(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/2/06)

A Night of Ultimate Service


Maria spent the better part of the night preparing for Talomar's return to her. She had seen him with his wife when he had arrived home; she had been all but passed out in exertion in his arms, and she had hoped that meant he wouldn't be long joining her. She entered his room, being sure to lock the door behind her. She had prepared for tonight and she readied the room, stoking the fire till it blazed and warmed the room, then saw to making sure his bed was freshly made. She then made sure his chair was comfortable distance from he blaze facing the small area in front of the fire, and set the table beside it. She set there a plate of fresh made sushi rolled in brown rice, and tugged out his wine glass and the special bottle she had bought laying it in an ice bucket. She then crossed to the fire place and paused to remove her white robe folding it carefully and set it aside, checking the collar before looking herself over, white high heeled strap sandals, thigh high stockings with lace toppers, a lace thong and lace garter hooked to the thigh highs. Her upper body was covered in a corset bra also in lace all white as he had requested her hair up in a bun secured with traditional clasps and wood pieces to keep it in place. Her lips were once more painted blood red as she moved to the place in front of the fire, her back to its heat as she lowered to her knees, legs slightly spread, her body freshly cleaned of hair and lightly scented, fully prepared for him. She would stay there until he arrived, the thought crossed her mind that he may enter with someone, but pushed the thought from her mind, she would not move until he told her she could.

It didn''t take him long to arrive. A key was heard being placed in the lock, a click as the tumblers shifted, and the door swung open. A quick scan of the room as he always does upon entering and he saw Maria on her knees, her legs spread outwards. He immediately felt his heart rate increase and his neck reddened with the needs that arose within him, but he did not let on or say anything. He simply turned back toward the door and slowly locked it once again and put the key into his pants pocket. He wore a black silk shirt that was open to mid chest. His pants, also black, were tight and slipped inside his boots.

Maria watched him enter, but did not move or speak, she waited with calm patience to get even an inkling of his attention, her body already hot with the need to have him, her body dampening her thong.

He slowly walked over to her, his hands cupped together behind his back. He stopped in front of her and looked around the room, noticing the fire, the fine condition of his bed, the chair in front of the fire with the table beside it that supported the plate of sushi, a favorite of his. Then he looked at her and saw how she was dressed in the high heeled sandals, the sexy stockings, the lace garter and thong, all apparent from the correct position that she had taken. Everything was perfect, even the corset bra and the way she did her hair. Talomar was a hard man, stern and unforgiving at times, yet he was also one who appreciated loyalty and good work and he was not hesitant about giving praise where praise was due. He cleared his throat, his hands still clasped behind his back. "Madame Copperfield, I must say that I am extremely impressed with your work, your attitude, and how quick you are to learn. You have far exceeded all my expectations and I count it a very fortunate day on my part when I noticed you at the inn. I couldn't be happier. You please me to no end."

Maria smiled softly at his praise, "Thank you my love, I aim to please you," she breathed.

He stood in front of her and looked down upon her, now too close to properly view her crotch, but having a very good view of her ample breasts, pushed up by the corset bra. His excitement could be discerned by the bulge in his pants growing more and more prominent. "Maria, I'm more pleased with you than I have ever been with anyone else. You couldn't have done better. Even I could not have done better." He paused and brought a foot forward. "Would you be so kind as to remove my boots, my love?"

She gazed immediately to his foot, "If my lord would sit I would be pleased to, I would not wish to off balance you," she looked up at him.

He grinned. "Perfect my, dear. You are absolutely perfect." He sat down in the chair. "And I must say that you look beautiful beyond comparison."

She crawled forward to sit at his, feet carefully grasping his boot and making sure any tie was loosed before gently tugging the boot off, still feeling the pride of his words, "My beauty is helped by your taste in fashion my lord," she answered and moved to remove his other boot as well, setting them carefully aside. "May I pour you a drink? It''s a very special bottle my love, from a very special vineyard near where I was raised. I had hoped you would like it."

He looked at her and cupped her cheek lovingly in his hand, trusting her completely. "If it is from you, it would always be special to me. Of course then, I would like a drink."

She nodded and moved to rise and scoop up the bottle opening the cork carefully and pouring him a glass of the red Cabernet Sauvignon, but the smell was different, not quiet pure wine, it had been aged properly, but then had been further refined before being bottled, this particular bottle had been mixed with the pure blood of a young man, a musician as was proper to only mix sure special vintages to mix it with the blood of someone in high talent. She offered him the glass as she returned the bottle to its place and moved back to her position. Nutrition and alcohol all mixed into one and only found in specialty shops by those who know they exist.

Unsuspecting of what she had done, he brought the glass to his nose to test the bouquet of the wine. Immediately his eyes widened, recognizing the smell of the blood wine. He tilted the glass and confirmed the blood wine by the color and consistency of the fingering along the side of the glass. He brought it to his lips and sipped it. He sipped more and his breathing increased and he trembled slightly from the excitement and arousal that the blood wine brought to him. He looked down on her, this time his eyes fixated upon her thong. "It is superb, my love; simply delightful. As are you, to me. You are far to good to me, and I must think of some way to reward."

Maria smiled softly, "I'm glad I have chosen well," she answered softly, seeing where his gaze has settled she opened her legs wider remaining where she kneels.

He finished the wine and held up his glass, "May I have another, please." He was feeling the effects already - of the blood and not the alcohol.

She immediately rises to gather the bottle once more. She refilled his glass before once more setting the bottle once more in its place to remain cool, once more moving to return to the kneeling position.

He drank the wine slowly, breathing becoming more rapid. "Come here, please. I would like you to stand in front of me. I want to see you up close." He had another sip as he waited.

She moved to stand once more, moving to stand just in front of him, her hands at her sides looking down at him, waiting, her feet apart slightly to give him full access to her even while she stood there.

He looked up at her from is sitting position. "Please look straight ahead, he said." His hand touched her, and he loved this about her - she was always ready to please. He finished off the wine in the glass, filled the glass once more with the blood wine, but this time to the very brim. He handed it to her. "Hold this in your left hand. It is your job not to spill a drop of that precious wine."

She seemed a little confused but took the glass carefully and turned her eyes to look straight ahead, her eyes over his head looking right at the door, doing exactly as she was told.

He slipped down in front of her, putting his legs between hers until he was in a sitting position, his face close to her. "Now, there's only one thing better than blood wine. Remember to not spill a drop, my love," he reminded her without looking up. He would know if a drop would be lost.

In all that he did to her, she managed to not spill a drop of the wine - until the end of the test.

Maria gasped, her voice crying out her pleasure, and a soft whimper as she felt her fingers grow damp and she cursed softly, letting him know she had spilled a little of the drink, no more then a couple of drops, but she knew she had failed his request and she felt tears of regret and shame welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry my love she breathed through her moans.

He heard her speak and felt sorry for her. She had come so close to passing the test and not needing further training. His hand reached up to take the glass from her. "The glass, please."

She moved to offer him the glass, her eyes still on the door, her fingers red from the bloodwine. drops.

He took the glass, set it on the table and then leaned his head back. He took her left hand and slid her fingers into his mouth, sucking on them, his tongue moving over her fingers.

Maria groaned softly, her eyes still locked on the door, still not moving despite wanting to, knowing better and waiting for some reprimand for her failure to do as he had requested of her.

When he was sure that all the wine was off her fingers he released her hand. "Maria, Maria, what am I to do with you? It's good that the wine remained on your fingers or I would have been extremely upset. You may relax now and look wherever you want. What do you think I should do with you, Maria?" He was curious to see what she would say.

Her gaze immediately dropped to look down at him, "Forgive me, lord, you bring me such pleasure I could not keep my hand from shaking. I would not presume to ever suggest what you do with me my lord," she added, "but I accept your choice of punishment." She answered a little shaky.

"Fair enough, Maria. You shall receive proper punishment - later. But for now, I see that you have planned a lovely evening for us and it is my desire to discover all that you planned." He took his position back on the chair and smiled at her. "Please continue, and show me your hospitality. Perhaps if what you have planned is pleasing enough to me, I'll forget all about any punishment."

Maria all but sagged in relief, "Thank you my Lord," she answered softly and was quick to resume her position before him, kneeling once more and before him and reaching for the plate and removing a piece of the fish, "I hope that you like sushi, if not my lord, I could have something else brought up," she adds quickly.

"I love, sushi. You seem to know my every desire, Maria. You are really too good to be true."

She smiled softly before moving to rest between his legs, moving to lean against him so he was pressed between her enclosed breasts, and offered him the piece of fish from her fingers.

He squeezed her teasingly with his legs as he opened his mouth to take the raw fish from her fingers, being sure to let his tongue slip over her fingers. "It is delicious, my love. You are so good to me."

Maria smile brightened a little more before she lowered slightly on him, her fingers losing his shirt slightly before offering him another piece of the fish as she lowered her lips to his flesh, making soft wet trails over his skin while offering him the fish. Her lips played over his ear and neck down his chest as far as the opening of his shirt would allow her lips to go.

He opened his mouth and took her fingers along with the fish, sliding the fish off of them. "Mmmm...Maria, this is definitely one of the best meals I've ever eaten." The feel of her lips upon his ear and neck and chest had him closing his eyes in pleasure. Everything was perfect, and he was not even disappointed her spilling the wine. In fact, he'd have been disappointed if she didn't.

She chose another piece of the fish before moving to crawl into his lap, hoping he would not frown at her for taking the liberty as she laid the fish between her raised breasts, lifting her chin and offering him the fish from her body, "I hope I can make it better she purred.

He looked at her and smiled. "You are winning me over, my love. I think that soon you'll always be in my bed." He brought his mouth down ate the sushi from between her breasts.

Maria smiled at him, her eyes hooded in the passion he was rising in her as she plucked the last piece from the table, "I would like that, very much," she replied her voice seductive before she placed the fish to his lips, her own on the other side and as soon as he opened his mouth to receive it she let her own lips part and shared the final piece with him amongst a deep passionate kiss, parting to swallow her piece hungrily and smiled at him seductively. "Thank you my love, for this freedom," she added and moved to kiss him deeply once more.

Arms of supernatural strength held her in an embrace that she would never get free of if he didn't eventually allow it. He kissed her with such passion that it surprised even him. There was something about this woman and what she could do to him. He was falling for her and he knew it; but he would fight it. It just wouldn't be right to actually be in love with his valet - or would it? He put the thought aside and moved his hands over her, finding the strings of the corset bra and loosening them.

Maria moaned softly into the kiss, a little disappointed to losing the freedom he had given her but enjoying his touch very much

When the corset was loose and about to slip off her, he relaxed his embrace and took her beautiful face into his large hands. "My love...my desire...what is the second course that you have so expertly planned for this evening?"

"Second course?" She purrs playfully and smiles, "I wish I could share something sweet with you, but I think I shall have to suffice for that, I do have something for you though, if I may," she moved to slip from his touch, giving him the chance to refuse to let her stand.

"Whatever you want, my love. You are free to do as you wish." He smiled, wondering what else this perfect woman would come up with. Besides, he enjoyed watching her body move, and with the corset loose, they're be more to enjoy.

The second course was one of pure pleasure such as he had never before felt. When the "second course" was over, Maria smiled at him through hooded eyes and slowly sat back, "I love you," she breathed, and she meant it, despite his earlier strike at her that morning, she loved him so she wanted to be everything he expected her to be.

Her words touched him. All that she has done for him has touched him. He had never been treated this well. He touched her face with his hand and looked into her dark eyes, "I love you, too, Maria." And it scared him that he meant it.

Maria smiled softly once more, moving very slowly to reach for the glass and cupping it between both of hers she offers it to him, "If you will do the favor not feeding off me for a few days, I would like to give you the gift of bloodwine made of my own blood, and your favorite wine of course," she adds and waits for his reaction.

He looked at her and then down at her neck. "You don't wish for me to feed on you? Are you feeling weak, my love? Is your time of the month approaching? If so, then of course I'll not feed on you until you feel better." He took the glass, "Bloodwine made of your own blood? What you offer me is a very great sacrifice, and I accept it with thanks." He set the glass down and wrapped his arms around her, loving the feeling of her naked body against his. "Every day I love you more," his said, his voice soft and deep.

"I was a little weak," she nodded, "but only so I will not be too weak after having the blood required for the wine taken. I wish only to make you happy, but I fear your feeding as well as the blood taken for the wine would be too much. That''s why I bought you the wine, so that you would have something to take my place for the short few days," she answered

He smiled at her. "You are so precious to me, Maria. I shall forget any punishment for the spilling of the wine, but so that it would not happen again, you will have to have a little more training in the control of your body in a few days - when you're feeling stronger.

She smiled softly and nodded, "Of course my love. I am sorry for letting you down, I did try very hard not to spill," she adds softly very slowly withdrawing her body from his lap and moving to tug at the ties of her corset, "Do you wish me to stay with you tonight? Or shall I leave you to your peace?"

He tilted his head and looked at her. "I thought you knew me well enough to know the answer without asking. But never mind, that will eventually come. I do wish for you to stay with me this night, and tomorrow night also. You have the room warm with fire. Tonight we shall bathe together and sleep peacefully in that beautiful bed that you made.

She smiles softly, "I believed you would wish me to stay but I would not want to presume anything."

"To act when one does not know the facts is to presume; but to act when you know my heart with a certainty is not to presume. That knowledge will soon come, especially with the closeness we share as I feed on you." He stood and led her to the bath.

She moved to follow him, her heels clicking softly on the bathroom stone as she looked around the room she had not yet been in.

The bathroom had a hot water heater so that he could always draw a bath whenever he wanted a hot bath. "Philippe used to draw my baths for me. I trust you, Maria, to do the same. Of course, there will be times when I do the service and draw the bath for us to share. This is one of those times." The bath was drawn and prepared, and they enjoyed each other in the bath for an hour when they finally exited the bath, toweled off, cleaned their teeth, and slipped beneath the covers. He took Maria into his arms, enjoying the fragrance of the bath upon their skin. His hand caressed her face. "You have served me beyond all expectations this day, Maria."

The young blood doll smiled softly at his words, "I promise tonight will not be the last night I come up with something new for us."

"And I promise that you shall never regret your efforts, my love. You will be loved and protected and provided for to the ultimate extent of my resources.

She smiled softly and curled up lower in his arms, pressing against his chest, if only he knew just how much she needed that protection from her past.

(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/3/06)

ONE DOWN . . .

The little Japanese bells made their high-pitched ring, signaling that a patron had entered the front door. The shop owner pushed aside a deep blue dyed cloth curtain that hung halfway down from the top of the doorway. He looked around the shop and saw no one.

"Hello? Anybody here?" he asked in his heavily Asian accent, while stepping further into the shop area. When there was no response he shrugged and turned to go into the back room once again. His face hit the chest of Count Longden.

"Count Longden!" the shop keeper took a quick step back and bowed, fear obvious in his eyes. "So good to see you again," he lied.

Talomar looked down upon the man. "Muramatsu-san. It''s been a while, hasn''t it." It was not a question.

Muramatsu bowed again. "Hai, it has been long time. How may I be of service, Count Longden?"

"You may tell me something, Muramatsu-san." Talomar''s dark eyes stared down upon the man who betrayed his valet.

"I will tell you what I can, of course. Please?.ask me. Anything." Muramatsu''s hands were noticeably trembling.

Talomar slowly removed his leather gloves and slipped them into his inside coat pocket. "Please," he said slowly, "tell me why you did not fear to betray my new valet when she came to you for blood wine. Tell me that, Muramatsu-san."

