Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance

by Travis Luedke

  It was the height of indulgence for such people. The style was excessive and overdone. Even the loyal Mme. Bertin admitted it.

  “It cannot end well,” she said.

  Even as she said it I wondered what she meant. Perhaps the royal court would go in exile! It was a terrible thought—little did I dream how much more awful things would become.

  But meanwhile she had her diversions. The little palace called Petit Trianon adjoined Versailles. It was an escape for her without leaving. I never mentioned that to anyone but I did think it once or twice. Then there was a round domed building so named the Temple of Love, a graceful fanciful looking place. We’d peek out to watch candle lit soirees along the lake—at night. It was lovely—because it was all part of the fairy tale.

  And if that was so more was in store for the queen also had built a rustic Viennese retreat called the Hameau. When I heard she enjoyed being a simple milkmaid I didn’t believe it, but everyone said she did. “Yes! She does that! Dressed so and beautiful to behold!”

  The Hameau was stocked with perfumed sheep and goats, but the actual milking and chores were done by servants. I was determined to see it all for myself.

  Alas I did not for fate was moving me along toward something else, just as it was already planning for the magic to end and the fairy tale with it.

  ****

  Before the night became my one world, that of the undead—I enjoyed moonlit walks along the fragrant paths of the gardens of Versailles. Those were romantic times. I was a young lady and had one or two admirers. Whatever advice I had been given about being cautious, I remembered but I was young and foolish more than I was sensible.

  There was one courtier, the Duc d’Amont who rather had my eye. He was quite handsome, dark with smoldering good looks and the air of malice which can be so enticing to a young fool such as I.

  He was always one to compliment me.

  “You quite turn my head, young lady. What is your name?”

  Well, that was how it started. But that was not how it ended.

  “I am Justine, your Excellency.”

  When he laughed I did not know why he laughed and felt my cheeks flame.

  “Forgive me, sweet. But you are quite amazing. One gets tired of so much at court.”

  This he said as he sniffed some snuff from a beautiful jeweled box. “Ah! That is nice. So tell me, you beautiful creature, what do you do in your spare time or do you not have any?”

  “I have sir! I am treated most fairly. I could not ask for more.”

  After this interlude and some others, I found the Duc’s attention growing more pronounced. When at last he tried to kiss me, he was drunk I and I was frightened.

  “Propriety is foolish, Mlle., don’t you wish to know what love is? Or do you know already?”

  I hurried away from him. Down the corridor I flew. I wanted to go to someone, to the queen really if I am honest. But I dared not.

  So I just went to my own little room near the sewing room where I spent a sleepless night wondering what I should do. I didn’t see him for some time after that and my worry lessened, work took it away. Only an idle mind has time to worry, after all.

  ****

  If one court season ended new ones began. There were always balls and engagements being planned and gowns to get ready. I was one of twenty busy seamstresses. There didn’t seem to be time for all we had to do and though we tended to work silently, we did always gossip about our lack of time to do our chores.

  There were fittings for the Queen and her ladies too. I didn’t care about them, they looked as lovely as usual but she did not. I thought she was looking thinner and pale. I wanted so to offer her comfort but knew I could not. Such an action would be presumptuous.

  She wasn’t as chatty with me as she had been in fact there was a marked difference in her behavior. She was more reticent. Gone was the air of happy expectation. She seemed to be sleepwalking through life.

  I wondered if she knew I worried about her because of what she did. To my amazement the Queen suggested I attend the first ball of the season. She even offered me a gown, but I was too shy. I chose instead to wear something I had made for myself. It wasn’t a gown as such but plain, the sort of dress an ordinary person might wear on a formal occasion. Even while she complimented me, she looked distracted.

  I did go to the ball. It was lovely to be able to mill around and not feel I was there as a servant. I was greeted politely by the courtiers. But then my heart nearly stopped when I saw the Duc d’ Amont staring at me.

  How had I not anticipated his attending? I felt genuine fright at seeing him. Perhaps it was a sense of foreboding I had, I still cannot be sure. I only remember my feeling of disquiet.

  “Ah you are vision of beauty, where others cloak themselves in jewels and finery your beauty needs no such adornment. It would be like dressing the sun up and what with your glorious red hair—you are sunlight itself!”

  I nearly scoffed at what I took to be his effusive complements. Not unexpectedly he looked annoyed. If I expected him to stalk off in anger he did not. Instead he suggested I accompany him to an adjoining room. When he saw my worried expression he smiled. “I merely wish to dance with you.”

  It would not have been proper for a servant to dance at the ball, attending was one thing and dancing another.

  Before I could say anything, he took my hand and led me out. “I know the perfect place,” he said.

  The room we went to was a waiting room of sorts for foreign envoys. It was close to the ballroom and we could hear the music.

  “May I have this dance?”

  I was flattered and found myself relaxing. Enjoy yourself Justine I thought. But instead of dancing, he closed the door and smiled. This was a smile I had not seen on his face before.

  What followed was the beginning of the horror. Without a word, he pulled at my gown tearing it. I protested and he slapped me. I grew dizzy and passed out. When I woke I saw him looking down at me.

