Chapter Ten
AN: little shorter than other chapters but its a necessary scene and I didn't want to drag it out, as I am want to do.
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"Incompetent fools!" Skeletor shouted, throwing a bottle across the room. It shattered like diamonds against the wall. He grabbed another and hurled it, smashing it in almost the same place as the first. The contents mixed upon the stone, causing a curl of smoke to flare in existence. Green flames danced in merriment, adding to the wrath of the Lord of Snake Mountain.
"Fools! I'm surrounded by weak minded fools!" Skeletor continued to rant, throwing books and parchments and everything else he could get his hands on. Skeletor hurled objects and assorted curses in several tongues, making the stones quiver with his voice.
Ella stood meekly in the shadows. She had warned of such a thing as what had transpired at the palace. Evil-Lyn spouted of loyalty but only cared about her own self interest, making it unwise to trust her, hence her hasty exodus when Skeletor's ranks diminished. Trap Jaw was an idiot, and so wasn't Tri-Klops. Beast Man was a brute and tried to mount anything with a pulse, regardless of species. It wasn't the best selection of minions to have involved in such a vital attack. All were currently unconscious or recovering from the wrath Skeletor had already inflicted upon them in his rage.
Skeletor's gaze caught the movement in the shadows. Ella stood silent, watching him with a blank expression. She had mentioned something like this could happen. And yet, she had not taken the appropriate steps to ensure his victory? She had betrayed him!
"Come here,' Skeletor snapped his fingers before pointing to the opposite side of the desk.
Ella did as commanded, her steps heavy as she noted the rippling energy coming off his tense frame. His mood was more than just sour. He was downright rancid and volatile in his rage against the injustice of having the throne taken from his grasp. She stood before the desk, head bowed, not wanting to make eye contact lest she enrage the beast further.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Skeletor asked his voice low and coming from the very bowels of the underworld.
Ella wasn't sure what she was to say. She didn't know what had happened at the palace. She just knew her master returned and began to scream and rant and throw objects across the room. The words he used sent chills down her spine and the hatred radiating off his body made her hair stand on end and a sweat break out across her skin.
"Master… I do not know…" Ella started, hoping appease to his more sensitive nature.
"I tire of platitudes and inept fools!" Skeletor yelled, slamming his fist down on the desk.
Ella felt the power coming from the man opposite. He was like a charged battery, energy crackling around as his anger continued to build from the recent transgressions. A part of her wanted to run screaming from him, afraid of what he may do. But the other part, the part that had started to care, worried over what would become of his anger if he had no outlet. As the two sides warred in her head, Skeletor took her silence to be a slight against him.
With a growl, the Lord of Snake Mountain stormed around the desk and grabbed his slave by the back of her neck, his fingers squeezing as a constrictor around a meal.
"You believe my defeat to be worthy of mockery?" he spat, giving her a violent shake that made her feel dizzy.
"No…" Ella gasped, her face screwed up in pain as the fingers pressed against her nerves and sent flames of biting steel along her spine. "No… my… lord…"
"Make a fool of me, will you?" he growled, turning her to plant her face on the desk in a perfect imitation of the first time they lay together. Though this time there was no latent longing or moans of arousal. There was only whimpering, and a desire to flee.
Ella cried out when she felt the desk impact her face. The action wasn't hard enough to break the skin, but stars winked before her eyes. Instinct made her twist away trying to dislodge his hold, but his anger blinded him to the torment he was causing.
He believed her desire to extricate herself from him was another display of disobedience and disregard to his authority.
"I will show you your place," Skeletor growled, twining his fingers in her gown and ripping it to shreds with one pull. The material evaporated as mist.
Ella winced when he pressed against her opening, her body unwilling to greet his presence. She screamed when he entered her, the friction causing her body to resist his brutal introduction. Her knees pressed together from the pain, but it did not prevent his entry from her prone position.
Bolts of lightning shot up her spine and sent her into a spastic dance as she moved in time to his violent thrusts, her body unresponsive to his stimulation. Usually when they lay together, she had felt her body dampen in approval and preparation, making his considerable length meld easily to allow both to find fulfillment. Now her body was raw, struggling around the girth that strained her femininity.