The shop keeper knew he was in trouble. He was small but well-trained in marshal arts. He turned sideways and lifted his leg to place a sharp kick to Talomar''s solar plexus. Talomar caught his foot before it landed. He gave it a sharp twist. There was the sound of bone cracking and man went to the floor with a broken ankle, screaming in pain and lying on his belly. Talomar put his knee in the back of the man, grabbed his right arm and without hesitation he twisted it behind the man's back and struck it with his fist. There was another sound of breaking bone and further screams from the shop owner.

"Please! Pleaaseee!" Muramatsu cried out, "I did not hurt her. Pleaasssseee. It was another . . .who wanted her. He was the one. . . a big man. . .he struck her. She hurt him . . . put her dagger beneath his rib. . .pleaasseee, no more."

Talomar pulled out his jeweled knife and brought it to Muramatsu''s cheek. "Tell me where I might find this man." The knife made a razor-sharp cut down his cheek.

"He. . . very hurt. I stitch wound . . . but he no can move far. He on cot . . . in basement. Please . . . I help you."

"Yes, you helped me Muramatsu-san. And because of your kindness, I shall not skin you alive."

"Domo agrigato gozaimasu, Count Talomar. Thank you very much."

"Do itashimashite, Muramatsu-san. Sayonara." With the "you're welcome" and "goodbye", Talomar took the man by the head and twisted. The neck snapped and man fell limp.

(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/4/06)

ATTENDING TO MARIA

The little nurse maid Katie entered the room with Maria quietly, the Asian woman looking small and tired under the thick heavy blankets, already her lip was swelling from where she had been struck. The servant moved to her bedside with a small tray of juice and a hot meal to help bring her strength back up. She set the tray down on the side table and smiled at Maria as her dark eyes turned on her.

"I brought you some soup and peach juice, it should help return your strength," she stated softly and Maria nodded, letting the small woman help her sit up on the pillows and she brushed Maria's hair from the injury looking her over, the bruise was still darkening, as was the valet's eye and smaller bruise showing through on her cheekbone where the man had back handed her. "Certainly not pretty," the girl muttered and smiled at the distressed look that crossed her face, "Oh don't worry, it'll fade in a day or so," she answered and moved the ice back to the bruise from where Talomar had set it down when he had left, "but keep the ice on it, that should help keep the swelling down," she stated.

Maria winced at the touch to the bruise making a soft noise of protest and Katie looked up at her and smiled sympathetically, "Sorry, does it hurt much?" She asked.

"Not so much until a few minutes ago," Maria answered, "but now my head hurts too," she answered, moving to take the ice from the other woman so that she could see to other things. The maid checked her jaw before smiling softly.

"I'll get you something for the headache," she rose reaching for the tray and setting it in Maria's lap, "I'll be right back, eat a little, as much as you can," she bustled from the room leaving Maria alone once more for a few moments.

She picked up the juice sipping it before trading it for the spoon and starting into the beef barley soup, eating it hungrily. Katie returned a few minutes later with a small cup of some green liquid and she offered it to her, "Drink this, it will help the pain," she stated letting Maria take the cup and taste the liquid curling her nose at the awful taste but swallowing down all of it.

Katie stayed with her until she had finished the soup and drink then helped her settle into her masters bed, covering her fully in the warm blankets before collecting the soiled clothes and the tray, leaving the room spotless once more and sweeping out, already Maria was in a deep tired sleep, her face pressed into Talomar's pillow, inhaling his scent deeply, letting it calm her dreams as if he himself was there protecting her, resting on the uninjured side of her face as she slept soundly in the securely locked master bedroom.

After Count Longden had disposed of the two individuals who had hurt Maria, he went to the inn for a drink. While there, he heard some very interesting news regarding two people he very much wanted to see - Inara Wakefield and her husband. They would need to be taught proper manners, and he would make the arrangements for that to happen. Lady Longden then arrived with her pets and they had some interesting conversation, but Talomar was anxious to see how his valet was doing.

It was nearly midnight when the lock on his bedroom suite turned and he stepped into the room. He had no trouble seeing in the dark and therefore did not bother turning on any lamps. The light of the fireplaces were more than sufficient. He discarded his street clothes, removed his boots and prepared for bed. When he had thoroughly washed, he came to the bed in nothing but under shorts and sat down and just looked at Maria for a considerable time. He cursed those two men for what had been done to his valet. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

Maria stirred slightly at the touch of his lips, his movements had already nearly woken her, as if he had spoken her name at his return. She slowly opened her eyes to look up at him, soft smile filtering over her lips only to disappear a second later from the ache it caused her jaw. "My lord?" She questioned softly not sure if she should move or stay where she is, or how she should greet him while in such a state.

He held out his hand as if to say not to move. "I've been worried sick about you, my dear; but you can relax in knowing that neither of those men shall ever harm you again. We'll have to search elsewhere if we want bloodwine in the future."

Maria nodded, "Thank you my lord, I think it is an adventure best left for someone else to donate to," she answered softly a disappointed look crossing her face, "I just wish I had at least gotten away with the wine made for you. I'm sorry, my love," she breathed softly.

He looked down upon her in the subdued light. "No need to be sorry. When I brought the carriage to the carriage house, the stable hand gave me a large pouch that he had removed from your horse. Evidently the shop keeper at least took the time to put your bloodwine on your horse. It shall be my most cherished possession."

Maria did smile this time, glad at least to have gotten that much success from the day, "I'm glad for that at least," she muttered softly, closing her eyes for a minute before looking up at him again, "I still can not help but feel sorry for causing you this problem, I should have finished it myself, if the room had not been dancing under my feet I would have run through the both of them," she muttered softly

He laughed and picked up her hand and kissed her palm. "My love, of that I have no doubt. The large man was quite indisposed when I got to him. Seems your dagger left him in a great pain from which he never did recover. Soon you'll be protecting me," he added with a laugh.

Her smile softened, "Its been much too long sense last I drew blade on anyone I fear I may be a bit rusty on my aim," she answered, "I had hoped to get his heart, fat bugger moved fast though," she stated, his laughter like music to her, and she long to hear that noise more often.

Talomar laughed even more, "That 'fat bugger' had a sudden weight loss." He kissed her hand again; light touches of his lips over her palm and up to her wrist. "A lesser woman would be gone from me. You handled yourself expertly."

Maria smiled at the praise before she finally let the look drop from her lips watching him, "So long as I please you my lord, that is what counts. But I'm keeping you from your bed and have stolen your pillow. Let me move to give you back that which is yours."

"Now, now...I'll hear nothing of that. A pillow and bed is the least I can offer you after all you have been through for me." He words began to be almost hypnotic, "I want you to just rest. Close your eyes. Breath slowly." His hand moved under the covers and touched her bare hip. "Just relax. I wish I could take the pain away from you, my love."

Maria's watched him at his words, her eyes slowly drifting closed, her breaths calming at his words, her legs opening slightly at the touch to her hip as she licked her lips settling against his pillows again.

"That's it, just close your eyes. Let the visions of the night caress you; let me protect you. There is nothing to be concerned about," his voice trailed off and his hand moved on her silky smooth leg, going down to her knee and back up again. "Nothing to experience but my love and my touch," his voice was so soft - as if in a dream.

Maria's breath picked up just slightly at his sweeping touch, enjoying the feel of him, while being fully calmed by his voice and words, any remnant of her headache pushed aside by her mind focusing on his soothing voice.

He pulled out the covers at the foot of the bed to have access to her legs without Maria having to be naked from her waist up. He moved to her feet and began running both hands up and down one leg, and then up and down the other. His words continued to have a soft, hypnotic feel about them, "You are so tense, my little flower. I wish to relax you, that you might sleep well this night. You have been through so much today, and all of it for me. I do so appreciate you."

Maria shifted slightly under his touch, her face softening in the firelight as his touch soothed her more, her body relaxing under his caress her legs spreading a little more for him anticipating his needs and wants.

He held her foot and massaged it, and did the same with the other, kissing her toes. He positioned himself between her legs and again caressed them, this time his hands rubbed her inner thighs, massaging them, allowing his hands to just occasionally touch her sensitive area.

Maria let out soft noises of pleasure at his touch, her eyes drifting open to watch him from time to time, as if unable to keep from doing so in fear that he may disappear on her. She was obviously enjoying the attention as she let out little sighs and would shiver in pleasure each time his fingers brushed over certain areas.

His words came so soft and slow, "You continue to go beyond all my expectations in your service to me, my dove; and you will find that I am always ready to show my appreciation. You have earned more than I can possibly do for you." His hands worked the other thigh, again allowing his hand to teasingly brush against her from time to time.

Maria whimpered softly at his teasing, her hips moving each time he got even remotely close to brushing over her. Her body was already heated and growing damp at his loving touch, longing for more, used to him taking more and wanting to give herself fully to him as she always did.

He enjoyed the feel of her and even more he enjoyed the expression upon her face. He knew she was already forgetting the hurt she had experienced. "Just close your eyes and enjoy the pleasure of the touch of one who loves you."

Maria's eyes drifted shut once more, her breaths quick and excited as her hips rocked slight against his hand, soft moans of pleasure escaping her lips as she closed off the world except his touch, the feeling of his fingers against her.

(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/7/06)

THE CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Talomar sat in his study, a cup of coffee at his side which had to be brought to him by his kitchen staff instead of his valet. He was going over papers that were hand carried to him by Colonel Wil Savage and delivered the previous night. He was fully dressed and looking like the professional businessman that he was.

Maria knocked softly on the door to the room, a nervousness sensing as she waited for his response, her hands trembling softly.

"Come in," his voice was short and sharp.

Maria closed her eyes as she pushed the key into the lock and turned it, pushing into the room, quickly closing and relocking the door before turning back to the room, the robe sweeping her ankles as she turned back to her Lord and quickly crossed the room to kneel at his feet, trembling slightly still.

Talomar ignored her. He didn't even look up from his paperwork. Time passed. Finally a half hour later he set down his papers and turned to her. "Who are you?" Again his voice was curt and sharp.

Maria had not moved in the time, her eyes locked on his feet, trying to search out an answer that would be appropriate, "Maria, my lord; your valet, your love," she breathed, wincing slightly.

He stood up rapidly and looked down upon her. "Maria? My valet? My love? I think NOT! I do not have a valet who comes to me as if she's a whore out of the gutter, unwashed, hair a mess, in a robe in my office in working ours. I've never heard of such a thing! I NEVER saw Philippe but he was impeccably dressed. You come to me in my office is a robe?" He grabbed the collar of the robe and pulled her back onto the floor. "I've never been so humiliated in my entire life as I was last night. Col. Wil Savaged arrived in the evening and I welcomed him in. We had a drink - WHICH I HAD TO POUR MYSELF! - and we discussed how I wanted him to take care of your 'problem'. 'Maria will be right here,' I told him. 'Maria is never late, she is perfection, she never disappoints me,' I added during our second drink." Talomar walked around the room, furious. "Savage was polite and a gentleman, but I know he must have thought me a fool that my own valet never showed her face! Finally, after our third drink, he politely dismissed himself and returned to his ship. I LOOKED LIKE A DAMN FOOL!!!"

Maria shivered from where he had placed her, her fingers curled into the carpet of the floor, tears in her eyes, "Forgive me my lord, please, I was tired, I slept the day as you requested, but I did not wake until this morning. I did not intend to hurt you in anyway," she stammered quickly, "I came here as soon as I woke."

"I can't believe my ears. I give you the day off and you decide on your own to take the night off too? Had you asked, I would have given it to you; but you didn't ask and I had expected you to be there! This morning I had to be humiliated and ask the kitchen staff to bring me my breakfast. 'Is Madame Copperfield alright,' they asked me. I told them I didn't know because I HADN'T SEEN MADAME COPPERFIELD."

Maria flinched ducking slightly, visibly trembling, "Forgive me my Lord, I have done you a disservice, dismiss me if you wish it, I will humbly leave your service if it is your wish, please, I would not wish to cause you such distress again. I do not deserve what I have been given and I have obviously not served up to your expectation. Do what you see fit of me, I will follow your command as you choose it," she stated softly, her voice shaking.

"Do you think that I can put all this time into training you just to throw you away? Not that you couldn't be easily replaced. I can walk into the inn and come out with a line of women who would just love to have what you have here!" He reached down and picked her up. "Oh, no...you are NOT getting off that easily. You are going to PAY for the humiliation you have made me suffer!"

Maria met his gaze, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty and she trembled under his touch, "Please lord, it was not my intention to bring you to humiliation," she sobbed softly.

"No, you're intention was obviously to sleep your time away and take advantage of my generosity. That is NOT going to happen again!" He pulled her by the arm, out of the room, down the hallways, down a hidden set of stairs. "It's time you learned of other parts of the castle you have not seen before."

Maria moved quickly to keep up with longer stride, her breaths nervous as she fallowed him without speaking a word.

Talomar grabbed a torch and began lighting torches in wall sconces as they descended steps, deeper into the castle. The steps were cold and damp, of old stones and narrow. Talomar's footsteps echoed in the dungeon-like atmosphere.

Maria followed close behind Tal, not that she couldn't with her arm in his vice grip, her bare feet soft on the floor feeling the cold but not making so much as a noise of complaint.

"Stand here," was his command as he took out a key and opened a large, oak door. There was nothing but cold blackness inside until Talomar walk in and began lighting the sconces all around the room. The room had a table in the center. Chains were attached to the walls. Other chains hung from the ceiling and a large mechanical blade hung from the ceiling in a pendulum fashion. Other devices of torture were scattered about the room. He went to the table and turned to Maria. "Come here and lock that door behind you!"

Maria quickly moved into the room, locking the door securely before moving to him, standing before him.

"Remove your robe."

She shrugged out of the robe and let it slip from her arms to pool on the floor by her feet

He looked at her body. It was beautiful and he loved her, but sometimes love must be strong. "Lay down on this table, facing the ceiling."

Maria slipped silently onto the table, she was scared, he could see it, but she was silent and stoic, not uttering so much as a sound.

He walked around her, staring at her body. He then reached below the table and grabbed a chain and manacled it to her hand. The same was done with the second hand and her feet. The other ends of the chains were fastened to rings on the floor, pulling her arms down over her head, and spreading her legs wide. When he had finished, he asked her, "Do you know what room this is?"

Her eyes flickered across the room fighting tears and nodded swallowing hard, "Yes my lord," her voice was very soft in fear, "its a torture chamber," she answered feeling a single tear streak her face.

"Correct. Why would we want to torture someone?"

Maria blinked her eyes moving to Talomar once more, "For information, or betrayal," she answered shivering slightly feeling more then vulnerable.

"That is true. It is also used for punishment when one of my employees have greatly disappointed me or broken the rules. Philippe had to punish two boys here not long ago. He skinned them alive."

Maria suppressed a sob of fear, her eyes closing for a minute before she looked at him once more, determined to face anything he would do to her.

He went to a wall and took out a whip made of twelve half-inch wide strips of leather, about two feet long. He walked over to her. "I want you to know that what I'm about to do, I do only because you have been disobedient, unreliable, and humiliating to me. I desire to make you better. Do you want to be better?"

Maria eyed the whip, she had seen women whipped before but had never been on the receiving end of it, she had always done her duties, "Yes my Lord," she breathed softly.

"Good. You will be better, I have no doubt of that." The whip came down hard on her bare stomach. It was not designed to break the skin, but to sting. Talomar had other whips that would do the body permanent damage.

