Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Letter

The cries of passion were like wounds that needed healing.

I couldn't hear them for the thunder.

I was half the naked distance between Hell and Heaven's ceiling

And he almost pulled me under.

- Indigo Girls

Rose awoke slowly, blinking in the early morning light and wondering where she was. A soft, masculine moan behind her caught her attention and brought the memories rushing back as she became aware of a warm body pressed against hers and an arm draped possessively around her waist.

This was Lucius Malfoy's bed. She'd been chained, whipped, and violently taken on the floor of the dungeon, then once again a few hours later while tethered to the bedpost.

She closed her eyes tightly against the reality of what had happened, and the much more disturbing knowledge that she had thoroughly enjoyed it. Moving lightly, she tested her legs, then her arms, to confirm what she knew already: there wasn't a place on her that didn't ache, but at least she was free. Lucius had kept her tied for hours, playing with her as if she were indeed some new pet, then kindly released her bonds right before they'd finally collapsed, exhausted.

In his uninhibited state, when he wasn't trying to seduce someone as he had been with Alex, Lucius was exactly what Rose feared he would be: a savage and demanding lover who knew exactly how to push her to the edge of her threshold of fear and pain, then draw her slowly back into exquisite pleasure. He was, without a doubt, the best she'd ever had.

Lucius moaned again, so lightly that Rose almost thought she'd imagined it, and she carefully turned to make sure he was still sleeping. To her relief, his eyes were closed serenely against the rays of sunlight which tenderly bathed his lovely face. His chest rose and fell evenly with his breath, and there was the tiniest hint of a curve on the corners of his mouth.

Gingerly, she removed his arm, then slid away from him toward the edge of the bed. She was just swinging her legs over the side when she released a startled yelp as she was seized about the waist. A moment later, she was on her back beneath a very awake Lucius, pinned as much by his gaze as by his powerful arms.

He scowled playfully. "And just where do you think you're going, my pet?"

Rose forced a light chuckle. "I'm running late, my lord. I usually have breakfast made and served by now."

"I'm not hungry... at least, not for food." He smiled wickedly down at his captive.

This time she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her throat. "But there is a growing boy in this house who will be." Her expression turned thoughtful. "Come to think of it, Draco's always hungry." She sighed as if nothing could upset her more than having to leave his arms. "I should go feed him before he withers away to nothing."

He sighed irritably and released her, looking sorely put out.

She planted a small kiss on his chin and rose up. "I'll be back soon, I promise." She cast around the room and a blush rose to her cheeks as she turned back to Lucius. "May I ask what you've done with my clothes?"

He considered this for a moment, casting his mind back. "I think they're in the dungeon," he answered with no shame whatsoever.

"You left my clothes down there?" she asked incredulously.

"Mind that tone, young woman, or you'll soon be joining them," he rebuked with a smirk.

"Fine," she said smoothly, sliding from the bed and walking slowly to the wardrobe, making certain to swing her hips seductively. From the bed came a frustrated groan and she smiled impishly. "I'll just have to wear something of yours until I can get to my room to change."

Hearing no protest forthcoming she pulled a full-sleeved red silk shirt from it's hanger and slid it over her head. It was ridiculously large and the neck was unlaced almost to her navel. Lucius had reversed his position in bed and she heard him draw in a sharp breath as she turned.

"You're wearing that to bed tonight," he informed her, dark promises in his eyes.

She knelt in front of him, head lowered in submission, just the way he liked her. "If it would please you, my lord."

"I can think of few things that would please me more." He reached out and stroked her face, then drew his hand back deliberately. "You'd better go while I'm still willing to allow it."

"Yes, my lord," She gave him a parting smile before heading for the kitchen.

Breakfast took a bit longer than usual to prepare, but she congratulated herself that she accomplished it at all as shaken as she was. As thoroughly enjoyable as it was, this new level of intimacy was bound to complicate things, infringing on her ability to come and go as she pleased, but it would never do to disappoint him. Still, how was she supposed to accomplish anything while tethered to his bedpost?

Her meditations were interrupted by a flutter of wings as a familiar owl landed on her countertop, dropped a letter beside the tray she was loading, and hooted softly in greeting. Her face lit up with a smile.