Each thrust pulled a growl from Skeletor's throat as he met resistance, believing the slave was still mocking his recent loss. He grabbed her hips, feeling the muscle flex against his fingers as he dug them into her flesh, jerking her against him to deepen their connection.
Sobs wracked her body as she felt the granite like length roughly grate along her inner walls. But something else was building behind her navel. Whether it was in answer to his rough handling or from the vigorous stroke he drove into her, she was unsure. She quivered, her legs shaking as the friction lessoned, her body moistening under his control. His entry became easier, her hips angling, trying desperately to match his thrust. Stars erupted before her eyes, winking in the darkness as she felt herself trying to climb to some unknown climax.
With a shout he slammed their hips together, his seed scorching her body and sending it burning right into her bones.
Ella whimpered as he surged, his hands lessening their hold to grasp the edge of the desk for leverage. His voice was a broken, disjointed ramble as he exhaled in hard, measured pants, his hands stroking up her spine and down her sides to squeeze her firm bottom as he succumbed to the pleasure. Another thrust caused her to cry out, feeling him brand her soul with another burst of heat.
Ella bowed, taking him within her and greedily draining his body. Numbly, she clutched at the table, her mind spinning in a million different directions. He remained inside her, his body refusing to relax from his release. The sensation created something strange within her belly. It was burning, twisting into knots, building into something monumental, making her even wetter, hungry for the thick relief only her master could provide.
The noise pulled the warlord from his post coital haze. He gazed down to the pale body beneath him. Usually when she climaxed, she shouted his name or called to the Elders. But this time, she had remained silent, save for a few gasps.
She was still mocking his failure!
With a snarl, he grasped her hair and lifted her head from the desk.
"You do not receive me with your usual fever," he snarled, grinding his hips into hers. "What do I have to do to earn favor?"
Ella could only offer a moan of longing, her body squeezing his in lingering contractions. Flashes of pain were translated into pleasure by her muddled brain. And still, that coiling sensation was building down below. It was becoming unbearably warm. Something needed to explode, to be released before she combusted.
He lifted her against him, maintaining their intimate contact. Ella remained motionless in his arms, her legs dangled, the length buried inside her causing friction in her sensitive sex. It only added to her mounting frustration.
Whatever was trying to escape, rolled in anticipation, ready to let go and send her over the edge.
Skeletor walked to the bed and crawled up onto the soft surface, Ella clutched in his arms. They ended up seated on the plush surface, Ella settled in her master's lap, his chest pressed against her back. Instead of releasing the woman or propping pillows under her for comfort, his hands went to her breasts. With rough intent they rubbed and circled, Ella squirming and groaning from the sweet torture.
"Resist me," Skeletor breathed in her ear, pinching her nipples and causing her to twist away from him.
Mindlessly, Ella shifted, rocking her hips back and forth and from side to side in an effort to dislodge him. He tightened his hold on her breasts, making them ache and throb.
Oh! That felt amazing! She liked that! She doubled her efforts, earning pinches and twists to her nipples that pooled in her lower regions. The thundering in her ears was getting deafening, heralding the coming release.
Skeletor shifted, kneeling on the bed. When he opened his legs for balance, the motion caused Ella's legs to open. He took the invitation, thrusting up into her body, his hands on her breasts keeping her immobile as he punished them.
Ella bit her lower lip to keep from crying out, but it was no use. The friction burned, making her body rival the sun. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she surrendered fully, her body wracked with spasms as she was finally able to free what had been caged for so long.
Broken sobs tumbled from her lips as she shattered around him, crying out his name with every explosion of color and sound that blacked out her senses to all else but him, and the joining of their bodies. She thrashed in his arms, bouncing, grinding, thrusting, growling in hunger, demanding to be sated.
Skeletor ground his hips into the howling she-devil, drawing out the penetrating massage before snapping his hips forward in an errant rhythm. Determined to satisfy his wench, his hands abandoned her breasts to grasp her shoulders, yanking her down on him to meet his upward thrust.