Maria cried out at the strike, almost shocked he had actually done it as she bit her lip trying to stifle the cries, whimpering softly.

He walked around her, the next strike came down on her right breast, leaving red stripes on it.. Another strike was on her left breast.

Maria cried out again, her hands straining against the chains, automatically wanting to protect the sensitive flesh as tears streamed down her cheeks, her breaths coming fast and half panicked.

"Are you going to refuse to get me breakfast again, Madame Copperfield?"

"No," she sobbed softly, her legs shifting against the chains as well, her head rolling to look toward Tal, tears still flowing.

The whip came down on her thigh, three times in a row. "Are you going to humiliate me in front of my other employees again, Madame Copperfield?"

Maria gasped through sobs and cries, shaking, her voice barely audible, "No," she whispered shaking her head.

He then played with the leather straps of the whip lightly slapping against her fully exposed private area.

Maria sobbed, trembling and shivering on the table, tears still streaking her cheeks as she started to let out soft whimpering moans her body already slightly damp grew very wet very quickly at his sudden attention, her body like one raw nerve reacting to ever little touch.

He continued to dangle the whip over her, letting the ends slap sporadically over her so that the next strike could not be anticipated. "Do you think it was right to deny me your body last night, Madame Copperfield."

Maria tried to answer, her lips move but no voice emitted as she shook her head 'no' quickly, not wanting to make him mad again but her throat had seemed to have lost all ability to make any noises other then her own sobs and moans

"Then you shall give me my pleasure now, Madame Copperfield." He set aside the whip and when to the head of the table and pulled her body up enough for her head to hang backwards over the edge of the table. He prepared himself for her.



She did all she could to see to his every pleasure, tears still streaking her face as she remained completely submissive to him.

He looked down at her and suddenly ended what she was doing. He slid her head back onto the table, which required moving the table since her chains were attached to the floor. He walked over to the foot of the table and slid her down so that half her rear was off the table. He again picked up the whip with the 12 soft leather lashes. "Maria, what am I to do with you? I'm at a loss." He let the leather straps slide up over her for the full length of the lashes, then did the same movement again.

Maria whimpered softly, her eyes on his movements, her body trembling in a combination of fear and lust. "Please my lord," she whimpered softly, her breaths heavy and fast, "please, I will never let you down again," she whimpered

"So you think you've learned not to take advantage of my kindness and then not to humiliate me in front of my business associates?" Again he drew the 12 long, soft leather lashes up over her in a long, slow movement.

Maria groaned softly her body shaking at the light touch, "Yes my lord," she breathed quickly, her body's pain only intensifying the feeling burning inside her, the want to have him.

"When my anger was hot, there was much that I was going to do to you. This room is filled with persuasive paraphernalia. For instance, see the large blade above you. It's the end of a pendulum and sharp as a razor." He turned some cranks and the pendulum began to lower until the blade was a foot over her stomach. He cranked the blank to the far position at one end of the swing and released it. It fell, whooshing over her stomach, a foot away from her flesh. Several seconds later it came back in the pendulum swing. "This is an interesting pendulum. Every time it swings past you it lowers itself by a millimeter. Eventually it reaches the victims flesh and the large blaze with that razor edge begins to slice the body in two, one millimeter at a time. It's very persuasive."

Maria shivered nervously as she watched the blade, tears in her eyes but she didn't move dispite her trembling body

He pulled a brake and the blade stopped right over Maria's stomach. He then cranked the pendulum up and out of the way. "There are other such devices around the room. There are whips that tear the flesh and kill, there are thumb screws and branding irons; sometimes we leave people chained to the wall upside down. The list goes on and on. I had thought of using all these on you, Maria. But Ididn't. I used the least of all the devices here." He again trailed the length of the whip over her wet lips. "Do you know why I chose to use the very least off all the devices on you?"

Maria shook her head, "No, my lord," she answered softly.

He set the whip down on the floor and moved his body against her. He leaned over her, an extended arm on each side of her torso. "Yes, you do know, Maria. For I have told you why many times. Why have I been so kind to you?"

Maria felt fresh tears streak her face, too frightened to say the words for fear that he would hurt her or deny her. She licked her lips, "You love me," she barely whispered the words and flinched waiting for him to yell at her or hit her.



Instead of hitting her, his entire expression softened, and he leaned over her and looked down into her eyes. "Yes," his voice a soft whisper. "Yes, Maria. I love you. I love you so much that I hurt when I have to discipline you. It makes me weep inside because all I really want to do is hold you, and give you my kisses, and make love with you. Every time the whip struck you, I was feeling greater pain that you were. Did you realize that?" His face was just over hers.

She shook as she watched him and slowly shook her head, her eyes never leaving his, "I did not," she breathed softly.

His lips brushed over hers. "I hate to hurt you, my love." His eyes showed his pain. "I love you so much. I just want you to be the best valet that ever was so that I can give you more and more responsibilities. I have such a magnificent future planned for you, and that's because I love you so much." His lips again brushed hers.

Maria shifted under him, wanting to kiss him, but still not daring, "Forgive me," she breaths softly, "I never intended to disappoint you," she breathed softly, "I fear losing you, I'm so sorry," she sobbed softly.

His hand caressed her cheek, "You will never lose me, my love. You are totally forgiven." His mouth came down on hers and he kissed her deeply.

She quickly sunk into the kiss, a sob of relief catching in her throat, her hands straining against the chain now more then they ever did during the punishment. She wanted to touch him, to bury her hands in his hair and feel his skin under her fingers.

He kissed her long and hard, then began kissing her face all over - every inch he kissed, kissing away the tears, kissing over her bruises. "I love
you so much, Maria....if you only knew how much." His kisses when down her neck, kissing under her chin. His kisses continued down her body.

Maria shivered and squirmed under his lips, drawing sharp slightly pained breaths when his lips touched the whip marks, her moans of pleasure growing despite it, her hips moving as much as they could in her restrained position, wanting badly to move against him as her eyes locked on the ceiling above her, her breaths needy and hot.

As they made love, Maria cried out, her eyes locking on Tal's, pleasure written in her features, but somehow controlled for him, even after the beating and the turmoil of emotion she was still holding it together, still keeping some semblance of control as her body arched as best it could to meet his, but until he allowed her, she would not let her body have the full pleasure it was seeking. She didn't dare upset him again and for that she would not submit to her arousal until he let her.

As they continued to make love Maria cried her pleasure, worrying her lip with her teeth in an attempt to keep herself under control for him, her fingers tightening to whiteness on the chains, her breaths fast and hard, but still somehow she maintained control, even she was unsure of how, her eyes remaining glued to his gaze.

He allowed her the freedom she was seeking and Maria gasped at her feelings, raising her head to look at her love, legs opening as wide as she could get them, a flood of feeling ripped through her, her head hit the table once more, her eyes closed tightly as her lips parted in a silent scream of pleasure, not even noticing the pain of the shackles cutting the flesh of her wrists and ankles.

When their love making was finished he could only say, "I love you so, Maria. All is good again. I love you more than ever before."

Maria smiled a wistful loving look, she loved him so and his words only made her the more happy as she waited for his next move, his next decision, half worried he would leave her there to think it all over for the next day and night and shivered at the unhappy thought.

He pulled himself from her and began to work on her restraints like he was a rescuer with but seconds to save her. He released her feet and hand, fetched her robe and helped her put in on, then pulled her body against his own. He held her tight.

Maria sunk into his arms, tucked lovingly under his chin, her fingers resting on his shirt, she realized too late that she was probably also getting blood on that shirt, "Thank you my love," she whispered softly, actually thankful for the beating he had given her as she inhaled his scent softly. The pain in her chest and legs would be a reminder for hours yet especially once she dressed, his blows placed where garments would lie.

He picked her up into his arms. "I'm going to carry you all the way upstairs and to my....no...our...room. And we will bath and I'll attend to your cuts and bruises and get you new clothes. I want to devote this entire day to you, my love."

She looks at Tal half in shock, "My love, should I not be the one tending to you?" She asks in confusion.

"Not now, my darling. Later. For now I want to show you my love and how pleased I am with you, especially now that you've learned what you did wrong and will never do again. I want to care for you. What would I do without you, Maria? I need you so much."

Maria smiled softly and curled against his chest and shoulder, thankful for his offer and more then willing to accept the offer.

He carried her upstairs and laid her upon his bed until the water was ready. Then he placed her in the tub and took a sponge and washed her body. He took soap and conditioner and washed her hair, massaging her scalp with his fingers, taking his time as if he had nothing else in the entire world to be doing.

Maria more then sunk into his touch and caresses, loving him all the more for everything he was doing for her, the only time she didn't appreciate it was when he cleaned around the cuts, the soap stung and she winced as he cleaned them, but never made a noise of protest and never once tried to stop him. The tub was perfect, making her long for one in her own room that she could sink into on ever occasion that suited her needs.

When her hair was washed and rinsed he held out a towel for her and helped dry her. She was being treated as if it was a day at the spa. "Maria, while you are getting dressed, I want you to think of what you need to have and to do here to be happier. You name it, and it will be yours." He took her into his arms and kissed her, and when they had kissed he told her to change in her room and come back to him. He would be in his office.

Maria slipped away from him, almost reluctant, heading away making sure to lock the door behind her, deep down she feared another punishment, deeper still she thought hard on how much pleasure that whip could bring. She pushed both thoughts deeper, what she could want to make her happier. She pushed into her room discarding of the soiled robe and went in search of fresh clothes, floor length black leather skirt with the proper split running just to the point of almost showing what should not show.

A blood red blouse that was close to see through, lose fitting, beneath was the same blood red lace corset and thong, a for going of anything on her smooth legs, leaving them bare to the touch and a pair of thong sandals to cover her feet on the cold stone. But still it gnawed her as she paused to apply her lip paint, blood red as always, and tugging her hair back and up letting the ends spill about her shoulders instead of her lower back, securing it there. What would make her happier? Well to live solely in his room, if ever possible to never leave his bed, nor his side, but she doubted that counted.

She had his love, which filled her so she didn't think she had room for anything else. She could think of nothing as she left her room playing her finger under her color to make sure the "T" was centered on her throat. She was happy, what more could she ever want, her mind reeled as she approached his study door, smoothed her skirt and raised her hand, knocking soundly as she tugged out her keys.

This time he didn't call out to come in. He walked to the door and opened it and just stood there looking at her. His gaze was appreciative. "Now HERE's my valet! Maria, you are stunning. Absolutely gorgeous! You are vision of beauty."

Maria smiled softly, her eyes meeting his, thankful for the compliment, "Thank you, my lord," she answered softly applicative of every bit of attention.

"Have you thought of anything that I can do for you? Anything at all?"

She smiled softly "There''s very little you have not already given me," she answered softly looking up at him, "But yes," she answered with a nod.

He took her into his arms and looked down on her. "Just ask. What is it you want?

She smiled softly, "If I may my lord, I own very little and wish to spend as much time as I can with you. When I am with you alone, and you are busy, to be given access to you library so I may read my lord, and still be with you." She adds very quickly, "I will stay at your feet my lord."

"Done," was how he replied. "I would like that very much. My library is now your library too. You may come into my office at any time to do your reading."

She blinks in shock, speechless for a minute, "Thank you my love," she breathed softly.

(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/9/06)

OFF TO SEE THE SHIEK

He continued to hold her tight against him, looking into her eyes. He smiled and slowly released her. "Yeah...well....here we are, your home away from home." The Class VI prototype fighter was the state-of-the-art in technology, fit and form. The ship wasn't large, but it was powerful. It had a bunk room with 4 beds, a small kitchen, a small payload area, a control center room, and the flight deck. They were in the payload area. He took a step back and looked at the woman. She had thighs made for biting and a figure that a man could get lost in - but she was also Count Longden's, and that spelled, 'Keep your hands off.' "Follow me," he said.

She tore her gaze from where she was examining the room and moved to follow him, "You did say space, right?" she asked. She stepped as elegant as ever as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"Where do you think you are?" they walked through the galley and then the crew's quarters. "You're in space now, babe. We're in orbit over Rhydin. I've got the bottom bunk," he pointed to it. "You can have your choice of any of the others." They passed the command center and stepped up into the flight deck.

Her jaws set in indignation at his comment stopping in the middle of the room her arms crossing her chest, her eyes boring into his back directly between his shoulder blades.

He turned around and looked at her, his hands on his hips, "You have a problem?"

She tilted her head, "Let's start with 'babe'," she answered, "I think we were introduced differently. As for the idea of being in space, its little hard to comprehend when the farthest I have been off the ground was on the back of my horse and as far as I knew, space travel was an impossibility," she answered not moving, "Remember Col. Savage, I answer to Talomar Longden, not to you," she growled softly.

He smirked just slightly and made a bow. "Of course, Madame Copperfield. Please forgive my impolite, incondite, inurbane and mannerless speech. I stand corrected. Now, are you coming?"

She really didn't think he meant it, but it was a small change, at least he didn't call her babe. She moved to cross the room to him, "Lead the way," she answered with an air of authority she really didn't feel.

He came to the flight deck steps - a set of six steps leading up to the control seats. "You better go first. That way, if you slip, I can catch you."

She gave him a tired 'yeah right' look and started up the stairs, her fingers lifting the edge of her skirt just slightly and watching where she put her feet as she climbed to the upper floor

He watched her legs as she went up the stairs. "That's it. Don't go too fast. Don't want you to slip and bang up those beautiful ankles." The higher she climbed the better view he got, until he could see just about everything. He groaned silently. He was torturing himself, so he looked away as she reached the flight deck.

She smirked to herself wondering if he had seen enough yet or if she should play a little as she turned back to look at him once at the top, "Anything else you'd like to see, or should I strip for you and dance a bit?" She teased.

He blushed and cleared his throat. "That won't be necessary, ma'am. Just wanted to keep you safe." He swallowed and started to climb, wondering what she would have done if he asked her to strip and dance, which is the answer he really wanted to give. Once on the flight deck he point to the co-pilot's seat. "Strap yourself in there. If you need any help, let me know."

She looked towards the chair and moved to it, glancing at the harness and considered for the tease to ask for his help but decided he was doing enough on his own to drive himself nuts and her in the process, she simply strapped in, thankful for the pretty basic way they went together, she was able to figure it out pretty quickly.

He looked over and saw that she was belted in. He did the same and his hands began to move over switches. The smooth, powerful engine hummed to life. Control panel lights lit up in front of them and over head. "Okay, we're off to the Nexus. It's not hard to find. Three-dimensional spatial coordinates as keyed in like ....this," he entered the coordinated, "the computer accepts it, computes the course, and we're off." The ship moved out of orbit and raced to the nexus. Once at the Nexus there was a lengthening of light and a shortening of time and they shot through into an orbit around the earth.

Maria was busy looking over all the instruments to pay too much attention to Wil, her eyes scanning the lights and controls before she lifted her gaze and looked at Wil, "So that's it? It?s just that simple to you?"

He laughed. "It's a Nexus. It's like taking an express train with no other stops. Now if we had to get somewhere the Nexus doesn't go, that's whole other ballgame, ba... Madame."

Maria smirked at his close to slip, her dark eyes meeting his once more, "Forgive my innocence Col. Savage, this is all very new to me, the idea that we are up here is a little hard to believe, even seeing it with my own eyes," she pointed out.

