Truth
Light, feathery touches on her spine sent cold shivers rushing through her, He had roughly rolled her onto her stomach, unlacing the cords of her corset with a gentleness not usually found in a man of his stature, So warm, so comforting, it was effortless to give herself over to sensation, auburn curls falling over her cheeks like a river of copper. Her breath left her lungs in short, nervous bursts. The constrictive garment came away in his hands, a hard shell of silk, lace, and bone.
He loomed over her like an avenging angel- an angel of death. The girl could feel herself trembling under the intense gaze, certain that if he persisted she would burst into flame. She whimpered softly as his gloved hands caught herm and lifted her slender body back onto her feet.
That beautiful body- the blood running through those veins must have been the elixir of life itself. He wanted to taste her, to smell her, to feel her flesh give way to his plunging knife,,, the cumbersome contraption of bone and fine stitchery was thrust asunder without a thought, He would shelter this tiny angel from the coldness of the light, bring her into the suffocating shadows, which like so much rich velvet engulfed his every move… the darkness spoke to him, the breeze calling him by name and caressing his burning throat.
A chill swept over her skin, icy, terrifying, as he peeled the chemise from her shoulders… He growled with a soft hunger that alarmed her, and she felt vulnerable and exposed, a newborn faun in the jaws of a wolf- an emerald-eyed wolf…Those emerald orbs so tempted her…
A voice that rang out in the wilderness, that would be her fate, to be his voice, so that all would know who controlled the shadows that so claimed him… "Cheri…"
Even his moans were melodic, she noticed with a whimper of protest as his hands-those devil's hands- met her tender flesh. Fingertips explored each crevice between her ribs, every freckle on her body discovered by his inquisitive lips and tongue. The fur carpet cushioned his knees as he dropped behind her, ebony leather brushing the lace tops of her stockings. A groan rattled in his chest as the naked half of his countenance –handsome as an archangel-grazed her linen-covered thighs. A tremor rocked her petite frame the instant she realized that her stockings were the only shred of modesty she had left. He had lulled into such a stupor-! "Shh…" That voice… soft, soothing notes wafted through her senses leaving her in a haze of enrapturement…
He couldn't help but find it pleasing; the soft little mewls escaping her rosebud lips as he gently lifted each white leg, rolling the stocking down with a finger and thumb, pausing with a smile to caress each delicate ankle. She was his- his only. No-one could touch her, he would make sure of that. Her flesh was so warm, so intriguingly soft and smooth and- he could not control himself. Squeals of displeasure rang out as she was pushed into the cold stone of the wall. It grated her back, the stinging alarming to her. She protested quite strongly, he realized with a smirk of pleasure. This would make this more interesting…
"OH!"Not able to withhold her whimper, she allowed him full access to her body, his fingers stroking the hollow of her throat, travelling lower, lower, lower still… Her breath caught inside her chest as he toyed with the soft pink flesh that crowned her breasts, hissing into the shell of her ear. "You have much to learn, my Angel…" His leather clad hands drifted from her breasts to the curve of her hips, pinning her flesh to his own. She gasped, the busy organ in her chest hammering franticly. There was something… stiff, and hard, throbbing, forced between her legs. It terrified her, excited her, and began a low thrum deep inside her body that she couldn't simply ignore. With a moan, she let her hands climb up his back, fisting in the black silk of his jacket. He smiled. "Good girl."
She was trembling. That poor little kitten, she was shaking like a leaf. He laughed as his lips travelled to her throat-that beautiful, pure, ivory kin covering the flesh from whence those angelic sounds came…"Sing, my Angel!"
"I-I_" Her voice felt dead in her throat, she could barely force words from her lips, let alone form a melody. She gasped at the sudden grasp of his hands, the sensation in her bosom and groin leaving her senseless. "Come now, precious-you would not deny your Angel his one pleasure?"
