Hey Everyone - This is my second fic. I've got two out right now, both of
them are in the process of being written. This one is a tad more risqué
than Reaching Out, so if you are not a fan of that, then don't read it, I
don't want any flames. This was actually started before Reaching Out was,
so if it seems a little dull, that's because it is. Painting Love is not
one of my favorites, but I thought that I would see what everyone else
thought. May I say that Reaching Out-in my opinion-is much better? ^_^
Tell me what you think of both stories. Thanks! -Lady Hino
Painting Love
He was going to die. He was sure of it. His life was going to end unless he got what he needed. "Hiro! Hiro!" he yelled as he leaned out of his bedchamber door.
"My Lord?" called a panting man as he made his way down the long marble hall.
"Where are the paints? I've been waiting for days, Hiro! Mother said that they were on their way, yet I see nothing here. I've been forced to train harder than I ever have before. I'm lucky that father hasn't noticed how bad of a mood I've been in," he yelled at the small man. "What will his highness say when he doesn't get the paints?"
The small man let out a deep breath and stepped back a bit. "I have them ready for you, my lord. They're in my room, my lord."
"Well get them, little man! Jadeite will be furious with me as it is!"
* * *
Lying on his back and looking up at the blue silk canopy of his bed, Jadeite let out a deep sigh. He was tired of waiting for his materials and training with Sora wasn't as fun as he thought it would be. His friend was fun to be around, but he wasn't into fighting and running around the palace grounds as much as he was. Sora, like him, loved to paint, though his tastes concentrated more on the beauty of people, whereas he enjoyed painting the lush green lands that surrounded his home.
He shifted onto his side and stared down at the woman beside him. He trailed a finger down her nose and pressed it gently to her lips. She instinctively opened her mouth and took the tip of his finger into it. Jadeite sighed heavily and pulled his hand away from her.
Swinging his legs over the side of his bed, he grabbed his rich blue, velvet dressing gown and made his way to the door of his dressing room. He looked at himself as he passed the mirror and smoothed the short wavy locks back from his forehead and shook his head at his reflection. "You are a disgusting beast, my friend," he said to his image.
He made his way to his shaving stand and poured a good amount of cool water into the basin, then splashed it onto his face. The coldness made his senses come back to life. Why was he forced upon these women? His friends thought it was best for him. They said that he was too isolated from the women in the world, when they knew full well that he had fathered two children. Now, at twenty-five, he was looked at as being isolated from society if he didn't approach one woman every day-though he had been married once for two years. But what would he do about Lily, his mistress for so long?
He shook his head at his thoughts and moved to the bedroom to stare at the comely woman in his bed. He would have to wake her soon. Sora would be coming shortly to take her away. It was an agreement of theirs that whoever came to his bedroom would go to Sora's so that he could draw the feminine delicacy. He moved toward the sleeping girl and sat on the bed beside her. She had shoulder length black hair and an olive tint to her skin. Her limbs were long and her skin smooth. She had delicate features and a sweet scent about her that would make any normal man reel; yet he didn't want some woman off the streets of his village who was willing to earn a few coins. He wanted someone who loved him and cared enough about him to allow him to touch them.
There was a knock on the door that caught his attention then, and he felt the woman, girl, beside him stir. "Come in, Sora!" he called toward the bedchamber door. He turned his attention to the girl who was beginning to wake and stroked her hair. "Good morning, Sia. Did you sleep well?"
The girl looked up into the blue eyes of her lord and her breath left her again. He was incredibly handsome. The most handsome she had ever had the honor to set eyes on. She felt the warmth rush to her cheeks in the instant that their eyes met. The blue of his eyes was the bluest of blues, his hair the most luscious gold and his skin the smoothest she had ever run her fingers across. And with this golden haired, blue eyed god, she found pleasure quickly and so many times that she thought she would die because of it. "S-sire," she stammered.
Jadeite gave her a winning smile and turned toward the one who entered the room then. "Good morrow, Sora. I trust you slept well?" he asked his friend.
