A Grave Exchange

by Jane White Pillatzke

  Not here. He’s not here, and if you don’t get up, you’re going to die. As the gravity of my situation fully sank in, I reached inside myself for the last bit of my strength. And then, with everything I had, I jumped up and charged once again. The man apparently had not expected me to move, and I took him by surprise. I sprang at him with a flying kick and sent him falling back into the side of the open door. I heard a cracking sound but did not wait to see what had happened. I was out the door and running as fast as my legs would carry me, clutching my aching ribs. I raced down the corridor with the lunatic guard chasing behind me, fast approaching, his roaring obscenities burning my ears. I turned the corner, saw a flight of stairs, and kept going, taking them two at a time. My breaths were laborious and pained, but still I kept on. Up ahead, I saw a door. Chances were high there were more guards out there, but I also knew it might be the door to freedom, so I kept going. Pressing the long metal bar, I threw my weight against the door and pushed. An unsuspecting guard had been standing on the other side, and I knocked him down. I dug deep to find more strength and speed, and as I flew past him, the fallen guard reached for my ankle, but I jumped like a gazelle and raced ahead. Both men charged after me now, and as I glanced over my shoulder, I saw one shouting into a cell phone.

  I rounded another corner in the hall and saw a window, As I raced by, I saw it was daylight. Good. Most of the guards were probably sleeping. With renewed courage, I pushed through my exhaustion, pressing myself to new extremes. I raced ahead and found a huge front door. Without pausing for a second to think, I grabbed hold of the handle and pulled. The door swung open. I could hear more approaching guards closing in as raced down the front steps into the sunlight. Faster I flew, across the lawn toward the tree line. I felt like a rabbit chased by a fox, and terror lived inside me, making my stomach roll over and feeding my fear and my imagination. Every sound I heard had me looking over my shoulder, thinking they’d caught up with me.

  “Ivy, hurry. Don’t stop yet. Keep running to the river. You must cross it before I can reach you.”

  Lucius? Where had his voice come from? I swung around, but the only people in sight were the guards, and they were closing in fast. I turned and resumed running, charging ahead through the woods. My lungs screamed at me, my heart hammered, and every step felt like it would be my last. My feet felt raw and blistered from my boots, but still I ran on, pushing myself to my absolute limit. Branches smacked my face, and the ground became slippery and dangerous, the leaves hiding the undergrowth of snarled roots and fallen twigs that seemed to want to grab me and pull me to the ground. I could hear noises behind me, knew they were still after me, but suddenly I heard noise ahead, as well. The river? I raced around behind a large oak tree and stood there for a moment, gasping for breath and feeling dizzy and weakened as I tried to listen. The noise sounded like water rushing by. Yes! I’d reached the river! It lay just up ahead, and with a new sense of purpose, I started off again. My legs were killing me now, my stomach heaving, but I kept going. Almost there. Almost there. And somehow, I would get across.

  I rounded two more large oak trees and stopped dead. There before me was a wide, swirling river. I nearly fell to me knees in despair. How would I get across?

  “Ivy, you must swim. You can do this. Look how far you’ve already come. It’s almost over; I promise you.”

  Laughing at myself and at the futility of the situation, I decided I had no choice. I would rather die trying than be beaten or raped by those bastards who I could still hear behind me. In a few moments, they’d be on me, and my life would be over, anyway. Between the two, the river was the better option. After ripping the laces open on my boots, I pulled them off and flung them aside. My feet screamed at me in protest, but I had no time to rest them. I drew off my socks, yanked open the zipper on my parka, and shrugged out of the heavy garment. I left everything behind, as I took a deep breath and then hurled myself into the frigid waters. The icy coldness momentarily confused me, but I bobbed up to the surface and tried to get sense of my direction. I could hear tree branches cracking off to the left, so I swung to the right and began swimming with quick, strong strokes. The cold stiffened my limbs, and I thanked the gods that my parents had insisted I take swimming lessons as a child. Despite my skill, my arms still ached, my breaths were pained and small, and the frigid water made my thoughts jumble into a state of confusion. But I kept going, and slowly, the other side drew closer, until finally I looked up and saw him. Lucius, standing there in the clearing, waiting for me. His lips moved, and I sensed him shouting something, but I couldn’t hear him above the choppy waves. On I swam, forcing myself to keep going, telling myself that soon—very soon—I could stop. Lucius would take care of me. Lucius would protect me. I risked a glance behind me and nearly drowned, for there, on the bank, stood the king and Fausto, grim-faced and obviously indignant over the fact that I appeared to have escaped him. I turned back, and with renewed vigor, I pushed myself ahead, kicking with everything I had. Lucius crouched down and placed his hands out toward me. I grabbed on and held tight, and he pulled me from the river as if I weighed no more than a small child. Lifting me into his arms, he kissed me with punishing lips. I turned my face, gasping for air, but I stayed safely in his grasp.

