Fallen Petals

Caline Bustier sat upon her terrace a few hours after the night shift had officially retired to their rooms. Their morning meal of toasted bread with butter, strawberries, and a couple of hard boiled eggs sat on her plate, while she poured tea into the delicate China cup across from her own plate. Her eyes roamed over the guard she had spent the evening with, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his bare chest through the open shirt. Cinnamon brown hair fell to his shoulders, framing his slender face. She had kissed that face, looked into those deep emerald green eyes while pleasure coursed through her body, and it sent a tingling heat up to her cheeks again. 'What he lacked in experience, he more than made up in every other category.' At the ache in her loins she gave a slight wiggle to her hips as she set the teapot down. "With so many lovely, young, ladies working here, I was surprised," she smiled at the young man, "very, very pleasantly, mind you, that you would even consider me, Charles."

"Quite the contrary, Lady Bustier," he said softly, "I think I was given a night with the best of them all." He roamed his eyes over the madam, the morning light catching in her eyes and causing her long hair to sparkle. She looked as if there was an aura of calm energy about her, while the blue pools of her eyes showed a hunger that caused his heart to pound against his ribs like a trapped animal. When she reached out, he held up his hand for her, the feel of her palm in his causing a jolt of energy to course straight to his brain. "Part of me is still wondering why you agreed."

"One of the perks I offer my guards when they sign up. As long as the girl in question consents, I allow them to spend time together on their off hours. None had ever asked me before last night." She remembered when one of the guards had asked their captain, Juleka for a night of passion. Caline made sure the man's advances had been quietly, and respectfully, rebuffed after a minor conflict ensued. Unfortunately, the young woman's reaction caused her to have a reputation for refusing any man. When she had hired Charles, however, the guard only seemed to look upon his captain with adoration and respect from the first day. "I'm kind of surprised you never sought out your lovely superior in the guard." she motioned with the cream, and he took a bit in his tea, while adding only a single spoonful of sugar. She did the same with a smile.

"As much as I respect and love Juleka in my own way," he smiled, "I've noticed she has eyes for Rose. I wouldn't want to come between the potential for love there."

'Rose?' It was true she saw the two young women together on most days, but she had never seen so much as a hinting of flirtation between them. It was true that Juleka was very reserved, often making her seem shy, but the idea of her and the bubbly pixie that was her personal attendant caused a new smile to grace her lips. "That would be adorable to see happen." More than once, she found Rose near giddy at the many times the guards offered themselves to her, but the girl was picky about those she spent time with. The madam could count on one hand her number of male lovers, and still have fingers left over. "May I ask how you discovered her interest after only being here a week?"

"It really wasn't difficult. Rose had accepted a customer this afternoon, and Juleka just seemed to be... more tense at the time." Charles took a sip to wash down some of the egg. "I asked her if she wanted the customer instead. The look on her face made me feel like I had insulted her, and she started to growl that she had no interest in men." Setting down the cup, he smiled. "That's when I started talking about how if she truly was in love with our resident sunbeam, she should just let her know."

The giggle that came out of Caline was both infectious and lighthearted. "How did she react to that?"

"She suddenly got all shy and blushing," Charles smiled at the madam, "so I did something stupid."

"Oh no... what did you do?" her voice held expectation, but also a hint of fear that he might've driven a wedge between the pair.

Charles placed his hands on his lap. "I... sort of told Rose that Juleka was feeling down, so she walked over to give her a hug." He shrugged a little. "Neither of them told me what was said, but within an hour I walked past the back room to find them wrapped around each other kissing as if stopping would cause the other to disappear."

Madam Bustier brought up her hand to her mouth to hide the smile. "Oh, my..." Setting it back down, she looked at the younger man. "Thank you for that. I could sense the tension between them, mostly on Juleka's part, but to finally have them together means a house full of love rather than frustrations." Her heart seemed to swell more, to become fuller with the affection the pair had shared.

"I live to serve, Lady Bustier."

"We're off the clock, Charles, so just call me Caline... like you did last night." she purred.

Smiling back at her, he nodded. "I would love to, Caline."

'Did I just feel something twitch?' heat caused her normally porcelain features to turn pink at the cheeks. "I love the sound of your voice when you say my name."

"Saying such a beautiful word such as your name, or whispering it in your ear, or crying it out while we're together would be more than an honor, it would be a pleasure, sweet, beautiful, and loving, Caline."

"You, sir, are either an incubus, or very, very good at making me desire you." Caline let out a shuddering breath, her eyes narrowed in obvious affection and desire. "Part of me wants to go back to bed, to explore every inch of you, and not come back up until Sunday..."

"Four days together with only breaks for necessities?" Charles shivered at the prospects. "Dear lady, you would spoil me then."

"No, I would be spoiling myself." Caline smiled. "You don't know just how... impressed I was with you last night. I doubt I've had a lover so in tune with my body with only a few minor suggestions and ability to almost instinctively touch me to send my mind reeling, and going blank." She sighed at the memories of their night together. "I think you ruined me for any other man on the planet."

Charles shivered at the compliment, before looking at their meal. "That almost makes me sad we're eating breakfast together."

