62 comments/ 29258 views/ 118 favorites The Keeping of Lena Ch. 01 By: ablondegoddess Renz was the first to emerge, and he was ever as handsome as she remembered. Ten years, it seemed, had thoroughly and completely...enhanced him. Another layer of muscle had been added to the lean, athletic form of his youth, making him appear broader, stronger, and far more forceful. His boyish smile, impish as always, was now intensified with the wisdom of manhood. There were a few more laugh lines surrounding his gray eyes, and his dark hair was just slightly beginning to silver at his temples. Ten years had passed, but Renz hadn't aged. He'd settled, perhaps, for the volatile impulses of his younger years appeared far more controlled than they used to be. He'd evolved from a randy cub into a calculating beast, a seductive predator with the playful charm of boyhood and the beguiling allure of maturity. A lethal combination. But at newly thirty-seven, he still appeared vibrant and active. He bore no pain or sorrow of the last ten years. No bitterness or disappointment. Tonight, he bore only the hopefulness of youth. That was the blessing of being a man, and the curse of being a woman. Her pain hung heavily around her neck, pulling on her heart like a gilded albatross. But Renz was completely unscathed. And as she watched him, he wore that same secret, triumphant smile that in their six years of marriage she had grown to loathe. The source of that smile soon followed after, timidly walking behind him, and she knew immediately that this was the one called Lena. She was certainly a pretty whore. There was no doubt about that. But her frame was slight, fragile even. She was but a dwarf, a little pixie, next to Renz. Renz's tastes had clearly changed. Over a decade prior, Renz's lusts had led him towards unhappily married women and skilled prostitutes. Renz had liked his women to be classically beautiful, polished, and well trained. His women needed to be able to surprise him; he'd have lost interest if they didn't. And of course, they needed to be voluptuous, for Renz had always needed something for his greedy, eager hands to squeeze. But this Lena was nothing like those women. She was an innocent, uneducated and untrained. She stared up at Renz with wide, vulnerable eyes. No one had taught her how to charm a man. No one had schooled her in the art of mystery or seduction. Everything about her was open and on display. She was pathetically transparent. The foolish girl wore her love for him like a crown on her head, and for a brief moment, Ilise felt sorry for her. She was blissfully unaware of what Renz would do to her now that he'd captured her love. She knew nothing of the inevitable heartache she would face. Lena's skin was flushed, her scandalous red gown somewhat out of place, and it was easy to deduce what she and Renz had been doing for the last hour. Renz had fucked her, and apparently well...she had the type of drunken, uncaring bliss that only sexual release could provide. Perhaps ten years had taught Renz not to be such a selfish lover. The cocky grin on his face indicated he'd been very well drained, at least for his momentary satisfaction. It was a smile she recognized, had seen often enough whenever Renz would disappear with his newest plaything. But the seriousness in his eyes as he stared at Lena was certainly something entirely new. He looked at her as if nothing else in the world existed. They exchanged hushed words, Renz fully entranced by whatever it was the maid was saying. His gaze slipped down to her body several times, a sign that his arousal was beginning to increase again. But instead of turning his attention to the ballroom filled with the bored wives and eligible daughters of the empire's wealthiest, Renz kept his gaze on Lena. He took her into his arms and kissed her, pulling her body far closer to his than decent. But they were perfect egoists, both completely unaware of the world around them. Lena was the first to leave, and Ilise watched Renz as he watched her, and for the first time that night, she found herself puzzled. It was the first time she didn't recognize the man she had once called husband. ****** She found Lena in the women's lounge, grabbing fruits far more quickly than decent. It was a slightly comical site, the unrefined maid reaching for berries and popping them into her mouth quickly, nervously glancing around the room like a timid mouse stealing crumbs. Ilise cleared her throat, but Lena did not appear to have heard her. She kept rapidly eating, a consequence of her recent sex with Renz, no doubt. Or perhaps, a consequence of another life growing inside of her by now. "You might slow down, there. You wouldn't want to burst out of that lovely gown," Ilise said. Lena heard her then, and she looked up at Ilise with bashful eyes. Her mouth was clearly still full, and she gulped ungracefully, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. Lena stood up then and release a faint cry as she gazed at Ilise. Ilise could feel the young girl's wide, pretty blue eyes fixing on her gown, her face, the necklace at her throat. Her expression was one of confusion, and maybe faint recognition. Ilise nearly laughed when the girl suddenly entered an ungraceful curtsey. "I apologize...that must have appeared rude. I'm Lena," she said timidly. Ilise smiled at her. "I know who you are, Lena. I've been anxious to meet you. I'm Ilise...Renz's first wife," she replied. ****** ****** It took several moments for Lena to realize that Ilise was waiting for her to speak, but she was far too dumbfounded to form words. She felt as if all mental processes and emotional responses had reached a sudden halt, and Lena was completely unaware of how to feel or what to say next. Ilise placed a sympathetic hand on her wrist, slightly beckoning her to awareness. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lena," she said, her smile slightly humored. Lena felt overwhelmed with a sudden wave of recognition, and her heart began to palpitate. This was Ilise. The Ilise. The woman who wounded Renz more than any other person in his life. "L-likewise," Lena replied quietly. She gazed at Ilise, finding herself unable to form an opinion about her. Given who Renz had described her to be, how he'd described himself to be when they were married, Lena expected to see an angry, broken, hurt woman. But Ilise did not appear vengeful or even slightly cross. In fact, she didn't appear emotional at all. She was disturbingly pleasant and completely at ease. She was perfectly styled and controlled, and Lena began feeling embarrassed for staring at her with such obvious surprise. "You really needn't be so nervous, Lena. I assure you I only have the best of intentions for you and your...fiancé now, it appears?" Ilise said, glancing down at the ring. Lena felt her cheeks and neck flush with embarrassment, and she cursed herself for accepting the ring from Renz again. There was no way to really explain her not-quite-engagement, especially to her not-quite-fiancé's first wife. Before she could speak, Ilise gently reached for her hand and inspected the the diamond closely. "Diamonds like this are only given to women who are truly loved and esteemed, Lena. Tell me, when did he propose?" Ilise asked. "Well, umm, it happened here—" "You're very fortunate to have found a love match