Chapter Twenty-Five
AN: Thank you all so much for your continued patience and wonderful reviews! It's gonna take a bit of a dark turn now, as is my normal routine. Can't go without a cliffhanger. hehe... please, don't kill me.
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Ella awoke and immediately reached out for Keldor, but he was already gone. Sighing she got up, padding to the bath. The water felt great to her sore achy muscles and tender flesh. Her husband had been rather vigorous last night, her femininity undoubtedly bruised from his passion. Not that she minded. Reluctantly she washed the stickiness from between her thighs, her lips tender to the touch. Ella smiled despite the slight pain. Oh yes, Keldor had been very ardent when he took her twice last night. His taste was still upon her tongue as they had thoroughly worshipped each other into beautiful climax. Vaguely she wondered if her taste lingered upon Keldor's tongue and couldn't wait until he was back in her arms.
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting her thoughts.
"Enter." Ella called out, knowing it was breakfast. As she expected the elderly maid entered, bowing to her queen.
"And how fairs the queen this morning?" she asked.
"Very well, thank you. Any news of Macey?" Ella inquired, rising from the bath. Before she had come to Snake Mountain she would have shied away from nudity. But now that she was the queen and had been subservient to a captor who preferred her in such a state, her inhibitions had eroded and her newfound confidence shone through.
"Macey has improved much," the maid informed her, smiling broadly. "She no longer speaks of ending her life. I think she is smitten with one of your Ladyship's guard."
"Trap Jaw?" Ella already knew the answer but it was still thrilling to hear it out loud. She only wished she knew of Trap Jaw's infatuation with Macey before her encounter with Beast Man. The two may have gotten together sooner.
"I believe that is the man who has pulled her from such terrible thoughts." The maid gave a low bow. "And it is Milady who has shown such wisdom in preventing a tragedy."
Ella waved her hand, suddenly self conscious. She could be naked in front of people without shame but still had difficulty in accepting a compliment.
Sensing the other woman's discomfort, the maid asked, "Is there anything else, my queen?"
"No, thank you," Ella said graciously, sitting down and dishing meat and fruit onto a plate. "I'm starving."
"As you wish, your highness," the maid said, bowing one last time and taking her leave.
Ella wolfed down the food hurriedly. In truth, the past couple of days had been spent with her husband, trying to enjoy the few fleeting moments he had until he departed from her. Their activities had worked up a voracious appetite. Ella was glad she didn't have to do laundry, for they had marked the sheets quite frequently. Thankfully, Keldor's magic kept their sheets changed and Ella didn't have to suffer the embarrassment of having others to know the frequency of their lovemaking.
Breakfast finished Ella entered the closet Keldor had gifted her for their wedding. She strolled along the various colors, stopping at the royal blue gown with silver thread. Once dressed she picked through her jewelry and ornate crowns. There were at least two dozen royal headdresses, able to coordinate with any of her silken gowns.
Oh, how her Lord and Master spoiled her so!
Opting for a simple silver tiara with pearls, she tucked her hair into place, frowning at the wayward strands. It was so much better when Keldor dressed her.
Properly attired she left her chambers and headed for the throne room. Maxim greeted her with a courteous bow. "My Lady, I have the revisions King Keldor requested."
Ella smiled, motioning to the office. "Right this way." She lead Maxim into the office, seating herself at the desk Keldor usually occupied when dealing with matters of the realm.
Maxim spread out the drawings, pointing out the changes that had been made from the original blueprints. Ella approved most of the alterations, but the blueprints still seemed to be lacking. She reduced the size of the balcony attached to her bedchambers and marked two more places for escape passages that would need to be factored into the new design. If trouble arose, she needed to be able to lead their people to safety.
"Your Highness?" a voice called from the throne room.
Ella scribbled the last of her notes onto the paper and handed them back to Maxim with her thanks. He followed her into the throne room where several soldiers stood. Ella took her throne, avoiding the empty seat beside her and addressed the soldiers.
