Hungry For Affection.
Copyright 2016 by Lilith Frances.
First edition. Kindle version.
Cover photo provided by Getty Images.
Warning: This book is classified as both horror and erotica containing graphic descriptions throughout. If you are offended by such material do not read any further.
Synopsis
Every full moon a person is selected as a human meal to appease the neighbouring beast in order to prevent it from attacking the kingdom. Those chosen are bestowed with honour and their names recorded for posterity. However the gruesome task of sending people to their agonising deaths soon takes its toll and the Queen has a crisis of conscience which results in her volunteering herself as the next sacrifice. She soon realises that the beast can speak and possesses human intelligence so befriends the monster in the hope to avoid being eaten alive. The beast soon realises she is no ordinary offering misconstruing her intentions to that of a sexual nature. Will the Queen be able to end the slaughter of her people and save her kingdom? Read on…
Chapter 1 – Time Of The Month
I awoke to a beautiful spring morning as the sun shone through the window of my bedroom chamber across my luxurious soft bed, with it’s fine duck feather pillows and silk sheets, into my eyes forcing me to raise my arm to shield the light. I felt cosy and warm, and wished I could have stayed in bed all day long, but my personal maid had already opened the bedroom curtains and was awaiting me at the base of the bed. Sometimes I envied the lower classes as while they lived harsh lives they didn’t have the responsibilities of a Queen such as myself. I let out a tired yawn and was tempted to tell my maid to return later but alas it was that time of the month again. Not my monthly cycle but something far worse. I had to sign a poor unfortunate person’s life away with a death warrant that was worded to imply the person was a voluntary sacrifice. It was ghastly but had to be done.
My maid cleared her throat to get my attention. I gave no verbal response but slipped my way out from beneath my clean sheets then made my way over to my dresser removing my night dress. My maid was reflected within the mirror along with my nudity as she made her way closer.
“I hope you slept well ma’am,” she said retrieving my night dress from the floor and carefully folding it.
I nodded my response for I didn’t like to speak to staff unless need called for it. As she attended to putting my night dress away and fetching my clothing I stared at myself within the mirror. The polished surface was bright, along with the sunshine seeping through the window behind me, revealing every aspect of my appearance.
My blonde curls were a wonder in which I was proud. Along with my shapely figure, protruding navel, small feet and cute nose of which had been complimented upon many times. The hair around my intimate region was also blonde matching my armpit hair and the delicate fine hairs upon my legs. I was stunning and would make the perfect wife for any man, but alas my handsome knight in shining armour had yet to materialise and dare I say it I was lonely. Romance was not the only thing I craved, I also sought physical contact but those urges had to be repressed until I was married.
My maid placed my clothing for the day upon the top of my bed then made her way closer giving me a smile. I glanced away from her and raised my arms while she proceeded to clean me using fresh water from the bowl and jug resting upon the table beside the dresser. The cloth felt rough against my delicate skin causing me to give her a stern look.
“I’ll fetch another,” she said in a tone of panic.
“I should think so,” I responded as she hurried out of the bedroom chamber.
I pondered whether to dismiss her permanently for such insolence.
Chapter 2 – A New Volunteer
Overlapping whispers were suddenly silenced as the large heavy doors of the throne room creaked open in anticipation of my arrival. The usual pomp and ceremony had been dulled over the many years of performing my duty but I was still the Queen respected by all in the kingdom causing my people to instinctively bow their heads in my presence. The crowd were quiet enough to hear a pin drop as I made my way into the hall heading for my throne, the sound of my fine leather boots echoing around the stone walls of the palace.
I let out a breath as I sat upon the throne disguising the inner sigh I felt for the ghastly task we were undertaking. There were around two dozen dignitaries, ministers, lawmakers and priests along with my usual advisers and guards to keep everything above board and as dignified as possible. There was also the legality of the task at hand to contend with for I wasn’t above the law, yet while the lawmakers kept everything in check we all knew deep down we were going against the very fabric of civilised society, pushing morality to its limits. Glancing my eyes around the magnificent hall, at the large windows, the multitude of portraits and the painted ceiling above, I couldn’t help but feel our luxurious way of life came at too high a cost.
Eadgyd the priest at my side bowed then raised the parchment and quill he was holding ready for me to sign. It was something I had done so many times in the past yet it never got any easier. A bead of sweat formed upon Eadgyd’s face as he handed me the document.
“The chosen one requests an audience with your majesty,” Eadgyd said, “If you wish to do so then…”
“Yes, yes,” I interrupted with a tone of annoyance whilst shaking my head in contradiction, “I prefer this task over with swiftly.”
Eadgyd hesitated confused by my response, unsure if I granted the request or not, before giving the nod to the guards to fetch the poor unfortunate soul.
