A continuation of jessibelle811's "Beastly" (found in her Bits and Pieces collection)
We're so bad for each other, we keep inspiring one another and can't write anything as fast as we'd like to (if we do at all!)
Now On With the Tale...
Sofia didn't sleep particularly well, given her mild anxiety over whether or not her husband-to-be would join her in bed. He never did as far as she knew, waking the following morning alone. He must have slept somewhere, because he was down for breakfast before her, beckoning her to join him at the table while his series of spells prepared and brought their meals. She felt rather awkward, though Cedric seemed to be proceeding with his schedule as normal save for the obvious inclusion of another person at his table.
"If I may, my lord," She asked calmly, figuring a bit of conversation would ease the tension. "When do you foresee our wedding taking place?"
He looked at her a moment before waving his hand dismissively. "There are no such ceremonies for sorcerers, dearie. You'll officially be my wife when we bed together."
"...That's all?" She queried, sounding a bit disappointed.
He looked at her, eyebrow raised to inquire further. "You expected something less beastly?"
"I suppose I thought it would be a little more... magical," she admitted shyly, a slight blush to her cheeks. Was it so wrong to hope there was some sort of tradition she could remember the occasion by and not just her... deflowering?
Cedric folded his hands together before elaborating. "In ancient times before we were prosecuted by those of the one god, they probably were but we've lost a lot of customs to bigotry and for the simple sake of survival, our rites are kept simple and direct."
"I'm... sorry," she apologized, knowing her ancestors were among those of the one god. No wonder he had a feel of contempt towards her, though she herself had never done him a single harm. 'Marrying' her was probably the best revenge he could manage against the royal family without endangering himself.
"What's done is done. Now eat, you'll be of no use to your peasants or myself if you haven't any strength," he ended, clearly wanting to stop talking as her plates filled with eggs, ham, breads, and spreads, slid towards her on their set magical track.
She looked over to thank him for the meal at least, but he was already gone in a puff of smoke, but to the depths of his lair she assumed. He did make a point however, and she ate her fill - knowing she had a long day ahead of her.
Dressed, fed, and now ready to head back to the fields, Sofia wondered if the sorcerer would be joining her. He was after all, the one with the necessary potions. Deciding it was necessary, she marched back up to his room and through the passage that led to his workshop. Though he'd warned her not to disturb him, he wasn't keeping his end of the bargain either.
She slowly descended the winding stairs into the room where she could see him hunched over his desk, unmoving. It took her a moment to realize he was asleep, and given all the books and bottles she saw strewn in front of him, it was probably the first bit of sleep he was getting. She knew it couldn't be for the villager's sake, but still found it admirable for him to get lost in his work as it were. She was sure he'd join her later in the day, his remedies ready to disperse. In the meantime, she could help in the fields to make the process as smooth as possible.
Before she left, she brought down a blanket for him, gingerly draping it over his shoulders and pressing a kiss to his cheek - the best goodnight kiss she could manage given that his head was half hidden in his cradled arms.
Sofia then left to let him sleep undisturbed as he desired and made her way back down to the village, ready to do her part to help her people.
Her kindness was reflected back to her, village elders offering to hide her from the beast should he come looking for her and some of the women suggesting merchants ready to leave the village that very day if she so wished. While a small part of her was tempted, she rebuffed each offer, trying to assure them her husband treated her well and wouldn't chance the failure of their crops should he bring his wrath upon them in the event of her disappearance.
It was about mid afternoon when Cedric appeared, suddenly and with terrifying displays of crackling lightning in his cloud of teleportation. He didn't really look well-rested, but with such a scowl, Sofia was thinking it was hard to discern one way or another.
Of course the majority of the villagers fled when he appeared, a few brave ones remaining hidden behind trees and the nearest barn, but the princess stood her ground and approached him with a simple smile. "I'm glad you could join us, my lord. Did you rest well?"
"Fine," he gruffed, pulling a few vials out of the messenger bag he was wearing over his shoulder. "Let's get this over with. I have much better things to do."
"You have perfect timing. The enchanted fertilizer you put down yesterday was completely absorbed by this morning, and the soil's been aerated just like you said it should."
"Is that why you're covered in filth?" He asked, noting she was covered in a fair bit of dirt.
"Yes," she answered, still smiling. "You weren't here to do it magically, so we did it manually."
He sensed she was being a tad passive-aggressive, but refused to admit to his own failings. Wasn't it enough that he was helping them at all? Uncorking four different vials, he held two in two hands each and poured them all out at once, muttering an incantation as he did so. With another bolt of lightning like magic, a green flash radiated outwards as far as the eye could see, enriching the soil further, planting seeds, sprouting them, and accelerating their growth.
Sofia and the nearby villagers watched in awe as the once dry and barren land flourished with rich waves of grain, barley, corn, and numerous vegetables. It was more than enough to feed the kingdom for a year, perhaps a few times over depending on how far the spell actually went.