"What is going on here?" Ella's voice was stronger, more forceful than what she felt. She was still getting used to bossing people around and having them to jump at her command.
"My queen, there is a minor dispute," one of the soldiers said with a bow. He took a deep breath and began the story that took nearly half an hour to explain.
By the time he finished, Ella's head was spinning. She kept her composure, asking questions and getting pertinent details to get a clearer picture. It took an hour but she was able to sort out the problem, ordering one guard to make restitution for the slight. With a wave of her hand she dismissed the soldiers. Much to her dismay, local farmers entered the throne room and bowed low. Ella mentally sighed, hoping the day would go by quickly. Then again, with her husband absent, her chambers were a cold and lonely place. She valued the duties of the kingdom that kept her occupied so she wouldn't dwell on the absence of her love.
It was late afternoon when the last grievance exited the throne room. Ella sighed heavily, rubbing her temples where a headache had been irritating her the last two hours. She understood why some evenings Skeletor had needed her touch to make his mind go blank.
Finally alone and free from her duties, Ella rose from her throne stiffly. Her muscles protested being immobile for so long. She stretched a little then started towards her chambers. She wasn't sure how Keldor had kept his sanity by dealing with trivial matters of the realm. Then again, she recalled his desperation each time they laid together after a long day. Poor man. He had dealt with the pressures of his kingdom all alone for many years. No wonder he valued the peace and comfort that came when he lost himself within her.
Ella started toward her chambers, her mind lost in thought. She missed her lover more than what she thought possible. When she had first married Jacel, his week long absences left her lonesome, but she easily occupied her mind with household tasks.
The longing she felt then didn't compare to the ache that haunted her since waking to an empty bed, and the thought of cold sheets until Keldor's return. It terrified her, realizing how deeply she had fallen for the man who once had no face.
She had held some affection toward Jacel, but nothing compared to what she felt with Keldor. Course, how she was treated by each played a big part in her level of adulation and commitment. Jacel had been her first and not the most attentive of lovers. He had barely touched her, exploring very little before taking her, rough and painfully. He had been brusque and finished in a hurry, leaving her feeling confused and unfulfilled.
But Skeletor had not. Their first time may have been unplanned, but she could not stop her reactions when he had teased her so intimately. Though the union was brief, she had been properly opened and given pleasure beyond her wildest imagination. It took little provocation for her thighs to moisten when she saw her master. His attentions left her breathless, mindless, and drifting among the stars.
She never felt so desired or loved in all her life.
Ella entered her chambers, the doors banging shut in the emptiness. She sighed in resignation, knowing her husband would not be returning to her arms this night. Praying he would finish his business early and not be delayed, she made toward the desk to dictate her thoughts when she froze.
Motionless, Ella paused, her breath slowing, ears straining. There was a slight trace of a foul odor lingering in the air. The hairs on the back of her neck went up in alarm.
She was not alone!
Whirling, Ella's blood froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Evil-Lyn stepped out of the shadows where she had been hiding behind the door.
"So, the little slave secured a station by spreading her legs?" Evil-Lyn sneered. Her purple eyes glittered maliciously.
Ella tried to hide her shaking, but the fear that coursed through her systems was making it difficult. She squared her small shoulders, lifting her nose in a manner Evil-Lyn often adopted. "I am your queen! You will show me the proper respect!"
"You are but a lowly whore, meant to be bedded for momentary pleasure," Evil-Lyn said, her smile sending shivers down Ella's spine. "You will never have rule over me, peasant."
"Guar..." Ella shouted, but a burst of Evil-Lyn's magic robbed Ella of her voice.
"Silence!" Evil-Lyn shouted.
Ella grasped her throat, trying in vain to remove the restriction around her vocal cords. But it was no use. A non-magic mortal could not throw off the spell of a powerful mage.
