Author's Note: sex in this one

*****

They went for a walk together the next morning, their breath visible in the crisp, invigorating winter air. The ground was blanketed with fresh snow, the landscape a pristine white canvas interrupted by patches of hardy winter flora. Some flowers, resilient despite the cold, poked through the snow, their petals kissed by frost. Hollany savored the peaceful silence, her arm linked with Sera's as they meandered through the tranquil forest.

Suddenly, something bright caught Sera's eye. She stopped mid-step, a delighted smile crossing her face. "Look!" she called, her voice filled with excitement as she beckoned Hollany closer.

"This is the Generation Flower," Sera explained, her eyes shining with wonder. Hollany followed her gaze to a patch of glowing golden flowers nestled in the snow. They resembled yellow lilies but were more vibrant, their petals shimmering with an ethereal glow. A soft, warm aura surrounded the flowers, creating a stark contrast to the chill of winter. Rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a magical light over the patch.

Hollany felt a surge of excitement. "We can use this to make that tea?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Sera nodded, her expression softening as their eyes met. "Yes," she whispered, her voice tinged with a gentle reverence.

A moment of shared understanding passed between them, the air around them shimmering with anticipation. The flowers at their feet glimmered like tiny stars, reflecting the quiet joy in their hearts. Hollany glanced down at the golden blooms, her mind racing as she made up her mind.

"Do you want to—?" Hollany began, her voice soft, but before she could finish, Sera was already kneeling to carefully harvest one of the flowers.

"Yes," Sera murmured, her movements precise and reverent as she plucked the flower, making sure to leave the root intact. She handed it to Hollany with a tender smile.

Hollany blushed as she took the flower from Sera's hands, bringing it to her nose. Its sweet, floral scent enveloped her senses, and she felt a pleasant warmth spread through her. The aroma had an intoxicating quality, making her head spin in the most delightful way. She breathed in deeply, lingering in the scent as her mind drifted, filled with thoughts of what the tea might bring.

"Wow," Hollany exhaled, her voice dreamy. "This tea has got to be amazing."

Sera smiled shyly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I've never tried it before," she admitted, her voice quiet, vulnerable.

Hollany's heart melted at the sight. She reached out and took Sera's hand, threading their fingers together as they resumed their walk. "Do you know how to prepare it?" she asked softly.

Sera nodded, her smile returning. "It's easy enough," she replied, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

Hollany beamed, her heart swelling with affection. "I can't wait," she said, resting her head on Sera's shoulder. Sera straightened slightly, as if gathering her strength, but there was a subtle shift in her expression. Hollany noticed the glistening tears forming in Sera's eyes and pulled back, concern flickering in her chest.

"Sera, my love, what's wrong?" Hollany asked gently, but as she looked closer, she saw that the tears were not from sadness.

Sera sucked in a deep breath, a radiant smile breaking through the tears. "I'm okay," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm just—overjoyed. I couldn't be happier than I am right now."

With a soft laugh, Hollany reached up and gently cupped Sera's chin. "I feel the same," she whispered before leaning in to kiss her tenderly. For a brief moment, the entire world seemed to fade away—the snow, the chill in the air, the towering trees—all of it disappeared, leaving only the warmth of their love. Sera's arms wrapped around Hollany's waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss as they shared this intimate, fleeting moment under the winter sky.

Back at the cabin, the air was warm, and a fire crackled softly in the hearth as Sera began preparing the tea. She moved with calm, methodical precision, carefully handling the Generation Flower with the same reverence she had shown earlier. The fire had softened some since they'd originally lit it. But it still let out a comforting crackle and radiant heat.

"Normally, there's a ritual with the coven," Sera explained, her hands never stopping as she worked. "When it's time for a new generation, and there's no heir to the throne, the elders gather around a fire. The volunteers from the coven dance, music plays, and we pray to the gods for the qualities we hope the new generation will carry."

Hollany watched with fascination, her curiosity piqued. "Is that how you were born?" she asked softly.

