Cassandra's Second Chance
This story is a work of furry fiction and is based around a story which I wrote for a friend some time ago. It may very well contain acts of yiffery. If such things are not your cup of tea, or they are forbidden, or you are under age, please leave now. Or at least don't get caught. As always this work and the characters within are copyright by me. Comments and suggestions as always are welcomed and read, [email protected]
Cassandra's Second Chance
Devon ran through the forest as fast as his feet would carry him. The path he'd been walking this morning had long since been left behind. Somewhere from behind him he could still here the baying of the dogs and the shouts of their masters as they pursed him. The dense underbrush that he ran through clutched and tore at his lose fitting shirt and pants. The smaller branches he pushed aside with ease, forcing his way past the larger. Every so often now the trees would seem to exact a manner of revenge as a sharp twig would draw blood from his exposed arm or leg. If it hadn't been for those damned dogs he'd have lost this bunch long ago. Ahead of him the light seems to increase in its brightness, there must be a clearing up there somewhere. He runs toward the brightest section of sunlight. He's so focused on the sunlight that he doesn't even realize that the forest has thinned out markedly. His feet are becoming heavier with each stride that he took. He chances a glance behind, he sees nothing but the dogs still call for his blood from somewhere in the wood. Devon looks forward again just in time to see, but not avoid the raised up root in his path. His left foot catches it squarely, his green eyes go wide and time seems to slow as the ground approaches. He lands heavily on his right shoulder and tumbles end for end, his red bushy tail drawing close to him. After rolling for a good ten feet he flattens himself out on the ground. He can move everything and nothing seems to be broken.
Now that he's been rather ungracefully stopped Devon takes stock of his surroundings. His tumble took him right out of the woods. He now stands on a low bank about twenty feet away from a rather large river. Behind him the dense woods and his pursers, ahead a bit of a swim but on the other side of the river is open country and hills where he can make good time and hide if need be. He wastes little time in deciding his course, he makes for the river, with any luck the water will wash away his scent and he can get ahead of his chasers. He wades into the deep blue waters. The cold water soaks through his light clothes and his red fur. He starts to shiver slightly and has trouble initially finding his swimming rhythm. After the first twenty feet or so he decides to increase his chances of loosing the dogs, but at the same time increase his risk hypothermia. He takes a deep breath and dives under the water. Fortunately the currents in this area of the river are light and he swims well for a fox his size.
On the far bank Devon crawls from the water, his lungs burn from the long underwater swim and his muscles ache from the hours of running. He is shaking uncontrollably now. His body temperature dropped dangerous low by the cold water. Still he calls on his last reserves of strength and claws his way up the bank and into the tall grass. Nearby sits a large boulder, which he crawls behind to hide. The sun is still high in the western sky and the barking of the dogs has faded greatly. The warmth of the sun warmed rock slows his shaking and he waits until the last sounds of his pursuit have gone completely. He sighs in relief, for now he's safe and can get a good jump on them. He pulls himself to his feet against the rock, but his legs can't take his own weight after the long run and he collapses to the soft earth. He's so very tired. His eyes feel like they have lead weights on them and they close of their own accord. But just before everything goes black with unconsciousness a dark shadow moves overtop of him. He whimpers at his new twist of fate and then all is dark.
Devon awakes to the sounds of a fire burning. His eyes snap open to take in his surroundings. He's in a large room, torches light the walls and a warm fire burns in the hearth near him. A thick, almost carpet like, blanket covers him from head to tail. He can feel it on his fur so his clothes have been removed. Devon decides to make a break for it, he won't let what happened in that tavern happen again, no one will make him their bitch again. He sits upright quickly ready to make a dash for the nearest exit, wherever it may be. His head swims from the sudden movement and begins to pound on his temples. He puts his paws down to steady himself. He sees a shadow move in the firelight and cringes back from it and whimpers in fear. A grey furred wolf kneels by his side, "Shhh," the wolf soothes, "don't be frightened. I won't harm you." The voice is soft, warm, and feminine. This is a she wolf. His vision is still blurred from his pounding head, he can make out he coloring but not her features. She lays a paw on his chest and gently, but firmly pushes him back down onto the floor. She pulls the blanket back up to cover his chest and shoulders. Devon just stares at the ceiling, its heavy wooden beams looking back at him. He can hear her, as she wrings out a cloth and places it across his forehead. It's cold, but it feels so good on his pounding head. "Where am I?" he manages to ask, grimacing after making his words as the pounding returns with renewed force.
