*New Stories Posted:
A Collection of Shorts
Cupid's Kiss - Chapter Eight
This novel may NOT be published on sites other than ASSTR without the author's explicit permission; payment will be required for commercial use.
This is a novel in progress - it is inspired by the classical myths of Cupid and Psyche, with some modern themes.
I strongly recommend you begin with Chapter 1
My stories are at ~swingingpuss
I also hang out at Things That Bang
Usual Legal disclaimers apply
Cupid's Kiss - Chapter Eight
Harold flipped an omelet on the pan. He knew that Cybil had arrived with her husband. He wasn't going to give her a grand reception but then again, for Psyche's sake he would try to be nice.
Sighing, he turned off the gas and went to greet his second daughter. Just as he reached the living room, a lithe female body collided against him and hugged his tight.
Love and anger made confusing emotions race through his heart and he gave Cybil a light hug and pushed her back to look at her.
Staring at his daughter's face he saw his wife's haunting look stare back at him. She had inherited her mother's heartbreaking good looks but that was where the similarities stopped. Her petite frame packed in the indomitable spirit of an obstinate mule. He had rebuked her overtures of conciliation so many times that after a couple of years he had stopped counting and yet she persisted.
"Hi Harry how are you?"
There was only one fellow who had the guts to call Harold by that foolhardy name and that was Kevin, Cybil's husband. Harold let go of Cybil and genuine fondness spread through his eyes as he exchanged a manly hug with his Irish son-in-law.
Holding him by the shoulders Harold asked him "How have you been? How is the construction business coming along?"
"Business is good dad but could be better."
Slinging an arm around Kevin's shoulder, Harold herded him towards the kitchen and effectively ignored Cybil who walked behind them silently.
"Have you eaten? I'm making breakfast." Harold broke a couple of eggs on the sauce pan.
Unaware of the tension between the father and daughter Kevin smiled and took out plates and forks from the drawer and began to lay the table.
Cybil looked at the two men in her lives and a pang resonated in her heart. She loved them both so much and yet she loved one more than the other. Her father's dark brooding presence dominated the room, pushing her husband's sunny personality into the background as it did to most of the men she had seen him interact with.
She loved strong men and her father was the epitome of an alpha male. He was strong not only in body but also in mind and she was still sexually attracted to him. Was that wrong? She knew it to be but couldn't help the desires that bled painful memories and fantasies in her heart.
She had come to love her husband; after all he was not only drop dead gorgeous to look at in that sexy Irish way but also had a razor sharp mind. His tender love was a soothing balm on her lonely soul and she tried to make up for her dark unattainable desires by being a loving wife. She smirked in self derision and her look was caught by Kevin who put a heavy laden plate before her.
A quiet look passed between them and she sighed. Kevin knew that something was wrong with their marriage but couldn't put his finger and his questions were always met with light rebuffs.
Mustering a happy smile she pulled her husband down and pecked him on the lips in assurance.
Digging into her plate of fried eggs she asked her father "Is Psyche still in bed?"
Giving Kevin his plate, Harold sat down with his plate and answered "No she isn't here. She and Melissa have gone on a trek."
Giving her father a shrewd smile she said "You weren't able to get rid of Psyche's psychiatrist then."
Taking a bite of his food, Harold answered "What makes you think I would want to get rid of her. She is a perfectly good doctor. And quite pleasing to the eyes may I add."
Cybil's eyes narrowed and she asked "Ah is there something brewing in that direction?"
Harold put is fork down and looked at her intently for a minute and then resumed eating.
Caught in the midst of tense undercurrent Kevin felt uncomfortable and asked in a light voice "Isn't it too early to go trekking at six in the morning?"
"Melissa wanted to photograph the Dahl and they are found on higher grounds, hence the early trek."
Settling back in his chair Kevin yawned and said "In that case you wouldn't mind if we caught some extra winks? We've been traveling for over four hours."
Harold collected the plates and said "Sure go ahead. In the mean time I will make some business calls."
Cybil stood next to her father and began to help him wash dishes and said lightly "You are such a workaholic dad. You should learn to relax."
