Her mother's will

It had been almost three years since the **** of Matriarch Benezia T'Soni. Her daughter Liara, once a meek but eager archeologist, was now perhaps the most powerful woman in the galaxy. She sometimes thought what her mother might think of that; she would certainly be surprised if nothing else, but Liara liked to think she would be proud too. That was who she had been, a kind woman with a beautiful body and spirit who loved and supported her daughter.

She did not care to remember what she ultimately became.

It was odd then when she was abruptly recalled home to Thessia by the family solicitor, who presented her with a package.

"There was a great deal of confusion, as you know, when your mother passed," she had said in her office, presenting Liara with an antique wooden box, engraved and decorated with ancient Asari images. "This was overlooked. I only just found out about its existence last week."

"What is it?" Liara asked, taking the box in hand. It was a jewelry box, she could tell by the wight and relatively small dimensions, but what kind of jewelry was less clear.

"I don't know. There were only two instructions given: that it should be given to you personally and that no one else should be allowed to open it," the solicitor shrugged. "As of now, those conditions are met, which means this matter is concluded. I apologize for dragging you all the way here for something so small, but..."

"No, no, it's fine," Liara said, placing the box under her arm. "Thank you." They shook hands and Liara left.

...

Back in her hotel room, Liara sat on her bed and stared at the box for a time, curious as to its nature, but **** to open it for fear of what it might yet dredge up. Even if the contents were completely benign, the memories and emotions they might dredge up gave her pause all their own.

"To hell with it," she muttered, and flicked open the locks on the front of the box before lifting the lid. She was met by the sight of a necklace, made up of a string of beautiful Thessian pearls, with a centerpiece of a bright silvery crescent moon made from exotic ivory, with a finely cut blue sapphire planted in its center. Liara held it for a moment, letting it dangle from her fingers, then cracked a small grin. It wasn't a moon, she realized; it was a wing. A little wing. Her mother's affectionate nickname for her.

She sat up off the bed and walked over to the mirror, trying the necklace on. It looked nice, though admittedly she was still wearing the formal black dress she had worn to the office. She actually looked a bit like her mother, minus the headpiece, and something about the necklace completed the look. She probably should have been morbidly embarrassed to have so unwittingly emulated her parent, but instead, it made her feel as if her mother was still there with her.

"You look good," Jane said, walking into the room as the door hissed open and closed. Liara turned around in surprise.

"Shepard!" She exclaimed. She hurried over and the two shared a quick kiss hello. "What are you doing here? You weren't due for a few more days."

"Well, while Normandy is undergoing repairs in drydock and everyone else is on vacation, I was in the neighborhood, overseeing war games between N7 and Asari Commandos, and I thought I should see how you were doing." Shepard smiled. She snuck away, Liara realized. Shepard had snuck away to see her. She kissed her again, this time more deeply and passionately. "I hope that's not all you have to say," Shepard teased.

"Not even close," Liara said, and the two of them rushed over to the bed. They pulled at each other's clothes, shedding layers as fast as possible, although when Liara reached for her necklace, she hesitated, and ultimately decided to leave it. It wouldn't get in the way.

Once they had discarded their clothing, Shepard was on top of Liara in the center of the bed, kissing her chest, working her way down as she did so, taking time to tease Liara's sensitive nipples with her tongue before moving down to her toned stomach and finally arriving between her thighs. She took a brief moment to appreciate the view, the gorgeous blue Asari woman splayed out before her, the most powerful individual in the galaxy at this very moment, but her only concern was how she tasted.

Liara's blue skin was covered by a sheen of moisture. Shepard slid her tongue down, letting it run up and down the length of the slit. Liara gasped. Shepard did it again. Liara moaned and laughed in delight. Shepard took that as a sign and slowly, deliberately worked her way up the length of Liara's slit with her tongue again. Liara gasped, her hand finding its way to the back of Shepard's head as she was devoured by her lover. Shepard took her time, slowly licking and teasing, tracing patterns with her tongue across the Asari's intimate flesh. It was then Liara came for the first time that night. Shepard drank her nectar and smiled; she wanted this to be an experience Liara would never forget, she wanted to show her exactly how much she loved her, and this was a good start.

But the night was still young... and Shepard had so many ideas...

...

That night, both were lying sound asleep in post-coital bliss. Whereas Shepard slept with the sound knowledge of a job well done, Liara was left strangely conflicted. The sex was fine, great even, and seeing Shepard was a wonderful surprise. So why did she feel so unsatisfied? So... unimpressed? Her dreams were strange too, replete with images she didn't recognize, places she had never been, people she had never met. The necklace was still around Liara's neck, she had forgotten about it in all the excitement.

She didn't notice the gem pulsing with a gentle but ominous light while she slept...