with Renz. I'm sure he's told you that our marriage was arranged. And while he was certainly gentleman enough to procure a lovely stone..." Ilise said, pausing to extend her hand. Lena gasped as she observed the massive single blue stone on her finger. The artist's rendering, the first image of Ilise she'd ever found, certainly didn't quite capture just how extraordinary the jewel really was. It was a deep, gorgeous blue with the faintest hints of green. "...I never had...quite the marriage that young girls dream of," Ilise finished. Lena looked up at Ilise, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. Her drunkenness was quickly beginning to fade, and was replaced by a cold feeling of dread deep in her gut. "It really is a lovely ring...I'm sure he loved you very much when he gave it to you," Lena found herself saying. Ilise smiled sweetly, but there was a slight flicker of sadness in her green eyes. The dread suddenly intensified into an overwhelming feeling of inexplicable guilt, and Lena felt as if she would soon become sick. "It's an Indian sapphire. Originally owned by the consort of a maharaja. Renz purchased it while on a hunting holiday with his friends from university...and I suspect it may have been more of a token for himself than for me. Men like Renz love to flaunt their wealth, I'm sure you're aware," Ilise said with a faint laugh, gesturing to the Sun Diamond. Lena reached for the necklace at her throat in a vain attempt to cover it, but the little piece of royal sunshine continued to glitter through her fingers. And for the first time, Lena felt like its luminescence was mocking her. "And what better place to display wealth than on a woman as beautiful as you," Ilise said softly. Lena's stomach fully sank then. It seemed as if Ilise's words were intended to be complimentary, but they affected her in a deeply unsettling way. Renz had once told her that one of his greatest pleasures was buying beautiful things for the women he was with...perhaps the only pleasure was the physical representation of his own wealth. His own conquest. "Have you seen Renz yet?" Lena asked, desperate for no further talk of jewelry. Ilise laughed airily and shook her head. "I suspect it would be in...poor taste on a night like tonight...you understand, surely. He is a newly engaged man, after all," Ilise said. Lena nodded, truthfully not quite understanding at all. But Ilise's revelation made her overall anxiety wane by a small degree. For some reason, the idea of Renz alone with Ilise terrified Lena. Ilise released her hand and gently brought her fingers up her bare arm, resting just above her shoulder. Lena felt herself shiver at the contact. "I'll admit I had my initial...rude opinions...when I heard of my former husband parading around Berlin with a woman half his age. But you, Lena, are just exquisite. I can see why you've managed to capture a man like Renz. You're quite the fascinating girl," Ilise said, bringing her hand to her chin. Her touch was faint, but Lena felt paralyzed where she stood, cornered by Ilise's almost cat-like eyes. Ilise's face remained soft and pleasant, her elegant features ever gentle, but the liveliness of her eyes betrayed her outer composure. Finally, Ilise blinked and released her, and Lena felt a great weight leave her body. "I do hope we can talk again soon, Lena. Enjoy the party," Ilise called. Lena stood still for several moments as she waited for the world to stop spinning. She hadn't realized that she'd been alone with Ilise—the room was completely empty. Lena blinked several times and sat back down on the lounge, in an attempt to convince herself that what had just happened...actually happened. Ilise had arrived and disappeared so quickly, that if Lena were any drunker, she could have convinced herself it was a temporary hallucination. But Lena had actually seen Ilise. Had spoken to her, had touched her. The woman who had been no more than a painting on a wall, a beautiful, painful figment of the past of the man she loved, now had flesh and depth. A part of Lena wanted to dislike her for hurting Renz as deeply as she had. But Lena saw no signed of the rash, spiteful woman Renz had described her to be. It almost seemed as if Ilise had nothing but fondness for Renz. "I've been looking for you for ages, and you're right where I last saw you!" she suddenly heard Ava say. Lena sheepishly turned towards Ava, ready to apologize for her rudeness earlier that evening. But to her relief, Ava was not scolding her at all. She was positively radiant. "Ava...you're glowing," Lena remarked. Ava beamed in apparent delight as she glided towards the lounge, gracefully seating herself with a fond hand on her belly. "I could say the same thing about you, Lena dear," Ava remarked, winking on end. Lena looked down and realized that her appearance really was rudely disheveled, and she tried to fix her gown, but there was truly no use. She shyly returned her gaze to Ava, and for a brief moment almost felt as if she were staring at a reflection of herself. She noticed that Ava's blonde hair was slightly tousled, and there was a more natural shade of rouge on her cheeks. She appeared as if she had dressed in haste, but there was no embarrassment—only a blissful, lazy gaze. "Were you...with Karl?" Lena whispered, even though there was no one else in the room. For the first time that night, Ava appeared slightly shy, and a wide, girlish grin spread across her face. "Why isn't that a bold suggestion!" she replied coyly. "Is it rude of me to ask?" Lena asked in response. Ava's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Of course not, Lena dear, I was only teasing! Surely you've had these talks with other friends of yours," Ava replied encouragingly. Lena bashfully lowered her head. She'd never had anyone to talk to about the intimate details of the activities between lovers. Her experiences with Renz were still so new to her, that she felt she needed someone, another woman with wisdom, to answer her questions, now more than ever. When she looked back at Ava, her teasing had faded and her smile was one of genuine compassion. "I won't embarrass you with our more...explicit details. But I will say that no man has ever made me feel quite as...celebrated as Karl," Ava replied. "Are you fond of him?" Lena asked. Ava's sweet smile suddenly became privately amused, and Lena began wondering what memory of Karl had tickled her humor. "Quite. However...may I confide in you Lena?" Ava asked. Lena nodded quickly and scooted closer to Ava. "Of course! I assure you, you can trust me," Lena replied, surprised by how honored she felt by Ava's admission. Ava smiled sweetly. "I have no doubt of that. The truth is, I am very fond of Karl...but I find myself navigating unfamiliar waters. I am recently widowed, I have another child soon to be born. I worry about how I appear," Ava said. It was the first time that Ava had appeared unsure of herself, and Lena placed a hand over hers. "Your reputation, you mean?" Lena asked. The seriousness was broken by Ava's sudden laughter, and Lena couldn't help but giggle too. "Oh heavens, no. I don't give a damn about reputation anymore. My late husband's not-so-private activities, and I'm not even talking about that depraved enterprise of his, humiliated me far more severely than I could ever accomplish on my own," Ava