"Hi, Zephyr," she cooed. "I've missed you." She passed him a bit of toast from her own breakfast and he took it gratefully after an affectionate nip of her finger. "What's this?" she asked, talking mostly to herself as she popped the emerald-green seal and slid the letter from its envelope. Severus' script was immediately recognizable and she had to sink into the chair behind her as she read.

My darling Alex,

I trusted that your owl would be able to get this to you when no prying eyes were around. I have found him to be quite a brilliant familiar.

This missive is difficult for me to write as I shudder to imagine you suffering all manner of torments for whatever you did to anger Lucius last night, or did he simply take his frustrations with your counterpart out on the maid? I can only hope that you are well, that your indomitable strength has carried you through yet another trial.

I'm writing for several reasons, the first and most important is to extend a long-overdue apology for my behavior when we were last together. I will make no excuses for myself, save to remind you of what I told you toward the end. It was out of context, but no less relevant.

I love you, Alex.

I should have told you a very long time ago, but it's not in my nature to express such things. My feelings for you could cause no end of misfortune... for both of us. Certain alliances make it difficult to openly care for anyone. If they ever hurt you to manipulate me, I would never forgive myself. That is why I withheld my feelings from you so resolutely.

Please forgive me.

I would also like to extend an invitation to you to come to Hogwarts on Sunday if that is still your day of leisure. I would love to see you again, to hold you in my arms if only for a short while. I will make no demands upon you and, on my word, I will keep a civil tongue in my head.

Please come, for I miss you desperately, and there are things taking place about which you must be warned.

Always,

Severus

Rose read the letter several times, brushing away the tears as she did so. It was unbelievable, this change in his behavior, and she couldn't help but wonder if he had some sort of ulterior motive. Not that it mattered. She would have gone if he had just sent a letter with a date and a time as long as she knew it was from Severus. She hadn't reached the third sentence before realizing that her love for him hadn't faded in the slightest, no matter what their disagreements had been or whose bed she'd been sharing. She had to see him, could hardly wait to find out whether he was finally being honest about his feelings for her. Sunday couldn't get there quickly enough, but in the meantime...

Collecting the tray, she swept away to drop off Draco's breakfast, then headed back to Lucius, who was now more of a problem than ever, albeit an increasingly pleasurable one. She was almost thankful when she reached Malfoy's chambers to find that the lord of the manor had drifted back to sleep.

Small wonder, she thought. Lucius had kept her up all night, seemingly fascinated with his new "pet," as he insisted on calling her. For hours on end she wondered at his stamina while he explored her; teasing, testing, causing equal amounts of pain and pleasure, taking what he wanted until they had both collapsed from exhaustion. With a slight shake of her head, she ran a hot bath for him and placed the tray beside it. Creeping back into the bedroom she was greeted with a sight that caught her breath in her chest and held it there. Lucius was leaning on one arm, watching her intently, black satin pooled at his hips causing a faint heat to rise to her face. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking.

"Hungry yet? she asked pleasantly.

His expression was mocking as he held out his hand, palm up. The instant she took it, he pulled her into bed and wrapped himself around her, rolling her onto her back and pinning her there with a savage gleam in his eye. "I'm starving," he growled, lightly biting at her neck.

Rose couldn't resist chuckling in amazement. Didn't he ever get enough? "My lord, I have work to do," she risked saying.

"Is the satisfaction of the lord of the manor not your most important duty, my pet?" His hand snaked under her blouse, sharp nails biting into her skin.

She couldn't suppress the moan of pleasure at his touch and when she spoke in protest, it was a breathless and weak argument. "If I don't scrub out those fountains soon, the scunge will take over the entire manor. I'm sure that will leave you quite unsatisfied with me."

"All the more reason to punish you," he purred, his eyes taking on a now-familiar gleam. An instant later his face shadowed. "There's something you're not telling me, Rose." You have no idea, she thought wryly. "I become a very unhappy man when information is withheld from me," Lucius reminded her, a cold, uncompromising look in his eye.

"It's nothing, my lord." At the sight of a raised eyebrow, she decided to elaborate with enough truth to placate him. "I'm just curious about something that's none of my business."