The doors burst open and the two stone sentries that guarded the inner sanctum stormed through. They ignored Ella, charging directly for Evil-Lyn. She shrieked, dodging their attack.
Ella watched with tear filled eyes as the guardians came to her rescue. They may not have been the guards she was calling for, but they certainly held true to their station. But Ella's elation at their intervention was cut short.
Evil-Lyn gained distance from her two attackers. Arms raised, she chanted a spell. The two sentries paused, their stone bodies rumbling as a mighty quake. Cracks formed along their legs and torsos. They turned their stone faces to Ella in apology before shattering into thousands of pieces.
Tears spilled down Ella's cheeks. She had once feared those great monsters that guarded the door. Now, she mourned their passing. They had tried to help her. Now they lay in dust and ruin.
"Though I wish to hear your screams while you are being taken, I think it wise to keep you silent," Evil-Lyn said, dusting off her cloak.
Ella backed away from the witch, her mind chanting Keldor's name. But unlike the last time, he did not appear to protect her. Her heart shrank, knowing he could not hear her pleas so far away from the castle.
"Beast Man!" Evil-Lyn barked. The hulking half man sauntered out of Ella's closet. Evil-Lyn snapped her fingers, removing Ella's gown and crown, leaving her totally naked. "Take her roughly. Though she will be mute, I can still savor her screams in silence."
Beast Man leered at Ella, his hand going to his groin and adjusting the already prominent bulge.
Bile rose in Ella's throat at the thought of Beast Man touching her. On instinct, she bolted for the desk hoping to find a weapon to fend off his attack. She circled the obsidian desk, keeping it between her and the brute intent upon raping her. Frantically she searched the marble top, hoping for anything to use as a weapon. But there were only books, quills and paper upon its surface. The book of the Elders resided on the corner, but being a non-mage, it would serve her no purpose.
Beast Man circled, his eyes taking in the firm, petite body. Her strong legs. Curly hair between her legs. Flat, taut stomach. Small, perfectly rounded breasts topped with pink nipples that were peaked from cold. He lunged, trying to catch her over the top of the desk but she was too quick. She kept just out of arm's reach, her eyes searching for a means to protect herself. But he knew there was no such thing to keep her from him. He had waited a long time for this treat, and he wasn't going to be denied.
Ella dodged another swipe of Beast Man's mighty paw. It was difficult, searching for something to defend herself and mindful to keep her distance, the desk remaining between them.
Ella's attention faltered. Beast Man took the opportunity.
Beast Man pretended to lunge right to go around the desk, but instead, spun and went left. Ella mirrored his actions but wasn't expecting the sudden shift in direction. When she realized his subterfuge, it was too late.
Beast Man's hand closed around her wrist. Smiling in triumph, he spun her around, slamming her onto the desk, one of his mighty hands pressed to her face, keeping her pinned to the desk. Her cheek impacted the surface, sending stars winking in her vision.
"Smells so nice," Beast Man groaned, rubbing his hardness along her buttocks. He gave a couple meaningful thrusts, laughter tingeing his voice. "You'll smell better when I'm done with you."
Ella shook her head, trying to get free but Beast Man had strength and leverage on his side. Her hand groped along the desk top, searching for anything she could use to keep the man beast from raping her. Papers fell to the floor. Books toppled. Ella's fingers found a quill. Well, it wasn't much of a weapon, but it would have to do.
Praying for the best, she grasp it and twisted her upper body, aiming the nib for his eyes.
Beast Man was expecting retaliation and avoided the worst part of her attack. The quill tip missed a direct hit with his eye, but the sharp edge caught the corner and scratched a long gouge along his temple. Temporarily distracted, he clutched at his face, which gave Ella the opening she needed.
Ella twisted around, kicking out and landing a hard strike to Beast Man's shin. He howled, hopping on one leg, breaking his hold. Ella shoved him backwards, knocking him off balance. Blood trickled down the corner of his eye as he banged against the desk before falling to the floor.