"You are in my home." The wolf replies softly so as not to make his pounding head worse. "And here you are safe, no one will harm you and I will take care of you until your health returns."
Devon moans and tries to get back to sleep. It's not a hard task and he is back to his dreams in moments.
Cassandra places a new, cool cloth on the fox's forehead before getting to her feet. She lifts the bowl from the floor and turns to leave. She looks back at the fox sleeping on her floor by the fire. She sighs inwardly, this scene is all to familiar to her, she closes her eyes for a moment and sees his face, those shocking blue eyes set against that black band of fur, his soft yet strong paws as they held her. She opens her eyes and looks above the fireplace, to the brightly polished sword that rests there. A tear runs down her muzzle and she quickly leaves the room.
The next morning Devon is awoken by the whistle of a kettle boiling over the fire. His eyes open and adjust to the light in the room. The wolf stands in front of him facing the fire. She pulls the kettle out and the whistling stops, much to Devon's relief. He can hear her pouring the water into another container of some kind. All he can really see of her is her head as the rest of her is covered by a black cloak. She turns and walks away without giving him so much as a glance. She returns a few moments later with a steaming mug in her hands. She kneels beside him, mug in one paw. She places the other behind his shoulder and helps him sit up slowly. He's still sore, but this time his head feels better. "Here, drink this." She says quietly, "It will help with the fever." She brings the mug to his lips. He hesitates for a moment but then figures that if she wanted to hurt him she'd have most likely done so by now. Slowly he sips at the hot liquid. It tastes odd, but not unpleasant. It takes a while but he finally finishes the entire drink. "There now." The wolf says with a smile. "Now lie back down and get some more rest you are still quite weak little foxy."
"Devon, my name's Devon." He replies, not meaning to be rude but just so that she has something better to call him then "foxy".
"Well Devon, I'm Cassandra. Now get some rest. I'll check on you again later."
Devon lies back down and pulls the blanket up around his chin. It's been a very long time since anyone was this kind to him, again within minutes he's asleep.
Again at about midday Cassandra wakes Devon and gives him some herbal tea to help break his fever. By now he's feeling a bit stronger and he crawls on his paws and knees over to one of the high backed chairs that sit facing the fire. He pulls himself up just enough to collapse into the chair. Once settled he takes a good look around the room. It's very large with high ceilings. He looks into the fire, watching its flames dance on the logs as they burn. He reaches out with a foot paw and hooks the blanket on the floor, pulling it to him. He just gets snug when a glint catches his eye. He looks above the fireplace and his eyes quickly find the source of the reflection. The sword rests on a pair of tines driven into the wall. Its slightly curved blade is highly polished. He wonders who it might have belonged to, even it belongs to Cassandra. But for now he is tired and he falls asleep in the chair.
A paw resting on his shoulder drives Devon from his dreams. His eyes fly open and his body stiffens as he places his paw firmly atop the other. He looks up and into Cassandra's warm brown eyes and soft face. He relaxes slightly, "I'm sorry if I startled you Devon. But it is dinner time and you need to have something to eat."
"Oh, thank you Cassandra. I don't mean to be so jumpy." Devon replied in a soft voice.