Tilting my head to one side while facing Eadgyd I gave him a look of annoyance then lifted the document ready to sign. The chosen citizen for that month was to be a Mr Harrington Smithe, a baker from the east of town, a widower with two children. I didn’t know him personally, but was sure his children would be taken care of, and bakers were aplenty, so his death wasn’t going to effect the kingdom as a whole. His sacrifice was far more beneficial to the kingdom than if he had lived a long life. I signed the document in one swift action having no intention of speaking with him but before I had the chance to even stand from my throne my guards returned with the unfortunate man, his arms and legs in chains like a common prisoner.
I closed my eyes repressing my feelings then tried my best to give a reassuring smile. My stomach winced letting out a rumble of tension rather than that of hunger.
“Mr Smithe,” I said whilst still sitting on my throne ignoring the sound of my belly, “I hear you wish to converse with me before you partake in your honourable duty.”
He was in a sorry state with his clothing sullied and his beard unkempt. There was even a smell about him that wafted towards me as he approached and knelt on his knees, while his chains rattled against the stone floor.
“You are an asset to this kingdom and your name will live on throughout history,” I said poking forward my chest as to denote a sense of pride, “Mr Harrington Smithe one of the many heroes that sacrificed his life so that we may live on.”
“I have two children,” he mumbled with his head still lowered.
“And I’m sure they are proud,” I said leaning forward on my throne, “I’ll personally see they are well cared for, you have no need for worry. The kingdom cares for its subjects, we are all in this together.”
“No we’re not,” the man said in a muffled tone.
I cleared my throat glancing my eyes at two of my guards in turn then toward Eadgyd who was busy mopping sweat from his bald head with his handkerchief.
“I gather by your tone you have something disrespectful to say to me,” I said in an authoritative tone to My Smithe who was still cowering in front of me, “I suggest you hold your tongue.”
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�Why?” He said under his breath before heaving himself from the floor and standing upright, “What are you going to do? Punish me? Lock me in the tower? Execute me? There is nothing more barbaric you can possibly do to me than that in which you intend to do.”
His posture was defiant yet his voice wobbled close to tears. My guards took a step closer but I waved them away and stood up from my throne.
“Please show some decorum,” I said calmly as I approached Mr Smithe, “The legislation of your death has you down as a volunteer, bestowing you and your family all the honours that go with it, so I suggest you act accordingly for your children’s sake.”
“Is that a threat?” He muttered.
Wilfred, one of my advisors, shook his head vigorously out of view of Mr Smithe. I engaged eye-contact then calmly headed back to my throne picking up the legal document once more whilst pretending to re-read its contents.
“Have you ever set eyes upon the beast?” Mr Smithe asked.
I ignored his impudent question.
“They say it’s over ten feet tall,” he continued, “With the fangs of a wolf and talons of an eagle. It pulls limbs, snaps bones and consumes the guts of its prey whilst they are still alive. It’s pure torture. How many people have you put through this hell?”
My head span as I continued to stare blankly at the legal document.
“It’s always the lowly!” Mr Smithe continued as his confidence grew with each disrespectful sentence, “The people of the lower classes, why not send your own people, your own kind, we are not in this together!”
Two of guards lurched forward restraining Mr Smithe, holding him down, forcing him to remain still. With him now silent it was clear there was also a commotion outside the doors of the hall. Some more of my guards rushed to see what was taking place.
“They mustn’t see me like this!” Mr Smithe yelled as streams of tears flowed down his cheeks, “Unshackle me please. They mustn’t see me this way!”
“Who?” I asked as I looked down at him.
“My children,” he said.
My insides twinged causing me to silently break wind within a moment of self panic. Quickly giving my guards the nod they removed themselves from Mr Smithe then helped him to his feet. Another of the guards removed the chains from his arms and legs. Mr Smithe proceeded to rub the tears from his eyes as the commotion outside overspilled into the hall causing the heavy doors to slam against the wall behind. A number of adults entered along with two children who ran towards their father.
“Welcome,” I greeted them to calm the situation.
I was safe among my guards but from the look of the expressions on the faces of the adults who had entered with the children it was clear they were prepared for violence. It was imperative to avoid bloodshed and to keep this horrid event as civilised as possible.
“Please let my daddy go!” One of the children pleaded with tears flowing down her cheeks.
“He’s not a prisoner,” I replied calmly.
The two children, one boy and one girl, were far younger than I expected. The boy no more than a toddler having no idea as to what was taking place, and the girl no more than six. Their attire was rough and dirty causing me to imagine the hovel they came from.
Mr Smithe looked at his children in turn then faced me.
“Your majesty,” he said in an exaggerated respectful tone, “This monstrous beast has been brutalising our kingdom, month after month, and year after year, and must be appeased at all costs. I volunteer myself as a sacrifice to this evil creature and hope one day we can be rid of its curse once and for all.”
His daughter collapsed to the floor sobbing loudly causing the boy at her side to do the same. There too were shouts from the back of the hall which I ignored. Mr Smithe was an honourable man after all but not for the sake of the kingdom but for his children. A genuine sense of pride filled my body yet my heart still ached as I pondered as to the best course of action. The most important decision of my life. Picking up the legal document and the quill pen I made an amendment to its content before handing it to Wilfred the lawmaker. I then made my approach to My Smithe who bowed his head.