Unbidden thoughts raced through her innocent mind. His-one-pleasure? Was this not pleasing? She tried to stop her quivering breast from heaving nervous sobs or guilt as she wracked her brains for a melody. She was quaking like a wounded dove now, waiting for death. A maniacal urge to laugh coursed through his veins as he watched in silent agony, waiting… waiting…"Please."The word, so innocent and so bold, shocked him to the very core. What was this? Begging for mercy-no. She had more sense than to beg him for any sort of leniency. He has taught her well. No- that voice held… Regret.
She hardly understood it herself. His gloved hands felt perfect and luscious on her body, but-but-"Shh…" With a whimper, she let him pull her from the wall, her back pinned to his chest as his arms enfolded her like a warm, shielding chrysalis. It was so unfair, how he had exposed her to his every touch, and yet barely loosened his cravat! "Can't you sing, my sweet?" he murmured, the hiss of his velvet voice enough to make her eyes roll in a near swoon. "Very well; let me help you."
Screams of pleasure filled her mind, but no sound exuded her mouth, save a gasp. She could hardly keep from swooning, curling her fingers into the rich, and plush, velvety surface of his skin. "Sing for me!"
Was she a mute? Could he not give him the joy and rapture of her song, her voice in those screams and squeals of his imagination? He closed his eyes and waited for sound, any sound. None came. He lusted for her voice- for her death. How dare she be disobedient! He had given her anything she asked for, spoiling her like a child, giving his very life for her-would she use him for pleasure, for the vocal training he so willingly gave? Trembling with barely suppressed rage, he let a hand slide down to the soft thatch of curls that concealed her maidenhood… She gasped softly, his fingers teasing her, threatening…"I could make you…shall I?"
The pleasure was more than she could bear in silence, squealing out in joy, in terror… No, no, no! She screamed silently, her mind racing for any escape… yet her body resisted, full to the brim with agonizing pleasure… Was she to be condemned to a life of dishonor for his unworthy actions, bred purely from lust? And yet, what did it matter? He was her angel, her lover, her redeemer. He let a finger brush the silken flesh, reveling in each new noise- "That's better, my Angel-make noises for me…"
Oh God in heaven, she had never-this was-the sensations were so new, so rapturous that she could no longer control herself, a single wetness on her cheek the only indication of the single tear, pearly in the half light, as she prayed for her soul, giving herself to the devil.
"Oh, yess…"he hissed softly. "That makes you sing, my beauty." The monstrosity of his fate was more than obvious to him-lust did nothing to dull his agony. No love, no soft affection, no warm caress would ever be given to him, just coldblooded hate, easy use. So, why not enjoy the hell life had gifted to him? Off with the cravat, waistcoat, and linen shirt- clothes were nothing but cumbersome slips of fabric, hindrances to his flesh.
She moaned wildly at the feeling of bare flesh to bare flesh-her delicate little arms stretched back over his broad shoulders, meeting behind his neck…a golden opportunity presented itself, he let his hands slide up her body.
Those hands, so warm, so gentle, drove her mad with desire. Lust made her vision hazy, she moaned loudly, hips thrusting towards his in a rush of heat and warm wetness. Laughter rippled away from his throat, the sounds echoing in the darkness of the cavern, reverberating from stone and wax. "What a wanton creature you are, Cheri!"His fingers caressing her hair, almost as if petting a pet-what irony that she was the creature, and he the gentleman!
She could feel the liquid trickling down her thighs already, her core throbbing, aching for him-couldn't he see that? A low ripple of laughter in his chest gave her all the answer she needed. A little purr escaped her throat as his fingers played with the tops of her breasts, until they too ached with rushing blood.
Her skin so soft and tender, flesh so sweet on his tongue, her melodies, sweet caressing sighs and moans of godforsaken pleasures-too tempting, too tempting! Roughly, he grasped at her waist, thrusting her bodily towards him… reveling in the surprised gasp it elicited. "Why so shocked, Cheri-the devil will have his way-"Lips, warm and tender, everywhere over his tortured face…
She clutched his neck, trembling, as his musician's hands slid over her hips, wandering, exploring… Suddenly, a cry burst from her crystal throat at the alien sensation between her thighs, fingers parting delicate petals of flesh…"Oh!"