"It's alright. I can remember being the same way at one time. Now I'll bring you a plate." Cassandra said patting him lightly on the shoulder. After Cassandra turns to leave Devon's eyes are once again drawn to the sword which rests over the fireplace. The blade catches and reflects the torchlight around the room. He can see that there is something engraved on the blade just above the hilt, but from here he can't see exactly what it is. His ears pick up Cassandra's approaching footsteps and he turns to see her come around a corner in the hallway. She carries a tray with a steaming bowl upon it and her black cloak seems to give away nothing of her form other then the fact that she's a female. She smiles and Devon realizes that he was staring and looks away quickly his ears flushing, but hidden well by the color of his fur. Cassandra sets the tray down on his lap and he catches sight of the emblem patch that sits on her left shoulder. But he turns his attention quickly to the meal that she's placed before him. A bowl of steaming stew sits waiting for him. He lifts the spoon from the tray and stirs it a few times to cool it slightly before he lifts a spoonful to his lips. He sips at it gently, it's still hot, but not overly so. Cassandra in the mean time stands by his side waiting to see if he likes it. Devon smiles up at her, "It's very good stew." He says before taking another spoonful. "Good," Cassandra nodded, "eat up and I'll be back in a few minutes for the tray."
Devon nods and digs in, he hasn't had a good meal in some time and this one warms his stomach as he eats it. Cassandra returned just as he was finishing off the last bit of stew from the bottom of the bowl. He set the bowl back on the tray and licked his lips happily. Cassandra smiled and took the tray from him, heading back down the hallway to wherever it was that she'd come from. Devon settled back down into the comfortable chair and pulled the blanket snuggly around his chest. The firelight and a full stomach making him sleepy.
About half an hour had passed before Cassandra came back to check on Devon. She found him sound asleep and from the look of him the fever was abating and his strength was returning. "Oh, God," she thought to herself, "How much his eyes reminded her of Charles." A warm feeling began to stir deep within her, but she quashed it quickly. He was a guest in her house and only until his strength returned then he would be off again. How could she let herself feel that way again. It would only lead to her getting her heart broken one more time. She turned and silently left the room. Back in her bedroom she sat on her bed and looked at a portrait that had been done of him, his soft blue eyes and his warm touch. Each time she looked at it she felt as if he was there again with her. James and his fellows had done so much for her after Charles died, they had gotten this old section of the den back into perfect order for her and they were always there to lend a helping paw if she needed it. She lay down on her bed and sobbed quietly into her pillow. It wasn't the first time she'd cried herself to sleep.
The sound of someone crying and talking awoke Cassandra late that night. She sat up in her bed and her sensitive ears listen to the sounds, they could really only be coming from one place. She swung her feet from the bed and stood up, pulling her black cloak on over her fur. She quietly walked down the hall towards the main room in her den. Devon sat in the chair still asleep but he squirmed about, crying and muttering in his sleep. Cassandra walked over to him and placed a paw one his shoulder giving him a gentle shake. He reacted quickly before his eyes opened swinging a closed first at the person who grabbed him. Cassandra barely managed to catch his paw, but when se did she held it tightly in her grip. Devon's eyes opened and he looked up past his captive paw into her soft eyes, the firelight reflected gently in the brown orbs. He recoiled away from her in fear for having tried to strike her, tears still prominent in his eyes. But Cassandra's face registered only compassion and sympathy. "I'm sorry." Devon muttered weakly.
Cassandra let his paw fall and moved to the other side of him, pulling the other chair close to his. "Hush now. It was just a bad dream. You are safe here with me." She said softly, taking hold of his paw and stroking it lightly as she sat opposite to him. "Come now these chairs are nice, but they are not meant for sleeping in." She said helping Devon to his feet. He stood shakily for a moment before getting his feel for the ground back. "Come," she said leading him by the paw, "I have a room made up for you."
"That's ok the floor..." he started to say but Cassandra cut him off.