Lightly stepping away from his daughter so that they weren't touching in the slightest he said quietly "Why don't you go and rest for a while with your husband and I will see you both in a while?"
Anger clouded Cybil's eyes and through clenched teeth she whispered "You don't like having me around do you Dad?"
Throwing a dish towel at the nearby chair, she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her bemused husband blindly.
Harold cleared his throat and answered "Don't be silly Cybil. I love you as much as I love your sister. It's just that I have lot of work to do and you two need to sleep. By the time you guys get up, I would have finished with my calls and will relax with you."
Cybil looked into her father's eyes and knew he was trying to get away from him but she wanted to amend things with him quite desperately. Over her shoulder she said to her husband "Hon' why don't you go upstairs? I will come up soon."
Realizing that she wanted a few private moments with her father Kevin nodded and headed up.
Training her eyes on her father she decided to broach the one topic her father wanted to avoid at all cost, "I made a mistake when I was eighteen. It's been over ten years since then and I'm still paying for it. Is it so difficult for you to forgive me?"
Moving away from her Harold stared at the mountains with a troubled heart and said softly "What you did caused your mother's death. How am I to live with that?"
"So you do blame me for mom's death." Tears swam in her eyes and her lips quivered in sorrow.
He sought to explain himself without hurting his daughter but knew that would be inevitable no matter what "Your mother had me pegged a womanizer and used that as an excuse to live the life of a tragic queen but your act gave her reason to believe that I was a pedophile. It wasn't my alleged crime that made her take her life it was her failure to protect you from me that made commit suicide."
Cybil angrily brushed her tears away and said fiercely "Don't you think I am aware of that? I grieved for my mother too but you did not comfort me. Your love was there only for Psyche and I was left out in the cold."
Harold stared into her eyes and said "I didn't know what to say to you then and I don't know what to say to you now."
Pain lanced through her heart and she whispered "You are a cruel man Dad."
She turned and headed towards her room. Why did she continue to try to bridge the gap with her father?
Time and time again she made overtures to be rejected for what?
Entering her room she found Kevin already in bed, asleep. She sat down next to him and watched his sleeping form. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she love this man with her total being?
She got under the covers and laid her hand on his sleeping penis and began to bring it to life. As it became erect, Kevin opened his eyes and looked at his wife.
"Hey babe, what are you doing?" he asked with raised eyebrows.
Cybil put a finger on his lips and bent down and put her mouth where her hand had been.
Sighing in pleasure he lay back and said "I don't know why I am getting sex out of the blue but �"
Looking up she said "Well don't look at the gift horse in the mouth."
She loved him hard and fast. Bringing his juices up to the thickening head she cajoled the drops to sweeten her taste buds but Kevin pulled her head away and silently shook his head.
Laying her down next to him, he stared into her eyes and began to caress her body. He began to kiss her nape and moved his mouth down to the valley between her breasts and lapped the skin with his rough, moist tongue.
Holding his head close to her breasts she tried to clear her mind of the painful interlude with her father and enjoy her husband. She began to run her nails down his smooth back towards his tights buttocks and when she tried to pull him down towards her pussy he smiled at her and asked "What do you want sweetheart?"
She held his cock in her hands and said "I want to feel close to you as close as possible."
Kevin kissed her lips and as his tongue invaded her mouth, so did his cock plunge into the deep recesses of her pulsing womanhood. Gasping at the pleasure that shot through her body she tightened her hold over his buns and pulled him in deeper.
She wanted him so deep that he would leave his mark on her heart, removing the memories of her father forever. She wrapped her legs around his waist and let the flood of pleasure wash over her.
His cock reached her the lips of her womb and demanded complete surrender. The juices began to flow, making his movement smooth and hard.
The dance reached a frenzied pace and the intensity of her passion made him buck against her like a young, strong bull. His face contorted and he came with a cry.
She pulled him closer and thought he would relax but his cock didn't shrivel. He rolled her over him still in her and smiled up at her and said "Fuck me baby. Take your pleasure."
Grabbing his hard rod she moved up, uncovering his penis a bit and then plunged down. The walls of her vagina trembled with the explosion of desire and yet she moved down faster, grinding her hips making his cock harder than before and as they both came in the explosion of sweat and unending pleasure she felt her body go limp and she fell on him.
