Well, here's another chapter. Beware: if the idea of a teen girl nearly being raped by a dragon offends you, turn around and read something else. PS: don't worry, Marie is fine, she just got startled. Read on to find out why.
The Bride of Chase Young Chapter 5
Chase ran across the grassy meadow, chasing Marie. She looked over her shoulder and giggled.
"Catch me if you can!" she called. Chase laughed and put on some speed. He grabbed her around the waist and they stumbled, rolling down a flowery hill. When they stopped rolling he looked down at her, drinking in her beauty.
Suddenly Marie's face changed. She turned into his mother, a half rotted corpse. He screamed and scrambled off of her. She rose to her feet and moaned
"Why Chase? Why didn't you save me? I screamed and you never came." Chase shook his head.
"I couldn't!" he said in a frightened whisper. "I was too far away! By the time I got there you were already..." He found himself cut off by his mothers piercing wail.
"Liar! You didn't even try to save me!" she screamed. Chase covered his head with his hands.
"No mother! I tried! I really tried!" He yelled. His mother wailed again and pointed her finger at him.
"You must become stronger! You weren't strong enough to save me, and the same thing will happen to her!" She waved towards a still figure on the ground. Chase howled in agony. It was Marie, She had a huge wound in her stomach and was covered in cuts and slashes. Her eyes were misted over in death and stared without seeing into the dark sky.
"Marie! No! You can't die!" He crawled to her side and caressed her lifeless face. "Please Marie, don't be dead. Please...Please." He felt the tears running down his face. His mother stood over him.
"You must become stronger my son." she said, sounding more like the loving mother he had known. "Otherwise the girl will die. Become strong, avenge my death, save the girl...and love her Chase. Always love her." She said as she faded away. Chase wept as the landscape, his mother, and Marie faded into nothingness, leaving nothing but darkness around him.
--
Chase awoke with a slight start from the dream and sat up. It had been years since he had dreamt of his mother, and it still scared him every time. He looked over to his left at his sleeping fiancee. She was so angelic when she slept, it made Chase's heart flutter. It was hard to believe that only three nights ago she had hated the idea of sleeping next to him. He reached over and tucked a lock of her ebony hair behind her ear. The image of her with that bloody wound in her stomach flashed through his mind.
"I'll never let that happen." he thought. "I'll become strong. So strong that not even he will oppose me." He looked at her again and was startled to see her eyes open and gazing at him.
"Good morning." she whispered. Chase relaxed and smiled at her.
"Good morning to you too. Sleep well?" He said. She nodded. Chase felt a rush of affection for her. Leaning down, he gently kissed her, feeling her respond to his touch. He broke the kiss and gazed at her again. Lately he just couldn't seem to get enough of her. He wanted to stay in bed and be with her, but he had to train. He forced himself out of bed and into the bathroom. After a hot shower he emerged to find Marie asleep again. She was definitely not an early riser. Chase pulled the blankets over her and left the room.
"Sweet dreams my angel." he whispered.
Marie woke up fully a few hours later. She looked out the window in their room and spotted Chase doing his Tai Chi. She watched for a few moments before getting up and dressed. She had started to wear her normal clothing rather than her robes now, and donned a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. After grabbing some breakfast and chatting with Wuya (which included some good natured teasing from the Heylin witch.), she decided to write to her brother again. His latest letter was on the desk in the library, and Marie was anxious to reply.
Sitting down at the desk, she read the reply through again.
Dear Marie,
I can't believe you kissed him! I mean, I'm glad you had your first kiss and everything, but with him?! And after what you said he was? He scared you into it didn't he? He'd better hope he never comes to our hometown or he'll be in big trouble.
Anyway, guess who I saw yesterday? It was Sam! And man, has she grown! She's nearly as tall as you now and looks like dad. I almost didn't recognize her. But she remembered me and came running right up to me. We were in the mall and she was shopping with her foster family. She saw me and ran up behind me like she always used to when we were kids. She asked where you were and I had to tell her. I'm sorry Marie, but she looked so lost! She gave me the puppy look and you know I can't resist that! I told her you had left for China to marry Chase. She still remembers you know. How mom beat her for defending you. She says she'd do it again in a heartbeat and sends her love. I've enclosed a letter from her in this one, so read it well.
Later kitten!
Tom.
Marie hurriedly opened the second envelope that she hadn't noticed before and read the neat curly handwriting on the Hello Kitty stationary.
