Dark Night of the Soul

Usual disclaimer, own nothing but the keyboard on which I type, Ariah, and Poe. Everything else belongs to JKR.

Dark Night of the Soul
Chapter 4: Bright Dawning of the New Day

The sun streamed in through the high narrows windows that graced Ses’ ds’ dungeon quarters. Severus stirred, feeling Ariah next to him, curled in his arms. He blinked and squinted in the narrow bands of light. He stretched his long body, attempting not to disturb his bed partner. Ariah just mewled a little and rolled over away from him with a murmured “just a few more minutes, please?” Severus smiled. Sleeping was not something Ariah needed to do, rather it was something she had developed a fondness for, once she learned how. Severus remembered the first time she succeeded in deepening her brain waves and allowing herself to drift off to sleep. She slept for approximately 2 minutes and awoke with a grin, claiming to be more refreshed than ever. She looked crestfallen as Severus explained that she was only asleep for a minute amount of time. Since then, she had learned to sleep for longer intervals, and sometimes on Saturday or Sunday mornings, she did not wish to wake up at all. She was learning to be more human. Severus realized that was something they had in common, they were both learning to be human. Ironic thing was, she was better at it than he was.

Severus carefully got out of bed and padded to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face and looked in the mirror. What stared back at him surprised him. The haunted look in his deep eyes was gone, replaced by something that looked vaguely like hope.

“Damn it,” he said softly, “she healed me again.”

“Nope,” said a voice from behind him, “you’re healing yourself. I may be devastating and all that rot, but I can’t heal your soul, only you can.”

Severus turned around and looked into Ariah’s blue eyes. She smiled at him and brushed his silky hair out of his eyes. When he looked at her, all he saw was love in her eyes. That and a bit of amusement. She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled up against his chest.

“I love you, Severus,” she said, “nothing will change that. The sooner you get used to that idea the better. I’m here for the long haul.”

Severus pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head, “I love you, too. I know I don’t say that often enough…”

“You say it as often as it needs to be said. Let’s not start that all over again,” she said, smiling.

“Agreed,” said Severus, “thank you.”

“For what?” she asked.

“Forgiving me last night.”

“I was just talking out of my ass,” she said with a grin, “to quote Poe.”

“I know, but you were just so convincing.”

“I was, wasn’t I?”

“Absolutely. I needed to hear it, though.”

“I know,” she replied, “you know, those things that I could legitimately forgive you for, I did. Long ago. You’re flawed Sev, so am I. That’s probably why we seem to do so well together most of the time. We’re both flawed individuals looking for where we fit in this world. Where I fit is right here. With you. In your arms. And of course, in your bed.”

“Of course,” he said, gently running his hand down the naked curves of her body.

“You better not be starting something you’re not prepared to finish,” smiled Ariah.

“Oh, I intend to finish…” he trailed his hand over her breasts, gently circling a nipple with his finger.

Ariah waved a hand toward the tub and it began to fill with herbal scented water. She pulled away from Severus and led him to the bath. They settled down into the big bathtub,ah bah between Severus’ legs. He wrapped his long arms around her and caressed her breasts.

“Mmmmm, Sev, you know I like that,” she said, “bastard.”“Uh “Uh huh,” replied Severus, kissing her neck and slipping a hand down lower, “and that too.”

“Of course,” she said with a tiny moan as Severus gently stroked her center.

Ariah reached back and fumbled under the water for a moment.

“What are you doing?” asked Severus.

“Trying to locate your manhood,” replied Ariah, “but I can’t find it.”

“It’s not THAT small,” said Severus with a scowl.

Ariah giggled and located her prey, sliding her hand up its slick length, “I was looking too far down for it. Sorry.”

“Don’t start something you’re not prepared to finish,” smiled Severus.

“Oh, I intend to finish,” grinned back Ariah, turning around to face Severus, splashing water on the floor as she did so.

“You’re displacing water,” noted Severus matter-of-factly.

“I intend to displace more,” stated Ariah as she lifted her hips and slid herself down on Severus’ hard member, impaling herself on him with a soft moan.

“You certainly did displace more water with that move,” he commented with a grin as he gently squeezed her breasts.

Ariah looked down at Severus as she moved slowly. He was her life. Her past, her present, her future. Through it all, she knew she could never stop loving him, no matter how much he doubted himself. He was surly, yes. Cranky, without a doubt. Sometimes cruel, sometimes yes. But he was also brilliant, witty, sensuous, and when he loved, it was with all hiing.ing. When Severus Snape loved, it was palpable. Ariah could feel it in the way he locked eyes with her across the Great Hall, the way he smiled a small hidden smile when he passed her in the corridors, the way he brushed her arm during meals. His love was something rare and beautiful, and Ariah intended to spend the rest of their days together basking in the glory of it.

Severus looked up at the goddess above him with something akin to awe. That he was permitted to even speak to her was extraordinary in and of itself. That was he permitted inside her, permitted to touch her, was beyond his comprehension. He would never understand how he came to be the consort of this dark goddess, but he would spend the time he had left worshipping her; body, mind, and soul. He was hers, to do with as she wished. He loved her. Gods he loved her. She was the one bright thing in his dark world. He was amazed that she loved him back. But he knew that she did. She tolerated his moods and even seemed to understand them. She knew when to give him space and when to challenge him. She knew when a smile would suffice and when he required a verbal cattle prod. She felt his pain and his joy and was there through both. She could have left him, run far away, he’d given her enough reason to. Yet she stayed. Stayed and continued to love him unconditionally.

Ariah rode Severus faster as she neared her climax. Severus felt himself tighten as he neared his own. They came together, Ariah collapsing on Severus, keeping him inside her as she stared into his dark eyes. They both breathed heavily as Ariah captured Severus’ lips with hers, gently nibbling on his lower lip. Severus run his hands across her back as he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. He felt purified, like he did the first time they made love. Breaking the kiss for a moment, Severus looked deeply into her blue eyes and saw his future. He smiled and pulled her back to him, kissing her softly as he whispered, “I love you.”