"Mostly," Sora said, his chocolate brown eyes surveying the girl in the large bed. "She does have exotic coloring, my friend," he said harshly. He ran a hand through his short-clipped brown hair and ran his cold eyes over his friend's appearance. "You look worse for wear."
Jadeite grinned sadly and stepped away from the bed. "Do you have my paints, Sora?" he asked his friend.
Sora took out a case of from the cloak in his arms and handed it to Jadeite. "I'm warning you, Jed. The next time I do this, I am not getting yours. Your father stopped me in the hall to tell me that I oughtn't get so many paints."
"Forgive me," he said as he stared at the box of oils in his hands. "Sia is all yours, Sora. Be gentle with her," he whispered, "She can't be more than fifteen. I was gentle so as not to scare her, but I know that you and your sick pleasures would never scare a woman."
Sora cracked a smile and shook his head. "I'm planning on something special tonight, my friend. I obtained some watercolors and I want to paint the sunset on her body. The reds will go beautifully with her skin tone. I am excited about it. I have never used a human as a canvas."
"Pay her in gold tonight, Sora. She deserves something nice from us," Jed said as he looked over his shoulder. The girl was just sitting up in bed and using her fingers to brush out her hair. Jadeite strode over to her after setting his box of paints down and leaned over her. "You're going to go with Sora now, my dear. He wishes to show you some of his paintings." At the look of worry on her face he stroked her hair and kissed her nose. "Be not afraid, my dear. Sora is not as frightening as he looks. He is very kind under that nasty façade of his. Besides, he does not wish to harm a hair on your head. Not like me."
Sia shook her head and looked up at him. His smile made him even more mesmerizing. "You was not 'arsh at all, sire. You was gentle and carin'. Not like any of them ot'ers I been with."
Jadeite grinned, abashed, and lifted her chemise. "If you would like me to help you, I would be more than glad. Sora should be the one to help you though. I guarantee that your night will be enjoyable. There is not one woman who has come out of this painter's room weeping."
Sia looked over Jadeite's broad shoulder. "I'd rather you 'elped me, sire."
Jadeite smiled and helped the girl dress. He wanted to be done quickly though; he had a meeting with Lily before dinner.
"Rei-chan! Rei-chan! Where are you?" a sweet voice cried. "I'm not in the mood to play games with you!"
"Over here, Serenity!" another voice called. "Follow Eurus!" she yelled. "He's flying over here just now!"
Serenity looked up above her head and saw the telltale tail of the phoenix flying above her. He let out a sweet screech and moved low enough so that she could almost feel the heat of his red and gold feathers brushing against her hands. He was the loveliest creature she had ever seen. The five-foot tail stretched to its limit and his large wings flowed gracefully with every stroke. He was an amazing creature. "Well, Eurus?"
Eurus glided forward several feet then turned back to see whether or not she followed.
Serenity shook her head and ran after the stunning bird. "I'm coming you idiot! If I fall you had better cry for me!"
Eurus flew further ahead and listened for his mistress' voice. He saw her before he heard her and dipped forward to land elegantly on her shoulder. "Eurus, it's about time!" she said softly as she stroked the phoenix's back. He was small for a creature as powerful as he was. His much larger siblings had rejected him, yet he had found refuge in living with the royalty of Mars and his parents. He especially found that the princess was the most enthusiastic and beautiful mistress he had ever had.
Rei looked over her shoulder and saw Serenity push through the last few bushes. "It's about time for you too, lazy princess!"
Serenity glared at her friend and then shot a look at the pool of water behind Rei. "When did you find this? Endymion hasn't mentioned this on his grounds before."
Rei giggled softly and set Eurus on a low hanging branch. He was a light bird and therefore did not have to worry about falling off. "I found it when you and the others decided to go to the village for a day. It was a long walk. I've been told that using the teleportation trick was the only way to get here. Eurus was with me when I found it. He was mad that I used magic to discover it."
"I would be too if I were a bird who used magic every day of my life," Serenity said sarcastically.
Rei smiled and pulled her long silk dress over her head. She kicked off her slippers and stretched a hand over her hair, waiting as it twisted itself into a lovely hairstyle on top of her head. Clad in her thin chemise, she slid her feet into the pool of clear water and turned around to smile at her friend. "It's divine, Sere!"
