THE FIRST MEETING

Count Talomar Longden met Maria Copperfield in the Inn one afternoon and was impressed by the strength and beauty of the woman. She was Asian and described herself as a Geisha who was also trained in weaponry. A woman who new how to serve a man and attend to his every need, while also being able to exert proper deadly force when required, might be a candidate to replace his personal valet, Philippe de Bouillon. The Count struck up a conversation with the woman and invited her to dinner that evening for a full "interview".

That evening Count Talomar met Maria at the Inn and had his carriage waiting outside. Maria headed out the door with Talomar, heading for her black Arabian horse, already saddled and standing ready. He saw her lovely Arabian. "Very nice horse, but I have a carriage for us. Would you allow me to rein him to the back of the carriage?

Maria looked across at his carriage and nodded, "Of course." The carriage was jet black, pulled by six black horses. A driver was up in the seat, but neither said anything nor moved to look. Talomar reined her horse to the back of the carriage, then opened the door for Maria, helping her up with his hand holding hers, catching a very good look at her legs. She was not at all shy as she climbed into the carriage holding her skirts from her feet as she climbed in, then moved to sit comfortably in the carriage.

He closed her door and took a deep breath, wondering if he should extract from her what he needed right in the carriage and dispense with the dinner. He will have to see. He walked around the opposite side, entered the carriage and signaled the driver without a word.

Maria glanced at Talomar, "So tell me sir, do you do this often? Picking up strange women?"

He smiled and brushed his hair back off his shoulder as the wagon moved along the streets of Rhydin. "Picking up strange women?" he repeated back with a surprised, questioning tone. "Of course not. It's something I would never do. You, Mariah, are hardly what I would call "strange", at least not in the less desirable connotation of the word. And this is not picking you up. I'm merely exposing you to one of the finer eating establishments in this city." He opened a cabinet in the coach and pulled out a bottle of fine cognac. He poured some into a small glass and handed it to her. Another was poured for himself. "It's best to have a drink before enjoying a dinner."

Maria accepted the glass with a smile and nod, "Thank you," she answered softly, waiting for him to pour himself the drink before looking up at him," Shall we drink to something?" she asked softly.

"Yes, we should. Let's drink to..." he grinned, his dark eyes smiling most handsomely, "...to a very satisfying evening."

She nods and rises her glass to his, touching them lightly, "A VERY satisfying evening," she smiles seductively before rising the glass to her lips sipping the liquid, never taking her eyes from his.

He also sips the amber liquid while not taking his eyes off of hers, the cognac warming him, making his lips tingle from the high alcohol content. "Mmm...cognac is most certainly a gift from the gods," he grinned, "as I believe you also are. I would like to learn all about you, Maria." As he said that his hand nonchalantly touched her leg and remained there.

She smiled at him, not once seeming bothered by the touch, "I would think I would be a bore to one such as yourself," Maria answered, slowly uncrossing her legs, her knees parting slightly.

He laughed, "A bore? Quite the contrary, m'lady. I find you to be most fascinating." His hand moved slightly on her leg, almost as if it were completely independent of all else going on inside the carriage. "Tell me a little of yourself. I'm all ears."

"Well, I originate from Japan, but you could probably tell that by the accent. I was raised as a child by a strict father who taught me to fight, and a mother who had been a Geisha, and decided before I was out of my teens I too needed to learn the practice so that I could make sure any potential suitors would be well pleasured. I fear that I have given up on most of the ceremony, few appreciate it. I traveled for many years, last in Egypt before heading to Spain and across the sea to here. I loved Egypt, the Sultan was a good man and gave me the horse that you now lead, perhaps not by choice, but one will say just about anything in the throws of passion," she grinned, licking her colored lips, her legs parting a little more at his moving touch. "But I left there in a hurry and money has grown tight as has food, I have been living off sea ration and rice cakes the last few weeks." Maria adds as she sips the drink.

