh you are a clever girl.”

James looked to the flower, then back to Iphresse, shrugging his shoulders as he put his tools back up.

Iphresse put both hands on her hips, cocking her head. “So you don’t have any clue to what that plant is used for?”

“Uhm…. no? It smells kinda strong, but makes me feel pretty solid. I just figured it was a cool flower.”

“Well, it IS a cool flower. But it’s kind of important. They’re kinda rare. And by rare, I mean like, REALLY rare. Maybe one or two every decade, and only on the right circumstances.”

James went white as he looked back at the flower. “Y-you mean she gave me this random flower, and it was some kind of gem of nature, and I just shoved it in my pack like some kind of neanderthal?!”

“Hah, yep I think that sums it up pretty good! But it’s tough, I don’t think you could’ve really done much to hurt it.” Iphresse laughed as she put her arm around James, leaning in as she spoke. “Buuut, you can’t really be blamed for not knowing. You were just being polite and trying your best, just like she was. And you knooooow….” Iphresse pressed her lips against James’ neck, letting her tongue flit out as she gathered his scent. “…I think I can help you find a way to pay her back.”

James swallowed as he nodded. “*ahem* yeah? Well, that would be pretty good I think. So, just what did y-”

James gasped as his arm suddenly started to tingle. A blue light began to encircle it, going up to his shoulder. He knew this feeling all too well.

Jaaaames….

Iphresse raised her eyebrow, noting his sudden change in demeanor. Seeing the blue light travel up his body, she smirked, recognizing her sister’s handiwork.

“Oh, now that is good timing. Tell you what Jamesy, I got an offer for ya.”

James looked back between Iphresse and his chest which was now glowing brighter around his heart.

“I help you pay her back for her very special gift on one condition. You, me, right here, right now.” Iphresse encircled her tail around him, creating a makeshift bed of coils as she drew her body closer to his. James eyes narrowed as his heart beat faster.

Awww… someone feeling a bit needy?

James felt his erection strain against his pants. A wall of coils propped him up from the back. He struggled to think of something back, but Iphresse pulled her shirt lower, drawing his eyes directly to her bouncing boobs, as she bobbed and weaved, keeping his gaze on her.

“Heehee, she really did a number on you huh? You know, don’t tell her I said this, but out of all of our tribe, Selania really was the most talented with that magic of hers.” Iphresse licked her lips, hissing in triumph as she watched her prey squirm.

“You never said yes to my offer ya know…. So how bout it Jamesy? I ease some of that frustration for you, and you get to pay back that sweet sweet girl’s hospitality?”

James felt the wall behind him pulse in time with his heart beat. By how hard his heart was pounding, it wouldn’t surprise him if the village could hear them out here. Iphresse moaned, teasing James as she raised her hands up her sides, just to compound on his situation.

Need to…. Have to….. James could hardly grasp any sound other than Iphresse’s moans as she slowly raised her tail around and around his feet.

Good James, just let go and…. enjoy….

“I-I want-I-”

“You want to whaaaat? Sorry Jamesy, that won’t do! I want a yessss.” Iphresse rolled her tongue against his cheek, shivering as she tasted his scent, savoring his flavor.

Give in James… Just let go and cum….

“Y-yes!” James barely squeeked out as his hands desperately released his aching cock. Iphresse gasped seeing it bounce freely in the air, frozen for a moment before her confident smile returned.

“Oh! Ooohhh. Good boy. Now then…”

Iphresse looped one of her coils behind James, directly over his chest as she pulled her tail, lifting him completely off of the ground as she leaned over her prize.

In a swift motion, she slid between her coil behind him, pressing her boobs against his back and squeezing them tightly together.

Rolling her scales slowly over his chest, winding him tighter and tighter, she barely could hold her excitement in as he twitched. She reached toward his base, deftly wrapping her fingers around his base as she looped her tail around his tip, pulling his cock to her tail length. In no time at all, his pulsing manhood gave in. James moans turned to unabashed screams as the blue light in his chest began to pound harder.

“Shhhh….. just let it out. Let it alllll out……” She grinned as she ground her chest into his back, putting her hand over his mouth. His scent began to overwhelm her senses, however, and she soon found her tongue trailing around his neck as her eyes fluttered.

James muffled screams only added to her pleasure as his orgasm rose instead of diminishing. Iphresse rolled her tail around his tip, letting him coat more and more of her tail.

Without thinking, she used her other hand to collect his essence, licking and moaning in delight as she did.

So much of him… so much at once… his essence was overwhelming her senses. Him, releasing his seed at her whim allll over her, proving his submission.

The idea was exciting…. why was the thought of him coating her so hot?

Normally she could make any of her tribe buckle, or at least flinch under her. She prided herself on her confidence and control.