They lay in bed a tangle of satiated limbs and hungry lungs that demanded oxygen. Kevin hugged his wife close and felt her tears on his chest.
Concerned he pressed her against the sheets and stared into her crying face "What is it darling? Tell me what happened?"
Cybil let the smell of sex wash over her and she wondered if she should tell her husband the one thing that kept her apart from her father.
Kevin ran a hand down her soft cheek and asked "Something has been eating you up since we met. I could feel an untended hurt burning deep within your soul. Don't you think the burden should be lifted?"
Staring into her husband eyes she said hesitantly "You might not want to be with me once you have heard what I have to say."
He sat up in bed and pulled her to a sitting position and said "Try me."
Straightening her back she began to reveal the darkest secret which had held her hostage for so long.
"When I turned eleven, I stepped into the new world of sex from that of stuffed toys and tea parties. My curiosity was quite normal but what wasn't normal was the direction it turned towards."
She clasped her hands and continued "I didn't lust after the next door neighbor's son or my friend Carol's father. I had the hots for my own father."
Kevin raised an eyebrow and said "So what? Things like that are known to happen when girls' initial sexual curiosity turns towards their father. Is that the dark secret?"
Getting out the bed she grabbed a t-shirt and slacks for the cupboard and stood over Kevin and said "No, it gets worse. I wanted to have sex with him and was jealous of the women in his life. That's not healthy and what's worse I got into his bed while he was unconscious. I had wanted to be next to him for so long. I wanted to show him how much I loved him. I wanted to feel his naked skin next to mine and join my soul with his for those few pleasurable seconds. The intensity of my desire for him made me throw caution to the wind and I tried to take advantage of my father. If that is not sick then what is?"
Kevin sighed and pulled her down to sit next to him and said "It doesn't end there does it?"
Tears fell from her eyes and she said huskily "No, it gets worse. My mother found me in his bed and three days later Psyche found her lying in the tub with her wrist slit."
Taking her into his arms he said softly "Poor baby, you must have blamed yourself for her actions."
Hugging her husband close she whispered "It was my fault even dad holds me responsible for it."
Holding her close he leaned back against the headboard and said "Your fault was getting into your father's bed but not your mother's suicide. Your mother was a disturbed lady and maybe it was the final straw for her but you have to realize that if she was mentally sound she wouldn't have taken her life instead she would have nailed your father's ass for what she saw."
Cybil looked up at her husband in surprise and said "That makes a lot of sense. You did put things in perspective. But how come you weren't shocked about it?"
Shrugging his shoulders he said "I grew up in the Bronx and have seen worse shit. Nothing is ever black and white there is a lot of gray area. Also it makes no sense to beat a dead dog does it now?"
Looking into his calm blue eyes she said "But Dad still hates me for it."
Kissing both her cheeks he said "Harold and you both need therapy to put that episode behind you. Knowing Harold he would never go for it. But if you want me to talk to him I can�"
Cybil put her hand on his mouth and said "No that would only spoil your relationship with him."
Smiling down at her he tugged at her slacks and said "Aren't you gonna thank me for being so understanding?"
Her mood lightened as he waggled his eyebrows and began to grope her. She burst out laughing as the burden in her heart lightened and she fell in love with him all over again.
Psyche stared at the sex driven male Dahl that were butting heads over the females and felt her heart sink. How was she supposed to collect their wool without shooting? It wasn't in her nature to go hunting; she considered it to be a sport of mendacity where the hunter had definite advantage of the gun over the hapless prey. There was no real victory in that sport. She had numerous arguments with her father when he went on his hunts but now she wondered if she would have to compromise her values after all.
The Dahl were definitely unapproachable, especially in the mating season when the testosterones had made them extremely dangerous. Sighing, she sat down on the barren rock and took a mug of hot coffee from Melissa who voiced her thoughts "Do you think we would have to shoot them?"
Shaking her head Psyche looked at the bleak surroundings of sparse vegetation and hard rocks and mumbled "I hate guns and killing helpless animals is not my cup of tea."