  “Ivy, I am in awe of what you just did. Never for a second did the King think a human woman could escape him, but you did. You are amazing.”

  The dawning realization of what I did hit me like a freight train, and I started to sob, making silly, hiccupping noises. Lucius lowered us both to the ground, and I curled up in his arms as he rocked me gently. He wrapped his coat around the two of us, and we sat like this for the longest time. Slowly, my breathing returned to normal, and my hiccupping grew softer. Lucius lifted my chin, and I gazed into his molten eyes with their red-rimmed pupils. I stroked his face, loving the feel of his velvet skin. With a sigh, I reached up and kissed him, savoring the taste that is Lucius. I inhaled his woodsy scent, so uniquely him, and snuggled closer in his arms. I felt as if I’d come home.

  “Ivy, you nearly killed me, and that truly is quite a feat.”

  Laughing dryly, I looked up at him, shocked to see a single red tear fall from his eyes.

  “I would have found a way to kill myself had I lost you,” he said. “Nothing is worth living for if you are not here to share it with me.”

  I laid my head on his chest, questions swarming my confused brain. I wanted answers, but my eyes started to close, and I gave up the good fight. I was safe, I was in Lucius’ arms, and that’s all I cared about right then. Leaning against him, I sighed and asked him to take us home.

  Chapter Nine

  I awoke suddenly with the dire need to use the bathroom. I was back at Lucius’ house, and I slid out of the bed but almost crashed to the floor as my legs gave out beneath me. Every muscle in my body ached badly, and I steadied myself with the bedpost for a moment before hobbling toward the connected bathroom. A light glowed softly from there, lighting my way. I closed the door gently so as not to awaken him, and then quickly sat down to relieve my full bladder.

  As I sat there, I gazed down at my feet and winced. They were raw and bloody, and I wondered mildly if I had stained Lucius’ satin sheets. Tomorrow, I thought, I would wash them. My thoughts turned to the previous day’s events. How had I managed to escape the king and his cronies? Truly, they were far stronger than I was. Did the king have some ulterior motive for letting me go? I looked down at my wrist and saw it was almost silver in color now. Gingerly, I rubbed it, but no sign of pain or heat came from my touch. What did that mean?

  A soft knock on the door stopped my contemplation.

  “Ivy, are you okay?”

  “Fine. Just give me one minute, please.”

  Smiling shyly, I finished quickly, then got up and washed my hands. I then hobbled over to the door to open it. As I pulled open the door, I saw Lucius’ molten eyes shone with concern. The look on his face nearly stole my breath away. This man truly loved me. I sli
d my arms around him and kissed the tip of his nose. Giggling, I snuggled into him, inhaling the spot just under his ear.

  Lucius lifted my legs up and around his waist and pushed me against the sink counter.

  “Ivy, your feet, they are so sore. Let me clean them for you and rub some salve on them to help heal them.” He set me on the counter.

  I shrugged and sat there waiting while he filled the sink with warm water and some bath salts. He then turned me slightly and leaned me against him so I could place my foot into the sink. Ever so gently, he rubbed my left foot, kneading it with his fingers. Every touch sent shivers down my spine, every touch pooled moisture into my panties. Squirming with awakened desire, I grabbed onto Lucius’ muscled arms.

  “Sit still, I need to clean your poor feet.” Slowly, almost painfully, he administered tender care to my left foot, before turning his attention to the other one. While my foot soaked, he used a soft towel and dried my clean one. He then warmed some salve in his palms, before applying it to the sole and toes with gentle hands.

