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Chapter Nineteen: Restored
Erik carries his queen down to the hidden chamber beneath the palace. During his interrogation with Zoya he discovered that she had replanted the garden of the heart-shaped herb. Though, he viewed it as insubordination at the time of her admission of guilt. He was now grateful for her rebellious nature, because it was the only way that he and Ashtyn could return to the spirit realm.
According to Zoya, the magical aspects of the rich soil allowed for the garden to swiftly regenerate. As he approaches the garden he could see that the garden was well on its way of being restored. He gently places Ashtyn onto her feet. Standing before him, she seems too fragile for him to touch. Guilt tore through him like a wild animal. Did he break her spirit? Has her love for him caused her irreparable harm? He had to fix this thing between them. He had to restore his queen, much like Zoya had restored the garden.
As she stood in utter silence as Erik got to work making the elixir. Thankfully, he had a photographic memory and was able to recall even the most minor details of reconstructing the ceremony. Once he had an ample supply of the tonic made he approached Ashtyn. Still, she stood motionlessly where he had left her. A blank expression was bestowed upon her face. Erik supposed that she was experiencing some form of shock, he felt a need to hurry. He gently took her by the hand and guided her to the sand. He first laid her down, then began to cover her with the sand. He stops only when her face was the only thing left exposed.
Lifting her head, he brought the cup of elixir to her lips for her to drink. As she took in the liquid Erik watches her intently with great concern. She had fallen into a dark trance that he feared that he would be unable to bring her out of. He had hurt her, pushed her, and for what? He couldn't explain it even to himself. Yet, he wanted to make things right between them, he needed to repair their relationship. As she began to succumb to the power of the herb Erik kissed her on her forehead. "I am right behind you my love." He said as her eyes shut and she began to drift away into oblivion.
When Ashtyn opens her eyes, she could see that once again she was in the afterworld. Yet, she was not in the backyard of her childhood home. Looking around she was in an apartment. She began to walk around, still in the habit of counting her steps; she quickly realized that she was in her old apartment. She was amazed. Ashtyn had never seen her place before and she was pleasantly happy to see how homey and wonderfully decorated it was despite her inability to see. Inhaling the scent of her former living space she was comforted by her familiar surroundings.
"I was hoping that you would find comfort here." Ashtyn heard Erik say from behind her. She didn't turn to face him, she couldn't. Still recovering from the trauma of the past forty-eight hours she couldn't yet face him. He approaches her from behind, wrapping his powerful arms around her waist. Pressing himself against her, she could feel his arousal. Part of her wanted him as badly as he wanted her, but she was unwilling to lay with him not until she felt whole once more. "I am not sorry for my actions. But I'm sorry that I hurt you." He says, as he tightly squeezed her.
Ashtyn says nothing. His apology was heartfelt, but it didn't heal the open wound that was her heart. Erik's manipulative nature had taken its toll on her. She doubted that she could fully trust him; despite his sincerity when asking for forgiveness for his offenses against her.
Erik could see that he was getting nowhere with her by apologizing. She was as distant as she had been in the physical world. He wanted to remind her of better times between them. "Do you remember our first real conversation? Higher-level convo." Erik says aloud reminiscing. "I was so nervous talking to you. Did you know that?" He asks. Ashtyn shook her head, and he was pleased that she was responding, he continues. "Yup, you had a brotha on pause girl. You're like nothing I've ever seen before or ever will again. You mesmerize me. I am fucked up, you know that, but I do love you."
He heard Ashtyn beginning to sniffle, she was crying, but at least she was showing some sort of emotion once more. "Please…don't shut me out of your life. I can do without a lot of things but living without your love isn't one of them. I was made to love you." He felt her body tremble at his confession. He was glad that she was turned away from him. For he didn't know if the wicked grin that spread across his face would be taken as a sign of haughtiness.
Yet, he could tell that she was surrendering to his charm. He didn't want to waste time arguing with her, he wanted to make love to her. He wished to physically show her how much she means to him. What they had done last night was just as she had assessed, it was just mindless sex. Their sexual marathon was not meant to rebuild or repair their damage relationship. It was his sole intention to break her. Now his desire was to restore her. This time it wasn't about him, it was all about her needs.