"Ah." He said shortly, rising to a sitting position and settling himself to look down on her. "I respect your intelligence, Rose, but your curiosity is going to get you killed." He gave her a stern look of warning before continuing. "However, had you simply asked me about Thomas Marsh instead of spying, I wouldn't have been so angry with you. So, why don't you tell me what's troubling you, and I will tell you if it is any of your business."

She turned her face to the window, soaking up the sun, drawing a breath for courage, and reminding herself that Alex really needed to know this. "I was wondering how your associate made you so angry last night. I guess I was hoping that it wasn't all about me."

He closed his eyes, just for a moment, as the muscle in his jaw twitched. "Alexandria," he whispered sadly. "She is not my associate and I fear she never will be."

"A wasted effort, my lord?" The regret in her voice was more genuine than she would have hoped, and Alex reached out with Rose's hand to touch her enemy's face lightly. "I'm sorry."

He threaded his fingers into hers and spoke his answer carefully. "Not really wasted, no. True, I didn't get what I wanted from her, but perhaps she realizes now that I don't wish to be her enemy... any more than she ever wished to be mine."

Rose shook her head and chuckled lightly. "Well, she has more reason than you have. I mean, what idiot would want to make an enemy of you?"

"I assure you that the same sentiment could be applied to her. I've reached for my wand on more than one occasion when in her company. She is a woman to be reckoned with, not a powerful witch by any standard, but clever and ruthless. Both are attributes which could have been of great use to me."

"So you were in danger last night? No wonder you were so tense."

The sharpness of his eyes faded as he looked past her. "I don't think so. If I know her at all, and I flatter myself I do, I'd say that she would hesitate to harm a man who's come to her with peaceful intentions. For an assassin and a thief she has a strange set of ethics, and she feels that an alliance with me would compromise them."

She made an effort to keep her voice neutral. "Would it?"

A hand waved this away as trivial. "Most likely. I am asking her to take part in a war, after all, and ethics have no place in a war. Still, I find myself hard-pressed to believe that she so often risks open conflict with me. That is a dangerous path, one that most refuse to take," he added regretfully. "Your friend Thomas Marsh could attest to that, though he'd have a difficult time of it as he no longer possesses a tongue."

Rose looked up in horror as her heart sank. If ever she needed reinforcement that "playing nice" with Malfoy while in his home was the correct path, that was it. "I'll just take your word for it, my lord."

"Wise girl," he purred. His eyes snapped suddenly back into focus and he turned them on Rose in a curious glare. "Why am telling you this?"

Because you're a slave to your passions, you underestimate women, and you're easy to manipulate when you're high on endorphins, she thought grimly, determined to use this situation as much to Alex's advantage as possible. On the outside she merely chuckled and looked down humbly. "I've been told I'm a good listener, my lord. Besides, everyone needs somebody to talk to, someone to substantiate what they say, even if it's only by silent acceptance. That's just human nature. And, despite your almost absolute perfection, you are human.

"You think so?" he questioned lightly.

"I'm pretty sure," she gave him her sweetest smile. "And, on that note, I have to go. It's going to take me forever to catch up in the garden. By the way, will you be really angry with me if I scrub those fountains the muggle way? I truly prefer sweating over wand-waving when it comes to that kind of work."

A wicked gleam arose in his eyes. "I'll let you make your own decision, but if you displease me..." He let the empty threat of pain and the subsequent promise of pleasure hang between them for a moment.

"Well, I can only pray that I don't," she answered demurely, hating the swell of desire that the menacing look on his face brought rushing forth.

"I'll summon you if you are needed before lunch." A shadow crossed her features at the mention of a subject that had weighed so heavily on her mind and he caught it immediately. "Something else?" he asked, a small smile still lightening his features.

She hesitated, truly dreading the breaching of the subject. "Just a question, my lord," she began, forcing every word out of hiding. At his appraising look, she continued. "If I asked to leave your service, which I don't plan to do, but if this became too much for me to take, would you allow it? Would you remove the summoning bracelet and let me go?"

His smile slowly melted, and for a moment, she panicked. "You should get to work," he answered softly, his voice edged and threatening.