"Shh… steady now, my love…" What perfection. He felt her hips twist at the sudden invasion, an adorable little squeal… The walls of that soft, tight little tunnel felt exquisite as they hugged his fingers, his thumb entertaining itself at the expense of a small, pink nub. "Oh God, please! –Please!-Oh!" He murmured small comforts, holding her close as he tortured her, leading her by the hand, closer and closer the greatest plunge of her short life…
He marveled at her screams, her every echoing tone- everything and nothing were held in those perfect notes, her throat strung with diamond and crystalline strands like that of Adonis's gilded harp. Perfection- that was the only word to describe the music welling up between their souls.
Inside her-inside her. She wanted him, lusted for his throbbing hardness to slip into her, to penetrate her maidenhood, to take her. Sin though it was- what it was long before this night-she needed his music, his body above, enveloping, buried within. She closed her eyes and sang a melody of lust-filled abandon that could only be called heavenly- a tribute to her Angel… His every breath, his every sigh added texture to their duet as she begged him, plummeting towards the abyss of sensual pleasure. Nothing else existed…"Christine…" She awakened, confused, as if from a dream. He had pulled himself away, smirking in triumph. It would be a short defeat.
Her hips reached desperately for his finger, which hovered mere inches from her aching center, tantalizing… The notes grew high and strained as they pounced from her throat, culminating with a cry of shock…
The taste was intriguing. It was like nothing he had ever tasted-strange, yet delightfully addicting. He closed his eyes in amazement as his own tongue entered her-fighting for control, his own lust disgusted him. Guilt wracked through him, and he drew away, weeping as if broken, agony ripping through his features. "Ange-Angel?" The little peal of beauty was his undoing. He roared, wounded to the core, shoving at her, pushing her away. Get away- get away from me while you still can…"No."
She trembled. "Do-Do you not want me?"It had felt so… so incredible; she could have been flying and wouldn't have noticed. "Don't-please don't send me away…"His eyes lifted from the floor, wandering up her slender form…
Her hands shifted slightly, moving to cover her breast, and he heard himself groan. He could hardly stand to watch this terrible charade of love-but how could he leave her this way? Was he truly a beast to torture her in such demonic lust and then leave her to suffer alone, desolate in silence? Did he want her to suffer as he had for so many years…?
Her fingers tangled in his black hair, gliding down his neck, shoulders, and arms, to rest on his hand. Her lips brushed each vein, the soft caress a fire in his groin he was helpless to fight. His hand was so beautiful, calloused from years of harsh construction in the depths of the catacombs, yet so soft and lithe-She found his fingertips with her lips, sucking them, looking up at him mercilessly, eyes glittering as if to say-oh my love, what I could do for you if only you would let me!
His breath shook as he let his lips brush her wrist, reveling in her quick little sigh. What was meant to be a chaste kiss quickly deepened, until his mouth was travelling up her arm towards her throat, her flesh purpling with each nip and suckle… He finally got onto his feet and held her against him, hands cupping her pelvis…
She shook with each touch, each tender thrust of hips against hips, cloth grating at naked, sensitive flesh. She had heard of the Vampire from the other girls-now she half believed he would suck her dry of precious blood and leave her to wake into the darkness, never to die…
She was looming close to something, he could feel it…"you want me, don't you, my precious?"The bud at his fingertips…"You want to scream for me…" Scream she did, moaning at each stroke, trembling madly. He could feel the moisture welling from somewhere deep in her body, slickening her folds, finger at the little pearl… Intriguing. A delightful whimper burst from her as he lowered his dark head, and caught a pink nipple with his lips…
She caught his eyes but once, the gleaming spark intoxicating her senses. Her head thrown back in giddy abandon, all around her was a hallucinogenic dream. Deaf to all, the only sound was a rushing, like that of a great wave or a thundering of applause fro her aria. The shadows claiming her…Breathe, she screamed inwardly, for God's sake, breathe! Her senses were spinning, his hands moving, and the desperation was all in vain. With a cry, she caught hold of his hair, intending to pull him away-before a gloved finger invaded her untried body for the second time that night. Surrender was too simple really-all it took was the drop of a hand and a wail. Her eyelids fluttered as the sensations each fought to overpower the other… tongue dancing with her nipple as she swam on three leather sheathed fingers…
A roar escaped his throat as he felt her give in to his touch, his every whim. He was the victor- she would be his, and his alone, forever… She would be his- his alone, no soft boy child could steal her away from him. Did he love her? Or was it pride, making an illusion of nothingness into a hazy visage of love? He couldn't… surely he couldn't ruin her, if he truly did love her!
