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The Choosing Ch. 02

By: darcysweet



Author's Note.

I'd originally intended the story to be a stand alone, but on the urging of Gatorhermit and others I found more for the characters. This is a rough draft. I'm looking for opinions. It hasn't been beaten into submission by my Grammar Dominatrix Mistress Red Pen yet so please forgive my comma abuse. Please let me know what you think of where the story is going. 

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Alone. It had never bothered me before. My own company had been my comfort, the only constant in a life in which I had little control. Lonely, I'd never thought myself such. More solitary than lonely. But now, since Roth had left, I was lonely. Desperately lonely. The brief glimpse of belonging he'd shown me had so quickly decimated my solitary resolve.

I was lost with him gone; the thought seemed painfully wedged deep into my very soul. Like the talons of a vicious thorn it stabbed deeper with each breath. Outside the trees had just started to turn, showing the first subtle signs hearkening the start of an early autumn. From my high viewpoint I stared out the water stained window glass at one brown edged leaf, teetering on the edge of a fragile stem, willing it to fall to the ground. 

Fall.

So strange to feel such loss.

This aching. 

It pierced, the missing, hurting so much I was sure that it had physically manifested somehow. Scarred or marked me. I spread my fingers at the center of my chest and pressed into the center of the hurt. I had only known him twelve hours or so. How could it be that without him I was so lost? 

After The Choosing he had taken me from the Great Hall up to my new lodgings. In his arms I lay as he swept me up spiral stone staircases, through heavy wooden doors his sure step echoing in the lamp lit corridors. He'd placed me on a bed. 

Gentle. 

Deep red velvet coverings beneath my naked skin, soft, but not as soft as his caress of his tongue as he lay sucking kisses down the length of my body. He'd fed me from his hand and I'd fed him, from the curve of my neck. At the memory my fingers flew to the slight mark that remained from his teeth. Five days ago now. Five days with not enough air, not enough warmth, not enough.... Him.

Loss, Echoing loss.

He'd left the morning after The Choosing. His last words to me, I will return. But when? Where had he gone? Why had he left me?

"Mistress Chosen, your bath is ready."

Looking away from the window I turned to see my maid Hatha at the doorway Her austere black uniform matched her countenance perfectly. She was as starched as the winged black cap that perched upon her head. I stood from the window seat and followed her into the bathing room that adjoined my suite. Inside the small marble lined chamber I lifted my arms and let her strip off my robe. The first time she had tried to undress me I had resisted. I was not used to the touch of others, especially for such intimate tasks. Ignoring my objections as if I had not uttered a word, she stripped me like a disobedient child. Since that moment I had acquiesced to her service of my body. It was easier than the humiliation of the futile struggle. Hatha's will was unyielding and irresistible, like a water shaping stone. Resistance was as futile as the shore line protesting the tide. In time, water and Hatha would always have their way.

I had come to learn that Chosen did not mean liberated. Selection did not entail me to any sort of free will. I was simply subject to a different set of rules under the watchful eye of Roth's servant Hatha rather than Bandar. 

She guided me to the copper bathing tub. A week later I still sighed in pleasure at the sight of the steaming scented water. In the village a full immersion bath had been a weekly privilege. I was not yet used to the luxury of daily bathing.

She held my arm as I stepped into the tub. I no longer fought her for the wash rag; instead I submissively leant forward and waited for her touch. She cleaned my back first in gentle circles. Oddly it did not bother me to be touched so. Ordinarily I had flinched from such contact, now I arched into it as if asking for more. I sighed and sank back against the molded edge of the tub when Hatha had finished with my back, offering her easy access to my unwashed front. I wanted to again ask her where the Prince had gone but I knew she would not reply. Instead I tried another tactic, starting a conversation in the hope that the information I most craved might slip. "Tell me please Hatha, tell me of The Chosen."

She paused, her brow furrowing in concentration as if she weighed each word before speaking, "What do you already know of The Chosen?"

Yet again she answered my question with a question of her own. It was a particular skill of Hatha's that I found most frustrating. 

"Different roles?" I asked, deliberately adding another question to the mix. I could have answered her, I knew The Chosen were the privileged servants of the Night Masters, the human arm imposing their will. I knew they had specific jobs, specialized tasks but I wanted to hear Hatha's explanation.

Hatha's hands moved to my chest, soapy fingers first holding the weight of my breasts and then moving to my puckered nipples. My mind fogged as pleasure seeped warm and intoxicating through my body. "The Chosen are all special, but in different ways. They all serve a different purpose. Each belongs to a different class."

I heard her words but it seemed as if they came through the filter of water. Waves of need rolled over me as her fingers continued to tease the hardened tips of my nipples. 

"Each Chosen has a different role. You had Chosen in your village did you not?"

Her hands stilled on my breasts for a moment allowing me the thought to answer, "Yes, she was Nastacia Chosen. An advisor to my Uncle the mayor."

"She would be of the Political Class. They are selected for their skills in negotiation and legislation."

"What other classes of Chosen are there?"

Again the hands started to move. This time from the swell of my breasts down my stomach. It was hard to think while nimble fingers danced across slippery skin. I should have asked her to stop, but for some reason the very thought of losing her touch seemed painful. 

"There are Selectors, Performers, Warriors, Artists, Teachers..."

I interrupted Hatha to whisper, "And Pleasure."

"Yes and Pleasure." A rare smile crossed her Hatha's face. Her square jawed look softening slightly. "That's what you are my sweet girl. You are of the Pleasure Class."

"I don't think I am."

I still questioned that I had been Chosen. Each day I waited for the announcement that they had made a mistake. I wondered if that was why he had left, if perhaps he had found me lacking.

Hatha paused her delicious stroking and said, "Do you not remember what happened in the in the Great Hall when you questioned your status?"

I nodded, burning with shame to remember the feeling of the brother's hard cock spanking my sex. 

"Perhaps you need further convincing," Hatha said plunging her hand deep in the water to cup the aching mound between my legs. She squeezed hard, her fingers slipping inside the sweet entrance while the heel of her hand pushed down on the pubic bone.

She began to circle her hand, just like she had while soaping my back but this time pressing down upon the need that centered between my wet thighs. Soapy fingers lathered my sex. "Look at you arch into my hand. Your body knows. Knows what is has been created to do. You have been Chosen because it is your destiny. You will serve freely, give Pleasure gladly because without it you are nothing."

I wanted to protest, I'm not nothing. I wanted to ask more questions, why do I feel this way? To know more. But the insistent circling pressure of her hand drove those thoughts from my mind.

All I thought. All I wanted...was more.

I arched up out of the water, bowing my back and pushing my sex into her hand.

"The Masters who selected you know. They see all, they see down into your soul. You are made for Pleasure. You are desire. You are wanting. You are coming. Coming now." And as if I were but a mere puppet on Hatha's strings I came into her hand, my sex contracting and spurting out my wanton juices. She raised her palm slick with my release and brought it to her mouth. Closing her eyes she licked the palm as if it were ambrosia. 

All thoughts all questions cleared from my mind. All I felt. All I thought was of the ache that centered between my thighs and spread in burning need across my skin. Once was not enough. I splayed my knees, pushing up my bottom into the hand that had stilled between my legs.

"Wanton," she murmured with an enigmatic smile.

I hated her even as my body pleaded for her touch. I hated the need I so desperately craved and the control that had been taken from me. 

I did not beg, but I cried—whimpered like an animal in pain as I offered her my swollen sex to use. Abuse. I turned my head away so I could not see her knowing gaze as she brought her hand down to slap at my wet mound. Water sprayed up as her palm met my sex with sharp painful satisfying hits.

My thighs trembled with the effort of arching up to meet her hand. I pushed up on my feet, the edge of the tub digging into my straining neck as I levered my body out of the water. Closer to the slapping hand. 

The slaps rained down, hard, hurting, fulfilling the need the gentle stroking hand had started. My thighs seized as the orgasm hit. My body jerked rigid as the waves of painful pleasure consumed me, until I was nothing but the pulse of cum that jetted from my sex.

Spent and ashamed I sank into the water letting my head fall back into the cooling liquid. I heard Hatha speaking but I did not raise my head, staying under the water until finally the burn of my lungs made me rise. As my eyes broke the surface I saw her. She stood before me, offering me a towel. I had once thought myself the master of calm façade, but I had met my match in Hatha. She showed nothing of we had just done. Of what she had just done to me. The only evidence lay in her slightly damp bodice. She stood like a submissive servant despite the way she just mastered me with her hand.

Coming quietly behind me she lay the soft towel across my shoulders and then placed her hands under my arms. She lifted me with ease. I could have struggled in protest, I wanted to, but my body was too spent to cooperate with my protesting pride. I came to my feet and allowed her to dress me. Bowing my head I offered her my arms like a compliant infant which she easily threaded into the sleeves of the light blue gown. Over the gown she strapped me into yet another tight corset. This one a dark blue. It pushed my breasts up until they plumped obscenely over the top. I did not protest as she pushed and pulled to create maximum cleavage, even though the sight of the heaving flesh filled me with disgust.

She sat me down with a push to my shoulder. She brushed my hair pulling it into a tight band and then weaving it into a long plait that she curled and pinned on my head. 

I did nothing. Said nothing. Hating myself the whole time.

As soon as she left I released my hair, ripping it free of the tight band. Pins sprayed hitting the floor in a shower of sound. I paced. Striding back and forth until I felt I might explode. My chest fired with unspent fury.

I had to do something.

I opened the door to see the same two guards that had shadowed me since Roth's departure. I glared, they bowed and refused to meet my eyes. 

"Stay where you are," I ordered replicating the memory of my cousin Bandar's snapping commands.

I strode off down the corridor. Their footfalls sounding heavily behind me. I picked up the pace, glancing over my shoulder to see them do the same. I ran. My light clothes and slender form escaped them with surprising ease. Weighed down by their heavy armor and weaponry they struggled to keep up with me. I darted through the corridors. Not sure where I was going. Anywhere. Just away. Away from them. From Hatha.

The Palace was a labyrinth of corridors and with no purpose I just took the first I saw. Up stairs. Down stairs. Left then right, then left again I ran until my lungs burned with the effort. It felt good to hurt with something other than the constant missing of him. 

I rested against a wall, panting with my cheek pressed to the cool stone. Voices came from behind, they didn't sound like the guard but still I did not want to be caught by anyone. I went from door to door testing each handle until I found one unlocked. I fell inside the door closing it fast and resting my forehead against the wood. I turned fell back and deliberately let my head hit the wood with a thunk.

What now?

As I closed my eyes and pondered the thought I heard soft laughter. I jerked upright and opened my eyes. 

"You escaped."

At the window seat was a man. Long blonde hair moved in the breeze of the open window. My hair was blonde, but nowhere near the shade of this stunning man. He stood and my mouth fell open. Framed by the soft light of the window he seemed almost ethereal. A vision. He was tall, broad shouldered, lean rather than big and oh so beautiful. As he stepped closer I realized he was silver haired rather than blonde. 

Transfixed by the hair my hand moved without conscious thought. Just before I touched him I realized what I was doing and withdrew it with a jerk.

"You can touch me," he murmured. A voice like Roth's, dark and sweet like rich bitter chocolate. His big hand encircled my wrist drawing my hand back up to his hair. 

"Please," he said and removed his hand as if to give me the choice. That and his gentle plea made my decision. I splayed my fingers and drew them through the soft strands. Silken silver draped over my forearm as I brushed my hand through his long hair. I shivered in delight at the feeling.

He sighed, a slight sound of pure pleasure than made me look from his beautiful hair to his face. His eyes were closed, his lashes lay deep silver on his face. I wanted to touch them too. I released his hair and stroked my fingers across his cheek. He did not move, allowing me free access to his face with a trust that was intoxicating. I ran a thumb across the sharp edge of the cheek bone before bringing it up to smooth down his closed eye and across the silken lashes.

He sighed again. The sound shot through me in a flash of heat.

"You smell just as I knew you would. Incredible." He breathed in deep and leaned in closer.

"You know who I am?" I asked, surprised.

His eyes flashed open. Smoky blue irises circled in silver. "Of course. Roth's Chosen, Roth's prisoner."

Anger coursed quick and violent through me that he would dare criticize my Dark Prince. "Prisoner? I am here! Am I not?"

He did not laugh but amusement shone in his eyes. "Ahh, but to get here you escaped your guard. Did you not?"

I did not answer him instead asking curtly, "Who are you?"

He stepped back and swept into an elegant bow. "I am your friend Mistress Talia."

"My friends have names," I said, still angry at him for calling me Roth's prisoner.

"Do you wish to know my name Mistress Talia? If you demand it, know that it comes at great cost."

"Cost?"

"The wrath of the Dark Prince."

"Roth does not want me to know you?" My tone softened as curiosity overcame anger.

He stepped forward again, sandwiching me to the door without contact. The heat of his body seemed to pulse over my skin leaving me yearning for his touch. "Do you think perhaps Mistress Talia that your Roth does not wish you to know not just me but anyone?"

I opened my mouth to protest but no words came.

"He keeps you locked in the tower does he not?"

"He is my Master," I whispered.

"I doubt you have any Master."

He brought his head down; his silken hair fell over my exposed cleavage. His mouth came close to the curve of my neck, at my pulse, but did not touch. I bowed my back, offering him my neck as I had Roth. I wanted him to bite me, pierce my skin, let my blood flow hot.

He did nothing other than breathe on my skin. The bite I craved did not come. I looked up at him and saw eyes shining black.

He was a Night Master. 

His teeth had extended. He was old enough to bite, but not as old as Roth. I shivered, goose pimples shot across my skin. He raised a hand to run a tip across the sensitive bumps.

From behind the door came rough shouts and loud footsteps.

"They search for you now Mistress Talia. You should go." He pressed into my hand folded foolscap. I looked down.

"Read it later," he said as he stepped back. 

I pressed the folded paper between my skin and the tight corset. He watched the movement with hungry eyes. 

"Go," he said, his voice rough and low.

I brought my hand to the handle of the door started to turn it and paused. I looked over my shoulder. He'd gone back to sit at the window. "Will I see you again?" I called softly.

He smiled, "I hope so Mistress."

I opened the door and almost fell straight into the arms of my angry guard. I did not flinch from the guardsman's fury instead with haughty intent I commanded him to return me to my suite. As I followed the guard through winding corridors back to my chambers I realized I still did not know the Silver Master's name.

I waited for some time before I fished the paper from my corset. I did not know if they would take it from me but I felt that my guard and Hatha should not know what had happened. 

The foolscap was half covered in a long line of ink drawings. Symbols. Some seemed to be flowers or vines, others like an ancient language.

Looping writing ran along the line of ink figures. It said, "Paint this on your left forearm. Copy the symbols exactly. Practice before marking your skin. They must match. You will be able to freely move about the Palace with this marking. Find the library, seek the key. You will find your answers."

Answers. Yes, I wanted answers.

* * * *

It was two days before I tried the symbols. Two more days before I had perfected them enough to attempt them on my skin. Hatha had given me the ink and paper without complaint or questions. I had feared asking. I told her that I wanted to write to my sister. At her easy answer I wondered if my fear came not of any truth but only because of the honeyed words of the Silver Master. Fear of his agenda made me uncertain of trying the symbols. In the end curiosity and boredom won over fear. I needed to do something other than wait for Roth. The more I waited the more I yearned. Hatha's daily bathing torture was wearing on my very soul. I both craved and feared her hand upon my sex. The orgasms that came with her vicious slaps were mere shadows of my time with Roth. I needed more. With each passing hour in the tower away from my Master I felt more prisoner than Chosen. 

I painted the symbols down my forearm after Hatha had finished my morning bath and departed. I knew I would not see her again until the afternoon. If I was going to explore the time had to be now. 

At the first symbol my skin began to tingle. By the time I had finished my sex was wet and my nipples had beaded into tight aching points. I did not question the power of what I had written on my arm, I felt it throb through my body, but I did wonder how it was to allow me to leave the room.

I opened the door to see my guard snap to attention. I stepped out into the corridor to hear their steady footfalls follow. So much for allowing me to leave, I thought with a sorrowful sigh. I turned back to the guards, "Please," I said, "Return to your posts and leave me be."

To my surprise they did. They turned on their heels and marched back into place at my door. I stood open mouthed. Were they under my command? Under the command of the symbols?


The Choosing Ch. 02



I needed to know. On unsure feet I stepped back to stand before them. "Put your hands on your heads," I said, issuing the first command that came to mind.

Both guards dropped their weapons and placed their hands on their heads. "Jump," I said and watched in open mouthed wonder as they did their armor clanging as their feet hit the ground.

"As you were," I ordered and they retrieved their weapons and stood to attention. "You will stay here until I say otherwise. You will tell anyone who comes that Talia Chosen is sleeping and does not wish to be disturbed. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mistress Chosen," they chanted in unison.

I turned away and walked down the hall looking back twice before I turned the corner each time half expecting the guard to come running after me. They didn't and the sense of freedom that overwhelmed me made me forget the purpose for my outing. The library. I didn't know how to get there.

I walked the halls for some time, trying open doors to no luck. Empty chambers seemed to abound. I came across a chamber maid in one room she looked up at me in shock. She squealed and placed a hand across her mouth.

"Do not fear," I said. 

"Yes Mistress," she said in a dull monotone.

"You will take me to the library. You will return here to your work and forget that you saw me."

"Yes Mistress."

The young chambermaid walked at a break neck pace I had to half run to keep up with her. By the time she left me at the library door I was panting. I opened the heavy wooden door halfway and peered inside. Floor to ceiling bookshelves lined the walls. An elderly man looked up in shock as I entered. His face lined deep had been well weathered by time. His head had one tuft of grey hair, it stood up as if it had been planted. He was seated at a grand desk, surrounded by dusty tomes. He appeared to transcribing something, he had a quill in his ink smeared hand. "You should not be here Mistress Chosen," he spluttered.

I raised a hand to stop him, "You do not see me. You will walk now to the books that tell of secrets of The Chosen you will return to your work and forget that you saw me."

He got up from his desk and started off down the back of the room. He moved fast, the little sapling of grey hair wobbling from side to side as he walked. I followed him through three archways and then turned into what appeared to be a dead end alcove. He looked behind straight through me and then left and right. He reached up to the third shelf and pulled on a black book. The shelf turned with a grinding of gears and opened as if a door. He went inside and I followed. The room was lamp lit; it had no windows and no door. I was concerned for a moment how I would exit experiencing a moment of panic that I might become trapped when the elderly man turned pulled on the lamp nearest the shelf through which we entered and it opened again. He left. To return to his desk no doubt to forget he had seen me. I looked down at the symbols on my arm slick black on pale skin and marveled once more at their mysterious power.

I turned, spun in a circle and took in the room I had sought. Now what?

I was frowning, wondering how I was to find anything in the dusty piles of books and packed shelves when I heard a familiar chuckle. He was here. I turned to the sound and saw him seated on a leather wingback chair in a darkened corner. I couldn't see his face but the silver glow of his hair made it obvious who it was.

I moved towards him, keeping my arm bent the symbols facing him like some kind of shield. "You will tell me your name," I commanded when I stood before him.

He laughed again. "Will I now?" he murmured, reaching forward and wrapping an arm behind my knees he pulled me off balance and into his lap. I fell easily my rump landing on his powerful thighs. He held me firm at my waist, his big hands spread wide at my hips.

"The symbols do not work on you," I said quite obviously.

"But they do on humans," he replied as he reached up and tucked an errant lock of curling hair behind my ear, "Which answers some of my questions about you."

"What questions."

"You are more than you seem."

"I am not," I whispered, afraid what he said was true. He tucked his large hand behind my head and guided it down to rest on his shoulder. I should have resisted but instead I found myself sinking into his chest, desperate for the comfort he offered even as I remained uncertain of his motives. The moment of peace nestled on his chest was exactly what I needed. 

How did he know?

"Can all Chosen command with these symbols?' I asked my mouth moving against the warmth of his chest.

"No," his answer rumbled against my ear.

I sat up, meeting his silver blue stare. "What am I?" I asked.

"More than Chosen," he answered cryptically.

"Does Roth know?"

"Yes."

His hand reached up again, this time pulling my hair back to expose my neck. He stared hungrily at the frightened pulse in my neck. His eyes slid into black and I knew he wanted me, wanted my blood. Even as I was frightened, even as I feared his bite I wanted it too. I tilted my head and stroked a finger across the beating pulse he watched.

"You want me," I said.

"Yes," he answered the hunger obvious in his rasp.

"You want to taste me."

"Bite," he said, "Suck. Consume."

Each word pulsed heat in my sex as if he stroked my very center.

"Is that different to taste?" I asked.

He nodded. His hands had moved from my body to grip the arms of the chair. He lacked control. I knew I tempted him but I could not stop. I did not want to stop until I felt the skin break at his fangs and his mouth suck on my vein.

"Do it," I said, leaning forward and offering him my neck, "Take me."

"You know not what you ask," he said through clenched teeth. I could see his fangs. They extended over his lip, the grinding pressure had made a cut, a sliver of blood stained his mouth.

I wanted to taste it. I leaned in, brought my tongue to the red stain of blood and lapped his mouth clean. He growled. An inhuman sound. His mouth opened wide and for a moment I thought he meant to take me but he did not instead he pushed me from his lap to the floor.

"Don't," he said as I moved to stand.

I stayed at his feet. The bulge of his desire just above my eyes. I came up on my knees to see him better. The laces of his breeches strained from the erection contained. I wanted it. I wanted him. To be pierced by his cock, his fangs. Taken. He saw where my eyes had fixed and growled again.

"You tempt me," he said with a bitter laugh, "How you tempt me."

"Is that a bad thing," I asked.

He laughed again. "I cannot take you until you know."

"Know what?" I cared for nothing other than the incessant beat of my desire. I could not think while it burned so.

"You must have a clear mind. You must understand."

"How can I think when I feel like this?" I cried, "I too want to know but all I feel is the beat of this." I cupped my sex in a lewd action that shamed me as I did it.

"You have servants do you not? They must offer you release," The Silver Master rasped.

"Not enough," I whimpered, "It's never enough."

"You miss the bite."

As he spoke I realized that I had moved my hand up to stroke the faint marks where Roth had last taken me. "Yes, I miss the bite."

Missing was too small a word. Did the starving merely miss food? The drowning miss air? Burning heat and cold flashed across my skin. Anger and lust swirled within clenching my womb.

Want. Want. Want.

Nadar's eyes remained fixed on my neck. He laughed, a bitter sound. "I cannot give you the bite you seek. I have vows that I cannot break. Not even for the desire I have for you."

I didn't understand what he meant, what vows? All I knew, all I felt was centered in the all consuming need pulsing between my legs. 

He gripped the arms of the chair. Long fingers curved around the ornate carved wood. He was holding himself still. Holding himself back, from me.

I stepped forward. He pulled back, pushing further into the chair. 

"No," he said, voice as thick as winter cold molasses.

I pulled at my gown, teasingly raising it to swirl around my calves.

"No," he said once more, but did nothing to stop me.

His eyes fixed upon the slow rise of my skirts. When cool air hit my bared thighs I heard him groan in appreciation of my lack of drawers. "You do not have to take the neck," I said angling the plump smooth vein of my inner thigh toward him.

"Talia," my name issued forth like a hissed plea for mercy.

I came forward, a woman possessed. No longer Talia of Hawthorne Shire, no longer the Chosen, nothing other than the need that throbbed within. It would not be denied.

I spread my legs. Both hands gripping the folds of my skirt high at my hips I came up on his chair. On my knees I straddled him. Over his tensed thighs. Rigid, he sat, his only movement the rasping rise and fall of his chest. Letting the soft folds of my skirt fall over us I slowly slid my hands up his body, over the hard tense plane of his stomach, up his chest. My thumbs brushed his nipples. He gasped but still did not move. 

When my hands finally came to rest at his shoulders I leant in, draping my hair to one side I offered him the curve of my neck. Still he did not move. I shifted closer until the pulse at the base of my neck rested on his lips.

"Take," I said. Not pleading, but issuing a husky command.

"No!" he rasped, his fangs grazing my skin as he spoke.

It was so fast. So rapid that I had not time to think. His hands came to my hips pushing back and lifting all at once. He spun me around, my back to his chest my skirt rucked high. He brought his fingers to my nipple and one hand to rest at my bared sex all within the space of an intake of breath.

Rough he pulled me back until I pressed tight against his body. He shifted me as easily as if I were a child. My leg he forced to move until I straddled his right thigh. The hard ridge of his erection pushed into my buttock. I rolled my hips into it and heard his gasping response. The fingers at my chest gripped the edge of my corset yanking it down until it sat under my breasts, forcing out the plump curves. My nipples poked through the thin chemise. His fingers came to brutally twist one and I moaned in satisfaction at the pain.

"Yes. Yes," he murmured in my ear, "That's what you need." The sound vibrating in my ear. I was wet, shamefully wet. My sex slick and swollen I rocked forward until it pressed into the ridge of his leg muscle.

His long fingers brushed the front of my sex. I rocked back to give him room to push inside but he did not. He pushed me forward and brought up his knee until my wet slit rode his thigh. 

"Take it," he said, "Take what you need."

I did. I pushed into him, riding his thigh like a wanton. The soft brushed leather of his breeches slicked wet with my desire. I rocked my hips, forward and then in undulating circles. It built. Clenching heat, delicious surging pleasure claimed me with each rock of my hips. I pushed down mounting him hard. The feeling swept over me. Cascading in shimmering waves of rolling heat. My skin burned, tight and hot as if I were roasting with pleasure. More, more I wanted, needed more. I whimpered. Rocking my hips against his leg. I cried. Desperate, needy shameful sounds of wanting.

Not enough. Not enough.

"I know," he murmured, "I know what you need."

The feeling built. Built, higher, harder, clenching tight, my thighs rigid ready for the coming release. I released my hold falling into the pleasure, hoping that it would be more than I had had with Hatha. Hoping that the Silver Haired Master could finally give me the release I craved.

As the orgasm hit he cut me. At the beat of my pulse at the base of my neck his sharpened thumb nail popped through the skin and a hot trickle of blood trailed down my taut skin. The pain, the blood, it gave me my release and I shattered into another orgasm. I fell back against him, his nail pushing deeper, further into my skin. I wanted his mouth. I needed his mouth.

"Take it," I whimpered breathlessly, "Take it please."

"No," he said his voice shaking with dark need, "I can't....I can't..."

I twisted in his hold until I could reach a hand up to his hair. I pulled hard on the silver mane, bringing his head down to my neck and forcing his mouth to the stream of blood.

"Take, taste," I commanded and I felt my arm glow hot with power where the symbols lay.

He did not suck, but his tongue came forth hot to lap at the trickle of blood. He groaned. The sound vibrated the room. The lamps on the walls flickered on and off again. The shelves rattled as he fed from the stream of blood.

I held him there, willing him to suck but he did not. He pulled back, shoving me forward as he did. I hit the floor, sprawled on my knees. He looked down at me, his mouth smeared with my blood, his eyes glowing black rimmed with silver.

"What have I done?" he whispered as he looked down at me with shock. He wiped his mouth with his hand and then looked down at the red stained skin.

"You did not bite," I said to him hoping to appease the horror in his eyes. 

"I must go," he said.

"Please, wait, what should I read. What should I know? I have so many questions."

He did not answer me instead he pulled at the lamp opener and left me there, on the floor still on my knees. 

After he had gone I waited for him to return. I sat on the floor hoping that he would come back to me. But he didn't. I pulled myself up on shaky legs to sit in the chair that I had first found him in. On it lay a book. Black leather bound with a silver key embossed on the cover.

Find the key.

I should have been glad to find what I sought. But I did not. I felt bereft. Empty. I cried. Wept for what had happened. For what I did not understand. I looked down at the symbols on my arm. I wanted to scrub them clean. Wipe away what had happened but I did not. I had to still control my guards I needed and resented the symbols upon my skin. I cleaned myself up as best I could smoothing my hair and righting my clothes. I snuck past the elderly man and back to my chambers with great ease. My guards were as I left them with one simple command they let me enter and went back to their posts with no memory.

How I wished I could do the same. I scrubbed my arm until the skin looked red and raw. Erasing at least that. I threw the book under my bed. I heard it slide along the floor and hit the wall with a thump. I was on my bed weeping when the door opened. Hatha looked down at me and shook her head. "Dry your eyes Mistress. He has returned.

Roth. 

My heart both sang and sank with that one word.

----------------------------

A big thanks has to go to Pacofear and Gatorhermit for their suggestions. That rat bastard Pacofear came up with better words than me. Twice. So here I offer the resentful thanks I promised.

Let me know what you think and please click the stars, it makes me ever so happy when you do.

darcysweet 



The Choosing Ch. 03



Hatha looked down at me and shook her head. "Dry your eyes Mistress. He has returned.

Roth.

My heart both sang and sank with that one word.

* * * * *

Hatha bathed me with special intent. This time with helpers. I sat in the copper tub surrounded by a cloud of black gowns. There were only four but it felt like so many more, their presence darkly omnipresent. With their starched winged caps and wide inky skirts they moved like a flock.

Of bats, not birds.

They washed me, my hair and my body. Working as a team they held my legs and shaved them of all hair, as they did my underarms. After I had been bathed, shaved, scrubbed and scented I was pulled from the bath to stand. Foolishly I had thought the process over and that I would be clothed, but of course there was more to come. Hatha approached me with a straight edged razor and an evil gleam in her pinched eyes. I flinched, attempted to step back but was held by three sets of hands.

"What are you doing?" I gasped as I watched the silver gleam of the blade edge.

"What the Master requires."

"What does he require with that?" I asked pointing at the razor.

She spoke not to me but the other women, "Spread her legs."

Two went down to hold my legs, rough fingers biting into my thigh and calves. The other woman, a brutish beast at least twice the size of Hatha came behind and wrapped her ham hock arms around my body, holding me in a vice like grip. My arms trapped I gave a futile attempt at freeing myself. The more I struggled the harder she gripped.

My heart raced, thumping hard against my chest. Though my soul screamed out to struggle, to escape instead I submitted. I stood mute and still. I was trapped. I had no choice. Logic had to prevail.

Hatha went down on her knees. She threaded her fingers through the thatch of golden curls between my legs and pulled hard. I bit back a gasp, a flush of shame rolled across me as I felt my sex become wet at the painful tug.

She knew. Even without a gasp or moan to betray my want. Hatha knew. She tugged again and I heard her murmured chuckle.

She grasped the hair tight and ran the razor under her grip cutting off clumps of hair. Pulling on each lip she repeated the process until all that remained on my sex was a spiky fuzz. Then she reached into the tub and pulled out the soap. Lathering my mound, she dug her fingers into the pubic bone, rough circles at the root of my pleasure until I moaned. When what remained of my hair was soaped into a thick lather she started to scrape the sharp blade across my skin. The feeling of the metal edge shaving over my taut flesh was enough to make my knees fail.