replied. "You're not worried about how you appear to Karl then, are you?" Lena asked. Ava's laughter faded, and for the first time that night, she smiled an insincere, sad smile. "It's not exactly the most attractive position for a woman to be in," she replied. Lena realized that just as Ava's charm was uplifting, her sadness was positively heartbreaking. "Ava, I am certain Karl does not find anyone more attractive than you. In fact, he told me so earlier today," Lena replied. Ava's girlish radiance returned, and she squeezed Lena's hand fondly. "You are far to sweet, Lena dear," Ava replied. They shared a brief moment of silence, but then Ava's smile became mischievous. "Now tell me...what precisely were you doing with Renz this last hour?" Lena felt her face turn red with embarrassment, and another shameful feeling. Her body clenched at the recent memory of Renz roughly pounding inside of her, and when she returned her gaze to Ava, a knowing smile was on her face. ****** ****** "Are you absolutely certain that Lena is pregnant?" Renz asked. Karl glared at him in clear annoyance and tried to reach for his nearly empty glass. "I said she might be pregnant. There are a number of reasons that can explain the missed monthlies. Now I do think you have had too much brandy for this conversation—" "But what do you think, Karl? Truthfully. Do you think she is?" Renz asked. Karl sighed and rubbed his temples. "It's a possibility I thought you should be aware of. I'll need to monitor Lena very closely to be sure at this point," he replied. Renz began pacing back and forth. Lena pregnant...the suggestion was as exciting as it was terrifying, and the possibility filled him with as much joy as dread. He hadn't allowed himself to indulge in the idea of starting a family with Lena, because a part of him thought that he'd already missed his chance for children. He'd been far too foolish in his youth. And he'd been far too foolish with Lena, for their courtship was anything but ordinary. Renz tried to stop his thoughts from going to that dangerous, hopeful place, but he'd had far too much brandy for any real mental restrictions. At that moment, Lena could be carrying his son or daughter, and Renz was filled with a sense of glee and vigor. But his joy came to a sudden halt when he reminded himself of the reality of their relationship. Lena didn't trust him enough to even agree to a real engagement yet, let alone marriage. Surely there would be no way she could trust him to be the father of her children. "Do you think she knows of the possibility?" Renz asked. Karl shook his head. "I don't. In my experience, I've found that it is much more prudent to wait to disclose until I have a bit more certainty...I apologize if I was wrong to withhold, but Lena has been through enough recently," Karl replied. Renz nodded in agreement. "Good. Don't tell her unless you're absolutely certain. How much time do you think you'll need?" Renz asked. Karl frowned and ran a hand through his hair. "Another week, at minimum. Perhaps two. But if you'll excuse me, I'll need to return home. I have several early calls tomorrow morning" Karl replied. Renz nodded. "And you'll be returning in a few days' time, I imagine? Ava is going to spend the remainder of her mourning here," Renz mentioned. Karl briefly appeared very uncomfortable, but he cleared his throat and nodded quickly. "Yes, I suppose I should return soon. She too needs to be monitored in her condition. Happy birthday, friend," Karl said quickly, before swiftly leaving. Renz chuckled and sat down on a nearby lounge and finished off what little remained of his drink. He was sobering already, and that disappointed him. He wasn't especially fond of the idea of turning thirty-seven, and had planned on spending the night drunk and with Lena. Instead, now that the party was beginning to quiet, he found himself sober and alone. Renz stood up, preparing to find Lena, but he stopped in his tracks when he saw his former wife walk through the door. "Happy birthday, Renz," Ilise said. Renz squeezed his empty brandy glass so hard that it shattered in his hand. He could feel shards of glass cutting through his palm, and could feel warm blood rushing to cover it, but his awareness of his injury stopped there. Ilise closed the door behind her and began quickly walking towards him. "Let me help you with that—" "I thought I was very clear when I told you that I never want you to come anywhere near this house again," Renz said slowly. Ilise's eyes slightly saddened, but Renz was unperturbed. He knew that Ilise could never feel any real sadness. There was an entire spectrum of human emotion that she was lacking. Understanding sadness would require understanding happiness. Nothing ever made her happy, and nothing could ever truly make her sad. "You're bleeding, Renz. Let me help you," she said again. She reached for his hand, but Renz jerked it away from her. He became aware of the pain then, and he cursed loudly as he yanked off his tie and began crudely wrapping the cut. The Keeping of Lena Ch. 01 "It's been ten years, Renz," Ilise began. He could see her begin to reach for him again, but she wisely chose to stop. Her hair had slightly darkened to more of a blood-colored red over the years, and the slight youthful plumpness in her cheeks had faded. Her skin seemed a bit paler, but other than that, Ilise had only slightly aged. She was just as poised, just as beautiful, and Renz was certain, just as cruel. "I wouldn't want to see you in one hundred. Why are you here? Have you already managed to squabble the overly generous sum I paid you for our divorce?" Renz asked. Ilise slightly cocked her head to one side, and lowered her eyes, before slowly bringing her gaze to meet his. It was a subtle move that had managed to halt his wits when they were newly married. But now, it had no effect. "I thought...perhaps you would have forgiven me, after all this time. I was young, and I was...deeply hurt," she said. Renz rolled his eyes, not at all wanting to revisit their marriage. "Yes, I enjoyed other women while we were married. Lots of others. And you decided to kill our child right before he was to be born. Your score is more than settled," Renz replied dryly. "I am sorry, Renz," she replied. Renz shook his head. "Why are you here? Has anyone seen you?" Renz asked. Ilise absently strolled around the lounge, her movements graceful and rehearsed like a dance. "I was very discreet, I assure you. I know Schloss Wolfenbarger just as well as you do. No one saw me and I have spoken to no one," Ilise replied. Renz scrutinized her for several moments, unsure of whether or not she was telling the truth. But for now, he chose to believe her. "Why are you here?" he asked again. "I never forget your birthday. And...I've heard about Ludovic," Ilise said. Renz frowned and turned away from her. "What of him?" he asked, curious about how much she knew. "I've heard he's been missing. When is the last time you saw him?" she asked. Renz swallowed hard. "We haven't spoken in years," he replied quickly. Ilise had always been able to detect his lies when they were married. He wondered if she still could after ten years. There was a prolonged silence for several moments, and then he heard her faintly sigh. "That new woman of yours is quite lovely," she mentioned. Renz felt his spine stiffen, wondering