Calming down his magical aura, he turned to Sofia, still unamused. "Am I to harvest the crops as well?"
She didn't get a chance to answer his sarcasm over the cheers of the villagers as they rushed into the fields, eager to gather the miraculous bounty. A few shouted their thanks to him, though remained at a distance, causing a different sort of expression to appear on Cedric's face that Sofia quickly took note of.
"I think our work is done, my lord," she smiled, truly relieved he'd come through. "Let's go home."
"Yes, you're in great need of a bath," he said, slipping an arm around her waist to pull her against him as he took them back to his tower.
Sofia went for a bath immediately, her clothes already under the affects of a laundering spell in the scullery while a bathing spell washed her hair and cleaned under her nails, allowing her to relax in the warm water. Well, that was until Cedric boldly walked in and sat himself down on a chair he borrowed from her vanity. "C-Can I help you?"
"It's equal exchange. You were in my private chamber without permission."
"I'm not the one who fell asleep. Besides, even if I saw something you didn't want me to, I'm not a sorcerer so I don't know what any of your things mean."
"It's the principle, my dear Princess. There has to be some level of trust between us and if you want me to keep my end of the bargain, you'll permit this intrusion."
"But isn't it rather unnecessary? We'll be... having sex tonight, won't we?"
"Yes, but that makes us both vulnerable at the same time. Right now, it's just you."
"Th-That's hardly fair, you weren't naked!" She blushed grateful for the bubbles but knowing they didn't hide everything.
He simply reclined in the chair, resting his head on one of his hands, his eyes fixed on her and not set to move. Very much a 'deal with it' stare.
She tried to ignore that he was there, focus on the task at hand, but she could feel his eyes on her, not sure if he was watching with lust or self-satisfaction, perhaps both. She wished she could have waited him out, staying in the water far longer than she thought he'd sit, but with her skin pruning and the water growing cold, exiting with some pride was her only option. She stood to get out, not facing him, figuring either way he'd get an eyeful, and felt the warmth of a soft towel around her shoulders, placed there by two lingering hands.
"Consider us even," he whispered near her ear, pressing a kiss to her bare neck before departing the bathroom.
She shuddered, perhaps from the chill of her wet skin, but perhaps because of him. He really hadn't shown much interest in her, even now she still wasn't sure if he found her appealing or if he really was just keeping score. Either way, they would be consummating their marriage tonight, fulfilling her end of the bargain. She didn't think her resolve would waiver like this, she was ways so headstrong. Maybe he wanted her anxious, maybe he didn't like that she didn't fear him like others did. Although... maybe he was just messing with her. That seemed to be more reasonable. While he would growl like a beast, she never sensed any malice from him. Indifference, yes, but hate... not really.
Dinner was a quiet affair, Sofia not really wanting to talk or knowing what would even be an appropriate topic. Raised as a princess, inquiring about their marital bed wasn't exactly conversation meant to be had over a meal. Consequently she stayed silent, the only thought in her head left to scream into the void until she made her way up to his bedchamber in just her shift and slippers.
He'd gone ahead of her to bathe and tidy the room somewhat, now reclining on his bed and reading to pass the time while a few candles burned in a few places about the room, giving it a more relaxed and romantic atmosphere, which honestly surprised her. He addressed her stunned look with a casual, "What? Candles can be magical depending on their use."
She blushed a little, not expecting him to take anything she said about a magic wedding ceremony to heart.
"Come here, Sofia," he beckoned, setting his book aside and holding out his hand for hers.
She complied, taking it and allowing him to pull her onto the bed, seated next to him. "How would you like me to-?"
"First," he interrupted. "I want to know if you are still willing to be mine."
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't," she answered, inhaling sharply as he placed a hand to her cheek and rubbed his thumb against her lower lip once again.
"That's good to know. There's a difference between beasts and monsters and I'd rather not have you think of me as the latter."
"I don't think you're either, my lord."
"That's the second thing. Yes, I am your lord and husband, but I do have a name."
She blinked, unaware he had a name at all. She'd never heard anyone speak it before.
"It's Cedric," he informed her, leaning in a little closer.
"Cedric," she repeated as she felt his lips caress her neck, not quite kissing, but still touching.
"Third..." he said, trailing down her neck. "You will stop me if I hurt you. I have no interest in making this unpleasant for either of us."
"Alright," she nodded and together they both stood to remove her shift.
His eyes on her sent shivers up and down her spine, not quite sure if they were out of fear or pleasure. She'd never felt so exposed before, weak and at the mercy of the beast who wanted to take her as his bride.
Cedric expected such rigidity, though he didn't quite like the idea of her just laying there and passively accepting him. There was no fun in that. The least he could offer her was enjoyment in this exchange. She was trying to hard to relax, her body trembling slightly the closer he came. Admittedly, part of him relished in her fear of him like it were akin to respect for his power, but the better half of him knew that wasn't it. She was just a frightened young woman in her marriage bed, wedding a man she'd not chosen for her own. He wondered why he cared at all about her opinion of him, wanting now to make her never regret this union.
