Author's Notes:
-Hello dear readers. Looks like with the last chapter, we've reached over 300,000 words and over 200 reviews. Thanks for your continued support. It really means a lot. Sometimes writing chapters (such as this one), isn't easy, but it's certainly fun. And it looks like I've reached a new record for the word count.
-In related news, this chapter we'll be wrapping up the character arcs and storylines within Atlas. We still got important happenings with our heroic quintet coming up. Hopefully I can find a good spot to put Yang into the mix. And perhaps in the near future we'll see the return of a certain duo who previously hogged the spotlight? (sees glares from Blake and Sun) Don't give me those looks guys, you know I'm right!
-Also, we got some lemons towards the end of the chapter. I'm not telling you who, but I think you'll be smart enough to figure it out.
Now, without further delay, let the games begin!
Later that evening in Mistral city, Watts was walking down the street. As he strolled through the streets of the capital, he heard a sad flute song being played. Curious, he followed the sound and found VV at his usual spot playing music for those who were willing to listen.
Hmm... Viola Varga looks depressed. Too distracted in his sad song. Perhaps I could kill him here and now. He looked around for potential witnesses and realized that there were at least a dozen people scattered throughout the street. On second thought, there's too many people here. If I shot him, I'd be caught. Then again, Viola's been inactive for two years. He can be dealt with later. Right now, you need to focus on your mission; finding and eliminating Terra Hunt.
As the Atlesian scientist walked away from the huntsman-turned-musician, Viola finished his flute solo. There was slight applause, and a few people gave him small amounts of Lien.
"Thank you..."
The listeners walked away as Viola put away his flute and closed its case. Then he opened up his guitar case and opened one of the compartments, taking out a folded paper square. He unfolded it to reveal a picture of him and Blanka Griffin holding hands as they stood at a fountain in front of the quad of Haven Academy. The picture showed him wearing jeans and a white shirt while Blanka had loose longer hair and a black long-sleeved black v-neck with her white yoga pants. The picture was worn out in the corners and slowly falling apart- it had been taken over two years ago, during their fourth and final year at Haven.
He folded the picture and put it back in the case. He strapped on his guitar and began to play more sad music.
Why didn't I tell her? She meant so much to me... His eyes were shown watering as the sad solo continued. Even after all this time... I still love her. I should have said something. I should have told her how I really felt. And now she's gone... forever.
A tear silently fell from his eyes and onto his guitar.
Elsewhere, Watts had found Terra's residence- a two story wooden house in one of the upper levels of Mistral. The house was painted green and had square-shaped windows on both floors.
Alright, it doesn't look like there's any outside security cameras. But I still need to move swiftly and silently.
He entered through the back door and snuck his way through the kitchen. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs and hid himself under the dining room table. He was thankful that there were so many chairs to hide himself in. Terra, now wearing a green sundress, stood in the kitchen and opened a cookbook to a recipe for lemon cake.
"Alright, this recipe shouldn't take too long to make..." Terra spoke to what she thought was empty air. She started looking around the kitchen for ingredients and supplies needed to make the recipe. "Now where's the sugar?"
This is too easy. Way too easy. Nothing has ever been this easy. He smirked. Oh well.. Looks like ignorance is bliss. For me.
He got out his gun and fired at her leg. Since she wasn't expecting a shot, nor she was she aware of the danger, her aura was not used and as a bullet wound was shown on her left leg, she was shown screaming in pain. At that moment, while she was distracted in her agony, Watts threw the table aside and using her shock as another distraction, quickly kicked her down. Upon landing, he immediately shot her in the left side of her chest, causing her to gasp for air. To be sure she was finished off, he shot her one last time in the head, leaving a bloody mess of the fallen huntress.
"Another huntress gone." The Atlesian scientist smirked. "So long and good riddance."
He left the scene as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, back in Atlas, Klein roamed through the halls of the Schnee Manor. He felt a nervous churning feeling in his stomach- he didn't want to do this, but he had to do it for the good of the many. He stopped outside the door to Jacques's study and checked his scroll for the time-
18:55
Klein put away his scroll. The normal workday ends in five minutes. I better get in there and confess.
He knocked on the door. Jacques answered, "You may enter." Klein entered his boss's study. "Why are you here?"
"Mr. Schnee." He began. "I have a confession to make- I'm the one who helped Weiss escape."
He sighed. "I'm not surprised at this. Knowing how close you both were, I believed it was either you or Estelle. Although I must ask- why did you do it?"