It was all the answer she required, and she fought the rising horror of having allowed her enemy to imprison her as she slid out of his bed. A backward glance caught an aloof glare from eyes that could freeze the sun itself as they followed her from the room.

Author's note: I've been extremely busy putting the pieces of my life back in order after they were scrambled about mercilessly this week by the worst run of luck I've ever had. After trudging home, day after day, wondering how in the hell I was going to fix this mess, it was a source of great comfort to me to turn on my computer and find that my beloved readers had taken time out of their lives to encourage me to keep doing what I love to do. So, thanks and hugs to all of you. You are my light. Oh, and if my writing was worse than usual, I'm sorry. I'll pull it together soon, I promise.

Intel Ewok: Oops! Well, that's what you get for reading fanfic at work! You have quite a memory, by the way. I didn't even remember Lucius asking Severus how Alex liked it, and I wrote it! I'm sure that Rose is quite relieved that he got it right. I know from personal experience how much it sucks to have a lover who can't or won't give you what you need. Whoa! Was that TMI? Sorry!

Rycca: What? What's wrong with another smut chapter? I like smut! Smut makes me happy. Smut is our friend. Okay, sorry, little rant there. I'm surprised that you didn't see the whole BDSM thing coming. Alex has always liked it pretty rough. As for Draco's reaction, that's coming up soon. To express my extreme joy at your working on Rougarre, I'd have to have some fireworks. Barring that, I'll just have to say... YYEEEEAAAAHHH!!!!! I saved the last chapter, though, to a personal file (hoping you don't mind) because that's some of the best Severus I've ever seen.

mary: He was bound to. It's Lucius, after all.

Silverfey: If there's one thing I don't have the power to be, it's arrogant. Sometimes I wish that I were that self-assured, but then I remember how obnoxious those people can be. Sorry that Rose folded. I hate disappointing you, but I'm glad it took you by surprise. I like to hear that. Draco's reaction is coming up, I promise.

Quietude: Yeah! I'm so glad that you're back! So, you're happy that Alex refused Lucius, eh? It's a dangerous move, but of course she doesn't yet realize exactly how dangerous. It's good to know that Rose's preferences caught so many of my beloved readers off-guard, but honestly I was surprised. I tried to indicate her love for pain from the first love scene with Severus way back in 'Not For Sale.' Hmmm. I'm doing something wrong, here. Well, maybe not. Her usual style is a far cry from allowing someone to chain her up and whip her. Last note: Your wish is my command: spiteful bastard - coming up!

Arabella Minerva: What is it with you guys and Draco's reaction? Oh, well, you don't have long to wait for it. Severus is just around the corner, yes. And I'm glad that you're as opposed to simpering, wimpy women as I am. I can assure you that, most of the time, if Rose is on her knees, she's manipulating Lucius... not like that! What a dirty mind you have! :-)

Lady Jenilyn: Okay. I suppose that wasn't the most comfortable place they could've chosen. Still, that was a really close guess. I'm actually a little skeeved out by it. "Whipped and shagged in a dungeon." You have such a way with words, my lady! I hope that the wrath of Mother Nature didn't cause you too many woes, and I wasn't upset about the late review... but the length, Tsk, tsk. I'm almost offended. (By the way, as my sense of humor has often been misinterpreted, please allow me to assure you that I'm just picking on you.)

Annie: Wow, those are some good points about BDSM in the wizarding world. The easy availability of healing potions and spells make it so much more interesting. I loved your thoughts on pain being enough to override the act itself, though from my own limited (and far from expert) experience, I'd have to say that I've come to see the release of orgasm as almost symbolic of the release from 'the scene' (the entire act) itself. It's the closing of the book, if you will. Am I the only one who finds that to be a wonderful moment, closing the cover of a really good book after the last sentence has been absorbed? Just wondering. I do not mind a delay in getting your review. They have proven to be worth the wait.

Fleur K: Yeah! I surprised you! Alright! Poor Rose is so confused with Alex rocking her boat back and forth, it's a wonder that one or both of them haven't gone nuts, yet. Of course, I suppose if there are two of them, then there is a bit of insanity involved.