But here she was now on the brink of her own orgasm, just from this.

She moved her tail away from his cock as he spurt once more, making her gasp as she rolled her coils around him, bringing herself to face his cock. Her cheeks were flushed as she watched in awe, realizing he was still cumming. Her sisters really were prepping him for some real fun.

Without thinking, she lowered her head to taste. In an instant, she was addicted.

In an instant, she wasn’t in control.

“Oh gods, that’s incredible! Yes!” She panted as she raised her head, tail quickly wrapping all around his length as her coils rolled around his body. “You really are so pent up. I don’t think just once is gonna work. I. Need. More!”

Iphresse pressed her tits together, raising them and impaling James cock between, as he tried to retreat from the intense stimulation. The blue runes encircling his chest began to turn purple as James stiffened up.

Oh, you wouldn’t be trying to escape someone, would you? Heehee! Then I’d better do my part in helping you stay put.

His body went limp, save for his cock. Frozen in place, yet feeling so amplified, his senses came alive. He could only succumb now.

James eyes drifted open, only seeing red and black coils encircling his vision, hearing his captor panting and moaning, his cock completely lost in between her soft, yet demanding boobs, urging his essence to rush through his shaft and into their squishy embrace.

He could swear he heard Selania’s moans alongside his.

“Don’t you dare hold back! Give me it all! Coat me in your submission. And! give! IN!” Iphresse squeezed her boobs in emphasis as James cock immediately came again, erupting out and covering her.

James felt her spasm suddenly as he felt the air in his lungs squeezed out of him. For a moment, his aggressor stopped. For a moment the air was still.

Until he heard a slight whimper.

Iphresse held her eyes shut tightly, her breathing ragged as her voice quivered in soft, shaky moans.

He had gotten her this close already. The feeling of a human in her grasp was more intense than she bargained for. She needed to back off and get her composure again. She was in charge. He was entranced and helpless. Yes, her prey. She need only to remember that he was in her grasp right now. His muscular body…. wrapped all up.

She rolled her coils over him, hiding him from her view as she played and prodded him, feeling him struggle as she saw his cum rolling down her tail.

Yes, just take a second to relish his musky aroma…. His thick cock just begging to be inside you….

Iphresse squeezed her tail around him, feeling every muscle he had, rocking her hips and fingering herself with need as she brought him closer to her human half. She needed to take a deep….. deep breath. Just to recover and to get back to….. him….

She drew a ragged breath in. The exact wrong move if she ever wanted to regain composure. All her senses were overwhelmed.

With him.

She needed him inside her. She needed it now!

“Oh gods, fuck me! Fuck me now!” Iphresse opened up her coils, revealing his erect cock, as she opened her pussy up, lifting herself to him. In an instant, she had impaled herself onto his length. Her inner muscles clamped down, capturing her prey and trapping him inside, deep deep into her womb.

“Ah….Ah! Ah! AH! AHH!” Iphresse grinded her pussy onto his cock, losing herself in absolute bliss as her orgasm finally took over.

James felt her quiver and squeeze his bullied cock, pulling him so deep inside as he felt the tell tale signs of an intense orgasm explode from within.

Feeling him push so deeply into her was one thing. But it was entirely different when he began to pump his seed into her. Releasing his essence into her warm, inviting womb. Flooding her with him.

It was so much better than her tail.

James, hardly anything more than a toy for her pleasure, found himself slowly regain control of his arms. As much as he was wracked in the throes of passion, his mind was clearing, despite his body rejoicing in the bliss he was in.

A strange as it was, he felt more in control than Iphresse right then.

Make her bend for you… Use your will to give her pleasure beyond her wildest dreams…

Selania’s voice echoed in James’ mind as he felt a surge roll down his arm. He felt his hand move of its own accord within her grip, fingers forming sigils down Iphresse’s coils as they began to glow.

Now, take her…

James clenched his teeth as he pushed his glowing hand into her coils, the light weaving around her until they reached her hips. Her eyes clenched shut as she screamed, her pussy spasming around his manhood.

“Fuck! FUCK! MORE! PLEASE GIVE ME MORE!!”

Iphresse screamed as she grabbed her own coils to pull herself closer. Desperation turned to pleasure. Desire became bliss. Every single feeling she had became more and more ecstasy.

It was too much, and not enough. Her mind went white as she fell with her prize still locked inside her coils and inside her, milking him further as he gave in again and again.

Shaking and quivering, Iphresse mewled as she felt him finally slow to a halt, the runes dissipating as James went limp, breathing heavily as he felt her coils slide off of him as they both lay on the smooth grass. They both looked at each other for a moment before James smirked.

“*Huff* Well, that….. that was new. Gonna pay Selania back for that later.”