He moves his hands upwards. Erik grips her tense shoulders and he begins to massage her. She let out an instinctive moan in response to his touch. Erik smiles again. He kisses the delicate skin where her neck and shoulder met. "Relax…I got you." He says. Erik could feel the tension within her ease a bit as he continued to massage her stress away. "Remember how you broke me in this very spot? I must admit you surprised the hell out of me. No one has ever made me cum as hard as you." He then rubs his erection against her backside. "I can make it sweet for you this time. I will be at your mercy. Just tell me what you need, and I will fulfill your deepest desires."
Turning around to face him. Ashtyn considers his words. Yet, she still couldn't find the right words. She wanted him, but she felt angry still about all that he had done. It was foolish of her to reward him with sex. She didn't deserve all that he had put her through. Despite her treachery she could not reason away his derange behavior.
As if he could read her mind, Erik says, "I am not asking you to forget the past. I am only asking for you to forgive me. I know what I've done to you was horrible. I'm an insensitive asshole…it is not an excuse; but I did what I did, and I cannot take it back. If you want to punish me then do it. You want to beat me, tear me to shreds, I will permit it. Whatever I must do to make this better between us I will do. You are my everything and I cannot go on without your love."
Oh, how Ashtyn could feel herself giving in to him. She was at odds with what she felt was right to do and what her body and heart wanted. She was on the fence about well…everything. Yet, it was not within her to continue to keep him shut out. She agreed to love him for better or worse, and this was one of the challenging times in marriage that could make or break a couple. Looking deeply into his eyes she searched for his truth. Within his eyes was all the love that he felt for her, and the shame of his actions. He loved her there was no doubt in her mind, and even more pertinent she couldn't do without him. Who was she kidding, she wasn't going anywhere. She was his from the moment that he grabbed her by the hand at the museum. They were two of a kind, and nothing including the recent past events would stop them from loving each other.
She leans upwards and kissed him gently on his lips. He received the chaste kiss and glances down at her afterwards. Erik knew that it was her small way of showing him that she was willing to give him another chance. He lifts her off her feet and carries her to the bedroom. He frowns momentarily realizing that there were few places that he could take her that wasn't stained with some sort of disagreeable memory.
Even in her bedroom, it was the place that he first betrayed her; by drugging her drink. Yet, it was where they had first had their sexual encounter. Then, it was about him satisfying the itch that he had for her. It was not apparent even to himself how important she would become to him. Now, he wanted to come full circle, this was about healing.
He lays her onto the bed. As she lay lounged before him, he appraises her unearthly beauty. Her luminous violet eyes still caused his heart to skip a beat. Damn, he loved her more than life itself. He would die for her he knew that without any uncertainty. If things would have gone differently with the soldier, and he managed to tell others what Ashtyn had done. Erik would have gladly chosen to stand by his queen's side. Regardless of all his efforts to become king he wouldn't want his crown if it meant being without Ashtyn…his Madam Slay. Contrary to how he should have felt upon hearing her treason, he found himself proud of his wife. She had taken down a squad of W'Kabi's best trained soldiers. He was impressed by her killer instinct.
He descended upon his wife and began to kiss her gently. She received his kisses and matched his desire with her own relentless passion.
When they broke their connection she whispered, "Make love to me." Erik genuinely smiles. Happy to have her permission to go further.
He began removing her dress down her shoulders and sliding the material down her form. Ashtyn lifted her body to help him with the removal of her clothing. He sucked in a harsh breath when he noticed her lack of undergarments. He looked at her with surprise.
"You were in a rush for me to dress." She offered as a reason for going without. He liked the thought of her being ready for his use so quickly. He made a mental note to have her do it next time with his acknowledgment. He kissed her lips once more before trailing kisses down to her stomach. He made sure that their eyes remain connected as he placed a purposeful kiss onto her stomach. He still wanted her to have his child. However, despite making a deal with her, that she would submit to his wishes of bearing his seed for sparing Zoya's life. He felt convicted by his trickery and didn't want to have a child under the conditions that he had set. He froze, and she noticed. "What is wrong?"
"I…" He struggled to tell her his truth. It was difficult for him to admit his faults. Rarely did he ever feel guilty, but this time he did.
