“Yes, my love, I am satisfied, I assure you.”
He raised his eyebrows and smirked suggestively as they gazed at the expectant-looking birds. The swans had fallen asleep, but the geese were clearly hoping more food would miraculously appear. They surged forwards, surrounding her, chattering noisily.
“None left.” She laughed, holding her empty hands out to the disappointed birds while the men smiled indulgently at her.
Isaac was meeting with his advisors that afternoon and he told her Katrina was at her disposal. Talia thought they could sit outside and enjoy the sunshine together, but Katrina had other ideas…
“You would like to bathe this afternoon, Katrina?”
It seemed such a waste of a gloriously sunny day, but Katrina was uncharacteristically decisive, boldly leading the way to their usual bathing room.
“Yes, Talia, I will prepare you for His Majesty’s pleasure.”
Talia’s heart sank even as she desperately tried to keep it afloat, buoyant on the love she shared with Isaac. She was to be his wife but was still being prepared for him like a slave.
“His Majesty desires this?”
“Of course, Talia. You are to be His Majesty’s wife and must honour him with the perfection of your body at all times.”
Perfection at all times; why, that was just not possible! Even the love she shared with Isaac could not always be perfect, unsullied by misunderstandings and arguments, and her fallible human body certainly couldn’t live up to such unrealistic demands. But this was Isaac’s wish so she would acquiesce and talk to him about it later. She needed to learn how Isaac was prepared to love her, how important protocols and rituals were to him. Primarily the preparation ritual. His love for her was genuine and profound so maybe she would just have to learn to accept his foibles. Or was it reasonable to expect him to change some of his ways? She sighed softly as she disrobed, and her pensiveness continued when she and Katrina were immersed in the milky water. Did she really expect Isaac to be transformed in every way now they were betrothed? That was neither realistic nor fair. He should not have to change for her.
“I do hope you are in good spirits, Talia. So much has happened in such a short time, it must feel overwhelming.”
She had made a truly horrible job of hiding her feelings of disquiet. But she had to discuss the preparation ritual with Isaac and not involve poor Katrina again.
“I am extremely well, thank you, Katrina, happier than I have ever been before.”
Katrina stared knowingly into her eyes. “I think you love His Majesty very much, Talia.”
Talia nodded, thrilled with Katrina’s boldness. “Yes, I do, very much indeed.”
Katrina’s eyes widened with obvious pleasure. “I know His Majesty feels the same way about you. I… You seem a little preoccupied and I understand there is much for you to adjust to. I am here to help if you need me, Talia, you only have to ask. I am so happy for you and His Majesty, you have been blessed with a rare and precious love.”
You have been blessed with a rare and precious love… Talia thought back to her conversation with Katrina when she was sitting in the bedroom, awaiting Isaac’s return. The huge, silent spectre of the cage dominated the room, a symbol of Isaac’s dominion over women – over her. Most of the time she could ignore its presence for it belonged in Isaac’s past – or so she had thought. But today… She sighed heavily as she stared at the tiny prison, the last remaining ghoul in the palace, haunting her every thought. She was perfect in every way, her body shaven and polished and oiled, but she could not maintain this unnatural state forever, nor did she wish to do so. She was to be Isaac’s wife, and he would soon realise she was not a goddess but a woman with all the physical messiness that entailed. She was not a slave, selected for one night’s delectation in the cage, only to be discarded in the morning. She was his destiny, his eternity and beyond. If they were to share a lifelong bond, she had to be allowed to be her true self. Otherwise it was all a lie, a masquerade of perfectly prepared bodies, ecstatic yet meaningless sex, and empty words of love and devotion.
She knew she was in trouble as soon as Isaac strode into the bedroom, his eyes sparkling with carnal intent… which she would dampen with her words. She should be silent, but she was not his toy, she was Talia, Lokian visionary, and her voice must be heard.
“You are exquisite, Talia.”