He could feel his heart pounding as she revealed her background. "A Geisha? I have heard of such women, but never before had the pleasure of meeting one. A woman who is trained to entertain and serve a man - a fine custom I think. You have certainly traveled the world, and I have a feeling that your downturn of luck in finances is about to change." His hand reached the end of the short, leather skirt and rested on her bare leg, then moved up her leg slightly, just beginning to feel her soft thigh. He took the bottle of cognac in his other hand and refilled their glasses.

"It is," she paused, "a pleasurable employment," she answered and looked down at her drink and smiled as she once more licked her lips, "and I like travel, unfortunately, leaving home had its problems," she smiled softly and again widened her legs slightly, "but I must definitely say the company of a Count is refreshing."

Maria smiled just slightly, a gentle touch to her blood red lips, "It should be a very good meal then," she breathed softly and looked towards the man waiting outside. She was disappointed at the interruption, but after weeks of very little in the way of food, a good meal was something she would very much look forward to.

He pulled her leather skirt into place and straightened his clothes. A tap on the window with the gold plated knob of his walking cane and the door opened from the outside. A valet was there to help them from the carriage.

Maria slipped carefully from the carriage, intentionally allowing a little more flesh to show just to rile the valet as she stepped down, and looks back at Talomar as she waited for him quietly.

He exited the carriage and ignored the valet. The ma?tre d'h?tel, or ma?tre d' as commonly known, came out into the cold to welcome them. "Count Longden! Indeed a pleasure to have you with us again!" He turned to Maria, "Mademoiselle! I'm delighted!" He took her hand and kissed it appropriately. "Please, follow me. I have your table waiting for you, Count."

Maria watched the man approach them and listened as he spoke before taking Talomar's arm, letting him lead her inside.

They entered the fine French restaurant and their coats were taken from them. They were then escorted to the table, winding their way past tables, walking on plush carpeting, with only subdued holiday lighting glowing over the large room. Waiters dressed in white shirts and black pants passed this way and that, busy serving tables. The aroma of the food was delightful.

Maria was pleased to be near the back of the room, more private, not that privacy had ever stopped her before. She moved to take her seat, sweeping her skirt beneath her as she settled at the beautiful table and smiled softly, alluringly once more at Talomar.

Their table was in an alcove, designed for two persons, and in the Victorian style, it had a deep red curtain that could be pulled across the opening to give them complete privacy. The only light was a candle upon their table and another in a sconce upon the wall. Talomar sat there with his silk, white shirt open at the top, exposing part of his chest and a silver chain. His long black hair partially covered an even darker eye as he looked at Maria lustfully. The waiter opened a bottle of dark red wine and poured two glasses, then left. Talomar picked up his and raised it, "To a delicious meal...and even more delicious dessert."

She smiled and raised her glass, "I always believed in having dessert with your meal," she emphasized the word 'with' as she ran her foot up the back of his calf and sipped the wine, holding it for a minute to let the taste linger before swallowing it and rolled the glass between her hands.

He brought his free hand beneath the table, feeling her knee. "My thoughts exactly. We seem to think so much alike. If you were to be staying in Rhydin, I think we could easily make a business arrangement."

She nodded, "I think that could be arranged, though most of my business relations seem to be ending out of my favor," she added, her legs parting once more for him, very willing and not caring about anyone else in the room, "I would hope that things would be, more, fair, this time," she answered and nibbled her lip gently as she watched him.

The appetizer of oysters laid out on a bed of greens was served, and again they were left alone. "I can be more than fair," he said as the raw oyster was placed into his mouth.

She looked down at the food for a minute before picking up her own a true smile playing across her lips, "Then I think we could discuss something," she answers softly watching him with a lustful gaze before seductively dropping the liquid shellfish passed her lips.

He watched her lips, the redness making his breathing faster. He had not fed in some time and the need was very apparent. "Well, then, please elucidate. What type of work are you best at." He grinned and let another oyster slip down his throat.