"She asked me for help because she trusted me, and I know that she doesn't feel safe in this manor anymore."
Jacques glared at him. "Where did she tell you she was going?"
"She didn't tell me." Klein lied.
He looked at the butler "You're lying, aren't you?"
Klein's eyes turned red. "No, I'm really not! The nerve!"
His eyes turned back to brown and Jacques frowned at him. "You've betrayed me, and yet, even as you confess, you still lie to me. You can not be trusted in this manor." He handed him a pink slip. "You are dismissed. You have a few hours to pack your things, but once you have left this manor, you are never to set foot in here again."
He bowed his head sadly. "Understood, Sir."
"Good. Now get out of my sight."
Klein exited the office sadly. The scene transitioned to the former butler carrying two brown suitcases in his hands. He stood in the manor's courtyard, looking over the place he was about to leave behind forever. He turned away and was about to leave, when...
"Klein!" a female voice cried out. He turned around to see Estelle rushing towards him. "Wait up!"
He looked at the elderly maid in surprise. "Estelle? What are you doing here?
"I wanted to wish you good luck, and bid you farewell..." She sniffed. "I never imagined I'd be saying goodbye to two people in the same week."
He looked at her sadly. "One of us had to take the fall."
"I know." She spoke solemnly. "This is going to sound selfish, but I don't want you to leave. You're the only friend I've really had here, especially after my husband died."
"We're delaying the inevitable, but I suppose, before I go, we can enjoy this last present moment together."
She sniffed and threw her arms around him. Klein dropped his suitcases and returned the friendly embrace. The two took a few moments, and found comfort in each other. Eventually, Estelle let go and said to him, "Good luck, Klein. May the Gods be with you."
"And to you as well." He grabbed his suitcases from the ground. "Keep me posted, okay?"
"That I can do."
"Take care, Stelle."
She waved to him. "Goodbye."
Estelle watched as her closely trusted friend and former coworker walked away into the unknown. As he disappeared, Estelle was shown, sighing heavily and sadly.
Meanwhile, Whitley was shown at the piano, practicing his scales.
I will admit, things have been going very well since I became the new heir. His piano playing became faster as he played an upbeat tune. Everything's coming up aces. Although there's still one thing that doesn't add up- why would Weiss run away? She has nowhere to go, no one she can turn to. The poor girl will need all the luck she can get. She's even lonelier and more unfortunate than Iris when she was living in poverty. Ah, Iris- the quintessential example of rags to riches. She's succeeded both as an artist and has embraced her heritage.
His piano playing stopped as a new thought came to him. Hmm... If Iris can embrace her history and carve out her own path, perhaps I can do the same.
During this time, Willow was seen in the gardens sitting at a table with a half-full glass. Upon closer inspection, the glass was shown to be filled with water instead of wine. Mrs. Schnee took another sip and looked in the distance sadly, staring into nothing.
"Madame Schnee?" a voice asked. Willow turned to see Estelle standing there. "Are you alright?"
"I'm alright. I mean, all things considered."
The elderly maid looked at the glass. "You're not drinking wine?"
"No. Not this time. I will admit, it is sad to see Weiss go, and leave me to face Jacques again, but at the same time, I am happy, because I know that she won't meet the same fate that I have- depressed, weak-willed and powerless to do anything." She sighed. "It's a very odd and bittersweet feeling."
"Maybe it isn't the end. Not for you, anyway."
Willow chuckled and smiled genuinely for the first time in who knew how long. "You're a fool, Stelle."
The elderly maid smiled at the nickname. "I know, Willow, I know. Still, even as I keep a realist perspective, I try to stay positive with a hint of optimism."
"I know that the world is changing, mostly for the worse it seems, but..." She briefly hesitated. "Do you think this might be one of the ways things are actually changing for the better?"
Estelle answered, "I would say so. The winds of change sweep in, and come for us all. For better or worse, change comes. And as hard as it is to say, I think this change is for the better."
I just hope the winds of change don't come too soon. Estelle thought as the scene faded to...
Claire Blanche in her Atlas dormitory, sitting on the top left bunk of two bunk beds. She was now wearing a snow blue flared dress with off shoulder straps on the sides of her shoulders. Her hair was completely loose extending to her waist, half white, half-blond in a vertical double stripe pattern. On her feet, she wore silver sparkling flats with black soles and for accessories, she donned the same bracelets and the tiara from her third year.
She looked through her scroll, examining a photo of her and her teammates, taken in Beacon's courtyard from their third year before entering the Vytal Festival Tournament. From left to right, the picture showed herself, Ramakrishna Fermi (better known as Rama or Ra), Wilbur Marsh, and Ebony Williams.