Melissa watched the thundering Dahl�s who had locked their ivory horns in jumbled circular knots and realized that this could be the one task they might not be able to accomplish. She laid a hand on the hunting gun that Harold had insisted they carry despite Psyche's vehement protests and felt its cold steel length tempt her. It would be so easy to shoot one of those magnificent creatures down and take what they want from its carcass and yet a part of her felt that Aphrodite might not like the way the task was accomplished and that could put Psyche's life in jeopardy.
Sighing she stretched her legs and felt the cold nip of the autumn wind seep through her woolens and chill her bones. Pulling the lapels of her coat closer around her neck she asked a rhetorical question "How did it come to this?"
Psyche gave a dry smile and said "It was because of that goddamn mirror."
Melissa nodded her head and said "I meant to ask you how that mirror came into your possession."
Staring at the fighting Dahl blindly Psyche answered in a dull voice "It's been in our family through generations but it had been left behind at our ancestral home when my grandparents had moved to America from Greece. It had a tradition tied to it where it would be passed down to the spinster in the family and my father's sister, Psyche was single though still young in years and it was passed on to her. The story goes that after she inherited the mirror from Aunt Hilda she disappeared in about a week's time and no one could find any traces of her. The family searched for her high and low but their search turned futile and my grandparents moved to America as the memories of their lost child made their stay in Greece unbearable."
Returning the empty cup to the hamper she continued talking "They never returned to Greece and the house was looked after by a caretaker. A few years passed and my grandmother conceived another child very late in life, my father and he was a soothing balm to their wounded hearts as dad used to tell us how good his childhood was. They made it a point to tell dad about his heritage and most of all about his lost sister. And we in turn got to hear the stories as a part of the legacy and dad went a step further and named me after the sister he never knew."
Pulling her legs up against her chest, Melissa asked "What about your grandparents? Didn't they want to take their son back and show him his roots?"
Psyche shook her head and said "No, they didn't want to go back. They died just when dad had finished college so it wasn't as if he had the money to go back. Later on he got too busy building his empire and it was only last year after a whole lot of pestering on my part that he finally gave in and we went to Greece together. It was a bittersweet trip; we gained a whole bunch of long lost relatives and lost the house which had fallen to ruins. The floor boards were rotting away, the roof leaked, broken furniture lay strewn around and worst of all there were fat rats and roaches scurrying around. But, there in that shamble of a house we found a priceless object, that damn mirror. Its cool translucent beauty took our breath away and we brought it back with us to America."
Melissa cocked her head to a side thoughtfully and asked "Why didn't you get the mirror evaluated?"
"We never got around to it and it seemed to be at home in my bedroom." Psyche answered.
Melissa then decided to ask the next question that might hit a sore nerve but as her psychiatrist she had to bring the topic up. Clearing her throat she asked "Didn't Cybil mind that you two had gone on a trip without her?"
Psyche raised her eyebrow and said "You couldn't let that topic be could you?"
Looking back at her calmly Melissa answered "I know it's there on your mind and despite the calm fa�ade that you have put up I know you must be pretty upset about the episode that happened between Harold and Cybil."
Psyche narrowed her eyes and said "What should my reaction be huh? Disown my sister for her blunder or doubt my father's word?"
Melissa didn't reply but looked at her silently.
Picking up a stone Psyche spoke "I am not the drama queen type. You have to realize that our mother was a soap opera actress. Day in day out we put up with her emotional upheavals and it left us drained. And I promised myself that I would not fall apart no matter what. I had to prove to myself that I was not like her and since then I have accepted all the shit that happened, taken it in my stride and moved on. What doesn't break us makes us stronger right?"
Melissa watched her throw the stone to the area where the Dahl were at the end of their fight and one of them was tottering off with blood oozing from the horns. She knew what had to be done but decided to wait a while more.
She turned and looked at her companion's profile and said "You shouldn't hold your emotions back. It's important to air out your feelings, to talk things out."
Psyche let some of her anger come to surface and said in a rough voice "What would you have me say? That I come from a fucked up family? That my sister is a mentally sick woman? Or that my father might be a child abuser? Would you like me to confront them together?"
Melissa shrugged and said "That would be a start."