"The floor is cold and hard, even with that thick quilt." Cassandra retorted, "You'll sleep better in a real, warm bed. Now no more protests, I won't stand for it." It was the first hint of sternness he'd heard in her voice, but it was fleeting and he passed it off as a momentary thing. Soon they arrived at a door and Cassandra pushed it open, leading Devon inside. Inside there was a large bed, a nightstand, and a small desk. "My room is just a bit further down the hall on the right," Cassandra started, "If you need anything just come and ask me." She said quietly leaving Devon to get back to sleep. Devon turned down the covers and slid into the bed, pulling the covers back up over him. The bed was soft and the covers warm. Within minutes he was back asleep.
Soft voices from outside his door awoke Devon the next morning. He sat up slowly in bed and looked towards the door. Underneath it he could see the shadows cast by two people. "So how's your young guest doing Cassandra?" a male voice asked quietly. "He's recovering very well thank you James." Her voice answered, "And that stew last night was very good, the both of us enjoyed it immensely."
"I'm glad to hear that. I have to be on my way, I have watch duty this morning." James said.
"Alright," Cassandra replied, "Do take care and say hello to everyone for me."
The shadow which belonged to James slid away from under the door, but Cassandra's remained. Slowly the door opened and she poked her head in. She frowned when she saw that Devon was awake. "I'm sorry Devon. Did we wake you?"
Devon nodded, still a little sleepy. "Who was that that you were talking to?"
Cassandra grinned, "That was James, he's a fox as well. He lives here with me."
"Oh." Devon said almost sounding a little sad, "Is he your mate then?"
Cassandra giggled at the question, "No he's not. He's a very dear friend though. He and his companions live down at the other side of this den."
"Ok then." Devon said accepting her explanation of things.
"Anyway breakfast is on if you feel up to it."
"I'd like that very much." Devon said tossing back the covers and rolling out of bed. He stood there for a moment wondering way Cassandra had an odd grin all of a sudden. Then he looked down and realized that he still didn't have his clothes on. His face turned bright red, even showing through his red fur.
Cassandra just smiled, "Your clothes are in the top drawer of the nightstand there. I hope you don't mind but I mended the tares in them."
Devon hurried over to the nightstand and pulled out the top drawer. By the time he looked back to the door it was closed and Cassandra's shadow was nowhere in sight.
Cassandra leaned against the wall a few paces down from Devon's door. "He's pretty cute for a fox." She said to herself. But her other mind took over quickly, "How can you say such a thing? You know that he'll be leaving soon. Why torture yourself with him?" She placed her paws on her forehead to quiet the argument going on there. She heard Devon's door squeak open and he poked his head cautiously out into the hallway. Cassandra stood up, "This way Devon. Most of the guys have left for their duty shifts but I'll introduce you to those that are still here."
Devon nodded and just walked quietly behind her. Cassandra pushed open a door at the end of the hall, which opened out into a large room, very similar to the one back behind him. Cassandra led the way down a short hallway and into a large dinning hall. A large black bear stood from his seat as they walked in. Devon stepped closely behind Cassandra, trying to hide from this new person.
"Good morning Cassandra." The bear rumbled in a booming voice. "And who is your little friend here? Is he the fox from the river?"
"Morning to you as well Alec," Cassandra replied she glanced behind her and motioned for Devon to step up beside her, which he did ever so slowly, "And this is Devon. Yes he is the fox from the river."
The bear stepped forward and extended a massive paw towards Devon. He looked at Cassandra before reaching out and nervously taking the offered paw. Alec shook Devon's paw with a gentleness that was not to be expected from someone his size.
"It's nice to meet you Devon and I'm glad to see that you are recovering well under Cassandra's care."
"Thanks." Devon replied shyly.
The bear released his paw and stepped back, "Ah well, I have chores to be getting on with. Help yourselves to breakfast and just leave your plates on the table, I'll get them later."
Devon was quiet all through breakfast and most of the walk back to Cassandra's part of this massive den. But as they neared their main room he spoke up. "I never got a chance to thank you for caring for me these last few days."