Iphresse laughed, panting as she rolled over, wiping herself clean as she flit her tongue out to taste his seed.

“Tch *pant* I figured you had an edge. Nobody gets me that excited that quickly!” Tilting her head up, she scoffed, slithering up to James’ tools and bringing them back to him.

“I suppose that is enough for me to fulfill my end of the bargain. So…. Jamesy.”

James looked up to see her flashing a wicked smile, a glint of mischeif in her eyes. “Meet me at the center of town tomorrow at dawn. And do try to recover a bit. See if Selania has something to help with that.”

Iphresse leaned in, whispering in his ears. “You’re gonna need allll the help you can get.”

With a swivel, she turned her back to him, caressing his face with her tail as she quickly grabbed up all the wood he had. She hummed happily to herself as she disappeared into the brush towards the town, leaving James bewildered, but happy as he lay his head back, watching the clouds float in the shining bright sky.

“So this is what you had in mind when you said they needed love, huh Selania…” Raising his hand, he noted how warm and tingly he felt when he concentrated. Like fire and electricity, mixed with the warmth and love of her embrace. They shared everything now.

She even gave him her power. She gave him everything.

And…. just what was he giving her?

“It is a beautiful day isn’t it sweet meat?”

James jolted up as he heard Illessi approach, casually eating a red and green fruit.

“Hey Illessi, it is. I was gonna come find you actually, but I may have gotten a bit…”

“Preoccupied?” She raised an eyebrow as she looked down at the indents in the grass encircling James. “I imagined that’s what the screams I heard were. Figured I’d best not interrupt if it was going that well.”

“Psh, you make it sound like I was doing more than I was.” James laugh trailed off, as a somber feeling began to overcome him. “Kinda hard to claim that actually, come to think of it. Especially when you’re completely at the mercy of a ball of muscles.”

“Hah, and you make it sound like lamia don’t enjoy having prey to toy with. Besides, you give yourself very little credit.” Illessi paused, her face darkening as she lowered her tone, noting his distant stare. “I take it your modesty doesn’t allow for much pride in yourself.”

“Modesty?” James frowned slightly as he shrugged. “Eh, I guess. Just glad you guys enjoy me as much as you do. Although, I’m still not really that much to write home about, if you ask me.”

Illessi lay her head next to James as she sighed, watching the clouds. “That’s something Selania did mention in our talk. I think her words were, ‘He carries a heavy burden inside. He wants so badly to belong.’ I think that fits you perfectly, if you ask me.”

James’ eyebrows furrowed, as he looked over to Illessi, a mix of guilt and embarrasment filling his gut. “I, well…. guess that makes sense.”

“You know, you and I different, as much as I’m sure you’d disagree given our distinct appearance. We both have a tremendous amount of pressure we put on ourselves.” Illessi closed her eyes as she spoke. “Can’t let ourselves take credit, or we might just slip. Can’t just accept a gift without trying to give back. Can’t let the past repeat itself, or else it’ll come back and haunt us. Can’t be anything less than a perfect being.”

Illessi turned her head, eyes glistening a bit as she spoke solemnly. “Any of this sounding familiar?”

“Tch-I don’t….” James words failed him as he tried to think of any way to deflect. He rose to his feet as he stepped away, rubbing the nape of his neck. “…look, this sounds pretty close to home for you. Can I ask you something?”

“Yes. But only if I can ask you something.”

“An even trade… Fair’s fair I suppose. Illessi, your whole tribe is locked off from the world for a reason. Why would you open up and accept me, of all people?”

“….You aren’t the past.”

James met Illessi’s gaze as she stood firm. “James, Selania is no fool. Naive maybe, and a bit gullible, but she is no fool. She saw you for the man she wanted. And I love her. I’m not so selfish to just throw out someone my family loves, just because I was hurt!”

Illessi’s lips trembled a bit as she regained her composure. “We were hurt before, yes. By humans, yes. And I am the only one who really remembers how much harm both humans and lamia can do. At least for our tribe… But that doesn’t mean you are the past. And neither are we.”

James stared back in shock. His mind buzzed a bit as a sharp pain seared his heart. “I..I don’t….”

“So now you will answer my question. What’s stopping you from loving yourself?”

James snapped back as Illessi closed the distance between both of them. He tried to just say she was wrong. That he was just fine with him. That he was someone he was proud of.

But…. he couldn’t.

“Your silence speaks for itself…. James, I know a thing or two about doubt. It hangs on you as much as it hung on me. But let me tell you something, as a friend. As a companion.”

Illessi cupped his face as she lifted his chin. “You are worth more than what you can give. You are valuable beyond your efforts. So please, do this one thing for me, and if not for me, for Selania.”

Illessi’s eyes saw through him as she pulled James into an embrace. She whispered in his ear as she held him tight.

