Courtesan

by S. C. Daiko

  ‘You are divine. I worship you,’ he says. I turn my head and watch him go to his desk and disrobe. His body reminds me of a beautiful statue: wide shoulders tapering to a narrow waist and rounded buttocks. His engorged prick is so long, so thick, and heavily veined, I can’t help but feel excited at the thought it will soon be inside my willing arse. Yes, willing. Men have fucked me there before. The last time was terrible. So, so terrible. But I want it now. God, how I want it.

  Justinian carves a wedge from a ginger root, scooping a concave depression into the top of it. After bringing it back to me, he tucks it neatly over my clit. We’ve done this previously, so I’m not surprised. It fits perfectly, and already I can feel its tingling warmth. I wiggle my backside in expectation. ‘Perfect, Theo,’ he says, kissing me briefly on the lips.

  Back at the desk he uncorks a bottle of olive oil and pours the requisite amount into the cup of his hand. He returns to me, rubs it into the crack of my arse and slips a slick finger into my hole; snaking it round. My muscles relax and he inserts another finger, scissoring and twisting and, oh God, it feels so nice. I let out a groan, shuddering as I push against him.

  ‘Good, Theodora. Good girl,’ he says and I can hear the lust dripping from his words. ‘Four fingers now.’

  One hand on the small of my back, he slides four fingers inside me with ease and my clit burns with desire as he moves gently back and forth. ‘Oh, holy Mary.’

  ‘You want me to stop?’

  ‘Sweet Jesus, no, sir!’ And I don’t. I really don’t want him to stop.

  His warm breath touches my arse cheeks, and his teeth nibble at them as he turns his hand and his fingers slip free. My quim is on fire, inside and out. Oh, Justinian!

  ‘You are doing so perfectly well, my sweet. Prepare to take my hand.’

  His hand? There’s no time to respond as his fingers slide into me once more. I can feel the nub of his thumb this time, and the burning stretch as he adds pressure. Not forced, just gradual.

  ‘Help me, Theodora. Push!’

  It hurts now. Suddenly, it hurts. I bite my lip and push onto him. A sudden sucking sensation. Sweet Jesus! His whole hand is inside me. He turns it slowly and the punishing pain becomes pleasure. Pure, pure pleasure. The ginger on my clit sends sparks to my breasts. I want to beg for his huge cock. I’m ready for it. But I can only groan. Holy Mary!

  ‘You are amazing,’ he says. ‘You feel quite wonderful inside.’

  ‘Oh, God,’ is all I can reply.

  ‘Deeper now.’

  His hand moves inside me and it feels as though he’s tickling my stomach. Waves of warm tingles flow from my clit to my breasts and back again, my arsehole clamping at his wrist as he wiggles it back and forth in small gentle movements.

  ‘Nice?’ he asks.

  ‘Exquisite,’ I manage amid panting breaths.

  ‘Faster now. Fuck my hand, Theodora.’

  I gasp and buck a little, and, as I push back and forth on his arm, the mix of cleansing pain and perfect pleasure is a wonder. Oh, such a wonder! When he slides his hand slowly out, my legs shudder and I let out a moan of pure joy.

  ‘It seems you were correct. The ginger has done its job. Are you ready for my cock?’

  ‘Oh yes!’ I stick my arse out, the juices from my quim running down my legs.

  ‘Tell me, Theodora. Tell me you want it.’

  ‘I want you to fill my arse with your amazing cock, sir.’

  ‘Can you imagine what it might feel like to have my thick shaft right up there?’

  I let out a breath. ‘Wonderful, sir. Tight and wonderful.’

  ‘Not only tight, my lovely Theo. When I fuck your heavenly hole, I will fuck it deeply, and you will experience a feeling of great fullness, and you must run with it, a joy like no other.’

  ‘Oh please, sir. Fuck my arse deeply, sir,’ I pant.

  He presses his body to mine, reaches for my breasts and squeezes them, first gently, then tugging at my nipples and nudging the base of my back with his hard cock.

  I drop my head and a wanton groan rises from deep within.

  He lets go of my breasts, nudging the tip of his prick against the ring of my arse before easing it into me. Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! My blood pounds in my ears, and wetness runs out of me. His massive cock is like iron, but I’m ready for him. He holds my hips and I gasp and pant and cry out, ‘Justinian!’