He smiled and found himself actually beginning to like this assignment. He guided the ship through the Earth's atmosphere, a 3-D heads up display showing the course they should take. The altitude decreased and they penetrated into the area of earth's night. "Looks like your friend is going to soon be enjoying his sleep. It's just after dark in Egypt. We're going to have to wait until morning to locate him."

She nodded, not that she wouldn't enjoy sleep herself, her day had been too long already, "I suppose that's the way it will be then," she answered softly, this would be her second night in a row sleeping outside of her love's arms. "At least it will be daylight when he dies, I can see the look on his face," she muttered softly.

"Oh, you'll see him die. I guarantee it." He looked over at her. "Suppose you never flew one of these things before?" It was a rhetorical question. No one had ever flown the Class VI Fighter craft before. "Want to learn?"

She looked at all the switches in front of her, "Your kidding right? Look at all this stuff, there's got to be fifty different switches here," she answered.

He laughed, "Perhaps you're right. Here, I'll let you take us back up into orbit. Put your hand her on this red handle. Feel the grip of it. Feel the power. It handles the thrust."

Maria looked at the handle he spoke of and slowly moved to take it a bit nervously.

He placed his hand over hers, his fingers moving between her upon the control. "She (he meant the ship) responds immediately to thrust, she takes the power and she responds." His hand helped Maria's hand push on the control and the ship accelerated and gained altitude. "As you add power, you pull on that shaft." He pointed to a shaft in front of her that was identical to the one in front of him. "With your other hand, pull on the shaft and just feel the lift we get."

Maria's eyes moved to the stick, her fingers closing over it, "Men design these ships don't they?" She muttered smirking at the words he was using and turning them to a sexual context as she carefully lifted the ship, her hand not moving under his, letting him guild her hand.

He smirked. "If men designed them, we'd have a beer cooler between the seats." He watched her face as she looked out of the window, seeing the blue atmosphere disappear below them and the dark boundaries of space overtake them. "It's it exhilarating? To feel all that power in your hands. The throb of the engines, the speed, the power you control." He kept his hand on hers and when they reached proper altitude, he pulled back on her hand and the ship idled in orbit. Savage let go of her hand and his fingers went flying over the switches and buttons, shutting down the engines. The earth was below them and easy to see in the subdued light of the flight deck. "Beautiful, isn't it. You couldn't ask for a better hotel room view."

She smiled softly and licked her lips looking across at him, "It's a different kind of power I like to feel in my hands," she answered as she looked down at the planet below, "It looks small from up here," she muttered.

He released his harness, stood and walked behind her, pointing to the shoreline of Eastern North America. "I've been there once," he said, his head next to hers.

She followed his gaze and shook her head, "I haven't been across the ocean accept the go to Rhy-Din, she looked down at her harness, time to try and figure out how to get out of it.

"Here, let me help you. They're not as easy to get out of as to get into." His arms reached on both sides of her, "There's a safety latch here."

Her eyes followed his hands then her gaze moving up to see if he was taking advantage of the position to once more get a look down her shirt.

This time he is looking upon her face, and he smiled as she looked up at him. His hands work on the release that is in her lap. "I. . .er. . . have some food on board now, and some drink. I noticed that you didn't drink much wine before. You can for something stronger?"

She smiled softly, "Sure," she slipped out of the harness as soon as he had the straps released, moving to stand and looked back at him, "What did you have in mind?"

He smiled, "I have something I bet you haven't had in a long time - Shochu (a Japanese vodka of sorts)." He winked, "How's that?"

She smiled, "I haven't had it since I was seven and sharing a glass with my father, sounds good," she answered with a nod, "lead the way."

He lead the way down into the small galley and pulled out a chair for her. He went to a closet and brought out a 750ml bottle of shochu and sat down right next to Maria. He set out two little bowls with the glasses inside the bowls, then filled the glass to just overflowing. "That's the way you do it in Japan, if you recall. All the way to the top." He took his glass and held it up to hers, "To the killing of the sheik, and setting you free....from your worries, of course."

She smiled softly, "Of course, to the killing," she answered touching his glass before turning the glass to her lips, tentative to taste the liquor before throwing back the drink.

He watched her, more and more impressed with this woman. No wonder Talomar had selected her. He swallowed his drink and again filled their glasses to the brim. As the liquor took effect, he started to tell her the story of his travel to Rhydin, and of the PMS woman, Gaida. He was laughing as he described the look on her face when she thought he'd strand her on Rhydin.

"So what did you do with her?" She asked licking her lips and watching his as if hanging on his every word, they were quickly emptying the decanter.

He laughed and leaned forward close to her, "I stuck her in a room in a Rhydin inn. I figure that by the time I have to leave, they'll be running her out of time." He again filled their glasses, draining the last of the shochu. "So, tell me a little more about you and Count Longden. How long have you two been together? I had heard he had a valet by the name of Philippe."

"He did," she nodded, "though he hasn't told me fully what happened to him as of yet," she answered and leaned on her hand, dancing her fingers through the remnant of alcohol in the bowl, "It hasn't been long, a few weeks at the most, hard really to comprehend it. Time seems to pass at an odd rate that doesn't quite fit into what I'm use to," she licks her fingers off and smiles softly, her eyes distant at the thought of her Lord and her need to be with him still burning deeply in her.

"Well, I can tell you two have something special together. Anyone can see that." He finished his drink and reached to his holster and pulled out his p-blaster and inspected it. "He must love you a lot to delay the mission I'm on."

She smiled softly drawing her eyes back to him, "Love?" She smirked, "He's a married man, I think his love runs more firmly to his wife, though that doesn't mean that he doesn't care for me and my well being." She paused then whispered softly, "But I love him dearly."

Wil inspected his weapon as he spoke, "Perhaps, but I know men. He didn't look at you as one looks at a valet. I don't know how he feels for his wife, but when he looked at you, I saw love." He checked that the safety was on and re-holstered the weapon. "It's the only reason he'd delay what I'm to do next for him"

She smiled softly at his answer and slowly rose a bit unsteady from the drink, "Well I hope your right, I would love to believe he thinks so much of me, he does seem to," she moved to head for the bunk room.

He followed her and leaned against the doorway. "The toilet and shower are behind the door to your right. Toiletries are in the cabinet. The ship was stocked but never used. I'm going to go over some charts and history while you're getting into bed. If there's anything you need, just let me know."

Maria looked back at him and nodded. Maybe Wil Savage wasn't such a bad person after all. She slipped into the offered room to unsteadily clean up and get ready for sleep, not that she had been prepared for this trip, there was little to prepare. She made sure she was alone before stripping to undergarments and crawling into the bed, too tired to stay awake she slipped off into dreams once more, sorely missing her Lord's arms holding her.

Wil locked himself in the flight deck and pulled out his private digipad that would code and scramble all incoming and outgoing messages. He contacted General Morningstar at the I.I.S.C. and advised him that there was going to be an unexpected delay. When the message was sent, he spent time reviewing everything he could about Egypt and the wealthy families of this time period. He'd be ready for tomorrow. Maria was in bed when he returned to the crew quarters. He stripped of his uniform, keeping only his briefs on when he went to wash up. He then returned to his bunk and slept with his p-blaster very close.

(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/11/06)

THIRD ONE DOWN or SHIEK AIN'T GOOD

Maria smirked, she had had that reaction plenty, and she moved to cross the streets leading to the gate, her eyes averted directly to the ground. The guards never so much as looked at them as they passed, they didn't care, their ruler had so many slaves some that die in the night and are replaced in hours that they didn't bother learning faces and without a word they were pacing into the palace.

Savage kept his hand on his blaster as they walked along. He didn't like this. Maria was too vulnerable and he was responsible for her safety. If he didn't deliver her back to Talomar in the same condition she left in, he might as well kiss his *** goodbye. There was no place in the universe to hide from an angry Count Longden. He took Maria's arm in his hand, "How much longer until we find your sheik?"

She glanced at where his hand had landed on her arm and raised a brow at him, glancing down the hall before looking at him again, "Big doors at the end of the hall is his room," she answered, "Now unhand me," she answered very softly, but her voice was not happy at being stopped in such a manner.

He released her and turned his attention toward the door. He saw two massive guards standing on each side of the door. He held his weapon at ready should it be needed. It was no longer set only to "stun".

She moved forward once more, heading for the door and lowered her gaze to the floor as the guard rumbled something about his majesties appetite for women and opened the door for her to enter, moving of course to stop Wil from entering.

Wil stared at each guard. He had not had time to learn the language, so if Maria didn't convince them in the next few seconds to let him in, he would eliminate them.

Maria stopped, speaking softly to the guards who shook their heads snapping back at her. She took a step back towards them and spoke again, then glanced at Wil, knowing they weren't going to let him enter willingly, no matter what she said, and one of the guards moved to grab her arm similar to the way Wil had, to stop her from leaving the room, the other was angrily drawing his swords.

Before the sword left its sheath, Wil fired two quick blasts that sent each guard backwards several feet before they hit the stone floor, dead. "Well, I guess they know we're coming."

Maria looked up at him, "I guess so," they could already hear the man shouting from inside the inner room and Maria looked back at the voice, involuntarily shivered, looking at Wil once more, "He should be with his current wife, feel free to kill her too," she stated softly, "make him suffer," she breathed the last.

Wil grinned, "As you wish." They hurried to the inner room and found the sheik and his current wife in bed. Wil had his blaster draw and aimed at the sheik. When the wife screamed and began to climb out of bed, Wil shot her, sending her body into the wall behind the bed, leaving a bloody streak on the wall. "Tell him to get out of bed." Wil grinned, "Then tell me how you'd like me to proceed, but let's be fast about this."

Maria spoke quickly, the man's eyes locked on her and with and angry yell, instead of getting out of the bed calmly he launched at Maria who jumped back quickly, he was screaming at the top of his lungs a knife coming out of no where, obviously more angry at Maria, then worried about Wil.

Wil jumped in front of Maria and the knife went to his chest. Instead of penetrating his flesh, the blade seemed to hit a wall. Wil's left fist came up and caught the madman in the jaw, the man's own momentum adding power to the blow. The sheik fell to the floor and the knife dropped out of his hand. Wil picked it up and handed it to Maria.

Maria blinked in shock, taking the blade quickly, her eyes on the man on the floor, "How did you...?" She looked at Wil in shock.

Wil winked. "Body armor. Comes in handy." He looked down at the man, "How do you want to handle..." Suddenly three guards came rushing into the room with scimitars drawn. Wil turned and fired and they dropped to the floor. "We better hurry."

Maria looked torn between getting satisfaction and just killing the man. Finally she sighed, "Kill him and lets go."

The Sheik was beginning to rise up, fire in his evil eyes and cursing in words Wil could not understand. Wil took the knife from Maria's hand and in one smooth motion sent the blade deep into the man's chest. "No sense wasting energy," he said, watching the once powerful man fall backwards with eyes in shock and his hands covered in blood as he grasped at the blade in his chest. Wil looked from the man to Maria and back to the man.

"Ah...wha' th' hell." He aimed the p-blasted at the man and fired, the heat of the plasma burning a hole through the already dying body. Wil looked back at Maria and shrugged, "Ya gotta be sure."

Maria smiled just slightly and looked at him before looking back the way they had come in, "We should go before the whole place comes down on top of us."

"I'm with you, babe...er...Madame Copperfield." He winked and headed to the door to be there ahead of her. "If we get visitors, stand behind me."

Maria nodded, disappointed she didn't get to see the old man suffer, "The stables are that way," she pointed down one of the cross corridors, "Just follow the halls lined in blue carpets, he won''t risk their feet on stone when he brings inside on cold nights."

Wil looked at her and mouthed, "Brings them inside?" They began to walk quickly down the hall. Some who saw them were just servants and let them pass without understanding what was happening. One guard who tried to stop them was quickly eliminated.

Maria smirked at his reaction to her words and fallowed him through the palace and down a carefully designed ramp. She rushed ahead of him to the large stables, moving to speak softly to one of the horses as she tore the door open grabbing up one of the bridals and putting it on the horse quickly, "I hope you know how to ride," she stated as she crossed to another of the stalls pulling out another of the horses doing the same with it leading both animals out into the alleyway.

He rolled his eyes. "I think I can manage it," he said, having ridden many times before, both for pleasure and training. He took the horse Maria had provided and waited for her to mount.

Maria swiftly threw herself onto the mare's back and reined her in looking down at Wil waiting for him as the mare danced under her.

He mounted the horse and nodded. "Let's get out of here!" He could hear horns blasting away and shouts coming from every direction.

Maria heard the horns and turned back and she turned back to Wil, "Don't let them halt the horses; you must keep them moving, if they hear the call to halt they will try to do so, so keep your heels to them," she snapped before kicking the mare into motion, the horse launching off into a fast gallop.

"Yes ma'am," he said as he first applied pressure from his heels and then kicked the horse into a gallop.

Maria sat the mare the way she did her stallion, moving with the horse as they charged the closing gate, just barely making it through them to the shouts of anger from the guards. The horses were fast, Maria had chosen each horse from past history, and she knew these horses and she had made sure to take the two fastest horses. Maria laid over the horses neck as she stirred her course free of the city and into open desert.

Wil was behind Maria and may have been caught by the gate had he not fired at the guards who were closing it. He passed through, firing at a guard on the wall who had drawn a bow with his aim at Maria. The guard was blown backwards off the wall and disappeared from view. There was now nothing between them and the ship but desert.

Maria kept moving only slowing once the city was out of sight and looked back at Wil as she straightened on the horse, letting him take the lead. "So we're going to be back in Rhy-Din before nightfall, right?" She asked as she urged her horse to fall into step beside his.

He looked at her and smiled, "Tired of my company already?"

She smiled softly, "Not so much as I long for someone else's," she answered, "and I'd like a chance to get cleaned up and in something a little more presentable before I see him," she added.

Wil nodded and smiled, letting her know that he understood completely. "I'll have you back there within the hour, Maria." They came up to the ship and Wil hit a sequence on the digipad that addressed the ship and activated the door. Then ramp came down and once more settled into the sand. "You want these two horses? They'll fit in the payload bay if you do."

She looked at the mares they had stolen and remembered Tal's laugh at her stealing of her stallion and smiled, "I think I know someone who would love have at least one of them, so yes," she nodded and moved to slip off her own horse, speaking softly to them before moving to lead the mare up into the bay, looking forward to getting back to Tal.

Wil dismounted and led his horse up and into the bay, and shut the door. "Can we put a diaper on them," he teased. "This is a new ship!"

She grinned, "You will just have to fly fast," she answered petting each calmly before leaving their sides to follow Wil through the ship once more.

"Let's get outta here," he said and led the way to the flight deck. He settled into the pilot's chair and looked over at Maria in her slave's outfit. "Can I help you with your buckle?" he winked.

She smirked at him again, "Too bad you didn't take me up on that offer to dance," she countered as she pulled on her harness and looked across at him, "Home Wil, and double quick," she added.

His hands flew over the controls and the ship hummed to life. Powerful engines began to roar, sending a sandstorm behind them as they lifted off. They flew up through the clouds and into the darkness of space once more. In minutes they had reached the Nexus and the grey tinglies were experienced. Once in Rhydin airspace Wil turned and looked at Maria, "I can set down on the Count's property, although transporting you with you in that outfit," he grinned, "I could get used to that."

The look was a weary one as she turned to him, "And I suppose you'll wave a magic wand to get the horses there?" She looked at him sarcastically.