She brushed her fingers over her lips as she set the empty shell down. "I would almost think that would be apparent my lord," she answered softly glancing down at where his hand has stayed on her knee despite the open offer for him to continue. "After all I was trained to see to every need of a man," she leaned forward slightly, "but I must admit I crave more, but I can see continuing the job for the right pay," she purred as she carefully plucked another oyster from the plate and once more let it pass her lips.

A main course of medium rare fillet mignon, scalloped potato with a special French cheese sauce, asparagus with their warm Hollandaise sauce, a delicate roll and butter arrived at their table. The waiter left and closed the deep red curtain, partitioning the alcove off in complete privacy. Not quick to respond to her words, he moved his hand up her leg and changed the subject. "I do hope this meal proves satisfactory. I believe we are both very hungry this evening."

Maria looks at the meal longingly, "Very," she nods, and looks back at him and smiles just slightly as she kept her legs spread for him and picked up her fork hungrily and began to pick at the meal, keeping her bites delicate and suggestive.

He cut his meat and placed a small slice in his mouth. "They always do such a good job here. They can anticipate my every wish."

She glanced at Tal and smiled slightly once more, missing very much his touch already as she chews thoughtfully on her own bite of meat, savoring the flavor of very bit of juice that slips over her tongue.

He placed some of the vegetables in his mouth and then lowered his hand once again beneath the table. It slid over her thigh and he push his fingers inside her G-string. "It just so happens that a very high position has....opened up." He accented the last two words as he slid his finger inside of her.

(has been edited for content)

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.

(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.

THE ORIGIN OF THE COLLAR


Count Talomar arose with the first light of the day; Maria was still sleeping. He bathed, got dressed in a red, silk shirt and tight black pants. He went about the room gathering several items he believed he would need, then sat down and waited for Maria to awaken.

Maria was slow to rise, worn from weeks of travel and last nights occurrences she was unwilling to rouse so easily, but before long her eyes fluttered slowly open, at first just tired, then confused as she looked around the room. It took a minute for realization to dawn on her and she sat up quickly, her hands automatically holding the sheets to her body to keep herself covered and from Talomar's view as her eyes met his.

He smiled a most handsome smile, "Good morning, my love. You look even more beautiful in the light of morning. I thought I'd let you rest, for if you choose to be in my employ as my valet, you'll need your rest, for this will be a long day." He stood up and walked to the leaded glass windows and looked outside at the misty morning. "I'm going to give you an opportunity to either confirm your employment with me, or to end it now. This is to be your choice. Whatever you choose, I shall hold you to that choice." He walked over to the bed. "What is your decision, my love?" His eyes looked at the way the sheet outlined her body.

Her eyes never left his as he approached, she had been admiring him while he stood at the window and she licked her lips watching him, her gaze slowly slipping from his as he looked her over, her own eyes looking down her body, and leading up his, "I would, if you allow it, remain with you lord, until you see fit for otherwise," she answered softly, how could she answer differently, already she was longing for his touch again, her mind on his body under the cloth he wore and the love he had made to her the day before, if it could be called that and she longed for it again.

"Then it is done. The decision has been made and it was your decision. Please, my love, get up out of the bed now and stand before me with your arms out in front of you."

She moved to do as she was told, looking a little confused but slipping from the bed and moving to the position he had asked of her.

He reached into the leather bag he had at his side and pulled out two manacles. "Usually Philippe did this for me, but then, he's no longer with us. There very well could come a time when you'll have to do to others what I must now do to you." He put one manacle on one of her wrist, the second one on the other wrist. "Please be calm. It's just a formality." He brought her to the end of the 4-post bed, whose posts went up eight feet. He then attached the opposite end of the manacles to the top of the posts so that her arms were spread wide over her head.

Maria allowed herself to be secured, still confused though, now more so, had she not just accepted employment with him. Her gaze fell on his once more and he could see the confusion and worry reflected in the gaze. But still she remained quiet and obedient.

He looked at her and could see the worry. "My sweet valet, there is nothing to worry about." He brought his mouth to hers and slipped his tongue into her mouth. His hand moved up her chest and over her breasts, massaging and caressing her breasts.

