Chapter 11

he bindings that held her tightened with every motion she made. The gag in her mouth tasted rancid with sweat and spittle. She could feel his hands upon her buttocks, tempting her to his will. She could do nothing to prevent his invasion and she began to weep as a muffled cry from behind her gag.

She felt her legs being spread wider and suddenly she felt something enter her forbidden place. The pain was excruciating, and she let out a scream that penetrated the room and cut through the gag like a knife.

Suddenly, she found herself sitting up in a large four poster bed. She was surrounded by finery and silks, and she was sweating with the fading memories of what she had experienced in her mind moments before. She felt wet with perspiration and turned and saw his face.

"Mi'lady... it's alright, you're safe now," his familiar voice soothing her, bringing her back to her senses.

He was sitting beside the bed, his hair a bit unkempt, and he appeared as if he had not rested for a long time. She flung herself into his arms, sobbing. It was a dream. Only a dream.

He began to pet her softly, comforting her with his soothing voice, and rocking her softly in his arms he would cooed in her ear, "Shhhhhhhhh, it's alright mi'lady... you're safe now."

Her tremors began to subside and her sobbing slowly ebbed. She felt so good to be in his arms, she soaked in his strength like a dry sponge draws nourishment from the water.

She pulled herself back a bit from him for a moment to take in her surroundings. She was in a large room, ornately adorned with things she had only dreamt of. Fresh flowers of every kind filled the air with beauty. Candle stands stood in each corner, and tapestries hung from the walls. Oil paintings of a familiar face hung above the fireplace. "Where am I mi'lord?" She asked in a quivering voice.

He arose from the chair he had drawn near her beside and walked toward the door. "You are safe mi'lady, and I am happy to see your beaming face once more. After last night, I didn't think you would ever awaken. I have sat with you all this night and well into the day, hoping that you are alright. This room has not been used in quite a long time."

In her survey, she noticed a familiar crest upon the wall. That of a dragon, holding a shield. Her fingers instinctively went to the ring she found upon her finger, and it all began to make sense. She knew this man, and who he was. She turned to speak, but before she could make a sound, his voice boomed through the silence.

"All that you will need to freshen have been provided, when you are ready, simply knock upon this door and you will be instructed further," he glanced back at her and smiled, a twinkle in his eye, "You are safe here mi'lady and no harm shall come to you anymore." With that, he opened the door and walked out.

She stepped out of the bed to find herself darned in a silken robe, and it felt smooth and soft against her skin. She began to dance around the room, giddy in the thought of what was happening. She was in love... it had to be... then suddenly, she remembered what happened last time and she pinched herself. No, this wasn't a dream.

"Could he be who I think he is," her mind raced, "could he be the king?" She fell backward upon the soft bed and dared dream of what was happening, giggling lightly to herself.