"Hold her tighter," came Hatha's command and the beast that held me gripped tighter, her meaty fists wrapping around my wrists. I moaned at the brute force. I pressed back into it. To my shame the constriction was exciting. The binding added to the wanting. I struggled again just to feel the tight press of her hold. Hatha worked in slow devastating strokes over my mound and across the slippery lips of my sex. When she finished she wiped the exposed skin with a hot cloth. I was relieved until I heard Hatha's barked order, "Turn her over."

The brute twisted me around and forcibly bent me at the waist. The two at my legs spread me wider. One of them stood and placed her fingers wide on my buttocks.

"No," I said, even as I knew I could not stop what was to come.

"Yes," Hatha said and I did not have to see her face to know her glee. I heard the evil smirk in her tone. The hands at my arse spread me wide. The brute held me tight around my bent waist, holding almost all my weight. Hatha lathered between my arse, soft slippery fingers probing at my most private place. She worked the razor quickly, scraping the hair with intent. Water washed over the bare skin, but she was not done. After the lather was gone in its place came warm oil. First dripped down the darkened crevice and then massaged on the puckered opening that nestled between. Fingers slipped in circles and then dipped in the softened hole. I didn't want to, but I rocked back into those fingers. Slick with warm oil they worked deep inside a place I did not know they could. Dark pleasure surged through me; my nipples beaded hard, my sex

clenched as did my arsehole around those wicked fingers. I was close, so achingly close to release...when she stopped.

The brute helped me to stand. My legs shook with unspent release. I ached. The hands that came to rub across my body with glittering oil did not help with the wanting. Four sets rubbed, teased, tweaked and played bronze oil across the canvas of my skin.

After I was oiled Hatha dressed me. A sheer black chemise inlaid with silver thread. I waited for the dress to cover me, but it did not come, only a silver corset that was bound tight to plump out my breasts.

She did not bind my hair this time but instead worked it with scented oils and hot tongs until it curled with wild abandon. Fine curled silver ribbon was fixed into the curls, so sheer it seemed as if it could be my own hair. The silver made me think of him. The Silver Master. Lust, guilt, longing and fear threaded through my very soul at the thought of him.

How could I think of him when finally my Master had returned?

Hatha came before me to paint my face. I closed my eyes as she swept deep black kohl across the lids. She worked for some time on my eyes and brows, with many different colors and brushes. My lips she left unpainted, just covered with a quick swipe of scented oil.

She had not touched me for a moment, but I could feel her breath close on my skin so I opened my eyes to see what she was doing. She was staring intently at the small round mark at the base of my neck.

Where the Silver Master had pierced my skin.

She placed a finger at the mark and pressed hard until it hurt.

"Have you been cutting yourself Mistress Chosen?" she asked.

"Yes," I lied, "I have missed his bite."

Hatha looked deep in my eyes. I drew on every trick I had ever known to keep my face calm. She nodded as if accepting my answer.

"Do not do it again. You skin is his alone to mark."

I felt a flash of anger at her words. I looked away so as not to show any emotion.

"Come now," Hatha said, holding out her hand, "He will be waiting."

Another surge of anger rushed hot at her words. He waited? What about how I had waited?

My anger kept up hot and hard as I stalked through the halls with my bat-like entourage. It built with each click of Hatha's boot heel in front of mine. I did not even know where I was going. I was just a pet to be dragged around at his whim.

Hatha stopped at red lacquered doors. Impressively large they were easily wide enough for us to enter four abreast. Four guards were stationed at the entrance. Two opened the doors and the others announced our entrance with a volley of sound from long trumpets.

I stepped inside, nudged from behind by Hatha's hand at the small of my back. The room was a suite. Like my own but much larger, much grander. Five of my own generous room could've easily fit into the chamber. At a brief glance I saw four couples, one I knew straight off, the brother and sister that had been at my Choosing. The brother did not meet my eyes, instead raked a hot look across my body settling at the juncture of my legs.

I fought the urge to cover myself. Instead fueled with righteous anger I pulled my shoulders back and my chin up. I heard a laugh. His laugh. I turned and all melted away. All anger, all the other people. Everything.

Roth. Roth. Roth. The name pounded through my veins.

He came forward. Arm outstretched. I swayed. Hands came to my waist. Hatha? They pushed at my hips forcing me down, but I did not succumb. I would not meet him on my knees. I did not know why it mattered. But it did.

I will not meet him on my knees.

I took a step forward. Out of Hatha's grasp. I stood tall. I did not hold out my hands to him, I did not take his offered hand.

He laughed again. The sound rippled through to my very bones made me liquid but still I refused to kneel.

"My Chosen," he said and went down to his knees before me, "How I have missed you."

His mouth nestled at my sex, his arms around my knees, hands on my buttocks. He kissed my newly shaved mound through the sheer fabric and I moaned. A keening sound of desperate need, it started at the base of my spine and rolled up my body to issue from my mouth almost in song.

"Yes," he murmured. His tongue came forward to lick through the chemise. To taste. I pushed my mound into his mouth, struggling to spread my legs and mount his face.

He laughed again. His hands left my arse and slid down my ankles. He stroked up the sides of my legs, drawing up the silver shot fabric up as he did. I closed my eyes and reveled at the rightness of his touch. The silky chemise dragged across newly shaved sensitive skin, cool air brushed my bare sex as it reached my hips exposing me. His big hands held me tight at the hips, crumpling the chemise in his fingers.

I spread my legs wider for him. Hot and wet his tongue came, first to sweep along the shaved seam and then up to my clitoris. I sang out in pleasure as his lips pursed to suck at my center. I rocked into his mouth, my hand coming down to fist fingers in his dark hair. Fingers woven tight in his hair I pushed him at my mound. He sucked me to my release and as I knew he would, the moment my clenching spurts came he bit down, piercing the skin with a growl. My blood and cum ran hot gushing into his sucking mouth. I threw back my head unable to contain the surge of pleasure that rocked through me at the feel of his bite. I cried out. Loud wails that seemed to bounce off the walls and echo through the room.

As the waves subsided I opened my eyes, first looking down to watch his lapping tongue clean my bitten mound and then up to gaze blurry eyed across the room. Through the fog of pleasure a flash of silver caught my eye. Shocked I opened my eyes wide and focused. He was here. Against the wall. Body slumped in a deceptively easy pose he watched me, but his eyes, his eyes burned black and silver. Hot and angry. I gasped.

At the sound Roth released me, I fell back against rough hands. I knew at once they were Hatha's, her spiteful voice murmured in my ear, "You should have just knelt." I struggled out of her grasp. I pulled my chemise down, not that it covered much. My hands shook.

The sister who had been at The Choosing came forward; she bowed low and then reached up to kiss Roth, first on each cheek and finally deep on the mouth. I watched her tongue sweep across the seam of his lips licking at the remnants of my blood.

Roth laughed at the moan she gave at my taste and pushed her away gently, "Astrid," he chastised without any heat in his voice, "that's enough."

"Yes my Prince," Astrid said without contrition, bowing once more.

He swept a heated gaze across the assembled crowd. With deliberate slowness he met each face. It came to me as I watched him what Hatha's poisoned murmur had meant. Triumph shone in his eyes as did a challenge, see, this is mine it seemed to say. For all my protestations at not wanting to kneel I had done it anyway. My submission riding his face like a wanton was far more complete than if I had knelt and kissed his feet.

Shame coursed through me at my weakness. I hung my head and closed my eyes as Hatha's soft laugh echoed from behind. My realization had not gone unnoticed by the malicious crone.

After he had completed his triumphant viewing of the assembled group Roth turned back to me, he held out his arm and this time I did not protest, I took the offered hand. He pulled me close his arm clasping tight around my waist.

"My Prince, what news?" The brother of Astrid, the one who had been at my Choosing asked of the Prince after an elaborate bow.

"Outlying unrest continues," he said quietly scanning the room as if concerned who was listening, "now is not the time Valco. We'll discuss this later."

"We did not expect you for some time Sire," Astrid said, "until the Claiming. Did Queen Beatrix call you back?"

"Yes," Roth answered first looking pointedly at me and then back at both siblings, "Again we shall discuss this later."

He did not wish to speak in front of me. It was obvious and humiliating. I was to be fed information in child sized bites. Not to be trusted, like an infant or a servant. I opened my mouth to speak but saw Hatha shake her head and mouth an angry, "No!"

Questions I had not even the right to ask burned within me. What was the Claiming he spoke of? Was Roth to claim a wife? If so then what would become of me?

If under the evil eye of Hatha I would not have the opportunity to ask I decided to gather information the best way I knew how. I pretended passive disinterest in their conversation. It took some time for Hatha and the others to forget I was there. They spoke of trivial social gossip, scandals of names I did not know. People came forward to be presented to the Dark Prince. Curiosity itched within me but I did not even make eye contact. I stayed snuggled into Roth's side as if simply content with him.

I knew when I heard Roth dismiss Hatha that the time had come to listen.

They spoke of regions of Vandarra I had not heard of, newly acquired provinces that were under marshal rule. Roth was unhappy with the unrest; while he did not speak poorly of the Queen it was clear that he was concerned with the current direction of the Crown.

Their conversation was political and complex. I had some difficulty following and after a while my disinterest was no longer practiced but real. I was bored. None of it seemed to pertain to me or The Claiming they had spoken of until Valco said, "I should warn you Sire that there has been some talk of The Vessel."

I did not know what Valco spoke of but I realized it was important when Roth jerked to attention. He tensed and brought me tight against his body. Perhaps I would have dismissed the comment as yet another political thing I did not understand if they had not all turned their eyes to me.

The look was brief, but it was loaded. The Vessel had something to do with me. I was sure of it.

"Who?" Roth asked his voice low and vibrating with dark emotion.

"Lord Malchard."

I knew that name, he was Queen Beatrix' Chosen advisor. I had heard my uncle mention him.

"I do not believe they know much yet but they are asking," Valco said, leaning in closer.

"I will see what I can find out. We will meet at the usual time." Roth released me, his arm sliding from my waist. He brought my hand up to his lips but did not meet my eyes.

Astrid and Valco bowed low as he departed.

I felt the loss of his touch like a physical blow. My chest hurt, I was momentarily winded. Astrid took my arm as if she knew what I was feeling, I looked up at her in question. "The Master has things to attend to. You will stay with me."

If I had been able to breathe easily I would have protested. Why did it hurt so that he left?

"Beatrix wants The Vessel," Astrid whispered to her brother.

"Not Beatrix. Malchard."

"He is mere Chosen he cannot take from The Vessel..."

"But Beatrix can," Valco interrupted his sister, "And Malchard controls Beatrix. We know that Astrid."

With Roth gone and me so obviously dazed Astrid and Valco were no longer so circumspect in their conversation. I remained limp in Astrid's arms even after the pain of Roth's loss had subsided.

"Is he sure that she is..."

Valco reached out and clamped his hand across his sister's mouth. He smiled but it was all for show, there was no humor in his voice. "Do not question him sister. And..." he gave a pointed look at me before finishing his sentence, "watch your words."

He slipped his hand from Astrid's mouth and stroked his fingers across my cheek. The touch revolted me. His eyes rimmed black as he spoke, "Aaah, Mistress Chosen. What I would do for just a little taste."

Astrid chuckled, the sound vibrated against my side where she held me tight to her body. "The time will come brother. Be patient."

Valco leaned in and breathed deep into my hair. I flinched. He laughed. I did not want his touch. Astrid spoke of him tasting me as if it were pre ordained. Was that at Roth's order? Was I to service his followers? Anger ripped through me, flashing hot under my skin.

Astrid released me so she could lean in and clasp her brother. He kissed her deeply, more deeply than I thought a brother should. She stroked a hand over his hair and said softly, "Be careful my brother. I will see you at the meeting."

Valco nodded. "At the break of dawn."

After Valco had gone Astrid turned to me. "Mistress Chosen you must be parched." She raised a hand and in moments a servant appeared with a goblet. I took it from the server brought it to my lips but did not drink. I did not trust her. Trust anyone.

Except...

As I pretended to drink I searched the room for him. He had moved from the wall. He was standing with a woman, his arm around her waist. I hated her touching him. What right did I have to that feeling?

He met my eyes. A silver brow raised. I noticed then how he stood out from the others. How his silver hair shone bright amongst the shades of black.

"Who is that?" I asked Astrid, confident that she would just think I had noticed the difference.

Astrid sneered, "That is of no consequence."

"Who is he? Is he a Master?"

"He thinks he is. He's half-caste. A pretender."

"Half? " I wanted to know more but Astrid raised her hand and I knew she would share no more. I gripped the wine goblet. It sloshed in my hand. Spilling red wine on my hand staining the skin red.

The Silver Master approached. My heart kicked like it had for Roth. A dark seductive tug as if he'd leashed me and pulled hard. What was this connection? The first time I felt the pull I figured it was because he was a Master, but here now I was in a room full of Masters none of them pulled at me like Roth or Silver Master.

"Astrid," his dark honey voice made me want to taste him.

"Nadar," she sneered in return.

I could not help the smile.

I knew his name.

Finally.

"Nadar," I laughed softly and they both turned to me. Affection in his eyes, questions in her.

"Roth's Chosen," he said, bowing low, "I am honored to meet you."

"And I you Nadar," I said offering him my hand. Still bent in a bow he took my offered hand turned it over pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist. I shuddered as he flicked his tongue across my pulse point.

Astrid grasped my elbow and pulled my hand from him. "That's enough Nadar," she hissed, "It is time for her to leave." Astrid turned away and bellowed, "Hatha!" In the moment she was turned I leaned into him and whispered, "What is The Vessel?" His eyes widened at the question. Before he could answer Hatha was at my side, taking my arm from Astrid.

I still gripped the near full wine goblet. Nadar eased it from my clenched fingers. He turned it in his hand, rotating the goblet he brought it up to his mouth. He did not drink as I expected instead he breathed deep inhaling the bouquet. His eyes faded to black and he deliberately licked the rim where my mouth had been.

The sight shot hot pleasure to my core. I wanted that mouth on me.

Hatha pulled on my arm, I resisted, stumbled and fell to my knees. Nadar was the first to help me up, "Read The Key," he murmured in my ear.

The Key. The book I had thrown under my bed.

I had forgotten. I would read The Key. Find The Vessel. Find my own answers.

* * * * *

Love the comments and feedback. (And the votes, I'm a shallow and vain creature who desires proof of your affection) I'd love to hear what you think, please let me know how Talia and I are going with the tale. Thanks again to Pacofear for saving Talia from a seires of random gropings and keeping her 'real' and Gatorhermit for his readings and advice. Those boys are very cool.




The Choosing Ch. 03



Sorry it took so long to post this chapter. I was a big doofus who twice submitted it formatted incorrectly. (sorry editor people) If you'd like to be kept informed of when the next chapter appears you can contact me via feedback with your email and I'll put you on the list.

xxx 



The Choosing Ch. 04



I took special notice on the return trip from Roth's chambers to my own. I was careful to note and remember the direction as I had already decided to return for the dawn meeting. It would be in Roth's chambers I was sure and I intended with the help of Nadar's ink markings and whatever lay within The Key to conceal myself and hear the truths I knew had been hidden from me.

Hatha dragged at my elbow. The woman did not like me. I did not know why and I did not particularly care, the feeling was mutual. After one vicious tug too many I broke free of her grasp.

"You hurt me servant."

She paused, eyes flashing with anger. "Sorry, Mistress," she lied after averting her eyes.

"As well you should be," I said in anger. 

I held out my arm for her to take. She did so, lightly resting her fingers at my elbow to guide me. We walked at an easy pace, both of us masking our seething anger and frustration behind our calm façade. I knew from whence mine came but I did not understand hers. Why did she resent me?

When we were back at my chambers I dismissed her early. "I can undress myself Hatha. You may go."

She paused at the door. I waited for her to protest but she did not. Instead she sighed and said softly, "As you wish Mistress."

She looked tired. Defeated. I did not care. 

It was a struggle but I twisted the bindings of the corset to the front and unlaced myself. The chemise came off easily. It was but a mere slip. I used it to wipe clean my face. No doubt destroying the expensive fabric but I did not care. I had no wish to ever wear it again. I looked down at the painted smears on the black and silver.

Black and Silver

Roth and Nadar.

A red smear on the black made me think of Nadar's blood stained lips. Of Roth's. I ached for their bites. Both bites. At once.

Confusion and lust ripped through me. The feelings overwhelming. My chest hurt and my sex throbbed.

Answers. I needed answers.

I went down on my knees to reach under the bed. The book was wedged right at the back near the wall. I had to scoot on my belly across the cold stone floor. I cursed my impatience, wishing I had dressed before this task. I was shivering when I came out from under the bed. I forwent my nightdress and instead wrapped myself in the heavy blanket of my bedding. I crossed my legs and shifted on my buttocks closer to the candle on my bedside. By the light of the flickering flame I opened the heavy leather bound book.

The pages were vellum, gilt edged. Beautiful and fine. I first looked at the chapter listing and then flicked to the back of the book in search of an index. I ran my finger down the alphabetical listing searching for any mention of The Vessel. There was one listing, anticipation thrummed in my veins as I opened up to the page.

I skimmed the words, seeking out the relevant information amongst the flowery prose. Whomever partakes of The Vessel shall have the power of influence. Extended life and strength. The Vessel is from the Sarran Coven. She is a Sarran witch.

I knew of Sarran Witches. We were warned of their power. My Uncle had once threatened to send me to them for punishment. He had shown me a parchment picture of a Sarran witch. A hideous Crone, her pock marked skin lined with strange symbols. My heart raced. I read on, my eyes flicking across the words;

In times past The Vessel served as an adviser to the Vandarran Crown...Misuse of the Sarran and fear of their power lead to a purge of The Covens...Few Covens remain...hiding from Vandarran Masters.

Misuse. How had The Vessel been misused?

The power of The Vessel lays within her, but can be harnessed if she is freely Claimed by one. Once Claimed her power can be drained by the direction of that Master alone. The Master of The Vessel has great power, strength, longevity and influence. The Vessel is in his total control. 

Claimed. Roth wanted to Claim me. He thought I was The Vessel.

Even as I read the words—rebelled at the idea of being Claimed and drained—I wanted it. I wanted Roth.

Nausea rolled through me. I dropped the book and my blanket. I barely made it to the bathing chamber before I emptied my stomach. I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth and took a drink from the water jug that sat atop the small bathing chamber armoire. Even after my mouth had been rinsed the bitter taste remained. It was the taste of betrayal. Roth had betrayed me. Used me.

Nadar had to know. That was why he refused to take me. Why he had not bitten me as Roth had.

I stood up. Using the remaining water from the jug I washed my body. With the freezing water I did all that I could to scrub the residue of Roth's betrayal from my skin. Once clean I dressed. Dark blue was the closest I had to black. It would have to do. I was not concerned about the humans. I knew the symbols would protect me. I wanted a dark shade to hide from the sight of any Master.

If I was The Vessel I needed to know what Roth and Lord Malchard wanted from me. The only place I could learn that was at the dawn meeting. I could only hope that it was at Roth's chambers. 

It was not yet near dawn but I decided to go now. I reasoned that his chambers would be now empty of his guests and that he had not yet returned. I knew I could bewitch my guards and I hoped the symbols would do the same to the four that guarded Roth's chambers.

When I reached Roth's chamber I was relieved to see that the four guards had been whittled down to two. I was more confident of being able to bewitch two than four. I raised my forearm to the guards. "Is the chamber empty?" I asked.

"Yes," came their dull monotone answer.

"Hide me inside where they hold their meetings."

They had not yet opened the red lacquer doors when I felt a hand at my wrist. Heart thumping, I turned to see who it was.

Hatha.

I raised my arm and pointed the Sarran symbols at her barking out the order, "Go back to your chambers. You did not see me."

She laughed. A bitter sound. "That magic has been worked on me by much stronger than you whelp," she hissed.

"Who?" I asked.

Misery crossed her face at my question. Sorrow hung heavy in her eyes. She did not answer me. She just shook her head and tightened her grip on my arm. The guards did nothing. Still locked in their magic induced haze they stood still and silent.

I tried to wrench free. "I need to know Hatha. Let me go. I need to know!"

"Know? What? Knowing will change nothing."

"It will change me," I said, my voice beginning to break, weary sorrow tightening my throat.

She softened, and for the first time I saw a flicker of compassion in her hard gaze. She released my arm and brought her hand up to cup my chin. "It won't change the fact that you have been Chosen by the Dark Prince. You must accept it. It is the only way. She fought. It did her no good. It broke her heart. Broke mine too."

"Who? Who do you speak of?"

Hatha did not answer me, out of the darkness came his dark honeyed tone and a flash of silver. "My mother," he said.

Nadar.

I turned to where he still stood, bathed in half shadow. "Your mother was Chosen?" I asked him as Hatha tugged on my arm trying to pull me away.

He came forward into the light. "More than Chosen. She was The Vessel. The last Vandarran Vessel."

Hatha let me go and I stepped closer to him. "What is The Vessel?"

"A power source from the Sarran Coven. The balance of power. Her blood gives strength, longevity and powerful magic to any Dark Master that partakes."

"And if she is Claimed?"

His gaze dropped from mine. "If she is claimed that power goes only to the Master that Claims her. He holds the power and distributes it at his pleasure."

"Am I The Vessel?" I asked, my heart in my throat.

"Roth thinks so," he answered.

"And you? What do you think?" I held out my hand to him.

He nodded.

"They come Mistress," Hatha said, coming forward to once more tug on my arm, "Your magic will not work on them. We must go."

"Will you come to me? Tell me more?" I asked him. He did not answer again. Instead he pushed me back into an alcove off the corridor. Frustrated, I was about to go back to him when Hatha clamped a hand across my mouth.

My heart jumped into my throat as I heard Nadar speak. "Astrid. Valco."

"Nadar," I heard Astrid mock. "I thought this would be beneath you."

"This matters to me as much as you. Even more so perhaps."

"You should not have made yourself known to his Chosen," she hissed.

Nadar's bark of laughter echoed off the stone walls. "You Astrid? You deem to speak to me of what should be done? That is priceless."

"Time is past for what should be done," Valco's voice joined the conversation. Low and buzzing with anger he said, "Vandarra lies on the brink of war Nadar. There is no time for should, only what must be done. The Dark Prince does what he must."

"No," Nadar said softly, "he does what he wants. He always does what he wants."

"And yet you are still here my son. At my side," Roth's voice rumbled out of the darkness.

Son? Nadar was Roth's son. Hatha's hand clamped harder over my mouth, stifling my gasp.

"Come, we have not time to bicker in the hallway. We have much to discuss." The guards opened the doors and a flood of light filled the hall. Hatha shuffled back further into the alcove. I pressed back into her.

In the light I saw them both. It was obvious they were father and son. How had I not known before? They stood, walked, spoke the same. One light, one dark they were halves of the same whole.

They met with the same reason.

Me.

Lies and secrets they withheld for their own purpose.

I was a pawn, caught between two forces I could not understand because they hid the truth.

The doors closed. My knees gave out and Hatha held me as I sobbed. She murmured soothing nothings in my ear as she stroked a hand over my hair. 

* * * *

Hatha returned me to my chambers. She did not speak, but murmured soothing sounds as we walked. Stroking my arm she crooned at me as if I were a babe to be comforted. With each step I began to move out of shock into anger. I did not want comfort. I wanted the truth. I wanted answers.

Roth and his lies. Nadar and his half truths. I was not Chosen. I was stolen. Deceived.

"All is not as it seems," Hatha said after she had closed the door to my chambers and led me over to sit on the bed.

"Really?" I laughed. Hysterical sounds issued from me as if I were crazed woman. I could not stop them. Could not calm the barking laughter.

"Shhhh," Hatha soothed as she sat beside me and rubbed gentle circles on my back.

I shoved her hand away, stood and started to pace the floor. I did not want her comfort. My breath came in pants. My words poured forth in an angry staccato beat. "No! No! No more. I want the truth. The truth Hatha! I know you know. I know it. No more lies. No more soothing words. You tell me now! Or... or...you leave. Leave!"

Hatha stood, brought forth her arm and gently pressed her hand to my stomach bringing my angry pacing to a stop.

"Please Hatha," I said meeting her eyes with a desperate plea.

She raised her hand to her head and tore free the black winged cap. "Fine. Mistress I will tell you. Please, just sit. Sit and I will tell you what I can."

I sat on the edge of the bed with Hatha standing before me. She did not speak, her fingers went to the long row of pearled black buttons at the front of her gown. She started at the high neck and quickly opened her bodice. I burned to ask her why she was undressing but I did not. I feared that she would leave if I interrupted. She stripped her arms free of the bodice until it hung about her waist. She wore a dark, short sleeved chemise under her gown, her arms were bare, but not uncovered. I stood from the bed. She was marked. Black symbols like the ones on my forearm covered her whole arms like black sleeves or swirls. I touched the skin of her left arm, tracing my finger along an ivy like black drawing.

"It's not painted. Not like yours Mistress," she said answering the question that I was just about to ask.

"What is it?"

"Tattoo. Sarran tattoos."

"Tattoo?"

"Permanent ink placed in your skin with a needle."

A needle. It would be painful. My nipples hardened, points of aching need that throbbed with the thought of a needle piercing skin.

"Oh."

They were beautiful. Stunning swirls, some thick and powerful swipes of black others intricate almost filigree, in their detail. I trailed a finger over one that appealed to me and I felt a jolt of power race up my arm. Hatha gasped and looked up at me. She felt it too.

"So it's true," she said, her voice thick with what seemed to me to be sorrow.

"What's true?" I asked, still tracing the patterns on her arm, loving delicious surge that came with each brush of my finger on her flesh.

"The power you hold. Even untrained you make spells. I feel it in your touch."

"Am I The Vessel?" I asked. No longer as afraid at the thought now as I touched her, almost comforted by it instead.

"Yes," Hatha said, her voice dipping into a moan.

"Who are you Hatha? Tell me."

"I am Hatha of the Coven Sarran Vere. I am handmaiden to The Vessel."

"Nadar's mother? You knew her? But, you look too young."

"As Handmaiden to The Vessel I have been the recipient of her powers. The years pass with little change to my body."

"Was Nadar's mother Roth's chosen too?"

"Yes. She was. She loved him and was claimed and destroyed by him."

"How?"

"Please, Mistress touch me no more. I cannot think clearly when you do."

I nodded and removed my finger from Hatha's skin. She shuddered and took a deep breath. I motioned for her to sit and she did, perching on the edge of the bed. I sat cross legged on the flagged stone at her feet.

"I will begin with some history. You should know what came before." She nodded to herself as she spoke, as if confirming she was on the right path. "In the past the Sarran worked with the Vandarran Masters. Equals, they shared power and resources, working together to rule. The Vessel had always been, like air, water, stone. She was a constant."

"How was she chosen? How did she know she was The Vessel?" I asked.

"Novitiates, those with early power and promise were taken from all Covens in their sixteenth year and trained in preparation."

"At sixteen, that's when The Vessel appears?" I asked. At sixteen I had been taken to live in Hawthorne. I showed no promise or power. If I had, surely I would have realized.

"No. Not so early," Hatha said with a shake of her head, "The Vessel comes of age at her twenty fifth year."

"Is there always a Vessel? Who was the last? Is there more than one?" The questions spurted from me. It was difficult to stop the surge. I had so many. So much I wanted to know. I bit my lip to gain control.

"There was once always a Vessel. There is always only one. I do not know who came before, if the last was Nadar's mother or if there was another between who passed. The Sarran ways have been lost by so many, it is possible that a Vessel could live and not know of her power. Perhaps even die because of it."

"What power?"

"The Vessel's blood and release gives great power. Dark Master's sense it, they long for her blood and release. Crave it. To humans it comes as desire, a wanting that is ceaseless in her presence. Sarran know it in your touch. The power that crackles beneath your skin. Once, long ago The Vessel was balance of power between humans, Sarran and the Dark Masters. A Council advised her. She shared her power as needed and kept the peace between us all with her wisdom and grace."

"What happened? What changed?"

"Two hundred years ago a Vessel novitiate fell in love with a visiting Dark Master. She pledged herself only to him; he Claimed her and through the Claiming took control of her power. It was then that the Vandarran Master's discovered that The Vessel could be seized for their own gain. With control of The Vessel they did not need to share power with the Sarran or humans. Sarran Covens were attacked by the Vandarran Crown. Humans feared us, hunted us too. Killing Sarran killed the source of the Dark Master's power. We went into hiding. Always in hiding. Always hunted. Many died."

Hatha paused and gave a shuddering sigh.

"Were you attacked? How did you get here?" I asked.

She gave a sad little smile. "Anja. She is why I am here. Nadar's mother. Roth's chosen. The last Vessel. Anja of the Coven Sarran Vere. She was always the bravest. Always the strongest." 

She raked a hand across her face. Hanging her head she directed her words to the floor. "The Village where Coven Vere was hiding was searched by a Vandarran Battle Group. They were close to finding where the children were hidden so Anja showed herself." Hatha lifted her head, stared out across the room as if seeing the image played out before her. "It was stunning. She stepped forth right into the throng of invading Masters and stripped, removed her clothes, slowly revealing her Sarran tattoos. Once they saw her they were no longer interested in searching. She saved the children. Saved us all."

I could see it all in my head. I saw her silver haired. Like Nadar. Standing naked and marked amongst the battle clad Masters. I felt her power.

"What happened to her?" I asked.

"Roth. Roth happened to her. He was in the battle group. One look at her and she was his Chosen. She was captured to be taken back to the then young Queen Beatrix. But Roth came to her cell and set her free. He arranged to have her taken to his castle and hidden."

"He forced her Claiming?"

Hatha barked out a sorrowful laugh. "There was no force. She chose him too. She went willingly. Submitted passionately. Has he forced you?"

I blushed, knowing the truth of her words. "No. There has been no force."

"The Crown was searching for her. No one knew that Roth had her hidden. He kept her, drank from her and grew stronger. With his growing power he masked her, hid her tattoos and brought her forth into society as his Chosen. He belonged to the Loyalist forces, those who wanted the old ways."

"Old ways?"

"Loyalist Vandarrans wanted a return to The Council of The Vessel. Or so they said."

"Did he try?" I asked, still hoping to redeem Roth in some way. Find a reason for why I still wanted him, craved his bite.

"He would not share her. The more he took from her the less he spoke of a return to the old ways." Hatha sighed once more, closing her eyes a moment, as if speaking pained her. 

"He used her." 

And he intended to use me.

"Yes he used, but to bring stability to the Crown. With the power of influence he kept the radical forces behind the new Queen Beatrix from corrupting her."

"So he used The Vessel for good?"

Did that make it right, I wondered. Should I have to submit for the good of all Vandarra?

Hatha spoke slowly. Each word seemingly weighed and considered before passing her lips. "Yes. He did what he thought was right. And he thinks to do the same now."

"What of Nadar?"

"I came to Anja when she was increasing with Nadar. I had heard that she was in the Night Palace and I came forward seeking out the Dark Prince to find her. I showed him my tattoos to prove my tale of knowing Anja. At great risk because it was punishable by death to be found with Sarran markings. "

"She must have been so glad to have you," I said, feeling a twinge of longing for a connection to anyone who truly cared for me alone.

"And I her. I stayed with her until the end."