He collapsed onto the bed beside her and ran his fingers tenderly along her bare arm. She shuddered with love and desire, desperate to be one with him again. So why was she complicating things?Because she had to be true to herself or their relationship would become a lie…
“Thanks to Katrina.” Her voice was soft and respectful, but her resentment was rising. “She has perfected me for you.”
His answer was immediate and sincere. “You are perfect, Wanwisa, she had nothing to do.”
His sweet words confused matters; should she continue? She had to.
“But she did it, Your Majesty, and I would like to be perfect for you just the way I am.”
His fingers left her arm and his eyes narrowed. “You are. What’s wrong, Talia?”
Resentment crept into her voice. “This is my body, Your Majesty, to present as I wish.”
“And it is mine too now.”
There was only the slightest irritation in his voice, but his fingers did not return to caress her arm. She nodded softly.
“Yes, it is, Your Majesty. I love sharing my body with you and give it freely, but you do not own it. It belongs to me.”
His eyes glinted dangerously, but he took a deep breath and brushed his knuckles over her cheek. He was trying so hard to maintain peace. Warmth infused her pounding heart, and she wriggled closer so she could caress his face. His eyes softened.
“I treasure the gift of your body, Wanwisa. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
His lips brushed against hers and she nuzzled into him, grateful for his understanding. She was not a lady of the court, eager to win his favours in any way she could. Isaac would sometimes have to battle with her Lokian ideals, and she knew this would be hard for him, but they were part of her and would not change.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “I have to speak my truth. I love you too much to dishonour you with lies or omissions. I have to tell you how I really feel, Isaac, even when doing so may cause discord between us.”
He nodded, his eyes softer than ever. “I understand, Talia, you express yourself so eloquently. But there is one thing you should know, I did not ask Katrina to prepare you for me.”
This she had not expected. She was speechless.
“She is a loyal and diligent woman who lives only to serve and please me. She would have thought this was what I wanted. I hope her actions will not affect your friendship.”
She thanked the spirit realms for helping her keep her temper during this conversation. She had been wrong and almost exploded with rage without knowing the facts… it didn’t bear thinking about.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, I didn’t think… Everything that happened between us yesterday – I should have known.” She shook her head in self-reproach as she was blessed with sudden clarity. “Katrina said I should always honour you with the perfection of my body and I understand how she thinks. You honour me with your tenderness and love and I want to honour you with the same in return. Katrina simply sees honour in different things – I am not making sense at all!”
Suddenly she was laughing out loud, so relieved at the outcome of this conversation.
“My mercurial little visionary.” Isaac smiled indulgently. “You make perfect sense and you are perfect for me in every way. If we were stranded in the woods for weeks, without the benefits of beautification, I would desire you just as much, believe me.”
She did. His words said it all, but his eyes, as always, spoke his truth, their sincerity and passion breathtaking.
“Bonded for all time,” she whispered fervently.
“Bonded for all time.” He repeat
ed her words as if they were a sacred prayer, his eyes shining with emotion. She could read everything he was thinking and feeling, his love laid bare. She was blessed.
“What are you thinking, Talia?” he whispered into her mouth.
“That you are perfect for me too.”
She had moved effortlessly from her agitated state to one of blissful contentment, had trusted Isaac to listen and trusted the truth in what he said in return. She stared into his sky blue eyes. Isaac was such an emotional man yet he only showed it to her and it was all the more precious because of that.
“Please take me, Isaac,” she murmured, “please be one with me.”
She did not have to ask twice. They undressed each other rapidly, unceremoniously, impatient for connection, not sex. This desire for intimacy was second nature to her, but for Isaac it was a revelation, his eyes those of a child seeing the wonder of the world for the very first time.
“Our love is powerful,” she whispered as he rolled atop her, desire and love intermingling in his eyes.
“So powerful, we are bonded for all time, for eternity and beyond. Your magic is terrifying, Talia. What have you done to me?” His voice was tremulous and full of awe.