  He laughed. “I have you now!” he cried.

  I tried to shout but he hit me again. I managed to reach for a fire poker. He realized and snarled. “You’re a little fireball aren’t you?”

  This said, as he tore my gown from me and launched himself at me. I would not let him take me! I begged and threatened but nothing worked.

  In the excitement I had dropped the poker. However, I did manage to pick it up and hit his head with it. He looked startled—his eyes began to glaze over and when he fell hard upon me I knew he was dead.

  I pushed him off and rushed to the door. I would have to escape. For I felt sure had this been discovered, even the queen would not have been able to save me.

  CHAPTER 4

  My heart was pounding. Down the hall I rushed, until I found a door that opened onto a terrace. I expected guests to be there, many of the terraces were full of party goers, but not this particular one. Out I stepped. I looked quite a sight, my gown was torn and I knew my hair was disheveled. I paused. Where to go? It’s all well and good to try and flee but in what direction?

  I thought to walk to the gates but there were guards. From the state I was in, what would they think? I’d be hauled before the head of the household staff. There was no doubt about that! That was the last thing I wanted.

  Then I noticed two people walking toward me, a lady and a gentleman. I am done for I thought. So I ran without thinking, I just rushed in the opposite direction. And horror of horrors I saw I was going to crash into a man. And crash into him, I did.

  “I am sorry, Monsieur. I did not mean to rush so.”

  He didn’t answer right away, but took me by the arm toward the palace. “You’re not a thief are you, up to mischief or anything like that?”

  I protested, I pleaded. But to no avail. Suddenly we stopped. There was enough light for him to see me. “You are a mess! What happened?”

  “I was attacked...!”

  “What do you mean?”

  I began to stutter and found myself una
ble to go on.

  The gentlemen reassured me. “There, there,” he said. “Calm down. Tell me are you hurt? Did someone harm you?”

  “Yes! He tried...”

  He was waiting for me to go on but I could not. I didn’t want to say what I had to tell him. At last I broke down. “Oh sir, I fought him as hard as I could but he beat me. And...then when he began to have his way with me, I killed him, he’s dead!”

  “Dead? Are you sure?”

  “Yes. He is that!”

  “Do you know his name?”

  “The Duc d’Amont!”

  If I thought he would be horrified, he wasn’t. He didn’t even look surprised. “You come with me. I shall help you. I give you my word! Wait here. I will have my driver come.”

  Before I could answer he put his cape around me, quite a long cloak it was too. “There, you look fine now. Wait here no one will see you and I will be right back!” He led me into the shadows. “Now wait!”

  I did, sobbing as quietly as I could and shaking too. It was all so crazy—I had actually killed a man! It was not to be believed. I had killed an aristocrat! I would be thrown into prison and executed. Of that I was sure. I was one of the common people. Before I could think any more of this, he returned.

  “Come,” he said. He hurried me along so quickly, I stumbled. He asked me if I could walk. I said I could.

  I had the feeling he was angry, not at me but at what had happened to me. He did say something, nothing I could understand for he spoke in Italian and rapidly. I thought he was excited and upset for me, so he lapsed into his native tongue.

  When he realized he stopped. “I am Italian by birth ... Monsieur Oriani at your service.”

  At last we came to his carriage. He helped me inside. And the carriage was off.

  He was speaking a great deal. I tried so hard to listen, but I kept falling asleep. “It is alright. Just rest we will be there soon.”

  I did sleep, waking only when the carriage stopped. He helped me out.

  “That is it.”

  I was surprised for I saw an ordinary looking house. I thought him quite important and expected to see something out of the ordinary.

  “It is the home of a friend, on loan to me,” he said. “I will tend to your wounds after I light a fire.”

  He made poultices of evil smelling concoctions. “This will help the healing and prevent infection...”

  I had deep scratches. They stung and the cool mixture, though it chilled me at first, did ease the pain—still I hardly cared, for I was barely awake. In fact he said I slept nearly two days.

  When I woke he gave me broth to drink. It was thin and not at all nice. “I found a cooked chicken in the larder and I have made the broth from it. Please, it is good for you.”

  I took it and under his encouraging stare, I sipped it to his satisfaction. I think those were the beginnings of the tenderness I felt.

  We didn’t discuss what had occurred. If I thought he’d ask me about myself he did not. Instead he spoke of mundane things to distract me.

  I realized I quite liked him, his handsome features and his voice. It was rich sounding and educated.

  Time passed strangely through dreams and shadows. I had the sense he was there and then he wasn’t. The dreams stopped but the shadows lasted quite a long time. I was only aware of light and dark and his gentle voice asking me how I was.

  When the shadows receded and I was alert he asked me what I was going to do.

  “You must have a plan. There is danger everywhere. If others do not understand the danger they are in, they soon will.”

  I asked him if he meant the King and Queen. He said he did. “Day by day the people grow more angry. There have already begun to be arrests and there is the talk of more, much more. You can stay here if you like. I will have a servant stay with you and I will come by whenever I can to visit you.”

  I would have preferred him to stay, but who was I to make such a suggestion?