Sweat began to form in a heavy condensation as he continued to move. He felt first one, then another surge inside the scalding body that sheltered him, each release triggering something inside that made him crave more.
It felt beyond amazing. Such control. Such pleasure. Such submission.
Each time he spent his seed, the feeling intensified. He lost track how many times he climaxed, the energy spurning him onward, mindless to all else except the final finish. He didn't notice when Ella fell unconscious in his arms. He continued his hectic pace, his hands shifting to her waist.
As the main climax approached he allowed her to fall onto the bed, his hands guiding her hips to angle them up and allow him to deepen his penetration. When the explosion came he buried himself with a yowling groan, his hips circling as he spent his essence into the limp body below. His back arched, his mind blanked to white noise. He gave a few twitching thrusts, her hips mirroring his as he finally succumbed to slumber, falling sideways and removing himself from his conquest.
Both slept in a dreamless void.
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Ella awoke with a start. Her body ached in a pleasant way, her femininity bruised to the point of sensing her heart beat in her core. By the Elders! Never before had she experienced such unbridled passion! And the feeling of her master taking such control? A pleasant throb down below gave voice to her opinion.
She groaned, rolling out of the bed and heading to the small little ante chamber to relieve herself. It took all her determination to walk into the room, the seat hard and pinching against her backside. When she exited, she felt her legs give a nasty wobble, the pain shooting from her core to send her body afire with torment.
There was a chance she overdone it. Of course, during the heat of the moment, she had not realized the consequences of her actions. She only wanted to reach the ultimate pinnacle, regardless of what it took to get there. A small part chided that she should be ashamed, acting like a rutting animal lost in the throes of lust.
But Elders, did it ever feel amazing!
She staggered, catching herself on the desk and using its sturdiness to keep her upright. It took several deep breaths to soothe her trembling, though her knees still threatened to give out. She closed her eyes, her body offering a thrum of recognition of the furniture that had started the most mind blowing experience of her life.
She felt so tired and sore.
A hand on her arm forced a startled cry from her as her eyes flew open to see her master standing beside her. She hadn't heard him stir.
"Master?" she asked, voice as shaky as her body. She didn't want to admit it but having him so close was unnerving her. If he was still in a bad mood, she would be unable to withstand his rage.
The strength he possessed last night as his worries were forced into her made her skittish to his touch. A fact that he seemed to notice.
Skeletor dropped his hand from Ella's arm. Though he couldn't express emotion, there was an air of concern about his features.
"Are you well?" he asked, feeling like slapping himself the moment the words left his throat.
Of course she wasn't well! She was standing as naked as the day she was born, leaning against a desk for support that her shaky legs could not offer. Bruises littered her body in a mosaic. Her cheek was bruised and swollen, her eye starting to turn black. He had not realized how much force he had used. He had only wanted to punish her for her slights.
But as he dreamt, his mind able to clear, he realized there had been no such transgression against him. His malice was directed toward the wrong recipient. But Ella had not voiced protest as he took her so harshly. She accepted his brutality, suffering his vehemence until he had completely spent himself.
And instantly hated himself for it.
"I just need a moment," Ella said, keeping her gaze locked onto the floor.
He reached out a hand to touch her cheek, but she flinched away, a tremor shaking her frame. Skeletor felt his heart stop. He saw the bruises on her body. The discoloration on her cheek. The subtle way she trembled, fearing him when he attempted to touch her. He knew what he had done. And for the first time in his life, he was ashamed.
"I should not have treated you as such," he said softly.
"I am your servant. I am here for your whim," Ella said with great difficulty. The pain in her body was rearing its head again. She sincerely hoped her master didn't wish any intimate company, for she doubted she could offer him sufficient pleasure in her current state.
"But you have done nothing to warrant such treatment," Skeletor said, more of an admonishment to himself than to his servant. He took the bold step to cup her face, his thumb caressing her cheek tenderly, forcing her to gaze into his sightless features. "I should have turned my venom to those who deserved such treatment. You should not have to bear the burden of my wrath."
"I will gladly bear your burden, if that means you will be released from its bonds." Ella said, leaning into his touch.