what she was getting at. "Her name is Lena," he replied. He heard Ilise release her airy laugh behind him. "What family is she from?" Ilise asked. "None you would have heard of," Renz replied. Ilise gasped. "So she's common? That's certainly new for you. Do you plan to marry her?" Ilise asked. "She has accepted a ring," Renz replied. "Is she pregnant?" Ilise asked. Renz turned around then, anger beginning to build. "Why is it any of your concern?" he demanded. Ilise arched one of her eyebrows, and she gazed at him humorously. "You needn't be so defensive, Renz. My intentions are pure, I assure you," Ilise replied. Her tone had lightened, almost as if she were teasing him. "And what exactly are your intentions? This conversation has gone on long enough," Renz said. Ilise lowered her eyes and quickly brought her gaze back to his, and for a moment, Renz was momentarily trapped. This was her serious gaze, her cruel gaze, the look of a snake just about to pounce upon prey. Renz shook his head and turned away from her. He'd allowed her to manipulate him when he was younger and foolish. Now that he was older, she did not have the same kind of power. "I only wanted to advise you...if Lena is pregnant, do not do to her what you did to me," Ilise said. Renz laughed dryly. "Lena does not need you to worry about my loyalty to her, I assure you. There have been no other women since we met, and there will be no others. She knows that," Renz replied. Ilise smiled her secret smile, the comical look she gave when enjoying a private joke. Or when she was politely making fun of someone. "Arrogant as always, aren't you Renz? I wasn't talking about your fidelity...I was talking about hers," Ilise replied. Renz froze. Surely Ilise wasn't witness to Lena's immature little cry for attention with the soldier earlier... "What are you talking about?" Renz asked. Ilise smiled her pitying smile. "Renz...you turned thirty-seven today. But Lena...she can't be older than nineteen or twenty I imagine," Ilise said. Renz slightly balled his fists, not at all liking the turn the conversation had taken. "She's eighteen," Renz replied quietly. Her laughter was full and mocking then, and Renz brought his hand to his forehead in irritation. "You're not a young man anymore, Renz. But Lena? She is on the cusp of her prime. With the right schooling and guidance, I imagine a girl as beautiful as she is could learn to charm any number of young lords and princes. What makes you think she'll want to remain with a man twice her age?" Ilise asked. Renz crossed his arms in front of his body. He'd never really thought about their age difference that way, and he hated that Ilise's words could still affect him. "I love her. And she loves me," Renz replied. He said it partially to remind himself. Lena had only just told him that she loved him earlier that night...and it was during sex. Hearing her say it was still new and unfamiliar. He hadn't yet reached the point where he could instinctively believe it to be true. Ilise approached him then, and her gaze was focused and lively, the snake going in for the kill. She stood right in front of him, and placed a soft, cold hand on his cheek. "My darling Renz...we both know that without your wealth, and without your...sexual skills...there is nothing about you that will keep her interested, much less in love," Ilise said softly. Her voice was sickly sweet, and her final blow stung terribly. This was the Ilise he knew best, the beast with multiple heads who could be poised and sweet one moment, and cruel and heartless the next. "Don't come back here again," Renz said darkly. Ilise chuckled lightly and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. He watched her carefully as she reached for the ring on her finger, the rare sapphire he'd purchased for her while hunting in India on a university holiday. She placed the ring in his front coat pocket, and smoothed the material of his jacket with her fingertips. "Your sex and your money are the only assets you possess that might keep a woman half your age occupied, for the time being. My advice to you is to exhaust those assets at every possible opportunity. Pregnant women need to be indulged, you know," Ilise said softly. "Get out. Now," Renz said coldly. Renz had a sudden violent impulse to strike her, but he had promised his mother at a very early age that he would never hurt a woman the way his father had hurt her. Ilise was the only woman who had ever managed to test that resolve. "I'll leave soon enough...I wouldn't want to keep you from your brandy for too long. But I imagine I will be seeing you again soon...the sum you paid me ten years ago will soon be depleted," Ilise said pleasantly, lightly running her fingertips along his jacket pocket. Renz snorted and rolled his eyes. "And what makes you think I'll ever be inclined to give you another solitary mark?" Renz asked. Ilise's dark rouge lips, nearly the shade of her hair, widened to an almost manic smile, and she suddenly leaned forward on her toes, so close that he could feel her breath on his face. "How quickly you forget that I carry a dark secret of yours that I know you want to want to keep buried...especially from Lena," Ilise whispered. Renz was immediately frozen, and his head began furiously pounding. "Happy birthday, Renz. With many, many returns," Ilise whispered, directly in his ear. ****** ****** It was past three, and the party was finally beginning to quiet. Most of the guests had already gone, and Lena found herself outside on the rolling hills overlooking the lake and the gardens with Ava, and two new companions. She'd finished several more glasses of champagne and wine, and with each sip, the encounter with Ilise became more and more distant. A firework show lit up the night sky, and Lena wondered where the host of the glittering celebration was. "Lena dear, I simply will not have you looking so forlorn on a night such as this. This display is simply superb!" Ava exclaimed. "She's missing her future husband, is all. I was equally forlorn when Edvard and I were apart before our wedding," Karolina said with a wink. Her new husband looked up at her with a silly grin, and Karolina playfully twisted his reddish-brown curls in her fingertips. She was an heiress, the daughter of a wealthy German banker, and her new husband was a member of the royal court. Lena admired how loving they were together, even the sweet way Edvard kept his head in her lap as he admired his new bride. "You don't suppose I should go and look for him?" Lena asked. Edvard snorted playfully. "He's most certainly pissed-drunk in a corner by now. I believe it is forbidden by the Wolfenbarger credo to remain sober for long during any kind of celebration," Edvard answered. Lena slightly reclined on her elbows as she admired the booming light show over the lake. The world was pleasantly spinning, and Lena couldn't resist the urge to slightly rock back and forth. "I think Lena is certainly following in the tradition and she's not even married yet!" Karolina exclaimed. Lena began giggling, fully admitting that she was certainly beyond a bit merry. "I've never had this much champagne before," Lena admitted, giggling again as her words slurred. "I'll look after you, Lena dear. I've already decided I think of you as my baby sister," Ava said, gently placing a hand on her