With something akin to relief and regret, she felt him draw away a second time. Just when something unspeakable was in her reach….
He could see her shaking as he pulled the limp linen of his shirt over his body, a frail attempt to return some modesty to the situation. Her dark eyes swam with tears, though born of what-relief or disappointment-he couldn't tell. Poor treasure-how he'd wanted to please her!
How could he? How dare he! To leave her like this, unsated, wet and aching in side every pore… Yet somewhere in the forefront of her young mind, she felt the tension building again, that nervous impulse to cover her breast. The disappointment was fractional-she felt relieved to be released and- she wanted to return the passion, and show him the torture of pleasure, sweet, delicate revenge. What was that strange urge? The velvet was warm, soft under her palms as she pushed herself upright, his back turned towards her… Music poured forth from his fingers, the organ responding as a young pup to her master's touch, As it should be – he was the Angle, the Angel of music, her lord and Master…
The instrument bellowed beneath each insistent movement of his fingers, the one thing in this world that he could possible control. If only life were so simple- your will granted at the touch of a fingertip… no sooner had the thought formulated than a slender hand grasped his shoulder…
Porcelain under her fingers-so strong, yet so delicate. With a start, she realized what he was- strong, with powers beyond her reckoning, but with one tender touch, his strength would fail… with just one touch… Whose was the face in the shadows? Whose is the face in the mask, whose eyes glittered through endless night, holding all the sadness of the world- those gleaming eyes, which both threatened and adored…
Time stopped its eternal thrumming with her touch. Could it be so? Could he dare hope that she had returned to him-that she cared for him… He dared not say that he wanted her love… He was a beast, undeserving of any real affection humankind would bring, unfeeling and selfish in the darkness of reality-but-as the realization of love began to dawn on him… pain, shooting across his raw flesh…Cold air bit into his exposed skin as the porcelain façade was ripped from his face…"No!" No, no, God, no-she hadn't seen, couldn't see-! In a fit of fear, he shoved her to the floor, screaming like a terrified animal…
Jarring impact, the ground was hard under her, leaving bruises on imperfect flesh in that moment of stinging, searing pain, as stone met skin, tearing at ivory. But in that moment, that eternal moment in which the hellish visage of his doom was made plain; it was not that unholy carnage of a face that burned it's way into her vision as she closed her eyes to pray-it was his emerald eyes, glittering in palpable sadness, in fear- in his eyes, she beheld Death.
Five long fingers clung to his ravaged skull as he backed against a draped mirror, trembling wildly. "Why?" My dear, darling beloved, WHY? You could have been happy without laying eyes on me! Yes, when my father never saw me and my mother sold me to those devils when I was only three, so she wouldn't have to see me anymore!"He could see it all clearly, a bloodied, beaten child, clinging to the bars of an animal's cage, screaming for his mother day and night-until two years of steady flogging taught him otherwise….
Oh, Angel of mercy, what had she done? He had done nothing but adore her- worship her very likeness like no other begin could have done… He had given his sanity for her and what did she return? Nothing- nothing but pain and solitude, hurts that went deeper than a scar, even a face. What could she- How could he forgive her, after all the agony she had given him? She did not deserve his love, his kindness- she could only beg him for mercy…She inched near him cautiously, as he cowered by the mirror, sheltering his face… with a shaking breath, she let her fingers brush the fabric covering his shoulder….
He flinched as she touched him, instinctively deflecting her soft hand, wanting nothing more than to die a thousand times over…"Cheri-"As lips met his disfigured skin, he panicked, his vision tunneling into blackness. What in the blazes of the deepest pit of hell was she doing?"No-no!"The wetness on her cheeks told everything.