He approached her deceptively calm, his eyes still wandering over until he was close enough to touch her. She flinched initially, but did not flee, allowing his hands an exploration. He circled around to her back, still stroking down her thighs and back up towards her breasts, finally cupping both and pulling her toward his chest. She felt softer than he'd imagined, much to his delight as he kneaded her breasts and began trailing his lips along her shoulder. His hips pressed against her buttocks, his firm and hot cock clearly expressing its desire to have its due.
Next they returned to the bed, Sofia removing her slippers and lying down with his guidance and feeling a rush heat through her body as the beast mounted her.
The blunt intrusion Sofia was bracing for never came, inside feeling tiny pecks to her neck as a warm body nestled against hers, providing a heavy, but comforting weight. He was being far gentler than she anticipated and gave every indication this was the pace he meant to set. His hands now lacing through her hair as he kissed up to her lips, achingly tender to the point her lips parted on their own, needing to match the pressure given. It wasn't unpleasant either, the taste of him a mix between a burn of liquor and the smoothness of caramel. She found her arms slowly lifting to wrap around his torso, entwining them a little closer and more comfortable.
He smiled to himself, feeling her begin to relax in his arms and moisture growing between her legs. He could feel the heat of her sex against his own, tempting entry that he denied, wanting her far more aroused and ready, needing her eager to receive her husband. He kept busy with kisses, ravishing her mouth til she was breathless before venturing down her neck again and towards her breasts, allowing him to finally hear her moans and cries from his affection.
Sofia felt like every inch of her flesh was on fire, and only his tongue provided a minor cooling. His firm sucking on her nipples sent further throbs to her sex, her body now craving that which he gave and more. Perhaps their marriage bed would be more than tolerable, she hoped only to then worry if this was a one-time courtesy. Her virginity no secret, after tonight he might not have cause to be nearly so tender. She tried to push the thought from her mind, figuring if this was the only time, she ought to make the most of it. She ran her fingers along his back and into his hair, trying to give as good as she got - wanting him to want her like this, to show him that she'd make an effort to please him.
Meanwhile, one of his hands detoured down her torso once again, fingertips barely touching flesh until it reached her thicker curls.
She gasped in surprise to feel him down there, rubbing ever so gently. His fingers parted her moistening folds and slipped between them, rubbing harder in search of her hidden pearl. His search succeeded when at last he touched the tiny ball and she screamed, clinging to him tighter and now trembling from pleasure he was rapidly burning. He didn't relent, pressing harder and faster, watching with delight as she came undone by his fingers and collapsed back into the bedding. One side of his lip curled into a smirk as his hand dipped lower to inspect just how wet she was now.
She was out of breath and struggling to regain her composure with his fingers now prodding in and out of her entrance. "Ce... Cedric...!"
He made eye contact before plunging two fingers inside, making her cry out again and again as he gave a few thrusts to simulate a taste of his lovemaking. She was more than ready.
Sofia panted as he slowly eased his fingers out and placed the palm upon her knee, opening her leg up a bit more to allow him closer, his length falling against her folds and throbbing.
Cedric smirked and laid back down into her, lips covering hers in another deep kiss while his hips earnestly pressing between her legs and his cock finding her entrance, the slick easily allowing the tip entry.
Their kiss broke as he pushed forward, producing a beautiful gasp and long moan against his ear as he held her tighter and buried himself completely in her warmth. "Oh sweet gods...!"
She clutched at his skin, the foreign pain bearable and strange. He slid in so easily despite her walls clamping around him, the knowledge of him being inside sending more swirls in her womb and redness to her cheeks. She held him tighter as if hoping she could hide against him in spite of their union. It was a silly thought, but her mind was a mess trying to process each and every emotion she felt in a single moment. And then he began to move, gently and firmly, erasing it all to bring her focus back to him.
Cedric hissed in pleasure, her tight passage perfectly slick and desperate to contain his cock, trying to match his thrusts to the throb of her muscles for peak satisfaction. He quickly grew to a steady pace, slowly but surely building to a glorious release, and not wanting his wife to be left wanting, brought his hand down between her legs to stroke her clit, immediately causing louder cries and spasms that in rapid succession triggered both to climax. He snapped his hips forward and stilled as he emptied his seed, her walls milking it deep inside in perhaps the first step towards producing his first heir.
"Cedric...!" She cried out his name, the drop from the sudden high making her cling to him a few moments before her hands wandered over him, running through his hair and over his back, unsure of exactly where they should be in post.
"Heh... Did you enjoy it, wife?" He managed.
"Yes," she answered and was quickly met with another kiss to her lips. She felt like she could melt, and was fine with the idea. She must have fallen asleep in his arms shortly afterwards, his kiss being the last thing she remembered.
Author's Note: I did think of a way to continue it but can't give my assurance I'll ever write it. My muse has been difficult the past year. I managed to clean this up over a few months and got something to post for Valentine's Day so yay for small victories.