by E. D. Brady
Her heart thundered against her ribs, every nerve ending shaking and quivering, as his tongue lashed at her neck.
Finally, when she thought she could take no more, yet dreading the moment it stopped, every muscle in her body stiffened of its own accord. A powerful force jolted through her, causing the lower half of her body to lift off the bed entirely. She screamed. Her body shuddered out of control.
The force dissipated, leaving her weak and exhausted.
She put her hand over her heart and took several deep breaths to calm the pounding.
Kellus looked down at her with intense hunger evident on his face, his jaw tight and strained. He knelt before her, coaxing her legs apart, and positioned himself at her threshold.
He pushed in once and stopped.
She gasped again. The feeling wasn’t exactly painful, but not exactly comfortable either. Thankfully, he gave her a moment to adjust, looking into her eyes to gauge her reaction.
When she felt the initial sting pass, she nodded, giving him permission to begin moving inside her.
He lowered his body and took control of her mouth again as he moved back and forth into her. His hands were combed through her hair on either side of her head. Her hands dug into his lower back.
Nothing could have prepared her, no amount of talk or rumors, for the sensations gushing through her. She was in a heightened state of frenzied ecstasy, physical pleasure washing over her, down to her very soul.
After many long moments, she felt herself tighten around him and that same heavenly force taking absolute control of her body once more.
She shook under him and cried out.
An array of emotions gripped her. She reveled in the feel of this beautiful man, whom she adored completely, wrapped in her arms and moving inside her, faster, building momentum. The sounds of him moaning and grunting in ultimate pleasure ripped at her heart.
She felt tears of pure joy spring forward, running down the side of her head and neck, and into her ears.
He leaned up and threw his head back, his face strained. He sucked in a deep breath and pushed into her one last time, grinding his teeth. He collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily. She could feel his heart thumping as forcefully as her own, joined in matching rhythm.
Without looking at her, he reached his hand up to stroke her cheek, his fingers sliding over her damp skin.
His head shot up.
He looked at his wet fingers then at her, panic and worry drawn across his face.
“I’m happy,” she assured him, touching his cheek.
His face relaxed.
“That was…so amazing…perfect,” she said in a dreamy voice.
He vigorously nodded his agreement. “You’re amazing and perfect,” he murmured, leaning forward to press his lips to her forehead. He kept them there for a long moment. He pulled his head back. “So, tell me, beautiful girl,” he said, looking down in feigned seriousness. “How many times to you think we could do that in one week?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know…maybe a hundred.”
“Want to find out?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Absolutely,” She agreed enthusiastically.
Annie would’ve never believed that the happiest, most beautiful week of her life would be spent confined to one tiny room. The days bled into one another in a haze of euphoria. They loved each other so deeply, so desperately, that she wondered how she had ever managed to feel content without him in her life.
Kellus had declared their hotel room a ‘no clothing zone’ and claimed he had personally voted it into law—a law that he would rigorously enforce if necessary—stating that violators would be punished accordingly. The one and only exception to the law was when he dressed to go get food, every couple of hours. The beautiful Mrs. Kir, however, was denied such exceptions; the law decreeing it criminally negligent to cover such perfection.
And so, the time was spent in their honeymoon bed, tangled in each other’s limbs, feasting off one another.
“You looked so beautiful in my mother’s wedding dress,” Kellus said one afternoon as they lay reminiscing about their simple wedding. “Though, I would have preferred to see you in that little yellow slip that you wore the day Cora had surgery.”
Annie blushed at the memory. “That will forever be the most embarrassing days of my life,” she said, wincing.
“It was very nearly one of mine, also,” he stated.
“Why?” she asked, leaning up to look at him.
“You didn’t notice that I couldn’t look at you that day?” he questioned skeptically.
“I did, as a matter of fact,” she replied. “I thought you were angry that I was there, especially at dinner.”
“Is that what you thought?” he said, laughing. “Annie, I was overcome with lust, so much so that my knees were weak and I had a pain deep in my gut. I wanted you so badly. That little yellow slip has popped up in almost all of my dreams since and has been the cause of dozens of cold showers.”
“Oh,” Annie said simply. That was information that she would file away for further reference.
“Then later, when you walked into our dining room wearing one of our uniforms, I was completely undone. I’d never seen anything so desirable in my life. I wanted to pick you up and run to my room to have my way with you—vows and virtue be damned. I left because I was on the verge of crying like a baby.”
“Now you can have your way with me anytime you like,” she said seductively.
“Um,” he breathed. “I was just thinking that very same thing.” He leaned over and kissed her frantically, maneuvering himself on top of her.
Sometime later—after he collapsed on top of her, sated and exhausted from what had to be close to the hundredth time they’d made love in a matter of days—she shifted slightly under him. He leaned up to look at her. “I hope I’m not too heavy for you,” he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, “because if I am, that might thwart my new plan entirely.”
“New plan?” she questioned dubiously.
“Yes,” he replied. “I suppose I should tell you since it involves you somewhat.”