He had forgotten about those. "As I said, we definitely don't want to use the transporter." The ship broke into the Rhydinian atmosphere and descended rapidly. Expert hands on the controls brought the ship down in a field behind the castle. He shut the ship's engines down with a hiss and turning off all the instrumentation. "Here we are, home sweet castle, safe and sound."

Maria smiled, a want to see Tal growing in the pit of her stomach, but she had learned her lesson the other day. Shedding her harness she slipped from the seat, "I assume you have business still with the Count, I'll see to the horses and have a meal and drink set up and join you when it is ready," she stated as she moved to head for the stairs off the flight deck

Wil had to laugh. He had never seen a woman so anxious to be back with her man. It made him smile and realize how much he missed his wife since she was murdered. He watched Maria take the horses to the stables and he turned and went to the castle to report to the Count. He wondered what payment he'd get for this extra "mission."

(Previously posted in "Sweetness in Shadows", 1/11/06)

REUNITED - PART 2

"I love you," he whispered up to her.

Maria slowly opened her eyes, focusing on Tal below her and smiled softly, still shaking, "Love you too," she muttered weakly.

"You taste so good," he said softly and with a smile. "Anything else I eat tonight will be a disappointment, compared to you." He raised her leg and slid out from under her. "Stay there," he said.

Maria whimpered in protest but didn't move, her head lowering as she tried to settle her breaths.

Talomar stood and pulled down the covers of the bed. He then moved to Maria and helped her to her feet from behind, his strong hands moving over her hips and chest. He then came to her side and picked her up into his arms as if she weighed no more than a leaf. His voice was just a whisper, "I'm so glad you're back. I've needed you, desperately."

Maria moaned softly, shivering as she curled tightly against his warm skin, "I know the feeling very well my love, my heart has been missing sense you sent me off yesterday, I feared I had upset you," she answered softly.

He laid her in the bed and climbed in beside her, pulling the covers over them both as he took her into his arms once again, his leg wrapped around her legs, one arm beneath her neck and shoulders, the other under her arm and to the back of her head, caressing her hair and face. His mouth was close to hers. "Upset me?" He smiled lovingly. "No, my love. You delight me...in every way."

She looked up at her lover tiredly, "I'm glad, I wish only to make you happy in everyway I can," she answered and brazenly moved to close the distance, kissing him softly before breaking it, "Forgive me, I long for you lips where I can taste them," she muttered softly.

He smiled, and ran his fingers through her hair. "And you must forgive me, for I seem to love to taste all your soft and delicious lips." He brought his mouth to hers and continued what she had started, kissing her deeply and in no hurry to have it end.

Maria sunk into the kiss, accepting and dragging it out in a lazy way lovers do, in no rush to hurry it, her own needs well meet and sated as she ran her fingers through his hair, very slowly breaking the kiss her eyes meeting his as she played her fingers through his hair, "I love you so, that it hurts inside," she breathed softly, her fingers moving from his hair to brush the backs of her fingers over his cheek to his lips, her fingers continuing the trip to brush over his lips and moved to cup that cheek before kissing him once more, again lazy and deep.

He just moaned softly into the kiss and let it go on for a very long time, their bodies wrapped together, their mouths expressing love through kisses and nibbles. Then Talomar cradled Maria in his arms and looked down on her, his dark eyes staring into her dark browns. "I have that same hurt inside," he whispered, "and I wish that I could be your husband."

She smiled softly, "I would not presume to ask such a think, I am your valet, your donor, but I can not be more," she answered softly, "I truly wish I could be, but I would never ask it and never presume it."She breathed, her lips brushing softly over his chin. She smiled softly as she curled against his chest, just your valet, but for now, for this brief moment, your lover," she whispered.

His arms pulled her into a snuggle against his chest and he rested his head on hers. "But you are so much more to me," his voice a whisper. They laid there for a while and he spoke again, "There is one thing I really hate, Maria."

She stiffened at his words, worry crossing her face, "My love?" She looked up at him a bit nervously.

"I hate day old sushi. So we had better eat it now. And I could go for that wonderful wine you brought. And you even brought two cigars! One for each of us." He began to tickle and tease her.

Maria jumped at the tickles squirming, and between giggles get out, "Should I get it my Lord?"

"Please my love, sushi and wine would be wonderful right now. And you must be hungry too."

She nodded, "Starving actually I have not eaten sense morning," she moved to slip from his touch and gather the two glasses and the bottle, handing Tal the glasses before setting the bottle at the bedside and returning to gather up the tray of food bringing it over and setting the cigars with the bottle she moved to rejoin her love.

He sat up in bed and crossed his legs, he made a dip of soy sauce and wasabi and began with the piece of tuna. He dipped it and held it to Maria's mouth. "For you, dear heart, since you've already fed me so well."

Maria moved to sit in front and beside him, her feet pulled up under her as she moved to take the fish, her lips devouring his fingers at the sametime as she carefully pulling the fish from his hand and chewing slowly, savoring every bite while her hunger raged. Forcing herself to take her time.

As she chewed the Toro, the best fatty tuna, he poured two glasses of wine and set them on the night stand. He then took the Ebi (shrimp) and dipped it and held it to her lips. "Another for you, my love."

Maria, devoured the food, her fingers moving to catch a drip of the sauce and licked it from her fingers, making short work of the piece, licking her lips, eyeing the wine.

He held the glass of wine and gave it to her. He took his own and lifted his glass to hers, "To the sharing of this bed, may it always be a nest of love." He looked at her body as she ate and drank, observing the form of her breasts, the tightness of her stomach, her beautiful crotch, and the perfect lines of her legs.

Maria raised her glass quickly swallowing her food to join the toast before sipping the drink before looking at Tal once more, "Will you teach me now?" She asked softly.

He smiled, "You never forget, do you? Of course." He reached for the cork that was lying on the night table. Okay, we'll start with the cork. A waiter will hand people the cork and few know what to do with it, so they smell it to look knowledgeable and then they lay it down on the table. Truth is, there is little you can tell from the cork other than if the wine has spoiled or not. So you run it past your nose, sniff and see if you can smell a vinegar scent. If not, you set down the cork and go to the next step. It's that simple." He held the cork under her nose to sniff.

Maria did just that, moving her glass so it would not interfere, and of course any wine in Tal's cellar was good, "Smells like wine," she answered looking up at him.

"Perfect! You got that part right. Next we look at what's in the glass. You always hold the glass by the stem so that you do not transfer heat from your hot little hands to the wine. You hold it up to the light to see if there is any settlement floating around - there shouldn't be, or if there are any bubbles rising, a sign of incomplete fermentation and an indication that the wine might be sweeter than others. Not necessarily a bad thing. We call that the spritz.

Maria adjusted her hold and held up the glass as he spoke then looked at Tal not seeing anything, very attentive to him still.

If the wine is clear, we take notice of the color and then tilt the glass to get wine near the rim and straighten it again to watch what we call "fingering," or the lines the wine makes as it trails down the glass. Fingering comes from the alcohol in the wine, and the more alcohol the more fingering you will see. A good wine will have the fingering slowly come down as the wine settles back down in the glass.

She looked at the glass, eyeing the wine before tilting the glass and straightening it to watch and looked at Tal as it settled curious, "Can it go too slowly? How fast is too fast?" She asks eagerly.

He smiled, "Good questions." If it goes to slowly, you probably have a brandy, which is really a wine with a high alcohol content. If you look at brandy or even whiskey come down the glass, you'll see thick slow fingering on the side of the glass. Some wine has the fingering going so fast that it's not noticeable. That's your cheap stuff that you can drink half a bottle of and not feel tipsy.

She nodded accepting his answers and again tipped the glass to look again then again looked to Tal to continue

Then we get to step 4, the bouquet of the wine. You swirl the wine around, often done with the base of the glass on the table. This breaks up the molecules and allowed the bouquet of the wine to be expressed. Then you put your nose in the glass and inhale. The scent is fairly subjective, but you can often get a particular fruit smell, or the oak barrel smell. You just play with that and let your imagination take over as to what scents you can detect.

She smiled softly, "So I should learn that one from different wines?" She asked softly as she swirled the drink and moved to smell it, looking a little disappointed, "It smells like wine."

He laughed. "I guess it does. You need to try many wines to develop the "nose" for the wine and be able to distinguish. The important thing is to enjoy the fragrance and have fun with it."

"Now for step number 5, the best step...we taste the wine. The thing to realize is that the taste is released as it's mixed with air, so what you want to do is breath in some air into your mouth as you sip the wine. Like this." He put the glass to his lips and sucked in a little air as he sipped the wine. "You leave it in your mouth, allowing your taste buds to do their thing."

Maria nodded and smiled softly as she moved to mimic his action, making a distinctive slurping trying hard not to laugh as she savored the wine, swallowing quickly and giggling. "Sorry," she stated softly, her fingers moving to cover her mouth as she laughed.

He laughed hard. "I think you better try that again. You'll notice the increase in taste if you do it right."

She nodded, and moved to try again this time doing a lot better, and looking at Tal in shock at the taste change.

"Ahhh...you see! You've got it. You just remember those five steps and you'll be an expert in no time. We didn't cover things like the description of the color of the wine, but that's really not necessary. Who really cares if it as a "straw" or a "wheat" color. What I have just taught you will make you look like a wine expert at any dinner table."

Maria smiled softly as she moved to take another drink, "I will endeavor to remember your lessons well," she answered softly sipping the wine and reaching for another piece of fish hungrily.

He finished his wine and reached from some unagi (eel). "This is my favorite, except for uni (sea urchin)." He put it into his mouth and savored the taste. "You are too good to me, Maria."

She smiled softly at him, licking her fingers again and moved to pick up one of the cabbage rolls, "I like making you happy," she answered softly, taking a bite of the food.

They continued to eat, and when they had finished, Talomar took the empty plates and glasses away, and turned down the wick on the lamp. He climbed back into bed and snuggled up to Maria from behind, his arms wrapped around her. "This is the way every night should be."

"If you wish it I will see to it that it is so," she answered softly her fingers moving over his arms in soft patterns.

He moved his body against hers, kissing her neck, his knees behind hers. "Wil told me you were very brave, and how you disguised yourselves. I'm so proud of you, Maria."

She smiled softly, "I think Wil enjoyed looking at your little blood doll," she purred softly, rising her chin to give him full access to her neck once more.

He nibbled her neck. "He'd have to be blind not to," he chuckled.

She looked up at him, "You are too kind my love," she answered softly, "I'm but a woman, and one hardly worth the attention you give me."

"Oh? Are you telling me that I'm wrong and don't know what I'm talking about?"

"No my love," she answered softly, "only that I have a hard time seeing what you do," she answered softly, almost sadly. She looked up at Tal, her eyes meeting his, hers dark not only in color but in emotion, "I would never tell you that you were wrong," she added with a gentle smile.

He held her and closed his eyes. "The one thing that I've not been the slightest bit wrong about is having you for my valet, Maria." His hand moved over her naked arm. "That's been one of my best decisions."

She smiled softly and turned back to rest against his chest once more, "Thank you my love," she murmured softly and moved to slid from his lap down farther in the bed to pillow her head against his stomach, wrapping her arms around his midriff.

His hand stroked her hair. "You're progressing so much more quickly than I ever expected. Soon you'll be doing everything I've had Philippe do, and even more," he smiled, "as you are now being here with me."

She looked up at him and smiled softly, "I am trying to meet your every want," she answered softly, her lips grazing his flesh, "and anticipating them before they arise," she added.

His fingers moved in her hair, playing with it. "I have come to believe that you already know my wants better than I do. I would like to learn more of YOUR wants, Maria."

She smiled softly and rose once more, still in his lap to look him in the eye, "I never want to ask for too much when I have already been given so much."

"You haven't, my love. All you've asked is to have access to my library and my bed, two things I've gladly given. Is there anything else I can do to show you how happy I am to have you back with me?"

She smiled softly, "There are small things, stuff left behind or lost when leaving my home I would like to have back, but it would all cost money to procure," she answered softly, "and none too little of it either," she added shaking her head, "What I have asked for costs nothing, I don't want to ask you for anything I can not afford to pay for on my own."

"It is another reason I love you, Maria; but for those I love, money is never any object." His hand moved to her ear, slowly moving his finger over the soft curvature of her ear, feeling her delicate features.

He pulled her into his arms, laying out behind her and settling them both in for the night.

He can feel her shock at his words, eyes wide body tensing, then quickly pushed forward, pushing him against the wall, kissing him harder, her fingers moving to his shirt and aggressively tearing it open, ignoring the buttons hitting the floor, knowing her luck pure pearl, she'd mend the shirt later as she moved to break the kiss, placing wet kisses and nips on his flesh, working her way down from his lips to his cheek and neck and collarbone, over his chest, pausing to lap her tongue over first one nipple then the other.

He knew his pearl buttons were flying in every direction, but he didn't care. He wouldn't trade a ton of pearls for the kisses of this woman. He was so relieved that she really loved him and wanted him. Thoughts of what were said in the inn were forgotten - for now. All his thoughts were on Maria and what she was doing to him emotionally and physically.

Maria fingers ran down over his tight stomach, kissing and licking a hot wet trail to his naval, lapping at the small depression as she tugged his pants open, shoving them off his hips.

(Edited for content)

His hands moved up and down her sides and over her breasts, where one remained while the other grabbed her hair and held her head in position as he continued to suck on her.

Maria's cries slowly died into soft pleased moans as she leaned into his hand, giving him full access to her neck, soft noises of pleasure still escaping her throat.

He fed slowly for several minutes and then walked her over to the couch and laid her down. He then went to the safe and retrieved the collar and brought it over to where she lay. He but a blanket over her and sat down on the floor so that his head was next to hers as she laid there in the glow of the fire.

Maria watched him quietly, feeling the slightest twinge of pain from earlier, he had hurt her, the slight red confirmed that, but she didn't care, she would heal. She watched him return with the collar rolling slightly to watch him, curling under the blanket thankfully, she always got cold quickly after the excursion of making love to him.

He knelt in front of her and put the collar back on her, and then just held her. "I love you, Maria. You are mine forever, and I'm yours....forever."

Maria smiled softly, "A life bond is more then any ring could ever be my love. I promise I will never leave you," she muttered softly, curling up against him lovingly.

He added several logs to the fire and turned to the couch. He bent down and lifted it with Maria still on it. He brought it close to the fireplace and set it down. He slipped under the blanket and behind her, spooned tightly to her as they both watched the fire, their heads supported by the large couch pillows. "And I will never leave you," he whispered in her ear and cupped her breast in his hand and kissed her neck.

She only moaned softly at the strength of the kiss, obviously enjoying it all the more as she kissed him harder, hungrily as she met him stroke for stroke, her fingers moving to curl into his rear and tug him harder against her.

Both hands were on her rear supporting her weight as he pulled her head to the side, exposing the left side of her neck to his mouth. She moaned softly as he pulled his lips from hers lifting her chin to give him better access to her as she continued to drive herself on him, her eyes drifting closed in pleasure.

His mouth came down upon her neck and his tongue moved in circles over that soft flesh as he penetrated her harder. The teeth of his wide open mouth moved against her neck as he located the vein with his tongue.

Maria maked a soft noise of pleasure as she drives her hips deep onto him, sinking him into her as far as she could as she bit her lip to stop from crying out as she came on him once more, her body tightening on his.

She could not see the transformation of the man whose mouth was on her neck. He needed to feed...he needed it desperately. It had been too long. His eyes became as red fire and his canines lengthened and sharpened to needle-like fangs. And as her body convulsed and she came once more in orgasm, his teeth bit into her neck and found the life supply of blood that he needed.