Oh, how I miss you all. I hope you arrive soon. It's been very lonely here... She put her scroll away and looked down at the ground sadly. Who knew that I would be alone in my path?
Her mind trailed back to the end of what was one of the worst days of her life...
Claire was running in a snowy forest. As she ran, she wore periwinkle sweat pants with a white long sleeved t-shirt, sporting a snow blue parka with interior white fur and white winter gloves paired with navy blue snow boots. She stopped and heaved for breath, looking at her hands before her right hand fell to her side. She brought her gloved left hand to her face and looked at it ruefully.
Mother... How could you betray me like this? The camera showed her brown eyes tearing up. Aside from my paternal grandmother Estelle, I have no family left. No immediate family anyway. The tear fell slowly fell down her face. My dad is long dead, and my mother... The tear fell and hit the snow. She tried to force me into giving up my dreams. She was wrong about me, my dreams, and about Ironwood. I never thought I'd have to do this, but it's time to burn the bridge forever. She let her arm fall down and breathed in to steady herself. I must be strong, for my grandmother. She walked forth into the cold forest. I have a promise to fulfill. I won't let grandma down. For myself, for my friends, for her, I will be strong.
She returned to the present with a sad sigh and hopped down from the bed, landing on her feet. She turned to a mirror embedded into the wall and stared at her reflection. She looked at her sad eyes in the mirror, a silent cry for help. A tear fell from her eyes.
At least I got to see grandmother before the school year began. This has easily been the worst fall/winter vacation of my life. She wiped away her tears. Still, I'm hoping everything goes well this year. I'll be the youngest graduate in Atlas, and in all of history! And after that, who knows? Perhaps the four of us could run away. Go far from Atlas and travel the world, never looking back. She smiled. Yeah, I like that.
Even later that evening, Weiss was shown standing in a hidden docking bay as the shattered moon shone from above. The camera shifted to an Atlesian pilot counting Lien.
500 Lien to board the airship. Weiss thought as the pilot counted. That should be more than enough to smuggle me out of Atlas. I can't thank Klein and Estelle enough for helping me get cash after my assets were frozen.
"Okay, you can hide out back in the cargo hold. I'll take you as far as I can, but if we get caught, you're on your own." he told her. "Understand?"
Weiss nodded affirmatively and began walking forward. Carrying her suitcase in her left hand, she ascended up the ramp and entered the cargo ship. The door closed behind her as she made her way to the cargo hold.
"I know it's probably not what you're used to, but try to make yourself comfortable." The pilot advised her. "You're likely going to be here for a while."
She set her suitcase down on a large box. She got out a single sheet and a small square pillow and set up to make a makeshift crate bed with her suitcase under the pillow.
It's not much, but it's better than nothing.
She sat down, still very much awake as the ship took off. She looked towards the horizon.
Well, here I am. No friends, no family left save for Winter. My only two allies back at the Schnee Manor. She internally sighed. Looks like I really am alone. She faintly smiled. But hopefully, within time, I won't be.
The courtyard of Atlas Academy was deserted. The students that had arrived were settling in, the staff members were getting ready for a new year, and no one stood there in the dead of night. Well, save for one. Ironwood stood in the courtyard at the top of the steps, his back leaning against the left lamppost. He checked his scroll for the date and time.
February 7th
23:45
Putting away his scroll, he looked towards the docking area below. It's a quarter til midnight... Right when I asked her to meet me here. He looked to his left, seeing an empty pathway. That's the direction she would come from if she took the train. Is she even going to show up? I mean, she has no reason to... Does she?
Ironwood turned the other way, looking towards the empty courtyard. So much so that he didn't a young woman dressed in a maid uniform walking through the area he just looked at.
Eventually, she saw the general and called out to him. "Hello? Ironwood?" He turned and saw Merla standing about thirty feet from him. She approached him, decreasing the gap between them by ten feet. "You said you wanted to see me?"
"I did. I wanted to know; why did you kiss me back here at the reception?"
She looked down in shame, putting her right hand to her elbow. "Are you angry with me?"
He calmly answered, "I would think that I would be, but... I wasn't. I actually liked it."
"So did I." Merla confessed with a smile.
"Do you think that perhaps we could see each other like that more often?"
She lifted up her hands to her chest. "I would, but there's something I must tell you- it's about the reason I kissed you."
He raised an eyebrow. "So why did you do it?"