"How did she pass?" I asked.

"She faded more than passed. The Vessel was meant for many. As she distributes power so it comes back to her. When she is chained to one she cannot live long."

"Roth knows this?" I asked, even as I knew the answer.




The Choosing Ch. 04



"Yes," Hatha replied, "He did not at the time of Claiming Anja, but he knows it now."

He intended to Claim me and drain me. Nadar knew it too. While he had not taken from me he had also not told me the truth, or protected me from Roth. I thought then on Astrid's comment to Valco and asked, "Roth would not share Anja. Would he?"

Hatha shook her head briefly, met my gaze and turned away. 

"But he will share of me. Won't he Hatha? You know this."

Hatha nodded, "There is thought that if he does your power will increase as will your life expectancy."

I brought my knees up to my chest and hugged them tight. So, I had the truth I had been seeking this night. Where now were my easy answers? The simple choices I expected to come with this knowledge.

There were no easy answers.

There was no black and white. 

Roth had Chosen Anja in love. Taken her power with the best of intentions. I felt for him, for her, even understood it perhaps. But understanding and acceptance were separate things. I could not accept this for me. I would not accept it.

"Does Nadar support his father?" I asked

Hatha shook her head but her answer was not as clear, "Yes and No. He supports his political purpose but not his use of The Vessel. Sarran blood runs strong in him, but that does not make him Sarran. He is Master too. The son is caught between two worlds. Sarran Coven law has no Claiming. Sarran witches give of their body and Magic to who they choose. The longing to claim and the need to share battles within Nadar."

"Because of me," I whispered.

Hatha nodded. 

I had seen that battle rage within his silver rimmed eyes myself. He wanted to take me but did not, could not as his father's claim was still upon me. Nadar was caught between his loyalty and his conscience. For all his want to befriend me Nadar could not be trusted. And Roth, the Master I thought had set me free was truly just blind to all but what he could take from me.

Who stood for me? I wondered.

"Hatha, you were Anja's handmaiden." 

She nodded and I asked, "Are you mine?"

"I am handmaiden to The Vessel," she answered softly.

"I am the Vessel" I said, half statement, half question.

"Yes. I have no doubt."

"You are sworn to help me then?"

"Yes I am," she said, tracing a finger along an ornate band of markings that ringed the bicep of her right arm, "it is marked into my skin."

I stood from the floor. Pushing back my shoulders I jutted out my chin and in a voice I hoped worthy of The Vessel I said, "Hatha of Coven Sarran Vere I beseech you to take me to my people. If I am to be The Vessel I will learn my place with the Sarran, not Vandarran."

Hatha did not answer and for a moment I thought she meant to refuse me and my heart sank. She was still tracing the band around her arm, her finger moving faster and faster and then I noticed that her mouth moved too in a murmured chant.

She jerked to a stop and slid from the bed to the floor. Coming up on her knees she nestled her face to the juncture of my thighs. I felt a surge of desire thick and fast as her lips moved against my mound. She chanted words in a language I did not understand. Heat poured from her mouth, through her words and threaded into me, through me. Tendrils of heat searched within and clenched me in pleasure. My muscles seized, heat crackled beneath my taut skin. Blistering, white hot, as if my pleasure came from the very center of the fire. I came hard, without touch, without anything other than her breathing chant. My sex spasmed, wetness spurted in a warm wave to my thighs. As I came down from the magical climax Hatha pressed her lips to my mound and kissed the still pulsing point of my pleasure.

I reached down to thread my fingers in her hair. Without her trademark cap and sneer she seemed much younger. Her hair was pretty, a light shining auburn. Loose from the fixed cap it fell to her shoulders in sleek waves.

She looked up at me. Eyes not pinched in anger I found her quite beautiful. "I will take you Mistress Vessel. I will follow you where you lead."

And so, with Hatha's arms wrapped around my legs and her face nestled against my sex I made my first choice. 

My choice.

My decision.

Tomorrow we would leave. Escape Roth, Nadar and their web of secrets and lies and find my people. I would learn what it truly meant to be The Vessel and make my own choices from no one.

Chosen no more.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You may have noticed that I've played around with the name of the Dark/Night Masters. I found myself swapping between the two and it became confusing so I decided to just go with the Dark Masters. Thanks again needs to go to the lovely Pacofear who worked his usual magic. And of course my Mistress Red Pen.

I hope you're enjoying the series and I do love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment. Oh and a rating. I love those too.

Darcy Sweet.



The Choosing Ch. 05



I spent the day after his return preparing to leave. In equal parts I feared and craved seeing my own Dark Master. I did not think my resolve could withstand a meeting with the Dark Prince. Even as I knew his deception and betrayal I wanted him. Even as I was so sure I did not want to be Claimed I still felt his seductive pull. I craved him. I did not trust that I was strong enough to resist this desire.

I should not have been so concerned. I was quite clearly not high on his list of priorities. The day passed as did the night and still he had not come to me. Relief and disappointment tainted with shame at the pulsing need for his presence that beat beneath my skin.

Unlike his father, Nadar came. I heard his voice as he commanded my guards to open my chambers to him. They denied him entrance as they had been duly instructed. He called out my name, first pleading and then in anger, his fist thumping the heavy wooden door rattling it in its hinges.

I almost succumbed. I was at the door with my hand reached out when Hatha pulled me back. "I think it best if we avoid further complications Mistress Vessel," she said in a low and urgent tone.

I nodded. She was right. Nadar could do nothing for me now. Only confuse me further. What I needed was knowledge and truth. I needed the Sarran Coven.

We left at Dawn. Hatha told me it was when the powers of the Masters were at their weakest. No doubt that was why Roth had not sensed me in the corridor outside his chambers. I had wondered why he had not felt me there. I felt glad to know there was a reason and then chided myself, caring to need one at all.

We carried few items, Hatha opting for speed rather than comfort. I did not mind so much. My lodgings at my Uncle's had been austere and as I had yet to become accustomed to the luxury of living at the Palace I was comfortable with very little. Happy in fact—even with a stomach growling in hunger—just to be free and to be finally taking each step forward at my own choosing rather than at the behest of my Uncle, or Bandar, or Roth, or Nadar.

Nadar.

I felt a tug of wanting at the thought of him. While each step away from the Night Palace seemed to dull the seductive pull of Roth, it did little to ease my yearning for Nadar. The further away I was the clearer my feelings for him became. I missed him. Wanted him. I felt a bond of friendship that I had had with no other.

Which saddened me as I knew he was simply yet one more person in my life that I could neither trust or rely upon.

I did not speak of the Dark Prince or his son to Hatha. I did not speak much at all. She did not seem to mind my reticence at conversation—she did not talk either. All her energy seemed focused on one thing. Finding the Coven.

How exactly we were to do that I did not know. We had no map and by her own admission Hatha had no idea where the Sarran Coven now lay.

"My skin is my map," she said to me when I asked her how we would know where to go.

She traced a finger along her tattoos, the markings hidden under a long dark cape. She had spells she said, to hide the markings but they would drain her power and she could not risk that while we were exposed in the open.

We met few people on our travels. Hatha planned it that way. We moved on foot, avoiding the main travel routes. The few times we came across others on the same path we acted out the story that Hatha had concocted. We were sisters, heading south to family after the death of our mother. The travelers bought our story easily which I found quite surprising as we didn't look alike and were travelling through difficult and dangerous smuggler paths.

Hatha laughed when I told her I was surprised. "Why do you think they travel the same paths as us Mistress?'" she'd said, "They hide like us naïve girl. They likely lie too."

We rested in short bursts rather than sleep. We had to keep moving as we knew that Roth would be coming for us with all the forces he could muster. He would not risk losing the prize of The Vessel. The one thing in our favor was that he too would have to hide so as not to reveal the magnitude of his loss. A full scale search for a mere servant and a Pleasure Chosen would raise far too much attention from the Crown.

Hatha taught me as we trekked. She spoke of nature and magic and I soaked it in like a sponge. She carried a kohl stick and with it I drew simple spells on my arms. I felt the power burn with each stroke of the black stick on my flesh. It felt so right. So much a part of me that it was as if I had finally discovered I could see.

After two and a half days the land changed from the Forests of Palace Shire to the marsh-like terrain of the Farsah Shire. Here, Hatha told me, we would find the Sarran, or rather they would find us.

"We need to create a beacon," Hatha told me as we set up a small camp.

"Won't that attract the attention of others?" I worried about the logic of shining a light when Roth was so desperately searching for me.

"A magical beacon. Only the Sarran will see it," Hatha said, swiping at the air, brushing away a swarm of the nasty biting flies that abounded in the wetlands.

The patch of land we had chosen to use as camp sat like a small island in the swamp. To get to it we'd trudged through the brackish water. It had rimmed my skirts black with slime, as the foul stain dried it stiffened, scratching my legs as I moved. There was nowhere to clean my clothes, or myself. I thought of the copper bathing tub I had left behind and hoped that we would be found soon.

Hatha drew a circle on the ground as wide as the small patch of land would allow. She shook her head and muttered to herself, "Not big enough."

I did not question her as she seemed stressed enough without the added burden of my curiosity. She marked the ground, North, East, West and South and then set about filling the circle with lines and markings like those upon her skin. I watched and marveled at her steady and quick hand. The sky rumbled and the air crackled, cooling fast, becoming heavy with the damp metallic taste of coming rain. Hatha looked up at the darkening sky and slumped her shoulders.

"Should we wait until tomorrow?" I asked her as she looked forlornly at the coming rain clouds.

"It must be now," she said.

I nodded. "Let it be now then, show me what to do."

"I haven't finished," she said, pointing down at the intricate markings of the circle.

"What can I do?" I asked. "Let me help, please."

A fat drop of rain hit the earth at her feet. She shook her head. Frustrated, I just stood and watched as she stripped off, baring her skin to the cold rain. I stayed in the circle, not sure what I should do. As the rain began to sheet down she chanted and began to step around the inner edge of the circle. I moved to the middle, wrapping my arms around my body. My gown hung wet and heavy, I was cold. So cold.

The cold did not stop Hatha, she stepped around and around the circle, moving faster and faster. Through the filter of the rain I could see her mouth moving in chant. I could not hear her over the beat of the water but I knew that she shouted. Water streamed down her body, her hair was soaked, stuck to her cheeks and neck.

I wanted to tell her to stop. I wanted to find shelter. I was tired. Oh so tired.

The rain let up, falling softly now rather than sheeting down in a curtain of icy needles. Hatha came down on her knees in the soft mud. I stumbled to her, the soaked skirts of my gown constricting my legs.

"Hatha, Hatha." I fell to my knees and brought her head into my lap.

"Di...did..n't work," she stuttered, shaking from the cold.

I had no way to make her warm. What little we owned was wet. There was no way to make fire in the damp. What could I do?

Fear and worry so overwhelming hit me like a punch to my chest. Air sucked from my lungs. Panic became action. My vision blurred. I moved, but not with conscious effort. Instinct overcame logic. My hands came up to strip my wet gown away. The fabric peeled from my skin and landed in a heap at my feet. I stepped over it and Hatha.

Naked, with deliberate steps I walked, the water dissolved line of the circle that Hatha had made. No markings remained, all washed away by the beat of the rain, but I saw them in my mind. They floated above the mud, so real I was sure that if I knelt down I could touch them. Once I had walked the circle three times I went back to the center, stepping over the prostrate form of Hatha. I did not even look down, too focused on completing my task.

My hands came before my face. Steepled fingers touched my lips, my chest and then my naked sex. I knelt, knees sinking into the cold green-black mud. My hands swept around me in the mud to create a smaller circle around my body. Within the marked circle I came up on my knees. Fingertips wet with mud encircled my naked body, drawing a black line at my hips, my waist and my neck. Between each circle I began to paint. Mark symbols I had never seen, but knew. Right down to the marrow of my bone I knew these markings. They were mine and mine alone. Their power sang on my skin and pulsed in my sex.

Down to the mud and then back to my skin my fingers flew until I was all but covered in symbols and lines from neck to Mons.

I was no longer cold. My skin crackled with the heat of the markings. I was on fire.

No! I was the fire.

I was the heat of the earth, the burn of the sun.

The last symbol I painted on my forehead and down the bridge of my nose. Knowing I was complete, I raised my arms. Wide and high. My head I threw back and arched my spine. Through me from the earth came the surge of light and heat. My sex convulsed in orgasm as the light hit the sky.

The Beacon, was my last thought as darkness overcame me with a blanket of exhaustion.

* * * *

"They should not be here," a low male voice spoke.

"So, we should have left them to die?" The whispered words of a woman.

"Are they worth us dying Lena? Are they worth the children?"

"Shut up Fa! What is done is done. I am not taking them back out there now. No one is."

I carefully opened one eye a slit. It hurt to do even that. My body ached as if I had been pummeled with a shower of stones.

"No good will come of this. Mark my words. This will bring doom to us all."

People were fighting. Whispered words of anger. Over me. One wanted to leave me to die. It may not have been the welcome I had hoped for, dreamed of, but it was familiar. I was, oddly, comforted by the disappointingly familiar sounds of rejection.

Through the blur of my eyelashes I saw two figures. One tall, one short. The tall one leaned over a figure in the cot opposite mine.

Hatha!

I shot up in the cot, regretting my actions the moment I was upright. My vision blurred white and red and my stomach rolled in nausea. The tall one came forth. A woman. "Shhhh," she crooned, "lay back. Rest. You need time to recover after a setting a spell like that."

Spell?

And I remembered. The mud, the circle, the drawings, the heat, the light. The Beacon. I had raised a Beacon.

"Hatha," I said, in a voice I hardly recognized as my own, husky and brittle.

"Your companion?" she asked.

I nodded and then groaned at how my head throbbed at the movement. Cool fingers brushed my head and gently lowered me to the cot.

"Do not worry. Your companion is fine," she said. "Better than you. I gave her a sleeping draught to aid her rest. She will awaken soon."

"And then you will leave," said the short one. A man appeared before me scowling. Brick-like, he stood square and squat with flaked red skin and an angry scowl.

"Hush Fa!" the tall woman said, scowling over her shoulder at him, "There will no talk of going anywhere for some time."

She looked back down at me with silver rimmed blue eyes. "Rest," she said softly and ran a cool finger gently down the bridge of my nose.

My eyes fluttered closed and I fell into dreamless sleep.

I awoke to the sound of laughter. Not close but echoing farther away. I opened my eyes tentatively, remembering the pain. I was slow and deliberate in my movements. My head did not ache and though I felt sore I did not feel as bruised as before. I wondered how long I had been asleep. There was no window in the room. Soft light came from a lamp hung in the corner of the room.

I sat. The cot beside me was empty. Hatha was gone. I stretched out my arms and bowed my back until my spine cracked. I stood, and as I did realized that I was clothed. A simple, light blue chemise covered my body. I looked at my hands and then pulled the neckline of the chemise open to check my torso. I was clean. All the mud I had painted upon myself was gone. I brought my fingers to my hair and ran them through the length. There were no knots, my hair had been washed and dried.

I sat back down on the cot and looked at my surrounds. The walls were stone, but not built, carved by nature or by hand. This was a cave, the room of a cave.

One wall was wooden. Smooth and painted light blue, evidence this was not a rush construction. This had been here for some time and had been built for comfort and longevity.

At the centre of the wooden wall was a door. I stood and was moving towards it as it opened.

"Hatha!" I exclaimed and stepped forward to take her in my arms. The hug was awkward. I wasn't the kind to hug regularly and wasn't sure what to do with my hands.

She released me and dipped into a bow. "Welcome to Sarran Vere Mistress Vessel." She was dressed in a tight sleeveless bodice, her tattooed arms bare. Probably for the first time in years. I smiled, reached forward and traced a finger at the band of ink on her right arm.

She shivered and released a low moan. Grabbing my finger she said, "Careful who you touch here Mistress. Your power is getting stronger."

"Stronger. Since the Beacon?"

She nodded and released my finger.

I could not resist one more trace of her skin. The feel of the power radiating from the brief contact was too delicious. I sighed as I removed my hand.

"Your power is very sexual in nature," Hatha said, inclining her head and looking at me intently.

"Is that strange for a Vessel? I thought release was the source of Vessel power?" I asked.

"Not strange as such," she said in that slow measured Hatha way, "Just different. More potent. The people here are used to hiding. They are frightened. Your presence here could..." She paused and frowned, searching for the right word.

"What? Could what?"

She didn't get time to answer as the tall woman who had cared for me and the angry brick man entered the room.

"Good, you're awake," the woman smiled at me.

"Much sooner than was anticipated," the brick man growled. His words more of accusation than observation.

I had a very infantile urge to stick out my tongue.

"She is young. And healthy. It is not so strange that she would recover fast," Hatha said, defending me quietly.

"True," the smiling tall woman said. Steepling her fingers at her chest she bowed and said, "I am Lena of Sarran Coven Vere. We welcome you."

My body moved once more without thought, as it had in the rain of the circle. I stepped to her, raised my arms and took her steepled hands between my palms. I pushed them together and then slid my hands down her forearms to her elbows.

She dropped her head to her chest and let out a breathy gasp. She lifted her eyes, not to look at me, but Hatha. They exchanged a loaded look, Hatha nodded and Lena brought her fingers up to her mouth as if in shock.

"What?" barked the angry little brick man. "What's going on Lena?"

"Fa, she is The Vessel," Lena breathed.

"The Vessel? The Vessel!" Fa threw his arms up as if in disgust. "She cannot be here. She has to go now! Right now!"

Lena looked to answer Fa's outburst but did not get to as another couple entered the small room. Both Fa and Lena bowed their heads. I turned to Hatha and noticed that she too had bowed her head.

I did not. For a brief moment I thought to but decided against it. At that very second I resolved to bow only to those who deserved my respect or submission. At my decision and my decision alone. I pulled back my shoulders and stared directly at the couple as they came to stand before me.

The woman was tall. Her hair silver, not the shining brilliance of Nadar but a softer color, almost white in appearance.

"This is her?" she asked softly, looking at me but obviously directing her question to Fa and Lena.

"Yes Lady Vere," Lena answered raising her head slightly and bowing once more.

The woman watched me with curiosity but without an obvious emotion I could decipher. She seemed at once to be both interested and indifferent. As if I were an animal she was examining to purchase. Behind her stood a smiling blond man. Unlike the woman he did not hide his appraisal of me, or the sexual purpose behind it. His eyes filled with wicked promise, he had the look of a man who played and was used to winning. I could not determine his age, but he seemed to me more boy than man. A youth teetering on the precarious cusp of manhood.

I liked him immediately. I could not say why, but the cheeky play he made with his eyes did not offend, it made want to grin.

"I am Talia," I said, "Once of Hawthorne Shire and more recently of the Night Palace."

"Chosen of Roth. Dark Prince of Pleasure," Lady Vere said, more statement than question but I nodded in answer anyway.

"And you are now here. For what?" she asked.

I glanced at Hatha. Uncertain of what I should say. Could I just declare myself The Vessel? Hatha stepped forward, bowed deeply and to my relief answered for me, "She is The Vessel, my lady."

"The Vessel," the Lady Vere murmured, "You are certain?"

"She called The Beacon," the youth behind Lady Vere said, "Captain Farso found her in a self circle, marked with the light of The Beacon."

"You! You taught her?" Lady Vere turned to Hatha and spat out the words in angry accusation.

Hatha held up her hand, cowering under the whip of the verbal attack. She stuttered out her defense so fast she stumbled over the words. "No my Lady. No. I did not. She did it herself. In the rain I collapsed. My circle was destroyed by water, my power drained at the attempt to raise The Beacon. I did...."

I moved to Hatha, stepping between her and the Lady Vere cutting off her explanation. "She did nothing wrong. You do not need to explain yourself Hatha."

Lady Vere met my eyes with a raised brow. Behind her the young blonde broke into a broad grin, biting his lip as if trying to stop himself from laughing. "You are correct," she said to my surprise, "There is no need for Hatha to explain herself further." She raised a finger bringing it close, but not touching my chest. "But you Talia, once of Hawthorne Shire recently of the Night Palace, have very much to explain."

She turned on her heel, gave a slight nod to the young man who accompanied her and strode out the door. In a serious voice that did not match his playful grin he proclaimed, "You will present yourself to the Council tonight, ten o'clock." After a quick check over his shoulder to make sure that Lady Vere had gone he added, "Please, don't be late. I for one can't wait to see you in action."

I smiled back at him. He winked and left the room with Lena and Fa following.

Hatha sighed, sank down to the cot and placed her head in her hands.

"This is not going well," she said.

I sat down beside her, too weary to be concerned by the tide of events. Loosely draping an arm across her shoulders I gave a soft derisive laugh and said, "Oh Hatha, when has it ever?"

* * * *

Hatha took it upon herself to prepare me for The Council meeting. I let her do whatever she wanted to my body without protest. She was frantic, muttering to herself as she dragged me along cave like hallways to an unknown destination. I was beyond the point of caring. I thought of myself as a raft cut free, adrift in the stream. I could not fight the flow. I would be carried wherever the flow took me no matter what I did. So I succumbed. Succumbed to the power of fate and let it carry me away.




The Choosing Ch. 05



Our final destination pleased me to no end.

A hot spring.

Public bathing rooms. I could have danced in delight at the sight. Hatha led me over to a flat rock in the corner, next to a small pool. She stripped me. There were three others in the bathing room at the same time as us. An older woman and two young women.

"I need to purify you," Hatha said.

"How?" I questioned. Wondering if she was to once again come at me with a straight razor. She raised a brow at my distrustful tone. I matched her stare, refusing to back down. Hatha broke first with a rueful smile and a shake of her head. Motioning to the flat rock she gave an indulgent sigh and said, "It's only a salt scrub Mistress. Lay down."

Salt scrub. That sounded so good. I wanted to be scrubbed clean, soul deep, of all the events of the last few weeks, but as that wasn't possible a skin scrub would do for now. I lay flat on the rock. It did not occur to me that I had been standing naked in front of strangers until the cool smooth surface hit my breasts.

Was it only last month I had never been naked in front of another? Even during my few and frantic couplings I had been clothed somehow—a chemise, stockings or a loose corset had remained on at all times. I came up on my elbow, cradling my head in my hand and looked about the baths. There were five women now, all staring at me with curious eyes.

Hatha laid her hand between my shoulder blades and pushed me down. I submitted to the pressure and lay flat with my cheek flat to the rock. Warm hands rubbed gritty wet salt across my back. I sighed at the feel of the soft scrub. She worked with strong fingers digging into muscles still sore from the time in the swamp. Down my back, along the spine and dipping to the soft curves of my side she worked. My buttocks, my legs and finally my feet. Her strong hands pushed, rubbed and caressed.

When her hands left my skin warm water soon followed, pouring across me in a steady beat washing away the residue of the salt. With eyes still closed I rolled over and let her do the same to the front. She hummed as she worked—a tuneless sound of contentment. I found myself spellbound by the noise and the feel of her hands. I fell into a half sleep, an almost hypnotic state.

After she had washed me clean she pulled me up to stand and urged me into the nearest pool. It was cold, not shockingly so but enough to wake me from my dream state. I dipped my head under the water and came out, smoothing the wet hair from my face as I broke the surface. There, in front of me was now a crowd of women. All silently watching me bathe. All young, they seemed to be in the range of child rearing age, but there were no children. All women. All watching. Me.

I held up my hand and Hatha came forward to help me out of the water. I stepped out of the bathing pool and stood naked by the edge. "What do they want?" I asked, tilting my head closer to Hatha.

"You my Vessel," she murmured, "They feel your presence and have come to see you."

"Do what? They have come to see me do what?"

"Whatever you feel Vessel. Do not think. Feel. Only feel. " As she spoke she brought her hand to my arm and with oily fingertips began to trace patterns on my skin.

"What are you doing?" I gasped as the feeling of her light touch rocketed through my body, tightening my nipples and dampening my sex.

"Purifying you my Vessel. Preparing you for The Council."

My head fell back. I had to spread my feet to keep balance as an overwhelming surge of wanton need swept over me. Hatha knelt down at my feet before me, precariously close to the edge of the pool, her gown falling back into the water. I watched it billow, floating ice blue on the flat black of the rock colored water.

Her fingers moved on my stomach. I looked down; she was painting me red with oily stain. Deep, brown red marked me in ochre symbols. Each touch like a lick to my sex, clenching my womb in wanting.

"Oooooh," I moaned and heard the sound echo in the crowd before me. I looked up at my watchers and met the eyes of a young woman in the front row. Long silver blonde hair fell across her shoulders, parted in the middle. She wore a simple white tunic, a modesty bathing gown. She looked pure, clean and virginal. Contrasting the innocence was a shocking desperate look of absolute sexual need that shone in her young eyes. She wanted me with a passion that matched my own. I could see it. I knew it right down to my throbbing sex.

I want to see you naked.

I wanted to see her pretty young body bared before me. I wanted to see her sex, wet and spread for my touch. I wanted.....

To my shock she nodded. Eyes on me she stripped her tunic over her head and stood before me bare. Skin pink and clean. She was not yet marked by the Sarran tattoo. Blond fuzz covered her sex and her nipples were rosy pale and beaded tight. Sweet. She looked so sweet. Did she taste it too?

She snaked a hand down the soft swell of her stomach into the blonde hair at the juncture of her thighs. I watched as she spread her thighs and slipped her fingers between her legs, wetting the tips with her juices.

Glossy fingers she first showed me, offering her hand out over the water of the pool and then bringing them up to her mouth to slip them between her lips, sucking them clean.

You. Come to me.

I did not speak the words but they sounded loudly in my head. She nodded and stepped into the pool, walking through the cool water to me.

Hatha shifted before the woman had stepped in the pool, as if she knew what was to come. She stood and helped the young woman out of the pool.

"An offering," Hatha said, "for The Vessel. Given in pleasure, taken in pleasure. You shall take and share the power."

She led us back to the flat rock. I lay flat, my back flush to the cool stone. I pulled her down to me, rosy pink and young. Her skin was flushed and warm as she slid over my body until her young handful breasts were pressed to mine. Nipples connected and sharp delicious pleasure shot from breast to sex.

"Vessel," she whispered in a soft puff of breath that vibrated on my lips.

"Yes," I answered opening my mouth in an invitation she gladly took. The first time I had kissed a woman. Lips pillow soft, her taste divine. My tongue met hers in slow exquisite pleasure. Soft touches and flicks matching moans and gasps.

I snaked my fingers into the soft curtain of her silver hair. Threading the fall through my hand and then grasping it into fists. She moaned, liking the soft and then sharp bite of pain.

My mouth moved down the curve of her neck as I pulled her head up with a vicious tug. I could see Hatha behind her, watching me, watching us.

I bit down on the soft skin, marking the pulse point of her neck with my teeth. She writhed against me, pushing her sweet young sex against the bone of my pubis as she did. She straddled my hips, her wet slit rocking into the edge of the bone as she offered me her neck to mark once more. I bit down, my eyes on Hatha as I did, watching her flushed reaction to the moans.

With hands on her shoulders I pushed her to sit up with a shove. She did, looking down at me with intense desire. I rocked up and watched her moan and writhe as I connected with the pulse of her aching sex. Her cup full breasts swayed and bobbed as she moved. I reached up taking one in my hand, feeling the weight and then pinching the nipple between my finger and thumb. I twisted the nubbin until she wailed.

Reaching between her legs, I dipped my fingers into her drenched slit. Oily, warm and slippery I brought them out to paint across the soft swell of her stomach. The symbols rose from her skin in a map seen only by me. I worked fast, dipping into her sex over and over as I painted her breasts, nipples, stomach and thighs with powerful marks of magic. The room buzzed with each swipe of my fingers on her skin. Over and over I felt her sex clench in orgasm as I dipped inside the warmth of her slit.

Around me I heard moans; desperate sounds of panting wailing orgasm filled the room. Power rocked across me. I was the center, the center of all pleasure. When I had coated her in my spell I pulled her down to take her mouth.

Give and take. Take and receive. The cycle of pleasure. Take and share the power. The words looped in my brain as I kissed her sweet young lips. I knew then how to complete my spell.

I smoothed a hand down the soft curves of her side until I reached her thigh. Understanding my wordless command as I tapped her leg, she dismounted me. I came up on my elbow smiled and then reached forward to cup her sodden sex. Fingers wet with her release I brought up to paint my lips and then crooked my finger for her to come to me.

She blushed and smiled, it pleased me that she was still bashful even after all we had just done. Her thighs straddled my face, soft skin brushing me as she did. The smell of her wanting enveloped me, her taste, her smell, her touch surrounded me in pleasure. My hands I brought up to cup her sweet arse. Skin like silk, warm and supple. I stroked with splayed fingers before gripping tight to pull her down to my mouth.

I felt her face nestle between my thighs. I brought up my knees, spreading wide to give her room. Her mouth found my clitoris easily in the bare folds of flesh. She blew first, a hot puff of air that I reciprocated on her own swollen nubbin.

As she tentatively licked me I dug my fingers into her arse, spreading the cheeks wide and pulling her closer. I tasted her to my satisfaction, leaving no inch bare of the swipe of my tongue. Her clit I sucked and flicked. Her slit I entered as deep as my tongue would allow, tasting deep into the musky heat. Maneuvering her by changing my grip, I tilted her forward to lick back to the rosy pucker at her rear. She gasped, tightened her thighs and rocked into my tongue. I flicked across the rosette and then stiffened and pushed my tongue as she clamped her thighs over my face.

My own release was coming. I could feel it build, my stomach clenched and my thighs shook with the rising tension of unspent release. I paused in my pleasuring and lay back letting the feeling her mouth at my sex wash over me.

Give and take. Take and receive. The cycle of pleasure. Take and share the power. I knew we had to come together. Complete the cycle with shared orgasm. I returned my mouth to her clit, flicking my tongue at the root of the swollen nubbin in a devastating rhythm, matching her.

We bowed. As one we became a circle of orgasm. A flowing round of endless pleasure. My sex to her mouth, her sex to my mouth, we came as one. My release pulsed into her mouth, spurting in shocking, almost painful bursts as her sweet musky cum seeped over my lips.

Hatha pulled her from me. I was glad of it because I had not the energy to move myself, let alone another. Through eyes slitted with pleasure I watched my young offering slip into the water of the pool. She looked back over her shoulder at me, a quick smiling shy glance, before dunking her head in the cool water.

Hatha returned to help me up. I sat first on the edge of the rock before standing. The watching crowd parted to reveal the Lady Vere.

How long had she been there? I wondered.

"The Council meets now," she said looking not at me but Hatha, "Askel awaits outside the bathing chamber to take you and your Mistress. Come without delay."

Heads bowed as she departed in the flurry of silver and royal blue. I watched, back straight and proud until she was out of sight, then I slumped and turned to Hatha.

"What now?" I asked.

"She knows you are The Vessel. There is no doubt."

I scoffed, a snort like sound. "There is still doubt Hatha. Perhaps not that I am The Vessel, but of what they want from me."

"How do you know they want something from you Mistress?"

"They always do Hatha. They always do."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Once more reluctant but deserving thanks must go out to my favorite rat bastard PacoFear. In equal parts I love and loathe him for the very easy way he makes me sound so much better.

