“Let go to me, my Courtney. Release your passion and your resistance to me. I will direct you when the time comes, like a beautiful symphony.”
“Oh… Marcas…” Courtney felt tears flow under the blindfold, the agonizing need to release so intense. She felt him spread her bottom cheeks wider and, after wetting his finger deeper in the hidden secrets of her core, he carefully inserted it into the tight, pink hole above. She clenched against the intrusion without success, finally relaxing and allowing him to invade her most private part. He stroked the digit back and forth as he continued to suckle and devour her sweetness, feeling her struggle in an effort to bring herself to completion.
“Ask if you may come, Courtney. Beg me to allow you this pleasure.”
“Marcas, please… let me come. Take me there, all the way. Marcas, please!!” Courtney could not resist, throwing her head back as tears streamed down her face.
“Very well, you may.” Marcas smiled, pleased as she writhed with determination. He pulled his head back down to her and gathered her clit between his lips. He nipped and sucked firmly, shoving his finger deep inside of her bottom hole. With that single motion, Courtney lifted her head and screamed as every nerve ending of her body felt as though it exploded into the flames.
“Fuck me, Marcas! Please!” she begged, shuddering from the climax, her womb an empty void wanting to be filled by his long, thick cock.
Marcas kissed her lips. “Perhaps tomorrow. After you share your fantasy with me. Right now, it is time for dinner.”
“You sadistic bastard,” Courtney huffed as he released her from the restraints and massaged her limbs while placing her on the divan. He slipped the blindfold off and gazed into her deep blue eyes as he began to dress her.
“This was merely a taste. And one I insist on having often. I like hearing you beg for me, Courtney.”
Courtney did not reply. The truth was, she liked begging for him too.
Chapter Eight
Solphia elbowed Sebastian as she served dinner, nodding towards the secret smile on Marcas’ face and the deep blush on Courtney’s. She whispered something in Hungarian, making the old monk laugh loudly. Courtney jerked her head up to look at him.
“What’s so funny?” she asked suspiciously, knowing the entire household had heard her cry of release.
“Nothing, dearest. Just sharing some old memories.” Sebastian smiled kindly. Courtney peered into his face, wondering if fibbing was permitted in his Order. Then again, he was nothing like she had expected a monk to be. He also seemed so animated and much stronger. Good, she thought, he’s adjusting well to the medications. Her watchful eye scanned his body, looking for signs of decline. So far, none. She relaxed, nibbling the hearty stew and adding only a small amount of horseradish.
“Learned your lesson?” Marcas teased, watching her.
“Don’t push it. You still owe me for the last time you tricked me with the stuff. Solphia? Promise you will never give me Valerian tea, ok?”
“Why would I do that, Miss Courtney? You have trouble sleeping? Tell the Baron to let you rest more.”
“I will be taking our guest for a tour tomorrow, Solphia,” Marcas interrupted. “You are to stay here to care for Sebastian. OW! Why did you kick me?” he asked at the slight blonde sitting next to him with a scowl on her pretty pink mouth.
“Exercise some manners, Mister. Ask her for once and try using the word please.”
Marcas pointed his finger at Courtney’s nose. “You are not to kick me or issue orders to me. We will discuss…”
“…This later,” Courtney finished. “Yeah, yeah… now prove to me you are capable of being a nobleman instead of an asshole. Really, Marcas, your manners are horrendous. I can’t believe that either of your parents would have allowed you to speak to anyone like that.”
Solphia suppressed a smile as Marcas fumed with a hard glare in Courtney’s direction, displeased to find that she stubbornly refused to break eye contact with him. Sebastian winked at the old woman with a nod. Courtney’s power over the baron fascinated her. Solphia had never seen the man give way to anyone in all the years she had known him. Even as a boy, he would stare down an opponent until he won his point. Now, in the presence of this tiny splice of a girl, he finally offered his apologies for his rudeness and asked politely if the housemaid would be available so he could take Courtney through the countryside. Solphia kissed his cheek and agreed and then planted a hearty kiss upon Courtney’s forehead.
“You work much better than a spoon. Thank you.”
Courtney giggled, ignoring Marcas’ glower. She suspected he would give her an earful later regarding the treatment of household staff, but she didn’t care. It was worth the expressions on Marcas’ face, and the snickers that came from Sebastian.
After dinner, Courtney got Sebastian situated in his room and changed the bag on his morphine pump. She massaged his shoulders as he leaned back, closing his eyes.
“Are you ok, honey?” she asked him, restarting the machine and returning to her massage.
“I am good. Very good. It feels right to be home. You make me very happy, Courtney. I must thank you for all you have done.”
“Why? Because I talk back to Marcas? He deserves it.”
“No, that just amuses me and makes me laugh. Your heart, my dearest, your heart makes me happy. You have brought sunshine into this house once again, and are filling it with laughter and life. You are allowing yourself to feel. You have joy here, Nu?”
“It is very nice. I’ve never been in such a beautiful place. And you are a pleasure to be with.”
“You must stop avoiding answering my questions. You have joy? Something not felt inside of you before?”