"Well, the thing is..." She hesitated. "I was asked to distract you and keep you out of the reception room for as long as possible by Whitley." the maid confessed. "I have no idea why he wanted me to do it, but I agreed to help him on the condition that he vouched for me to get a raise."
The general took a moment to process the information. "And were you successful?"
"Unfortunately, that didn't even work." Merla lamented. "Not only did I not get a raise, I got a pay cut and a punishment. I highly suspect that he didn't even tell Jacques about my desire for a raise. I feel like I was used, but I don't know why..."
Ironwood gave her a look of apparent disappointment. "So you have no feelings for me?"
"No, I do, but the kiss... it was under false pretenses. I do admire you Ironwood, and I do care for you. But I deceived you, and for this reason I fear I don't deserve you." After a moment of silence, she added, "Also I fear that a relationship between us wouldn't work out."
He gave her a look of sincerity. "I won't lie, I'm scared it could fall apart as well. The last one didn't work out."
"You... had a relationship before?"
"One actually. It was brief, and it was many years ago. You see, I was part of a... group project of sorts. Along with others, we were both part of this project, and we became close friends. Ms. G was a very interesting and dedicated woman. However, the strain of the project didn't give us much time to nurture our relationship, and it soon fell apart. I have moved on since then, and while we are no longer together, she still holds a place in my heart. What really sucks is that project was never completed."
"Oh..." She turned to him with a smile. "Well, perhaps you need a distraction from all that."
"True. But if I'm going to make this work, I must avoid making the same mistakes as the first time. Also I fear that if all of Atlas knew about us, that someone would use it against me. Would you be willing to keep our relationship secret?"
"A scandalous, secret, clandestine affair between the general and a maid?" She smirked. "I like that idea."
"Then come here."
The maid approached the general close enough to gaze into his eyes and he greeted her with a kiss. As his tongue worked its way into her mouth and hers into his, he gently caressed her.
She smirked as they broke away. "You know for a secret relationship, we're quite exposed out here."
The general blinked. "You're right. Come with me."
He took her by the hand and they ran into the academy. A camera shot showed a blonde-haired woman observing them from her window. From her back, her hair was loose and neatly brushed. She was shown wearing a white tank top and jeans without paint stains.
"How cute." Iris stated.
The camera turned to the painter with yellow eyes and her worn out tennis shoes beside her bed, before zooming out to show her room.
A single twin bed with white sheets was lined against the wall in the upper left corner of the room. Next to it was wooden nightstand with a drawer. On said table was a lamp and her dagger, Prism, refilled with the six colors of the rainbow. A pile of boxes was stacked up in the upper right corner to the wall. A few feet from those boxes was an unfinished painting on an easel with paint cans and tubes in a semi circle behind it. The painting had a primarily yellow-orange background with hints of pink and purple in beautiful rays. Nearby the painting was a raised table with her color palette and paintbrushes soaking in a cup of water.
The newly famous painter got out the paintbrushes from the cup and gently set them on a small towel to air dry.
My next project is coming along nicely. At this rate, The Rebirth of Dawn should be done before the next semester ends.
She smiled to herself as the scene shifted back to the floors below.
Merla and Ironwood ran through the halls of the academy. The two went to the nearest elevator and entered the lift as Ironwood pressed a button and they began to ascend to the very top floor.
Ironwood smiled at his lover. "So tell me, are you excited?"
"I'm excited and a bit nervous." She smiled sheepishly. "I've never done anything like this before."
"Don't worry. If I go too far, just tell me."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The door dinged as they reached the top floor. They ran to Ironwood's office and upon entering, closed the door and began to make out. As their tongues fought for dominance, Ironwood stroked her hair before gently taking the hair tie keeping her hair in a bun and taking it out, letting her hair fall loose.
The two broke the kiss and Merla smirked, playing with her loose hair. "How bold of you."
"I think it looks cuter this way."
Merla smiled with a blush. "You're flattering me, really."
"It's only fair. You flattered me after all." He gave her a quick kiss. "Tell me this, Merla- was that part of your distraction?"
She held her hands up in surrender. "Guilty as charged, even if I meant every word." She gave him a chuckle. "All's fair in love and war."
He took her wrists and gently pressed her to the wall, pinning them down as he captured her lips. Soon after she surrendered to him, he started to kiss her neck, giving a few moans of pleasure in response. "Oh James..."
Hearing his name spoken gave him an idea. "Say my name again." he commanded.
"James..."