Many commas died to bring you this work -- at the hand of my harsh but fair grammar dominatrix Mistress Red Pen. Thank you Mistress.

Thanks for the lovely feedback and comments. I really do enjoy hearing from you. Leave me some sugar and click on the stars please. I'm shallow and needy and desire proof of your affection.

darcysweet



The Choosing Ch. 06



The Askel that Lady Vere spoke of was the same wicked blond man-boy who had accompanied her to my chambers. He grinned at the sight of me, all teeth and gums . His eyes skipped up and down my body, settling to ogle at my breasts, in that moment of naughty joy seemed far more boy than man. I could hardly blame him for looking. Hatha seemed determined to keep me in a state of virtual undress. For once I gave no objection. I had, since accepting my role as The Vessel, lost all interest in my outward appearance. Not because of a spiritual transcendence—nothing as saintly as that—but because I sensed the futility of the battle. Better instead to devote my attention to the little I could control, and that was the strange power growing inside me, not my flimsy coverings.

The latest flimsy coverings consisted of a sheer robe and not much else. My naked form and the ochre symbols Hatha had painted upon my body clearly showed through the light fabric—much to the delight of young Askel. I waved my hand to break the spell that had fixed Askel's eyes to my breasts.

"You did not come with Lady Vere?" I questioned, pointing back inside the bathing chambers.

"Oh I came," he said with a wicked smile, "But just not inside."

I laughed at his overt double entendre. He winked and swept his hand forward motioning for me to follow him down the hall. I held out my arm and he took it with a light touch.

We walked together with Hatha following.

"What do they want of me?"

Askel came to a stop and looked from Hatha then back to me. He opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head as if deciding against it. "Tell me," I urged, trying to compel him with my voice

He nodded, and spoke quickly, "There are two camps. Two schools of thought if you will."

"And they are? What?"

He sighed. "You have to realize Mistress; we have been hiding for a long time. Running in fear, it changes people... makes them desperate."

"And what do desperate people do?" I asked softly, not sure I wanted to know the answer.

"Your presence here risks us. We know the Dark Prince searches for you. There are some who want you gone."

That came as no surprise. "And others? What do they want?"

He turned away, not meeting my eyes as he spoke, "Others are tired of hiding. Tired of waiting in fear, they wish to use your power to reclaim the Sarran place in Vandarra."

"Use me."A chuckle escaped. Looking back over my shoulder at Hatha I said, "What a shock."

Hatha, forever frustrated by my outbursts, frowned and shook her head.

"And which desperate school currently holds power?" I asked, "Those who want me gone or those who wish to use me?"

Askel looked back and forth between Hatha and me, opening and closing his mouth before spluttering, "I do not know Mistress. I have said too much..."

I held up my hand, cutting him off. "Fear not Askel I will not share your confidence. You have my word."

He sighed in relief and motioned down the hall. "We should go Mistress Vessel, they will be waiting for us."

We did not have much farther to go; Askel led us down a hallway to a set of heavy wooden double doors. They'd been carved to exactly fit the jagged jut of the rock walls. Time and care had put these in place. This was no makeshift arrangement. This was built to last. They'd been made by craftsmen who expected to stay underground indefinitely. Generations of people living in dark fear, no wonder they were desperate. I pondered what it must be like to eternally cower in the darkness. To be so ruled by fear that you carve a refuge deep in the earth, far from the light.

Was the darkness sanctuary or prison? I wondered. Did they even know the difference?

I looked at Hatha, marveling at how brave she must have been to leave the security of the Sarran refuge and search for her Anja. The bond they shared must have been stronger than fear, stronger than the need for safety.

Love. A true love.

It hurt to think of it. Their love. Jealousy stitched into my side. A stab of physical pain. I wanted it for myself, so desperately. Not specifically from Hatha. I would be happy just for something other than obligation from her. From someone, a love free of obligation, fear or strategy—a love of mine alone.

Anja had both Roth and Hatha, and then also Nadar.

What did I have? Nothing.

Hatha gave me a tight little smile urging me to move faster. If not love then, why did Hatha stay?

She risked again being with me. She had safety at the Night Palace. The trust of Roth, a good life—all risked for me. I wondered yet again at her motives. Was it friendship? Love? She did not love me as she had Anja. Of that I was sure. Was I a tool then? A part of an agenda that I could not even guess? Perhaps a little of them all. Hatha remained a mystery, one right beside me.

As Askel opened one of the great door s Hatha grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "We must remain calm," she whispered in my ear.

"Must we?" I questioned with a slight smile.

"Do not joke Mistress. These are powerful people with powerful fears. We need them. You need them. There is more at stake here than your pride."

"My pride is all I have Hatha." My answer was heavy with regret not anger, the sort of bone deep sorrow borne at the realization of the few petty truths that remained mine alone. I tugged free of her arm, pulled back my shoulders and entered the Council Chambers.

Before me at a long table on a raised platform were the eight members of the Sarran Council. Sleeves bare they sat facing me their arms covered in the magic of their Sarran tattoos. As I looked at each Council member somehow I knew what they represented, I could read the power of each tattoo. Not in words, in a basic more primal way. The same way I knew the table was flat, the rocks were sharp. If I had been asked to explain how I would have lacked the words. I knew because I knew, it was as simple, as instinctive as that.

The easy knowledge of their markings scared and thrilled me.

Four men, Four women sat before me. Off center to the left was Lady Vere, who despite her placement was quite obviously the head of the Council. She looked to Hatha who stood just behind and to my left, not to me and said, "Bring her forward."

I spread my legs slightly and planted my feet. I was no pawn to be shifted at her command. I would not go. Hatha placed a gentle hand at the small of my back and pushed, but I did not shift. I heard her long suffering sigh; she knew I was not going to make this easy.

I felt a stab of affection at the sound. She knew me so well, better than my own blood.

I fixed on Lady Vere, waiting for her to meet my gaze. Hatha murmured indistinct words of urging at my side that I ignored. I did not shift or fidget. I did not even tilt my head; I focused on Lady Vere setting a stare waiting for her to break.

She, I suspected was as stubborn as I. Lady Vere fixed her determined patient gaze upon Hatha and waited.

Time ticked on. I heard Hatha's breath at my ear. The sound of shuffling and murmured chatter from the Council table. Behind me footsteps. Through it all we remained—three points of a stubborn triangle—Hatha, Lady Vere and me.

The Lady broke first, but not because of me.

A laugh. A husky brittle laugh broke her gaze and made her eyes flicker to mine and then towards the sound. From the darkness at the side of the Chamber came an old woman.

"This one," she said, pointing a gnarled cane at me, "this one is interesting."

"Mother," Lady Vere sighed the word, dipping her head in a low bow. The other members of the Council followed, murmuring and bowing almost as one.

"We have not seen you for some time Mother," Lady Vere said in a low and deliberate tone.

"There has been nothing of interest to see," the old woman snapped waving her cane at the raised table of The Council. She turned to me, in a surprisingly spry spin and said, "You. You though, I find interesting."

"She is dangerous Mother, unstable..." a male member of The Council stood to speak so short statured his chest barely cleared the table as he did.

"You seek too much stability Haakon. The world cannot be contained. It will never be as safe as you hope."

The short man shook his head, the plait of his long red gold beard hitting the tabletop as he did. "With respect Mother it is the stability you mock that has kept the Vere safe all these years."

"There is safe and there is stagnant," a young man to the left of Haakon retorted, "we are festering in the cocoon of your safety Haakon. Suffocating."

"And what would you have us do Ragnar? Risk all for this?" He pointed at me, spittle flying from his red face as he yelled. "The weakness of The Vessel is what brought us down in the first place and you wish us to trust this one?"

"This one is all we have," said the slight blond woman seated beside Ragnar, her voice was soft but not without power. It danced across my skin in a fluid caress.

"This one," spat Haakon, "Is nothing but the whore of the Masters."

"I have a name," I interrupted, proud that my voice did not shake with the anger that coursed in my veins. They turned as one, shocked momentarily into silence by my voice.

"Yes. We know," said the one called Ragnor, "You are Talia of Hawthorne Shire, Chosen of the Dark Prince of Pleasure, but what are you to us?" There was no malice in the tone, but genuine interest. Curiosity. He was not in the school who wished me gone. I felt his desire to use me. He tilted his head and looked intently at me honey blond hair falling in a curtain across half his face as he did. The soft spoken woman at his side reached over and tucked the hair behind his ear with the oft practiced ease of a lover.

"What do you wish me to be Ragnor?"

He met my eyes, smiled and shook his head.

An elderly woman at the far end of the table sneered and raised a palm shaking with barely held fury. "I know what he wishes from you..."

"Audhild," Lady Vere interrupted.

But Audhild was not so easily silence. "No! I will not be silenced my Lady. Ragnor speaks his mind, why should I not?"

I turned my shoulders to Audhild preparing myself for the inevitable onslaught. She was not the first to rage at me, she would not be the last. I braced my shoulders and jutted my chin in defiance as she pointed at me with a long spell casted finger, ringed with an intricate tattoo. "Ragnor wants your power. He wants nothing but the power of The Vessel and he does not care who he risks for it."

Another Council member rose from his chair in Ragnor's defense. "Rubbish! Audhild you old fool! Ragnor wants naught for himself. He wants The Vessel to take her place as it has been. To bring back the balance. Nothing more."

Audhild turned on him, giving no ground. "Better an old fool than a naïve whelp Sjurd. You follow Ragnor to your doom. I will not let you take us all with you."

"SILENCE!" Lady Vere's voice boomed impossibly loud, echoing off the chamber walls. Her hands clasped in a steeple at her chest. Magic bounced from her in wave of heat. She unclasped her hands and continued calmly, "The Council will be seated. The Council will be silent." When order was restored she pointed at me, "You, Mistress Vessel, come forward."

I raised an eyebrow but kept my feet planted.

She sighed, sounding not unlike Hatha, "Please. Please Talia, come forward to address The Council."

I hesitated, out of little more than petty spite before I stepped forward to stand directly in front of Lady Vere. Behind me I heard the throaty chuckle of the old woman they called Mother.

"Do you wish to question me or should I speak, my Lady?"

"Speak freely your peace Mistress Vessel and then we shall question you."

I nodded and swallowed my throat tight. I spoke slowly the words Hatha had taught me, "I am Talia of Hawthorne Shire. I am The Vessel of Sarran Vere. I ask of you shelter and knowledge."

Ragnor was the first to speak, "My lady she is Coven born, shelter and knowledge cannot be denied."

"Coven born?" the one called Audhild hissed from the end of the table, "Who is her Sire? She has no heritage here. She has no rights."

"No heritage?" Sjurd, the fiery young man who had spoken in support of Ragnor gave a short laugh along with his question. "How can you speak such rubbish? She is The Vessel, therefore she is Coven born. There is no question."

"There are always questions," Haakon said, "Questions of loyalty come to mind foremost."

I faced Haakon. "Loyalty?"

"Yes, to whom are you loyal? It is a simple question Mistress Vessel. You ask us reveal our knowledge, to give you the secrets of spells of great power, how do we not know you will not share it with our enemies?"

Anger spiked in my veins. "I am here am I not? I came freely, at great peril and ...."

"You also fed the Dark Master's freely," Haakon fired back. "You gave of your blood and body to Roth like a bitch in heat. You could not even wait to be alone. You spread your legs for him before all who could see."

The truth of his retort stung. How did he know? My face flushed red with shame and anger; I looked back at Hatha who sent me a hurt shake of her head. Of course it was not her, I regretted that I questioned for even a moment.

"Yes I fed Roth. I could still be feeding him now, in the luxury of the Night Palace but I am here. Here with you. Does that mean nothing?"

"It means nothing until you are proven loyal."

"How can I do that?" I asked.

Audhildn's answer was quick. "Tether her," she said, and gasps sounded down the table.

"Tether?" That is your answer?" Ragnor asked with obvious disbelief.

"No!" an old but strong voice sounded behind me, so loud my ears rang with its heavy bass. "She will not be tethered she will be taught."

"Mother, surely you do not mean to overrule The Council?" Haakon asked in a tone syrup sweet with respectful fury.

She did not rise to Haakon's bait. "Never would I do such a thing Haakon. " She addressed the entire council, "Vote now. Talia of Hawthorne Shire. I say Talia of Hawthorne Shire, Vessel of Sarran Vere will be taught in the ways of the Sarran. Who says Aye? Who says Nay?"

A chorus of ayes and nays sounded, equally strong. Four in favor, four against. The Council split equally between Haakon and Ragnor. I noted with interest that the Lady Vere voted in favor of the Mother's motion. She wanted me taught, that was a surprise.

"What is the vote Lady Vere?" the old crone asked.

"It is tied Mother. A hung vote."

"Which means a Nay in the laws of The Coven," Haakon crowed triumphantly.

"Unless I should vote to break the tie."

"What?" Haakon swung his head to stare at the Mother, his plaited beard flicking like a whip as he did.

"You heard me Haakon. I am Mother of the Coven. I vote on Council matters as I so choose. I choose now to vote in favor of teaching The Vessel."

Haakon jerked to his feet, the high back of his chair falling with a sharp bang on the stone platform.

"Do you challenge me?" Mother asked, raising a tattooed palm to face him as she did. Her power buzzed through the room. I felt it like the swarm of an angry hive. A ready hive. My skin hummed with the authority of her anger.

It was respect or fear that made Haakon back down. Or perhaps a combination of the two. "Never Mother. Never would I challenge your rule." he said, his face pale as he looked upon her outstretched palm.

"I thought not. The Council is dismissed." She turned to face me, waving her cane at my face. "You I will see tomorrow. At Mother's hour you will come for your first lesson."

I nodded, turned and followed Hatha from the chambers. I had gotten what I wanted, all that I asked. Why then, was I so worried?

* * * *

I tried to apologize to Hatha for my silent accusation when we returned to our chambers. She dismissed me, more in weariness than harbored animosity I realized as she raised a hand and murmured, "All is good Mistress. Now is the time for rest not talk. You will need all your wits for the Mother tomorrow. Sleep."

I pulled on a night rail over my still painted skin, too drained to even wipe myself down before sleep. The cot was small and the thin mattress hard, but it felt like a cloud to my weary bones.

I turned on my side and raised my head on my elbow to look over at Hatha. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I could see her laying flat with her hands tucked under her head looking up at the ceiling. "Was it what you expected Hatha?" I asked.

She laughed. A soft sound of resignation rather than joy. "It was what it was Mistress. I have come to expect nothing else."

"Thank you Hatha. For all you have done. For all you have risked. Thank you."

"It is my duty Mistress. I am forever your servant."

The words cut. I knew she did not mean them too. Which was somehow worse. If she were lashing out at me I could at least have know that she had some passionate feeling to me. Something more than duty.

Did anyone care for just me? I hated the pathetic thought even as I sank into the indulgent lonely misery.

Duty. Obligation. Tool. These were my connections. Nothing more. Wanted or hated for what I could do. Never for just me. Vessel...the perfect description for me. A receptacle for the needs of others.

Roth wanted my power. Hatha wanted to serve the power. The Council wanted to destroy or harness the power. With an entourage of the power hungry why then did I feel so damn powerless?

One remained apart; Nadar.

What did he want? That was still not clear. I suspected it was to assuage the grief for his mother that still beat beneath his skin. The power of loss. Was that what drew me to him? Him to me?

As I succumbed to sleep, eyes no longer able to watch the play of darkness and light on the ceiling I thought of him.

Nadar.

It should have been no surprise that he entered my dreams. He had been my last thought. He seemed however, surprised to see me. I did not want his surprise. I wanted his desire. His love. In dream I slipped into the truth I ferociously shielded in daylight. He was in the room where I first saw him, framed by the moonlight from the window he was gazing out. Silver hair, soft glowing in halo, but he was no angel. He was a dark angel. My dark angel? How I wanted it to be so.

"Talia," he whispered, my name a sigh that fluttered my heart.

I pressed a finger to my lips to silence him. I did not wish to hear his explanations, his excuses. This was my dream, my fantasy.

He stood. I sighed at the sight of his strong broad frame. I wanted that weight on me. Over me, pushing me down, holding me still as he thrust inside.

"This is a dream," he said, as he came forward to stand before me. I nodded.

"You dream of me?" He inclined his head and curled his full lips in a bemused half smile.

I nodded again. Not trusting my voice. Not wanting to break the magic of the moment.

He brought forward a hand and brushed back my hair. Our skin connected with a crackle of heat, an ember sparked.

"You dream of me, I search for you. Where are you?"

I shook my head, and stepped back.

He reached out for me fingers outstretched but not making contact. "No—! No Talia, please don't go. I won't ask. I won't ask again."

I took his hand between my palms, clasping his fingers tight between my hands. I wanted a solid connection but I could not get the depth of feeling. I hungered for more. . The touch—no matter how hard I squeezed—felt thin somehow. Slight and insubstantial.

"I've missed you," his murmured words floating through my hair.

I wanted to answer. Tell him that I had missed him too but the words tangled in my chest and I could not draw them forth, just as I could not feel the solid warmth of his touch.

"Talia, I hardly know you." He stepped back, looked down at our clasped hands and then back up at my face. His silver rimmed eyes locked on mine. "No. I don't know you, but I want to. I need to. I need to know you. Will you let me, please?"




The Choosing Ch. 06



He spoke the truth. I felt it with each syllable. I opened my mouth to tell him I understood and the room began to fade. The edges first, dissolving into a spray of colored pin lights.

I stepped into him, pushing up on my toes. Our mouths met. Lips on lips, tongues entangled a spark of heat. Melting like wax I succumbed to the teasing pleasure. Not enough. Not enough. I hungered for more. Greedy I grabbed at him, taking more and more.

He murmured against my lips, "Come back to me. Find me again. It's too much for you now. Later. When you're stronger. Rest now, rest now my beautiful and return again."

I could no longer feel him. I pressed harder, pushed to find the feeling. The more I tried the more the feeling dissolved. The sparkle of lights erased the room, closing in quickly until Nadar was gone. Blackness curtained down until I was left with just the image of his moonlight halo. My dark angel.

I thought of the dream as I awoke to Hatha shaking my shoulders. I sat up and rubbing the last vestiges of sleep from my eyes I opened my mouth to tell her about Nadar's nighttime visit but after one stuttered syllable I stopped.

"Mistress?" she questioned softly her hands pulling me up to sit and stripping me of my night rail.

I lifted my buttocks and raised my arms to help her slip the material off my body. "It is nothing," I lied. "Nothing at all."

"You're tired," she said, she stood between my legs. I looked up at her. "Yes, I am," I said, this time speaking honestly. I was so weary I felt numb. Old. Fragile.

I scraped a hand across my face. I was not looking forward to seeing the Mother in this state. I wanted to sink back down on the bed, pull up the covers and hide from the world.

"Let me help," Hatha said. She'd come down on her knees, her hands rested on my thighs.

I shook my head, "Only sleep will help, Hatha."

She smiled up at me. With her hair loose about her shoulders and her tattooed arms bare she seemed so young. Almost like the daughter of the angry woman in black who had first met me in the Night Palace. I laughed.

"What makes you laugh Mistress?"

"You Hatha."

She frowned and I laughed again. "Do not take offence Hatha. I laugh because I'm thinking back to when I first saw you all starched in black and scowling. Never then did I think I would see you so pretty nestled between my thighs."

She blushed and flicked her gaze away staring at the bed covers. "You think me pretty Mistress?"

I curled a finger under her chin tilting her face up until her eyes met mine. "I think you beautiful Hatha. I think you magnificent."

"Mi-mistress," she stammered and moved to place a warm kiss on my palm. That simple act filled me with joy. My heart glowed with the connection I saw in her eyes. I thought back to last night, to how sorrowful I had been at her 'service' comment. As I looked down at my friend I shook my head. How could I have doubted her? Of what joined us? We were friends. She was more than my handmaiden. Much more.

"Shall we go now Hatha. What state of undress am I required in today?" I joked though a stifled yawn.

"You are still weary my Mistress."

"I am, but there is little we can do about that."

I arched my spine and raised my arms up, closing my eyes for moment as I sank into the pleasure of the stretch. While my eyes had been closed she had stood. I felt her hands on my shoulders. I smiled, and turned my head to rub my cheek on her hand. She pushed when I expected her to pull. I fell back on the cot my legs hanging over the edge.

"Hatha," I laughed.

"Lay still," she ordered, and because it was comfortable I did. A warm wash cloth worked across my body in wet slippery strokes. A moan of pleasure slid from my mouth as she added pressure to the heat of the cloth massaging me with each stroke. "Oh, Hatha, that's so good."

She hummed as she worked down my torso to my legs.

"Stand," she ordered and I did so with a feigned groan of protest. The cloth worked across my shoulders and back with ruthless efficiency. I resigned myself to the fact that we would leave soon, scrubbed clean to face the Mother.

"You are clean," she said finally, sounding very satisfied.

"A fresh slate," I joked. I moved as if to turn to face her but the hands she had shifted to grip my hips would not let me.

"Hatha..."

"Let me help you Mistress. Let me..." her whispered words trailed off as she breathed against my skin and rested her cheek on the pillow of my arse.

She spread my cheeks, and licked me from behind. A strangled gasp slipped from my throat as the damp point of her tongue hit my arsehole. I spread my legs and leaned forward until my hands hit the wall beside my cot.

"Yes." I heard her murmur from behind.

Her tongue flickered across my most private place. A flutter of constant shooting pleasure. I fell into the pleasure of this darkest kiss. Her fingers snaked between my thighs to slide between my sticky lips and push inside. I gasped again as her fingers curled inside me circling pressure into the walls. I clenched around her fingers in a sharp almost painful orgasm. Once and then again as she gave me no respite.

Dizzy, my hands slipped on the wall and I fell forward onto the cot, my knees banging on the edge. Twice I had just come, but I wanted more. The sharp stinging orgasms had just fueled the need. I got my stumbled to get my footing and turned to face Hatha. She smiled up at me from her knees on the floor. Her lips swollen and wet. Her tongue poked out to flicker at the seam.

I came up on my feet, with rough fingers fisted in her loose hair I brought her mouth to my aching centre. Two hands I held fast in her fair, holding her as if reining a mount. I saddled my swollen sex on her mouth and ground my mound down on her face riding her with ruthless intensity.

"Yes. Hatha—yes." I grunted as I ground down on her tongue riding to my next orgasm. Power surged through me, up my body from my sex, pulsing at my breasts. My nipples points of aching intensity. Up, up she took me to the peak of my orgasm. Racing, higher and higher on her skilled mouth.

I looked down at her, as she ate at my sex, her hands gripping my hips digging into my flesh to keep me from moving away, her eyes drilling into mine. It was too intense, her need to please me too much to bear, I looked away and saw him.

Askel.

The young man watched from the door. He'd let himself in but had shifted no further than the door behind him. He leaned against the wood, one hand moving fast, rubbing the erection bulging beneath the soft suede of his breeches. His eyes were fixed on Hatha's face at my sex and he stroked in time with each movement of her head. It were as if an invisible line existed between his cock and the tongue lapping at my slit.

I laughed. His eyes flicked up to meet mine. The power of his lust made me reel, I locked my knees to keep from falling back. Hatha paused in her licking, I twisted her hair to keep her from moving away. I did not want her to stop. I did not want her to stop. Or him.

A new heat uncurled deep within flicking out to crackle across my skin. "More," I whispered and heat my own voice ring deep with an unbeknownst power.

He understood my command. The Vessel's compulsion. He pushed his breeches down until they sat below his hips. His cock jerked free, plum tipped and glistening with cum.

"Touch," I commanded and his hand began to stroke. Root to tip he pulled on his shaft.

I watched.

He watched.

And Hatha worshiped at the altar of my sex.

It took but a moment for me to come again. Pulsing surges of release that shot from my body drenching Hatha with my cum. My power peaked with my orgasm energy surging up and down my spine trying to burst free. I had to release. Release the power.   Askel. He was my release.

"Cum," I hissed through gritted teeth.

His mouth gaped open as his body obeyed my call without question. His hips jerked and thick ropes of his seed pulsed forth onto the cold stone floor. Like a puppeteer I controlled him. With the certainty of the power that coursed through my veins I knew it.

"Cum," I said again.

I felt it the surge from me, a pulsing link of power from my sex to Askel who shuddered once more in orgasm. He fell forward to his knees, on all fours he arched his back like a pained animal and his cock spewed forth stream after stream of cum.

I laughed.

I was potent. I was ringing with power. With magical might. From my toes to the ends of each strand of hair I was abuzz of my arcane energy.

I released my fingers from Hatha's hair and brought my hand down to stroke across her cheek. "Thank you," I murmured looking down at my fingers starkly pale on her flushed skin.

"I am in your service," she parroted the platitude of a handmaiden.

Her words stung. Like a careless slap. I still felt the buzz of power but it no longer resonated with joy—the fire dampened by Hatha's service.

I was a brittle shell. A Vessel of still, but of loneliness, or empty sorrow.

"You are in my service," I said, voice hollow as empty as I felt.

"I am your Handmaiden. You are my Mistress. I service you as you need. You are the Vessel."

"The Vessel," Askel repeated, now seated with his back to the door.

From where she still knelt between my thighs Hatha turned her head to his voice, noticing Askel for the first time. As only Hatha could she rose to her feet and with a mouth still glistening with my released asked, "What are you doing here?" as if he'd just interrupted us breaking our fast.

"I am here to take The Vessel to the Mother."

"I am ready," I said.

Hatha looked to me with her brow furrowed.

"I am ready," I repeated more firmly. I wanted to leave the room. I did not care where to, just away from the stifling presence of loveless Hatha's service.



The Choosing Ch. 07



The Mother waited not in the Council Chambers or her personal suite as I had expected but in the Bathing rooms. Askel led us across the baths, weaving through the women sitting in different pools. They watched us and I wondered what they thought, of me dressed only in a diaphanous robe, Hatha in her leather vest and Askel in his suede breeches. We were a bizarre parade as we stepped slowly across the slippery rocks.

"Where are the children?" I asked, noticing that there were only women in the pools.

"They bathe in the family quarters. This is only for women who are of age," Askel said, shooting a grin at me over his shoulder. It was the first time he had smiled since leaving my chambers. I was glad to see it. He seemed anxious. His conversation was nervous and stilted. I wondered if it was Hatha who made him nervous, she watched him with a hawklike gaze. The sight of the naked women seemed to clear all that away. He was cocky now. Strutting like a peacock.

"And why then are you here?" I asked, matching his wicked grin.

He sighed, full of pathos. "I am on a mission for the Mother. A difficult mission that takes me through these," he said sweeping out a hand and meeting the coy gaze of a nubile bather in the nearest pool, "beautiful and uncharted waters."

The bather giggled. Hatha snorted and pushed him from behind. Askel slipped and lost his footing, almost ending up in the pool.

I laughed. Hatha turned and frowned. Askel met my eyes and then petulantly screwed up his face like a child behind Hatha's back. I laughed again. Hatha turned back and Askel comically wiped his face clear of all expression.

"Let's go," Hatha grumbled.

Tempting Hatha's wrath Askel risked another wicked grin and started to move again leading us past the pools to a room at the back.

Hatha stopped short, holding out her arm to stop me.

"The Tattoo room? This is where the Mother has beckoned us?"

"Yes," Askel replied, his smile faltering slightly at Hatha's withering glare.

"Why?" Hatha asked, voice hard and teetering on the edge of anger. What's the problem? I wondered. I'd always anticipated that at some point I'd be tattooed, I was Sarran after all; I did not expect my skin to remain unmarked. Why did Hatha object?

"I do not question the Mother. I simply do her bidding."

"Her bidding," Hatha murmured and shook her head as if it made no sense.

"What is it?" I asked Hatha, pushing against the hand she still held out to keep me from entering the room. I was curious to see what had aroused Hatha's suspicions. What she sought to keep from me.

Curious and stubborn right to the bone, as soon as Hatha held me back I burned to see it for myself. My Mother, when she lived had told me often that curiosity was my downfall. I stepped forward.

"Wait," Hatha said, as impatiently I tried to push past her into the room. "Mistress Vessel you should let me go first. I should talk to the Mother."

Her words grated. They stiffened my spine. Maybe if she'd asked. Not ordered. Not told me what I should do. Maybe then I would have agreed.

"The Vessel comes alone." Askel's easy grin had flattened into a thin line. He stood in front of the doorway barring Hatha entrance.

"The Vessel does not go alone," Hatha matched his tone. They squared off, like fighters readying for battle. Lithe young beauty and sturdy maternal force. Shoulders set and eyes matched with steely determination. It was almost laughable. If I hadn't felt so trapped by their decisions, perhaps I would have indulged a smile at the situation. Again I was faced with people bickering over my choices.

My choices.

I would make them. Not one in service. Not Askel. Not the Mother. Or the Coven. Me, because it was always me alone who faced the consequences.

"The Vessel is always alone." I did not intend to speak the realization aloud. It bubbled up, spilling over from the reservoir of sad truth that lay wthin.

Feared, desired worshiped, the Vessel stood apart. An object. An altar. The center of their desires, they circled me but I never joined them. I was always apart.

"Always alone." I repeated sadly.

Hatha broke free from her glare at Askel. Her head snapped around to face me. "That is not true Mistress." She sounded exhausted and frustrated as she said, "I am always with you."

"In service."

"Well, yes," she frowned, obviously perplexed by my dead tone, "In service."

I pushed her hand away. "I wish to go alone."

She pushed back, placing her forearm square on my chest, barring me from moving forward. "Alone? I do not think..."

"No! You don't think Hatha, you serve. You only serve."

She flinched, dropped her arm and stepped back. "Mistress, I do not know why you're..."

"You don't know. You can't know. There is only me and only I know—and I go alone." Before she could stop me I stepped past her and beckoned Askel, "Take me to the Mother."

He nodded and turned to Hatha. "You are dismissed."

The tattoo room glowed pink. The rock walls not black and smooth like those of the bathing pool, but quartz like, flecked with rose gold and bronze. There was nothing to fear here, nothing to justify Hatha's concern.

"Beautiful," I sighed, as I turned in a circle to catch the full range of color that bounced from the glowing walls.

"Yes. And sacred. Can you feel its power?" Askel asked.

I stepped to the nearest wall and raised a hand to touch its smoothness. Yes. Power. My skin began to sing with it as my fingers neared the pink surface. The moment I touched the soft wall, the bones of my hand, then my entire arm began to hum. It spread into my chest, sweet and intoxicating, I swayed feeling for a moment as if I'd imbibed too much wine.

The sensation came too hard, too fast. I dropped my hand, the connection broke. I sucked in a breath to steady myself. It tasted of herbs. That's when I noticed the smoke. I pointed to one of the whisping plumes of smoke coming from each corner and Askel said, "They're incense Mistress. For the marking ceremony."

I coughed, the smoke tickling my throat.

"It takes some getting used to Mistress. Let me get you a drink." He shifted to a dais at the back of the room. I watched him pour from a gold decanter into a goblet. I took the cup from his outstretched hand. It was wine. Heady and sweet. I gulped it down and handed him the empty goblet. He discarded it at his feet. It tipped, the last of the liquid spilled out on the smooth pink floor in blood like swirls at his boots.