Not wasting any time, Ella started for the door and the freedom beyond. She only got as far as the dining table when the floor shifted beneath her. The cold stone transformed into a thick, gelatinous goo. Ella sank to the ankle. She wobbled, trying to catch her balance but her momentum made her topple over. Her bony knees struck the stone floor with enough force to jar her bones. Her teeth rattled in her head. Her palms smarted from catching her weight so she wouldn't land on her face. The motion made her head swim, her stomach churn in protest.
Fighting desperately, Ella used all the strength she could muster to pull her legs free of the glue-like substance. But it was no use. Magic infused the stone, making it her prison for a fate worse than death.
Shaking violently, Ella's vision clouded with tears. Her foggy brain was having a hard time dealing with the reality that Beast Man was going to rape her if she couldn't get free.
Though she was their queen, her station had meant nothing to the couple who were going to despoil and debase her. Her title had held no protection. She had been foolish to believe she would be safe from either of them. Blinking rapidly, she saw Evil-Lyn standing nearby. She had removed her clothing and was naked. One hand kneaded and pinched her nipples while the other toyed with the smooth slit between her legs.
"Try to go slow, you animal," Evil-Lyn said harshly to Beast Man. "I want a good show before I taste her."
Pleading with her eyes, Ella tried to appeal to the other woman, but it was no use. Evil-Lyn would have her revenge. She had been used and humiliated by the stain of many lovers, all at Ella's suggestion.
Ella cried even harder, hearing Beast Man shuffling behind her. She couldn't see him but she knew when he was taking off his clothes. Any second now, he would mount her. Her only consolation would be when Keldor returned and learned of this treachery, he would have both of them executed. The thought gave her little comfort knowing she was about to learn what it was like to be taken by the despicable brute.
Evil-Lyn smiled salaciously, her fingers probing between her legs as she surveyed the scene before her. "And if you think your husband will know of this, think again." Evil-Lyn pumped her glistening fingers between her legs, her eyes narrowed into slits. "For when we are finished spoiling you, I will have the final pleasure of watching you drown yourself. When Keldor returns, he will find your lifeless body floating in the bath. And he will be none the wiser."
Ella's eyes widened, her heart hammering in her chest. She mentally cried out for her husband. Her pleas intensified when she felt Beast Man kneel behind her.
"Just like nature intended." He growled, grabbing Ella's head and forcing her down, further bruising her damaged face. Hot blood erupted from the split flesh, spilling on the unforgiving stone. Her knees scraped the floor as he wedged a knee between her legs.
Comets appeared behind her lids, searing into her vision. Her head throbbed fit to burst, consciousness waning, struggling to remain lucid though she wanted nothing more than to fall into the embrace of sleep. At least then she would have little recollection of the terrible thing that was about to happen.
Half delirious and sick to her stomach, she barely registered his inquisitive probe. One violent thrust and Beast Man tore into Ella, sinking to the hilt and grabbing her hips, his nails digging into her flesh as he sealed them together.
The pain pulled Ella from the foggy darkness and jerked her back into reality. She screamed though no sound came out. Beast Man rivaled her husband in size, but she had been unprepared for his abrupt entry. Burning, tearing agony ripped into her lower half, making her thrash, trying in vain to escape his tight grip.
"Hmm, perfect," Beast Man moaned, snapping his hips in a furious rhythm without thought or care for the tearing and bruising from his brutality.
With all her heart and soul Ella cried out for Keldor to save her. Each hard thrust tore her even more, her mental screams becoming louder, matching the drumming rhythm in her head.
Beast Man roughly pulled out. Ella could have sworn her organs threatened to follow his exodus.
There was a brilliant flash and a cacophony of color and sound that stung her clouded vision. Head pounding, agony filling her being, she could only whimper as darkness fell upon her as she slumped motionless on the floor.