Hi Sis!
So you finally got hitched huh? I always wondered what those lady lessons were for. Is he nice? Does he give you jewelry? Has he kissed you yet? Tommy said he did, but he couldn't say anymore about it because John and Sarah were there. Oh, that's right! John and Sarah are my foster parents. They're really nice except they're major bible thumpers. My first day here they tried to "exorcize the demons of my old life." But I ran and hid in a tree until they promised I could stay an atheist. Now I get called a "godless heathen" by my teachers. John and Sarah enrolled me in a private school, and I don't like it very much. John's agreed to let me go to the school you went to. That's right! I'm in junior high now!
I miss you every day. Hey, you should bring your husband into town sometime so I can meet him! And don't make me an auntie just yet, I'd like to be a bit older. I've got to go, John is calling me.
Bye bye!
Love Sam
Marie read the letter several times, feeling her eyes well up with tears. She had missed three years of Sams' life, including her entrance to the world of Junior high. Burying her head in her hands, she wept, her shoulders shaking with violent sobs. Marie hated the fact that she couldn't see her little sister grow up, and that she couldn't have her meet Chase. She hated it! Her body shook with the weight of her grief until she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. It was Chase.
"Marie, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked. Marie tried to tell him, but found her throat closed off from crying. She instead threw herself into his arms, sobbing. Chase was shocked at first, but soon began stroking her hair soothingly.
"There now." he whispered. "It's alright. I'm here. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?" Marie shook her head, indicating she still couldn't speak. Chase merely continued to hold her until the tears ran their course. Once they had, Marie told him about Sam, the beating and how much she missed her sister.
"I'm sorry about blubbering like that." she said. "I'm such a wimp." Chase squeezed her gently.
"You aren't a wimp." he said firmly. "You're a young woman who misses her younger sister very much. And after what happened to her, it's understandable that you would feel guilty. But it isn't your fault. It's your mothers'. Here's what I want you to do; write a letter to your sister, a good long one. Tell her how you feel and how much you miss her. I know it'll make you feel better." Marie nodded.
"Thanks Chase." she said, wiping her tears. "I will. And I'll reply to Tom too." Chase thumbed away her tear tracks.
"That's my girl. Now, I've got some business to attend to, so I'll be home late tonight. Try not to wait up for me." he said with a grin. Marie punched him in the arm playfully.
"Oh yeah, like I need you to fall asleep! I'll be just fine alone." Chase's grin turned into a smirk.
"I think I can fix that." he said, beginning to nibble her neck. Marie gasped at the sensation. Hearing the gasp, Chase escalated his efforts, soothing the bites with gentle licks of his tongue. He quickly moved up to face level and captured her lips, lapping at them, seeking entrance. Marie melted into him, parting her lips slightly. Taking the opportunity, Chase forced his way in. Their tongues intertwined in a struggle for dominance. Chase quickly gained the upper hand and soon had Marie uttering small gasps and whimpers of delight.
Pushing her away, Chase broke the kiss. Marie pouted at the loss of contact.
"There." said Chase. "You won't be able to sleep after that."
"And why not?" demanded Marie, still upset about the abrupt end to the make out session. Chase winked at her.
"Two reasons." he said, holding up two fingers. "One: you're unsatisfied, which means you'll be too anxious to continue to do anything else. And Two: every time you close your eyes the images will flash through your mind. Do you really think you can sleep with that?" Marie blushed crimson.
"Dammit!" she cursed under her breath. "Damn you Chase! You are so sleeping alone tonight." Chase chuckled evilly and left, leaving Marie standing alone and cursing.
After a few minutes, Marie found herself out of breath and swear words to use, so she decided to go to the kitchen and bake something. That was her secret shame. She baked when she was angry, and the worst part was that she could only make delicious things when she was mad! Anything else got burnt or didn't turn out right. She had long since familiarized herself with Chase's kitchen, and soon found herself with all the tools and ingredients necessary to make the kitchen look and smell like a bakery. Within the space of the next four hours, Marie had made a batch of home style biscuits, three trays of cupcakes, a loaf of raisin bread, and three batches of chocolate chip cookies with extra chocolate. Wuya, attracted by the smells, poked her head in and gasped at all the baked goods on the table. She glanced at Marie, who seemed too wrapped up in her task to notice her, and reached out a hand to swipe a cookie. She yelped in pain and surprise when a heavy wooden mixing spoon smacked her hand. Marie glared at her, shaking the spoon threateningly.