"Start to what? Get real, Melissa. I already have a lot of shit to deal with and that issue will have to sit on the backburner."
Shaking her head Melissa replied "It is already out and with your sister there do you think things would be calm and quiet? It will come up and you will have to deal with it whether you like it or not."
Psyche stood up and looked down at Melissa and answered "Fine, I will cross that bridge when I come to it but right now I need to follow that sheep before it disappears."
Melissa picked up the shooting gun and said "I don't think it will go too far. It's weak and wounded. We should follow it down to the stream and put it out of its misery."
As she walked down the steep slope Psyche said over her shoulder "That evil witch said to collect wool not kill them. If I deviate even an inch that woman would have enough excuse to kill me so lets be a bit more patient."
Following her down carefully Melissa wondered whether Psyche would be able to juggle the family crisis at hand and succeed in meeting her lover. But what really played on her mind was the fiendish nature of the mirror. It acted as a portal from another world but what really worried her was whether it was safe? After all it had let in dangerous beings into this world that seemed to treat humans no different from playthings; Cupid's immoral rape of Psyche and Aphrodite's shameless exhibition of power had convinced her that they could wreck havoc in their world if they were allowed.
Suddenly she stopped short and as a sudden realization dawned on her. There were probably other mirrors or ways through which they entered into this world; destroying this mirror would probably achieve nothing except anger Psyche and the goddess. Resuming her walk she made a note in her mind to talk it over with Harold, an artifact like that cannot be left out in the open and unguarded. And when were they planning to tell Cybil about the ongoing events? It wasn't as if they could sweep the ongoing events under the carpet. There was going to be one big family fight and she would somehow have to make herself scarce but she would try and convince Psyche to talk things over with her sister before things blew over.
"Are you planning to walk into the stream or what?" Psyche's dry voice broke her reverie and she became aware of her surroundings. She was standing at the edge of the stream and hadn't even realized that she had walked down the mountain; her concentration had been so deep.
Melissa turned around and saw Psyche sitting crossed legged with a dying Dahl head on her lap. Blood and drool were staining her jeans but she didn't seem to mind. Kneeling down she put her hand on its magnificent head and felt the life slowly seep out of its body. She said softly "I didn't expect it to die so fast."
Caressing the dying Dahl, Psyche replied "Neither did I but his injuries are pretty bad." She continued to stare down at the sheep and said "In a way I'm like this Dahl. He put his life on the line for a mate and I am doing the same. Hopefully I won't share its fate."
Melissa smiled at the analogy and asked Psyche "Do you want to put it out of its misery?"
Psyche shook her head and said "I told you before we cannot shoot it. We will just have to wait for it to die."
An electronic beeping in the hamper invaded the sounds of nature and Melissa opened the hamper and took the cell phone out. Opening the flap she answered "Melissa here."
Harold's voice replied "Hi, sweetheart. Did you two find the Dahl? Would you like me to come there?"
"No its okay Harold, we found a dying Dahl and will be taking its wool in a bit."
She heard the relief in his voice "Thank god for that. You better hurry back; Cybil is here and is asking questions."
Psyche silently asked for the phone by holding her hand out. Melissa gave it to her.
"Hi Dad how are you? Cybil must have come by now."
"Don't tell me you two already had a fight."
Psyche rolled her eyes and said "No I don't need to kill it. Dad don't be so trigger happy and one more thing be nice to Cybil okay?"
With that she closed the phone and gave it back to Melissa and said "I will have to tell Cybil and that is one task I am dreading."
Putting the phone back in the hamper she asked "Why do you say that?"
Psyche sighed and said "She will be angry that I told dad and kept it from her. She thinks that Dad and I deliberately sideline her."
Melissa watched the Dahl take it last gasps of life and decided to broach the taboo topic again "The only way you can heal the fissures is by a having a dialogue with your family."
Gently laying the head of the dead Dahl on the cold ground Psyche replied "So you keep telling me to do. Anyhow give me the carving knife will you? I need to shave it."
Melissa gave her the knife and watched her shave the wool off the dead animal. Things will not be easy for Psyche or her father especially if Psyche decides to talk to her sister.
