“Get Isaac back,” Talia murmured, and all eyes moved to her. She was staring unseeingly into the distance, and Isaac’s heart contracted with fear. She had been so brave and determined, but now he was concerned about the fragile state of her mind. She had unravelled in her hut, disintegrated before his eyes, his serene, courageous visionary had become a vulnerable, frightened child, desperate for his love and reassurance. She had needed his strength and protection and he had given it to her, used all the psychological knowledge he had gained from playing the game. A fragile, terrified woman needed firm yet sensitive handling, absolute assurance her man was in control. Talia had needed to be certain he could protect her and their love from anything and everything. His physical dominance had made her feel safe. He had crushed her against his chest and tugged at her hair as he would if he was playing with her in the cage, hypnotising her with pain and pleasure. He had watched her eyes widen, felt her heartbeat slow as she surrendered to his loving care. But he couldn’t do that here, in front of her Lokian friends, so he stroked her face and talked to her instead.
“Talia? Are you well, my sweet? Come back to me, my love.”
He wrapped his hand around her neck and squeezed lightly until her glazed eyes cleared and focused on his. She smiled, and he let out a long sigh of relief.
“Get Isaac back, get you back, that was all I could think of, the only thing that mattered to me. That’s all everyone wanted, to have their loved ones safely back. Rowan wanted Jenna and I wanted you. Oh, Isaac!”
He pulled her into his arms, unconcerned by their audience. Talia needed him. “I’m here, Wanwisa, you have me back and I will never leave you again. We will be together for eternity and beyond. It’s over, we’re safe, I promise.” He raised his head to look at Rowan as she snuffled into his shoulder. “You abducted your king and would normally expect retribution, but everything that has happened between us has been motivated by love. If it had been Talia…” he paused, unable to speak past the enormous lump in his throat, “I would have done exactly the same thing in your position. What were you expected to think? I kidnapped Talia, and that was a terrible and misguided act, but I never intended to hurt her. All I wanted was to discover your secrets.” He laughed dryly. “I was unnerved by my people’s growing affection for you, and it caused me to act recklessly and foolishly. I should never have abducted Talia, but I’m not sorry I did for it has turned out to be the greatest blessing of our lives. Talia and I were destined to be.” He stared into Rowan’s turquoise eyes, transfixed by his epiphany while a bird of the same name landed beside him, gently pulling at his shirt with its sharp beak as if encouraging him to say more. “Our love was destined to be as is whatever transpires because of it. Lokian blood has merged with royal blood and the future of Cornicunia has changed irrevocably. I am certain this will be a positive change, a life-enhancing thing for all who live in our beloved land.”
Rowan’s eyes were as stunned and disbelieving as they had been in the dungeon when Talia had declared her love for her king. He shook his head slowly. “Clyde is right, Your Majesty, you do have a pure spirit. I… I am astounded.” Rowan shook his head again, the dazed expression not leaving his eyes. “We thought we knew what was happening to Talia at the palace and were in despair at the thought of the horror she was enduring.” Rowan turned his bewildered eyes to Talia. “We couldn’t connect with you at all, sister, your powers were compromised. We knew you must be in a desperate condition…” He trailed off, clearly still unable to reconcile the horror he had believed in with the mutually adoring relationship he saw before him now. Talia’s eyes were empathetic and intense as she reached for Rowan’s hand.
“At the beginning I was traumatised but I…” She bit her lip, gathering her thoughts, clearly considering what was best left unsaid. She would surely omit the details of what an insensitive fool he had been at the start of her captivity. “Isaac had a plan for me but it changed rapidly after we met. There was magic between us immediately. I was scared and confused, and my powers were weakened, but as time passed and my bond with Isaac deepened, I deliberately blocked any attempt at spiritual communication. I needed to focus on Isaac, on nurturing our love, it was selfish but necessary. We had so much to learn about each other, I had to use all my intuition and sensitivities in developing our relationship. Isaac has treated me with great kindness and understanding, he respects me as an intelligent, sensitive woman although I must admit he found that difficult at first. I was his prisoner, but I knew he didn’t really want to dominate or control me. I knew we were meant to be. We share the spiritual energy of the colour blue and have already made journeys to the spirit realms together – we were destined to be.”