Maria's eyes shot open at the bite, her form stiffening for a moment under his touch, then fully relaxing as she groaned hotly her lips close to his ear, breathing hot against his skin, "Yes, my lord, take me," she breaths hotly, grinding her hips all the harder against his, his bite prolonging the sense of deepening passion, driving her into a climax like even she had never felt as she struggled to keep her voice low.

The submission of the woman to his power drove him to ecstasy even as his teeth sucked life-giving blood from her body. He'd not drain much, just enough to sustain him and keep her alive to serve him. Slowly the red faded from his eyes and his mouth released her. He had had enough of her life-giving blood. He felt strong again, invincible.

Maria groaned softly, shivering lightly as she all but collapsed into his arms, breathing hard, her arms wrapping around him in almost a lovers embrace, her eyes closed once more as she slowly drew herself together once more, her breaths coming in a noise close to a purr, "Are you sated my lord?" She breathed softly, moving to nuzzle his neck and kissing his ear softly.

He held her against his neck in a manor consistent with that of lovers. "Yes," he said in a soft, deep voice, "you satisfy me as no other." He let her just sit on the table and he looked down between her legs. "I would like to offer you that position."

A soft smile caressed her lips once more and finally she lifted her head to look back up at him, "As my lord wishes," she breathed softly her eyes meeting his once more, "I can't see myself in a position to argue over it," she adds, "seeing now what you are," she smiles softly, her fingers moving to his lips for a minute to brush her blood from his lips, bring her fingers to her own to clean the blood from them before looking up at him. What do you wish of me?" She asks softly as she moves to check her neck before readjusting her shirt once sure he had been clean enough to keep the wound small and stop its bleeding before with drawing, her own eyes drifting down to where he still fills her, not moving as she looks up at him once more.

He smiled down upon her, seeing her ample breasts within her shirt. He brought his hand up and moved it over her breasts as if caressing them in admiration. "I wish for you to serve me with complete, unquestioning loyalty. I wish you to feed me when I need to be fed, and in so doing you'll know me more intimately than any wife could know a husband. There will certain deeds you'll need to carry out, but you said that you've been trained in weaponry. In return for such service, I shall watch over you, protect you, provide for you as though you are the greatest treasure the world has ever known. I shall confide in you everything. You will secretly oversee all of Longden Castle and will have free reign to do whatever you see fit to anyone therein, except for my wife. His large, powerful hand moved against her breast and then came up over her chest and cheek, to cup her cheek lovingly. "And...I shall love you in a way I can love no other," he added in a voice so deep and seductive.

She eyes softened at his words and she licked her lips, shivering in pleasure at the touch, "For you my lord," she breathed, "anything," she answered softly, and moved to kiss him gently once more, still not moving from his touch. "I will perform for you in everyway I can," she promised and brushed her dark hair back over her shoulder.

He brought his mouth to hers and kissed her in a way that already showed his love for her, for now it was not rough, but loving and lingering on her lips. He slowly felt himself emerge from her body, and he pulled his under shorts and pants back up and fastened his belt. "Do you wish more to eat, my love?"

"Yes please," she nods, still very hungry, as she slowly straightened her own clothing, setting her g-string and skirt back in place before slowly slipping back down onto her seat, settling herself once more.

He pulled his chair close to hers and pulled her plate close, but noticed that it is now cold. "I cannot have you eat a cold dinner. It would be disgraceful for my lady to suffer so." He stood up and tore back the curtain. "The food is cold!" he announced loudly to a waiter. Bring my lady a hot meal immediately!" The lad nodded and ran off to the kitchen, quick to return with a new serving of freshly prepared food. He took the cold plates away. Talomar closed the deep red curtain once again. "There, my love....nothing but the best for you from this moment on."

She smiled softly, "Such service you will have me spoiled, I fear what work you will have for me to pay for such kindness," she answers softly moving to pick up her fork once more, going back to the meal, sitting as close to Talomar as she could without actually leaving her seat.

As she ate he moved his face lovingly against her hair to get her scent, ravishing her without hardly touching her. "My wife might be the Countess, but you I shall treat as a queen." He enjoyed watching the way she was enjoying the meal. His own appetite had been satisfied by her blood. "It is good for you to eat such red meat. It will keep your strength up, for at times when you feed me, you might feel a bit weak and faint afterwards."

Maria smiles slightly and looks up at him, "Of that I have no doubt, but take what you will of me, I have been taught much of your kind and how to avoid you, but I must say the teachings only made me hunger more for it. I must say it was much more pleasurable then anything I have ever felt before," she breathed. "But what do I call you?" She asked softly, "and in what company?"

"When we are alone," he whispered seductively, "and you are feeding me, you must call me 'my love'. At times when you are actually in performance of the valet duty, you may call me 'my lord'. In public it shall always be 'my lord', or 'Count" or 'Lord Talomar'. That is very important, for image must be kept up at all times so that the common people maintain their proper respect and attitude. It's that simple really. I'm but a simple man beneath this lordly exterior. And you, in our intimate moments, shall be called, 'my love' by me, or other endearing terms as I deem proper. At other times, and especially in public, you will be Lady Maria or Lady Copperfield, or Madame Copperfield in certain circles, it has a bit more of the air of mystery and power to it, don't you think?"

She smiles at him, "It does my lord," she nods, "though mystery is something I have never truly been cloaked in," she added as she nibbled on the last bite of meat on her plate.

"Really? I'm surprised, for I find you *very* mysterious, and there is still more of you that I want to enjoy discovering."

She smiles and nods as she sits back dismissing what was left of the meal, "I hope to be able to keep that attention, I would hate to out live my usefulness." she states, knowing if she did it would probably cost her life.

He smiled, "I doubt that will ever happen, my love." He touched her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers. "Tonight I wish for you to sleep with me in my bed. Tomorrow I shall introduce you to the staff and you shall remodel Philippe's room as you wish, for his suite is now to be yours, and it is a most excellent suite. When not attending me, you are free to do as you wish and go where you wish, whether it be the Inn or anywhere else."

She nods again, "Thank you my," she pauses and smiles softly, "my love," she breaths softly, half excited by the words as she moves to give him a light gentle kiss once more, "I will owe you so much, and I would love to share you bed," she adds softly.

He smiled and kissed her again, his tongue licking the taste of the meal off her lips and tongue and teeth. "My love..." he whispered, "it is time we go home."

She nodded, "I would fallow you anywhere," she answered and quickly swallowed down the last of the wine before moving to stand.

(Edited for content)

He helped her with her chair, then pulled back the curtain. They walked to the exit and each of the staff they passed, bowed and expressed their wishes that the couple had enjoyed their meal. Talomar, of course, said that they enjoyed it immensely. In fact, that it was the best meal he ever had. Their coats were presented and Talomar helped Maria on with hers. Shortly their carriage was at the door and ready for them to enter.

Maria was a little tired but other then that she seemed fine after her donation to him, she still seemed perfectly bright and alert as she approached the carriage, slipping inside and to her seat settling in there once more and stifling a yawn as she settled in happily.

Talomar climbed in along side of her. "Why don't you lay in my arms as we travel home. You can then sleep while I caress your body." He tapped the roof of the carriage with the end of his walking stick and the carriage moved forward.

She smiled softly and moved to do just that, laying out against him, her eyes drifting shut never having felt so safe in her life, even with her own family.

As she laid in his arms he put a travel blanket over her and he coddled her and kissed her, and caressed her legs beneath the blanket with his hand. She had such incredibly smooth, sexy legs; and it did so enjoy touching them. Nothing would ever harm this woman. She was now in his care, and if any soul would dare to lift weapon or fist or even voice against her, that person would quickly pay with his or her life.

She settled under his touch drifting towards sleep in his arms as she automatically spread her legs for him once more, despite sleep starting to steal her away from him.

All through the ride his hand stayed on her crotch as if protecting his personal property. He enjoyed the feel of her. When they finally arrived at the castle, he picked her up in his arms as though she weighed nothing at all. He dismissed the servants carried her to his room which was separate from Lady Longden's room. He laid her upon his bed and smiled down upon her.

She settled on his bed, looking up at him through half closed eyes, just barly waking as she reached out a hand for him.

"One moment, my love," he said. He removed all his clothes and stood before her, naked. His body was perfect - toned and strong in a way that was supernatural. He then proceeded to seductively undress her.

She never took her eyes off him as he undressed himself then her, her own body was perfectly toned, if not a touch bit thin, her dark hair spilling around her head in a halo the rest of her body hairless as she looked up at him with dark eyes.

When he finished undressing her, he just looked down upon her body, inspecting her with the appreciation one might give a priceless piece of artwork. She was his - he knew it and she knew it. And he would have her - now!

She watched him in silence before sliding up from where he had her lain, moving to kiss his chest working her way down his body. She slowly left a wet trail down his body until reaching his manhood. She knew how to give a man pleasure, and for that she would always be greatly rewarded. His back arched and his eyes closed as she gave him pleasure. His fingers found their way into her hair as he held her head against him.

Maria grunted softly as she felt him hold her in place, as she continued to give him the pleasure she could, doing her best to take him fully, his size making it difficult to accommodate his fullness.

The sensations she gave him was like nothing he had ever experience. This was truly a very talented woman and he was already pleased with his choice of personal valet. His fingers in her hair and holding her there to receive all he had to give her. The small woman was quick to take him deeply, never once trying to escape or fight his touch, fully accepting of him as she was in the restaurant, willing to let him have his way.

His heart was racing and his breathing was hard; and when he had finished he laid her out on her back and brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her deeply. This woman had so quickly won a special place in his heart.

Maria returned the kiss with vigor, her fingers curling into his hair as she slowly broke the kiss, her tongue brushing over his lips before she met his gaze and smiled softly at him, "Are you sated my love?" She asks softly of him, her dark eyes never leaving his.

He held her face in his hands, looking down into her eyes with his intensely dark ones, his hair hanging down over them, and his supernaturally strong body leaning over hers. His mouth was open in what might be described as lust...or extreme hunger. He was falling for her like a suicide off a bridge, and he knew this woman would be in his bed often. "I've never been more satiated, my love. Tell me what I can do for you. What do you want? What can I give to you?"

A softened smile caressed her lips, it had been the last thing she had expected; she had figured he would get what he wanted and let that be it. "Please my love," she muttered softly, "you do so turn me on, and I have seen to your needs," her muttered longingly as she drew him into another kiss, her hips moving to rub against his, she''s wet with need once more.

(Edited for content)

Her wish was as a command to him, for there nothing he wouldn't give her if it were in his power to do so. His mouth opened on hers in a kiss that let her know his thoughts were totally upon her. His hand moved over her breasts, moving in circles, pressed against them, feeling her hard nipples against the palm of his hand. Then he lowered his hand. He wanted her.

Maria whimpered with need, opening her legs even more for him, all but begging him to continue as she nipped softly at his lip. "Please," she breathed softly once the kiss was broke, her body trembling in need.

His mouth went down her chin, to her neck and to her breasts. He could feel her body respond to what he was doing to her. Maria groaned at his touch, rocking her hips against him, pressing her breast harder against his lips as she whimpered at his teasing touch, looking for more.

He moved his legs between hers and began to kiss her body, moving down her check to her stomach with little licks and nibbles. His fingers danced in light movements over her inner thighs. His face moved lower until it was pressed against her private area. He savored her taste and scent and the arousal was already being noticed in his manhood.

Maria's head pressed back into the pillows as she groaned hotly, her hips rocking, her fingers curling into the bed sheets as she moved against him, her voice crying out her pleasures wanting him all the more as he started her towards her climax, her body shivering in need of him.

Maria cried out her pleasure as her body convulsed against his tongue, her climax ripping through her, her hand wrapping into his hair suddenly, tugging him all the more against her as she rocked her hips hard against him, her body shivering with the waves of pleasure before she collapsed back to the bed, gasping for air and fighting an exhausted sleep that was trying to steal her away from Talomar

He got up off the bed and went to his toilet parlor and cleaned up. He came back with a towel and washcloth with warm water and began to wash her and dry her so that she might sleep comfortably. He then put fragrance oil upon his hands. "Please, allow me to do this for you, my love," and he begin to rub her body as she laid there with closed eyes and on the brink of sleep.

Maria barely opened her eyes to look up at Talomar, a feeling of deepening love soaking into wearied flesh, she had never been treated so well, especially by the men she bedded, she was use to being kicked off to some harem or to return to her guild home. But he was different and she knew with this kind of treatment, not only would she be devoted to him, but deeply in love with him as she let his touch sooth and calm her, a soft smile touching her weiry lips as she let her eyes drift shut slowly once more, "Thank you my love," she purred softly.

When he was finished, he tossed aside the washcloth and towel, climbed into bed next to her, and pulled up the covers against the chill of the night. In the morning he'd have to see to his wife, but this night belonged to his new valet. Yet she was more than that. She had fed him with her life-giving blood and had become his in every sense. For that, she would be his special treasure, and would be greatly rewarded in this life. He put out the oil lamp and curled up against her, his mouth near her ear, "Good night, my love," he whispered.

"Good night," she purred softly, curled into his arms, feeling the safety of his touch and keeping her neck exposed to him in case he chose to feed again through the night as she nestled in against him.

Maria's eyes troubled eyes locked on his once more and she nodded quickly, "Anything, please my love, just please not what you were going to do," she answers softly, her fingers tightening slightly on the restraints, watching him.

"Anyone else would have been branded in that fashion, even my wife; but you, my love, are different. For you I will do something else. Only for you." He kissed her lips tenderly. "Only for you," he whispered against her lips.

She nodded her understanding, that he was doing this very special for her, and she was more then grateful, if anything the whole incident was driving him deeper into her heart, she should have been running by now, but she wasn''t, she wanted to be with him more now, she felt more loved. And she loved him all the more for it.

He held her face and dried her tears with the towel. "I'm sorry I frightened you and made you cry, dear heart. You are more important to me than anything else in this world. I would rather kill myself than hurt you." He bent down and picked up the knife and cup. "I shall return in a minute." He put away the knife and emptied the contents of the cup in the bathroom sink. He then opened his safe and removed a black box that was about 10-inches square and two inches thick. He brought it over to her.

She watched his movements, but did not move, not that she could have had she wanted to. She was thankful for his attentions, she wanted more of them and she eyed the box curiously but held her tongue from questioning its contents, as long as it wasn''t another knife.

"This has not been used in 200 years," he said as he opened the box. Inside was a molded, red velvet circle, and within the depression of the mold was a shiny black leather collar with silver filigree in an intricate black work design that made the collar more like a piece of jewelry than anything else. At the front of the collar was the same stylized "T" that he had intended to brand her with. The "T" was in silver. He touched the "T" and mumbled a word that only he knew, and the combination of the two split the collar at the "T" as if someone took a knife and cut the "T" down the middle. "No one has seen this in 200 years. It had belonged to a very special person." He didn't not mention Dominique. It was not time. "This is to be yours, my love."

She watched him in curiosity, her eyes on what he was doing, wonder on her face, "Mine?" She looked at the collar, acceptance written in her features, "I would be... I am honored," she answered softly.

He took the collar and tossed the box on the bed. He brought the collar about her neck and closed it at the "T". He stood back and looked at her. His breathing quickened and his look was like that of an archeologist who had just opened a tomb and discovered the treasure of a lifetime. He moved in quickly and brought his mouth on hers, kissing her with more passion than he ever had before.