"I'm to be marked? Tattooed?" The intoxicated feeling was back. A wave hit me and I fought not to sway. Was it the wine? Or the smoke?.

He nodded. "Lined with power. Marked with spell."

"Who does this? The Mother?"

Askel shook his head and gave a little chuckle. "No, not the Mother. You've never seen a marking then?"

"No."

"It's quite physical. Both strength and delicacy are required. Even when the Mother was younger it was not her calling."

"Strength? Does it hurt?"

"The marking?" He stepped forward as he spoke. His voice deep and as intoxicating as the sweet scented smoke filling my lungs. "Yes Mistress Vessel, It is quite... painful."

Painful. He'd made the word sound so erotic. So appealing. My nipples beaded hard beneath the thin fabric of my robe. My reaction did not go unnoticed. His eyes flicked down and settled on the points. He ran his tongue along the seam of his lips. My back arched, my body moving without thought instinctively pushing my aching nipples closer to that tongue. When I realized what I'd done I squared my shoulders and took a step back.

"Where do I wait for Mother? Will she arrive soon?"

"She has given me instruction."

I nodded. My head felt fuzzy. His voice seemed further away, it echoed as if bouncing down a long hallway.

"You should wait here." He pointed to a flat stone in the centre of the room. An altar stone.

He took my elbow and guided me to it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw others slip into the room. A wiry man, corded with lean muscle. He carried a tapered stick about the length of his forearm and a bowl. Two women followed him a step behind on either side.

"The Marker," Askel whispered in my ear as he nudged me into shrugging out of my robe. Nude, he helped me lay flat on the stone. I looked up at him, his face hovered above me, he trailed a finger across my lips and then down the length of my body. At the peak of my nipple he paused and flicked his fingertip across. My back arched up to meet his touch.

The cool of the stone at my back, the heat of his fingertip. The ache of my breasts, skin taut and hungry— I swam in sensation. I was primed. Ready. For what?

The Marker joined Askel followed by the two other women. Young. Beautiful. Hair shining blond. Their faces swam together, images of beauty, swirls of pale and flushed pink skin through the smoke.

"The Mother?" I rasped, my voice rough. It hurt to speak.

"Shhh, all in good time Mistress. All in good time."

I had questions. I was sure of it, but I could not think of them. Hatha. I wanted Hatha. She would know. And then I remembered how I had dismissed her. How I had let Askel send her away.

Stupid pride.

"Turn Mistress." Not Askel's voice. The Marker's. Hands gripped my shoulders and rolled me over until I was my belly was flat on the warm stone. My head fitted into a carved recess, a hole in the stone. I closed my eyes.

"Relax. Close your eyes," Askel's breath blew warm on my throat as he brushed my hair off my neck."

They scrubbed me first. The women. I knew it was them as I felt the soft brush of their breasts on my back and sides as they worked. Razors came next. The feeling of the blade familiar, from when Hatha had stripped me of my body hair. First the back of my legs then my arse spread, the sharp blade scraping gently at the soft skin between. They worked fast, two sets of hands in perfect unison. No words were spoken, no commands issued, they moved as one without direction. Together they turned me over to lay me on my back. One brushed the hair from my face, leaning in to me her nipple stroking my cheek while the other worked the razor stripping hair from my legs and sex. Front and back they worked fast, two set of hands cleaning and shaving the length of my body.

A soothing rinse with warm water was followed by soft hands rolling me over to lay face down. My head returned to nestle cushioned in the recess. The process had been hypnotic. The rhythm of their hands, the wine, the incense, even the oddly comfortable altar stone had lulled me into a dream state. I fought to stay conscious. Sweet sleep beckoned, I teetered on the abyss of dark comfort.

The Marker's raspy voice broke in through my thickening daze, "It begins."

Askel stroked the back of my head gently. "Sink into the pain Mistress. Center it."

The first prick stung, like an angry wasp I remembered stepping on as a child. The needle's stinging briefly gave way to burning just as the Marker sank the needle a second time. And another. Now a steady beat. A tap, a burn, then more stinging. Biting across my skin, burning a trail of angry fire. Needles at my spine, at the base of my neck. Again and again the tapping, the burning, it seemed ceaseless—the Marker pausing only to press a soft damp cloth to the skin that he'd pierced. It hurt most on the bone as he pressed the needles into my spine. I gripped the edge of the rock at each pierce of his relentless needle.

I tried to sink into the pain. To accept the needle. But I couldn't. It was more than the press of the needle, the burn of the ink, beneath the pain, there was something else. Something wrong. Very wrong. With each sting, I grew smaller somehow. Less. Weaker. It was not what I expected. I could not say how but I knew, through the fog of the incense and pain that this was not right.

I shifted, rolled my shoulders trying to get up from the altar. Hands pressed me down.

"She is strong." A voice I had heard before, a man, not Askel but I could not place who it was. I knew him. Who?

"That's exactly why she needs to be tethered." A woman now. A spiteful woman. Words laced with hate. What had I done to her?

Tether? I'd heard the word before. It was wrong. The Mother did not want me tethered. I should not be tethered. I pushed back against the hands that held me, trying to rise up on elbows.

"She needs more. I need her kept still."

"Spell her, spell her, quickly." The woman again. I did not like her. I wanted her gone. Gone.

Adrenalin spiked in my veins. Animal instinct, a primal urge shrieked at me: Fight! Flee!

I brought my arms to my sides and heaved upwards as hard as I could. My head pounded, my heart thudding wildly. At both sides the women came, soft voices in my ear a tuneless chant and smoke swirled around my head.

The fight drained away, seeping from me.

Heavy. I felt so heavy. I tried to fight it. The smoke, the sound, the markings on my skin, but I could not. It covered me, smothered me and I sank down, weak, tired. The room swirled and went dark.

"Talia my darling Talia."

This voice I knew. Nadar. He wasn't with me. I wasn't with him. I knew that, he was between. We were between worlds. The dream and the now.

"Save your fight, Talia."

Fight. Yes I had to fight. Flee. But I was tired. So tired.

"Rest. I will find you."

Why? Why would he find me.

His laugh filled my head. A soft, beguiling chuckle that rolled over me. It cushioned the pain. Surrounded me with comfort.

"Why? Oh my sweet, how could you not know?"

I could not see his face. I wanted to see him. Touch him. I reached forward, with arms that were not real, fingers that could not feel. I tried, tried to touch him, find him, but he was gone. Gone.

And I slipped into the black. Over the abyss into the nothing.

* * * *

I awoke to sunlight on my skin. My cheek hot with the harsh beat of the midday sun. A feeling I had not had since before the circle in the swamp. I was outdoors. Above ground. I opened my eyes, red hot light made me clamp a hand across my face to shield against the sun.

"You're awake."

"Askel?" My mouth felt like it was stuffed with dirty cotton. Rotten and dry.

"Yes." He did not sound happy.

I sat, dragging myself up on unsteady arms. Hard wood scraped my back. We were rocking. Moving.

We were in a cart, an open cart. I looked forward. Two men drove the horses, across from me sat Askel and one other. I hurt all over. My head. My throat. My back. Then I remembered. My hands flew to my neck, to the bandage that covered my neck and upper back.

"Tethered." I whispered the word. Fearful even though I did not know what it meant.

Askel nodded.

Tethered—the word itself meant tied. I was somehow tied. To whom? Who held this tether? I looked to Askel who shook his head, "Not to me. Not to anyone—yet."

"Yet." My throat tightened. I couldn't breathe. Fear gripped me with an iron clasp squeezing my chest until I had no air. My vision blurred, rimmed with red. Askel reached forward and shoved my head between my knees.

"Calm, Mistress—breathe. Breathe slowly." He kept his hand lightly on the back of my head, his fingers threaded in my hair. I closed my eyes and forced myself to calm, concentrating on each slow breath. When my breath came without pain I opened my eyes. At my foot, around my ankle was an iron band. I was chained to the cart.

Fear became anger. In a hot flash of hate I wrenched free of Askel's hand and glared at him.

"So, Askel, I no longer have to ask which school of the desperate to which you belong."

He flushed red.

"I'm sorry."

"Not as much as I am."

"It was necessary."

"Necessary? To drug me, tether and tie me down? Necessary?" I laughed. Like a madwoman, an ugly fierce crazy sound.

"For all the Sarran, sacrifices must be made."

"My sacrifice."

He looked away. He could not meet my eyes. Askel was soft. Weak, he was a minion, a foot soldier. No way had he planned this.

"Haakon," I said, finally placing the voice I had heard in the tattoo chamber.

Askel did not answer but met my eyes with a look of shocked surprise that said far more than words. "And Audhild. I heard them both in the Tattoo Chamber."

"You weren't supposed to."

I laughed again. "Supposed. I had once supposed many things that did not turn out as I wished. Is that who you're taking me to now? Audhild and Haakon?"

He shook his head again. Looked away. Guilty. Unable to meet my eyes. So, it was worse than Audhild. Worse than Haakon. Who did he sacrifice me to? Anger edged with icy fear of the unknown.

The cart came to a halt. We were at a clearing that lead into a rock quarry. Askel jumped from the cart and pulled me forward. The chain scraped against the wood, dragging as I shuffled forward on my buttocks. When I reached the end of the cart Askel released the iron band from my ankle. I stood and stretched out my back. They had dressed me at least. Small mercies, I supposed I should have been thankful I did not have to suffer the indignity of being naked as well as chained.

I was dressed in a dark long sleeved bodice and skirt, similar to my everyday clothes that I wore in Hawthorne. A white apron covered my front and I wore ankle boots. Functional clothes. Suitable for a long journey. By horseback, in a carriage or on foot. Which was it to be? And with whom would I travel?

I briefly considered running. I looked around and worked through the odds of escape. They had chosen a good place to stop. The clearing was wide and flat. There was a good three miles of nowhere to hide. My skirts were heavy and even if they weren't there was no way I could've outrun Askel or the guards he had brought to reach the forest rim. They knew it too, that's why I had been left unchained.

We walked towards to the mouth of the quarry, leaving the cart behind with one of the guards.

Askel lead the way, no deferential holding of my elbow now. I was not to be escorted, but to be lead. He walked in front while the guards pushed at me to hurry from behind. The ground was crushed gravel, it crunched under our feet. The only sound in the silence of the clearing. The walls of the quarry loomed in front of us; we walked a good fifteen minutes before coming under their shadow. The ground became rockier here; I had to look down to watch my step. I gripped my skirts in one hand and held out the other for balance.

Because I looked down I did not see him, and I was not prepared for the voice. The laugh. It chilled me.

I knew it at once. My head shot up, I almost lost balance. The guard behind stopped me from falling with the butt of his lance.

"I told you it was not over Talia."

Bandar.

Behind his vicious smile stood my Uncle and four guards in the colors of Hawthorne Shire.

I stepped back. Escape. Escape. The need to flee echoed in my head, surged through my veins. Run. I had to run. Now. I stepped back into the arms of Askel's guard. He held me fast, one arm cinching my chest. I struggled. The bandage at my back rubbed at the newly tattooed skin. Newly tethered skin.

Tether. The remembrance chilled me enough to still my struggle.

They could not mean Bandar. No. I was not to be tethered to him.

"No. No."

Bandar laughed again. The sound echoed off the quarry walls surrounding me.

"No. No. Not you. Never you." I could not stop the words, they gushed from me in shock.

"Gag her."

Askel raised a hand to Bandar. "She is not to be harmed."

"I'll be less inclined to harm the bitch if I can't hear her."

Askel flinched, looked at me with brief flash of regret and then nodded. Bandar's guards came forth and wrapped tight a length of cotton around my mouth. I bit into it, closed my eyes and fought the urge to weep. I would not give him that. I would not cry.




The Choosing Ch. 07



"You know the agreement."

"We do indeed," my Uncle spoke now, a supercilious bluster I thought I would never have to hear again.

A sound I thought Roth had saved me from.

Roth. I had not thought of him for days.

How I wanted him now. To reach forward, extend his fangs and rip the throats from these men. Feed from their thick red blood until they were lifeless. Anger coursed heavy and hot through my veins. My skin crackled with the heat of my hate.

Askel spoke, "The Tether must be done at the next full moon. You have assured me you have the means to make her agree. If you do not the Tether can be enacted but it will not be as powerful. Malchard needs her at full power."

Malchard? Beatrix's Chosen? He hated the Sarran. Had hunted them for years. Why would Haakon and Audhild deal with him?

Bandar stepped forward. He was preened to perfection as usual. A shining peacock in his knee high black boots, buff breeches and brocade red waistcoat. A perfect tailored façade disguising the filth beneath.

He walked a tight circle around me, moving closer with each ring. Never touching, even so I flinched. He laughed.

"Talia, Talia, Talia—where is your Dark Master now? Too bitter for his taste were you bitch?"

I bit down on the gag.

Bandar moved before me, flicked his hand at the guard who untied the gag. Askel came to stand behind him. I looked over Bandar's shoulder into his eyes. He met my eyes and started slightly.

"Answer me. Are you all alone Talia? Where is your precious Dark Master?"

"Hunting you to rip out your throat."

The blow came fast. It was not unexpected and as strange as it sounds I was almost grateful for it. I'd rattled him. Angered him already. Angry Bandar was stupid, more prone to be rash. The more angry he was, the more unsettled the better chance I had to outthink him.

I laughed and spat the blood from the blow hitting his pristine white neck cravat. He raised his arm again but this time he was too slow, Askel caught his wrist. "No harm. Remember the deal. Malchard wants her unharmed for the tethering."

I laughed again, Bandar's deal was a fool's one. "There is no way I will tether unharmed. Beat me bloody I still will not concede."

"She will agree," Uncle Hawthorne spoke.

I met his eye and spat once again, blood spraying on the rock floor. "Never."

"Never Talia? Are you sure?" Bandar sounded too certain. Cold washed over me. What did he know? What did he have?

I looked between my Uncle Hawthorne and Bandar. Bandar gave a tight smile and nod. Hawthorne gestured to a guard who moved forward. With my sister.

"Leia."

Nausea gripped me, washing over me threatening to empty my stomach right there on the quarry floor.

My sister. My sweet little sister.

Leiawas bound at the hands. Her mouth gagged. Too tight, I could see how it bit into her soft skin. Her pale hair was dirty and mussed. At sixteen she still had the slight frame of a much younger child. Lung sickness stunted her growth, she appeared as if a porcelain doll. A tiny perfect doll.

"No. Uncle Hawthorne please, no." I did not bother to appeal to Bandar. I would find no mercy there. There was no mercy to be found in his black soul. But my Uncle, as pompous and foolish as he was had never been an overtly cruel man. Surely there was some measure of compassion to which I could appeal.

"She does not need to be hurt Talia. She will not be hurt. If you agree."

"Agree."

"To the tether. Come with us to Lord Malchard. Be tethered freely and your sister will not be harmed. I swear it."

"And if I don't?"

"I get her." Bandar had moved to stand with my sister. He released her gag. She coughed. He cupped a hand at the base of her head roughly angling her to look at him, his mouth a sliver away from kissing her.

From where I stood I could see her shake. She trembled in his arms, terrified.

"I have no choice," I whispered, the implication of those words seeping black into my soul.

"Either way I win. You refuse to tether I get you and your sister. You tether and I get the joy of watching to submit." Bandar's tongue snaked out, reptilious and slithering, and ran the length of my sister's perfect doll mouth.

It was more than I could bear. "STOP!" The quarry shook with the bass of my roar. A tumble of rocks fell from behind Bandar, he glanced over his shoulder in confusion.

The power I had let flow into my voice drained away quickly with the realization that I did not know how to harness it. I could not lash out at the risk of my sister.

"Let go of my sister. Do not touch her and I will go with you to Malchard."

Hawthorne nodded. Bandar did not move.

"Get him away from her. I swear it Uncle, if he touches her you will get nothing from me."

My Uncle nodded once more and turned to wave a dismissive hand at Bandar. Bandar left, but not before coming to me and voice lowered saying, "He cannot watch her all the time. I will have you both before this is over."

I lunged fueled by fury ready to gouge his filthy eyes from his head. The guards seized me before my nails made contact. Bandar laughed. I squealed a desperate sound of rage.

"Gag her," he said through laughter before leaving me struggling in the arms of Askel's guard.

* * * *

I was still gagged when Askel came to find me. From the look in his eyes I gathered he wanted absolution. He would find none here. He had chosen his path, if it hurt to walk it that was not my concern. Let him suffer.

He came behind me and released my gag. I reached up and pressed my fingers to the sore sides of my mouth.

"I'm sorry," he said as he sat beside me on the rock floor.

"I'm sure you are."

"Talia, I didn't know. I didn't..."

"You didn't care to know. As long as you didn't you could sleep well. How exactly did you think they would make me agree to be tethered to Lord Malchard? With rainbows and chocolate?"

He snorted out a desperate laugh and sank his head into his hands.

"Sweet Mother. I'm sorry."

I gave a half hearted dismissive wave and turned my head away from the sight of him. "Be sorry elsewhere. I have enough without the stench of your guilt Askel."

"It's for the best. You'll see Talia. You'll see."

"Will I? What will I see? Please tell me of the grand outcome of my great sacrifice. I wish to know what is worth the safety of my sister and my liberty?"

"Haakon and Audhild have negotiated a treaty with the Queen. Lord Malchard has agreed to allow the Sarran to live once more in Vandarra. We will be free."

"With me as the price."

"Yes."

"Fools."

"It will mean we no longer have to hide."

"You bargain your freedom by giving the Devil more power. What exactly, Askel do you think that Malchard and Beatrix will do with that power? Protect the Sarran? Bestow more rights on the humans?"

I watched him slowly digest my words. Did he hear the truth of what I spoke? He said nothing. Just sat. Frustrated, I waved him away. "Go Aksel. Go back to your Sarran and prepare for your glorious short lived freedom."

"I am to accompany you to Palace Shire."

"Really?" I had thought that Askel would go. If he were to stay, he could be useful. "Will you..."

He knew what I was about to ask and raised both hands, cutting off my plea. "I can't..."

"No Askel, you can. You just won't. There's a difference."

"Talia." My name sounded like a plea.

"I did not give you leave to use my name. I am The Vessel to you. That's all. Just a Vessel to be sacrificed at the whim of the Sarran Council."

"Mistress. I am sorry. Truly I am." He wrung his hands.

I sighed. "I know you are. Sometimes though, sorry is just not enough."

He nodded and moved to stand. I reached out, clasping a hand at his calf to stop him walking away. Looking up I said, "There is something Askel. One thing I would ask of you. It will not change the Sarran deal. It will not go against what you have promised Audhild or Haakon."

"I will do it then Mistresss. Ask it of me and it will be done."

"Protect my sister. Keep her safe from Bandar."

"It is already done. I have the Sarran guard on her now." He crouched down to meet my eye. "I will keep her safe. On my life I promise you."

A sob caught in my throat. "Than...Thank you"

He nodded and rose to stand, walking away slowly. When I was sure he was gone and that I was alone I let the sorrow rage forth, weeping from me in shoulder shaking sorrow. I let the sobs come. The first one slipped out in a strangled gasp. The next, louder, fuller. From somewhere deeper. I gave into it and let the tears stream from me, gushing forth in great shoulder-shaking heaves of self-pity, rage and sorrow. Not just for me, my life had always been strange and hard, but for my sister. For innocence lost.

* * * *

Nadar did not come to me in my sleep. I had hoped he would and I woke with a tinge of disappointment that I soon shook off. I had more to regret in my waking life than in my sleep. I chided myself for seeking a dream savior. How foolish it was to think that he would save me. I had imagined him my dark angel. He was naught but fantasy.

There was no one I could rely upon. Not even myself. It was my own stupid pride that led me to this. To Leia being bound and threatened. Why had I not seen to her safety? If I had stayed at the Night Palace I could have had her brought to me. If I'd asked Roth he would have arranged it. Instead I sought truth, what a foolish fantasy that had been. What truth had I found in the Sarran Coven?

No truth at all. Betrayal.

How hard would it have been to submit to Roth's will? He was flawed, but a good Master. Given the opportunity now I could still run and fall to his knees, begging mercy.

Who was I fooling? Certainly not myself. Even now, struggling at the ropes of Bandar I still could not stomach the thought of submission.

What was wrong with me? Why could I not give up even for my own good?

My neck burned. Askel had changed the dressing before we set out but it gave me no comfort. The markings itched and stung with each step. Askel saw me flinch and move my fingers to the edge of the dressing.

"The tether hurts Mistress. It will not stop until the ceremony. It seeks a bond. That's why there is pain. The wound remains open until a bond is set."

Bandar looked over his shoulder at me. Seeing me with Askel he gave a vicious tug of the ropes lashed to my wrists. I stumbled, my knees hitting the crushed gravel of the path with a painful thump.

"Give it here," Askel barked, for the first time sounding more man than boy.

Bandar released the rope. Not handing it to Askel but letting it fall to the ground. He laughed as he watched Askel bend to pick it up.

"That one," Askel said with a nod to Bandar, "Is not right in the head."

I raised a sardonic brow. "Really? I hadn't noticed."

He laughed at the sarcasm of my tone and we shared a knowing smile until I remembered that we were no longer friends. I looked first at my bound hands and then away. Biting back the tears that threatened to fill my eyes.

"Is my sister safe?" I had not seen her since the quarry. They had kept her from me deliberately.

"She is in the cart," Askel said, motioning over his shoulder. "I had it covered for her comfort. She is resting."

"She's fragile."

"Yes, physically, but not in spirit."

Something in the way he said it made me laugh. "Did you meet the sharp point of her tongue then Askel?"

"I did. She may not look like her sister, but she sounds like her."

"Good. It pleases me that she is well enough to roast you."

"I thought that it would. It pleases me too."

"How old are you Askel?" I asked the question I had often wondered.

"I am nineteen."

A baby then. Not so different to my own sister. Easily led. Easily fooled. No wonder he followed the strong will of Haakon and Audhild.

I looked over his handsome profile. So classically Sarran. Angled blonde symmetry. "Tell me of the tethering ceremony."

"You want to know?"

"I want no more surprises."

"Of course you don't. I forget sometimes that you are untrained. With your power you give off the aura of an elder. I keep thinking you already know."

"I don't know. I know so very little."

He looked at me with regret, but I raised a hand to stop his contrition. "Don't apologize again. Please. Just tell me what I ask."

He nodded. "The tether can only be conducted from moon to moon. That is why it was done so hurriedly. Once the Mother had accepted you Audhild knew we had no time to waste. They could not risk you having even as little as a half month of training. You would've been too strong to tether unwillingly."

"So I will be tethered at the next moon."

"Yes."

"How far away is that?"

"Less than a fortnight Mistress."

Fewer than fourteen nights. So little time.

"Why to Malchard? Why not to Beatrix? She is the Dark Master. And the Queen."

He blushed. His pale face flaring bright red. "The tether ceremony is sexual. It is between a male and a female."

"Oh," I said as the realization washed over me.

"Tethered to Malchard is the same as being tethered to Beatrix. He is her Chosen. He does her will."

"So I can tether to human, Master or Sarran. But they must be male."

"Yes. You must tether to one. It binds the will of the Vessel to one force. It is a new spell. Forged by the Sarran after the Vessel first Claimed to a Dark Master. It is meant to keep the power of the Vessel Sarran alone."

"I see the logic. As much as I do not wish too. Why then did the others on the Council not want me tethered?"

"It is a dark spell. The binding uses powerful forces, not easily controlled. It goes against the way of the Sarran. It sullies the Vessel. Who should be pure."

"Pure?" I raised a brow thinking of the things I had done since becoming The Vessel. Pure did not come to mind.

Askel laughed. Grinning like the young man I had first seen. "Not virginal Mistress. Pure in choice."

We walked at a slow steady beat. Strolling almost. It was a beautiful day. Without the rope and bound hands we could be friends on a sweet summer walk through the woods.

I kept my eyes on the road. If I looked ahead I thought too much—wondered of what was to come. Looking at my feet I only thought of the next step. One step at a time kept me calm. Askel moved in close, keeping pace with me. As he was taller, it would not have been easy or comfortable to match my stride.

I pushed thoughts of his kindness away, I did not want to like him. I did not want to forgive him.

I turned to him instead with more questions. "For the tether to work must I submit? What happens if I don't?"

"If you don't submit you will still be tethered but at minimal, if any power and your life span will be shortened."

"A slave then. No matter what I do. What if I do not tether at the next moon. What happens then?"

He stopped, clasping my arm to stop me too. "You must tether Mistress. If you do not you will perish. Painful and slow. You will waste away without the bond. You must tether."

I could choose to die. Rather than submit. That strength of will lay within me. But I did not have the will to make that choice for Leia. I could not die knowing I had left her to Bandar. A fate worse than death.

"Askel. I have asked you to protect my sister."

"Yes."

"Will you, no matter what?"

His answer was softer than I expected. "I know what you ask Mistress. Don't. Please don't ask that of me."

He motioned to a nearby guard and handed over my rope, walking away without looking back.

* * * *

For six days and six nights we travelled the same. Each day melded into the next. Askel did not speak to me again, other than to report on Leia. He must have talked to Bandar however, exerted some influence on the psychopath because other than taunt from a distance he had not held my rope since that first day.

The land was changing, becoming the dense forests of the Palace Shire. We were less than two days from the Palace. Two days from Malchard and Beatrix. Two days from Roth—unless he wasn't there, unless he was searching Vandarra for me.

We camped early than usual, dusk. The skies filled with a coming storm, turning tarnished pewter, rough with cloud, air thick. The night would be harsh and wet. Our shelters were light summer tents, not built for what was to come. I chose to make my pallet under a rock ledge, far from the trees. My guard grumbled at the open ground, but I would not budge. I would rather be wet than fried. The trees the others chose to shelter under were beacons for the coming lightening storm.

There were just seven days until the next moon. seven days until I tethered. They would have to keep Leia with me, make sure I saw here I would not submit. I wondered where they would keep us. Certainly not in the Night Palace. Roth was too powerful there, they could not hide me from him.

I sought a plan. I needed an out of some kind, but all I had were questions. No scheme could be made until I was convinced of Leia's safety, and they were smart enough to not let me see her. I knew that if I was to run this night may be my only chance. If the coming storm was to be as bad as I thought then they would not find me. I would do it at my own risk in a heartbeat, but I could not until I was sure of Leia.

Thank the Mother for Askel. I gave a little laugh as I secured the oil cloth I would sleep under this night. Did I think six days ago I would utter those words? Never. But now, each day that he protected my sister I gave thanks. Blessing him with my heart and soul.

He had smiled as he came each day to report of Leia. Telling me of her insults. She chided him, derided him with an inventiveness that was the high point of my day. As each day passed I became more and more sure that Askel was falling for my little sister. It pleased me. Not because I sought a Happily Ever After for Askel, but because if he cared I knew there was more than his word to keep her safe. If he loved her he would keep her safe long after I was tethered. Bandar would not pass him. I hoped that he would take her back to the Sarran. I had not broached the subject with him yet but I would soon. Before the tether. Tonight.

The tether.

I forced it from my mind. I could not let the fear of what was to come seize me. I had much to do this night. The first of which was to make sure my sister was safe from the coming storm.

Through the first drizzle of rain I saw Askel approach with my guard. I had sent him to bring me Askel. In doing so I had had to suffer the indignity of being chained and staked. The first thing that Askel did was order the guard to remove the chain.

"Get it off her," he barked.

"It is the order of Masters Hawthorne that she not be left unsecured Sire."

"She will not run. Not while her sister remains. Fool."

"I follow orders."

"You follow foolish...." Askel broke off as he caught my eye. He flushed red.

"Foolish orders Aksel, what would you know of those?" I murmured, unable to resist stating the obvious.

"Leave us," Askel ordered the guard who went quickly to join the others in the shelter of the trees.

"You called for me Mistress?" He was stiffly formal.

"My sister. Where does she shelter this night?"

"Away from the lightening trees Mistress. She has her sister's wisdom."

"I'm not sure what I have is wisdom, Askel. Is she far?"

"In the next clearing, far from the others."

"Good."

I shifted in pain. For days now the ache of the tether had built. It did not keep to the tattoo wound, it taunted me by shifting lower to where I felt it worse, between my legs. The tether's ache thrummed at my sex a constant beat of throbbing want. I rolled my hips to ease it. The rain became heavier. Askel knelt to join me under the shelter of my oilcloth.

"Mistress..."




The Choosing Ch. 07



I cut him off. "No Askel. I said no yesterday and the day before. I will not seek release from you. I will not. It will take more than a little pain for me to change my mind."

"You must. Your body is hurting. The Vessel needs it. You're making the tether bond worse."

"What will you tell Leia if I let you service me?"

He hung his head. "Mistress, I..."

"I know you care for her."

He cleared his throat. "I do."

"Keep her safe. This night and forever more. Promise me. Promise me now that you will. No matter what happens."

"What do you plan Mistress?"

"I have no plans other than to keep my sister safe. This night. This night it worries me Askel. Can you feel it?"

He nodded. "I feel it."

"It is not safe here. This place, it rings with...." I could not find the word. Evil was what I wanted to say, but I did not want to be dramatic. I shook my head and rolled my shoulders. "It is unsettling. I would be happier to know that I had your word now that should something happen you would protect Leia. Take her back to the Sarran."

He looked surprised. "You would wish that Mistress? You would wish her to live amongst the Sarran. With me?"

"I would wish her safe. I...I trust you to keep her safe." I had intended to say the words in flattery, as an incentive for him to protect her, but as I did I realized that I truly believed them. I did trust him. I trusted him with my sister.

" I am honored Mistress that you would bestow such trust upon me. Your flesh. Your blood. I am truly honored."

"When you return, will you..." my throat closed over the words, I cleared my throat and tried again. "When you return please, take my sister to Hatha. Ask her to be her guide amongst the Sarran. Tell her that Leia will be a far more grateful and deserving student than I. Tell her...tell her that I am sorry. That I wished I had heeded her better. Been grateful for her service."

Askel nodded slowly, placing a hand on my arm. "I think she knew, Mistress, how you felt for her."

I hoped so, as I had never said. I had never called Hatha friend. On this awful trip I had made that realization. All the time I had expected Hatha to owe me more than service I had given her nothing in return. I had demanded love and offered so little in return. Given my time again I would have declared her friend and asked, not expected that she be mine in return.

A rumble pealed across the sky.

"The storm comes," Askel said, standing up from under the oil cloth and brushing off his breeches. "I should take shelter."

"Safe night to you Askel."

"And also you."

As I watched him walk away the first arc of lightening flashed across the night sky. Within minutes the air filled with the pealing rumble of thunder.

The storm had begun.

My guard did not return. I presumed he kept to the shelter of the trees with the others from Hawthorne Shire. Storms of this nature were few and far between in Hawthorne, I had no doubt they would be huddled in fear at the sound of the wailing wind and lashing rain. I had lived through much of this foul weather, my Father's keep had been on a cliff bluff facing the North sea. Wild storms had buffeted our home many a time before I had moved to the calmer clime of Hawthorne Shire.