Serenity shook her head and sat on the edge of the pool to fold Rei's gown. "I've got to go and look for the locket I dropped while trying desperately to find you. I'll be back in a few minutes, don't go any where!"
Rei smiled at her friend and splashed water at her. "You and Endymion are really getting married, aren't you?" she asked her lovely blonde-haired princess.
Blushing, Serenity nodded and smoothed the gown she was wearing. "He gave me the locket before he left. He said that when he came back we would be wed. I can't wait."
"You should be happy, Sere. You deserve to be."
"So do you, Rei-chan. Why not marry the Prince of Malack?"
"Are you serious? Serenity, he is the most vile man in the entire universe. I heard that he likes to take little boys to his bed!"
"You are lying, Rei-chan! No one would do such a thing," Serenity said with a gasp.
Rei shook her head and sunk deeper into the water. "I kid you not, little sister."
Serenity shook her head then began to chew on a finger. "I've got to find that locket. Promise me you won't leave me here."
Rei nodded and looked up at Eurus. "Eurus will go with you. He knows where this place is and will lead you back safely. Just don't wander too far."
Serenity smiled and stood up. "You should show the others this place. It would be thrilling to all be here alone, with no guards or maids. We could talk about things we wouldn't dream of discussing normally."
Rei laughed as her friend and companion left the clearing. She would relax in the pool for several more minutes before getting dressed and then going to help Serenity find her locket. The girl wouldn't be able to find it if it were sitting under her nose. She stood near the edge of the pool with her eyes closed for several minutes before scowling again. No doubt Serenity would get lost and Eurus would be unable to find her. She sighed and pulled herself out of the water, but before she could think about the stupidity of her friend again, a hand clamped over her mouth and a dirty cloth pressed between her lips.
Rei struggled against the arm that now came around her waist and clamped her arms down. She couldn't move and the panic she felt surged over her in waves. She had never been in his situation before. Normally an attacker would not pin your arms to your sides so tightly that the blood could not flow. No, this was a man of inhuman strength. She tried to spit out the cloth in her mouth, but was rewarded with a kick in her stomach. "Don't move, wench."
Rei closed her eyes against the unmistakable sickness that welled in her belly. The voice was not from this part of the earth and her heart gave a sudden leap at not being able to see her friends again. She longed to sing the five notes that would being Eurus to her, but she knew that she was unable to and that Eurus would not be able to sense her unless she got hold of her emotions. She tried to kick out again, but received another kick in the stomach. There were two men holding her.
"Calm yourself, girl. We're just taking you to the palace," one of the rough voices snarled at her ear.
"Do you think the prince will really want this one? She's a beauty but a feisty one. No doubt a virgin," the other voice said in front of her. "The prince doesn't like virgins."
The other voice gave a harsh laugh then dragged her behind several trees far from the pool of water. "The prince will like what he gets. Just remember that we're getting paid by Hiro to do this. Hiro hasn't been in the prince's good graces for a long while now. This beauty will surely gain us a fair amount of gold."
"Should I get that dress of hers?"
"No, she should be presented like this. The dirt makes her look more like them trollops on the streets."
"I don't know, my friend. She's far too much of a beauty to be looked at as a trollop."
"Well, we got to leave now. We were lucky to stumble on this girl, but there may be others coming back for her. So let's get going. The teleportation mark is about a half a day's walk from here. If we're lucky, we'll make it back in time to get our money then head over to Madam Bonsai's for a night's throw."
Rei felt the other man drag her as the other pushed her from behind. Her hands were roughly held behind her back and her waist yanked by the one in front of her. Her stomach ached and her head reeled from the stench of alcohol on the men. She felt several strands of hair fall from its neat position on her head and glide down her back. Already she could tell that she would not be getting back Serenity any time soon. She could not open her mind to Eurus in the whole time they spent arguing over something, though she wasn't sure what.