“What is it?” she asked, amused.
“Well, I have decided that I’m going to live out the remainder of my days between your thighs,” he answered matter-of-factly. “I hope you don’t mind, but even if you do, it really can’t be helped. It’s paradise here.”
“I see,” she answered, nodding playfully. “But I think you’ll have to leave the comfort of my thighs at some point.”
“No, I don’t think so,” he argued.
“Then how will we eat?’ she questioned.
“Ah, see, I’ve already worked that all out in my head,” he informed her. “Like I told you, I rarely make rash decisions.”
“You have?” she giggled.
“Yes, I have. I’m going to arrange for someone to come to our home to spoon feed, us three times a day. It’s really that simple,” he stated. “And don’t worry; I intend to cover your beautiful breasts with my body. I will not tolerate anyone else gazing at them but me.”
“And how will we pay this potential breast-gazer, since your well thought-out plan would prevent you from working for a living?” she asked.
“I have a trust fund,” he answered.
“Ah, I see, you have a trust fund,” she laughed.
All pretenses left his face. “I really do have a trust fund,” he said. “Perhaps I should rephrase; we have a trust fund.”
“What?” she asked pointedly, realizing that he was telling the truth. “What do you mean?”
“I did tell you that my grandfather was extremely wealthy, correct?”
“Yes, but—”
He cut her off. “You didn’t think he took all that money to the grave, did you?” he questioned. “It’s been well invested over the years.”
“How much?” she asked, shock rippling through her.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not really sure, but I know the
re’s more than enough for my beautiful wife to live a very comfortable life.”
“Kellus, I…” she trailed off, rendered speechless. All she could think about were the many years she scrimped by with what little money her parents had left her, sometimes with barely enough to eat, always fearful that the money would run out before the twins were adults. “You’re rich?” she stammered.
“We’re rich,” he corrected her.
“But your father works,” she said, “And your brother works on your farm. I don’t understand.”
“My parents raised us to be a humble family and to do everything for ourselves. Mother believes that rich people often lose sight of the important and really valuable things in life, like a close-knit family for one, and the satisfaction of doing a hard day’s work,” he answered, shrugging his shoulders. “So we forget about the money for the most part, but it’s there, should we ever need it.”
“I don’t believe this,” she said, dazed. “I mean, I believe you, but…”
“Well, you will soon believe it because I intend to buy you every little thing your heart desires,” he announced.
She contemplated that for a while, but soon realized that the only thing her heart desired was already lying in her arms. The money didn’t change anything. “No, Kellus, you won’t,” she said firmly. “I’m not really interested in material things.”
“Yes, but—”
She put her finger over his lips to silence him. “No buts,” she said. “I think I agree with your mother on this account. It’s really nice to know that there’s security, but that’s not what I wanted from you, and to be honest, I’m a little agitated that you kept this from me.”
“Why?” he asked, a crease forming between his eyes.
“As silly as this may seem, this makes me feel like a gold digger,” she explained.
“That is silly,” he replied. “Extremely silly, since you knew nothing of this when you agreed to marry me.”
“Yes, but still,” she said, then sighed deeply.
“You’re angry with me?” he asked. “I didn’t mean to keep this from you, beautiful girl. It isn’t something I even think about, so it just never came up.”
His worried look pulled at her heart strings. “I love you more than anything in the world, and that will never change. We just won’t talk about this again,” she said.
“So, you’re not angry?” He asked.
“I’m not angry,” she replied. “It was just a shock, but it’s passed, and now I can concentrate on what’s really important.”
“Like?”
“Like your perfect body, and how I’m becoming more and more intrigued with the idea of having you spend the remainder of your days in this position. Though, I think you may grow bored of it after some time.”
His eyelids grew heavy with lust. “No, I don’t think I ever would,” he said, his eyes flashing to her lips. “No, Annie, this I could never grow bored with.”
Chapter 14
They spent the journey home holding hands and going over the plans that Kellus had made.
Since the twins were not yet legal adults, they would live in her house with them. Kellus planned to speak to his father about taking over the operations of the shop, feeling confident that Tol was ready to retire. But their first big project was to bring the spare room to order. They passed the time discussing colors to paint and what furniture to buy.
Finally, after many long hours, Annie’s house came into view.
When they were less than a hundred feet away, Max ran out the front door and down the hill to greet them, but Annie noticed, immediately, that there was something wrong with his expression. It was not a welcoming one; it was an expression of panic.”
“Annie, Kellus, thank goodness you’re back. I need to speak with you right away,” he yelled to them.
Annie noticed Cora standing at the front door, biting her nails. Her heart sank into her stomach. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her heart beating faster.
“There’s trouble,” Max replied flatly.
Kellus and Annie jumped down from the carriage and rushed into the house after Max. “What happened?” Kellus asked, easing into a chair by the table.