Courtney sat next to him, staring at her carefully manicured nails as she contemplated her response. He was right. There was something inside of her that had been awakened that evening and it filled her with excitement for life. She simply nodded. He reached across to touch her freckled nose.
“This is only the beginning. Each time you open yourself to happiness, you will find an abundance. Soon, it will be overflowing and spill over to heal Marcas.”
“Marcas is sick? Oh no! What’s wrong?” Courtney felt a panic rise inside of her. The sudden rushed thought of being without the strange man frightened her. What would she do without him in her life?
Sebastian nodded wisely, seeing her reaction. “Be at ease, little one. His type of illness is not like mine, yet you’ve felt the pain of his absence. God has destined you for one another and you will never feel complete until you hold each of your hearts in your hands.”
“You’re speaking in riddles again, and don’t you dare pretend to go to sleep on me. I didn’t hit your button and give you the extra medication,” Courtney ordered as he started to close his eyes. Sebastian peeked out behind his left lid.
“You didn’t?”
“No. I’m onto you. Now tell me what the hell you are talking about. The secrets and innuendos between you two is getting old. I want the truth and I want it now. Is it about the problems with his brother?”
“Marcas has no brother,” Sebastian said quietly.
“Yes, he does. A twin. I heard them back at the other house and he said that…”
“He is correct. I do not have a brother. I lied to you. Sebastian is talking about the curse, Courtney,” Marcas’ voice came from behind her. She turned and stared open mouthed as he stood next to a perfect likeness of himself, a mirror image.
“Your brother is not a curse!” Courtney spat, standing. “You should be happy you have family! Not all of us have that blessing. Now, just because you two don’t get along…”
“He is not my brother. He is me. This curse has caused us to be divided by night.” Marcas said softly, his eyes resting warmly upon her.
“And by day, we become one. Because of our connection with you, it has become necessary to ask you if you will have us as we are,” the other one said.
“You are crazy to think I be
lieve this nonsense. Twins!”
“Not twins, sweetling. A divided soul seeking to be healed,” Sebastian said with a sigh, “You will be the bond to draw him back together. Until that time, it will be just the two of you by day…”
“And the three of us by night. Fulfilling your deepest fantasies and the desires of your heart. You need only to ask.” Marcas stepped towards her boldly. He was held back.
“Wait. We must allow her freedom to choose. Which would you have, Courtney? Love or lust? Where does your heart take you?”
“Or you may have both of us. We need only to know,” the other asked.
Courtney stared at the two, then at Sebastian, her face pale and hands clenched in fists. Without a word, she fled the room. They could hear the slamming of the large front door as she left the manor.
“Why did you present yourselves?” Sebastian asked with concern.
“Because we both felt the dizziness come this evening as she gave herself to us. She cannot have one completely without the other at the night hour. We almost destroyed our chance,” Marcas said, staring unhappily at his other half.
“I restrained myself for our sake. Come, we must find her. These woods are too dark for her to wander alone. I worry for her safety. ”
Marcas scanned the moonless sky before he ventured into the thickets. Dizziness enveloped him as his anxiety for Courtney’s well-being grew and images of her being harmed flashed through his mind. Panic set in when she did not respond to his call and he felt himself blend into one, the two halves sharing the same degree of fear and focused only on finding the woman. Relief overcame him when he discovered Courtney staring down the edge of a small cliff at the twinkling village below. She had her arms crossed tightly around her chest and was shivering in the cold night air, tears falling slowly down her smooth, pale face as she fought the pain brought about by the lies and manipulation of the two people she had started to trust and, inevitably, love.
“Do not run off again. You don’t know these grounds and can be hurt! I have enemies from my father who would harm you. Never leave again without me!” Marcas’ voice echoed into the valley as he captured her in his arms.
She pulled away. ”Which one are you? Why did you deceive me like this?”
“There was no deception…”
“There is deception. Where is your twin?!”
“I am he, Courtney. Our hunt for you drew us together.”
“You are so full of bullshit! I hate you! I can’t believe I allowed you to ever touch me, you son of a bitch,” she yelled, kicking his shin. She stepped back, eyes wide as Marcas shimmered before her and divided into two people. Her hands flew over her mouth in shock and absolute fear. Two handsome, somber faces were the last things she saw before she dropped to the wet forest floor in a dead feint.
Courtney awoke several hours later, tucked neatly in a large, strange bed located in a high-ceiling room lit by softly flaming candles. The sound of a large fire roaring in the stone hearth made her slowly sit up. The blanket slipped from her, revealing a naked breast.
“She’s awake,” Marcas announced, rising from the over-stuffed chair facing the fire.
Courtney grabbed the blanket to her chin as the two slowly approached her, her heart racing with both alarm and, oddly enough, excitement. She pressed her back against the headboard as they sat on either side of her.
“Are you feeling better?” one asked gently, reaching to touch a stray curl. “We’re sorry we frightened you. We had to tell you because of…”
“Your hunger for me,” the other interrupted.