Maria moaned softly into the kiss, her arms tightening against his restraint, wanting to touch him but settled on sinking into the kiss deeper, letting him calm her like no other man had ever been able to.

His lips left her mouth and came down her neck where his nibbles went to her shoulders. "There is a little more preparation, my love." He took out two more manacles and attached them to her ankles, then spread her legs apart and attached the opposite end of the chains to the feet of the bed, spreading her into an "X".

Maria whimpered softly at him leaving her, her breaths a little quick from the attention, her arousal very apparent as she watched him effectively trap her, it wasn''t her first time tied, but it was the first time she was actually calm during it as she licked her lips still watching him, wondering what else he had planed for her.

He regretted having to do this, but it had to be done. He retrieved a cup that was on the desk. He then took a bottle of blood that he had obtained from his safe, an poured the blood into the mixture of ash and red dye that was in the cup. "I need to know where you are at all times, my love," he remarked as he reached into a draw and removed a case that had a very special knife. "There is a way for me to know where you are without you ever having to worry about it." He brought the cup, a towel, and the amazing jeweled knife with the black blade with him as he stepped in front of her.

She closed her eyes again, relief flooding her so that she sobbed once more, this time in deep relief, her body shook with it, she looked on the verge of feigning she had been so upset by it all.

He took her into his arms and kissed her face, his hand brushing through her hair, tenderly caressing her. "You know how highly I regard you, don' you? You know I would never bring harm to you unless it was absolutely necessary for your own good. You see, what I was about to do would let me know if you were ever in trouble and would then lead me right to you. I was doing it for you, my love...only for you. But I believe there is a way to accomplish the same without any harm to your flesh. Would you like for me to pursue that way to protect you?"

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.

Talomar remains with his arms on either side of her...looks at them "Evening to you both."

Maria stuffs shaking hands into her coat pockets, wanting to go home.

Talomar takes the glasses over Tara's head "Kitty, I think I prefer that name. Very nice indeed and pleased to meet you."

"She is related to my arch nemesis, Lord Larook "Lars" Helston, patriarch of the Helston clan, etcetera...etcetera.."

Maria Copperfield: Wonder silently if the woman ever shuts up or stops bragging.

Talomar Longden: "excuse me please, my lady is waiting" walks over to Maria and hands her a glass with a wink "Here, my love....have a drink."

Maria mutters softly, "I don't trust her," she states holding out her hand for his drink, not entirely sure she wants him to drink it without her testing it first.

Talomar bends down and kisses her cheek...then holds out his glass to hers "Cheers."

Her anger is seething and growing as he completely ignores her words, but she knows better then to push it as she looks down at his glass and touches hers to his, still mad she throws back half her drink without so much as a breath.

Talomar sees that his Valet is very upset but he has other things on his mind, like the dead body he left in the alley

She keeps her eyes focused on her drink now, her gaze dark and angry as she raises the glass to her lips once more and finishes it in the second drink. Her eyes look into the empty glass in silence.

Talomar moves up close to Maria and puts his arm around her, taking her empty glass from her with his other hand "Maria, please, there's nothing to fret about."

She looks up at him, looking ready to fight him on his words then finally nods, "Of course my Lord," her voice unhappy and the title is just that, shes being his valet, and not his lady at the moment, feeling a little rejected and a little put out.

He sees that look in her eye and smiles, liking her tenacity "Perhaps I should take you home, my love."

She looks at his untouched drink and to the door then finally back to him, "Whatever you wish to do my Lord, I will see you to it of course, thats what you employ me for," she holds back on the last bit she wants to growl at him for, when he refuses to trust her when all she is concerned about is his safety.

Talomar is thinking that he is going to have to give Maria some training in how not to wear her emotions on her sleeve "No need, Maria." drinks down his cognac, now becoming quite impatient with her attitude

She watches down the drink and fights the angry sigh, "My Lord...?" She trails off, she wants to ask, but she knows shes already pushing it and instead closes her eyes and nods once more, "Forgive me, I have no right to question what you do or with whom you do it. If you wish I will go, and leave you to your evening," she stated softly, finally looking up at him once more.