He gave her another kiss and as they continued kissing, his hands gently made their way down to her waist. The two gazed into each other's eyes before resuming their makeout. Ironwood slid his hands down further and grabbed her by the buttocks. He lifted her up, holding her as she threw her hands around his neck. Doing this only made her want him more. He set her down on his desk and she tugged at his collar, trying to tempt him.
This teasing occurred for a few more minutes before they broke away for air. Merla stated, "My, it's getting hot in here. Perhaps we should fix the issue."
"We could, but before we go further, perhaps we could move this little scandal to the bedroom?"
"You have a room here?" She raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Where is it?"
"Right here."
He lifted the blue rug, revealing a small rectangular part of the floor. He gestured for her to come over, and she soon joined him on the platform. He retrieved a switch from his coat pocket, pressed a button and they began to descend. Merla looked in wonder as the platform took them to the secret room. As they went down, he took her hand, earning a smile from her.
Once they reached the room, Ironwood turned on the light and placed the switch for the elevator shaft on the desk as Merla examined the room.
Ironwood's bunker was about the size of a small cottage and consisted of a king sized bed with blue sheets, a white comforter and standard white pillows with the end lined against the right wall. Nearby the beds were two different bins; one for trash and one for recycling. On the opposite side of the room was a desk with three drawers. Top of said desk had a radio, some scattered paper and pens. A few feet back where two doors, both of which were open; the left side being a restroom and the right side being a walk-in closet.
"Wow." She finally stated. "For a secret bunker, this place actually looks pretty nice."
He gave a slight chuckle. "This is actually where I live most of the time."
Merla made her way towards the bed and sat down. "So, you don't have an actual house? Or an apartment?"
"I do have a house, but it's more of an... occasional retreat. Like a vacation home."
She shrugged. "Hmm." The maid turned back to Ironwood approaching her with a smirk. "So then, where were we?"
"I believe we were about to discard our clothes. But before we do, there's something you should know..." He discarded his gloves and showed her his right hand. She gasped, but said nothing as he slowly removed his coat, exposing more of the metal prosthetics of his right side. "My entire right side from the shoulder down is made of metal."
Merla looked at him in sorrow and sympathy. "What... what happened?"
The general sighed. "It's a long story. One that I'd rather not repeat tonight."
"I understand." She put her hand to his metal shoulder, not bothered by the cold touch. "Tell me when you're ready."
"Thanks for understanding."
Without further hesitation, he removed the rest of his top garments, exposing his bare chest to her. She looked at both the metal and human side in wonder. The metal part was well constructed and formed, a perfect replica of the six pack on the left side. To her, both parts of him made him look handsome, and she couldn't help but get lost in him.
The general followed Merla's lead and she laid down on the bed, allowing him to tower over her. Acting on impulse, she pulled him close and kissed him again, with Ironwood not only returning the gesture, but sliding his hands under her blouse.
The general looked at her asking for permission with, "If I may?"
"Go right ahead." She lifted her arms so Ironwood could take off her blouse, and responded to him with a question. "What do I have to hide?"
He discarded her top and answered, "Only your hidden beauty."
As he threw the blouse aside, he saw that Merla was wearing a black lacy bra. Her breasts were nice and abundant, and oh how he wanted to play with them. Although he feared he was being rude, he couldn't help but stare. "They look beautiful..."
She smiled, as if she could read his mind. "Take them."
He lifted up the right side of her bra to expose her right nipple, and began to suck at it. She moaned in pleasure, which increased as he sucked harder. This continued for another minute.
Once done, he asked with a smile, "Do you like it when I do that?"
"I do, but the other girl seems is getting jealous." Ironwood smile shifted to a smirk before sucking at the left breast. "Oh... Oh... Yes!"
Once he was done, he gave her a smirk. "So, tell me, what do you want me to do next?"
Ironwood kissed her again, and afterwards she responded, "Kiss my neck."
He obeyed her command, sucking and soon biting at her neck. She moaned loudly and as he pulled himself away from her neck, a reddish hickey was seen on her neck. The two then returned to lip-locking, with Merla turning herself so that she was on top of him.
"Well, it seems that the tables have turned."
Merla grinned as she pinned down his metal wrist. "If you think that I'm completely submissive because of my job as a maid, then you, good sir, are horribly mistaken!"
She crashed her lips onto his to prove her point. She snaked her tongue deep into his mouth, seeking to make Ironwood hers and hers alone.
"I never said you were completely submissive."
"Touche."