Sera hesitated for a moment, her hands pausing over the flower. "My mother wasn't part of the coven," she replied, her voice softer now. "She was a witch from the kingdom, maybe a Starborn. But she brought my sisters and me to the coven when we were young. I remember she used to sing to us at night, praying to the old god with us before bed."

Hollany's eyes softened as she listened. "Why did she bring you to the coven?"

Sera's expression grew wistful. "She was very young when she had us. She said we were born of the old god, though I'm not sure if it was that or just an elder cleric and this sort of tea. Either way, we were powerful, and she loved us deeply. But... she believed we were destined for greater things."

Hollany felt a pang of emotion. "Have you seen her since?"

Sera's eyes filled with distant memories. "She returned to the universe shortly after. I think she might have been ill when she brought us to the coven. By the time I was old enough to ask questions, she was gone. Her name was Araquinn. People say she was beautiful and generally selfless."

Hollany instinctively moved to hug Sera. Though the weight of the story lingered, Sera didn't seem to carry pain from it. Instead, she pressed a kiss to Hollany's head, her voice steady. "It's okay. The coven became my family after that. In many ways, I had dozens of mothers. I was never alone."

Hollany's heart swelled. "You're so strong," she murmured, admiration shining in her eyes.

Sera smiled, a quiet strength behind her gaze. "I've always had to be strong. But there have been times when I thought it wasn't enough."

Hollany moved around to wrap her arms around Sera's waist, resting her head on her back as she hugged her from behind. "You're the strongest person I've ever met," she whispered. "And I'm so glad we crossed paths."

Sera placed a hand over Hollany's, her breath hitching with emotion. "I wouldn't change a thing," she whispered, "not about us, or anything that brought us together."

Hollany hummed softly in agreement, tightening her embrace, feeling the warmth of Sera's love envelop her completely.

*****

That night, Sera was radiant. Hollany had become accustomed to the ethereal glow that surrounded Sera these days as her power grew, but this was different. Sera glowed brightly, it was a whole new kind of beautiful that stole Hollany's breath away. Excitement bubbled in her chest as Sera approached the edge of the bed. Hollany sat up and looked into Sera's eyes.

"Wow," Hollany marveled. "Sera, you look amazing."

Sera smiled in response, coming to stand in between Hollany's legs at the edge of the bed. Hollany's robe parted as Sera nudged her legs open. Hollany was already wet when Sera knelt down.

"Tell me what you want me to do to you." Sera had a mischievous look in her eyes.

Feeling a bit mischievous herself, Hollany pretended to consider this. She placed a hand to her chin and appeared thoughtful, though she winked at Sera as she looked up at her, amusement and arousal clear in her expression. Hollany leaned forward and held Sera's face in her hands gently.

"First, I want you to kiss me," as Sera leaned in, Hollany shook her head with a sly smile, "then, I want you to kiss my neck, then I want to kiss all the way down" Hollany motioned to her breasts, her stomach, and her core, "and stop where you see fit." Hollany winked.

"Yes, my queen," Sera murmured with an amused smile. "First," she recounted, leaning in again and kissing her passionately, "I kiss your lips, then I kiss your neck," she murmured in between kisses, beginning to slide, "then I kiss down, and down," she paused to give Hollany's nipple a teasing bite. Hollany's lips parted and suddenly she was moaning while Sera continued to tease her. Sera finally her made her down to her core. "And I think I'll stop right about," she paused, her tongue snaking around Hollany's core. "Here." Sera pushed her tongue up and along Hollany's clit. In response, Hollany released a series of moans as Sera pleasured her.

Sera stood after a moment, helping Hollany fully lie back on the bed. She pushed her fingers into herself, then before Hollany could even react to how hot that imagery was, pushed her fingers inside Hollany, curling them to search for just the right spot. Hollany gasped and quivered in excitement.

"Oh gods," Hollany groaned, "please, Sera, do that again."

Sera happily obliged, repeating the same motion as before until Hollany was balking her hips against Sera in rhythm. Sera finally mounted Hollany and engulfed her in kisses, whispers of love, and entangled them both entirely. By the end of the night, Hollany already felt a little different. She didn't know how she knew, but she was practically certain the tea had worked its magic.