“That’s a most honourable gesture but one of which I have to refuse,” I said calmly, “We are all in this together and royalty is not exempt. It is I that volunteers for this sacrifice and I pray this kingdom will select a more just leader than the one it currently possesses.”
Chapter 3 – A Brief Yet Long Journey
What was I really doing? Was it seeing the looks on those children’s faces that made me volunteer or the thought of doing something far beyond expectations that would seal my place in history. Maybe I just wanted to be the heroine of my people and put an end to this whole horrid state in which we found ourselves to be, to die a martyr’s death so to speak. I knew deep down as to the real reason though, deep within the recesses of my heart. Sending people to their deaths month upon month was gnawing at my very soul and I could no longer cope with the responsibility. Nigh on eighty people had been gruesomely slaughtered because of my actions and it was a burden I could no longer bear. No doubt my death would be seen as a noble act but it was really the actions of a coward, my way of avoiding duty, my way of committing suicide.
I was incompetent in my actions at having approved a pact with the cursed creature. I should have stood ground and sent an army to kill it, but that wasn’t my way, I was a pacifist always preferring to talk my way out of difficulties. Our kingdom needed a leader far stronger than myself.
Just three days after I stepped down as Queen I found myself alone outside the kingdom walls on the outskirts of the forest that the beast called home.
All was silent. Where there should have been the sound birdsong there was nothing but the sound of my own heart that pounded deep within my chest. My breathing was erratic and my limbs shook as I made my way deeper into the forest following the twisted path created by the footsteps of those unfortunate to have previously been selected. It was my turn now, and despite being fully prepared for my life to end I still had to fight my urge to run in the opposite direction.
The spring morning sun felt warm against my face, and the flowers were in full bloom, there was even the smell of blossom in the air but alas there was no room within my heart to enjoy the moment for I knew what awaited me once I reached my journey’s end.
Darting my head behind me I stared into the trees sensing I was being followed. The leaves among the tree branches, the bushes, the flowers and even the blades of grass appeared to wilt before my very eyes as though they too sensed evil. My bare feet felt delicate against the hard ground while my body shook from side to side as I grew increasingly giddy. Everything around me appeared to spin while I tried desperately to regain composure. It was only then that I realised I had already fallen dirtying my silky dress.
Clearing my throat I heaved myself back to my feet, taking just a brief moment to regain my sense of direction and to tidy my hair, before continuing down the path having already accepted my fate.
“Make no attempt to follow!” I said firmly on the chance that my suspicions about being followed were correct, “There’s no point in putting yourselves in danger, for the beast will show no mercy, I suggest you…”
I turned around and stared at the path and trees behind. There was no one in sight but I could still sense a presence. It may have been my imagination grasping at the chance of a rescue. I cursed myself within my mind.
I was wearing my finest silk dress originally created for my coronation. I had fasted for three days, had my body shaved as smooth as it could be, and had bathed in sparkling mineral waters fresh from the mountain stream. The soft velvety touch of the silk dress stroked my smooth calves as I walked intensifying the soft feel of both the material itself and my skin.
Putting all thoughts as to what lay ahead I traversed slowly along the path continuing to keep my mind on how beautiful I looked and how I had been blessed with a bright sunny day. There were distant dark clouds but I would
likely be at my life’s end long before the chance of rainfall. I was beautiful, in my beautiful dress and it was a beautiful day. I tried to muster a beautiful smile to match but simply couldn’t muster the mental will to do so.
Taking a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth I stopped in my tracks and looked down at my foot. I had stepped upon something. Crouching down then changing to a sitting position I raised my foot for closer inspection only to then notice how filthy my feet had become. From the ball of my right foot just below my big toe protruded a thorn that was imbedded deep within the flesh. There was only one way to remove it and that was with one swift action. Within a flash, not giving myself too much time to think about it, I pinched the base of the thorn then pulled hard.
“Urgh!” I moaned as my eyes warmed with tears.
I wasn’t good with pain or the sight of blood, and was incredibly sensitive, which made me all the more apprehensive. I needed time to weep properly, but it wasn’t appropriate. I needed to remain in control. Wiping my face first I took a number of deep breaths, keeping my thoughts focused, yet at the same time not wishing to ponder as to what was in store for me. I knew I was going to die and my body consumed, but as to the precise manner of my death wasn’t something I intended to dwell upon.
My eyes darted back once more in the direction I had come. I was sure I heard the sound of a horse’s hoof against the hard ground. Listening intently whilst still sitting upon the ground I tried to make out any other sounds among the noise of my rough breath and beating heart. I still wasn’t fully certain but suspected I was being watched. Maybe the beast itself was watching but it was far more likely one of my guards. Even in full amour one man would be no match for the beast so I felt no comfort in my predicament.
Heaving myself from the ground I called out to whoever was there.
“You’re only putting yourself in danger so I insist that you cease from following me!” I said with a confident tone, “I am no longer your Queen, you’ve no need to hold any loyalty to me.”
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