Rowan was silent for a long moment. “You were captured because you are the most spiritually gifted of us all, Talia. His Majesty was not thinking of your feelings then. You were simply a means to an end.”
Rowan’s voice was grim, his words shocking. Isaac was not used to such honest criticism and knew he had not yet won the battle to gain Rowan’s trust.
“I know that, Rowan, I have no illusions, and I was terrified at first. But Isaac never hurt me, never forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do. He would never hurt a woman, please, believe me.”
Tears filled her eyes as she finished her impassioned defence of her foolish husband. Isaac shook his head as shame flooded his heart. Now was the time for the all-powerful king to show some humility and admit his many faults.
“Talia, you are so sweetly forgiving, an elevated soul indeed, but you know I am not perfect.” Her lips trembled as he turned to Rowan and boldly met his gaze. “You are right. I didn’t consider Talia’s feelings, didn’t even think of her as a person with emotions or needs of her own. I thought only of myself and the perceived threat to my reign. I was reckless and arrogant but I refuse to regret it for it has resulted in such happiness. I admit I floundered when I first met Talia, I had no idea how to communicate with such a gifted, spiritual woman, but I learnt quickly – I had to. We are meant to be together, I couldn’t jeopardise the magic between us and affront destiny itself. I had to learn to admit when I was wrong and put Talia’s needs before my own. I have made many mistakes during our short relationship and I do regret them because they caused Talia pain and confusion. Thankfully, my precious wife is forgiving and understands the fallibility of human nature. Talia is right. Our love was meant to be and we have fought for the joy we share today.”
“It is the way of the spirit realms,” Clyde said softly, “human life is given to us so our spirits can grow and learn to love, wholeheartedly, unreservedly and unconditionally. Talia has shown you that, Your Majesty, she has surpassed herself.” The wise old man turned to his star pupil. “Well done, little cherub, you have fulfilled the promise of your blessed gifts.”
Talia’s eyes were brimming with tears again but Isaac knew they were happy ones. “I cannot accept such fulsome praise, Clyde, Isaac and I did it together. He opened himself to me as I opened myself to him; we learnt each other’s ways,” she finished simply.
“Yes, Wanwisa, we did.” He stared at the three serene Lokian faces, the wonder in their eyes matching the awe in his spirit. “As we all must if we are to live peacefully in this land together from this day on. I know now there is no threat from your people, Talia showed me that too. I understand a little about the way you live your lives and what is important to you. There is much to learn from the Lokian way; you can help us all lead richer, more fulfilling lives. The people of Cornicunia recognised that before their king.”
Rowan nodded, acceptance and respect in his eyes. The humbleness of a king was a rare thing – and an affecting one. And it had been oh so very easy for Isaac to surrender his arrogance, everything was easy when it was motivated by love.
“We can all learn from each other, Your Majesty, it is the way the spirit realms desire us to live. I am sure Talia will want to visit us, and you are always most welcome to accompany her. As you said, learning about each
other can only result in richer, more fulfilling lives.”
Isaac let out a long breath, the air moving freely around his body at last. He had ensured Talia’s happiness, created a world where she could love him and still love her people. He would spend the rest of his life making sure his beloved little visionary was as happy as she made him. It was all he wanted, all he had ever wanted – he just hadn’t known it. For years he had blindly believed in a dream and a dress without knowing what they meant.
But now he knew – thanks to Talia.
His wife. Bonded for all time.
The Cage Revisited
“I want to do this, Isaac.”
“Why?”