She allowed them to pull and tug at her as the sun hit the mountains and the moon made its appearance from behind the clouds. Her feet were sore and her abdomen aching more than before. She wasn't sure she would be able to make it. She collapsed when the two men stopped and was thankful when the one behind her picked her up off the ground and carried her to a small slab of stone where several jewels glowed. She was vaguely aware of one of the men turning the blue one twice before exhaustion took hold and she passed out in her kidnappers' arms.
Painting Love
He was going to die. He was sure of it. His life was going to end unless he got what he needed. "Hiro! Hiro!" he yelled as he leaned out of his bedchamber door.
"My Lord?" called a panting man as he made his way down the long marble hall.
"Where are the paints? I've been waiting for days, Hiro! Mother said that they were on their way, yet I see nothing here. I've been forced to train harder than I ever have before. I'm lucky that father hasn't noticed how bad of a mood I've been in," he yelled at the small man. "What will his highness say when he doesn't get the paints?"
The small man let out a deep breath and stepped back a bit. "I have them ready for you, my lord. They're in my room, my lord."
"Well get them, little man! Jadeite will be furious with me as it is!"
* * *
Lying on his back and looking up at the blue silk canopy of his bed, Jadeite let out a deep sigh. He was tired of waiting for his materials and training with Sora wasn't as fun as he thought it would be. His friend was fun to be around, but he wasn't into fighting and running around the palace grounds as much as he was. Sora, like him, loved to paint, though his tastes concentrated more on the beauty of people, whereas he enjoyed painting the lush green lands that surrounded his home.
He shifted onto his side and stared down at the woman beside him. He trailed a finger down her nose and pressed it gently to her lips. She instinctively opened her mouth and took the tip of his finger into it. Jadeite sighed heavily and pulled his hand away from her.
Swinging his legs over the side of his bed, he grabbed his rich blue, velvet dressing gown and made his way to the door of his dressing room. He looked at himself as he passed the mirror and smoothed the short wavy locks back from his forehead and shook his head at his reflection. "You are a disgusting beast, my friend," he said to his image.
He made his way to his shaving stand and poured a good amount of cool water into the basin, then splashed it onto his face. The coldness made his senses come back to life. Why was he forced upon these women? His friends thought it was best for him. They said that he was too isolated from the women in the world, when they knew full well that he had fathered two children. Now, at twenty-five, he was looked at as being isolated from society if he didn't approach one woman every day-though he had been married once for two years. But what would he do about Lily, his mistress for so long?
He shook his head at his thoughts and moved to the bedroom to stare at the comely woman in his bed. He would have to wake her soon. Sora would be coming shortly to take her away. It was an agreement of theirs that whoever came to his bedroom would go to Sora's so that he could draw the feminine delicacy. He moved toward the sleeping girl and sat on the bed beside her. She had shoulder length black hair and an olive tint to her skin. Her limbs were long and her skin smooth. She had delicate features and a sweet scent about her that would make any normal man reel; yet he didn't want some woman off the streets of his village who was willing to earn a few coins. He wanted someone who loved him and cared enough about him to allow him to touch them.
There was a knock on the door that caught his attention then, and he felt the woman, girl, beside him stir. "Come in, Sora!" he called toward the bedchamber door. He turned his attention to the girl who was beginning to wake and stroked her hair. "Good morning, Sia. Did you sleep well?"
The girl looked up into the blue eyes of her lord and her breath left her again. He was incredibly handsome. The most handsome she had ever had the honor to set eyes on. She felt the warmth rush to her cheeks in the instant that their eyes met. The blue of his eyes was the bluest of blues, his hair the most luscious gold and his skin the smoothest she had ever run her fingers across. And with this golden haired, blue eyed god, she found pleasure quickly and so many times that she thought she would die because of it. "S-sire," she stammered.
Jadeite gave her a winning smile and turned toward the one who entered the room then. "Good morrow, Sora. I trust you slept well?" he asked his friend.
"Mostly," Sora said, his chocolate brown eyes surveying the girl in the large bed. "She does have exotic coloring, my friend," he said harshly. He ran a hand through his short-clipped brown hair and ran his cold eyes over his friend's appearance. "You look worse for wear."
Jadeite grinned sadly and stepped away from the bed. "Do you have my paints, Sora?" he asked his friend.