The other storms I had lived through had been well sheltered in a stone keep, not out in the open. While I was used to such weather, I was not at all confident at being so exposed. Wind whipped at my oil cloth. It would not survive long. The ceaseless great gusts of wind quickly took their toll. The oil cloth came loose one fastening at a time until in less time than it took to secure the blasted thing it disappeared, dancing across the rain soaked field.

I huddled under the rock ledge, as far back as I could. A crack and thump heralded the start of the hail. Icy shards sprayed at my feet as the hail smashed down on the rock above me.

I worried for my sister, hoping that Askel had her safe. I cursed my luck. I yelled out in futile fury, adding my cry to the sound of the wind and rain.

The hail came in a violent burst of shattering ice, ending almost as quickly as it had begun. The rain continued on, howling on the wind, whipping this way and that. The noise of the rain covered his approach; I did not hear him, did not see until the hand reached under the safety of my rock and pulled me forth.

The rain stung my face, needles of icy water slapping the soft skin without mercy. I raised a hand to protect my eyes. The hand slapped my arm down. Fingers dug into my forearms. I fought. Struggled to free myself from their iron clasp.

His face was masked by the sheeting rain. His voice cracked over the howl of the wind. "I told you bitch. I told you I would have you yet. Have you both."

"No," I yelled over the pounding rain, "No Bandar. I am for Malchard. I am for the Queen. You cannot. You cannot."

"You think I care for Sarran deals?"

He was mad. His eyes, I could see black and cold fixed only on his base wants. No reason lay beneath.

If not reason, then would fear work?

He feared the Masters. "The Masters will punish you. You cannot. They will hunt you down. Not the Sarran. The Dark Masters. Fear them Bandar. Fear their wrath."

He laughed. A shrill mad sound. I knew then that I had no hope. Neither reason, nor fear would shift him from his madness.

I struggled again. His grip slipped on my wet arms. I ducked way from him, he followed. I brought my knee up as hard as I could. My wet skirts constricted the blow. I hit his thigh not his groin. He grunted in pain. I had at least connected hard enough to hurt. He faltered. I took the opportunity.

Blood thundered in my ears beating like a fevered dance.

Run. Run.

Mud and hail covered the field making it icy slick. I flailed my arms to keep balance. My skirts held me back, wrapping around my legs in wet bondage.

He reached me fast, grabbed my arm, wrenching my shoulder, pulling me back. I smelt the burn of malt liquor on his breath. I kicked behind, my boot connecting with his shin with a crack. He slipped back, toppling over in the mud. I risked one look back and then ran. Into the night, dragging up my rain sodden skirts in a gripped fist. My heart pounded. I had no vision other than the flash of lightening that briefly filled the night sky.

I gasped in air, sucking in the cold biting rain with each labored breath. My boots slipped in the black mud, ice slick, I could not keep my footing. Hands pawed at me from behind. Bandar. He'd caught me. He grabbed my skirt. I fell forward. The tether burned at my neck. It pulsed in a painful beat. He pulled up the wet length of my skirts. Fabric ripped at his coarse hands. I came up on my knees trying to push him back. I flailed my elbows back hard, trying to connect with any part of his body. Trying to push him off me. His laugh rang in my ears as his body pushed me down.

"I will have you bitch. I will take what I want."

He bared my thighs to the bite of the rain. My drawers stuck fast to my skin. He pulled at the tapes to free them from my body. I fought. Hard, an animal pinned, I growled baring my teeth like a wolf in a trap. He gave up on the tapes instead hooking his fingers in the waistband and pulling. The seams tore easily ripping the drawers from my thighs in one violent tug.

Possessed by fear I fought. My elbow jammed into his face. He caught the arm and wrenched it up behind my back so hard it almost pulled it clear of the socket. He pressed his knee into the small of my back, pinning my hips into the sucking mud. My face lay flat in the mud but I was not yet done. I would not submit.

I had more fight. I had more to give, but he stopped me. Stilled me with one sentence. "I have your sister."

"No. No. She is with Askel."

He laughed. "Is she then? The Sarran fool who is drugged asleep in his tent?" That Askel?"

My fight shattered, broke and blew out into the wailing wind. "What do you want from me?"

"So much bitch, so much. But we'll start with you getting up. Run and Leia will regret it."

He dug his knee into my back pressing his full weight down in a vicious and painful push before rising to stand. I brought my hands flat and rose up out of the mud. I was black from cheek to foot.

The rain had slowed to a fine curtain. "Walk," he said and pushed me in the centre of my back. I stumbled. He laughed. I sucked in a breath and tried to still the panic that surged thick and fast in my veins.

I labored one step at a time across the slippery ground with Bandar shoving me from behind. We reached the tree line and kept moving. The forest offered protection from the rain. It was darker here; apart from the intermittent flash of lightening I could barely see one foot in front. We followed a single width path through the thickness to a small clearing at the edge of the hillside. He pushed me to the hill until I was an arm length from the rocks.

"Here," he grunted.

Where? I could see nothing but rocks. He pulled me to the side, into a crack barely big enough to slide through. A hidden cave.

When my eyes adjusted to the dark I saw a small figure huddled near the wall.

"Leia!" I moved before he could stop me. I was upon her in seconds, my hands running across her body to make sure she was safe and whole.

"I'm all right Talia. I'm all right."

A sob escaped and then another until I could it no longer. I held her in my arms, rocking in time with my cries.

"A touching little scene." Bandar stood before us, hands on his hips.

I moved in front of my sister, pushing her behind between me and the rock wall. "What do you want? What do want from me?" I was deliberate in my omission of Leia from his wants. He would deal with me and me alone.

"I want you tethered."

"To you?"

"Yes. Right now."

He was insane. I did not know the tethering ceremony. All I knew was that it was conducted at full moon. I did not argue, instead I said, "Yes, I will. I will consent to the tethering. First let Leia go."

"No!" Leia yelled, pushing at my back. "You will not protect me this way."

I shoved her back behind me ignoring her cry keeping my eyes locked on Bandar. "You will have me only once you have let her go."

"You give me orders?"

I'd made a mistake. A big mistake. I had told, not asked. His eyes shuttered. He went to a crazy place. I had sent him there with my demands.

"I will take what I want. All that I want. What if I start with her? Right here. In front of you— with the music of your sobs?" He kicked me hard, his boot connecting with my arm and shoving me aside with ease. As I rolled to right myself he reached down and took Leia's arm, dragging her up against his body. She looked so small, so fragile against his brutish form.

I stood to face him. "No. Please. Please Bandar. She has no skills. I can please you. I want to. I want to please you." With shaking hands I began to unclasp my bodice. Tiny pearl buttons slipped in my trembling fingers. He watched me, still holding Leia to his chest. My hands would not work, they fumbled until I gave up and simply wrenched apart the bodice, popping buttons on the packed dirt floor, revealing the wet chemise beneath.

The fabric was sheer, clinging to like a translucent second skin. Bandar loosed his grip of Leia and took a step towards me. I sighed in relief and continued to undress. The ties of my skirt freed easier than the buttons, the water weight dragged it to the floor the moment the ties were released.

I wore no drawers. Those ripped off me by Bandar. The chemise clung from breasts to ankles. Bandar feasted upon my body with hungry eyes. My stomach rolled with the thought of what I must now do, but I did not stop. I reached down and tore the chemise, making a split right up to my sex. I pulled the wet fabric away from my body revealing to him what he wanted.

"Come," I beckoned. "Come to me." Away from my sister. Away from Leia.

Drunk with lust and madness he lurched forward, arms outstretched. One step, two steps until he was barely and arm length away.

My eyes I kept locked on his, drawing him to me. I did not see her until she cried out, "No! You will not have her!"

Bandar fell forward. Leia stood above him with bloodied rock still clenched in both hands. She'd hit him from behind with a force I never thought her frail form could muster. He lay flat on the cave floor with blood gushing from his head. She looked up at me dropped the rock, it bounced from Bandar's back to the cave floor.

Reaching out a hand she said, "Come. Let's go. Let's go now. Now!"

I nodded, stepped over Bandar and took her hand. She did not stop pulling me until we were in the clearing outside the cave entrance.

"Where to?" Leia asked, looking up at me as if I had the right answer.

"Anywhere but here." I looked away, shielding my eyes from the rain, looking at the tree line for the path entrance.

"To Askel?"

I heard her hopeful question but did not get a chance to answer. She cried out and before I even looked back I knew. I knew that he had her.

Leia was gripped to his chest. His face was bloody, streaked from the falling rain. Mouth set in a vicious grin, he bared his teeth like an animal. He held a knife to her throat, the point pressed against her pulse.

"No," I whispered the word, unable to muster anything more.

"Sit," he barked.

I folded, bare arsed into the mud.

I watched him bind her, wrap her wrists tight in twine at her back. When she was secure he came to me. He bound my wrists like hers, dragged me back to a tree and wrapping the ends tight around the trunk.

He did not speak. He grunted. Animal sounds that filled me with bone deep fear. He was lost. Lost to the anger. Lost to his madness.

What would he do?

I watched, locked tight in my binds as he pushed Leia to her knees. He flipped up her skirt and pulled down her drawers.

"No. No. Please no," I moaned in desperate sorrow pulling on my bindings.

He pushed her forward, her face hit the mud. He watched me, not her as he undid his breeches and released his thick hard cock.

"No. No. No." I could not stop the word. It poured from me, growing in volume.

He laughed. Stroked his brutal hard shaft and laughed.

"No. No. No. NO!" Each cry became louder. Stronger. Until over the roll of thunder my voice cried out. Booming.

He dropped his cock and brought his hands to his ears.

"No. You will NOT take. You will NOT take."

He cowered. His shoulders shook and he ground the heels of his hands against his ears.

"No!"

Power surged from the sky. A flash of lightening hit behind Bandar sizzling the ground spotting fires quickly dampened by the rain. Steam rose around him. Anger coursed through me. Righteous fury. I shattered the bindings like fine spun glass. My arms and legs free slipped free without conscience thought.

I came upon him, my feet barely hitting the ground. I surged forward on the wind of my hatred. He was on his knees, holding his head and whimpering. A gust of wind caught my torn chemise spreading it like the wings of an avenging angel. I raised my arms, my palms up to the storming sky. The lightening came. I called it to my hands. My fingers took the blast, from each side it rocketed through me, shocks of bright white light, burning through my bones.

I laughed. Loud over the wind it came. I saw it. Saw the sound as it wrapped around his body binding him at my feet.

My fingers, burning with the power of the light steepled at my mouth, my chest and my sex and then spread out, pointing at Bandar and blasting him with the white hot power of the sky.

He fried. Cindered like the straw offering at the Summer Solstice Bonfire. I felt nothing. Nothing as I watched him disintegrate, but when the white light left me and I fell to my knees at the ash that remained of his body and emptied my stomach in the realization of what I had done.

I had killed him. Killed Bandar. With lightening from my hands. I rocked back and forth in the rain, both terrified and grateful.

"What have you done? What are you?"

I looked to see my sister up on her knees, trembling in fear. I moved to her and she cowered, falling back into the mud. I stood above her as she looked up at me with a mix of fear and revulsion that cut to my very soul.

"Come," I said in a voice as cold as the rain. "Come now. We must leave."



The Choosing Ch. 08



She would not meet my eyes. I brought her back into the shelter of the cave until the worst of the rain had passed. I felt her eyes upon me as I searched Bandar's satchel for dry clothes. Each time I turned in her direction she shifted her gaze—afraid of me.

I too had cold fear chilling in my veins, not at what I had done but at what I had discovered in Bandar's belongings. The leather satchel held bindings, knives and instruments that I could not name but I knew to fear. Sharp, ugly—made for pain. There was food and several changes of clothes. He had planned to stay for some time. To torture us perhaps for days.

Sadistic and insane—and yet she feared me.

I dressed quickly in Bandar's clothes, using the binding from his satchel to fashion a belt. I tied it off with shaking hands. "As soon as the worst of the rain has passed we'll leave."

She nodded. Her face turned from me. I bundled up Bandar's belongings, binding the satchel flap twice, just to keep my hands busy. "Leia, you need not fear me."

Tears swam in the fear filled eyes that finally met mine. "I know sister that you would never seek to hurt me, but the lightening...it came from your hands...it burnt, it..." She shook her head, unable to finish her sentence.

I swallowed hard and pulled the satchel up onto my shoulder. "I'll check outside, we'll leave soon."

"To Askel? Should we go..."

"No!" She jumped at my shout.

She feared me but not Askel? That thought stung like a slap. The one responsible for bringing me to Bandar. I cleared my throat. "Askel cannot save us sister. He is part of the problem."

"He would not hurt me."

"No I do not think he would hurt you, but he would use you to get to me. I can't risk it Leia."

"All right." She nodded and squared her slight shoulders. "We'll go then. Wherever you say."

She did not sound so certain, but her words gave me some comfort. "Thank you."

"Where shall we go?"

It wasn't until she asked that my decision was made. "The Night Palace."

"To the Dark Masters? But..."

"To the Dark Prince and his son. We shall seek refuge there."

"Will you willingly tether to him?"

"I'll tether to no one sister. We shall not mention it again. There is no need for the Master's to learn of the tethering."

"Askel said if you..."

I raised a hand and cut her off. She flinched again, cowering like a dog hit once too often. I lowered my hand to my side and clenched it in a tight fist. "Askel said many things. What I say goes now. We'll not mention the tethering again. I can no longer hear the rain. Come let's go."

* * * *

I kept a brutal pace. Leia struggled, but kept it with me. Her breathing labored at times, I slowed but she shook her head and pushed on. Before the evening started to fall we paused to rest. It was the third such night we had done so. The cold dropped quickly like an icy shroud, I made a shelter but did not risk a fire.

Leia huddled beneath the rounded hut I had fashioned out of tree branches. Autumn stripped, the low lying branches were fairly easy to break from the trees. I bent them into an arch, weaving them together for strength. As soon as I had the basic structure I shepherded Leia inside. I continued to cover the frame with branches and vines for insulation. The night was bound to be cold.

"How do you know the way sister?" Leia spoke slowly, wheezing in breath between each word. The sound made me cringe.

"To the Night Palace?"

She nodded.

"When we fled from the Palace Hatha taught me how to navigate."

"Your handmaiden?"

I started to nod and then shook my head. "No, my friend. My guide."

She coughed, it shook her whole slight body.

I crouched down. I had avoided this for days but it seemed I could do it no longer. "Leia." She looked up at me with big deep blue eyes. "You are sheltered well here. I need to leave you now. You need wortroot. I'll go now before it is too dark and find some. I'll brew it for you. Your cough will ease."

She grabbed my arm as I tried to stand. "Be safe sister."

I stroked a hand across her spun gold hair smoothing it down. "I will sister."

Before I left I camouflaged the shelter with leaves. If she could tamp down her cough she would be well hidden.

We had passed a stream not a mile back. If I searched I would find the wortroot there, hidden between the damp rocks. I cursed myself that I had not thought to stopand collect some when we passed.

It was not as easy as I thought to find the root and by the time I had made my way back to camp with the meager offerings I had collected darkness had fallen. The copse I had secreted my sister in was silent. I called out softly as not to scare her with my approach. I heard nothing in return. I called out once more, louder this time. Nothing again.

I broke into a run. I tore apart the shelter, scratching my arms on the twigs and branches as I cleared away the cuttings.

She was gone.

Gone.

"Talia." The voice deep and warm blanketed me in heat as it filled me with fear.

Roth.

I had expected to see him—I was on my way to beg his protection for my sister—but on my terms, not deep in the forest with him holding my sister. I spun around meeting his black eyes with shoulders squared for battle.

He smiled. The corner of his beautiful mouth hooked up in bemusement.

"Where is the girl who sheltered here?" I did not name her sister in the hope that perhaps he had not made the connection.

"Your sister?"

I cursed, slumping my shoulders. "Yes. My sister."

"She is safe."

"I am to trust you?"

He took a step towards me. A wave of heat came with his movement. My knees gave slightly. "Have I lied to you my Chosen?"

I planted my legs, standing stiff and swallowed hard. "By omission Master, yes, you have."

He laughed. A rich sound that rolled over my skin. "By omission. What exactly have I omitted my Chosen?"

It was now or never. I had no more artifice, no strength for subterfuge. So I spoke the truth. "That I am The Vessel. That you wished to use me to bolster your forces against the Queen."

He inclined his head, his hip cocking slightly forward as he did. "You speak treason my Chosen. Tread carefully."

My heart pounded, thumping up to my throat. "Where is my sister?"

"Safe."

"With who? She needs medicine." I held up the wortroot still clutched in my fist. "She is frail."

"She is safe little warrior. She is safe."

The tether mark began to make time with my heartbeat, throbbing under the bandage. I raised at hand to press against the hurt and quickly thought better of it, dropping it down to my side.

"How did you find me?"

"How did you come to be here?"

Neither of us answered. We stood staring, daring each other to break. The tether mark hammered as if freshly beaten into my skin. It could sense him. Feel his power and yearned to harness to it.

"Talia. My Chosen." He stepped forward, gliding with his Master's grace. "I can help you."

I shook my head. On my terms. I wanted to come to him on my terms, not be rescued like some hapless maiden.

"Stubborn," he murmured taking my chin in his fingers. "So stubborn."

He brought his lips to mine. A blast of heat. A surge of power sparked like that of the lightening strike. White hot. The smell of burning light filled the air. I could smell it, taste it on his lips.

He felt it too. "What have you done?" he asked, drawing back to look into my eyes.

"What I had to," I whispered.

He asked no more, simply nodded and drew back from me. "Come. I will take you to your sister."

I followed him without question. Tired. Too tired to fight.

Four tents stood in a small clearing ten minutes walk from where Roth had found me. He had not come alone, three Vandarran Guard were waiting a respectful distance from our reunion. They circled behind me, acting as a walking prison cell.

Leia was seated at a fire. Clean and dressed in new clothes, she drank from a metal cup, carefully sipping the steaming contents. As soon as she saw me she threw the cup with complete disregard and ran to me. My heart swelled to bursting at the sight. There was not fear in her eyes, only relief that I was all right.

"Talia." She threw her slight arms around my waist and nestled her head against my chest.

"Shhhh, Leia. It's all right. It's all right." I pushed her away so I could check her over. "You've been treated well?" I asked as I looked from head to foot checking for evidence of maltreatment.

"I'm good. Better than good. A handmaiden gave me a tonic. Listen, I'm breathing better than I have had for days. Weeks even."

She breathed in deep and I was surprised to hear no wheeze. "That's wonderful, who helped...."

Behind Leia came Hatha. I moved to embrace her and then noticed her face. It was bruised from forehead to chin. A swollen streak of purple black skin. I turned on Roth, stalking forward to point my finger in the center of his chest.

"Who did this? Who harmed Hatha? Was it you? Did you dare? Dare touch her!" My voice lowered, resonating in a powerful bass. Anger coursed, hot and heavy. Roth looked surprised; he stepped back, looking at me with a mix of horror and fascination.   "Did you? Did YOU?"

It was Hatha who stopped me. The calm press of her hand to my cheek and the soothing croon of her murmured hum in my ears.

"Calm." Was the only word that I made out in her hum. I sank into the comfort, letting the anger seep away with the sound. When I emerged from the angry fugue I saw my finger pointed at Roth's chest and I recoiled in shock. I blushed. A heated flush coursed up my chest to my forehead.

"Sorry Master," I said snatching my hand away from his body. No one ever questioned a Dark Master, let alone poked him.

"He did not hurt me Mistress," Hatha said, "It was not the Dark Prince."

"Oh." I felt a flush of shame at the accusation. "Please, Master, forgive me."

He laughed as he so often had at my breaches of propriety. "Oh, little warrior, you have many tricks don't you? How quick you are to protect those you love. I will not punish you for that." He reached forward and tucked an errant lock of hair behind my ear. "You love big, don't you My Chosen."

He lowered his lips to mine. No burning this time, just a slow warmth that flowed like warm molasses. Thick and sweet. Drunk from his kiss I was slow to open my eyes and as I did I saw him, standing silver tall and proud behind his father watching us kiss.

Nadar.

My dark angel.

He met my eyes and quickly looked away. "Father, the guard has returned from reconnaissance."

Roth pulled me closer, pressing his hips against me so that I felt the bulge of his erection. He lowered his mouth to the beat of my pulse. I arched my neck, even knowing that Nadar's eyes were upon me did not stop my craving his father's bite. A fang scraped along the pulsing vein. I sighed. My nipples beaded hard against the soft cotton of Bandar's shirt. When he sank into the vein I cried out, my knees buckled and it was only Roth's hold that kept me from sliding to the forest floor.

My spine melted to wax as he sucked from my blood. My sex throbbed hot and wet in time with the painful beat of the tether mark. The pain, the pleasure and the suck of his mouth set me off to the first release I had had in almost a week. It rolled gaining momentum as the pain and pleasure grew until I wailed out an orgasm that shook the trees around us.

Roth released me to Hatha's arms. She cradled me as I watched him lick his mouth clean and walk away with Nadar.

"Oh Hatha, what have I done?"

"Shhh Mistress. All will be clearer when we have you clean and fed. Be calm. Let me take care of you."

She cared for me. While I was hale and whole and she bruised and battered. She cared for me. Soft hands removed Bandar's filthy clothing and somehow, through some wondrous magic a hip tub of steaming scented water appeared beside two staked lanterns. Bathing in the woods with Hatha's gentle touch made me feel like a wood nymph. I laughed, scoffed at the thought. What wood nymph could fry a man with her hands?

The thought of Bandar, ashes at my feet rolled my stomach. I had wanted him dead, needed him dead and yet I could not shake the pain that it was I who had done the deed. What hypocrite did that make me? Happy was I to see Roth strike him down, but not myself? Weak, foolish hypocrite.

"You think too much Mistress."

"There is much to think about Hatha."

I rested my chin upon my knees I had pulled up to my chest. Hatha brushed aside my hair, her fingers skimming the edge of the tether bandage. I heard her sigh.

"You knew?"

"I suspected," she said as she carefully peeled back the tattoo covering. "It will need to be changed."

"What happened Hatha?"

"When you dismissed me..."

I turned, reaching up to grab her forearm. "I'm sorry. I'm so..."

She stilled my hand, gently lowering it back into the tub to rest it on my knees. "There's no need Mistress. It is done." She sighed and continued her story as she peeled away the bandage. I was glad for the soothing sound her voice, the pain was near unbearable. "I knew that it was wrong that the Mother had called you to the tattoo room. You had not been assessed, your powers not yet catalogued, how could they then be marked upon your skin? I went to seek the Mother and instead found Audhild and Haakon."

"They hurt you?" Rage spilled out over the pain. My skin grew hot. The water in the tub began to steam with my fury.

"Calm. Mistress, be calm. I am fine. A little hurt no more. There is no need for this display."

"I can't, I can't control it. I have...Hatha I have..."

She placed her hand across my mouth. "I know. I can smell it on you. The fire. The ash. The death. I know. You are not cruel Mistress. What you did. I know...No! I am sure was done because it was needed."

I scrubbed at my skin. "Will the smell leave me?"

"It will, that's why we clean you now. You shall rise from this tub a new woman. Clean and whole." Her voice became that of the Hatha I had first met, a woman who would brook no nonsense. "You will not worry on it again."

The last of the bandage came off, I gasped, exhaling slowly trying to ease the painful throb.

"The mark is bad. Isn't it?"

She did not answer straight away. I knew if I turned my head I would find her, head inclined weighing her words carefully. "It is not good. Not as bad as I thought. But, yes Mistress it is not good."

"They planned to give me to Malchard."

"I suspected as much. The Queen's power is waning. She fears all, she has descended in solitary madness, she barely leaves her Chambers. Malchard rules as her proxy."

"What would Malchard do with me?"

"Feed Beatrix. Give her physical strength and use your powers to feed his greed for more land and power."

"My powers. Like the one that..." I could not say the words. I did not have to, Hatha replied quickly, "Yes. That one."

"I don't want to be an instrument of death Hatha."

"We can't always get what we want Mistress. Sometimes we just have to make do with what we have."

She came before me took my hands and drew me up out of the water. She said with a wicked little smile, "Come, I have a surprise for you."

I stepped out of the tub; she toweled me down and draped a fine soft cotton robe across my shoulders. I followed her, with no hope of a surprise that could lift my spirits. What surprise could do that? I was a tethered, broken instrument of death. Feared and desired only for what I could not control. Nothing could ease the lonely ache that consumed me as I carried the burden of that dark knowledge.

She lead me to a round tent, so lavish it could almost be a permanent structure—no oil cloths for the Dark Prince. A guard opened the flap and I entered. It was bright inside, my eyes took time to adjust from the darkness outside and when they did I saw her.

The girl. From the bathing chambers.

An offering.

She lay splayed on a pallet of rugs and furs. Blonde, curved perfection. So clean, so sweet, my mouth began to water as if she were the finest sweetmeat offered to a starving man.

"Hatha?" I questioned, not turning my head away from the sight before me.

"Mistress Vessel I give you Corina. She has felt the call to be your handmaiden." Hatha sounded amused. "Do you feel it too Mistress?"

I felt a throb wet and hot between my legs. I felt pain, burning hot and aching at my tether. I felt need, surging hot and heavy in my belly. I wanted. I wanted.

Corina came up on her knees. Her breasts bobbing as she did. Her hair loose about her shoulders flowed down to brush the rosy tips of the pert mounds.

"Please Mistress. I ache to service you." She moved on her knees to me and nestled her sweet mouth between the slit of my robe. Kissing me first she then lay her cheek on of slight swell of my stomach. She circled the softness of her cheek on my skin her moans vibrating against me. I threaded my hand in her hair and she purred, like a kitten well pleased.

I looked up to Hatha as I thrust my hips forward, rocking my mound against the pillow of her cheek. "Come to me."

"Mistress?"

"I want you. Come to me." I heard the compulsion in my tone. Low it sounded like the sweet deep pluck of harp strings. She came, uncertainty in her eyes. I clasped the back of her head as soon as she was close enough to touch and brought her mouth to mine. She groaned at my lips, a sound that charged through me, sparked like the crack of the lightening.

I widened my stance and with the hand still threaded in Corina's hair I brought her lips to my mound. Her sweet tongue lapped with exquisite precision. It would not take long. I wanted, no, needed this first release, quick hard and fast so that I could concentrate on what I truly wanted.

Hatha's pleasure.

I wanted her moans. Her begging gasps for release. I wanted the taste of her cum on lips, on my fingers, coated on my tongue.

Corina's clever mouth rocked me quickly to orgasm. She cried out in pleasure as I spurted on her lips, it took both hands to remove her hungry mouth from my mound. She would not have stopped had I not pulled her away.

"Later," I murmured lovingly stroking her young flushed cheek

Hatha stood beside me, chest heaving as she recovered from the ferocity of my lips. She backed away but I shook my head. I was not yet done.

"Strip her," I ordered Corina who stood, and like the compliant little handmaided she was went quickly to work on Hatha's clothes.

"Mistress," Hatha protested, attempting to bat away Corina's nimble fingers.

"You are mine. Pledged to me Hatha. Mine to take. Mine to pleasure."

Corina had opened her bodice, it gaped revealing the large round circles of her areola dark deep pink beneath her sheer chemise. "It is not necessary, truly Mistress."

"Oh." I took a step forward, rocking my hips as I stalked towards her. "It is so very necessary."

I watched with hungry eyes as Corina knelt to remove the skirt revealing Hatha's lush body. Curved and strong she stood naked and tattooed before me.

"Gorgeous," I sighed.

She shook her head. I came to place a finger at the centre of her chest. "You do not get to say. I am the Vessel. I am the one who gets to say and I say gorgeous." I trailed the finger down her stomach, circling her belly button and then down to the naked lips of her sex. She had no hair there. Who shaved Hatha? A vision of being on my knees with a straight razor at Hatha's spread pussy lips sent a surge of wet heat to my own.

I cupped the damp heat of her sex rocking the base of my palm hard against her clitoris. She rocked back, seeking the pleasure, unable to stop herself. She sank against me, lowering her head to my shoulder.

"No Hatha."

She looked up.

"I will see your face as you come. I will see your eyes as I take you over." I kissed her gently, sucking in her bottom lip, releasing it with an audible pop. She shuddered before me.




The Choosing Ch. 08



I had not pleasured many women—only Corina who had ridden my face during the magic of spell. I was uncertain of what to do, I played between the soaked lips of her sex, watching her face intently as I did. Each time I made her gasp I repeated the action. Over and over I slid my finger just to hear that sweet gasp. She shuddered at my touch, moaning, her eyes flickering closed a moment and then locking on mine once more.

I saw the very moment she went over, the second she lost herself to her release. The release I gave her. Her pupils dilated,—wide and dark—as the syrup of her orgasm clenched and gushed on my hand.

I brought the release to my lips, licking clean the fingers that had made her come. Corina who still knelt at my side was the one to catch her as her knees buckled, easing her down onto the soft fur of the rug.

"Mistress," she sighed, reaching up to cup my chin as I came to kneel beside her.

"I have not yet finished my friend." I kissed her deep and long, the taste of her cum mingling on our tongues. I cupped a breast, kneading the soft weight before pinching the pearled tip of her nipple.

"Mistress. Mistress. Mistress."

I ignored Corina, lost too lost in the taste of my Hatha to break free.

"Mistress, the Prince!"

I looked up expecting to see Roth, instead finding the silver gaze of Nadar upon me. His eyes flicked between the splayed form of Hatha and my swollen lips. He cleared his throat, such a strangely human sound to come from one who looked so otherworldly. "The Dark Prince seeks you. There is a War Council. You are needed."

I pulled myself up on my knees. I drew back my shoulders and nodded regally, as if my face was not slick with the juice of my lover and my breasts bared to all. "Then I shall find him. Give me a moment to dress and I will follow you."

He too sounded stilted and formal. "Take all the time you need Mistress Vessel. I'll leave a guard to escort you."

And without leaving me a chance to protest he left. Sweeping the flap of the tent closed with a thump as he did. It was hard to slam the door of a tent, but that's just what Nadar had done.

He was not happy and I was about to join him—as the instrument of burning death—and his father at some kind of War Council. I looked down at the flushed face of Hatha, she shot me a knowing look. My brief interlude was over. There was no more time for pleasure.

 * * * *

The War Council was held at Roth's tent. Not surprisingly it was three times the size of my own. As the guards drew back the tent flap to let me in I saw Roth, Nadar, Astrid and Valco. Two others, both men also sat at the table. I knew neither their names nor their faces.

I barely listened as Roth introduced his Generals to me; I had eyes alone for Nadar, who had yet to look in my direction.

"Why is she here?" Astrid asked as I took my seat.

"We need her," Roth answered.

"Yes Sire we do, but should she sit here amongst us?" Astrid looked so incredulous at the thought of me joining her at the table that I snapped, "Should I sit on the floor then Astrid? Like a pet dog?"

Astrid rose to the bait. "That would do fine. You are little more than a pet. Chosen."