  He grinds into me. I let out a squeal. My arse-cheeks push back at him. He reaches around to the front of me and rubs the ginger covering my clit. ‘You like this, don’t you Theodora?’

  My arse clenches around him and I pant, ‘Yes, yes, sir. I do.’

  He slams against my buttocks, and my body rocks with the force of his assault.

  ‘Sweet Jesus!’

  ‘This is what you want, Theodora? Isn’t it?’

  ‘I want all of it. I want to be filled with it, with you, sir.’ And I do. This is a coupling like no other.

  My buttocks shudder, and I strain against my bonds. My head is spinning and my whole body tightens up, ready to explode. ‘Please, sir. Let me climax!’

  ‘Yes, Theo, climax. Break for me,’ he shouts as he slams into me.

  I suck in my breath as my body jerks. A long, sobbing moan escapes from me. My arse is grabbing at him, and the pressure is unbelievable. I’m on fire. I want to burn forever. Forever!

  ‘I’m breaking, and breaking, and breaking, sir,’ I shrill, my legs shuddering. Whiteness flashes before my eyes. Floods of fluid shoot from my sheath. I don’t want it to stop. Explosion after explosion of wracking tremors tear through me.

  He muffles his cries against my back as he shouts out his release. I feel his salty seed pumping into me, feel every spasm of his thick cock. His hotness fills my arse and runs down my thighs.

  Sweeping his arms around me, he cups my breasts; then he strokes my quim. ‘I’ve never wanted a woman as I want you, Theo. Your surrender is a gift to me. And for that I’m truly grateful.’

  ***

  Justinian unties her, wipes their sticky juices from her legs, and helps her onto the bed. He lies next to her, his arms around her. The warm summer night air caresses their bodies and dries their sweat.

  ‘How do you feel, Theodora?’

  ‘As if you’re still inside me.’

  ‘Are you hurting?’

  ‘Only with pleasure. That was truly extraordinary.’

  He smiles at her. Her pungent scent is strong in the air. ‘You have a magnificent arsehole, Theo. You do please me so.’

  She smiles. ‘Thanks to the ginger, and to your patience.’

  He returns the smile. ‘The next time will be even better. Thank you, Theodora.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She strokes his arm. ‘You were magnificent.’ A pause. ‘You said your stepfather used to flog you. Was that because you were disobedient?’

  ‘Not particularly. I think he simply enjoyed dominating me.’

  ‘Did he ride your arse?’

  He laughs. ‘Never! I would not be a bottom man. No. He did it to punish my mother. I think she loved me more than she loved him.’

  ‘What was she like?’

  ‘Vigilantia was her name. A simple peasant woman, but I do remember she was beautiful. She had dark blond hair and green eyes.’

  ‘Like you.’

  ‘Yes, like me. And she loved me enough to let me go, for I’d sworn to her I’d kill her brute of a husband when I was grown. I never knew my father. He drowned in the river before I was born.’

  ‘How tragic!’

  ‘He was fishing. A sudden flood carried him away. They found his body washed up on the rocks several leagues downstream.’

  ‘I’m so sorry. We’ve both lost our fathers tragically. How did you end up in Constantinople?’

  ‘Our village, like many in Illyricum, supplied the Roman army with soldiers for decades. Men like my uncle left to escape poverty and make their fortunes. I remember it took me a month’s walk to get here, trudging along the
imperial highway that runs through the Rhodope Mountains. When I arrived in the City I was astounded. So much wealth. So many people. Such power. Uncle Justin took a shine to me, adopted me, and changed my name from Peter to Justinian.’

  ‘I like your adopted name. It suits you. Did you miss your mother a lot?’

  A fleeting memory of being rocked to sleep in her arms. Strange how sleep has evaded him ever since. ‘I did miss her. But soon I immersed myself in my studies. My teachers said I developed a single-minded faith in single-mindedness, ha!’

  Theodora joins in his laughter. ‘I can understand why they would think that.’ She kisses his chest.

  ‘To me, anything that threatens the unity of the Empire is an affront against reason and faith alike.’

  She nods, appearing thoughtful. ‘So the Empire is more important to you than anything else?’

  Not more important to me than you, sweet Theo. Just as important. And I’ll tell you soon. Very soon.