Sora took out a case of from the cloak in his arms and handed it to Jadeite. "I'm warning you, Jed. The next time I do this, I am not getting yours. Your father stopped me in the hall to tell me that I oughtn't get so many paints."
"Forgive me," he said as he stared at the box of oils in his hands. "Sia is all yours, Sora. Be gentle with her," he whispered, "She can't be more than fifteen. I was gentle so as not to scare her, but I know that you and your sick pleasures would never scare a woman."
Sora cracked a smile and shook his head. "I'm planning on something special tonight, my friend. I obtained some watercolors and I want to paint the sunset on her body. The reds will go beautifully with her skin tone. I am excited about it. I have never used a human as a canvas."
"Pay her in gold tonight, Sora. She deserves something nice from us," Jed said as he looked over his shoulder. The girl was just sitting up in bed and using her fingers to brush out her hair. Jadeite strode over to her after setting his box of paints down and leaned over her. "You're going to go with Sora now, my dear. He wishes to show you some of his paintings." At the look of worry on her face he stroked her hair and kissed her nose. "Be not afraid, my dear. Sora is not as frightening as he looks. He is very kind under that nasty façade of his. Besides, he does not wish to harm a hair on your head. Not like me."
Sia shook her head and looked up at him. His smile made him even more mesmerizing. "You was not 'arsh at all, sire. You was gentle and carin'. Not like any of them ot'ers I been with."
Jadeite grinned, abashed, and lifted her chemise. "If you would like me to help you, I would be more than glad. Sora should be the one to help you though. I guarantee that your night will be enjoyable. There is not one woman who has come out of this painter's room weeping."
Sia looked over Jadeite's broad shoulder. "I'd rather you 'elped me, sire."
Jadeite smiled and helped the girl dress. He wanted to be done quickly though; he had a meeting with Lily before dinner.
"Rei-chan! Rei-chan! Where are you?" a sweet voice cried. "I'm not in the mood to play games with you!"
"Over here, Serenity!" another voice called. "Follow Eurus!" she yelled. "He's flying over here just now!"
Serenity looked up above her head and saw the telltale tail of the phoenix flying above her. He let out a sweet screech and moved low enough so that she could almost feel the heat of his red and gold feathers brushing against her hands. He was the loveliest creature she had ever seen. The five-foot tail stretched to its limit and his large wings flowed gracefully with every stroke. He was an amazing creature. "Well, Eurus?"
Eurus glided forward several feet then turned back to see whether or not she followed.
Serenity shook her head and ran after the stunning bird. "I'm coming you idiot! If I fall you had better cry for me!"
Eurus flew further ahead and listened for his mistress' voice. He saw her before he heard her and dipped forward to land elegantly on her shoulder. "Eurus, it's about time!" she said softly as she stroked the phoenix's back. He was small for a creature as powerful as he was. His much larger siblings had rejected him, yet he had found refuge in living with the royalty of Mars and his parents. He especially found that the princess was the most enthusiastic and beautiful mistress he had ever had.
Rei looked over her shoulder and saw Serenity push through the last few bushes. "It's about time for you too, lazy princess!"
Serenity glared at her friend and then shot a look at the pool of water behind Rei. "When did you find this? Endymion hasn't mentioned this on his grounds before."
Rei giggled softly and set Eurus on a low hanging branch. He was a light bird and therefore did not have to worry about falling off. "I found it when you and the others decided to go to the village for a day. It was a long walk. I've been told that using the teleportation trick was the only way to get here. Eurus was with me when I found it. He was mad that I used magic to discover it."
"I would be too if I were a bird who used magic every day of my life," Serenity said sarcastically.
Rei smiled and pulled her long silk dress over her head. She kicked off her slippers and stretched a hand over her hair, waiting as it twisted itself into a lovely hairstyle on top of her head. Clad in her thin chemise, she slid her feet into the pool of clear water and turned around to smile at her friend. "It's divine, Sere!"
Serenity shook her head and sat on the edge of the pool to fold Rei's gown. "I've got to go and look for the locket I dropped while trying desperately to find you. I'll be back in a few minutes, don't go any where!"