head. Lena was warmed by the phrase, and she reached to embrace Ava, but ungracefully lost her balance and felt herself tumbling down the hill. She landed with a gentle thud, and felt relatively unscathed apart from a slight throb on her head. She looked back up to where she'd fallen to three curious, concerned gazes. "Lena! Are you all right?" Ava called. Lena slightly wobbled as she tried to stand up. "I'm all right," Lena called back. She noticed Ava's gaze widen at something in the distance before looking back down at Lena with an excited gaze. "And you have successfully summoned the devil, Lena dear. Look," she said, pointing towards the darkness. Lena had to squint for several moments before she could focus on the slightly staggering figure out in the distance. Her heart began to race by the time she was able to fully make out his form, and once she saw his face, Lena was breathless. "We were just talking about you, you're missing your own party!" Karolina called. "My sincerest apologies if I have been a poor host, Frau Krüger," Renz replied. Lena felt her body coil in pleasurable tension as she watched Renz. His voice sounded deeper, and his words were just slightly slurred. His hair was looser than normal, and Lena noticed he'd removed his tie. When he looked at her, his gaze was devilish and playful, and Lena found tipsy Renz to be incredibly attractive. "It has been a splendid party, Herr Wolfenbarger," Karolina called. "And a profitable one, I hope?" Edvard asked. Renz briefly looked up at Edvard and nodded. "Very profitable. Now if you'll excuse me, I may need to continue being a terrible host," he said, returning his gaze to Lena. Lena bit her lip, unsure of what he meant, but before she could respond, Renz quickly hoisted her into his arms and over his good shoulder. She was too excited by Renz to care about how indecent she appeared with her rear facing Ava, Karolina, and Edvard up on the hill. She could only focus on what he planned to do with her. She squealed when they began to move, and Lena held on tightly to his good shoulder to keep from becoming dizzy. She was very high off of the ground on Renz's shoulder, and his movements were slightly unbalanced. "Where are you taking me?" Lena asked. Her question was answered by a hard, swift slap on her bottom. Lena squealed in shock, wondering if anyone had seen. Her body shook in time with Renz's thunderous, playful laughter. "Somewhere secluded so I can play with you, my little nymph. It is my birthday after all, and I am quite eager to enjoy the gifts you have for me," Renz replied. Lena frowned in confusion. "Sir...I haven't any money to buy you gifts," Lena said sheepishly. The hand that had just spanked her returned to her rear, but instead of smacking her again, his fingers began gathering the material of her gown, squeezing insistently. "You are a playground of gifts, Lena," Renz said devilishly. His fingers slipped between her thighs on the outside of her dress, and he began teasing her pussy with the silky fabric of her gown. Lena squirmed and gripped his shoulder harder. She was completely bare underneath, for Renz had ripped her undergarments beyond wearability earlier that evening. The cool air of the night mixed with his firm touch through luxurious fabric was beginning to arouse her to dangerous heights. "Sir, people can see!" Lena exclaimed. "That's highly unlikely where we are, Lena," Renz said. He suddenly stopped moving and grabbed her by the waist, placing her back on her feet. Lena squinted in the darkness, and it took her several moments to process where she was. They stood alone at the edge of the forest adjacent to the Wolfenbarger gardens. For a moment, Lena was speechless. The chandeliers lit up the estate beautifully in the darkness of night, making the large windows almost appear as if they were smiling. She could faintly hear the sound of laughter and music as the party continued to quiet, and she couldn't help but admire what a truly beautiful party Renz had thrown. When she returned her gaze to Renz, he was staring at her seriously. The humor had faded from his face, and he appeared entirely...predatory. Lena felt her knees begin to shake as her breathing quickened, and as Renz approached her, she found herself involuntarily backing up, until she was pressed up against a tree. She looked up at him timidly as he towered over her, his palms on either side of her body, keeping her trapped. "Shouldn't we go back inside?" Lena asked softly. "I can't wait Lena," Renz growled. Immediately, Renz pressed his body against hers, crushing her against the tree. Before she could speak again, Lena lost her breath in his mouth. His kisses were hard and wild, his tongue sinking so deeply that Lena was certain that any moment, she might suffocate. Lena felt dizzy and aroused as his tongue aggressively probed into her mouth, circling her tongue as she struggled to keep up with his pace. His hands were soon gathering the fabric around her dress, and Lena whimpered in desire and impatience as her sore inner walls clenched in excitement...he couldn't get her undressed fast enough. Lena exhaled in heady desperation when Renz finally released her sore lips, mouth trailing down her neck. He brought one hand in between her legs, and Lena pressed her knees tightly together when insistent fingers began stroking her rapidly moistening sex. "Mmm...you are dripping, Lena," Renz murmured as he nibbled on the sensitive skin of her neck. He stroked his long fingers against her with a hard, commanding pressure, causing a surge of pleasure to pulsate throughout her entire body. His kisses lowered to her chest, and Lena threw her head back, slightly bumping herself against the tree. With one single, swift tug, Renz yanked the bodice of her gown down around her waist, exposing her breasts to the cold air. Her nipples hardened to a painful point, from her arousal and from the chill, but the sensation was forgotten once Renz covered her sensitive nipple with his hot mouth. Lena couldn't suppress her moans, and she whimpered softly as Renz teased her nipple with his tongue. He kept stroking her sensitive flesh with his fingers as his mouth played with her breast, and before long, Lena felt the sensation of an orgasm beginning to build. "Renz...please," Lena said breathlessly. Renz raised his head from her breast, and he gazed at her seriously. His eyes were dark and slightly threatening, and Lena began feeling slightly nervous. Suddenly it seemed as if Renz wasn't just a bit drunk...he actually seemed slightly angry. She felt him roughly grip her knee, bending her leg so that it was nearly pressed up against her body. Lena struggled to keep her balance, and with his free hand, Renz gripped both of her wrists, trapping her arms in front of her body. "Sir?" Lena asked, beginning to grow fearful. His grip on her wrists was beginning to hurt, and Lena wondered if Renz was planning on being rough with her again. As exciting as it sounded...she wasn't entirely sure her body could handle it again so soon. But instead of impaling her, Renz suddenly sank to his knees, and Lena squirmed and wiggled in anticipation. He kept his grip on her wrists and hooked her leg over his shoulder, and she felt him roughly pushing apart her nether lips, lewdly opening her up to the cold air. Her skin tingled in excitement as his