"Why?" Caline asked, concerned.

Looking back up at her, he gave her a smile. "Because part of me wants to take your hand, lead you back into your chambers, and make sure I'm causing your mind to go blank while moaning your name for another three hours." The look on the woman's face told Charles that she was seriously considering his offer, before she looked at her uneaten food.

"Make it an hour and a half, and you have a deal." she said with a smile.

Rising from his seat, he offered her his hand, and she took it gladly. "I'll see what I can do, Caline." he said, whispering her name into her ear the moment she was standing next to him. For the next two hours, he moved sensations through her, sending the woman to heights undreamed of before, and urging her to do the same with him. Charles only slowed when asked, but his fingers and lips found every spot on her body that when kissed or touched would send her straight into the clouds, or crashing straight into her with tidal waves of pleasure. She quivered and quaked, her heart pouring forth its love and desire, while her mind blanked to all but the pleasure that filled her, flowed over her, and caused her body to tremble in the throes of passion.

By the time they were done, Caline was snuggled against him, her body both shivering from the desire and light sheen of sweat that covered their bodies. The exertion caused her body to ache and heart to pound, while her mind stilled. 'I could get used to this.' The thought coalesced in her mind as she lay there, feeling his taut, slightly muscular, body pressed against hers, while the object of her attentions lay against her naked thigh. "You need to stop distracting me..." she murmured after a few minutes, her fingers lightly caressing over his turgid endowment.

"I'm sorry..." he breathed, his hand caressing her back, feeling the swell of her backside as his eyes looked into hers.

"No you're not..." she bit her lower lip and looked at him, "and neither am I." Leaning up she kissed his lips, her breasts pressing against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands slid up, pulling her fully on top of him so that she could feel his abdomen and hips against hers, while her womanhood felt something poke against her. Breaking the kiss, she looked down at him, her hair falling in a curtain around their faces. "I wish I could stay, but I have an appointment to keep... and... I want you to be here when I get back."

Giving her a smile, he reached up caressing her face. "I am one of your guards..."

"No. You're taking the day off, because when I get back, I want you to do to me everything we just did, and more." She sat up, purposefully exposing her entire body, and reaching between her legs to caress the tip of his endowment. "I want you to give me this... all of it, and all of you until we can no longer walk, talk, or think... but I need to... have a conversation with someone first."

Caline watched as he nodded. "I understand, and I will be here when you return."

Reaching over, she picked up his hand, kissing the palm and wrist while warmth erupted in her chest, filling out the rest of her form. Leaning down, she gave him another kiss on the lips. Afterward, she got up, washed herself down, and dressed. When he was cleaning himself, she walked over, kissing him on the cheek, before heading to the door. "I'll be back in an hour or two, so don't do anything other than relax. You need to be full of energy when I walk through this door again."

"Don't worry, I will be."

Heading down the stairs, Madam Bustier raised her skirts ever so slightly, her heart lightened for the first time in what seemed like decades. Parts of her were sore, but she accepted the pain along with the love that she had been blessed with throughout the night. 'I'm happy. For the first time since my fiancee died, I'm truly happy.' Reaching up as her feet hit the landing, she pressed a hand to her cheek to find tears. Bringing it down, she gave a soft laugh. 'Do I deserve this happiness? Am I betraying the man I loved?'

Opening the door, she emerged into the open foyer of the brothel. "Good morning, Madam Bustier," Rose greeted, a knowing smile on her face, "but only just."

A small laugh issued from the older woman's mouth. "Yes, it is. My apologies for leaving you to direct everyone, Rose. I," a blush colored her cheeks, while her heart pounded against her ribs again, "didn't want to leave the bed this morning."

Rose's eyes seemed to sparkle at the sight of her employer, her mouth dropping into a perfect "o" of understanding. "Who was he?" she asked, bringing her hands up. "A customer?"

Narrowing her eyes at the younger woman, her voice came out sharper than she wanted. "Rose! I am shocked at you." Caline furrowed her brows. "A lady does not kiss and tell." She walked past with the young woman looking down. "It was Charles." The older woman shivered in delight at the memories of the previous night, and early morning activities, her smile growing out of pure rapturous joy.

The squeal from her charge could've caused dogs to howl. "Isn't he the new hire?! He's so handsome and... oh my! A-Are you in love? You're positively glowing right now!" Rose bombarded her employer with her high pitched voice, having decided if Caline was willing to give out his name, then asking more was permissible.

Juleka stood at the bottom of the stairs, directing the guards with a makeshift muster, causing her to smile. "I'll answer yours if you answer mine." She shortened her pace. "Did you enjoy yourself with someone special last night?"

Glancing to the side, she watched as Rose's face started to turn a lovely shade of red. "A lady does not kiss and tell." Her eyes landed on Juleka, shining with love. "But yes, and I've never been happier. She's even offered to" she cleared her throat, "join me the next time I want to be with a man."

Caline smiled and nodded. "Charles is off-limits."