"Talk to me." Ashtyn urged. Yet he still hesitated. He didn't believe himself to be a good person, and he had every reason to believe the worst in himself. He had done awful things within his lifetime. Nevertheless, Ashtyn knew that there was a part of him that was uncertain about his actions, and that was good. This was one of the rare times when his better side was winning out. He wanted a child for all the right reason, she knew that; but his method of going about achieving his goal was poor. Ashtyn still wasn't sure if they were ready to be parents. However, she knew that nothing would ever break their bond. No, it wasn't always easy for her to love him; but she knew that she wouldn't want to ever be without him. She took his face into her hands and brought him so that his face was level with her own. "I am your wife. Flesh of your flesh, bone of your bone. I love you more than words could ever express. Would you do me the honor of being the father of our child."
Disbelief displays upon Erik's face. Did he hear her right? Did she just agree to have his child? "Are you sure?" She nodded, confirming that he had not mistaken her invitation. He smiles enthusiastically, as he nearly ripped off his clothing. He wasn't quite sure if making love in the spirit realm would produced the desire results, being how they were technically in spirit form. Nevertheless, it would still be great baby-making practice for when they returned to the other side.
He gently guides himself into her. It hadn't been yet a full day since their last encounter, but he missed being inside her. As her walls clamp down onto his member, he felt a chill shoot down his spine. He began to move inside her, taking care not to rush. He wanted to erase the last forty-eight hours and start anew. If he recalled correctly, it was in this very bed that she requested to be made love to. He had denied her and fucked her hard for even suggesting that he be gentle with her. She had no idea how much he had already restrained himself…but now he wanted to take her slowly. He wanted her to know that he treasured her wishes more than he did his own.
He glided in and out of her pulling from her every ounce of pain that he had inflicted upon her. In the mist of his strokes he would look at her, amazed by her capacity to love him despite his hateful ways. "You deserve someone better than me." He painfully admits.
"Darling…I am with you forevermore." She replies, and Erik nearly came undone. She was too good for him, he knew it, but he was grateful that she was bound to him. He picked-up the tempo and she began to scream his name. He wanted her to feel his intentions with every stroke. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, restricting his movements. Causing him to pump into her short, but still strong strokes. He desired to be gentle, but the vise grip she had around his waist and his dick was forcing him to become more aggressive.
"Ashtyn…" He began to warn, but there was no use. She was lost in ecstasy and only tighten her hold onto him. He gave into her desires allowing her to dictate how she wanted to use him. In the mist of their love-making she had managed to flip him onto his back and was now riding him. He reached out to touch her, but she grabbed his wrists forcing them to the bed. Her nails elongated into claws. Oh, the wild woman Madam Slay was present and he couldn't say that he wasn't pleased to see her alter ego return. She was savage in her taking of him. The irony was that for once he wanted to make love to her, but instead she had decided to fuck him.
Yet, this minor turn of events didn't bother him in the slightest. He gladly received her punishing thrust and allow her full control over him. Not that he had much of a choice she had him pinned down. Her claws were digging into his wrist drawing blood, the pain helping to draw him neared to his climax. She was unmerciful, and he was loving it.
"That's it baby." Erik managed to say. Though he was being overwhelmed by the sight and feel of her. "Show me who's running this dick."
"You should confess with your lips my name." Ashtyn teased mid-stroke.
"Ashtyn!" He exclaims. Yet, she was displeased by his response.
"No. Say my other name."
He wickedly smiled as it occurred to him what she wanted to hear. "Madam-fuckin'- Slay." He confesses.
"You're damn right!" She yells, as they both hit their g-spot and came hard.
Coming down from the high, they held each other tightly. Soon they would leave this place and return to their world. The spirit realm allowed for them to return to simpler days…or at least to a day when their relationship was just starting to bloom. Returning to her old apartment surrounded her with a familiarity; which allowed for her to feel rooted once again. It provided her the stability to decipher her emotions. Though they were a total mess together she couldn't be without him.
"Baby?" Erik questions.
"Yes." Ashtyn replies.
"I didn't hurt you, did I? I know that last night I was a bit rough with you. How are you feeling now?"
Ashtyn took a moment to discern her current state. There was only one word that could sum up how she was feeling, "Restored."
A/N: I know it has been longer than usual for this update. Some personal stuff came up but is starting to level-out now. Hope you all are still with me. Please review and let me know how you are feeling. Have a great weekend! ~Concrete Lily~