One small word was all he could manage, for Talia had confounded him yet again. No, it was more than that. She had shocked him. He had thought he had seen everything – mystical relationships with spirit animals, shared journeys to the spirit realms – but this… this transcended it all. Talia had lured him down to the dungeons, telling him she wanted to explore her new home. He had thought this a little odd, a dungeon was hardly an enjoyable experience especially for a Lokian visionary. But a tour of the palace was not what she wanted at all. Talia had devised a cunning plan, intent on snaring her royal prey, and now she was standing in front of the cage, wide-eyed and innocent, as if she hadn’t anticipated his reaction when she asked him to fuck her in it.
Good God.
“I want to show you how much I trust you, Isaac. I love you and want to share everything with you, embrace everything you are.”
“Were, Wanwisa, were. I am different now, your love has made a new man out of me. Remember when we used the aids to sexual pleasure? I told you I didn’t need them, you and you alone are all I need. You don’t have to do this, I don’t need the cage anymore.”
His voice was emotional and passionate and he meant every word. He worshipped his brave, independent Talia, his spiritual Lokian visionary. She was a unique and exceptional soul – and never his slave. She smiled serenely into his eyes, unfazed by his words.
“I know, Isaac, really I do. That’s why I can do this with such joy in my heart.” She ran her fingertips over his face and he leant into her healing touch. You and you alone are all I need. “I had a revelation when we were together in my hut. When I was crying, you pulled my hair and it calmed me instantly. I knew what you were doing. You were reassuring me with your strength, letting me know I was safely under your control and there was nothing to fear. I needed that firm hand after the trauma of your abduction, needed to know I had a husband with the strength of a thousand warriors looking after me. After us. I needed that level of dominance, protection, whatever you want to call it, I needed it. And in that moment, everything you had told me crystallised and came together as a perfect whole. Everything made sense. I understood the cage. I knew it was just part of the game, not about domination and cruelty but communication and trust. I know every sexual liaison that has taken place behind those bars was a reverent act of trust between two consenting people, and I want to enjoy that with you too. Please, Your Majesty, please honour me with your body and accept my gift of trust.”
It was quite a speech. How could he refuse her? He was mesmerised by the passion and sincerity in her eyes, the awe in her soft voice. She understood the psychology of the game, understood him. But this was a strange and unsettling prospect for how could he experience the cage with his beloved wife? Bonded for all time. The thought unnerved him as much as it excited him, and he knew he must act fast before he changed his mind. Talia wanted to share this with him, Talia who transformed all she touched into beauty and light.
He moved fast, ignored the rapidly firing questions in his mind and lost himself in the moment, in sensation, in love. He undressed her quickly, unceremoniously, determined to begin before he lost his nerve. Could he really do this with the woman he adored? And then Talia was standing naked before him, her luscious curves on display, and with a sudden rush of blood to his head the old Isaac returned. He had never gone away, was just a smaller part of the multi-faceted man he had become. He stared into his wife’s trusting eyes and saw his dominance and power reflected there. He was her master again, sweet memories of the blue room resurfacing and flooding his mind, his heart… his cock. Lust thrummed powerfully through his body, coursing through his veins, and his head swam as every spare drop of blood he possessed surged into his monstrously swollen cock. He wanted this. Talia had loved the game and treasured their time in their sacred blue room, a place not just of pure spiritual bonding but of unbridled, brutal lust. Wetness had gushed from her sex as she serviced him, satisfying his every desire, and she had shattered in his arms when he rewarded her with pleasure. His wife was a sensual, uninhibited creature, and she would love the cage too. He would make sure of that. But first – he must be honest with her.
“If we go inside that cage, I will not go easy on you, Talia. You will be my slave.” His voice was gentle but firm, giving her one last chance to desist.
“I know. I want to be your slave, want to serve my beloved husband. I trust you, Isaac.”
She was asking him to dominate her, submitting from a position of power. It made him smile. Talia was firmly in control even when offering to be his slave.
“I will be your master in the cage, not your husband, not your sweet Isaac.”