She kissed him again as their foreplay had continued for quite a while. By the time they were shown again, Ironwood was wearing nothing but a pair of blue boxers while Merla wore nothing but a pair of black panties. One of Merla's wrists was pinned against the wall nearby the bed, while her left arm was wrapped around his neck.
"So tell me..." He gave her another kiss. "Do you want to go all the way tonight?"
"Yes..." Her eyes widened in realization. "Hold on a second!"
Ironwood backed away and looked at his lover with concern. "What's the matter?"
"I'm... I'm not on birth control." She held her arms sadly. "To have sex like this... it would be reckless."
"It would be. Fortunately, I come prepared." He got up and opened the first drawer of his desk. "They're always buried in the back... Ah ha! Here they are." In his hands were two small green packages. "Looks like there's only two of them."
"Then let's make the most out of each one."
"I like the way you think." He took off his boxers, revealing his mansword of ten inches to her. Taking one of the packages, he opened it and put the condom on, thus putting a sheath on his 'sword' while putting the other one aside to be used later. Merla climbed back onto the bed and took off her underwear.
Ironwood came back to her. "Are you sure you want this?"
"Yes."
He began to explore her southerly regions, and once he found the entrance, he went slowly to try and help her pop the cherry.
But it wasn't enough for his lover. She wanted more. "Harder!" she commanded. And so he obeyed. "Harder!"
He came at her harder, faster. With each thrust, he went deeper and she came towards him. As his sword worked through her, a fire set off between them. But there was no pain. Only pleasure. The world around them could have been crumbling, but the maid and the general were in their own little world.
"Oh, yes! This feels... so good! Harder!"
She threw her arms around him as he went faster, and as she rode him, the bed shook. She bucked her hips towards him, fully enjoying the secret scandal that only they knew. As fluids leaked from them, she kissed him, wondering if her lips and tongue would distract him. But it didn't. He went in full-force until he could give no more.
As his first penetration ended, he smiled at her slyly. "You're going to milk me dry, aren't you?"
"Oh, I don't know." She brushed her hair aside. "Maybe? Possibly? Yes."
"Alright, I'll need a minute or two to regain my stamina, and once I'm rested and ready, we'll go in for round two."
Merla smiled sweetly at the general. "How would you feel about me taking the lead this time?"
"Go right ahead."
She winked at him before Ironwood retrieved the second condom. As he began putting it on, the camera shifted to Merla.
He's so hot. Handsome. Honest. So many H words to describe him. How did I get so lucky?
He went back to the bed, now wearing the second 'sword sheath'. She towered over him, using her knees to keep herself up before leaning down to place her finger under his chin. She found her way to his mansword and descended down, feeling him inside her. She went up and down on him slowly and gradually increased her speed as she went along.
"How does it feel?"
"Feels like I'm in heaven." Ironwood smirked. "You're a fast one, aren't you?"
She raised her left eyebrow, never wavering from her motion. "If you're just now figuring that out..."
"I think deep down I always knew." He gave her a quick kiss. "And I'm actually glad that I'm right."
She quietly chuckled and felt a sudden burst in speed, from both her and James. "Power is a fickle thing, isn't it?"
"Power?" He brushed her hair aside with his left hand. "What is power?"
The general kissed her neck, causing her arms to collapse and moan in guilty pleasure as a new fire was awakened inside her. Still keeping her speed as she continued to fool around, she lifted her arms back up, breathed deeply and spoke, "You... fight dirty."
"You're the one who said all's fair in love and war!" The maid quickly kissed him as he began to reach his climax. The fire between them was now blazing. She moaned in pleasure, unable to hold back or contain herself. The moans increased in volume, almost to the point of screaming. "Say my name!"
"James! Oh!"
As they reached the sexual climax, there was one last gush of hot semen, but none of it escaped. Ironwood's stamina had given out and he laid there for a few moments, smiling at the woman he was falling in love with.
"Well, that was quite a workout."
Merla's face was flushed. "That's one way to put it..." she nervously stammered. Ironwood took off the second condom and disposed of it in the nearby trash bin. As he returned to the bed, Merla smiled and gave him a soft kiss. As she pulled her lips away, she felt her heart pound, and a nice, warm feeling seep through her. "So is this... love?"
"I don't know, but I do believe it is the beginning of something beautiful." He yawned. "It is quite late. Would you like to stay here, with me?"
"I would be honored to." She leaned against the general's chest, the beat of his heart soothing her and lulling her to sleep. "Good night, James."
"Good night, Merla."
As the young maid fell asleep in his arms, the general found himself smiling before closing his eyes.