  Every fiber of my being roared into desirous awakening. My nipples hardened, and my throat went dry. I started rubbing my hands across Lucius’ chest, reveling in the feel of his beautiful skin. Leaning forward, I kissed his chest, and then, on a sigh, I found his nipple and sucked it into my mouth. Lucius let out a loud groan and roughly rushed through the washing of my other foot. Smiling, I continued to suck his nipple into my mouth. My body found the taste of him addicting. Quickly, Lucius slid my foot out of the sink and toweled it off. He then grabbed the salve and massaged some in, and all the while I continued lathing his hard little nipple. When I peered up at him from beneath lowered lashes and teasingly flicked my tongue, he groaned, dropped the bottle of salve onto the sink, and grabbed me to pull me close. He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes shone like stars, filled with passion for me. Intense heat rippled off his body, and the red rings around his pupils shone like passion-filled eternity rings. Gasping, I reached up and pulled him toward me. His mouth crashed down on mine, and I plunged my tongue into his mouth. I wanted him. Now.

  A trickle of sweat dripped off his brow, and I slid my finger along the line, following it as it dropped to his stomach. I dipped my head and lapped the droplet up with the tip of my tongue. On a groan, Lucius dropped to his knees and pushed my legs wide open. Slowly, he kissed his way up my legs to my inner thighs. Wriggling with urgent need, I arched forward, nearly falling off the sink. Lucius held me there and pushed his face into my soaking, inner core. Inhaling, he moaned loudly and bit my swollen clit. I screamed at the intense pleasure rippling through my body. Lucius ran a finger along my wet core and then pressed it slowly inside me. Instantly, I gripped his finger, squeezing tightly with my inner walls. My body finding its natural rhythm, I bucked into his finger. He placed a second finger inside me, and I rode them both wildly. I could not stop my wanton body’s need, slamming my drenched pussy around his fingers, soaking him with my desire. Lucius slid my legs up over his shoulders and slowly danced up my body. I noted somewhere along the way he had lost his shorts, and I cried out with the frenzy of desire building up inside of me.

  “Lucius, please I can’t take it anymore; I need you so badly.”

  “How badly do you want me?”

  “Please, oh dear Gods, Lucius, fuck me. Fuck me like you are mad at me.”

  Grinning, Lucius slid forward and removed his fingers.

  “No, don’t pull away. I need you.” I clutched at him, and my body screamed for release.

  Lucius leaned in, and on one hard thrust, I found my world becoming everything I ever wanted it to be. Oh dear Gods, heaven must have sent this man. He grabbed my ass and pulled me into him, slamming into me. I met his thrusts, Our bodies became one, sweat coated our skin, and I could barely breathe with the desire mounting inside me. I felt like a wild cat in heat, and I use my nails on him, scrapping and digging into his backside. Every thrust he gave sent me closer to complete bliss. Our tongues mated in a wild dance, choreographed by Venus herself. Suddenly, my body convulsed around Lucius’ cock. He roared, throwing back his head like a proud lion, and his seed shot into me over and over again, filling me with a warmth that only we would share. I fell against his chest, unable to stay upright anymore. Lucius lifted me off the sink, and we slid to the floor of the bathroom. He lay on his back, and I wrapped myself around him. Lucius pulled my hair, and I looked up at him.

  “You are mine,” he said. “Always mine.”

  Smiling at his caveman talk, I gave him a chaste kiss on his perfect full lips and then laid my head on his chest. I did not know what it was like for other couples when they made love. I only knew this was perfection for me, for us; there were truly no words in any language suitable for what we had. Smiling and content, I found myself falling into a deep sleep.

  “I love you, Lucius,” I whispered as I drifted off.

  A loud bang woke me up, and I sat there a moment, trying to figure out what it was. Dazed, I sat there rubbing my eyes, my heart banging wildly.

  “Ivy, it’s okay; it’s just thunder. Lay back down.”

  Turning, I saw Lucius lying beside me in the bed. His hair was all mussed, a delicious, rumpled look that begged to be ruffled. Snuggling down into his open arms, I sighed.