“Stop thinking of yourself as a debt that needs paid off.”

Like a punch in the gut, James froze, eyes watering as he felt a whimper fall out of him. Illessi gripped his hand, holding it for a moment before slithering back into the wilds, leaving him to process what she had said.

He stood in the field a few moments longer. A gentle breeze brushed over the flowers and trees, as the birds began to sing once again. Everything began to spring to life in its own unique way.

And…. he had a part in that.

Lifting his head up, he breathed in the atmosphere, stewing on Illessi’s words as the sun shone down on him, basking him in warmth.

“I’m…. not a debt…..”

A bittersweet feeling overcame him as he walked back to the village. It didn’t change much yet. He knew it would take time to properly follow her wishes.

But the air did feel lighter now.

————————————————————————————————

The village was bustling as lamia came and went with all sorts of different supplies. Some drug back hand woven nets of fish, while others yet busied themselves with making a foundation for a new hut. Some saw James coming up from the woods, smiling and waving at him as they worked.

Selania was working herself, helping lay out the foundation. Looking up, a warm smile crossed her face as she extended her arms.

“James! Hey, how was your day? Anything exciting happen?” She smirked mischievously as she winked. “Well, girls I think I need a break. Mind if I take James here for a walk?”

The two lamia giggled as they shooed Selania away, whispering to each other as she went. James looked to the village working hard to get everything in order, making him think once again about his tools at home.

A strange idea had begun to form in his mind as he saw them lay out the foundation for a new house. He had some construction know how from his old work.

And the girls here needed something to keep them warm….

“Hey James? You ok?”

“Yeah…. just thinking about something I want to try later.” James looked back to her, smirking and holding her hand. “Hey, Selania? You know anything about flowers?”

“Mmmm, a little bit. My sisters, Iphresse and Lineysha, are into all sorts of things though. Why? Find something?” Her eyes glistened with glee as she glanced at his pack.

“Hah, well, I didn’t per se. A girl gave me this out in the fields and then left pretty quick afterwards.” James pulled the flower out of his pack, gingerly holding it out, as Selania’s eyes widened in awe.

“Woah, is that a Dryad’s Kiss? These are so cool! Their leaves smell different for everyone!” She leaned in, inhaling and sighing. “Ahh… like a cool morning mist after the rain. These are used for all sorts of spells, medicines, everything! They usually don’t bloom that often…. Wonder why one is out here now?”

She trailed for a bit before snapping back. “Oh sorry, me and Lineysha talk about some passions sometimes. She’s really supportive too. I think you’d like her.”

“Heh, maybe. But I think that will have to wait. Was kinda strong armed into something at dawn it seems. See, today I ran into the cook from last night, Iphresse, and she-”

“Oh so she’s the one who caught you out there? That makes a lot of sense now. She said she was going to go check on Lineysha. Betting she found her too, given that look on her face when she came back….” Selania smirked, looking towards a hut with a knowing look. “Oh that’s what you had in mind…..”

Giggling to herself, Selania looked back to James, wrapping her tail around his arm, bringing his hand around her hips. Her reptilian eyes glanced down to his belt, as her hand rubbed up and down his chest. “So, James… ~mhm~ you’ve got til morning before you have to go again…..”

James felt his heart leap as his smile returned full stride. He pulled her closer to him, soliciting an excited mewl as he cupped his hand around her chin.

Squeezing her tail rhythmically up his arm, she pulled him gently to a nearby hut, keeping his eyes on her on the way.

“Would you like to… maybe…” they entered a chamber with luscious plants, all in bloom, filling the room with a sweet fragrance of lavander. Selania pulled her shirt down, letting her boobs spill out, pulling his hand up her side as she rolled her tail tip towards her, begging him to come closer. To take what he wanted.

James lunged forward, pulling Selania into his arms and pushing her back into the wall. In pure heated passion, they kissed each other, each one an electric spark, reigniting their pure adoration for each other.

Caught up in the moment, Selania forgot everything but her lips against his, relishing his desire, feeling his own heart begin to beat to her rhythm. His lust realligning with hers.

James lowered his head, teasing her nipples before latching on, suckling her as he traced his hand down to her hips. Selania cooed, slowly winding her tail around his legs and undoing his belt buckle. She raised her tail tip to the back of his head, resting on him and pulling him closer to her as he suckled.

James eyes glazed over as he tasted a sweet nectar begin to pour from her. What was originally meant for her pleasure, soon turned to his own as he swallowed instinctively, his mind sinking into a white blissful haze ever so slowly.

“~Mmm~ Yesss, keep going James. Oh gods I missed you.” She moaned between whispers as she cradled his head to her, rocking her hips against his erection, teasing him.