“Loved you as no other has ever loved before.”
He smiled as she gave expression to the depth of her emotions. She knew he needed to hear the truth. Isaac was the all-powerful King of Cornicunia, yet he was struggling with the intensity of his love. This was new for her too, and they would learn how to deal with the strength of their feelings together for they had all eternity in which to learn.
“Love me all night, Isaac, please, love me as no other has ever loved before.”
He groaned as if her words had answered all his unspoken prayers.
“I will love you all night, Wanwisa, I promise. I’ll never stop.”
***********
“We have to stop.”
“You promised you’d never stop.”
Talia’s face was glowing, her eyes shining, her pupils dilated and fixed on his. It was the face of a euphoric, satiated woman but…
“You’re sore, my little Wanwisa, we have to stop.”
“I don’t want to, Isaac, I need you.”
What monster had he created? His spiritual Lokian visionary had transformed into a crazed goddess of sex…
“You have me, Talia, all of me. I am yours forever, bonded for all time, remember? We don’t need to carry on if you’re in pain. We have all of eternity together, so many nights ahead of us.”
“It doesn’t hurt, I promise. Don’t stop, please, Isaac.”
Her voice was tiny, pitifully pleading for his sexual favours, but he would not be swayed. “Talia, you must tell me the truth. I’m not stupid, I saw you wince.”
Her lower lip trembled. “I know, I’m sorry, Isaac.”
She pressed her damp forehead against his, and he shifted his weight to ensure he didn’t crush her delectable body. This was a dangerous business for the poor little thing. He must never forget her feminine fragility, never allow himself to be overcome with lust even if she did provoke him…
“Please, Isaac, don’t stop. I feel safe when you’re inside me, please.”
There was desperation in her eyes and voice, an intensity that disturbed him. What was going on in her spectacular Lokian mind? He had thought she was secure in his love, but the woman trembling beneath him was a lost soul in need of reassurance and tender care.
“Wanwisa? What’s wrong, my precious little visionary? Tell me.”
“There’s nothing wrong, Isaac, I promise. I need you, that’s all. I am safe in the spirit realms when you’re inside me, I am where I’m meant to be. We belong there together.”
He breathed out sharply in relief. Talia simply wanted to indulge in sexual and spiritual ecstasy – as did he. True love was a heady and addictive drug but…
“I won’t hurt you, Wanwisa, we have to know when to stop.”
“You won’t hurt me, please, Isaac, please.”
Her eyes were huge, imploring turquoise pools, begging him for sex… he had always enjoyed begging. His cock jerked, and he growled with pleasure. How could he deny her? How could he deny himself?
“I’ll be gentle.”
“I know you will.”
They were having this intimate conversation while his cock was buried deep inside of her. All-consuming, relentless sex combined with such profound love was every man’s dream, his dream, and Talia’s faith in him aroused him further. He pressed his mouth against hers, awe burning in his heart.
“Would you be more comfortable in another position? On your side? Or on top of me?”
“This is probably best. Gentle.”
“Yes, gentle.”
He thrust inside her, saturated with sex, sodden with sensual delight, his soul weeping blood from too much love and pleasure. He had climaxed three times already and his rampant cock would suffer for this. Fucking, time and time again, in countless, varied positions, he would be sore tomorrow for sure – but Talia? Her poor tiny little cunt…
“Alright, Wanwisa? Not hurting?”
“Not hurting, perfect.”
Her eyes were shining, dazed… no longer present in the mortal world but safe in the spirit realms with him. I love you as no other has ever loved before, sweet Talia.
“Yes, perfect.”
He stared into her adoring eyes and they reflected all the love in his. He was becoming part of Talia, useless without her, less without her… Their hot, wet bodies slid together, limbs entangled, hearts intertwined, united body and soul. They stared unblinkingly at each other until their eyes gave up the fight to stay open and accepted defeat, succumbed to the need for sleep.