"Enough!" Roth did not yell but his tone was harsh enough for us all to understand the argument was now over. "She stays because I say so."

"Yes Sire," Astrid demurred with a deferential nod of her head.

"With no further interruption." Roth gave a pointed glance at Astrid. "We begin. He nodded down the table. "Report."

The uniformed General at the end of the table rose to speak. "The prisoner has offered no further information. He is stronger than he looks."

Prisoner?

"Bring him forth to me now. Let's see how strong he is at the hands of a Master."

Two of the guard flanking the table left to get the prisoner. The man at the end continued his report, talking of troop numbers in provinces that I had never heard of, I only half listened, watching Nadar instead.

He was intractable. His face a mask of intent calm. Despite my attempt to get his attention he remained fixed upon the proceedings.

Light danced from the guards' lanterns as they reentered the tent. Shadows cast on the canvas walls opposite of a man dragged on his knees. I shifted in my seat to look as Roth stood and strode over to the prisoner.

A flash of blond was all I saw as Roth dragged the prisoner to his feet. He held him up in one hand as if he were the weight of an infant and bared his teeth. His fangs descended and his face became a chilling mask of pain.

If it wasn't for the grin I would never have recognized him. His face was so badly battered it resembled a side of beef more than the fresh young beauty of a teenage Sarran.

"Askel!" I jumped to my feet and ran to him. I was faster than the guards and had my hand at his arm before they dragged me back.

I batted away their hands. "Release him. Release him at once."

Astrid joined the guards holding me back. She stabbed a finger at me and then towards Askel. "See why she should not be here. She worries for this Sarran pig when if she were truly loyal she would join us in his torture and get the information we need."

"Torture? You will not. You will NOT torture him." The glassware on the council table shook with the force of my voice.

Roth dropped Askel and the young Sarran crumpled in a heap at his boots. Fangs still pointing over his snarling mouth, he turned to me. He did not speak, instead he stared at me. I watched the rise and fall of his chest, unable to meet his black eyes.

"You do as she demands? Is she in charge now?" Astrid tried to reach me but was held back by her brother.

"Forgive her Sire. She still suffers from what happened to our Mother."

"What happened?" I asked.

Valco looked at me. "We lost her at the hands of Lord Malchard after she refused to divulge our whereabouts." His head dropped down. "We are told it took a week for her to die."

I shook my head, incredulous. "She was tortured? Tortured to death and you do this now to him? What makes you any better than Malchard? Any of you who stand by and watch this happen. Let this happen." I directed the last of my words to Nadar who was still seated at the War Council table. He briefly met my angry glare and then looked away.

"Who is this Sarran to you?" Roth asked, his fangs had receded and he seemed calm. The cool indifference of his features worried me more than his snarl. "We found him with the seal of the Queen. With her consent to enter the Palace. Who is he?"

I did not know how to answer. If I told the truth there was no way Roth would stop hurting. If I admitted what Askel had done Roth would kill him. I did not get a chance to answer. From swollen, blood cracked lips of Askel came the answer I had been unable to give. "I took her from the Sarran. Abducted her from the Coven Keep to give to Lord Malchard."

"You what?" Roth's rage was low and vicious. His face did not change, no outward sign did he give of his fury but the anger pouring from him was palpable. I could taste it like the cold bite of metal.

"I took the Vessel to her Uncle and cousin; they had the links to take her to Malchard for Beatrix."

Roth had Askel's shirt held in his fist in the blink of an eye. "What did Beatrix want with my Chosen?"

I was not certain until that point that Roth did not know of my tethering mark. He would never have asked such a question if he knew. Askel knew it too. He looked at me. Held tight in Roth's grip he swung like a marionette as his bruised face tried to turn to mine.

"Look at me," Roth hissed, but Askel refused to heed his words and turned to face me. I saw the question in his swollen eyes. I answered with an almost imperceptible shake of my head.

Askel turned back to face Roth. "I do not know."

"He lies. He lies." Astrid came forward, struggling free of the guards who held her to plant a vicious kick at Askels legs. " He knows. He is in league with the Sarran bitch. Kill him."

"No. No don't. Please Master." I fell to my knees. It was the first time I had willingly done so for Roth. He dropped Askel, letting him fall to the packed earth floor with a thump.

"You beg for his life my chosen? Why? As I heard him just confess to abducting you I must admit I find your pleas for mercy most confusing."

I came up to my feet and stepped forward. "Yes, he did take me from the Sarran with the knowledge that I was to be delivered to Beatrix, but he did so to bargain for the freedom of his people. It was foolish. It was wrong, but I find it hard to judge him for his motives. He was good to me. Never cruel and my sister..."

Askel broke in, "Leia. How fares she? Is she well?"

I smiled down at him. "She is well. Better than well. My handmaiden has eased her cough. She breathes easily."

"I'm so pleased. So pleased to hear that Mistress." He smiled. Bruised and battered, in fear of his life, his first thought was to the welfare of my sister, and myself. He had not revealed the tether mark. He could have sought to barter his freedom with such information. Instead he protected me.

"Oh, this is all so touching my Prince, shall I call for tea and cakes?" Astrid's voice dripped with sarcasm. She moved to kick Askel once more. I caught her foot before she did and pulled her off balance. She toppled to the ground.

"You bitch. You dare!" Astrid did not get the chance to rise. A nod from Roth to the guards had them surrounding me in the blink of an eye. As Roth took a menacing step towards her, I reached through the phalanx of my guards to grab his arm. He turned to me. I mouthed, "Mercy."

He stared at me for some time before finally nodding and moving to stand before the prostrate Astrid. He looked over the top of her, directing his words to her brother, "Valco, control your sister." Valco nodded and Roth looked down at Astrid. "Take your seat now Astrid. See how I show you mercy? Remember this. Do not speak again or you will regret it. Make a move on my Chosen once more and you will leave without your hands. Do you understand?"

Astrid, released from the fog of her anger, realized the mistake she had just made. On her knees she bowed so low her forehead scraped the dirt. "Forgive me my Prince. Forgive me."

Valco came behind to help her up. He dragged her up against him. She rested her head on his chest a moment before taking his arm to walk back to the table. I had a brief stab of envy at their mutual comfort and then chided myself for such an indulgence.

"Remove the prisoner."

I was still closeted in the circle of guards, their arms held out in defensive position. I batted away their hands and tried to get to Askel. "Where? Where will he go?"

No one answered me and as Askel was taken from the tent I repeated, "Where has he gone?"

Roth still did not answer me, moving to sit back at the head of the table. I too went back to my place but did not sit "Where do you take the prisoner Master? Will he be safe?"

"I will not have him killed."

"Not killed? Will he be hurt? Will you let my sister tend him?"

"Enough Chosen. Be seated."

I did not sit. Roth did not answer my questions. We remained locked, two stubborn souls staring, waiting for the other to concede. "Sire, please."

Nadar ended the standoff. "Talia, he will be safe. I will take Leia to him later."

I looked at Roth to check if Nadar's words were true. He gave a slight nod. I sat.

"Sire," Valco spoke, his hand laying gently on his sister's arm. "While Astrid did not comport herself well, I must also add my concerns for the Vessel's loyalty. Her affection for the Sarran is not a good sign."

"It is a perfect sign." It was Nadar, not Roth who answered Valco. "The Vessel was never meant to be a tool. She was always a balance. A voice of reason, of truth of integrity. I think we have seen that today, have we not Father?"

"We have seen enough," Roth answered cryptically. Nadar's words seemed to end the meeting. "The Council is dismissed."

I watched open mouthed as Roth left the room with his guard and the two Generals from the end of the table.

* * * *

When I returned to my tent I was surprised to find Hatha waiting for me, fresh faced and clear of all bruising.

"Hatha...your face?"

She smiled. "I think we can add instrument of healing to your repertoire Mistress."

I stroked a finger in wonder across the smooth skin. "Askel," I whispered.

"Askel? What of him?" Hatha said with a frown.

"He is here. Badly beaten. Close to death I suspect. I just stopped Roth from killing him."

"Why?" Hatha's stern face reminded me of the menacing bat I had once thought her to be.

I laughed. "I stopped him because it is not right. And you know it. Askel was just a foolish boy Hatha. A tool of Haakon and Audhild. He does not deserve to die for it. He kept Leia safe from Bandar. I owe him his life for that."

"Fine then. Let him have his life, but stay in pain."

I laughed again. "Oh you are an angel of mercy aren't you my handmaiden?" I took her in a hug.

I was holding her to me, kissing her newly healed cheek when I heard Nadar's voice from the door. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm interrupting, I didn't realize..."

He was blushing. He held a lantern at his chest and I could see the bright flush of embarrassment on his pale face. I released Hatha, who gave me a slight nod and shifted to the door to slip past Nadar.

"You're not interrupting. Please. Come in."

He entered, placing the lantern on a stool beside the opening of the tent. I motioned to the pallet of rugs. "I've nowhere to sit, but we could, if you wanted..."

"It's fine. Yes. I'll..."

I sat down. He broke off his stuttered polite sentence and sat opposite me, cross legged. The soft leather of his breeches stretching tight across his muscled thighs. We stared at each other, neither speaking. I drank him in, from the soft fall of his silver mane down to the supple leather of his black boots. Everywhere but his eyes. I did not risk falling into those silver rimmed pools.

"Did you have a message from Roth?" I suddenly asked, desperate for this awkward meeting to be over. It was of course the wrong thing to say. He stiffened, his shoulders jerking and tensing. I briefly looked up and saw the anger and hurt etched on his face.. "Nadar, I did not mean..." I broke off and looked away.

"I know. Talia." He sighed. "I know you are for my Father. I know this."

It was the wrong thing for him to say. I bristled at the assumption. "I am for myself. No one else Nadar. I will make my own choices."

"Will you?" The soft yearning of his voice compelled me to turn to him and at once I was lost in those eyes.

"Nadar...

He was up on his knees and leaning over me before I could speak. Not that I knew what I was going to say. There was something about him that dissolved my conscious thought, that removed the world and filled me only with him. His mouth came over mine and his hand cradled the back of my head. Before he kissed me he just looked, looked at me with such wonder and reverence that I thought my heart would melt and seep out through my skin.

"I am lost," he murmured, "Lost."

I was lost with him, the moment his lips slid over mine. No burning heat, no magic in this kiss, just comfort, warm deep comfort. I felt as if I had known him for all time, as if we had kissed for centuries. His taste I had always known. It was mapped in my blood, in the tracks of my veins.

"Talia," his lips played my name like a revelation.

Dissipated I sank. I felt myself dissolve, melt down to the rug to lay beneath his hard body. He rocked against me. Hard against soft. Stiff against wet. I spread my legs. The soft fabric of my skirts riding up my calves with each thrust of his hips. I was close, close to release when he backed away. I felt the loss of his body like a blast of cold air.

"Nadar?" I pulled myself up on one elbow, rolling on my side to look at him as he backed away in a crouch.

"I came to talk. Just to talk to you."

I cleared my throat. "Then talk."

"You are The Vessel."

I nodded.

"You are my father's Chosen."

I nodded again.

"You were on your way to the Night Palace when you were found. Were you going back to him? Will you submit to him? Will you become a Vandarran Vessel?"

"Do you ask? Or do you ask for your father?"

"Does it matter?"

It did. We both knew it did.

"You have no choice but to submit." It seemed to me that he spoke not to convince me, but himself.

"What do you want Nadar? What do you want with me?"

"I want a free Vessel. My mother gave up her power for love. I cannot ask that of another." He shook his head. "I will not claim that of another."

Claim? Did he wish to claim me? Joy and fear struck in equal parts. "Does it have to be that way?"

"It is the Vandarran way."

I sat up, shifting forward on my knees to lean into him. "But you are Sarran too."

He stood. "Not Sarran enough," he said with bitterness. "I have to go." Nadar paused at the tent flap, lantern in hand. "Askel is housed in the stable tent. Your sister tends him this night. She has asked that you come to them both in the morning."

"Will you take me there?'

He shook his head and gave a bitter laugh. "I can take you nowhere. Nowhere."

Before I could ask his meaning he had left. It was only after he had gone and I felt the twinge of my tether mark that I realized I had felt no pain in his presence. I wondered on it, meaning to ask Hatha on her return, but instead lost the battle with exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep.



The Choosing Ch. 09



The next morning I went with Hatha to find Askel. He was guarded in the stable tent. The horses had been removed to pasture for the day so while the tent had the aroma of a stable there were no actual horses.

The straw floor was fresh and it had been cleaned as well as a stable could. Roth was fond of his mounts. I knew that they lived a far more luxurious life than the average Vandarran peasant.

Askel was huddled in a corner, his head cradled in Leia's lap. Hatha, in her own special way, bullied the guards to leave, making them remain outside the tent during our visit.

"Leia," Hatha said as soon as the guards had departed, "come with me. We'll gather herbs for a soothing tea."

Leia shook her head, looking down at Askel's bruised face. "I should not leave him."

"I will care for him sister," I said.

She met my eyes. Wary. I saw her hesitation. She did not trust me with his safety.

It was Askel who made the decision. "Go," he croaked.

"I won't be long," she murmured, laying his head gently on a rolled horseblanket.

She watched me the whole way to the tent flap, pausing at the exit as if she might return. It took the tug of Hatha's hand to get her to finally leave.

"Mistress?"

I stared intently at him, wondering how to start. The healing had come so easily with Hatha. I did not know what to do. He was laying on his back, his head propped up on the blanket roll. His shirt was half open and I could see a mess of yellow, purple and green marks. "You look like a sick rainbow Askel. Or a half rotten fruit."

He chuckled and then winced at the movement.

"Are you in much pain?"

He put on a brave face, as brave as a face that battered could be.

"Can you stand unassisted?"

He shook his head and hissed at the movement. I had to heal him. Even the slightest beating could finish him. I risked his life leaving him this way. I took his hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. I closed my eyes. I thought of his grin. The way he spoke of my sister, how brave he was on his knees speaking the truth to Roth. I liked him. I loved him. I let the feelings grow. He groaned. I opened my eyes and looked down. He was not in pain. He could feel it too, the pleasure that grew from my love.

Unlacing our fingers I brought his hand to cup my breast. He took the weight and squeezed. I sighed, rocking into the pleasure. He kept his hand on my breast as I unbuttoned his shirt. When it was open, with soft hands I stroked a path down his bruised chest. He arched his hips. His erection bulging against the placket of his breeches.

"Take and Give. Give and Receive." I opened the laces of his breeches, releasing his cock. It glistened with precum, wet and shining. I slicked a finger across the fat head until the tip shone with his juices.

"Give." Instinctively I painted the symbol on one nipple. "Receive." And another on the other side.

He hissed. His hips jerking. The cock I cupped in my palm pulsing hard and hot.

I lowered my mouth, licking first the slit and then taking the fat head between my lips. He groaned. The sound shot through me from mouth to sex. The tether at my neck burned, throbbing painfully strong with each suck of Askel's cock.

"Mistress. Mistress. Mistress." He chanted the words as if he was using the title to draw in air.

Forces from within, forces from without moved to work my body. I had no reason, no purpose other than the force of heat that burned in my sex. I released his cock from my mouth. It slapped back onto his belly. I tore at the fastenings of my bodice, eyelets and hooks were too slow to undo so I began to tear them apart. One by one they popped open until the altar of my breasts were bared to him. He seemed to know at once what I wanted from him; his hand went to his spit slick shaft and began to pump down on it. He grunted, his arm working fast and hard on his cock, grasping the tip then gripping down the shaft.

"Yes. Yes. Yes," I chanted with each push and pull of his hand.

He thrust his hips up. I leaned forward until the tip of my nipple brushed his cock. That contact was the moment that broke him, sent him over into the offering of his sweet release.

"Give it to me. Give it to me."

His cum spurted hot across my breasts. I watched the plump head of his cock contract and jerk, wrenching out every drop of his seed. When he had finished I took the offering of his release, dipping my fingers in the slick moisture and painting the symbols of healing over my breasts and his chest. I steepled my cum slick hands between my breasts, at my sex and then finally upon Askel's mouth, where he moaned and licked them clean.

That was how Leia found us. Me bare breasted, sweaty and covered in Askel's cum, leaning over him as he sucked on my fingers.

"Talia! How could you? How could you."

The pain of her voice cut through the joy of the spell we had shared. I fumbled at my bodice, trying to pull the ripped halves together and cover my breasts.

"Slut," she yelled, "Whore!"

"No. No." Askel held out a hand, drawing himself up on his elbow with the other arm. Half seated, his breeches still lay open, his spent cock laying against his stomach. Leia gasped at the sight. He looked down, cursed and quickly tied off the fly. "Leia, it's not like that. The Vessel was healing me. See. Look." He waved a hand down his body. Already the mess of bruises had started to clear, his chest no longer purple, only tinged slight yellow.

Leia brought up the fist full of herbs and waved them at me. "I was healing him. I was. He's mine."

"He is Sarran. He also belongs to The Vessel," Hatha said, gently guiding down the fist that Leia still waved. 'She is right to protect him. She is right to heal him."

"Leia." I stood and she backed away. I took one step and she was gone. Running from the tent. I went to go after her but Hatha held me back.

"Let her go."

"But she's so angry. She hates me."

"She doesn't understand."

I laughed. "How can I make her understand when I don't?"

Hatha drew me into a hug. "I know. I know. Mistress," she murmured into my hair. Her gentle hands came to re-hook the eyelets of my bodice that I had not torn. I looked down, watching her nimble fingers as they worked the hooks and eyes together.   Askel had come to his feet behind. "Mistress." I heard his voice and looked back. He was on his feet, looking crumpled but not unlike the brash young man I had first met in the Sarran keep.

"Will you sit with me?" he asked.

I nodded and slipped from Hatha's embrace to follow him to his pallet. We sat on the ground, Askel leaning against one of the tent poles.

"Mistress. The limit of the tether will be upon you soon."

My hand went reflexively to the mark. "I know."

"There is only days until the next moon."

"More than anyone I know," I snapped.

He flinched. "I regret my actions that have brought you to this point."

Hatha snorted, I lay a hand on her arm to quiet her.

"I offer myself to you. You have my pledge to tether to you— taking none of the power, none of the control." He looked at Hatha. "I will blood bond it."

"Is that possible?" I asked Hatha.

She shrugged. "We cannot know Mistress. The tethering has never been tested this way. We do not know the limits of the spell. It could work. It could not. I think it would depend on the lure of the power. It would be hard, even for the best of men to resist wielding the power you will amass Mistress."

"And I am not the best of men," Askel said, drawing his knees up and hugging them to his chest.

"You are certainly not the worst," I answered him with a slight smile. He grinned and it gladdened me to see it. "Let me think on it Askel. I have much to consider."

I came up on my knees to stand but was stopped by a hand on my thigh. "You will not tether to the Dark Prince will you Mistress?"

"I do not know Askel. He's strong, but he is also kind and fair. He is merciful. I could perhaps win the freedom of the Sarran, stop the bloodthirsty land grab of Beatrix. Save the humans."

"If you give up your freedom and trust him with your submission."

I laughed, shrill and high. "Yes, it does not sound like much does it? A cheap price for freedom."

His fingers dug into my thigh. "You joke Mistress but this is serious."

I looked down at the hand pressed into my thigh and then back up at him. "I joke Askel because I do not have time to weep. Take care of yourself...and my sister."

"Yes Mistress."

I held out my hand to Hatha and together we left the stable tent. I walked slowly, my eyes at my feet, watching each step I took. I trusted Hatha to guide me back to our tent so I did not even look where we walked, instead I watched my feet and pondered. Pondered each step that had brought me here to this point. My refusal of Bandar's claiming, the Choosing, meeting Nadar, fleeing the Night Palace, the betrayal of the Sarran—I chewed over each step, trying to find a way to stay alive and free.

The more I thought the more I realized there was no way. No way to stay both alive and free. One had to give.

I was deep in thought when it happened. Hatha pulled me back behind her but she had no power to protect me from the wrath of an angry Dark Master. Astrid grabbed my hair, dragging me like a dog leashed. I had to follow for fear of losing my scalp. Pain bit at my head and my tether mark.

"Liar. Filthy Sarran liar."

"What lies? What lies?" I gasped, trying to keep up with her pace and ease the wrenching of my scalp.

She pushed me away with a shove. I landed on my knees, my face almost planting in the dirt.

"What lies?" She brought the pointed toe of her boot under my chin and shoved my head up. "Is there something you forgot to mention?"

"What?"

My answer earned me a boot to the chest and sent me reeling back, sliding my arse on the dirt. I flailed my arms, trying to right myself. "Please..." I broke off when I saw who was standing behind Astrid.

Leia.

And I knew. I knew at once what Leia had done. What Astrid now knew.

"What's on your back bitch?" Astrid strode forward, grabbing my hair and wrenching my head forward until my chin hit my chest with a thump. "What's this Sarran mark of power, you forgot to mention?"

Mark of power? What had Leia told this mad bitch? She was going to kill me.

"Roth! Nadar!" I yelled, frantically looking around for them.

"It's just me and you. They've gone, looking for evidence of Malchard's personal guard."

"He'll be angry. He'll punish you." I tried reason but I knew the attempt was futile. She had succumbed to fury. I had seen such madness before; she would not come back from this brink. I would die. I tried to muster the anger that had created the lightening that killed Bandar, all I felt was panic.

"He'll see the truth. The Dark Prince will know your lies." I saw her short fangs descend. She pushed me back until I was flat on the ground and planted her boot in my chest. My bodice gaped open, my breasts heaved, almost exposing my nipples with each gasping breath. She flicked out her hand and crouched down to me, the point of her boot almost piercing the skin of my chest. Her razor sharp thumbnail pressed at my pulse.

"I'll slit your neck traitor and drink you dry." She smiled. I flinched and tried to draw back. She leaned in and I knew then there was no hope.

Gasping in a breath, my head rang with the fear pounding in my veins. I focused, trying to find the heat that had protected my sister from Bandar. I tried to cry out, find my voice, call upon my power, but it stuck in my throat choking me. All that released was a croaking hiss.

She laughed. Threw her head back and laughed. A choked, desperate cry wrenched from my constricted throat. Her nail pressed into my pulse. I heard the pop of the skin, felt the burning sting of the first cut. I flinched, waiting for the final brutal slice but it did not come. There was a thump, the sound of scraping metal and then Astrid's headless body fell upon my chest, gushing blood from her neck.

I screamed. Flailed and pushed at her shoulders. Blood spurted on my face from where her head had been. I scrambled up on my hands and feet, crab walking back from the headless corpse.

A hand came at my back, grabbing the neck of my bodice. It wrenched me up to my feet. There was screaming. Soul shredding screaming and blood. It was only when the hand clamped over my mouth and the screaming stopped that I realized it had been me.

Hands came under my arms and pulled me up onto a horse. Chainmail arms wrapped around me, holding tight. The horse started as they lit the tents. Oil lamps blew in loud pops, glass flew.

"We ride!" the man at my back ordered. I heard a cry of, "Aye, Captain."

Around me horses came into formation. Red cloaks. Black helmets. Uniforms of the Queen's guard.

Malchard.

They were taking me to Malchard.

I fought. Struggling at the hands that held me tight. The Captain laughed and pulled me closer.

"Fight. Yes, fight. I like that," his breath blew rank against my neck. I could taste his putrescence.

With all my might I dug my elbow back hard, aiming for his groin. I hit the base of his chest shield, my elbow rocketing back with searing pain. He laughed. I'd done nothing but hurt myself. I sucked in a breath, tasting the metallic ring of coming rain.

"Ride hard," the Captain of the Queen's Guard yelled to his mounted troops, "The rain comes soon."

He'd barely gotten the words out before the first volley of rain struck. It came like an attack, bucketing down, a freezing wall of water descending upon us. It was the kind of rain that made you feel as if you might dissolve, as if the force of the water might strip the very skin from your bones. I hunched over, trying to keep the sting of the hard fat raindrops from my face, letting the water beat down on my back. The horses began to slip but the guard did not slow his pace. I was only half on the saddle, wedged painfully on the hilt. I dug my fingers into the straps I could reach, trying to keep grip on the horse's slippery pelt.

As I rocked and slipped, I began to gauge the odds of survival should I just let go and slide free. Should that even matter? Did I need to survive? Did I deserve too? If I was a better person, a stronger person I would have just slipped free, happy to meet my fate just to avoid becoming the tool of Malchard. But I wasn't that strong. I wasn't strong enough to die. Even if it was the right thing to do. I'd thought I could. When I'd first been told of the curse of the tether I'd believed I could pay the price of death for my freedom, but the closer the time came to paying the less I thought it so.

I wanted to survive.

No! More than that, more than mere survival I wanted to live.

A spark of desire began to burn in my chest. A kernel of hope I latched on to with all my might.

I would survive.

I would live.

I would not tether to Malchard.

I would fight. Fight and win.

I closed my eyes, centering myself, seeking the power I had once yielded against Bandar. The rain, the rock of the horse, the bite of the saddle—it was all too distracting. I couldn't focus.

Maybe when we stopped. When I no longer had to fight to stay upon the slippery horse... My thoughts were cut off by the abrupt halt of the horse. We stopped so hard that I almost came hurtling off the front of the beast. It was only the Captain's grasp at the waist of my skirt that stopped me from falling forward. My wet bodice gave way, my breasts tumbling out, nipples pointed and hard.

The rain acted as a grey curtain. I could not see what made us stop, what caused the guard behind me to curse, pull hard on the reins and back up the horse. I brought a hand to my eyes, shielding them from the rain. Frowning, I tried to focus.

A blood curdling scream from the right turned my head hard and fast. I saw now what had halted the Captain.

Roth.

I swallowed hard and watched the wondrous horror unfold.

Few had seen a Dark Master fight. Those who had were usually on the receiving end of their vicious wrath did not live to tell such tales. The stories I had heard were whispered tales told late at night by men well into their cups. They spoke of death dealt with razor sharp fangs, fists of iron and men torn into pieces. The spoke of butchery—vile unspeakable acts of brute force.

It was not so.

Roth danced with death. It was a brutal ballet of precision and carnage.

He came in with a speed that blurred his movement. A blood red and black across the grey curtain of rain. I thought for a moment that he flew, but he didn't. It was just the height of his jump, the poise of his attack that made it seem so.

It was all so fast, but so precise. So strategic that it seemed as if it had been choreographed. He brought the horse down first. The beast lumbered after a swift attack to its knees. The rider rolled down to the rain slick earth, tumbling to Roth's feet. He picked him up like paper thin refuse, crumpling him in one fist. I heard the crunch of bones, the split of skin and watched as before my eyes his life blood spurted red into Roth's open mouth.

The Captain of the Guard gripped me tighter. He'd brought his arm to my neck, squeezing me into a head lock. A volley of curses rang in my ears as he backed up his beast, trying to get away from the massacre unfolding before us.

One, two, three fell before us. Horses bellowed in pain, men cried out in fear. There were no painful cries from them; they died too fast to issue a sound.

My abductor looked to flee; he drew the horse to the left and then the right looking for an avenue of escape. There was none. Roth was too fast. He boxed us in, stalking closer and closer.

"Let me go," I yelled. I tried to turn my head to face the Captain but the arm around my neck squeezed tighter. "Save yourself. Let me go and escape."

"Lord Malchard," the Captain answered and I heard the fear in his voice. How awful was Malchard that he feared him more than the very real dark wraith of death that stalked him now?

His arm bit into my neck, my windpipe crushed into the muscle. I struggled for breath that did not come.

"I'll kill her. Back off or I'll kill her."

Roth halted. The arm let up and I was able to choke in a gulp of air.

"You will not have her," the Dark Prince did not yell but his voice was heard clear and loud over the beat of the rain.

"I have her now," the Captain yelled back with a short unconvincing laugh.

"Not so," I heard from above, I looked up to find a dark angel perched above me. Silver and black, arms held out like dark wings. Before I could blink to check the apparition, I was plucked up out of the Captain's arms onto the bough of a tree.

"Nadar," I whispered, the sound squeezed out of my bruised throat. He held me to his chest and I sank into him. He stood on the bough, picking me up with him and tucking my legs around his waist.

"Hang on," he murmured in my ear. I nestled my head at his shoulder and hooked my arms tightly around his neck.

He leapt from tree to tree, grabbing and swinging us along the tree line with graceful ease. When we were a good distance from the Captain's horse he stopped and pulled me tight to his chest. I heard the Captain cry out and I tried to turn to watch but Nadar gripped the back of my head. "Don't look. You don't have to look."

"Let me go."

He helped me to my feet on the bough beside him. Using the trunk for balance I eased myself down to sit. He sat beside me.

The rain had eased to a soft fall. Beneath us lay all nine of the crumpled blood drained bodies of the Queen's Guard. The only one still standing was now gripped in the fist of the Dark Prince.

The Captain's right arm hung loose like a marionette's limb.

I could see Roth's mouth moving and hear the moaned replies of the Captain. The answer did not please the Dark Prince. From our high perch I saw his body snap tense. The Captain's moans came faster as he issued a futile plea for his life. Death came fast. Roth shook his fist jerking the Captain to his mouth and clamped his fangs deep into the base of the man's neck.




The Choosing Ch. 09



He struggled, his legs jerking and kicking as he tried to pull away from the fangs. They slowed as the life quickly flowed from him until finally they just hung. Dead and lifeless. When Roth had finished he bellowed, a sound of fury that shook the tree beneath us. He threw the Captain, shattering the dead man's body against a thick tree trunk.

Nadar slipped down from the tree to stand before me. He held out his arms. "Come," he said and I pushed off the tree, letting him catch me.

He whistled and a dark grey stallion appeared. He placed me up on the horse first and then settled in behind me. I fell back into the comfort of his chest. He drew his arms around me, giving me a brief squeeze before taking the reins.

Exhausted I nestled my head into the crook of his shoulder and closed my eyes. Sleep came quickly. I gladly fell into it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I'm quite honestly astounded at the comments and emails this work has received. My Mistress Red Pen assures me it's good but I'm all needy and riddled with self doubt. I rushed it to work to a deadline, something I've promised I won't do again but here I am procrastinating on this finished work avoiding my next ebook. (yes Pacofear, I'm writing it, I'm writing it....)

I churned out about 35 000 words in about a three week period. Thankfully my Mistress Red Pen was able to comma check and grammar whip but because I left it so late to finish I didn't get my tweaking time, which means it's forever in draft in my head and I'm not happy with the end result.

Oddly, many of you are. (You haven't got to the end yet so maybe I shouldn't speak too soon!)

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to comment and to click on the little stars, I really do love it.

Two more chapters to come after this one, they'll be put out in fairly quick succession. They won't stay up long though as this work will be published by eXcessica in November. If you want to help a struggling smut writer I'd be ever so grateful if you bought it then. J

Be sweet,

Darcy

xx



The Choosing Ch. 10



I awoke to Hatha's face hovering over me. As soon as I saw her frowning brow I cried out and reached up, pulling her face down to me. "You're alive. You're alive."

She laughed, peeling my hands from her neck and pulling back to avoid the kisses I peppered across her face. "Settle Mistress."