"It was nothing." Cassandra said as they entered the main room. She placed the full kettle on its hook over the fire before sitting in one of the chairs. Devon sank into the other. "If I may ask," he said, "How long can I stay here? I mean I can probably travel now and I don't want to be a burden to you."
Cassandra looked him in the eye with a disappointed expression, "You may stay as long as you feel you need to. You are recovering well and your fever has broken, but you still aren't back to normal."
"That's too kind of you. It's been a long time since anyone was this nice to me. But I don't want to put you in trouble. Those people that were chasing me won't give up easily."
Cassandra grinned, "You don't know where you are do you?"
Devon shook his head, "I've never been to this area before. My homeland is far from here."
"Well those men gave up their chase the day after I brought you here. You were either very brave to swim that river like you did, or very foolish, perhaps both. Especially at this time of year when the water is at its coldest. If I hadn't found you lying by that rock you wouldn't have survived until nightfall." Cassandra said getting up to pour the water from the boiling kettle into a pot on the mantle piece.
"But that still leaves the question where is here?" Devon asked, looking at her back and then above her to the sword again.
"Here is a place called Nomans Land and it is the territory of the Dark Knights. Those men knew it and knew better then to cross that river, which is our eastern boarder." Cassandra said before turning around, catching Devon's eyes resting upon the sword behind her.
She looked up at it as well and Devon realizing that he'd been caught out looked at the floor.
"It's a very pretty thing isn't it?" He heard her say.
He nodded without looking up. Then he heard something that made him look, a soft metallic rasping. Cassandra held the sword by the blade and offered the grip to him. Devon reached out his paw cautiously and takes hold of it. Cassandra releases her hold on it and Devon turns it over in his paws. Now he can see the engraving on the blade. He looks over at Cassandra. It's the same as the patch on her shoulder. "Is this your sword?" he asked softly.
Cassandra smiled at the fact that he took her for a warrior, "No it's not. It belonged to my mate Charles. He was a badger. He died about five years ago. He was the leader of the Knights and he rescued me from much the same situation as I found you."
"I'm sorry to hear that. How did he die?"
Cassandra took a long quavering breath before answering, "After I'd been here for a month we found that we had grown very fond of each other. He asked me if I would be his mate and I agreed with all my heart. We had been together for about four months before I had to go home and sort out a few things. Unfortunately I was kidnapped during my journey and sold as a harem slave. It took Charles about three weeks to get the news and come to find me. He killed the ferret that kidnapped me, but he was wounded and died shortly after." Cassandra sniffed as a tear welled up in her eye. "This cloak is his as well. I keep both to remind me of him."
"That's so sad." Devon said.
"You remind me very much of him. You have the same eyes and the same soft fur."
Devon blushed heavily. How on earth could he tell he how beautiful he thought she was? It would surely only serve to drive her away and make him leave. So he kept his feelings to himself for the moment.
As the days followed on into weeks Devon's strength returned to him, he decided to stay with Cassandra and the Knights for a while as he'd never had any real plans. Devon makes it an effort to help out Cassandra whenever he could to thank her for saving his life.
Devon wakes from his dreams early one morning and makes his way into the main room of Cassandra's den. He finds the kettle resting empty on the hearth and the tea pot still warm, but there is no sign of Cassandra anywhere. Slightly perplexed by this Devon pours himself a cup of tea and sets off back down the hall to the kitchen and dinning area. He pushes the door open and very nearly walks right into James as he makes his way down the hall to the other main room. "Oh, sorry James I didn't see you." Devon said looking up at the slightly larger fox.
"That's quite alright Devon." James replies, laying a paw on his shoulder.
"Have you seen Cassandra this morning?" Devon asks, cradling his tea in both paws.
"I have in fact. She left early this morning. She likes to walk through the hills here on her own sometimes."
Devon nodded and was about to walk away when James put a paw on his shoulder to stop him. "Listen Devon, I think there's something that you should know."
"Oh?" Devon replied, turning to face James.