"Hands off Wuya." she growled. "Those aren't for you! Yours are over there." she pointed to a plate with cookies, two cupcakes, some biscuits and a slice of raisin bread with honey. Wuya squealed and hugged Marie tightly.
"Oh Marie! You made that plate just for me? You're the best!" Marie shrugged her off laughing.
"Cut it out! If I get happy, the food won't taste good. Now get out of my kitchen!" Wuya grabbed her plate and ran to her room, intent on enjoying her treats. Marie on the other hand, found her bad mood dissipating rapidly. After four hours of long baking and fuming, she wasn't as angry anymore. It was lucky her last batch of cookies was in the oven now, and she hadn't started another. Now she set herself to the task of washing the dishes and putting the goods away. It took another hour, and by that time, Chase had returned. He stepped into the kitchen just as Marie was putting the cookies in a jar.
"Marie, why does my kitchen smell like a bakery?" he asked, his voice tired and carrying an unexpected harshness.
"If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself. You got me so mad this morning I had to go into a baking fit. And I–hey, what's wrong with you?!" Her last words were a frightened yelp as Chase slumped against the doorway. She ran to his side and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm fine!" he snarled. "I got into a fight with an old friend and I'm just a little sore. I can handle it." Marie shook her head.
"No you can't!" she said. "You can hardly stand! Take off your shirt." Chase looked at her like she had just asked him to stab himself.
"What?!"
"Take. Off. Your. Shirt. It's not like I haven't seen it before." Chase swatted her hands away as she tried to do the task for him.
"But why?! Yesterday you said you didn't want to get serious, but today you jump me as soon as I'm home? What's going on with you?" His face suddenly shifted into a mischievous smirk. "Or maybe those kisses I left you with made you a bit more willing?" Marie glared at him.
"Don't be stupid." she snapped. "I'm still adamant about that. I need you to take your shirt off so I can feel how much work I'm going to have to do."
"Work?"
"On your back! I learned the art of massage back home. Mother said that if I was ever married, my husband would appreciate a back rub once in a while. I'm pretty good. Now take off your shirt!" Marie ordered. This time, Chase obliged, allowing Marie to run her hands up and down his back, feeling out the knots and problem areas.
"Ooh, this isn't going to be easy." She muttered after several minutes. "Chase, go upstairs and lay face down on the bed. This may take some time to work out." Chase nodded and within a few minutes, he was lying face down with Marie straddling his hips.
"Jeeze Chase. Whatever you've been doing to your back, cut it out!" Marie muttered, kneading Chase's back. Chase sighed in relief as another know of tense muscle was worked loose.
"Has anyone ever told you you've got magic hands?" he asked dreamily. Marie giggled.
"No, but I did have someone tell me I was an angel." she replied, the smirk evident in her voice. Chase tensed up. She had heard that?! Marie slapped his back sharply.
"Hey! Relax you! You're undoing all my hard work!" she said. Chase did as he was told. "Yes, I heard what you said this morning...It was sweet. Thanks." Chase was glad he wasn't facing her. He hadn't blushed in over a millennium! So why now?
Marie rubbed her thumbs in small circles around a problem area.
"You know Chase, maybe if you got a massage every once in a while you wouldn't get these back problems." She said, still working at the spot. "It's a wonder you could even stand before you went out today." Chase hissed as the muscle relaxed under Marie's skillful fingers.
"Ah...where did you learn this again?" He asked, trying to take his mind off of the pleasurable sensations running through his back. Marie started on yet another knot.
"My mother made me take classes. 'Every good wife should be ready to anticipate her husbands needs.' she'd say. 'If you please him, he'll buy you things and your wifely duties will be easier.' She'd tell me." Her voice grew steely.
"What did she mean about 'wifely duties'?" Asked Chase. He felt Marie's hands press slightly harder than necessary on his back.
"She meant you'll be gentle with me during sex." she growled. "According to her, sex is the primary duty for any Chinese wife." Chase laughed quietly.
"I think your mother is slightly behind in the times. Where on earth did she get that from?"
"Some book from a flea market in china, not long after they met you. I think the title was 'A modern woman's guide to being a wife'." She was surprised when Chase started to laugh hysterically. "What's so funny?!" she demanded.