Talomar set down their glasses and faced her, then took her into his arms and held her "Maria, I shall teach you how to remain perfectly calm on the outside no matter what you may be feeling on the inside. Remember how angry I was at the countess last night, but while in the Inn I did not strike her with words or hand. There is a place for everything." he lifted her chin with his finger and places a kiss upon her lips

She so wants to sink into that kiss, her fingers curl into his shirt as she returns it letting him beak it before she speaks again, "Forgive me," she states softly, she wants to talk to him, but there is no freedom of her words while in the inn.

"Nothing to forgive, my love. But I do sense a little training in this area would not hurt." actually it might hurt, but he thinks she can handle it.

"Of course my Lord," she nods, knowing Tal's lessons and knowing she dug herself into this hole and deserved everything she got, "I would expect no less and will of course face any lesson you wish to teach me my lord." That inflection is back the one that says love instead of Lord.

Talomar hears the change in her attitude and it makes him smile. He touches her face with his fingers and looks at her neck...feeling the urge already

"My lord?" She sees the look in his eye, knows that look, knows the feeling, "Should we head home?"

"Of course, my love...let's be on our way." escorts Maria out of the Inn

Maria ducks under his arm and leaves at his side, knowing something bad is coming and actually looking forward to it.

Maria grit her teeth and shifted back to get a foot under her and rocks to her feet, darn close to stumbling into him as she does, the whole action awkward and time consuming, but she is finally standing.

"Very good, Maria. I knew you could do it on your own. It's important that we have good control of our bodies, but do you know what's more important?" he asked her as he went behind her, walked back over to the padded table and picked up a black leather blindfold.

She had a bad feeling she did, "To have control of our emotions?" She muttered softly, her cheeks coloring slightly in embarrassment

"Exactly!" he replied as he put the blindfold over her eyes and fastened it behind her head. "You see, Maria, we are not like the common rift raft that show up at the inn every day and night. We are different. I am different and my personal valet. . ." he moved his lips to her ear, "and the woman I love, must be different." He walked over the that table and picked up that cat o' nine tails that had the long handle and nine, soft strips of leather attached.

Maria shifted where she stood, waiting for him, trying to hear where he was in the room.

He walked to the front of her and began to undo the robe's front, letting it fall to the sides and exposing her breasts and body to him. He just looked at her body for several moments, then used the handle of the whip to trace the lines of her shapely breasts. "Controlling our emotions are critically important for those in our business. Do you understand that, Maria." He moved to her back and violently pulled down the robe off her shoulders until it was behind her, bunched at her cuffed wrists.

Maria nodded quickly, "I understand," she answered softly, jumping just slightly at the violence of his removal of her robe.

"THEN TELL ME MARIA!! Why do you insist on embarrassing me with that emotional carrying on in the Inn over Tara Rynieyn! Are you deliberately trying to bring us into a war!" The whip came down on her back hard enough to sting.

Maria cried out in shock and pain, "I'm sorry my lord, it was not my intention," she stammered quickly, "I only worry for your safety."

"Safety? Tara happens to be a new friend of mine, and besides, I would have you know that I have the ability to detect poison in a drink. Someday you'll also be able to do the same. The point is, Maria, there are better ways to handle things, and that is what you must now learn!"

Maria bit her lip at his words, she wanted to answer him, to speak her mind, but she held her tongue, closing her eyes behind the blindfold, waiting for his next strike.

"I'll tell you a secret, Maria," he moved in front of her and put the straps of leather over her shoulder and pulled them so that they slide down her front, over her breasts. "When we show emotion, we give power to the enemy. They know that what they do has effected us in some way, and in that, they have already won. No one can 'make' you angry. You allow it to happen. Does that make sense to you?"

He sighed, "If I were your torturer, you would have just encouraged me to do more to get what I want out of you. I think we have a long way to go." He took off his pants and shirt and stood naked before her. "Like I said, you'll experience both pleasure and pain, but since we are pretending all this is in public, you are to control your outward expression of emotion. Is that clear?"