hot breath coated her pussy, becoming warmer and warmer as his mouth approached. He finally pressed his tongue directly against her clit, and Lena's moans quickly turned into loud screams. He licked her quickly, roughly, and greedily. It seemed as if there wasn't a single part of her pussy that his mouth left uncovered. Lena arched her back and rotated her hips, completely overwhelmed by the intimate kiss. Even the sounds that Renz made were exciting her. In his drunkenness, Renz was primal, more ravenous. There was nothing arrogant or practiced about the way he licked her. He was unpredictable and slightly unhinged, fully devouring her. The pleasurable sensations were becoming too much to bear, and Lena tried to squirm away from him for a moment's rest, but Renz only tightened his grip on her wrists and fully locked her leg around his shoulder. There was no escaping the ambush from his mouth. She felt Renz close his lips around her clit as his tongue continued pulsing against the sensitive button, and Lena's back arched sharply. "Renz...please...I need rest," she begged, but she was only answered by the loud sound of his sucking, his assault on her sensitive pussy. The suction only increase in intensity as she felt Renz pushing his face forward, grinding his mouth roughly against her. The pressure was unbearable, and Lena screamed loudly as she burst, body completely overwhelmed with pleasure. There wasn't a moment's rest as Renz suddenly stood, releasing her sore wrists. She felt him hoist her legs up around his waist, and he slammed her up against the tree roughly. Lena was about to speak, but he covered her mouth with his palm, continuing to stare at her dangerously. He gazed at her unblinking as he quickly unfastened his trousers, and positioned his cock against her opening threateningly. "I love you too much to ever hurt you again, Lena. You know that right?" Renz said seriously. Lena was surprised by the sudden change in his voice, and she wasn't entirely sure how he expected her to answer with his hand covering her mouth. Not knowing what else to do, Lena nodded. Renz leaned forward then, and pressed his forehead against hers. She could feel the tip of his cock begin to slip inside of her, stretching her open, and Lena slightly winced and moaned against his palm. "Good...because I'm very drunk right now, love...and I really, really need to fuck you," Renz said. His palm was still over her mouth, and Lena was limited to merely nodding as her response. The Keeping of Lena Ch. 01 Renz suddenly thrust forward, very hard, and Lena squealed loudly into his palm. Before she could recover, Renz was thrusting again, swiftly and violently. His movements were animalistic and selfish, and Lena struggled to match his pace. The way he held her against the tree made it impossible to move—she could only accept whatever he wanted to do with her. Lena winced in pain each time he entered her, and she whimpered against his palm with each hard thrust. Renz was being rough...too rough. But as nervous as it made her, she was becoming excited to a dangerous point. The way his body moved was forceful and athletic, a series of basal, passionate impulses. This wasn't the Renz that was using years worth of sexual skill and experience to manipulate both of them into pleasure. No, this was a far more pure Renz...a primitive Renz. The low moans he was releasing sounded like growls, and Lena felt completely wanton in his grasp, for he was working her into an animalistic frenzy. He removed his hand from her mouth, and Lena exhaled in relief. But it was short-lived, for almost instantly Renz crushed his mouth against hers, chasing her tongue with his. Renz moaned loudly into her mouth as he increased his pace, his hardness harshly pounding against her tight, sore inner walls. Lena clung to him tightly, accepting every ambush that he offered. A whisper of a thought suggested that maybe it was wrong of her to enjoy the pain and the fear so much...but Lena quickly shook it away. Whether it was wrong or not, Lena had never felt more feminine, or more animal, and she intended to enjoy it for all it was worth. Renz slid his hands down her body, squeezing her bare skin tightly. She could feel his fingers digging into the soft flesh of her breasts, her thighs, her bottom...he was grabbing her everywhere, leaving no surface unexplored. Suddenly his hand was in her hair, gripping tightly, guiding her mouth to accept his kisses. She noticed that his breathing had suddenly increased, and his moans had gotten louder. His tongue probed deeply into her mouth as he shoved his cock inside of her to the hilt, and Lena realized that Renz was ensuring he was keeping her completely filled with him. He released her mouth and slightly arched his back, moving his grip to her hips. Lena was entranced by the way his body moved so forcefully against hers as she watched his orgasm begin to overtake him. He made one final, very hard thrust that Lena felt deep within her belly, and threw his head back in ecstasy. He released a loud, deep cry that caused her pussy to tingle pleasurably, and she felt him forcefully erupt inside of her. Renz finally released her once his breathing began to subside. Lena nearly fell over once her feet touched the ground, for it seemed as if she'd lost all control of her muscles. She felt profoundly, yet blissfully, sore, and even the slightest gesture caused her tender flesh to throb. But before she could fall, Renz gripped her waist and pressed her up against the tree once more. His breathing was heavy and labored, and Lena noticed that his body was slightly shaking. She squinted, and could see faint beads of sweat coating his brow. She stared up at him nervously, wondering if that brief flash of anger had faded. Her nerves were settled when his white teeth suddenly glittered in the darkness of the night. He was smiling again ...and he was glorious. "It appears, my love...I may have ruined your gown," Renz muttered. Lena looked down, and realized that Renz really had managed to tear it far beyond repair. She watched him in awe as he removed his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Formalwear really suited him well. "Helga will be disappointed," Lena mentioned humorously as they began to walk back towards the estate. She was hoping Renz would react pleasantly, but she noticed that his brow was furrowed, as if deep in thought. "Perhaps you and Ava can go into town and shop tomorrow. You seemed to get on quite well," Renz suggested. Lena frowned in confusion. "I haven't any money, sir. And there isn't anything that I need to purchase," Lena replied. Renz shook his head. "If you ever intend on becoming my wife...you'll need to learn how to purchase. Surely you know by now that my fortune is equally yours," Renz said, gesturing to her jewelry. Lena froze as Ilise's words suddenly entered her consciousness again. She tried to tamper the memory, to focus only on enjoying her time with Renz, but that simple suggestion was insistent and uncomfortably sobering. "What is it, Lena?" Renz asked suddenly. He was staring at her expectantly, and his expression was faintly bemused. He seemed a bit more focused now, and certainly less drunk. "Is something bothering you?" he probed. Lena bit her lower lip, unsure of how to begin telling him about the interesting person she'd met earlier