Her hands catching both devilish and angelic halves of his face, to prevent his imminent escape, she continued to caress his mouth with her lips. Tears coursed from her eyes in a torrent, born of sympathy, longing… even love?
She-she was touching, embracing-that? Good God! Was she nothing but a monster, a demon to love him as an equal? But-she was, she was- He could hardly bring himself to fling her away again-how he longed for some words of comfort, not this hopeful, flawless illusion. No- not even in his dreams could he have felt the relief, the joy he found now… what was this?
She let her arms wreathe around his neck, her thighs at his hips as the kiss deepened. With a whimper of surprise she felt their tongues meet and her mouth exploded with the taste of him…
He crushed her to him, feeling every breath, every movement in a wicked abandon-he tore the linen from his body, soft flesh of her breasts meeting is own with a moan of delight-how had he waited so long to feel that pressure, that soft tenderness of flesh meeting flesh...
"Yes, Angel, please, now-!"She had waited all night, let him tease her, taste her-no longer. With a whimper, she felt his large hands gliding over her bare torso, down to her hips, farther, farther, please-"Oh!"
Her hands were caught on his waistband as he felt her begin to burn with passion yet again. It was too easy to tame the little vixen, to force her to his will- she was so willing, so ready to burst forth with rivers of bliss…There was nothing barring him from taking her- right now, no shame, no dishonor could reach them Because she loved him- she yelped as he lifted her and fairly ran into the darkness of the cavern, trembling in anticipation as he dropped her on the velvety ivory fur…
"Please… Oh…" The failed attempts had left her brimming, and with a groan of ecstasy he found himself capable of sliding not only two or three, but all four of his fingers into her core. A cry left her swollen lips as his thumb attacked the bud beneath her curls. "Like it, my sweet Angel?" He whispered…
Of God above, yes! She wanted him with every breath she took, she fairly screamed in ecstasy with every throbbing wave of movement in her core. She lusted for him-this wanton creature lusted for him-his throbbing hardness inside her… She wanted to torment him until he was seeping with lust, ready to take her- to make love to her hard and-"Angel-Please!"Was she begging for mercy or was she begging for his love? Her breasts began to awaken at the touch of his lips, fingers clenching in his hair. "Harder-more-faster-"He obliged. The stone walls rang with her screams as his tongue flicked across the nub, forcing her over the edge and into the abyss… At last. "Ohh… Angel!"
She looked so heartbreakingly beautiful-her throat and breasts glittering with a light sheen of sweat, her eyelids fluttering-all but drowning in her first taste of afterglow. Every throb ached in agony. The pressure built in his loins until he threatened to explode in terrible ecstasy.- she took hold of his trousers, fingers enticing his already swollen member with their soft touch- and she slowly pushed at them… He could have laughed at her covetous lust.
"Eager, are we not?" He chided softly, still ravishing her with his fingertips. Her soft eyes widened at the sensations, her lips open with a soundless scream. Several moans and a shudder were all it took to help her burst again… and again… and again…"I…please, Angel!" She wailed for the sixth time. "I-I can't-not again!" He smiled his eyes black and glittering. "But you are doing it, my love. " The soprano threw her head back with a aide-eyed cry, her limbs quaking uncontrollably. For a moment, she was tolerably certain she was going to die, until her heart calmed and she felt his sticky fingers stroking her nether curls. "You were doing it…?"
He wanted to taste her, smell her on him- no, it was too much- his lust would ruin her success, the success he had guaranteed through years of work, years of painstaking work…let her rest now, recuperate from the passion he had opened her so easily to. She whimpered- the sound calling to him as a young child's- as his touch was removed. Goddamn it, she was irresistible! He murmured to himself, his voice cold with apprehension. "Do you want this, my love? Do you want- Do you want this horror? "
After several minutes, she found herself able to stand and recover her clothing. Her breath fluttered as his gloved hands reached around her waist and refastened the busk of her corset. She caught his hands before he could pull away, pushing a thumb beneath each glove, rubbing his palms carefully. "Can't I stay?"