I was so glad she was alive. I had not even let myself hope it could be so. As the Captain had taken me from the burning encampment I was certain that all were lost. Hatha. Askel. My Sister. Suddenly remembered my sister, I jerked out of Hatha's arms. "Leia?" I asked, searching Hatha's face for signs of some awful truth..

"She is alive—and still completely undeserving of her sister's affection. Before you ask, Askel is also alive. He is the one who rode out to find Roth and Nadar."

I heard the hint of approval in Hatha's tone. "Changed your mind on letting him live forever in pain have you Hatha?"

She made a hurrumph sound as an answer.

"How long have I been out?"

"Only a night Mistress."

One more night gone. One day closer to the full moon.

I started to sit up but the pain in my tether mark pulled me down. I gasped. The world swam before me, tinged blood red as agony pulsed from that wretched mark.

"Mistress?"

"The Tether..." I croaked out, rolling into a fetal position.

"What's wrong with her?" Through the fog of pain I heard Nadar's voice.

"It is the tether Prince Nadar, the time draws near and it is growing stronger." Hatha stroked a palm over my sweating brow and murmured soothing sounds of comfort.

"Can you ease her pain?"

"I have some archbark tea brewing that will dull the ache. The tether ceremony will have to be next night. The moon comes. It will not be denied. Archbark is all we can offer her until the tether mark is bonded."

"Bonded? Can she make the choice in this pain? She needs to be aware to agree to the tether."

"It will not be this way always; the pain will come and go Prince. This is just a bad attack right now. Sit with her, while I get the tea."

I moaned at the loss of Hatha's hand until I felt the soothing touch of Nadar. Just the fleeting contact of his finger was enough to pause the pain. I grabbed his hand and plastered it to my cheek. With him holding my face I was able to sit.

"That's better?" he asked.

I nodded. He went to shift his hand but I held it tight. "Please. Keep touching me."

He hesitated and I feared for a moment he might leave me. His silver rimmed eyes flickered with an emotion I could not place, until he finally dipped his head in a slight nod. Still holding his hand to my face I pulled myself up to sit.

"Talia."

Talia he called me. Not Chosen. Not Mistress. He was one of the few who still used my name. I loved to hear it resonate in his rich deep tone. I closed my eyes and nestled into his palm in pleasure, a purr vibrating in my throat.

"Please stay," I spoke the words into his heel of his hand, "It's better with you."

"Why didn't you tell me of the tether?" He sounded so serious. So earnest. I couldn't believe that he would ask me such a thing. I squared my shoulders pulling his hand from my face and holding it to my chest. "What would you have done about it?" I returned in anger.

"I don't know."

His answer was exactly what I expected from him. A nothing answer. He offered only questions, never solutions. Never anything solid or real, just whispers of cryptic emotion that I could not decipher.

"Exactly. You don't know. You don't know what you want." I pulled away. I still kept hold of his hand, afraid that if I let go the rolling pain would return.

Nadar leaned into me, his angel brow furrowed. "What do you want?"

I shook my head and half laughed half sobbed. "What I want is of no matter now Nadar. It is down to what I can accept. That's all."

"So you'll tether to my father." It was not a question, more a resigned statement of fact.

I had come to the same resigned conclusion. I had yet to speak the words and I could not yet say them aloud, especially to him. I did not answer. We sat hand in hand until Hatha arrived with the tea.

Surprise flashed in her eyes at the sight of us entwined but she said nothing, just handed me the steaming tea. Nadar let go of my hand as I took the cup. "Now you have ease I will go," he said as he moved to his feet.

When he had gone from the cabin the pain returned. Pulsing a painful beat at the base of my head and marching through my body. I clutched the archbark tea, gulping it down, seeking some relief. My hand shook, splashing the hot tea over my hands. Hatha took the cup from me and held it to my lips to sip, murmuring her soothing sounds of comfort as she did.

The warmth of the tea seeped through me, dampening the beat of pain. I sighed when it had eased enough for me to push the cup away and sink back onto the pillowed pallet.

"We need to dress you Mistress. The Dark Prince wishes to see you."

"To discuss the tether."

There was pity in her eyes. I looked away from it as she answered, "Yes Mistress to discuss the tether."

I watched the spit and glow of the logs in the nearby hearth. "Is there any other way Hatha?"

She sighed. I did not have to see her to know the picture her face would make. "You have choices."

I turned back to her, "Choices? What choices? Askel the weak, Malchard the insane or painful death? I am not foolish enough to believe I will be even allowed those choices. My only choice will be that of Roth's hand."

"Prince Nadar...."

I cut her off with a raised hand and a bark of laughter. "Nadar? He does not want me. He wants a duplication of his perfect mother. I cannot live up to her faultless memory."

Hatha grabbed my hand and pulled it into her, cradling it against her body. "I think you're wrong Mistress. Nadar is the only one who wants you. The only one who does not want something from you."

"It matters not what he wants Hatha, he will do nothing about it."

She started to speak but I pulled my hand from her grasp and waved her away. "Help me dress now. I wish to get this over with."

She inclined her head and gave me a sorrow tinged smile. "As you wish Mistress."

As I wish? I laughed but did not explain myself to Hatha. Nothing was as I wished. Nothing.

* * * *

We were in a small village. It seemed disused. I saw no villagers about, only those in Roth's service. Hatha answered my question before I could even ask. "The Dark Prince had the villagers moved for their safety. Lord Malchard's forces have been through here." She nodded towards a burnt out house.

"Malchard is close?" I felt a stab of fear at the thought. My hand went to the tether mark.

"The Dark Prince has us well protected until after the full moon."

It was then that I noticed the Master Guard that flanked us as we walked. They were so quiet that I had not noticed them. Four Dark Masters clothed in black leather armor.

Roth was waiting for me in the town tavern. It was dark and smelt as all taverns did, of sweat, old ale and smoke. Roth was seated at a long scarred table with the two Generals I had met at the War Council, standing at his back were Nadar and Valco. I flinched at the sight of Valco, stepping back to the door. Hatha held me back. "He does not blame you for his sister's death Mistress. He grieves but knows you were not at fault."

I felt little assurance at her words, too often had I been attacked for things that were not my fault. I would give Valco a wide berth and I hoped that he would do the same to me. He met my eyes as I came to the table. Pain flashed through his dark gaze and he looked away.

"Master?" I spoke quietly. I had not seen him since the battle.

Roth looked up at me with eyes black and hard. "My Chosen. Please." He waved a hand. "Be seated."

I followed his instruction without question. He raised a brow at me and I knew he was marveling at my easy acquiescence. It was the first time I had not questioned his orders.

"The Sarran has explained the tether," he said and it was then that I noticed Askel too sat at the table beside the two Generals. He shot me a bashful grin and I smiled in return.

I waited for Roth to chastise me for not confessing the tether. To my surprise he did not, instead saying, "The moon comes tomorrow night. We have the ceremony ready to conduct. You must decide who you will tether with."

"What?"

"The Vessel requires a tether. You have two choices. The Sarran here." He waved a hand down the table at Askel. "Or myself. Who will you tether to?"

I had never thought I would have an option. "You will not force me?"

"The Sarran and I—as well as my son—have had much discussion. The conclusion is that while you must tether the choice whom is in your hands."

I looked behind me to Hatha. She shrugged as if to say she too was astounded and had no answers for me.

"Sire...I'm....I cannot..."

"She needs time to think," Nadar broke into my stutter.

"Time is a luxury we do not have my son."

My mind swirled. The plans I had made dissolved by his words. I had thought there would be no choice. That I would be made to tether to Roth. I had accepted it as the only outcome, hoping merely to negotiate terms for the freedom of the Sarran with my submission.

The archbark had worn off. The tether, feeling the strength of the men surrounding me, beat out a harsh plea to be bonded. My flesh burned, I was sure the mark had seared through my skin, melding to the bone. I gripped the back of my neck pushing into the pain. I couldn't think. I needed to think.

"Chosen, make your choice."

My choice. What was it? What was the right deicision?

Askel or Roth.

Two choices. Both could secure the freedom of the Sarran, halt the onslaught of Malchard and Beatrix. While I held both in some esteem, I trusted neither. There was one, only one that I did trust.

I looked pleadingly at Nadar.

Would he offer?

There was no offer but he did act. He came around the table and pulled me to my feet, clasping me to his chest. He placed his hand over mine on the tether mark. The cool touch of his skin eased the burning ache.

"Do not pressure her Father. She needs time to think without your questions."

He kept me pressed against his chest. Lifting me with ease, he hooked a hand beneath my buttocks and pulled my legs around him. I did not look back as he took me from the darkness of the tavern out into the daylight.

I gripped him, my fingers digging into his shoulders. "Don't let me go. Please don't let me go."

"Never. I'll never let you go."

I sank into the comfort of his touch, of his smell, rubbing my head on his chest like a cat seeking a mark. I wanted to be covered in his smell—marked from head to foot with his scent.

When shadow fell over my head I knew we had entered a building of some kind. I raised my head to look. It was a stone cottage, not unlike the one I shared with Hatha. A fire was crackling in the hearth and a large pallet of rugs and pillows were piled in front.

He laid me gently on the pallet. He sat beside me, not speaking just stroking my face. I took his hand in mine and brought it to my lips. He let out a hiss as I flicked my tongue on his fingertip, tasting his skin.

"I had vowed," he said in deep timbre, "vowed to stay away. Let you make your choice. But you touch me and all my promises, all my will disappears." His lips dipped to mine as he spoke, the last word disappearing into my open mouth. His tongue followed. One touch and I was lost in a moan that seemed to issue from my very soul—a yearning plea for connection that he met with a deep, almost brutal kiss.

His hands went to my bodice, pulling at the clasps to free my breasts. I wore no chemise, there had been none to wear. The clothes I wore were borrowed from what little the villagers had left behind.

As my breasts spilled from the tight bodice he sighed and lowered his mouth to my nipple. I arched into him, bowing my back to offer him more. He took it. Sucking the whole areole into his mouth with a deep, nearly painful pull.

I felt the sharp point of his teeth scrape at the soft skin and I knew that his fangs had come down. He pulled back, his mouth open, the white points of his fangs descending over his bottom lip.

I came up on my elbows. "Don't go," I whispered in a plea, "Please don't go."

I saw his hesitation. I felt it rip through me, my heart tearing open at the thought that he would leave me wanting and confused once again. His eyes had gone black, the silver rim making them seem as if they held the power of a lunar eclipse. He closed his eyes. I did too. I waited. Waited, preparing for him to disappoint me once again.

Instead of disappointment there came the shock of his mouth once more on mine. The sharp point of his fangs scraping at the plump seam of my lips. I opened my mouth in shock and his tongue entered, plundering mine.

Skin. I needed his skin on mine. I ripped at his clothes. Pulling at his shirt and breeches. I shoved my hand under the tight leather of his pants. My skin finally making contact with the cock I craved. I wrapped my hand around the shaft, warm velvet skin stretched tight over pulsing muscle.

He wanted me as I wanted him. I held the evidence in my hand.

I stroked his member, squeezing the head and then sliding tight down the hard shaft. He groaned against my mouth and pressed into my hips. Trapping my hand between our bodies. Unable to stroke I flexed my fingers, rolling them around his hardness.

"Talia. Talia," he pleaded. To stop or to continue?

I slid my hand free. I did not want to force him to this. I wanted him to take me. Take me as I was.

I shifted back on the pallet, sliding free of his body. I stood on shaking legs to stand above him. With his dark eyes on me I slowly stripped, slipping out of my remaining clothes. Naked, I stood before him, in silent challenge, legs wide and shoulders back.

Take me, I pleaded with my eyes.

Want me. Want me enough to break your vows and slide inside my body without regret.

My heart pounded. Hot lust sank between my legs to throb in time with each beat. He came up on his knees. His cock had come free of his breeches it bobbed as he moved forward.

I felt equal parts relief and regret as his mouth came to the apex of my thighs. As his tongue lapped at the syrup of my slit I ached for his cock. I ached not to be an altar for his mouth but to be the receptacle of his seed. I wanted his release pushed deep, deep inside me more than my next breath.

I did not pull away, my treacherous sex too wanting to deny the stroke of his tongue. I ground against him, lifting a leg to mount his mouth. His hand cupped my thigh, opening me wider for his mouth, his teeth.... Oh, his teeth. His fangs grazed my clitoris in a razor sharp bite of pain that pushed me into orgasm. My sex contracted, gushing into his mouth. He opened wide, taking my cum like it was life giving blood.

My legs gave way, knees buckling at the pleasure. I sank down to the rugs beneath my feet. He guided me gently to sit on my knees. Chest heaving and mind spinning I rocked on my knees, watching him. His mouth was slick with the issue of my release, his lips red and swollen, the white of his fangs standing out in stark relief.

I looked down to the plum head of his cock straining up out of the open placket of his breeches. Would he finish what he had begun?

Would he take me?

I would not ask. I would not beg even though every fiber of my being urged me to do so. My heart, my soul, the blood pounding in the veins cried out take me, take me, take me, please take me.

As if he heard my cry Nadar lunged forward, pushing me back to the rug with a thump. There was no gentle in his eyes, no vows, no restraint, just brutal raw need.

I let it consume me. I spread my legs in welcome of his fiery need. He did not even remove his breeches, just thrust his hips forward and pushed inside me in an aggressive plunge that made me cry out in shock.

The cry did not stop him. He pushed on, his hips colliding with a force that cracked our bones together. He filled me, the brutal length of his cock pounding hard, stretching me to painful fullness. I sank into the pleasure of the pain with each thrust. With an inhuman speed his hips moved, over and over, driving me to a peak that I had never before felt. Magic swirled around us. Above his shoulder I saw it. Symbols in glittering light.

Black, silver and red.

Vandarran and Sarran.

Powerful magic from two powerful races. They converged into one symbol that hung above us pulsing light onto our bodies.

I tasted the magic on his skin. Sweet and potent. The spell that he pounded into me connected with my soul. He too needed to taste it. In my blood.

"Bite. Bite me," I cried out.

His fangs sank into my shoulder. Shredding the skin as he ground his jaw down hard. Pain. Sweet pain rocked through me as he sucked down the magic of my blood.

We came together. His seed surging in me as my sex clamped around his shaft. He continued to feed from my shoulder as his cock pulsed within my sheath. The sucks slowed to a gentle lap of his tongue as the thrust of his hips eventually stilled.

With a press of his lips to the wound his fangs had made he slid from my body and rolled to lay beside me. He did not speak as I coated my finger in the blood slicked on his swollen lips and drew on his chest the symbol that had hung above our bodies. He slipped his hands between my legs, dipping his fingers in our mingled release, I watched, barely breathing as he brought his wet fingers up and drew the same symbol above my breasts.

Our eyes locked.

I braced myself for rejection. For regrets. Instead came a soft kiss as he leaned in to taste my mouth.

"Once more," he murmured against my lips.

"Once more," I repeated and rolled to my back, opening my legs to him.

* * * *

It was Hatha who found us, naked and spent on the rugs beside the dying embers of the hearth. After two 'once mores' we had fallen into a deep sleep, my head resting on his chest, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heart.

I don't know how long she had been standing above us but she looked quite amused as she toed my bare butt and said, "Get up."

I rolled to my back and stretched out. "Why?"

"You need to eat. You need to prepare for the tethering."

Nadar was now awake. He pulled the rug up to cover himself in an act of modesty that made Hatha laugh out loud. "I've seen that many a time my Prince. There is no need to hide.

I held up my hands for Hatha to help me up. She gave a disgruntled sigh and took the offered hands levering me to me feet. I smiled and reached in to press a kiss to her lips when I was upright.

Her eyes came to rest upon the bruise of the bit at my shoulder. I brought my hand up to feel the mark. It did not hurt. If anything it glowed, the sensation of touch so good I pressed into it for a deeper hit of the feeling.

As I removed my fingers from the pleasure of the bite mark I realized pleasure was all I felt. Nothing more.

No pain from the tether mark. No feeling at all from it.

"Hatha," I said, turning around to face my back to her, "I cannot feel the tether."

Her cool fingers came to the base of my neck, to the centre of the tether tattoo.

"Remarkable," she murmured.

"What? What's remarkable," Nadar asked. He stood beside me, a rug tied loosely at his hips.

"The tether is closed," Hatha said.

I spun around to face her. "Closed?"

"It is no longer open Mistress. It is no longer seeking a bond."

"Because it's found one?" I asked, flicking my eyes over to look at a shocked Nadar.

"No, because the spell has been defused."

"Defused?" Nadar repeated.

"Broken." Hatha took a step back, shaking her head in wonder.




The Choosing Ch. 10



"How? How could it be broken?" I feared the joy that bubbled within me. I could not risk believing that something so remarkable had occurred.

"The Prince," Hatha said staring at Nadar. "He is Sarran and Vandarran. A mix of both worlds. He was the antidote. The tether forces a bond with only one, but you gave it two."

I understood at once what the magic that hung above us had been. I grinned. Stepping towards Nadar I held out my arms to embrace him in joy. He stepped back, his face closed and guarded. "You're free Mistress Vessel."

Mistress Vessel? What happened to Talia? What did he mean?

He turned away from me, to Hatha. "The Vessel is free. Pure of choice as she should be. You can return her to her people. We will give you safe passage and the protection of the house of Roth."

Return me? He'd sent me free and his first thought was to let me go? Make me go?

Joy sank into sorrow at the painful truth of his words.

Alone. I was once more unloved and alone.

- - - - - - - -

One more chapter to go! Thanks to all of you who've stuck around for the ride. Especially those of you who took the time to comment. I do so love your thoughts.

Be sweet,

Darcy

xx



The Choosing Ch. 11



I have no memory of Hatha taking me from Nadar's chambers. She must have, because I was dressed and back in my own stone cottage. I sat beside the fire on a milking stool someone had brought in from the stables. I watched the flames dance before my eyes. I had not bathed since last night and I could still smell him on my skin. Every now and then I brought my hand to my face just to inhale his aroma.

The loss hit me like a gut punch each time I did.

"My Chosen."

I looked over my shoulder to see Roth. He was alone. We were alone. Hatha had gone to find us dinner.

When was the last time we had been alone? After the Choosing ceremony?

He came forward, laying a hand gently on my shoulder. Right over the bite mark of his son. I pulled away and he murmured an apology.

Now he had my attention. The Dark Prince apologizing to me? What was that about? I swiveled in my stool to face him. He folded to the ground, sitting at my feet cross-legged, like a child awaiting a bedtime tale.

"What do you want Sire?"

He laughed. "Ever direct aren't you my Chosen? Anja would have adored you."

"Anja?"

"Anja. My wife. My Chosen. My heart. The Mother of my son." He looked wistful, lost in memory of his beloved.

"I cannot replace her Sire."

He reached up, taking my hand in his. "I know that Talia." It was odd to hear my name come from his mouth. Our relationship had changed, he marked the change with my name. "It was wrong for me to try. Losing her left a hole in my heart that I looked to fill with your submission."

"What of Malchard? Of Beatrix?"

"There is much that we need to bring to rights in Vandarra. I'd like you at my side as The Vessel. Together I doubt there is much we cannot achieve. As my ally. I will not force it." He laughed. "It seems redundant for me to make such a pronouncement. I know you cannot be forced. You are instead a force of will."

"I am," I said, not sure if it was a good or bad quality.

"Like Nadar."

At the mention of his son, my heart jumped. He smiled at my reaction and shook his head. "He is as stubborn as you. As willful in his ways. As vulnerable."

"Vulnerable?" I had never thought myself so.

"Your heart is fragile. You protect it with your pride. As does my son. Pride will not get you the love you seek. You must take risks to find it. You will not always succeed. You will make mistakes. I speak a truth I have lived Talia. I should not have Claimed my Anja, in tying her to my will I destroyed hers. I was frightened of the love that consumed me. I imprisoned her in that love when I should have set her free."

"Free? Let her go?"

"I do not think she would have gone. She loved me as I did her. I should have let her claim me. Given her the power she needed instead of taking it all for myself."

"Claimed you. Is that possible? Can it be so?"

He squeezed the hand he still held in his. "You are the Vessel. You can make it so."

"He does not want me."

Roth shook his head. "He does not want to take you as I did his Mother. He loves you too much for that."

Loves me. The thought slammed through me like a shot of whiskey. I was heady with the idea.

"So I should take him?"

"If it is what you want. Make it so." He released my hand and stood, leaning over to press a kiss to my head. I watched him leave, walking away in the effortless glide of a Master.

Make it so. Was it as simple as that? My head was churning thoughts as Hatha returned with our food.

"Hatha," I said, "I need your help with Prince Nadar. I mean to Claim him and I want to know how."

She smiled in that slight Hatha way, shook her head and said, "Well, it's about time Mistress."

* * * *

Hatha ran a tight ship preparing me for the Claiming. She blustered and complained, barking out orders like a drill sergeant. Askel muttered under his breath the word tyrant, regretting it immediately after suffering the sharp clip of Hatha's hand. As I had only two handmaidens—Corina too had thankfully survived the attack of the Queen's Guard—Askel was forced into Sarran handmaiden duties. Hatha had barked at him that it was the least he could do, stifling any further protest with her black glare.

I laughed at him and he poked out his tongue, earning him another quick clip to the ear. He was painting symbols up my leg. Her blow made him smudge one. He wiped it off and with a muttered curse reapplied the black symbol.

Hatha had scrubbed and shaved me. She worked now on my hair, weaving it into a tower of glittering curls. Askel looked up from my leg and I was pleased to see the approval in his eyes.

"You look beautiful Mistress."

"And you look very good at my feet Askel."

He grinned and angled his head to kiss a bare patch of skin on my thigh.

"Enough," Hatha barked, "Back to work."

Preparing me took until night fall. Hatha opened the shutters of the back window and let the light of the full moon fall upon my skin. The power washed over me. I closed my eyes and sank into feeling.

Tonight. Rather than tethered I was to be set free. Free in love.

A stab of fear gripped me as thoughts of rejection flooded my mind. What if he did not want me? What if Roth was wrong? Hatha came behind me, pressing her body to my back. I leaned into her. "Still your mind Mistress. You do not need thought tonight. Only feeling."

She reached around me and tweaked hard on my nipple. I gasped. She chuckled in my ear. "Feel Mistress. Only feel."

"You are sure he will come," I asked.

Hatha plucked my nipple once more. "I have said it will be so Mistress. You need to trust me."

I turned and took her face between my hands, "More than trust Hatha. I love you."

She blushed and tried to look away but I would not let her. I brought my mouth to hers and laid a gentle kiss upon her lips.

"It's time Mistress," she murmured against my mouth. I gave her one more quick kiss and nodded.

She led me through the township. Askel and Corina flanked me. The streets had been lined with torches. I walked naked and proud, my love, my hope painted on my skin and shining on my face. Far removed from the guarded woman who had been forced upon the Chosen path at the Summer Choosing.

I felt like I had been released. That I had broken free from the cocoon of my pride and fear and blossomed into a creature of delight. Roth's guard lined the street, watching me pass. My pleasure floated out to them. I saw it, like glowing pink tendrils snake out and grab each one, seeping into their souls until they gasped in pleasure.

I was filled to the brim with a delicious freedom. It spilled from my body, soaking the streets with each step closer to Nadar that I took.

At the end of the street was the town common. A pasture set aside for the outdoor meetings of the township. It was a clearing surrounded by a ring of trees. Hatha had arranged for each bough to be festooned with colored paper lanterns. The ground glowed in a rainbow of reflected color.

In the center of the clearing stood Nadar and Roth. Nadar was tense. He did not meet my eyes as I came forward to meet them. I did not know what he had been told to make him come here, Hatha had just told me that it was arranged. Looking into the stony face of my dark angel I was now not so sure. He did not look at all happy.

Hatha presented me formally to both Princes. "Roth, Dark Prince of Pleasure and Nadar, Night Prince of the Dark Master House Roth. I give you Talia of Hawthorne. Mistress Vessel of the Sarran Vere."

Roth and Nadar bowed low whereas I merely dipped my head. Here standing before them as the Vessel, they were my lesser.

As soon as the formal presentation was complete Nadar stepped away, moving behind his father. I raised a brow to Roth in question, he smiled and shook his head.

Nadar didn't know.

He didn't know why he was here.

I searched Nadar's face. He would not meet my eyes. He stared out above my head, his face a thinly veiled mask of fragile calm. The bite mark at my shoulder throbbed with the need to once again connect with his fangs.

"My Mistress comes to ask a Claim," Hatha's voice rang out across the clearing.

"I come to hear a Claim," Roth answered in rote response.

We had Nadar's attention. His eyes had snapped back to look between Roth and myself. Vandarran Claiming began not with the woman but with the man, by asking first Hatha had turned the traditional ceremony on its head.

"What Claim?" Nadar asked.

It was now or never. I stepped forward, my heart hammering in my chest, anticipation itching beneath my skin. "My Claim on your heart Prince Nadar."

"My heart?"

"Yes." I came closer to him, reaching out my hand.

He jerked away, looking at his Father. "I do not understand. I will not Claim her. You cannot make me do it."

Roth turned to face his son's angry face. "No. You will not Claim her. Not as I did to your Mother. She asks to Claim you."

"Claim me?"

"As my partner. As my equal. As the other half of my heart. As my dark angel."

He took a step towards me. "Dark Angel. I remember...I thought I had dreamt you."

"And I you my Prince."

We stood a foot apart, staring at each other as if for the very first time.

Roth took Nadar's hand as Hatha took mine. They brought them together, we laced our fingers. His touched soothed my very soul.

"Vandarran and Sarran. Linked as equals. Will you come together as the first step to heal our country?" Roth asked.

"I will," we answered in unison.

He smiled. The first full smile I had seen upon his dark face. I did not need to wonder if this was the face with which Nadar's mother had fallen in love.

"I leave you then to finish the Claiming. Join your bodies as one as your hearts have already become.

Roth and the rest of Vandarrans left until standing in the clearing was only Nadar and I, Askel, Corina and Hatha.

Askel stepped forward sweeping into a low bow. "My Prince. My Vessel."

I nodded in response.

"I ask you leave Mistress to attend your sister."

"You have your leave and my permission. Go in love Askel." I steepled my fingers at my forehead, chest and sex. Askel bowed once more and left the clearing.

Hatha moved to stand before Nadar. "It is time my Prince, to embrace your Sarran heritage."

Nadar nodded. Corina and Hatha came to him. Together moving in synchronicity, nimble fingers stripped him easily of his Master's finery.

His eyes stayed on mine as the women removed his clothing. My smile grew with the joy that I let free within. I was for the first time in my life exactly where I wanted to be, with the person I most wanted.

When Nadar was stripped to his nude beauty I heard Corina let out a little sigh of approval. I did not begrudge her admiration; he was so truly magnificent that no woman could look away.

I wanted to share him. Share the joy that blossomed in my soul.

Give and Receive. Receive and Give.

Would Nadar truly join in the way of the Sarran?

"Mark him," I ordered Hatha, who nodded and went to retrieve the Sarran ink.

I walked a circle around Nadar's naked body, trailing a finger over his exposed skin. "This beauty is the perfect canvas for the Sarran tattoo. Ink first though my Prince. I will mark you with the spells that bond our souls."

He shuddered a sigh and I watched as his cock rose tall and proud between his legs. My beautiful young handmaiden fell to her knees, licking her lips at the sight. She looked up at me for permission and I nodded.

Nadar let out a gasp as her young mouth wrapped around his cock. I nestled behind him, pressing my breasts to his back. He rocked his hips forward to Corina's mouth and I murmured my approval in his ear, "Yes. Give and take. Take and receive. The cycle of pleasure. Take and share the power."

He let out a low moan at the seductive power of my words. Hatha returned with the ceremonial brush and Sarran ink. I marked his back first. Between his shoulders I drew our bond in bold swirls of black and fine filigree.

Each stroke drew him deeper into the Sarran way. His skin sang with power, his hips rocked in an age old dance of worship. I came to his front to watch Corina kneeling at the altar of his cock. I took her head in my hands slowing the movement of her mouth.

"Please, pleassss," he groaned, losing the power of speech to the teasing, slow, sucking pleasure of Corina's mouth.

I knelt down to Corina's ear. "Let him fuck your face now." I whispered. She groaned in pleasure and thrust forward to take Nadar's cock deep in her throat.

"Come now. Come now my love."

As his body jerked forward I came in with the brush to mark his belly with my symbol—with the power of the Vessel. As the last brush stroke completed the spell Nadar cried out his orgasm.

Corina pulled back and brought Nadar's cock down to spray his seed across her firm young breasts. After his orgasm was complete she came and offered her breasts to me. I dipped my head to lick the seed from her young tits, watching Nadar's face all the while, looking for his reaction to what had just occurred.

He stepped towards me, chanting the words I most wanted to hear, "Give and take. Take and receive. The cycle of pleasure. Take and share the power."

He had accepted the Sarran way. He had accepted me.

"I share with you now. I give to you now. I take my pleasure with you." His words rolled over me like a wash of heat. My sex dripped wet with the need for him to claim me hard.

"On your knees," he ordered.

I submitted with pleasure, falling to the soft carpet of grass.

"On all fours."

Yes. Yes. There was nothing I wanted more.

I dropped my hand before me and waited on all fours for his next order. It did not come. Instead the fat head of his cock thrust deep inside my sex.

The moan I let out shook the trees around us. The lanterns danced at the sound of my voice. A rainbow of color strobed across our skin. I raised my head to see Hatha with the ceremonial brush, painting Corina's writhing body.

"Pleasure her," Nadar cried out, "Pleasure your Mistress."

Corina slid beneath my body on her back, bringing her mouth up to latch upon my clitoris. Her pretty young sex spread in offering at my mouth, I lowered my head to taste her, groaning at the sweetness of her syrup.

Hatha brushed magic across my back as Nadar took me hard. The soft ink bristles flashed the heat of sexual magic across my skin.

I was the heat. The darkness. I was the moon. I was all power and all power surged through me.

I came. Clenching my sex around Nadar's cock and spurting my release over Corina's sweet mouth.

Nadar slipped free of my sex and pulled me back to rest upon his chest. He lay on the ground and I turned to mount him. I looked down at his sex flushed face and let the love pour from my soul.

I sang. A wordless song of love and joy.

The cycle was complete. The Claiming had set. I had a home. A purpose in this one man.

Together we would learn the Sarran way. Together we would reunite our people.

The path I had begun on the road to the Night Palace ended here with this choice. My choice.

Nadar.

My dark angel.

- - - - - - - - -

The final chapter. Thank you so much to Gatorhermit and my beloved Mistress Red Pen for your encouragement and grammar domination.

And Pacofear, I thank the crazy random happenstance that had you stumble across my 'Dirty Train Girl' and become my critique partner. Your ratbastardy (it's a word if I say it's a word!) is all through this work and without it, well, it would be quite shabby. Thank you so much. He rocks and he doesn't have time to critique any of your stuff because he's too busy with mine -- and besides I'm his favorite.

And while I'm sounding like a D grade celeb at a shoddy awards night I'm going to run with it and thank all of YOU who took the time to read my stuff.

Thanks, you're sweet!

Darcy