Maria was quick to return the kiss, again fighting the restraints, wanting to bury her fingers in his hair, to pull him close as she raised her head slightly to deepen the kiss, her tongue moving to his mouth, the slightest taste of her own blood on her lips where she had bitten it only a short few minutes prior.

He continued to kiss her as worked at his clothes, pulling off the red shirt that he wore in case there'd be blood being spurted about. He stripped his pants and brought his body against her. His hands went down to her butt, squeezing her tight butt with his fingers.

Maria groaned hotly, her lips pressing tightly to his, her kisses deep and accepting before she groaned against him, "Oh please my love, please, you have me so hot," she breathed, "I need you, I burn for you," she gasped body more then ready to accept him.

"I need you, too, my love...my desire." In one slow, long motion he pressed into her until he lifted her right off her feet, her legs still spread wide by the chains at her ankles. His hands removed the collar with the whispered word, and his mouth came down onto her neck, biting her without fangs.

Maria gasped then groaned in need, her body trembling in need, she was so close to her climax that every never in her body felt as if they were electrified as she tried to move against him, to draw him deeper into her.

"I need you," he gasped. "I need the nourishment only you can give me." His eyes reddened and his fanged sharpened, and he drove them into her neck.

Maria cried out, his bite sending her into orgasm, fresh tears, this time of pleasure wet her cheek as her voice cried out against the walls of his room.

He reached out and grabbed the chains above her hands and pulled up so that once again she was totally supported on him. He slowly removed his fangs, having had his full. He just laid his head on her shoulder. "I love you, my darling. I love you so much."

Maria whimpered softly as he withdrew his fangs and shivered in pleasure once more, the feeling deeply erotic and leaving her feeling strangely empty, and yet more deeply in tune to the man in front of her as she gasped for air, her hands curling against the chains holding her wrists and faint metallic scent of blood lingering in the air from where she had cut her wrists in her struggles. "I love you too my lord," she gasped softly, "my master," she breathed.

He smiled and reached up to her left wrist and turned the clasp that released the manacle. He did the same with the right one. "Put your arms around my shoulders," he said. "I want to look into your eyes."

She did as she was told, leaning back slightly too look him in the eye, and at this level she was on even height with him, her eyes are dark and loving with just the slightest tint of worry in her gaze as she watches him, focusing on his face.

"You looked concerned, my darling. There's nothing to be concerned about. You have shown me your loyalty unlike anything I've seen before. You have demonstrated that you'd do anything for me, and for that loyalty you have a special position in my heart." He slid limply out of her, then reached down and released both her ankles. "There is one more think that I must tell you."

She moves to get her feet under her and visibly swoons slightly, catching the bed post to stop from falling, "What''s that?" she asks softly, closing her eyes for a moment as she tries to regain her equilibrium.

He watched her holding the bed post. "The brand that was to be on your thigh was permanent and you would not have had to worry about it once it healed. This collar is different. There are times when I will have to remove it. When those times are over, such as in the morning or after a feeding such as now, you are to immediately retrieve the collar and bring it to me and say, 'Master, my collar. Please put it back on me.' Do you understand that?"

She nodded and slowly opened her eyes once more looking up at Tal, her eyes a little dark as she looks around for where the collar had ended up in their love making. "Of course my love," she answers.

"Well?" He nodded to where the collar laid upon the bed.

Her eyes light as she sees the collar and quickly scoops it up turning back to him, smiling, "Master, my collar. Please put it back on me," she mewed seductively, offering up the collar, her eyes never leaving the beauty of his face as she repeats his words perfectly.

He smiled approvingly and took the collar from her. "You are so good, my love. You are perfection in my sight." He put the collar around her neck and fastened it. "You look beautiful in it, my love. You must be exhausted from all this. Let us lie down together for an hour or two." He lifted her in his arms and danced her around the room. "I couldn't ask for a better valet. You put Philippe to shame!" He laid her in his bed and slid in next to her and took her into his arms, kissing her lips. "I love you, Madame Copperfield."

She smiles at him, "I love you to my master," she breaths softly and licks his lip just slightly almost playfully if not for how weak she was suddenly feeling, "Thank you my love for not hurting me," she added gently, curling deep into his arms and his protection.

"I never want to hurt you, and as long as you obey me, I'll never have to." He held her in his arms, kissing and caressing her. "Just close your eyes and I'll protect you as you sleep."

She settled against him, once more allowing him to order her to action, her eyes drifting shut and basking in his touch and his strength she allowed sleep to steal her from him once more.

(Originally posted by Maria in "Sweetness in Shadows", Spring 2006)

VACATIONS AND TIME AWAY

It was raining, pouring actually, Maria looked up at the big drops of rain that were spilling down over her, pattering on her jacket and on Kyuusai, who had his head low and ears pinned, he was a very unhappy animal, first the winter cold, now this wet break in the snowy days giving the roads a slippery slushy surface. Maria couldn't help but smile at the poor horse, his brown leather saddle long turned black in the wet weather. Maria herself was soaked to the bone, it was her day off, she had given up the skirt and white blouse today for black leather pants, a black silk blouse and a black ground length leather jacket, the high collar, doing little to keep out the wet, even her boots, a pair of slightly heeled black leather knee high boots, buckled in three places along her calf, had grown wet inside.

Maria sniffed indignantly, at least it was warm. She had left the castle fairly early that morning, but not until Tal had excused himself for the day to do the jobs he did everyday, Maria had watched his carriage go before the rain had started, and found herself wondering once more when he ever got his stallion out of the barn. She was now wondering the seedier part of Rhy-Din, a blank little piece of real estate that held shops and market displays off all kind. People huddled outside, shouting at her over the rain in her passing, trying to sell this item or that to her. She ignored them all, she was here for a reason and little had to do with anything these people were selling.

Kyuusai nickered softly beside her and bumped her arm as if to try and convince her to turn back but Maria's eyes were firmly set on her destination and she lead the horse to the hitching post outside the massive brownstone. The horse pranced as she secured him and Maria reached out a hand, speaking soothing words in Arabic, and offered the horse a tidbit of food before crossing to approach the massive hinged doors. She lifted the knocker, letting it bang down dully on the gold temped plate that shielded the door from damage. She waited in the rain, looking back over her shoulder and blinking rain from her eyes, it was coming down hard enough that she could not see hardly anything just the shadow of her horse unhappily wilting in the rain and the dull glow of the closest streetlight, which was fine by her, anyone close enough to be seen had their noses in business that was not theirs.

At last the massive door behind her opened as if in a will of its own, and Maria turned to peer into the gloom of the house, not for the first time wishing she had her love's ability to see in low light. Maria stepped inside, pausing a moment to ring water fro her hair and shake it from her coat before crossing the rest of the way over the threshold. She paused there to look around,candles lighting around her by unseen hands, then down the hall to her left. Maria bolstered herself with a deep breath and moved to follow the light down the hall, her boots making a muted noise on the carpet below her feet, and there was that feeling again, one that made her want to drop to her knees and present her throat.

"A lovely gift that would make," the voice came from no where and answered her thoughts and an aged hand curled around Maria's throat from behind bringing her to a quick stop, a movement against her hair and she could feel the chilled breath on the back of her neck as cold as the fingers wrapped around her throat, "You smell delicious my pet...such...strong blood, makes me long for my last meal," she felt a brush of teeth on her neck and Maria closed her eyes, fighting the urge to fight back, to try and escape, her mind screaming at him to stop. His fingers tightened more on her neck, forcing her chin up and to the side, exposing her neck to him, "I can hear your heart," he whispered, his lips so close she could feel them brush her flesh, "your sweet blood pumping through your veins," he moved closer still as Maria shivered choking under his hold as he sniffed her again. There was a pause and suddenly she was on her knees as if a great force had pushed her there and like a cold wind passing he was gone, she barely saw him, like a flickering shadow in the light of the candles, beckoning her.

"Come my pet, do not leave a master waiting," his voice hauntingly trailed down the hall to her and Maria quickly clamored to her feet and moved to follow the light, for her attacker was long from sight. Finally she came to the end of the hall and into a large room the door slamming shut behind her made her jump and she turned to look, before turning back to the room and let out a startled yell at the man standing not two feet in front of her, she could have sworn a moment ago the room was empty, and before she could look closely at him he seemed to have vanished, or move, now he stood on the other side of the room, some twenty feet from her, unfurling his cloak he sat as if a king and watched her before beckoning her forward, "Come pet, come closer, old eyes have seen you well, but I think you still wish to see me, no?"

Maria found herself nodding as if she had no choice but to answer and crossed the room towards him, her steps seeming automatic and at ten feet he held up a hand stopping her dead in her tracks, "I think that is close enough, you may kneel," he swept his hand to take in where she was and as if he had pulled a string she found herself on her knees looking up at him. Now she could see him, and older man, with ashen skin, white hair, sunken eyes and drawn lips. His features as if carved from some sort of leather and etched in careful detail. His eyes were yellow gold that seemed to bore into her soul. He wore a robe of blood red and a cloak of the same, etched in black and gold, giving the sense of flowing blood, and he watched her as her gaze traveled him, his hands too were ash gray and his feet which were bare, the nails on both hand and feet were longer and pointed and black as the darkest night.

-= to be continued =-

Maria's feet moved swiftly down the stairs and into the rain once more, hauling her coat collar up and pausing at Kyuusai's side long enough to slip the bottle and the gift away in her saddle bags before she untied the horse and mounted smoothly. She paused in the rain, the leather saddle creaking softly under her as she looked at the house before turning the horse from it and urging him away. Only now did she realize how close she had come to dying in there, and how lucky she had been to have had Tal feed on her so often. If not for Talomar's small scars and smell about her, she was sure she would have been drained for entering the Ancient's house. She shivered at the thought, all she wanted now was to get this final business over with and get home.

Maria entered the inn dressed completely different than usual with leather pants and knee-high slightly heeled leather boots with three buckles on the outside edge of the boot from ankle to knee, matching black silk blouse, lose fitting as always and floor length black leather jacket, the high collar turned up against the cold and wet. Her lips as always are painted blood red and those dark eyes take in everything. She headed for the bar, boot heels heard on the wood floors as she approached.

"Good afternoon there, mind if I get ya something? Food drink, room whatever within reason?" the bar tender asked.

Maria leans on the bar and smirks, "Rice wine."

"Rice wine, no problem." He quickly ducked under the side entrance while speaking with Maria. "Just a glass or goblet's worth, or the whole bottle?"

"Just the glass."

Popping back up with the bottle and reaching up to grab a glass and pour the wine for her. "I'm not charging so it's all good. Hell, this ain't my job really anyway, just caught me at the right time."

Maria nodded and picked up the glass, "Thanks."

"You're most welcome just ask me if ya need something else." He grinned to Maria

"That's good for now, thanks." She sipped her drink quietly and moved to her back seat to watch the room, still at the bar. She glanced at Keaton as he entered and nodded to him in greeting, but said nothing. She shifted in her seat curling her nose at the strong scent of blood, one of Talomar's gifts to her, and glanced a the woman. She sipped her drink and watched the bar quietly, and after a while finished off the glass of wine and set the empty on the bar.

"Get you a refill?" the tender asked

"Sure one more wouldn't hurt," she nodded. He refilled her drink quickly and she nodded again and picked up the glass and sipped the wine.

The Count stood at the door and flicked snow off his sleeves with a few swipes of the back of his fingers, then kicked his boots on the door sill to loosen the snow, then entered. Snow flakes were still in his long black hair and on his shoulders as the door closed behind him and he glanced about the Inn...having felt Maria's presence before he even entered.

Maria lifted her gaze at her lover's entrance and smiled across at him, fighting the urge to go to him to take his coat as she normally did. He automatically waited for Maria to take his coat, scarf, and gloves, then remember that she has vacation time, so he hung his own garments. Maria's smile grew slightly at his hesitation, not moving from her seat and trying real hard not to chuckle. Talomar fumbled with his coat, not used to have to do this himself, realizing yet again how much he appreciates Maria as she slips from her chair, chuckling softly and moves to her loves side, "Can I give you a hand my love," her voice a whisper meant only for him.

Talomar turned to her and smiled, "I guess I look pretty helpless."

"You do, but that's okay," she grinned and helped him off with his coat and took his gloves and scarf, hanging them in place.

Talomar turned to Maria and put his arms around her waist as she hung his coat, a kiss was placed on the the back of her neck. She shivered at his touch, remembering too clearly the close call earlier this morning, and smiled up at him, "I have something for you," she purred.

His lips were next to his love's ear...his voice low and dark as he whispered "You have something for me?"

She grined, "I do," she nodded, and leaned back against him slightly, "A gift, two actually."

Talomar wondered if she meant her breasts as she leaned back against him...such lovely gifts they are and whispered, "I know you are greatly gifted, but what could they be?"

Maria grinned, "Nothing that you have had already, at least, not really," she grinned, her fingers entwining in his pressing something small into the palm of his hand.

Talomar knew it could not be her body since it was something he hadn't had already...he felt something go into his hand. "What have you given me, my darling?" He looked at the gift she pressed in his hand. In his hand was a silver chain in the middle of the chain was the vile a cylinder with intricate silver design on the top and bottom encasing the blood red cylinder, one ounce of her blood, an intricate M was inlaid in the silver tendrils.

"A gift," she answered with a grin.

He carefully looked at the gift and a smile came to him as he realized what it was. "You are too good to me, Maria." He kissed the vial and placed the chain around his neck, letting the vial hang on his bare chest. He whispered, "Thank you, my love." Then he placed a kiss upon her lips.

-= to be continued =-

The evening came quickly, and Count Talomar Longden came home from the West End office and barely had time to be shower, shave and dress in his usual impeccable fashion, setting him apart (as usual) from all the other rift raft of Rhydin. He was down in the huge foyer as the great clock at the castle entrance rang 7:00 p.m. There he waited for Maria.

Maria had learned if anything in her time with Talomar, it was that you were never late for anything the Lord of the castle told you a time for. She had come home early to prepare, bathing for sometime to relax a bit and cleaning her hair and taking the time to see to perfect body as she always did for him before preparing herself for the evening. Tonight she would not look the part of valet and she did not. As the clock struck seven, her 'slippered' foot touched the step, and her hand held the skirt from being under the delicate shoe's toe and stopping her from taking a tumble down the stairs. Her delicate hand on the rail as she walked the steps, her hair pulled up and off her neck to spill in little pattern back down from the bun it had been placed in at the top of her head. Her lips as always a blood red, her eyes lightly colored to bring out the dark depths, the dress itself was of the most delicate of silks and velvets, red as beep and crimson as fresh blood, with hints of black and gold to bring forth a touch of design and color. The skirts were floor length and flowing, the top hugged her trim stomach and curving heavy chest and at her neck, instead of his collar was a gold and pearl necklace with the same ornate 'T' as was on her collar, done in gold to match.

He watched her come down the steps and he swallowed back the emotion in his throat. She was absolutely the most beautiful woman he has ever beheld, and she took his breath away. When she arrived at the floor, had he not been married to Lani, he would have ushered Maria into the chapel and married her on the spot. He took her hand in his and kissed the back of it while looking into her eyes. "Maria, you look absolutely stunning. I can hardly breathe. I fear the restaurant I selected is not suitable for such beauty; for even a king's palace would be put to shame with the glory you'd bring to it this evening."

Maria smiled softly and inclined her head in a slight bow at his compliment, "Thank you my love, I rarely get the chance to present myself in such a way to you, I wished to make you very happy this night," she answered looking up at him, her dark eyes meeting his.