No-one had ever asked him- he could have never wanted- It was impossible. She wasn't serious, surely… Yet the answer in her eyes told him otherwise, soft and careful, innocent and apprehensive, he could return no reply but a moan. "Christine…" It was insane- impossible… He would wake up the next morning in hell-"Please-"Their lips met and broke apart in a dance of lust and of passion. He held her against his body, hoping that if he held her, she wouldn't disappear, she wouldn't go away, and she wouldn't leave him alone as so many had before….
He had all but lifted her, crushing her to his mouth… abruptly she drew away, shaking, and a sudden inexplicable tear drifted from a dark eye. She didn't dare tell him why she had left, what kept her from surrendering utterly. Deep in her mind, a handsome face framed by waves of honey colored hair swam into focus.
Somehow he knew. "Your fop? The golden boy?" Rage began to build like a whirlwind in his head, a pressure like fire spreading endlessly through the dry kindling of desire. "He doesn't love you, my angel! He will take what he wants and leave you-"He didn't have the heart to continue. Let her be happy for a time-He held her close, sobbing with uncontrollable emotion. "God damn it, Christine, I love you!"
Too much. With a cry of sudden fear, she tore away and ran for the lake. She had splashed so far into the water it had all but reached her knees, before he caught her. "NO-let me go! Let me go!" she screamed with an intensity that shook the glass of the mirrors.
His hand covered her mouth roughly, she couldn't breathe, he would be sure of it. Let her pass from the conscious world- it would be nothing but a dream to her, a depraved fantasy of her Angel-He could have killed her, then, his arms aching for the quick pressure, the bite and release as he squeezed the live from her goddess's throat. Then, he would be free…. She stopped her struggle against him, and he took her in his arms. How could he kill this little songbird? Better to let it fly than to wring its lovely neck. Her screams became fainter, and weakly, she fainted dead away. The damned boy. If even the thought of him could… biting his lip fiercely, he lifted her gently into the boat, and began the long trek back.
She blinked, confused, startled at the gentle motion of rowing. Looking up, she caught site of a dark god, robed in billowing ebony shadows. The aged Charon had become more than his role, carrying the ghosts of the past over the Styx- she could stare at him forever… He caught her eye. "So, you lying vixen- you pick the golden boy after all."She whimpered, ready to protest. "No use pretending, Cheri. I see the disgust in your eyes." She shook her head in disbelief. How could he think that? She wanted him with every fiber of her being, how did-"Angel, please… forgive me, I was mislead, mistaken-"
"No."He tried to ignore her pleading, her desperate tears. If she wanted the boy so badly… He could only oblige- give into her wishes as he always did, spoiling the child that he had reared with such hope, so many dreams of love….
There was no way to convince him of her shame, her sorrow for whatever betrayal she had inadvertently committed- none at all. He would never see her again; he would let her waste away with Raoul…She did the one thing that could save her from a life of cold, bright haze- she stood, wobbling with each movement, and jumped into the cold, dark water.
Damn! Diving in after her, he searched desperately through the inky black water, his eyes finally catching a glimpse of something bloated and white…
Burning, her eyes and nose were full of water, stinging and coughing, flooding into every orifice, she could hear her heart pounding with every throb of her head, light fading into starry splotches over her eyes. So cold- so cold…Angel…
He searched franticly, swimming towards her in a frenzy of panic. His hands latched around her waist, bringing her close, and a storm of panicked kicking brought their heads to the surface."You bloody ignorant child!" he roared in her ear, dumping her back into the hollow of the boat unceremoniously.
"Why not let me die? Without you-"I am nothing. Without you, I have lost my voice, my passion- every last thing that I call my own. "Without your love, I can't survive…. "Please- please forgive my childishness, my foolish adoration for manly beauty- I know nothing of real beauty without your guiding hand…"Angel… forgive me…. I l-"I love you. How I long to tell you the depth of my love for you- without you I could not even understand….
Clearing the water from his eyes, he didn't speak another word until they reached the mirror. "Go back to him-be his little toy. And remember me for every damned moment!" he all but spat, forcing the door open, forcing her inside and slamming shut with a force of death.
pg. 9