“Bonded for…” She was exhausted, could hardly speak, he would finish her words for her. He knew so well how they went.
“… all time.”
“Mmm.”
He kissed the top of her head as she drifted into sleep with his cock still deep inside her.
“Sleep, Wanwisa, sleep now.”
Contrast
“I am a little sore, but I like it. It is a precious reminder of last night.”
She had shocked him, such horror lay in his beautiful eyes. Her poor, sensitive king.
“It is pain… pain you will feel all day to remind you of our union.” His voice was soft but surprisingly bitter.
“Don’t, Isaac, please, don’t spoil the memory. Pain is far too strong a word for it. Truly, it’s nothing, just a tiny physical reminder of the beauty we shared last night.”
He sighed but a playful twinkle appeared in his eyes. “I know, Wanwisa, I have my own reminder of last night.” Her mouth dropped open like a fool’s. Isaac grinned. “Yes, Talia, that’s right, my cock is as sore as fuck this morning, and I wouldn’t change that for the world!”
She laughed, relieved by his light-heartedness. She needed harmony more than ever this morning. She had been blessed with the miracle of true love, but her world had been transformed and the change was unnerving. She missed her people and their simple way of life. Her mind was unsettled, and this feeling of unease was disturbing her. It had begun last night during intimacy with Isaac. A terrible sense of foreboding had descended and embedded in her soul. She had needed Isaac so much, had been desperate to couple with him again and again and again. Her body had begun to ache and her sex had become sore, resisting the constant invasion of Isaac’s monstrously swollen manhood, but she had begged him to continue like a woman possessed. When he was buried deep inside of her, she felt safe. He fed her soul, strengthened her spirit. She had lost herself in his love, in their intensity and passion – but no more. In the cold light of day she could no longer immerse herself in Isaac and pretend the mortal world didn’t exist. She shuddered as she accepted the truth, a disconcerting sense of doom surging through her body. This was not good. Lokians were hypersensitive to the vibrations of the earth, to the subtle signs of good and evil, imminent spiritual joys – or impending disas
ter. Something was very wrong somewhere in their world. The sinking feeling in her belly and the heaviness of her heart told her that. Her body was vibrating on a different level this morning, anticipating calamity and great trials ahead…
“Are you alright, Wanwisa?”
Isaac ran the back of his fingers over her cheek, his eyes dark and troubled. She smiled and leant into his tender caress. She must not worry him until she knew what challenges faced them.
“You are right, Your Majesty, we must not regret our little reminders of last night for we shared something truly magical.”
“Yes, we did.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. It should have been a perfect start to the day, but she couldn’t escape the feeling of imminent doom. Something was very wrong, every nerve in her body was telling her so, every organ responding to an unknown threat. Her kidneys ached, her lungs burned, barely able to function as they focused all their energies on survival. Tense, alert, waiting for disaster to strike. Someone was trying to reach her… her people needed her. It had been so easy to block their voices from her mind and focus on her love for Isaac, but now there was a constant humming in her head, a mind-scrambling chatter she could not ignore. The voices were confused, jumbled, agitated – hysterical. Someone desperately needed her help. She clung to Isaac’s hand as they walked to the great hall, praying breakfast would be over quickly. She needed to escape somewhere alone, empty her mind, and beg for the assistance of the spirit realms. But as they walked into the great hall she realised her time of quiet contemplation would not be necessary.
Whatever horror had befallen them had descended upon Isaac’s palace overnight…
The silence was unnatural. Sombre. Haunted. Isaac’s relaxed demeanour changed immediately, his muscles taut as his eyes scanned the hall. There was no movement or sound, a macabre imitation of when Isaac had introduced her as his bride. The men and women had pale ghostlike faces, the spectres returned to the palace in full force. An agonised wail pierced through the silence, swiftly followed by distant sounds of crying. Talia trembled as she absorbed the horror of an unknown threat. The spirit realms had deserted her – she was stranded in the real world now.
Talia and Isaac Page 36