A knowing giggle beside her caused Madam Bustier to turn her head ever so slightly. "Of course." Deep in the back of her mind, she felt betrayal on her part. The rule of the house was that no one was off-limits who worked for the brothel, unless specifically requested that night, so a blanket off-limits statement was completely out of character for the Rose Petal Inn. She knew that several of the girls had their eyes on the handsome guard, and yet she knew he hadn't spent a single night with any of them. At first, she wondered if he was more into men, and even urged Marc to flirt with him, but although he talked with her male charge, he had been friendly in a platonic way. Had she known his eyes were set on the owner, Caline might have paid more attention, or at least flirted with him before last night.

Standing in front of Juleka, she smiled at the younger woman, waiting for Rose to join her new lover. Naturally, she didn't have to wait long until the two young women were in front of her. "I thank you both for keeping the brothel running smoothly while I was "in dispose", and think that perhaps you both should shoulder more of the responsibilities around here."

"I'm... not sure..." Juleka blinked, looking down until Rose interlaced her fingers with the black haired woman, gripping her hand. Turning to look at the blond, she blushed crimson as the smaller woman leaned up and kissed her lips.

"Everything will be fine. I promise." the cute little smile Rose gave Juleka had the latter nodding.

"O-Okay." Looking at Caline, she smiled. "Everyone has eaten, and are either getting ready for tonight, or resting."

Madam Bustier smiled at the younger woman. "Very good, Juleka." Reaching out, she lightly placed her hand on the slender shoulder. "I have an errand to run..."

"Going to the cemetery?" she asked.

"Yes." Caline sighed. "There are... things I need to say before I can proceed."

Looking at Rose, Juleka blinked as the smaller female mouthed the word "Charles" to her, leading her to smile and nod. "I understand. Will you be taking your guard?"

"No." Caline said softly. "I'll be perfectly safe. Besides, I do this every year."

Rose nodded, "Then do you mind if I accompany you to the cemetery?" She smiled at the older woman. "I've never been there, and I would love to go for moral support."

"If you do go, Rose, I recommend taking at least two guards, four tops." Juleka insisted.

Nodding at the head of her security detail, Caline smiled. "Very well. I'll take whatever three men you assign, but I still say you're being overly cautious, my precious jewel." she loved her little nickname for the dark-haired girl since it was a play on her name.

"As long as you both come back safe and sound, I'll accept any criticism." Juleka stated without a single glance down. Within a few minutes, the men were selected, and sent with the two women. Thankfully, the cemetery wasn't more than a ten minute walk away, but it was far enough to not be visible from the brothel, and situated in a section of the town that few ever went.

Upon entering the cemetery, an ache started low in Caline's breast, her eyes misting over as she strolled among the headstones and grave markers. Locating an eight foot spire, she read the name upon the marker 'Pierre de Francois'. Crouching down, she swept a few leaves away, her blue eyes closing with a sad smile on her face. "Hello, my love." her breath came out slowly. "I'm sorry for not coming any more than a single day out of the year. I just feel guilty about not being there for you when you got sick," closing her eyes she wiped a lone tear away, "and now I'm tempted to end my living in the past."

Standing, she sighed. "I've... met someone. He's kind, gentle, sweet in a way that's almost too innocent, and although I know I shouldn't have... we've been intimate." Reaching up, she rubbed her cheek. "He's everything you were and more, and I think I can be happy again, so... I'm saying goodbye. I still love you, and you will always have a place in my heart, but I... I think I can finally let you go."

When she took a couple of steps back, Rose stepped up next to her. "I think he would want you to move on," she offered, "to be happy again rather than pining away for what might have been."

Reaching across her body to hold her arm, she smiled and nodded. "I think so too." It was the sound of CRACK that caused the two women to spin around, only for one of the men to stagger, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, while a sextet of men approached the four others.

"Liam!" Rose called out, her hand reaching while one of the six men aimed his crossbow at her.

"I wouldn't move, lovely lady." Xavier remarked, a smile on his face. "Unless you both want to see more people die." He glanced at the man with the bolt in his chest, while lowering his empty weapon. "Too bad. I would've loved testing my fighting ability on him... but someone had to be sacrificed so that you knew I was serious." A smirk played across his lips. Regarding the two women, he narrowed his eyes. "You are formally invited to meet with my father, ladies, and then with the Alchemist."

"You're the kidnappers!" Caline breathed, her voice venomous. "I should've known!"

Xavier's smirk became a nasty smile. "You're the kidnappers, I should've known..." he mocked. "Shut up, harlot! You don't have the right to even speak to me!" Nodding to his men, he motioned for them to direct the women away from the cemetery. "Please feel free to run so that we can shoot you like the stray dogs you are, and then raid that little whorehouse you call a home, Caline."

"No matter what you do to us, I swear you'll die, Xavier." His laughter reached her ears as the group of men directed the two women and their guards away, leaving the dead body untouched.

This chapter was the reason for my suggestion in Chapter 1 about a "secret" to be revealed. I was planning on letting the first person who managed to tell me (in PM) what was special about the first chapter would have their OC become Caline's temporary lover, and have more of a role in the following chapters.

Unfortunately, nobody managed to discover the secret, so I have used one of my own OC's.

A hint to discovering the secret:

Read each of the first letters in the paragraphs of Chapter 1 going down, and you will discover the secret.