He smiled a most handsome smile, "Just seeing you here at this moment has already made me a most happy man, for I now realize just how rich a man I am." He helped her with the coat a servant was holding out. He then took his own coat and hat from two other servants, and gloves from a third. A fourth and fifth were at the front doors to open them and escort the couple to the waiting carriage that was warmed inside with hot bricks beneath the seats. "Let us go, my love."

Maria slipped on her own delicate gloves and moved to pull her cloak around her before nodding to Tal and heading out the door, letting the servants escort them to the carriage and open the door, she slipped inside, carefully knocking what little snow had collected on her boots from the cleared walk, before stepping fully into the carriage and sitting quietly as she waited for her love and lord.

After tapping off his boots he entered right behind her and sat next to her. A servant handed him a carriage blanket and closed the door. Tal put the blanket over their legs as the carriage started forward. The carriage wheels made little sound as they rolled, except for the light crunch of the snow getting backed beneath them. The snow was coming down harder now than earlier, and it looked like Rhydin was heading for it's first blizzard of the year. Tal took Maria's hand in his. He could smell her delicious fragrance, and knew she would be hard to resist long enough to have their dinner. Yet, he would try. "I've been looking forward to this dinner with you. The Countess had a wound to her head and I've told her to stay in the castle. So, my love, it's just you and I."

Maria smiled softly, curling against him, "I have so looked forward to this, time to be alone with you without worrying about jobs being done or not done," she smiled sweetly, "and I cannot wait to get there, I fear my hunger will consume me if I do not eat soon."

"Well, then we must hurry, for I want nothing to consume the woman I love except for me." With words unspoken he signaled the dark driver who always kept his face hidden within the cowl of his black cape. The carriage moved faster and within thirty-five minutes they were pulling up in front of the "Highlander Hotel and Resort" on the outskirts of the city, overlooking the banks of the ocean. At this time of night there was nothing to seen but blackness and wind driven snow. The carriage door opened and Tal emerged first and held out his hand for Maria, while holding his hat on with the other hand.

Maria slipped her hand into Tal's and let him help her down, a first sense they have met. She folds her cloak around her against the chill, raising her collar and looked up at Talomar, letting him lead the way.

Without delay he led her to the main doors that were recessed in the circular drive in front of the Highlander. Valets opened the door for the distinguished couple and they entered. Tal escorted Maria past the reception desk to the restaurant that was decorated on the outside in dark woods and brass and a large sign with the restaurant's name carved with gold inlay. Their coats were checked and they were escorted through the elegant dining area whose interior had subdued light so that the guests could enjoy the outside view, which usually clearly showed the cliffs and ocean. Tonight it was only snow being driven again the window at an enormous rate.

Maria paused at their seat to glance out at the snow, her brow furrowing slightly at the brewing storm, "Looks like its going to be a bad night for anyone stuck outside," she moved to take her seat as their waiter held her chair for her, carefully sweeping her skirts beneath her and nodding her thanks to the man behind her.

Talomar sat at her side so that they both had a view of the outside. A candle burned on their table. Other tables were filled with guests of the hotel and resort. "You are right, Maria. I wonder if we are also to be stuck here. I might request a room, just in case."

She smiled at Talomar and nodded, "A wise idea I think," she nodded and delicately snatched a piece of buttered bread from the basket and tore a small piece from it to lay on her tongue, chewing slowly and glanced at her love.

When the waiter came to pour their wine, Talomar whispered to him to arrange for them to have "the honeymoon suite" on the top floor, overlooking the ocean. When the server left Tal took his glass and raised it to Maria, "To a wonderful and memorable evening together!"

She raised her glass to touch his before sipping the drink and curling her nose slightly, "Tastes like the wine you got me drunk on," she mutters and sniffs the drink before taking another drink.

He laughed, "It's similar, and I pray it has the same effect."

Maria smirked, "Looking to get me drunk again my love?" She purred and set the glass on the table.

He bit his lip to keep from smiling too much. "Of course I am. I love they way you get after a drink or two." He lifted a menu and presented it to her. "What are you in the mood for tonight?"

Maria reached for the menu and slipped it open, her eyes looking over the words and thinking it over, not really sure what she would like as she sees many dishes she has never had before and finally looks at Talomar, "I'm not sure, perhaps you should order, I always like what you choose."

"Okay, I'll order for us both." He signaled the waiter over. "The lady will have your chicken marsala, which I understand to be second to none. I'll have the salmon with the raspberry sauce." The server nodded and left. "You'll love it, Maria. It's excellent."

Maria watched him go then looked at Tal and smiled softly and nodded, "I have no doubt my love," she nodded and took another small bite of the bread, just loving being there with him.

He reached and took her hand in his and just caressed her fingers and hand and wrist as they looked out the window. "I'm glad we're getting a room. I don't think the horses could pull the carriage through all this snow."

Maria smiled, "Speaking of horses, my love," she grinned at him playfully, trailing off.

"Yes? What is it?"

"When was the last time you went riding?" She asked leaning on her hand to watch him, still smiling playfully.

He thought about it for a while. "Well, I had my riding boots on a few days ago with the intention to ride, but I never did. It's been a month or two I would guess."

Maria grinned, "I think we should go riding my love, one of these days, give both our poor horses the chance to stretch stall cramped legs."

"I think that would be wonderful, and in a snow trail through the forest around the castle. I would love it."

Maria smiled softly and nodded picking up her wine and taking another drink, reminding herself of why she had set it down in the first place and once more sets it on the table, "Then we'll have to do that," she purrs, "its too bad its not summer though, the ride could be so much more fun."

"I think that we'll just have to go riding on a regular basis, in every season." Their dinners arrived, the entrees and all the added items for both the salmon and chicken marsala.

Maria sat back as the plate was set before her, her eyes going over the food there and waited for the waiter to go once more before picking up her fork and moving to test a little of each side and the chicken on her plate. As expected she did like it and moved to start into the meal.

"This looks good. And I'm famished."

Maria grinned at Count Longden, knowing that feeling, she had been starving herself, but she took her time on the meal, not wanting to make a pig of herself, "It is a lovely meal," she agreed.

A piano player began his next set in the background, the muffled sounds of other conversations continued, Tal sipped his wine and ate his meal, enjoying every moment with Maria, continuously look at how beautiful she is and feeling so proud to be with her.

Maria glanced back at the sound of the piano then looked at Tal and blushed slightly at a sudden thought and ducked her head going back to her meal.

He saw her thinking something as he chewed on the delicious salmon. "What were you thinking, my love?"

Maria's blush grew a little, "I was wondering if you danced," she answered softly, between bites.

A smile slowly came to his face. Having grown up in a family of class and title, he was forced to be part of many social functions and dancing was part of his instruction. "Well, I'm a little rusty, but I think I could manage without damaging you too much," he said with a wink.

She looked up at him and smiled, "May we?" She asked excitedly, she hadn't danced in years.

He dabbed his lips with his napkin, set it down, stood up and took Maria's hand. "I would love to." He walked her over to the small dance floor that was near the piano. No one else was dancing, but he didn't care.

Maria allowed him to lead her from their meal and to the floor, why not, this was probably the most romantic time she would ever have with him, she was going to take advantage of it as she slipped forward to take his hand and rest her other in his shoulder, letting him lead.

His right hand was firmly upon her back near her shoulder blade, his left held her right hand at eye level, and on the first of the beat he left with his left foot and they began a simple foxtrot about the floor, knowing that many eyes were on them. His eyes were on Maria's, ignoring all else. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she whispered and smiled softly as she matched him step for step, smiling brightly at him, loving this time with him, "Thank you my love, for all of this."

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, inhaling her fragrance. "We will have many more times like this. I promise." He noticed that two other couples were now taking the dance floor since he and Maria had broken the ice.

Maria smiled softly, "I would be most pleased to dance with you any time you asked," she grinned, "Either were both rusty or your not as bad as you claimed to be."

"You make it easy, darling. It's all coming back to me." He forgot the formality of ballroom dancing and brought his face to the side of hers so that they touched.

Maria let her hands slip from his to move around his chest, laying her hands on his back by his shoulder blades, dancing as close as she could to him.

His mouth was near her ear as he spoke, "I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you, m'lady."

She smiled softly at his words and rested her cheek against his chest, "I could remain like this until the end of time," she muttered softly.

He smiled and held her even more tightly. "Me too, sweetheart. Me too," and he truly believed that he could have and been perfectly happy. The song ended and another began. "Let's go back to the table," he whispered.

-= to be continued =-

Maria nodded and moved to step into the lobby, letting him take the lead, and following him to their room, letting him unlock the door before she moved to enter ahead of him. More habit then anything now; if someone had been in the room she would have been as good as helpless without a way to defend herself in the dress she was in with no weapons on hand.

The room already had the fireplace lit. It was a large room being the honeymoon suite. A large bed, a wonderful view of the ocean, a large fireplace in the middle of the room in a fire pit fashion. Tal closed and locked the door. "I hope this is okay."

Maria looked around her half in wonder, "This is beautiful," she answered softly and smiled back at him. "You continue to show me new sights and wonders my love. I feel like a child sometimes next to your knowledge."

"And you make me feel like a love sick school boy, Maria. Let's sit on the floor by the fire." He put all other lights out so that they could sit by the fire and see the snow.

She chuckled at his words and slipped away to gather one of the blankets off the bed, setting it out for them to settle on and she smoothly slipped down onto it, watching him douse the lights and glancing out at the raging storm and smiling softly, this was all too perfect.

He sat down and motioned for her to sit between his legs, as they both would face the fire. "This is just too good."

Maria slipped to where he motioned and smiled softly, "You?re reading my mind again my love," she purred softly and settled in against his warmth and that of the fire.

He opened his shirt and took off his cuff links, and slipped his arms around her. "You look far too good tonight. Everyone's eye was upon you, and I was so proud to be there with you."

Her gaze dropped slightly listening to his words and she smiled softly once more, "I am glad, my love. I would never want you anything but proud to be with me," she answered softly and looked up at him. "I hope I met every expectation tonight."

He smiled and kissed the back of her neck, enjoying the feel of the little hair there. "You so exceeded any expectation, you were off in space."

Maria laughed and tilted her head to give him better access to her, "In space my love, if I have already reached the stars what height shall I attempt to reach next?"

He kissed her neck and nibbled there. "If you get any higher, I'll never be suitable for a woman like you." His arms held her tightly, the fire feeling good against them.

"Now that I doubt," Maria muttered softly, enjoying his touch very much, "No matter how high I climb, I do not think I will ever exceed you my love."

His hands moved over her lovely deep red-crimson dress. "I love you, Maria. I don't want to ever be without you with me."

Maria shifted under his touch, just wishing he would get her out of the annoying dress, "I know that feeling my love. I worry I would not live if I lost you," she looked up at him once more.

"You never have to worry about that." He began to undo the buttons on her dress, slowly, deliberately.

She smiled softly, "I fear it's a nagging worry that is always on my mind. Many would willingly try anything to unseat me from your affection, and others still already hold you in ways I cannot." She referred to his wife in the latter and Tara and others in the former.

"Then it just shows how much I love you." He began to push down the dress off her shoulder and there began to place kisses.

Maria smiled and chuckled softly, again tilting her head to give him free roam of her warm skin, "Yes, my love it does," she nodded and smiled softly.

He pulled down the dress off the other shoulder and began to nibble that shoulder right to her neck. "You taste so good."

Maria let out a soft sound of approval as she let the dress slip down her arms, gently tugging the sleeves off and leaving her upper body completely bare to him.

His hands moved over her breasts, feeling her warm flesh against his hands, loving the feel of them as he sucked upon her neck. "You feel so good," he whispered.

She shifted back against him and smiled softly, leaning back against his bare chest, feeling the warmth of his flesh against hers, again making a soft noise of approval and shimming the rest of the way out of the gown, leaving her only in the red lace g-string that hid nothing from view.

"That's no fair. You are free of your clothes and I still have all of mine on. This has to be remedied." He began to shed his shirt.

Maria grinned and turned around to gently push him onto his back once his shirt was off, kicking her shoes off and to the side, "Easily and wonderfully remedied my love," she muttered, starting a slow wet process of kissing her way down his chest to his naval, lapping at the depression there as she loosed his belt and pants carefully pushing them from his hips.

He was surprised to be laid upon his back, his heart nearly leap out of his chest. "You make me feel so good." The room was romantic, the night perfect. He wanted her totally.

She raised her head to glance at him again, smiling softly at him as she works her way up his body once more, dropping herself gently on his stomach, her fingers making soft patterns on his chest, "I love you, my dear master, I would do anything for you," she added with a playful smile, fingers moving down over his ribs, exploring.

He just lay there, basking in the heat and glow of the fire, hearing the howl of the blizzard outside and the light sounds of the small flakes of snow hitting against the window. "You would do anything for me? Is that really true?"

Maria looked up at his question, her fingers still trailing soft patterns over his skin, "Of course it is, my love," she answered softly.

He grinned a grin that said he had something on his mind. "You had a dessert, my love, and I didn't. Do you know what that means?" He was teasing her, loving her more than life and loving these moments together.

She blinked at the question giving him a confused look, "My love? You did not wish for anything," she pointed out.

"Oh, but you?re wrong. It's just that what I wished for couldn't be served in the restaurant."

Maria slowly smiled down at him, "I see," she purred softly, fingers resuming their exploration of her lovers sides, stomach and chest, "And what dessert do you long for my lord and master?"

"I long for the taste of you." Looking at Maria, stunned once more by her beauty.

She smiled softly at his words, "Well, seeing as I did say ?anything?," she purred, softly looking down at him, and lowering to press her lips to his, kissing him deeply.

His strong around went around her neck and shoulders, holding her into a kiss that lasted several minutes. When the kiss finally ended, he smiled, "Now I want to taste your other lips."

Maria smiled softly, and chuckled, moving to slip down off her and slipped to her feet to hook the g-string with her thumbs pulling it lightly off her hips, teasingly before rejoining him on the blanket, laying out on her back for him.

He had wanted her but he could have his dessert this way also. He shed the remainder of his clothes and rolled over on top of her and began to place kisses upon her shoulders, moving slowly down her neck, taking his time to kiss every part of her exposed body.

Maria moaned softly at his kisses, her eyes following his movements, her legs spreading for him as she anticipated his touch.

He would go very slowly down her body with kisses, taking his time on each breast, sucking and licking and teasing each nipple until it was hard, the slightest movement of his teeth over her nipples, being careful not to hurt. He continued his journey lower.

Maria moaned and whimpered needfully, her hips shifting under him, funny how she had all the patients in the world until his lips touched her, then all she longed for was for him to fill her, to full fill her every need and in the process his own.

His lips lowered to her hips, kissing and licking their way down, but instead he took the detour down her leg, taking time at her knees, her ankles, the arch of her foot, and to even suck on her toes.

Maria moaned and let out a soft noise of frustration as she looked down at him, licking her lips as she watched him play over her body, jumping at the play at her knees and feet, "Your killing me, my love, slowly and tortuously," she purred.

He started up her other leg, taking equal time with her foot, ankle, calf and knee, before moving his kisses to the inside of her thigh. He looked up at her with a grin, "I love to take my time with my dessert. I love to savor the taste and texture."

Maria smirked, "And to drive your love crazy," she purred and smiled at him, her legs spreading a little wider.

(edited for content)

-= to be continued =-