“Your father came here yesterday to see if you’d returned,” Max explained. “It seems that a man from the Citadom visited your house when you failed to return on time. He demanded to know of your whereabouts. Your father told him nothing about Annie, but the man told your father that he had heard, from a trusted source, that you’d taken a lover, despite your vows.”
“Shit!” Kellus blurted out. “That idiot Loc.”
“Was it Nordorum?” Annie questioned.
“No,” Max answered. “That was my first question. Tol wasn’t familiar with this man. He says he’s never seen him around the Citadom, but he wore the uniform of a peaceman.”
Kellus was about to say something, but Max held up his hand to stop him. “There’s more, Kellus,” Max said, his face grim. “This person threatened to arrest your father for withholding information.”
“What?” Kellus gasped, placing his hand on his forehead.
“Your brother became enraged and threatened to throw the man from your house,” Max added.
“Markum did what?” Kellus asked, his face turning pale. He pushed away from the table and stood up. “What was he thinking? He could’ve—”
Max shook his head and placed a calming hand on Kellus’s shoulder. “Your mother and sister were able to defuse the situation before it went too far, and luckily, no charges were brought against your father or brother. Tol said your sister was terrified, though.”
Kellus ran his fingers through his hair. “Poor Zif,” he mumbled.
“It’s worse than what Max has told you so far,” Cora piped in. “This man left a warning with your family. He said if you return to the Citadom immediately and denounce your lover, you will face only minimal punishment, but if you do not, there will be an arrest warrant issued, and when you’re found, you’ll spend the remainder of your apprenticeship in prison.”
“What the fuck?” Kellus screeched. His mouth gaped open.
Annie let out a loud sob and covered her mouth with both hands. Panic began spreading through every part of her.
Kellus looked back and forth between Cora and Max, his mind racing. “What crime have I committed?” he yelled, his nostril flaring. He balled his hands into tight fists. “The prisons are meant for murderers and rapists. Whom have I harmed? Do they mean that breaking a vow is comparable to murder?”
Cora stared down at the table, looking unnecessarily guilty for being the bearer of bad news.
Kellus shook his head and composed himself. “I’ll go there tomorrow and explain that Annie isn’t merely a petty fling. I’ll tell them she’s my wife. Surely, the sanctity of marriage still takes precedence over a vow of celibacy.”
Max and Cora exchanged a troubled look. Cora put her hand over her mouth and looked between Kellus and Annie. There was something else troubling her.
“What, Cora?” Kellus said through clenched teeth, balling his hands up again.
It was Max that replied. “The peaceman told your father to warn you not to attempt to force a dismissal by marrying. He said that there are peacemen in the Citadom with the authority to annul and that they will.”
Kellus staggered backwards. “This is fucking madness!” he said in a voice thick with distress. “These are my only choices? Divorce my wife or face prison?”
Annie burst into uncontrollable tears. How was it possible that her happy ending could be ripped from her so soon?
Kellus pulled her to his chest and rested his chin on top of her head momentarily. “Don’t cry, love,” he pleaded. He knelt down in front of her and took both her hands in his. “Look at me,” he said calmly. She stared down at him. “This is a lie,” he stated. “This is wrong, Annie. I entered the Citadom of my own free will, and by my own free will I took the vows. I was told that the punishment for breaking th
e vows was dismissal, not imprisonment.” He stood up and sat on the chair, pulling Annie onto his lap.
“Has this happened before?” Cora asked. “Has anyone ever broken the vows?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Kellus replied, “probably not in many years at least. If it has happened, no one told me.”
“So you’ve never witnessed someone punished for oath-breaking?” Cora questioned.
“No,” Kellus answered, “but I know the Master and most of the others; they are honorable men, reasonable men. Even the most violent of murderers would not go to prison without a fair trial. There’s something very wrong here.”
“What should we do?” Annie sobbed.
“I’m not going there tomorrow,” Kellus stated. “I think I should wait a while to see if things settle down. In a week or so, I’ll go there and speak directly to Nordorum, face to face.”
“Loc saw us together. They’ll come here,” Annie said timidly.
“Let them come, then,” Kellus answered confidently. “They won’t imprison me, I’m sure of it.” He turned to face Max. “Can you drive a carriage?”
Max shrugged and nodded.
“Please take the carriage back to my father,” Kellus requested. “Tell my family what I’ve told you. Assure them that I am fine and that I’ll remain so. Tell them that I’ll take Annie to meet them next week.”
“Okay,” Max said.
“Take the Ocean Road,” Kellus added. “I’ll give you directions.”
“Why the Ocean Road?” Annie asked suspiciously.
“Just as a precaution,” Kellus said, touching her cheek in a reassuring manner. “I think that it’s best if we stay away from town for now.”
Kellus was so sure that there had been a mistake, that by the time Max returned, with messages from every member of the Kir family, the mood was much lighter.
In the days that followed, they heard nothing from the Citadom, and soon the incident was almost forgotten.
Annie and Kellus continued their honeymoon as best as they could with two other people living in such a small house, but they were always conscious of the lack of privacy.