Rei smiled at her friend and splashed water at her. "You and Endymion are really getting married, aren't you?" she asked her lovely blonde-haired princess.
Blushing, Serenity nodded and smoothed the gown she was wearing. "He gave me the locket before he left. He said that when he came back we would be wed. I can't wait."
"You should be happy, Sere. You deserve to be."
"So do you, Rei-chan. Why not marry the Prince of Malack?"
"Are you serious? Serenity, he is the most vile man in the entire universe. I heard that he likes to take little boys to his bed!"
"You are lying, Rei-chan! No one would do such a thing," Serenity said with a gasp.
Rei shook her head and sunk deeper into the water. "I kid you not, little sister."
Serenity shook her head then began to chew on a finger. "I've got to find that locket. Promise me you won't leave me here."
Rei nodded and looked up at Eurus. "Eurus will go with you. He knows where this place is and will lead you back safely. Just don't wander too far."
Serenity smiled and stood up. "You should show the others this place. It would be thrilling to all be here alone, with no guards or maids. We could talk about things we wouldn't dream of discussing normally."
Rei laughed as her friend and companion left the clearing. She would relax in the pool for several more minutes before getting dressed and then going to help Serenity find her locket. The girl wouldn't be able to find it if it were sitting under her nose. She stood near the edge of the pool with her eyes closed for several minutes before scowling again. No doubt Serenity would get lost and Eurus would be unable to find her. She sighed and pulled herself out of the water, but before she could think about the stupidity of her friend again, a hand clamped over her mouth and a dirty cloth pressed between her lips.
Rei struggled against the arm that now came around her waist and clamped her arms down. She couldn't move and the panic she felt surged over her in waves. She had never been in his situation before. Normally an attacker would not pin your arms to your sides so tightly that the blood could not flow. No, this was a man of inhuman strength. She tried to spit out the cloth in her mouth, but was rewarded with a kick in her stomach. "Don't move, wench."
Rei closed her eyes against the unmistakable sickness that welled in her belly. The voice was not from this part of the earth and her heart gave a sudden leap at not being able to see her friends again. She longed to sing the five notes that would being Eurus to her, but she knew that she was unable to and that Eurus would not be able to sense her unless she got hold of her emotions. She tried to kick out again, but received another kick in the stomach. There were two men holding her.
"Calm yourself, girl. We're just taking you to the palace," one of the rough voices snarled at her ear.
"Do you think the prince will really want this one? She's a beauty but a feisty one. No doubt a virgin," the other voice said in front of her. "The prince doesn't like virgins."
The other voice gave a harsh laugh then dragged her behind several trees far from the pool of water. "The prince will like what he gets. Just remember that we're getting paid by Hiro to do this. Hiro hasn't been in the prince's good graces for a long while now. This beauty will surely gain us a fair amount of gold."
"Should I get that dress of hers?"
"No, she should be presented like this. The dirt makes her look more like them trollops on the streets."
"I don't know, my friend. She's far too much of a beauty to be looked at as a trollop."
"Well, we got to leave now. We were lucky to stumble on this girl, but there may be others coming back for her. So let's get going. The teleportation mark is about a half a day's walk from here. If we're lucky, we'll make it back in time to get our money then head over to Madam Bonsai's for a night's throw."
Rei felt the other man drag her as the other pushed her from behind. Her hands were roughly held behind her back and her waist yanked by the one in front of her. Her stomach ached and her head reeled from the stench of alcohol on the men. She felt several strands of hair fall from its neat position on her head and glide down her back. Already she could tell that she would not be getting back Serenity any time soon. She could not open her mind to Eurus in the whole time they spent arguing over something, though she wasn't sure what.
She allowed them to pull and tug at her as the sun hit the mountains and the moon made its appearance from behind the clouds. Her feet were sore and her abdomen aching more than before. She wasn't sure she would be able to make it. She collapsed when the two men stopped and was thankful when the one behind her picked her up off the ground and carried her to a small slab of stone where several jewels glowed. She was vaguely aware of one of the men turning the blue one twice before exhaustion took hold and she passed out in her kidnappers' arms.
