Susana - Sins of the Mothers

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Tony asked. "Between Magda and your staff, I am sure the kids will be fine."

Virginia sighed as she turned her weary eyes to her father and shook her head as she explained once again, "Thanks Dad, but this is something we just have to do alone. Besides we'll feel better knowing you're here watching over things till we get back." She stuffed one last pair of socks into her small pack and trotted down the stairs and out the front door to the front drive, where Wolf waited with the horses.

Solemnly, Wolf helped her up into the saddle. Tony was amazed at how well Wolf had turned out. He grudgingly had to admit that he was a good and loving husband and father despite his weird ways. Of course Tony gave all the credit to his daughter for Wolf's turn-around, but still the younger man had earned his respect through the years.

They had told very little to Tony, only that there was a threat to their family and that they must make this trip to resolve it. Tony had hoped they were being melodramatic but, judging by their grim expressions, he rather doubted it. He shook Wolf's hand firmly and said, "Take care of my girl, Wolf."

Wolf gave him a sad smile and responded "With my life." As they trotted down the path toward the forest, Wolf turned around in his saddle and shouted to his son, "Take care of your baby sister. And keep away from the sheep fold!"

Virgina laughed in spite of herself. Wolf turned to her, puzzled."What? What did I say?"

Wolf sniffed the air appreciatively. This was the best kind of day for a journey. The air was crisp but not cold. The sun was warm. He could smell no foul weather ahead. Indeed ahead of him rode Virginia. She was always like a spring day. Despite the serious situation, Wolf felt happy. In his difficult life he had learned to grab the good moments when they came. This was a good moment.

Virginia had enjoyed horseback riding since she was a child. She liked the height and speed. The warm horse felt good beneath her. She wore a plain, dark riding habit. Her now-long hair fell in two braids down her back, flopping in rhythm to the horse's footfalls.

Wolf found the rhythm of the flopping braids mesmerizing. He fancied her a young farmgirl, or woodsman's daughter, or some other scene would pop into his head where he would meet her for the first time. He would steal her away to this meadow. He would woo her and win her and celebrate by making passionate love under that apple tree they were just passing now. Fist he would loosen the buttons around her collar so he could get a few good licks of her neck and ears, then he would bury his face in those little hairs on the back of her neck and take a good long whiff and then...

"Wolf! Where are you ?" Virginia demanded. "Right or left?" She stared at him, perplexed, but then laughed at his confusion. "Wolf you're blushing, you're terrible. Don't you ever think of anything else?"

He gave her a coy, yet rakish look. "Well, Virginia with that creamy neck and those fluffy bouncing braids...I...ah...Well okay so I'm part Wolf - I'm still only human."

As night grew closer they pulled up to a small country inn. Wolf knew the place.

"You'll love it here Virginia. It's run by dwarves. The shortribs are excellent."

The food was excellent. The entertainment left much to be desired. It consisted of an ancient dwarf with a long beard, playing ukelele and yodelling on a makeshift stage. Between sets he fell asleep, snoring loudly until the innkeeper's wife would prod him awake with the business end of a broom. Wolf and Virginia retired early to their room where they provided their own, much more satisfying entertainment.

The next few days rolled by in steady routine. Breakfast, then ride til noon. Lunch, then ride til dark. Supper, sleep, then wake and do it all again. In between they shared the wonders of the Kingdoms. They talked and joked about their life and plans. Of course they played hide-and-seek whenever they got the chance too.

On the fifth day they stopped in Kissingtown. Both had mixed feelings about this place, but the temptations of a soft bed and a little romance before the last treacherous leg of their journey proved to be too much. They were determined to do this town the right way this time. They had a delicious soak in a huge golden bathtub for two. They dropped a few Wendells on new clothes and a few rounds of cards at the casino. Wolf bought his bride a bouquet of red and white balloons, she gave him a red rose she had picked on Snow White Hill. The fireworks were spectacular from their gondola. It was a festival week and the bands were playing in the town square all night. They joined the fun and danced for hours with hundreds of other lovers till the wee hours.

Sweaty and out of breath, Wolf suddenly pulled Virginia into a little alley off the square. He led her to a wall and placed his hands on either side of her face. Leaning his face into hers in an almost predatory manner, he whispered huskily, "Do you trust me?" Then he grinned at her showing his long white teeth.

This was an old but exciting game for them. It was a wolfie dominance game which they both enjoyed.

"I trust you," Virginia said,laying her hand on the base of his tail. "I love all of you, Wolf. Especially the wolfie parts that make you you." She gave his tail a playful tug then let let him ease her firmly against the wall and cover her mouth with his.

Before they knew it they were half naked only feet from the village square. Only a large hay-wagon and a sleeping cat stood between them and discovery. They were against a wall, doing things to each other neither would have believed in public. Indeed they both would have been shocked at the thought. But this was no time for thinking. Passion took them beyond the point of rational thought, and oblivious to the crowds dancing nearby, the strains of the violins lilting in their ears, they greedily fulfilled their needs.

Afterwards, both flushed and shy, they struggled back into their clothes. Glancing about the alley on their way back to the square they were startled to see several other people engaging in the same activity, all equally oblivious to the other couples. "Huff Puff! Must be something in the water," Wolf quipped as they climbed over the squirming bodies.

That night, as they lay in each other's arms at the Kissingtown Love Nest Inn, they shared their last conscious thought: "If only it could be like this forever."