Psyche collected the wool and put it in a bag that Melissa handed her. Tying a knot on the bag she put it in the hamper and before leaving she laid a hand on the dead Dahl and whispered a silent thank you.
Stretching her back Psyche asked Melissa "Ready to go back and face the music with me?"
Melissa nodded as fell into step with Psyche as they headed back to the lodge and said "Would you like me to be there when you talk to Cybil and Harold?"
Psyche shrugged and said "If Cybil wouldn't mind it, sure, I would like you to be there."
She looked up at the sun which was making it way towards the middle of the sky and said "It's going to take us about two hours to reach the lodge so we would be back by late afternoon which gives us ample time to explain things to Cybil and later on meet Aphrodite."
Psyche entered the cabin and was greeted by silence. She wondered how serious the blow out had been between her father and sister Melissa entered the lodge behind her and said "I'm famished. Mind if I head towards the kitchen?"
Psyche smiled at her and nodded. Swinging the bag over her shoulder which contained the fleece she climbed the stair towards her bedroom in deep thought. When was she ever going to meet Cupid? She missed him so. Aphrodite's tasks were getting to be more difficult as time passed and she wondered how hard the next would be and whether she would be lucky enough to get help again.
"Hey Psyche what's up little sis?" Kevin's deep voice startled her and made her look up at her beaming brother in law.
Smiling back at him she hugged his lean body close and felt a warm feeling nestle in her heart. Kevin was a rational man who kept her morose sister happy. Though she finally understood the perpetual cloud that hovered over Cybil's head yet she felt a bit apprehensive about talking it out with her which she knew would be happening some time soon.
Kevin saw the smile in Psyche's eyes slip a bit and knew deep in his gut that Psyche knew his wife's dark secret. His Irish instinct told him that there was trouble brewing in the lodge way before Cybil and he arrived and that things were about to go from bad to worse.
Slinging an arm around her thin shoulders he walked with her into her bedroom and as he opened the door for her to enter he asked in a cheerful voice "So where have you been? Cybil was a bit disappointed not to find you at home."
Throwing the bag on the bed, Psyche turned and looked at Kevin and said "Melissa and I stepped out to see the famous sheep and you know me I can't stay indoors for too long."
Folding his arms across his chest Kevin suddenly became very quiet and made Psyche realize that he was about to broach the one topic she would never be ready to face. Sighing she sat down on the dresser chair and stared at the covered mirror.
She already had so much to deal with in her own life and now to be dragged into the long standing feud between her father and sister, she wondered if she had the strength to keep her sanity about her.
"You do know the reason behind the schism between Cybil and Harold?" Kevin asked in a soft voice.
Folding her arms across her chest Psyche answered "Harold told me yesterday."
"Cybil had made a mistake nearly a decade ago and Harold is still not able to forgive her. Why is he so hard on her? Don't you think its time for him to try and put it behind him and start fresh with her?"
Relief flooded through her body. Her father wasn't a child molester and then guilt made her cheeks burn. She obviously seemed to love her father more than her sister and it made her wonder if she could be impartial.
Getting up from the chair she walked towards Kevin and took his hands in hers. She looked into his worried eyes and said "I will talk to Dad again. Things might not be the same between them but he shouldn't treat her like a leper."
Kevin smiled back and gave her a hug.
"I will leave you alone to freshen up and I'll let Cybil know that you are back." Kevin said as he headed out of the bedroom and as he opened the door he said over his shoulder "She had been worried about you for a very long time and will be happy to see you back to normal."
As she watched him close the door Psyche shook her head and said "Whatever normal means."
Picking up the knotted bag that contained the slightly bloodied fleece she put it next to the mirror and went into the bathroom for a quick shower.
Taking off her clothes she stepped into the porcelain tub and started the shower. Hot pulsing water needled her delicate skin making it redder than a lover's passionate bite. Leaning her head against the wet tiles she let her mind wander back to the sweet memories that kept her strength to fight against despair and hopelessness.