that night. She lowered her head and decided against it. His birthday didn't seem to be the appropriate time to tell him she'd met his former wife. "I believe I've had my fill of the devil's nectar for one night," Lena replied, trying her hardest to keep her expression playful. Renz laughed and placed his arm around her shoulder. "Oh, my little Lena. Just wait and see how you feel in the morning." ****** Lena had dreams of dancing and champagne. Or perhaps they were not dreams, but merely memories replaying from the night before. As she felt herself beginning to awaken, leaving behind the quiet comfort of sleep, she lightly struggled to piece together some sequence of events that could explain exactly what she'd done when she and Renz had retired back into the estate after their outdoor tryst. She knew there had been more dancing. And she knew there had been more champagne. She also knew that she had never before laughed harder. She remembered Renz carrying her back to bed, his bed, where he'd undressed her and himself. She remembered Renz drinking more brandy, feeding it to her not from a glass or the bottle, but instead, directly from his mouth. The alcohol was harsh and bitter, hitting her instantly, but she quickly became lost in the feeling of his naked skin surrounding hers, and the wickedly delicious sensation of the sharp alcohol against his lips and tongue. She remembered Renz's drunken, playful laughter as he chased her on all fours like a beast on his large bed, sinking his teeth into her hip, her shoulder, nipping the flesh of her bottom. Lena recalled wiggling her naked body in front of him as she held on to the bed post, enjoying how strongly he seemed to react to her, how his cock hardened as he stared at her wantonly displayed nudity. And she remembered the pleasantly overpowering sense of safety she felt once he finally captured her, holding her close against his naked body. His arms surrounded her completely, and she remembered curling up against him, loving the feeling of his hard, warm skin, and his masculine scent. She remembered him saying something...or perhaps he was humming or even singing. Whatever it was, his voice had never sounded more attractive or soothing to her, and it was shortly after that she'd completely lost consciousness. Lena loved what she could remember of the remainder of Renz's party, but the pleasant memories were momentarily forgotten when she finally opened her eyes. The curtains of Renz's bedroom were all lowered, but the small sliver of light from the easternmost window was strong enough to cause a powerful current of pain to course through her head once her eyes made contact. Lena whined loudly and quickly flung her arms over her face, but she moved too quickly, and was suddenly overcome with dizziness and nausea. She knew for certain then that she would never, ever allow herself to become that drunk again. Once the urge for sickness slightly passed, Lena shrugged on one of Renz's sleeping robes and slowly crawled off of his oversized bed, careful to keep her hands over her eyes as a makeshift shield. She tripped several times as she struggled to reach the double doors to the bedroom, and she sighed in relief once she finally turned the handle, and fell into the lounge. Lena slowly staggered throughout the living room, bare toes curling into the luxurious fabric of the ornate rugs on the floor. She noticed a silver pitcher sitting atop one of the end tables, and she sank to her knees and crawled over to it in desperation, hoping it was filled with water. Without thinking, Lena reached for the pitcher and drank directly from it, and her entire body became electrified with temporary relief as she hydrated herself with crisp, cool water, mixed with earthy solids that tasted almost herbal. She didn't even care about how unladylike and animalistic she was behaving—she was just desperately thirsty. She finished the pitcher with a slight belch, and it was only when she replaced it on the silver tray that she noticed the neatly folded note on Renz's stationary, watermarked with the Wolfenbarger crest and an elegant W. Lena had to slightly squint to focus her vision on the elegant handwriting, but once she read the message, she was immediately giddy. To the most beautiful little inebriate I have ever seen, If last night was for the Devil's nectar, This morning is for God's— Drink, Lena. It will help your head. -R.W. Lena felt an odd, girlish urge to clutch the note tightly against her chest. She tried to stifle the smile that formed on her face, for it really aggravated her headache, but she simply couldn't resist. It was the first love note that Renz had ever given her. A gentle knock on door broke her from her feminine impulses, and Lena quickly wiped her face and refolded the note before the door slowly opened. "Lena, dear? Have you awakened yet?" Ava whispered softly. Ava looked around for several moments before she finally noticed Lena kneeling on the floor. "I fear I may have overindulged last night," Lena croaked sheepishly. Ava smiled warmly and walked over towards her, gently pulling her to her feet by her shoulders. "I think you held your alcohol quite well. Mostly. Let's get you a bath," Ava said teasingly, playfully pinching her shoulder. ****** Lena felt more grateful than ever for Ava as the kind woman bathed and dressed her with the help of two maids. Lena felt embarrassed by how helpless she'd allowed herself to become as a result of the previous night of overindulgence, but every time she tried to apologize, Ava politely refused. Once Lena was somewhat presentable, the two women left Renz's quarters and headed downstairs to a casual dining area, a large, elegant room full of windows overlooking the Wolfenbarger gardens. Lena was taken aback once she entered the room, for she was overwhelmed with fondness upon gazing at Renz for the first time that day. His expression was slightly annoyed as he looked down at the little person in the room Lena had not yet met, but beyond his frown, there was a warm, protective, loving gaze that pulled on an instinct that Lena couldn't yet name. She could tell that Renz was tired. His eyes were heavy, his hair was in disarray, and he held his head in one hand with an elbow on the table. He winced each time the little girl shrieked in happiness, but he made no motion towards scolding her. She was a tiny, quickly moving thing—a giggling mass of golden blonde curls and pink bows. She held an exquisite porcelain doll in her hand affectionately as she explained to Renz in great detail just how important it was to her. Lena smiled to herself as Renz gazed down at the small child, nodding in what appeared to be only slightly feigned interest. But then, Renz looked in her direction, and Lena felt her heart begin to palpitate in excitement. He smiled his devastating smile that caused her wits to halt, and in that moment, Lena felt the urge to once more declare that she loved him. "Dot, are you being nice to your uncle?" Ava asked. The little girl grinned widely and ran towards Ava, extending her arms in desire to be held. Ava smiled fondly at her daughter and obliged, balancing her on her hip. "Onkel is going to buy a sister for Mathilda," the child said excitedly, extending the doll in pride. Ava laughed and looked over at Renz. "Only a day of meeting her and you've already