"Fox to fox Devon, you know she fancies you."
Devon's look changes from something of a question to outright shock. "How do you know that?" he stammers.
"It's not hard to see when you've known her as long as we have." James smiles, "I haven't seen her this happy since before Charles died. Her face glows when she talks of you."
Devon's face takes on a sullen expression and his eyes turn to the floor. "What's wrong Devon?" James asked, seeing the change in his mood.
"I have a confession to make James. Since about the first week I got here and I was awake, I've dreamt of her nearly every night. I think I love her. But she talks so fondly of Charles that I don't have the heart to tell her my feelings."
James' muzzle splits into a soft smile and he pats Devon on the shoulder, "Come and sit." He says. "I have something else to tell you." He and Devon walk quietly into the main room and sink down into the large chairs near the fire. "You remind me of Charles in a few ways. And I'm sure that you remind Cassandra of him as well." Devon nodded to indicate that she'd told him as much. "Well Charles had the same problem that you do with his feelings. He loved Cassandra very much, but she spoke so fondly of home that he didn't want to hurt her. Anyway he almost didn't tell her how he felt, and if he hadn't he would have died never knowing that she felt the same way. So I gave him the same advice that I'm about to give you. Tell her how you feel. She won't come to you out of fear that you might leave and break her heart."
Devon nodded his head slowly as he took in James' words. "So none of you ever thought about..." he stammered out mot quite sure how to finish the sentence.
"Oh, dear heavens no." James chuckled "To us she is part of our family. We all think of her as our younger sister and we're very protective of her."
"Thanks James." Devon said finishing the last of his tea and getting up from his chair. James nodded but remained in his seat, just looking into the fire that burned in the fireplace.
Devon walked slowly back towards the main room in Cassandra's end of the den. As he walked he thought about James' words of advice. One the one paw if he did tell Cassandra how he felt and she truly felt the same, well they could indeed be very happy together. But on the other if he told her and she rejected him, well it would break his heart and she may very well ask him to leave and James and his comrades wouldn't take his hurting her feelings very well either. But also if she did make him leave then he'd be no worse off then before he'd met her. It wasn't until he was about to round the last corner that he made up his mind to tell Cassandra how he felt.
It was late in the morning when Devon heard the lock on the main entry open. The light from outside shone around the corner before the heavy door once again closed it out. He heard Cassandra's footsteps as she left the entryway, pausing for a few moments to hang up her hooded cape. She entered the main room running her paw through her head fur to loosen it after wearing the hood of her cape up for a long time. Devon rose from his seat when she walked in, "Would you care for a cup of tea Cassandra?" he asked, moving towards the fireplace.
"Oh yes, thank you Devon." She replied, continuing right through the main room and off down the hall to her room.
Devon had her tea poured and waiting for her when she returned. She took it from him, inhaling the sweet aroma before sipping gently at the steaming contents. "Thanks Devon. I needed this." She said settling back into the chair opposite him.
A smile flashed across his muzzle, but it was short lived, he had important things to talk with her about and now was as good a time as any.
"Cassandra," he started then paused to figure out where to go from here, "Cassandra I need to talk with you."
Cassandra sat upright in her chair, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Then it hit her, this was it he was going to tell her that he was leaving and she was going to crack. "What about Devon?" She said, clearing her throat in order to hide a sniffle.
"Well it's just," he paused again, searching for the words, "I've been here for what, nearly a month now. And you have been so kind to me, but..."
"Oh dear, here it comes." She thought to herself
"But, I feel somewhat different about it, about you. I love you Cassandra."
Cassandra nearly choked on her relief, not to mention surprise at this development. She had loved him from the moment he first awoke in her den, but she never dreamed that he felt the same towards her. Cassandra put a paw over her muzzle, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She sniffled and started to cry softly.