"Marie, that book was written 500 years ago! It's been reprinted as a joke!" he laughed. "I can't believe she thought that was real!" Marie found herself laughing along with him.
"I always wondered why there was a big 'the funny things from 500 years ago' sticker on the front!" she laughed. She rolled off of Chases's back, holding her sides to keep them from splitting as she broke into giggles again. Chase leaned up on his elbows to look at her, his face serious.
"Wait, now that you know all the things your mother said were absolute garbage, does that mean no more back rubs? Because I was enjoying this." he said. Marie stopped laughing and sat up.
"Well...I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it to some degree too. How about this: next time your back is bothering you, you come let me know and we'll do this again. Sound good to you?" she said. Chase nodded and smirked saucily at her.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but I may just have to get into fights just to get my back hurt." Marie glared at him.
"You start doing that and not only will you be sleeping alone for the rest of your life, you will also have your back rub privileges revoked." she threatened, her tone making it clear that this was no idle threat. Chase sighed.
"Oh well." He said. "It was worth a try." Marie shook her head at her incorrigible fiancee.
"How does your back feel now 'O mighty warlord'?" she asked mockingly. Chase sat up fully and stretched as far as he could, pivoting from side to side.
"Not bad, but my shoulders could use a little more care. You up to it 'O doting wife'?" he replied just as mockingly. Marie set her hands on his shoulders and began rubbing in small circles.
"I'd watch my mouth if I were you. Remember, I'm the one with magic fingers here. I could stop what I'm doing right now." She took away her hands for emphasis. Chase snarled at the loss of contact. Marie slowly replaced her hands and continued her motions. "And that would make you very unhappy, as we just witnessed." She speeded up the motions, sending ribbons of pleasure to run down Chase's spine.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked, trying to keep himself in check.
"Two reasons: One, this is payback for this morning. Slow torture Chase. Slow torture."
"And the second reason?" Chase breathed. Marie laughed quietly.
"The second reason is I just like messing with your head." She whispered in his ear. That did it. Chase snapped. He turned around and pinned Marie to the bed, holding her wrists above her head. He captured her lips in one swift movement. Marie struggled against him in vain, trying desperately to get out of his grasp, closing her eyes tightly.
"You think it's fun to mess with a dragons mind?" he snarled, releasing her mouth. "This is what happens when you mess with a dragon!" He crushed his lips to hers with bruising force. His free hand crept up to cup her breast. Once again Marie struggled, whimpering helplessly.
"Wh-why are you doing this?" She asked, echoing his earlier question. "You said you'd never try anything like this!" Chase laughed deep in his throat and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"I just like messing with your head." He whispered to her. Marie's eyes flew open in shock. She looked him in the eyes, barely noticing that his grip on her wrists had become loose and his other hand had come to rest on her cheek.
"You mean...it was all..." she stammered
"A joke, yes." Chase replied. Marie's eyes narrowed.
"Then what was the point of feeling me up like that?!" she barked at him. "You scared me half to death you son of a bitch! I actually thought you were going to rape me!" Chase smiled.
"All part of the head trip my dear." He said, looking like the cat who caught the canary. Marie stood up from the bed..
"Just for that, you don't get any of the sweets I baked this afternoon!" she said, leaning in the doorway. "I guess Wuya and I will have to eat them ourselves." She looked over at Chase. He was sitting on the bed, leaning back on his arms, looking like the sexiest man alive.
"Somewhere in the world it must be illegal to be that hot!" she thought.
"Pity." said Chase in a silky voice. "I'm sure they must taste wonderful." Marie shivered. That voice always made her weak.
"W-well, maybe you could have one. But you'd have to apologize for scaring me." She said shakily. Chase stood and walked to her side. He pulled her into a loving embrace and whispered in her ear.
"I'm sorry I frightened you my Angel." he whispered. "Does that make it better?" Marie gasped as his lips brushed the outer curve of her ear, sending another shiver down her spine.
"Mmm, you'll have to do a bit better than that. You scared me pretty badly." she mumbled. Chase's hand reached out and caressed her cheek. Tilting her face upwards to meet his, he kissed her gently, trying to soothe away any bad memories of earlier. After several moments, he broke away.
"Do I get treats now?" he asked. Maries eyes were still half lidded, dazed from the kiss.
"M'kay." She murmured. And so, they went down to the kitchen and snacked on cookies and raisin toast. (Chase still ended up sleeping on the couch for his trick though.)