  “I don’t like storms; they are never good news.”

  Lucius held me tightly and stroked my back, making circles with his fingers.

  “You are safe with me, Ivy.”

  Lightning streaked across the sky, casting the room in an eerie glow. Shuddering, I snuggled in closer. Looking up into his face, I fought the urge to cry. His face was a lovefest for my tired eyes. His shone like stars, illuminating my weary world, and his mouth was a beacon for my soul, calling me to kiss him, which I did. Smiling, Lucius held me tight, and our kiss went from sweet to seductive in seconds. I pushed him back and moved to straddle him.

  “Ivy, you are beautiful; every inch of you drives my body wild with desire.”

  I smiled and stoked my hands down his chest, my naked core slightly above his rising desire.

  “Take what you want from me,” he said.

  With that, I slid down on to his rigid cock. I rode him slowly, rising up and down, my pussy soaking him with my desire. Harder and harder I rode him, his hips rising to meet me, my breasts bouncing with every thrust Lucius gave. He gripped my hips and slammed into my tight sheath, finding my sensitive spot. Arching back, leaning my arms back on the bed, opening myself up to his eyes, I rode on. He pinched around my clit, making me scream. Harder and harder I rode him, my breasts bouncing wildly, my head thrown the whole way back, exposing my neck. Lucius grabbed hold of me and pulled me up hard against him. I slid my legs around his waist, and he grabbed my hair, pulling my head to the side. Without a word, he bit into my neck, and my sheath clamped down on his cock. My world exploded, his sucking of my neck, my milking of his cock, my world just imploded. Lucius broke the bite and licked my wounds clean.

  Pulling my face back up to his, he looked at me, his eyes completely black and the red rings glowing wildly with heated desire. I kissed his swollen lips and tasted the metallic tang on them. My nipples burned with desire, and I lifted myself up off his cock and held onto the headboard in front of me. Lucius held onto me, stroking his fingers near my breasts. He took one of my nipples into his mouth, swirling his tongue around, over and over. My legs were spread wide, as I knelt above him so he could bite and suckle my nipples. His hands found my ass, and he pulled me in closer. One hand slid to my front, and he teased my engorged bud. I found myself losing the will to kneel in front of him, but Lucius held me up, grabbing my ass with one hand, sucking my nipple, fingering my bud and soaking core. He bit down hard on one nipple, sucking it into his mouth, and I screamed and slid down his body where his erect shaft waited for me. He pulled hard on my hips, and I closed the distance, slamming onto his beautiful phallus.

  How this man could be so turned on so quickly was yet another qu
estion that fleetingly crossed my mind, only to be swallowed up by a delicious French kiss. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I heard a noise, but my body’s needs tamped down my normal, rational brain function. Moaning into Lucius’ kiss, I slid down his cock, tightening myself around it, feeling Lucius shudder in my grip. Sliding my hands through his hair, I pulled him closer to me, and our kiss grew so passionate, breathing was becoming difficult.

  All at once, the double windows in Lucius’ room crashed open. Shards of glass flew through the air like a million sprites dancing around the room. Before I could react, several pieces impaled themselves into me. I heard Lucius roar, and he pulled me down off the bed onto the floor. Covering my body with his, he looked up and shouted in a language I had never heard. Shivering, naked and cut beneath Lucius, I cowered on the Persian rug, trying to find something to cover myself with. Somehow, I felt I could deal with anything if I were more suitably attired. Spotting a throw on the chaise, I tried to crawl away from Lucius, but he grabbed me roughly and held me down. I glanced up at him, only to find myself looking into the face of a stranger. This was not the man I loved. His eyes glowed eerily; his face was more angular and haunted. Shivering, I tried to explain my predicament, but words failed me. Instead, I slumped down, wondering who had come through the window, but inside, I knew. King Casimiro and those dreaded cronies of his had finally found us. Lucius leaped up off me and dove across the bed. Risking a glance, I peeked up over the bed and saw Lucius reach the other side to retrieve a sword. I felt like I was watching a 3D movie about the Knights of the Round Table, but somehow, I doubted this version would have a happy ending.