Behind her closed eyelids she remembered how he had gentled the dark hysteria that threatened to engulf her mind when he visited her on the fourth night. Fighting back the cursed migraine that followed her memories like sweet poison she remembered how he had held her in his arms and soothed her screams with gentle kisses and caresses. He had rocked her back and forth as she tried to fight his loving embrace with jerky ineffectual fists.
Finally when exhaustion had taken over her he spoke and told her that she hadn't lost her mind. That he was as real as she was and that he had loved her for so long. It was then she had raised her head and in the pitch darkness of the night that blinded her she saw him with her hands. It was the face of a handsome man. High forehead marked by fine eyebrows slide down to a thin nose and full sensuous lips. He had remained absolutely still as she had run her trembling fingers over his lean cheeks and then on his stubborn dimpled chin. In her mind's eye she pictured him to be a striking man but that was not enough. Her heart had still thumped in her chest like a frightened canary banging against the cage.
She had pushed against his shoulders and whispered that he had raped her, taken away her mind and left her with a tattered self respect. Emboldened by the rage that had began to replace fear she cursed him, called him all kinds of names under the sun and he let her anger pour over his heart and burn its seal deep within the love that he had felt for her. Finally when she had stopped her ranting he spoke again. His tone had been gentle as if he was talking to a skittish filly. He told her that he loved her and had loved her from the moment he had laid his eyes on her. That he had just wanted to touch her while she was sleeping but had been unable to hold back the ardor that had raged in his heart and filled all his breathing moments. Unable to hold himself back he had loved her and it was a crying shame that she had seen their lovemaking as rape. But he had insisted that it hadn't been her fault but something lacking in his love that it did not invoke a reciprocating spark in her heart.
Caressing her back he had continued to whisper that he intended to make her his eternal bride and they would live in marital bliss for ages to come.
His words jarred her mind and fear began to spread its cold fingers down her spine. Her mind told her that she was in the arms of a lunatic and she had to get away but her treacherous body lay enthralled in his arms. Her mind screamed as her senses began to reel under the magic he wove with his words and hands.
Love poured from his every thrust and spread its heat from her womb to her heart. Warming it with emotions she had previously never felt. Her body felt as if it was lying naked in the arms of a burning sun that branded her very being so much delight that she had thought she would die then and there.
But her mind had gone berserk. Against the walls of reason it had beat its head and cried foul, violation and numbing fear. It wasn't right and she was drowning in the sea of insanity. Her soul was being torn into painful tatters by her joyful heart and tortured mind. Was she a loving bride or a whore who traded her life for dark pleasure?
She had moaned both in pain and pleasure as he had taken her over the edge and with her pulsed with receding delights that still made them catch their breath. As he fell asleep he had whispered against her hair that he loved her and come morning she would see that everything would be fine. He would explain come morning.
But it had been too late by then. Her crazed mind demanded restitution. It judged her harshly, called her a skank, a hussy, a bitch so hot for sex that she had willingly traded away her self respect. Her fingers had slowly crept under the pillow and felt the hard cold strength of the shotgun. Pulling it out she let her sweaty finger close over the trigger and had moved away from his sleeping form.
As the gentle rays of the moon parted through the thick curtains of clouds she aimed the gun at his form that gleamed in a silvery shine. Her heart racing, she parted her legs in a naked stance and felt the impact of the gun push her back against the hard wall as it went off. Bang! The noise had rung loud through the lodge, down the mountain and scared off a deer near a stream. Bang! The gun had gone off again and it had been punctuated by a cry filled with pain and surprise.
She flipped the light on and gasped as feathers fell around her and kissed her tear drenched cheeks. Frightened hazel eyes had met teary blue eyes that held so much pain that her heart broke.
Clutching his wounded shoulder he had whispered that he had loved her and yet even this hadn't been her fault something had been lacking in his love for her.
It was then that the implications of her actions had dawned on her. She had shot a being so boundless in his love that despite her grotesque actions did not blame her and continued to love her.
She had wanted to run over to him and beg forgiveness but the blood that had poured down his shoulder had held her rooted to the floor in frozen silence. And then just like that it was too far gone.
Tears poured down her cheeks and mingled with the hot water from the shower as she remembered the grief that from then on became a permanent resident in her heart. She wanted to be with him, if not that at least know that he is alright.