  Theo snuggles against him, and her breathing slows. God, how he loves her. He’ll keep his darkness in check. He’ll never push her too far. He’ll make sure of that.

  When she’s asleep, he extricates himself from her embrace, gets out of bed, slips on his robe, and goes to his desk. He picks up his stylus and a wax tablet. A thought occurs to him. She doesn’t call him sir now except when they are fucking…

  VII

  I pick up my breakfast fig and take a small bite. Excitement makes my tummy squeeze, and I put it down. The consular celebrations will take place today. God, I hope everything goes according to plan. I want to continue being “useful” to Justinian; he’s hinted there’s more surrender to come from me, and I can’t wait for it. Can’t wait to lose myself in him.

  I’ve been living with Justinian for six weeks already. Six weeks of hard work, hard talk and hard, hard fucking. This man, this beautiful, fascinating man is pushing me… changing me… showing me the bittersweet pleasure in pain. And he’s breaking down all my defences. I’d sworn after Hecebolus I would never let anyone else get under my skin. Justinian makes me feel better about myself. So, so much better than I’ve felt in such a long time. And he’s awakened a feeling in me. This has never happened to me before, this feeling. This feeling is new. It’s not his punishments that worry me, it’s what will happen if he tires of me. Not if, Theo. When. You’re not the sort of woman that men keep. It would have been better if you’d left your heart with God.

  Narses comes into the room and bows. ‘Good morning, Kyria.’

  I indicate that he should sit. Something has been niggling at me. ‘Tell me, Narses, how could a man from such a simple background as the Emperor’s rise so high?’

  ‘You haven’t heard?’

  ‘Rumours only.’

  ‘When the old Emperor died without naming a successor, Amantius, his devious Grand Chamberlain, wanted to put forward Theocritus.’

  ‘Theocritus? Who was he?’

  ‘A complete non-entity, but of impeccable lineage. From an ancient patrician family, with a profile that would have looked perfect on a minted coin and superb seated on a horse.’

  ‘And less brains than the horse he sat upon, I imagine.’

  Narses laughs. ‘Theocritus was lazy and vicious. But Amantius knew just how to control him.’

  ‘Oh? How?’

  ‘By sending him an endless supply of opium and young boys. Amantius aimed to reign by proxy. It would have been disastrous.’

  ‘I can well believe it.’

  ‘I knew Amantius would try to bribe a key official. So I whispered in his ear that Justin was just that man: greedy, loved by his Excubitors but with no principles.’

  I let out a laugh. ‘Justinian’s uncle! Oh, Narses, you are a prize conspirator!’

  ‘I have my moments.’ Narses’ tone is smug.

  ‘What happened next?’

  ‘After the old Emperor’s death was announced, the people of the City assembled in the Hippodrome to wait for news. The Great Electors – high officials, the senators and the Patriarch – gathered in the Hall of the Nineteen Couches to deliberate their choice of who would reign next. I was there, watching.’

  ‘Was Amantius there too?’

  ‘No. I’d set a trap. I’d arranged for Justin to meet him in the small cabinet near the throne room.’ Narses gives a snort. ‘Several Excubitors, including Justinian who, as you know, was an Excubitor himself in those days, hid behind the curtains.’

  ‘Oh my goodness!’

  ‘They witnessed the attempted bribe and took Amantius prisoner. Justinian confiscated the gold to use judiciously.’

  ‘Judiciously? What do you mean?’

  ‘To manage events in the Hippodrome. You should ask him about that yourself, Kyria. In the meantime, Justin’s supporters among the senators were able to press his case.’

  ‘I know they were successful. But how?’

  ‘The Great Electors argued about the different candidates for hours. I was leaning against a pillar, watching and listening. At the opportune moment, I told them of the old Emperor’s attempt to have the fates reveal who should be his successor.’

  ‘What a schemer you are, Narses!’

  He lets out a girlish giggle. ‘I said the Emperor had prayed for a sign. Then he dreamed that the person who should follow him upon the throne would be the first person to enter his bedchamber on the next morning. I told the Electors that person was the Commander of the Excubitors, Justin himself.’

  ‘How clever of you!’