He stared into her eyes, holding his breath as his heart pounded with anticipation and lust. Would she go through with this? He would not allow her a shred of control from this moment onwards…
“Yes, Master, I understand.”
His cock jerked as he took her by the hand and led her inside the cage. He needed to keep a tight rein on himself, focus on Talia. He mustn’t miss a thing. Every flicker of her eyes, every twitch of her lips, would tell him how she was feeling. He must ensure his wife’s happiness, ensure his slave was happy at all times.
It was going to be an epic battle between his rampant cock and his higher nature, and he wasn’t sure which would win…
He told her to kneel and chained her wrists to the bars, her arms stretched high above her head. It was what he had done on her first night at the palace, but tonight her eyes were locked with his in trusting adoration. There was so much love in them, sweet proof of how far they had journeyed in such a short time. His destiny, his Talia, his wife. He stood back, as she knelt naked before him, and relished the glorious sight. His cock throbbed, desperate for its pleasure, and his power rose, threatening to consume him – and her. Dark sensuality burned demandingly within, vibrating through his desire-ridden body, but Talia’s pleasure and comfort were paramount in his mind. However far he went tonight he would not forget that for a moment…
***********
Isaac stood back and stared at her naked body chained to the bars of his cage. So many memories of their first night… but this was nothing like that. Her husband had the same aura of male satisfaction and power, his animal sexuality ferocious, waiting to be unleashed. She was his prey, a willing sacrifice to his lust, and she was proud and unafraid. That first night she had been vulnerable and scared, unsure of their future despite the magic between them. Tonight she felt none of these things. The cage no longer daunted or distressed her for the past no longer mattered. Together they would reinvent the cage so it became something new, something beautiful that belonged only to the two of them. Now they shared a bond of equals, it was strangely exciting to be at Isaac’s mercy. There was nothing to fear anymore for the unknown between them was a glorious life of infinite possibilities stretching ahead until the end of time…
“So beautiful.”
Isaac’s whispered words were so soft she could barely hear them. It was as if he was afraid of admitting it excited him to see her like this. Trussed up, restrained for his pleasure, with no choice but to satisfy his desires. She moaned as her intimate juices flowed freely, her body and mind embracing the cage with a fierce passion she had not anticipated. She wanted this – for herself as much as Isaac. She whimpered and whin
ed, encouraging her master to do whatever he desired – but still he didn’t move. He simply stared, his eyes hypnotic, intense and unyielding, the sky blue dark and stormy as never before. She strained against the bars, pulling at her cuffs, craving his tender touch. Now she had surrendered, she was desperate to begin. She stared into his eyes, awaiting his command, and his lips curled into an arrogant smile.
“Such sweet surrender is an exquisite thing, a true wonder of this world. My strong, fearless Lokian visionary is finally submitting to her master.”
His words should have scared her but they aroused her even more. Warm sweat broke out all over her tingling body, her nerves over-sensitised, eager to explode in pleasure. Her clitoris throbbed as her master crouched beside her, his eyes searching her soul. She stared boldly back, silently giving him permission to act without restraint. Her beloved Isaac hadn’t disappeared. He lurked behind her master’s arrogantly seductive eyes, refusing to leave her at the mercy of the beast. And in that moment she loved him as she had never loved before.
Isaac nodded, a satisfied smile playing around the corners of his mouth. Their game was about to begin…
Her master dropped his mouth to her breast, sucking hard at the nipple, rolling his skilled tongue over it. He was rougher than usual, his mouth violent in its caress, sharp teeth nipping at her tender skin. She liked it.
“Isa… Your Majesty… Master.”
He stared up at her, and the arrogance in his eyes made her catch her breath. Her alpha male was fully unleashed, as wild as any animal that dwelled in the forest. He moved sensuously down her body, licking a trail to her belly, and her legs opened instinctively, her knees spreading out on the cold stone floor.
Talia and Isaac Page 54