Devon's face was crestfallen, he'd told her that he loved her and managed to bring her to tears. His heart sank into the pit of his stomach as he turned to walk away. A paw on his shoulder stopped him and Cassandra spun him around to face her, pulling him tightly to her chest. She rested her head on his shoulder as tears rolled from her brown eyes. "I love you too Devon." Se stammered between sobs. "I just didn't say anything because I thought that as soon as you got your strength back you'd be off and I'd be left heartbroken again."
Devon rubbed her back as they held each other and he kissed her cheek lightly. "I'll never leave you. That much I promise." He whispered in her ear.
Cassandra nearly pulled Devon along by his paw on their way to her room. Devon followed her in, closing the door behind him but not bothering to lock it. He knew that James would be well enough aware of what was going on to not let anyone through into their side of the den. He watched as Cassandra slowly removed her shirt, sliding up over her head and down her arms in front of her, in doing, revealing to him her firm, ample breasts. She let the shirt fall to the floor and slowly she undid her belt, pulling it out from around her waist. Her pants loosened considerably as the belt was pulled off, she dropped it too, the buckle landing with a soft thud on her shirt. Next she slowly undid the strings that held her pants up. With the knots removed she slipped her thumbs into the waistband, pulling it outward slightly, loosening it so that it would fall with no effort. Slowly she extended her arms downwards, taking her pants with them, her eyes never straying from Devon's, even though his moved up and down her beautiful body. His sheath was beginning to swell and fill out quite markedly now, and it strained under his pants. His heart beat like a drum in his chest. Once Cassandra's arms reached full extension she let the waistband slip from her paws. Her pants folded softly around her ankles and she stepped out of them. Now Devon's heart truly thundered, as he beheld her naked for the first time. His eyes took in every curve, every crease, and each one made her look more beautiful. Now his foxhood really stood out, tenting his pants noticeably.
Slowly she walked over to him, her eyes locking with his. She pulled him close to her, locking her muzzle to his. Devon was taken by surprise by this, but he quickly recovered and soon their tongues danced together, exploring each others muzzles. This was the most passion, the most love, he'd ever felt for anyone in his life. Cassandra could feel his erection pressed against her thigh. She broke the kiss and pulled him with her, closer to the bed. Once at the edge of the bed she gently undid the buttons of his shirt. Letting it slide from his shoulders when she'd finished. Slowly, softly she ran her paws through his chest fur, feeling the outline of his muscles. Gently she rubbed her paw over his foxhood, causing him to murr and arch his back slightly. Cassandra worked the strings on his pants loose and slid them down his legs, revealing his rich red fur. Like her, it turns out, he wasn't wearing anything underneath and as a result his maleness flopped out and he shuddered as the cool air washed over it. Cassandra let gravity do the rest for her and his pants fell to the floor.
Slowly she sat back on the bed, pulling him with her. Soon she lay on the bed, with Devon lying atop her. He could feel his head rubbing against her already moist clit, but he wanted this to be special, so he held off the impulse to impale his love upon him for now. He placed a paw either side of her and pushed himself up, until his muzzle and eyes met hers. Gently he locked muzzles with her again, his tongue making a brief sojourn into hers. She closed her eyes and murred into his muzzle. He broke the kiss and slowly, lovingly began kissing and nipping at her fur down her shoulder and across her chest. He took her nipple into his maw, suckling on it and nipping gently on the sensitive nipple. Each time he would suck or nip her, Cassandra would gasp. Her breathing became shallow and rapid as he continued. Devon took each breast in turn, wanting to give his love as much pleasure as possible. After working both of her breasts over thoroughly, leaving her fur glistening with his saliva, he moved ever downward, until he at last found his muzzle between her spread legs. Now he really set to work, he pressed his muzzle firmly against her pussy and licked at her entrance. His efforts made Cassandra arch her back off the bed in pleasure, drawing a sharp, gasping breath as she did so. He kept at her until he could feel her beginning to tense all over.