That simple statement both honored and frightened Skeletor. Long had he desired to hear such words and witness such devotion to him. But now? Upon seeing someone so dutiful and attentive, truly caring for him and touching him in ways that no one else had ever dared? It felt like a sacrilege. A dishonor. A terrible curse that should never be bore by someone so pure of heart. Even the mark upon her cheek was a blemish to her spirit.
He must never allow himself to act that way again. To hurt the only one who has ever shown such obedience.
To one who's touch is gentle upon his body, and earthen eyes that shimmered as darkest obsidian when they join.
"Forgive me," he begged, pulling her into an embrace.
"You ask forgiveness? From a lowly servant?" Ella asked, not sure she was hearing correctly.
Skeletor held her tight, hoping to convey the full magnitude of his words. The mere glimpse of her bruises shamed him to the very bone.
"You may have the title of servant, but you have also become my confidant. A mind that can think ahead and see a much larger picture than even myself can not fathom.
I swear, by the Elders, never to do such a thing to you again."
Ella felt a stab of pain in her lower regions, memory of the rough handling and the burning ache that had caused her such grief. It wasn't the physical pain which hurt the most. It was the fact it was the hatred that poured out of her master's mouth as he punished her for an unknown transgression. She twined their fingers, her hand much smaller than his own. "I will bear whatever burden my master wishes of me."
"You should never have to do such a thing," Skeletor chided softly. His fingers moved against her own, caressing her calluses. "I shall my center my wrath toward those more deserving. Those who fail me and attempt to usurp me."
Ella could only nod, not trusting her voice.
"Forgive me," Skeletor murmured.
"Forgiven," Ella whispered, folding against him and giving a tender kiss on his chest, directly above his heart.
Satisfied, he withdrew and touched her arm to guide her back to the bed. Ella tensed, shaking from a mixture of pain and exhaustion.
Skeletor hesitated. He had caused this. He had caused her pain, her suffering, and now she feared his touch. A wrath that should have never been directed toward her, but she nonetheless suffered its tumult.
Carefully, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed and laid her gently upon the sheets.
Ella lay perfectly still, feeling the dried combination of the spent bodies marking the sheets. She looked up into Skeletor's face, expecting to see him standing proud and erect, ready to take what was his. She wanted to shy away. She turned her head from him, her body to sore and stiff to move in protest. If he wanted to have her he would have to do all the work. She had no strength to fight or assist him.
Much to her surprise the bedding changed to clean, crisp sheets. She felt the fluffed softness of the mattress rise under her tired body and support her in a cloud of cool comfort. Skeletor eased himself in the bed beside her, feeling her tense at his proximity. He knew she trusted him, but after the previous night her body was having a hard time remembering that trust. He had every intention of rebuilding her faith.
He violated not only her body but her spirit. He had ravaged like a crazed beast, lost in anger and lust, hurting the only one who truly mattered. He felt sickened at what he'd done, not only taking her so roughly but destroying the trust she had in him. She may still spout her loyalty, but the tremors of her body and the flinches from his touch spoke louder than words.
"I will never hurt you again," he muttered lying beside her. She grasped his hand, and he was loath to admit the tiny appendage was shaking with the exertion to touch him.
"I would suffer a thousand tortures to ensure you would not have to." Ella's hand fell lax, her strength waning.
Skeletor's resolve, however steely he believed it to be, crumbled. He stroked the auburn hair, his hand caressing her cheek as he whispered an incantation.
Ella's eyes began to droop, her head lulling as she fought to stay awake.
"Sleep, my Ella," Skeletor whispered as the spell wound around the exhausted woman.
"Sleep," Ella breathed, falling faster into a dream state. She leaned her head toward the warm body of her master. She drifted to dreams, lulled by the slow tempo of her master's heart.
Hoping to erase the damage he had done, Skeletor ran his hand along her body, muttering an incantation to speed her healing. A soft blue light covered her tiny form before evaporating in a mist.
Ella sighed in her sleep, curling to his side, her rightful place of safety. He pressed his face against her forehead, feeling her soothing heartbeat echo against his chest as he drifted off.