Maria quickly gathered herself as he spoke, her body still singing in pain but after a couple of settling breaths she nodded, glad he had given her the moment to gather herself together, "I will do better," she stated, keeping her voice level and controlled

He picked her up over his shoulder and walked her to the padded table and sat her down on it with her legs hanging over the side of the narrow end. "There may be a time when we want to make love in public or when I might need to feed in public. You can't show emotion or that would attract attention."

(Edited for Content)

He was impressed. He had expected her to have shown some emotion. "Very good, Maria. Let's pretend that we're just at the bar talking. There is a person attending behind the bar, but you're sitting on the bar stood with a short skirt. I come up to you and. . ." He brought his body between her legs, all the while looking at her expression.

Maria's jaw tightened just slightly, but other then that she forced herself not to give an outward sign of what he was doing to her, ignoring pleasure was a whole lot easier then ignoring pain, and his entrance hurt like hell, but she forced her breaths to remain cool and collected, not letting on how much he was hurting her

(Edited for Content)

"Excellent! Maria you astound me! You learn quickly." His hands moved over her breasts, feeling those hard nipples. "However, I've decided that I will no longer be sleeping with you. You must go to your room and I'm bringing my wife into my bed for now on."

Maria wasn't sure if he was testing her or meant his words, she did not at first answer, her face unreadable before she answered calmly, "I understand my Lord."

"Good. I was hoping you would. It's only right, you know. Also, I need to tell you that last night I went to the Inn and saw Tara there. She invited me to go up to one of the bedrooms and, well...we made love for several hours. I didn't want to keep that from you."

Maria didn't move, his words hurt her and she wanted to say so but instead she shrugged, her face still unreadable, "I am not you keeper my Lord, you do as you wish," she answered calmly.

Talomar smiled. She had shown no emotion in pain, pleasure or anger. She learned quickly and had he actually done those things, her calmness would have taken away the power of both his announcements. He did not need to go further. His hands reached up and removed her blindfold and he looked into her eyes. "And if you could really believe either of those last two announcements, I'll feed you to Lani's damned birds." He pulled her to him and kissed her hard on the lips.

She felt relief flood her and sunk quickly into the kiss, kissing him as hard as she could still bound, glad he had covered her eyes, she was damned sure her eyes would have betrayed her every emotion.

As he kissed her, he released the handcuffs and laid her back on the table. He crawled on top of her and looked down into her eyes, "I love you more than life, Maria. I'd give all my empire just to have you."

She met his gaze shifting under his form, "Does this mean I am not allowed to show emotion now? Or just when were in public?" She ribbed him gently, taking out some of her frustration on him now that she was free to do so.

He laughed, "If you don't show emotion when we are together, I shall think you've lost all feeling!" He once again put his body to her's, this time not for any lesson except to express his love and commitment to her. "I love you so completely," he whispered in her ear as he laid his body on top of her.

Maria whimpered as he pushed against her, her fingers curling into his arm, this time letting the pain show on her face the whimper ending in a soft moan, but she's still hurting as she muttered softly through grit teeth, "I love you too."

He saw he was hurting her and he reminded still and looked into her eyes. "I don't want to hurt you, my love. We can make love when you are feeling better."

Maria shook her head, "Please my love, forgive me, but it was a nasty strike," she muttered painfully.

He took her face between his large hands, "I'm am not so selfish that I would hurt the woman I love just to satisfy my pleasure. Let us go up to our," he emphasized that word, "room and let me give you a bath and a massage. I want to attend to you tonight."

Maria nodded, "Thank you my love," she breathed softly, she didn't want to disappoint him and was glad for his consideration.

He slowly helped her with her robe, got dressed, and put his arm around her as they headed up the stairs. He had planned so many other ways to train her against anger, but in the end it was his intense love for her that proved to be far more important than any training. Tonight he'd pamper her with a bath, oils, and a massage, and attend to her every need.