Pre flowed from his tip like the river he'd swum to find her. He placed the head of his foxhood against her well moistened pussy and slowly pressed in. He let out a low moan of pleasure as he felt her tight walls stretch to take him in. She gasped as he slowly and tenderly spread her for the first time in a long time. Devon turned out to be quite well endowed for a fox of his size and he filled her nicely. Finally after a long slow journey he hilted inside her, then just as slowly he began to pull out. He pulled all but the head of his cock from her before pushing back in. Setting up a slow, steady rhythm he made love to her. Each time he pushed in she would relax and let him slide in freely and each retreat she would tighten her inner muscles, increasing the fiction and pleasure for them both. Devon's rhythm started to build as his knot began to form above the base of his hot foxhood. Soon it was bumping her entrance with each thrust. Devon thrust hard and deep, pushing his knot past her entrance and tying them together. This was all it took for Cassandra as she arched from the bed, her muscles straining in orgasm. She howled her release and clamped down hard on Devon's member, bringing him off as well. He continued to thrust into her as his cock pumped string after string of hot fox seed into her. Cassandra collapsed back to the sheets in ecstasy. Devon followed soon after, his arms giving out under his weight. Both lay in each others arms basking in afterglow.
After some time Cassandra regained most of her strength and Devon's knot had gone down enough for her to pull free without any discomfort. She laid one arm across his chest toying idly with his nipple. "Devon, love," She said, causing him to raise his head from the pillow and look at her. "When did you first realize that you felt for me?"
Devon smiled and his eyes took on a slightly dreamy look as he searched for the answer. "I'd say it was the first time I looked into those deep brown eyes of yours. All I could see in them was compassion. And your voice told of a heart full of love and warmth." He said rubbing a paw down her cheek. Then he added, "I thought for a moment that I had died and that you were the angel sent to take me away. And if there are angels in this world, my love, they would be jealous of your beauty."
Cassandra flushed at his words, but she smiled and kissed him softly on the forehead. "And when did you first know you had feelings for me?" he asked.
"It was the first time you awoke here in my den. Your fur was so soft and your eyes so bright. My feelings only grew from then on."
Devon smiled, not knowing what else to do. It was the first time he had ever truly loved another, and the first time in a long time that he felt no need to move on.
"Come now," Cassandra said rolling her feet from the bed, "Let us get cleaned up and get something to eat."
Devon crawled to the edge of the bed and hoisted himself to his feet. He followed Cassandra down a narrow passage he'd not noticed before. Before long the sounds of water moving filled the air and the narrow tunnel opened out into a large room a natural pool sat at its center with a steaming spring feeding into it. Cassandra slipped into the water beckoning Devon to follow her. Slowly he slid into the warm water, it wasn't overly hot, and it felt good as it swirled around him. It relaxed his muscles and rinsed the sweat from his fur.
After both Cassandra and him were clean they got out of the water and headed back down the pathway, Devon noticed that his fur seemed to dry very quickly as they walked, noting a gentle warm breeze. Back in Cassandra's room they both dawned their clothes and set out for the kitchen to get so food for lunch. After picking up their plates they headed back to the main room at their end of the den. Once back they settled into the two chairs facing each other, both very happy. Devon because he had finally found someone he could share his life with. And Cassandra because, despite her thoughts of the past, had gotten a second chance at love.
As they ate looking at each other, neither of them noticed the faded image in the sword blade hanging over the mantle. A pair of light blue eyes set against a black band of fur looked out at them. A quick flash of a smile and gray fur and it was gone. The shadow of a badger blended into the metal. Charles smiled as he stepped away from the mirror that took up an entire wall in this room of the castle. An old bear sitting in a chair near the fire looked at him. "I haven't seen that smile on your face since the banquet. What has you in such a good mood?"
Charles smiled at his friend, "She has found a new love. She has a second chance at the life I failed to give her. And now I can rest in peace, knowing she'll be happy."
The old bear smiled so much the wider and patted Charles on the shoulder as he passed, "For a spirit, you have the best heart of any body I've known."
The End...