  ‘There were shouts of indignation. An illiterate peasant? Are you serious? I explained I was perfectly serious. Justin was a mature man, his leadership and valour proven. Shrewd and able. Not as illiterate as he would have them think. It’s an old trick, I told them, to make one’s opponents under-estimate one. You should never, ever make the mistake of under-estimating him. He could rule. Besides, he has senatorial rank. He’s eligible.’

  ‘Is that what decided them?’

  ‘No. It was the people clamouring at the Ivory Gate. They were growing impatient. If the Green and the Blue factions put up rival candidates, there could have been riots. Even…a military coup.’

  ‘I see.’ I chew my thumbnail. I want to know more. I’m about to ask, but Justinian comes through the door.

  He kisses me on the lips and my heartrate quickens. ‘The Lady Antonina and General Belisarius will be here shortly to take you to the ceremony at the Hagia Sophia Church.’

  Of course I haven’t been included in the Royal party. I’m lucky to have been included at all. Justinian has insisted upon it, and I’m humbled. ‘I’m nearly ready,’ I say.

  He waves a hand at Narses. ‘I’d like some moments alone with Theodora. I have a gift for her.’

  The eunuch bows his way out of the room. Justinian sits and pulls me down onto his lap. He moves my undergarment to one side and slowly slides a finger into me. Immediately, I’m wet for him, and I wriggle my tender arse against his erection.

  ‘Look, Theodora!’ He opens his other hand at my waist, and I’m surprised to see two silver balls.

  ‘These come from the Orient. I want to put them into your sheath so that you’ll think of me throughout the celebrations.’

  My eyes widen, but I’m intrigued and agree readily.

  He withdraws his finger and inserts the balls one at a time, pushing them deep. Once they are in position, he adjusts my undergarment and holds his slick finger to my lips. The slightest nod and I know what to do. I suck it into my mouth and taste my own sweetness.

  ‘Delightful,’ he says as he pulls it free.

  He kisses me again, a hot hungry kiss which I return fully.

  ‘See how they feel.’ He helps me to my feet. ‘Wriggle your arse for me.’

  I do so and let out a soft moan, aroused beyond measure by the weight of the balls pushing and pulling inside my quim. Sweet Jesus, the things this man does to me!

  ***

  I sit with Antonina in the pew assigned to us. It see
ms the entire Senate is here to witness the historic occasion. The men all wear ankle-length white tunics, their narrow sleeves edged in purple, waists tied with a red sash. Many of them stare at me, although they look the other way when I catch their eyes. I’m dressed in an elegant black stola so as not to draw attention to myself, but I guess they know who I am anyway.

  I move position, using my cunny muscles to hold the balls in place, and warmth spreads through my quim. I give Antonina a nudge. ‘Who might have a claim to the throne besides Justinian?’

  ‘Vitalian, the previous Consul. Only he’s dead.’

  I lean towards her, and the balls shift in my juices. Must keep still. ‘I’ve heard the rumours.’ I pause to let out a soft breath. ‘They say that Vitalian and his men were murdered. At a banquet, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, in the Hall of the Nineteen Couches.’

  ‘I know he was a bad man, that he was persecuting the member of my Church, but wasn’t that rather ruthless?’

  ‘Belisarius says it’s good for a contender to the throne to have a reputation for ruthlessness.’

  ‘Are you saying… did Justinian…?’

  Antonina squeezes my arm. ‘It’s never been proven who the perpetrators were. But I think you can rest assured that Justinian’s hand didn’t actually drive in the sword.’

  ‘There must have been several…’

  ‘Oh yes. Three men were killed that night. My husband told me that Vitalian’s body bore seventeen stab wounds. The hall ran with his blood.’

  I swallow, hard. ‘And now Justinian is becoming First Consul in Vitalian’s place.’

  Antonina lowers her voice. ‘Even if no one truly believes the title of First Consul means that much any longer – not like in the glory days of old Rome – it does at least indicate clearly to the people, and to the Palace, where the Emperor intends the succession to fall.’

  ‘Does Justinian’s cousin, Germanus, have aspirations to the throne as well?’

  ‘I would be surprised if he doesn’t.’

  ‘And will he find support?’

  ‘Probably. Apparently, his military record is excellent. But he’s in Thrace now, isn’t he? And the Emperor hasn’t made him First Consul, has he?’