learnt to spoil her! Are you being demanding, Dot dear?" Ava said playfully. Lena noticed the child slightly cover her face in apparent shyness. Lena reached out and gently held her hand, and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "I think it's very fitting that Onkel buys Mathilda a sister, since you're going to be a big sister soon too!" Lena said softly. The little girl smiled widely, dimples forming in her rosy cheeks, and her huge, heavily fringed pale blue eyes twinkled. She looked just like a miniature version of Ava. "Lena dear, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Odette Alexandra," Ava said. The child shook her head furiously. "I'm Dot!" she exclaimed. Ava smiled fondly at her daughter and absently smoothed her hair. "But she prefers to be called Dot. Dot, meet your new aunt, Lena," Ava said. "It's very nice to meet you, Dot," Lena said, extending her hand. Dot reached out and wrapped her tiny hand around two of Lena's fingers. Her smile turned into joyful laughter, and Lena looked at Ava, curious about what had made her laugh so suddenly. "You look like Mathilda, Tante Lena," Dot whispered, before giggling again. Lena looked down at the doll, and slightly laughed to herself. The doll had brown hair and blue eyes, and wore a pale blue dress in almost the same shade as Lena's for the day. "I also agree that Tante Lena looks like a doll," Renz chimed. Lena felt her heart race again at the sound of his voice, and she walked over to him as gracefully as she could, taking the seat to his right. "Thank you...for whatever you gave me," Lena whispered. Renz's eyebrows rose. "Did it help your head?" he asked. Lena nodded. "Quite a lot," she replied. The doors to the dining area suddenly opened, and several servants began placing trays of food on the table. There were fruits, pastries, eggs, meats, and potatoes, along with some lighter grains and dairies. "Potatoes will help even more, I promise you," Renz instructed. Lena's eyes widened in delight as her stomach growled in hunger. Everything looked incredibly appetizing, and Lena instantly felt ravenous. Even though she'd been overcome with sickness while getting dressed that morning, Lena still wanted to try everything in front of her. And as Renz had said, she experienced a peculiar craving for potatoes she'd never had before. She ate quickly and quietly, pausing once she realized that she was eating like a servant, and not like a lady. She tried to mimic Ava's elegant, small bites, which even Dot, who couldn't have been older than about three, seemed capable of performing. But Lena was simply too starving to sustain the gestures. She envied Ava for how poised she could be, even when heavily pregnant. Her movements were effortless and feminine, and didn't appear the least bit restrictive. She was relieved when Ava took Dot out of the dining room for a quick late-morning nap once the two had finished breakfast. "I've arranged for a coach to take you, Ava, and Odette into town today. With a servant or two, of course," Renz said, once they were alone. Lena frowned, surprised that he'd actually been serious about sending her away from Schloss Wolfenbarger for the day. "You aren't coming?" she asked. Renz shook his head and sipped his coffee. "I have several urgent business affairs that need to be taken care of," he replied briskly. Lena frowned, suddenly feeling as if some strange distance had formed between them. "Is everything all right?" she asked. Renz nodded...too quickly. "Absolutely. Nothing for you to worry about, love. But it's going to keep me occupied for the rest of the day, and I don't want you to feel bored or neglected," Renz answered. It was then that Lena noticed that it appeared Renz was trying to avoid looking at her, something he'd never done. Ever since they'd met, Renz had always kept his gaze fixed on her when they were together. Something was definitely wrong. Not knowing what else to do, Lena tried the only tactic that had never failed to gain his attention. "I'm sure I can find something to occupy myself with whenever you feel the need to rest between affairs," she said kittenishly, reaching beneath the table to gently brush his upper thigh. But to her profound disappointment, Renz shifted away from her, and stood from the table. "Is something wrong?" Lena asked again. She noticed he was reaching into his jacket pocket for something, still not looking at her. Lena began to panic. "Do you...not want me anymore?" she asked timidly. It was only then that Renz looked at her, with only a slightly sympathetic smile on his face. He returned to where she sat and kneeled on the floor in front of her, gently placing his hands on her wrists. But she had a sinking feeling he wasn't entirely present. "I always want you Lena. I just have a few...mildly troubling business affairs to take care of. I promise you, it will be over by the time you return tonight. And if you're willing...I'll make up for it tonight by giving you far more attention than your body can handle," Renz said seductively. Lena felt her arousal begin to stir at the suggestion, and she moistened her lips in excitement. She knew it was probably wrong somehow, but sexual excitement was definitely a nice distraction from her worry. "What are we supposed to do all day?" Lena asked eventually. Renz reached into his pocket and handed her a very thick stack of folded bank notes. It was too large for her to hold in one hand, and Lena struggled to keep the bills together as she clasped them with all of her fingers. It was then that she noticed that his hand was bandaged, and slightly bruised. "What happened to—-" "Put this in one of your new silk pouches and take it into town with you. I want you to spend all of it today," Renz said quickly. Lena frowned in confusion. "What could I possibly spend all of this on? And what happened to your hand?" she asked. "Just spend the money, Lena," Renz replied sharply. His voice wasn't exactly unkind, but Lena was suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling that she was being dismissed. And to her utmost despair, Lena's thoughts returned to Ilise's words from the night before. And she felt cheapened by the money Renz had given her. ****** Lena tried to forget about Renz's odd morning behavior as she shopped with Ava and Dot. The coach had taken them about an hour's ride away from Schloss Wolfenbarger, to a small, yet wealthy town with various markets and specialty shops. Ava seemed to be enjoying herself as she and Dot shopped for items for the baby that was soon to arrive. Lena remained a few paces behind them with two servants: Greta, Ava's maid, and Hans, their coachman. She followed them from store to store as Ava purchased silk and wool blankets, shoes, and toys for the arrival of the newest member of their little family. After a while, Lena found that their joy and excitement was infectious, and she was able to put aside the unease of Renz's distant behavior that morning. There were many curious eyes on Ava as she shopped, and it took Lena a while to realize that they were gazing at her because she was so heavily pregnant. But Ava bore no shame over her physical condition, for pregnancy certainly didn't detract anything from her innate sense of grace and dignity. She held her head proudly, and her constant smile made her appear all the more radiant.