“This is impossible. How could something like this happen? It’s not feasible. It can’t be real,” Courtney coughed out, closing her eyes tightly, only to reopen them and find that nothing had changed.
Marcas’ prudent side handed her a goblet of plum brandy. “Here, this might help calm your nerves. It’s just brandy.” With hesitation she took it from him and sipped, making a wry face, and then drained the cup. He quietly refilled it, waiting patiently for her to invite an explanation.
“Start from the beginning, and don’t leave anything out. I’m already suspicious and if I catch one more lie, I am out of this place.”
Together, they explained the situation and how it had affected their lives, and Sebastian’s. They both shared tiny, precise details of their separate time with her, words and actions that suggested that both had been present or intimately aware of the other. They shared their fear and their anger with themselves, and with how their actions were taking the life of their beloved friend. Courtney felt her heart stir as she witnessed the grief on the identical faces.
“So you believe that him acting as your bond is what is killing him? How can that be? He has cancer. A very serious and painful type of cancer that behaves in this manner. It has nothing to do with you or this…curse. It’s part of the disease, just like death is part of life.”
“He isn’t the one destined to be the bond and it is slowly draining his life from him. This illness is because of the sacrifice he made for me… us.”
“You’re a reasonable, intelligent man… men… how can you believe such a thing? You have to know it is not possible. Not this alleged curse, and certainly not Sebastian’s disease.”
“I struggled with the impossibility of this curse for nearly five years, little Courtney. It exists and no amount of denial will make it less so. You’ve seen us divide. We sit here in front of you now, placing our trust and our hope in you that you will try to understand and accept us. We… need your help.”
“I can’t believe this.” She hid her eyes behind her hands. ”It’s too bizarre to be real. Did you drug me again?”
“No, precious Courtney. Please, search your heart,” Marcas’ serene half asked, stroking her hand. She pulled away from him.
“Don’t touch me. You… you pervert.”
“That is enough. We know this is unusual for you and difficult to accept, but you will not behave in this manner. You annoy me with this attitude. Use your eyes and see what is before you, and cease this childishness.”
“You must not scold her for needing time to adjust,” the reasonable side stated. “You will frighten her again!”
“She is not frightened, she is angry. She wants her control and cannot have it. That is what this is about, and you know what I say to be true.”
“I do not believe that is so. She…”
“Both of you, just shut the hell up! You both sound like two hens fighting over a fucking worm! Where are my clothes? You have to stop undressing me!!” Courtney shouted, her ire roused by their bickering.
“They were covered with mud when you fell. Here…” Marcas patiently said, handing her one of his T-shirts which she quickly slipped on. He rested his hand on her leg which was under the blanket. “We did nothing to you. Honor is important to both of us.”
“I believe you. I DON’T believe him!” Courtney snarled, glaring at the other one who eyed her hungrily. “He looks like he’s ready to eat me alive.”
“I already did once today and I look forward to a second meal with you,” the lustful half grinned, unbothered by her narrowed eyes.
“You have no shame,” she hissed.
“Yet, you desire me. You are thinking how it would feel to be captured underneath my body, to feel my essence slide deep into yours.”
“Stop it. Now is not the time to entice her, you idiot,” Marcas ordered.
Courtney shook her head, pulling the blanket close to her chest. “It’s one thing to question yourself when making decisions, but this… I can’t grasp it.”
“Courtney? Do you trust me? Really trust me?” Marcas asked, holding his palm out for her. She looked in his silver eyes and slowly nodded, unable to ignore the sincerity that enveloped them. She lifted her hand and offered it to him, feeling him squeeze gently. “Then do not be afraid. He and I, these are who I am. The man during the daylight is both of us. Allow us to rest beside you tonight, to hold you and give you time to f
eel my… our hearts beat next to yours. Allow our presence to help you find acceptance.”
Courtney closed her eyes. Truthfully, this was her ultimate desire. Not just to have two men, but to have this man, Marcas, fill her every void: body, mind, soul, and spirit. Slowly she nodded, but distastefully eyed the other half.
“Very well, but if he starts groping at me…”
“Believe it or not, he can control himself. He showed you that earlier this evening. I also owe you a little discussion for kicking me under the table during our dinner, however it will wait until tomorrow.”
“That wasn’t you, it was him! He was smirking at the table when, uh, certain things were brought up.”
“As we explained, all that one half of us experiences, the other half feels and remembers. That was me. Had it been him…”
“I would have paddled you then and there,” the other remarked with a sardonic grin. “Too bad it was not me, I would have enjoyed having you lying over the edge of the table, your backside bared…”
“This is too confusing. How does Sebastian handle it?” Courtney interrupted, feeling a hot flush flow over her face and neck as she imagined him pushing her over and tearing her clothes from her body.
“He loves all parts of who I am, and I respect and love him in return. He and I…we… have no conflict. Solphia, however…”
“She never knows which part of us she is dealing with. She loves Mr. Perfect and gets extremely frustrated with me.” A loud snicker was heard. “The division has made it much easier to antagonize her.”
“And you, of course, enjoy antagonizing her any opportunity you have. She’s an old woman. How could you be so mean?”
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