  He explained he had important business to attend to. But that he would see me often. I watched him leave and was heartsick, but true to his word he brought a servant back that very day, before night fall.

  She was a sober looking woman, quite beyond middle age. She was kind and didn’t ask any questions. “Call me Anna,” she said and I did.

  She realized I had many questions about her employer and she answered them but her answers only made me want to ask more questions.

  ****

  In time a routine was established where Monsieur Oriani came by regularly. Anna would always leave when he did.

  It was late summer. It was hard to believe that two months had passed. I had begun to wonder why he was keeping me there. Yet, I welcomed his all too brief visits.

  When he came, we’d have a quiet meal Anna prepared. I had been fully recovered and was starting to wonder what I should do. Any time I broached the subject of leaving, he told me it wasn’t safe to be about. “There have been more arrests. Even those servants who worked for the palace are being scrutinized. Soon the king and queen will be put on trial.”

  “No!”

  “Yes, but plans are being made for their exile!”

  If I thought highly of him for having saved me, I regarded him now as a saint. “You are very kind,” I said.

  He took my hand and kissed it. “Do not worry, my child. I will protect you.”

  ****

  It happened during a storm. There was thunder and lightning, loud and frightening it was. I had been dreaming, some terrible nightmare. When I heard someone call to me. “I will sit here so that you sleep.”

  I was so grateful for the comfort and slept peacefully, the nightmare was gone because it had turned into something filled with warmth and light.

  I woke sometime during the night. The fire was low—and I could just see his face in the flickering light. He smiled at me. Then he kissed me. If I thought to pull away I didn’t, instead I kissed him back. And with a young woman’s first burst of passion I responded ever more.

  Not before too long I was naked before the fire in his embrace, touched and caressed as I never had been. He whispered my name and I imagined love lasting forever.

  “I will love you forever,” I swore.

  He didn’t respond in kind, instead he whispered my name and took me again and again.

  I was in love with him. There was passion stirred within me I had never experienced. If I loved him in this way, he felt the same about me, I was certain!

  CHAPTER 5

  I woke to find him gone. I looked for a note but found none. Surely, he’d have told me he was going.

  Rushing around the cottage I found Anna in the kitchen. “I will make you some porridge. You must rest while I do it.”

  Was she crazy? Didn’t she see how distraught I was?

  “No! Please!” I shouted. “I do not see him. Where is? Is he about anywhere?”

  I must have looked so wild-eyed, Anna smiled. “He is gone about his business. He will not return for some days.”

  Her manner was so calm I found it maddening.

  “But that is impossible!”

  She stared at me. “What is it? Why are you so upset?”

  I didn’t want to say. But being silent in front of her and acting as I was, she must have guessed. Now she took pity on me. “What has he told you about himself?”

  I prattled on about some inconsequential things he had said and Anna nodded. “I see. Well, there is more to him than that. In fact, he is not Monsieur Oriani but Count Oriani. He is engaged in helping others. There is much danger...and it will get worse. Much worse.”

  I knew she meant at court. “But the king and queen!”

  “The day is coming child. All you have to do is see what is happening, crop failures, and food shortages. There are those who say the worst has yet to happen. It cannot even be imagined. All hell will break loose. The Revolution is nearly at hand! Count Oriani has begun smuggling people to England, people at court that he knows. He intends t
o help the King and Queen too and their friends.” She stared at me. “It is certain they will pay for the anger that is stirring in many hearts and the payment will be their lives.”

  So that was what he was involved in. “Then he is a hero!” I cried.

  “He is that, Mlle.”

  Now it all began to make sense. He was even greater than I thought, than I could imagine! I was in love with him even more. “And to think I love him and he loves me!”

  Anna looked shocked. “Has he told you he loves you?”

  “Yes!” As soon as I made the boast I realized he hadn’t said anything of the kind. My face must have showed it because Anna took my hand.

  “You are young, he saved you. I know he did. I do not know the circumstances but I can guess. You admire him...that is all...”

  “Oh really?!” I blurted. He has loved me and I have loved him back. Right here in this very bed. We have shown each other how we feel!”

  Anna did not look at the bed she only looked at me. “Child... he will return. You must tell him because he should know. It is a love that cannot be. He will explain to you, far better than I ever could.”

  Why couldn’t it be? I was so foolish I couldn’t conceive of a reason.

  “Justine, he is married.”

  I heard the words but did not absorb them. When I didn’t answer Anna began to speak. She asked me to sit.

  “He is Count Oriani and his wife is the Countess. They live in a mansion in the Faubourg Saint-Germain. It is the grandest house there. They have been married for nearly ten years. They are expecting their third child...”

  I knew my mouth flew open.

  Anna’s voice was soothing. She reached out to take my hand. I nearly recoiled from her touch but let her hold it. I needed to be comforted. “Justine they are happily married.”

  “Not so happily married that he didn’t take my virginity before the fire!” I shouted.

  She looked surprised but then resigned. “He is a man,” she said.

  “A man and that is the justification! That clears him of all blame, of breaking my heart!”

  I fled from the room. She called after me but I had no desire to speak with her. Loneliness beckoned. I would cry alone in the dark somewhere and if I wished it, I would die there too.