Trapped with a Way Out

by Jeffery Martinez

  Taking another gulp of the mead, Richard found herself unwillingly placing her right hand on his heart. It was the drink, she cursed, but no words formed at her mouth. They were the two of them nearly passed words now. Upon her contact, his good hand trailed from her back to situate on top of her knuckles, stroking them with his thumb.

  "It belongs to you, my savior, to do with it what you will," he murmured into her ear and felt her shudder in pleasure and anticipation.

  Richard suddenly eyed him as prey and grinned, raising her face up to his, though her eyes were droopy, "Youu dare give me somethin' so valyuable, so delicate, an' so eazily crushhhable?"

  "I do," he spoke without pausing to think; he didn't have to, "Despite all of your ambitions, you are still human. You will always be human and retain your humanity, along with all of the moral codes of conduct that are attached fringe benefits. I, however, have lost it." Vincent charted her burnt nose, her saggy eyes, her spotted hairline, and her scraped lips as she spoke back.

  "No," Richard shook her head, still grinning, "Therez a portion of you tha' still feels, tha' still haz honor, tha' still'z human. Yer not dead 'nside yet."

  Vincent shook his head again, remarking on her incredible tolerance for alcohol. Half-deformed, nearly burnt to a crisp, broken bones and patches of hair completely gone, and she was still swinging at him while half-drunk with the same determination he noticed in her the first time their eyes locked. And she was still stunning to him. My word, she wasperfect.

  He instantly sensed a new tone in her voice and saw a new flicker in her eyes as she giggled. It was predacious, like his. It was battling with her reason and conscience, so he quickly decided to nurse it. Vincent closed the space between them until he could feel individual strands of her coiled and singed hair tickle his nose. Their breathing had quickened as his right hand pursued her arm and shoulder, all the way up her collar bone to her neck, grasping it so that both now had a firm hold. She felt her own arms lock across his back in a tight embrace.

  Wait! Stop this! Can't you see what's happening? You are to gain control of him, not allow him to control you! she thought to herself. But those same words were overlapped with others that were shushing her fears and soothing her worries. He looked too good to pass up. His body was beckoning, his lips so inviting, his skin so alluring, his eyes just daring her to make the last move. Richard couldn't resist the challenge presented to her. She was never one to back down, only to the point when it became inappropriate. But shush, dear. Those are negative thoughts, and they are to be ignored. Fear not. Nothing bad will come of this. Just fall into his arms and let him take care of you. There is nothing wrong with two injured souls bonding in the face of so much destruction. You need comfort, especially now, and he will willingly give you that. Just...fall...

  Richard had fought fruitlessly for the last will of her sanity as he entranced her with his touch and the drink won. She felt herself drowning in the poor judgment of her own making. All she selfishly wanted was him -his lips upon hers, his taste, his body. Everything. She craved him; ached for him. Her conscience had been muffled with a pillow until she could hear it no longer and left it for dead, no thanks to her id's passions now flaring up inside of her.

  With one soft groan, Richard moved her hands up his back to rake her fingertips across his scalp as she pulled herself up to straddle him. It set Vincent's flesh aflame as his hands dropped to press her lower back to him until their stomachs touched. He moaned in pleasure as she pressed her entire body onto him, causing Vincent to lean back onto the wall and grin in triumph.

  "It remains to hang in the balance. You will decide my fate," he grated out before plundering her lips with his.

  "All I'm saying is that we were extremely fortunate that Victor just 'appeared' and saved us all from death," Jusztina walked with Ana and Loredana in a hurried gait, "A little toofortunate, for my tastes."

  Loredana hushed both girls as they turned the last corner to The Regent's bedchamber, "Ladies are not to speak of such trifling matters. Let the men handle those. It is not within our realm to worry overmuch on things which men can handle."

  Ana felt her hands tighten on the bouquet of flowers, "You think this is a 'trifling matter'? Something that a couple of men could easily fix over a meal? This act will have repercussions that everyone will not expect. I can only hope that The Regent is well enough in his recovery to determine what will be next."

  Loredana twirled an ash blonde curl in between her fingers, her aged eyes masking a scowl, "We can only hope. Now, shush," she knocked on the door they had walked to and waited patiently. A man's low grumble from inside allowed her entry.

  She turned the knob and gently opened the door. Candles had been lit, and all three women could see Erzsébet leaning over her husband's bed, clutching his hand to her heart. Ana entered and placed the flowers in a vase, and Jusztina set the platter of food -a mixed assortment of cheeses, bread, and a gracious amount of wine- onto his nightstand. Loredana cleared her throat softly once her ladies filed silently back into formation behind her.

  "My governess, Lady Erzsébet," Loredana started, "If there is nothing else you need, then we shall be heading to Richard and William's room."

  The Regent animated and smiled, "Good morning, ladies." His body had few bruises to count for, and very little damage overall; fortunate, some would say.

  Erzsébet kissed his forehead, "Are you feeling better?" She tried desperately to hold back the flood of tears awaiting a perfect chance to ruin the sweet moment.

  He stroked her soft cheek, "You were the one who restricted me to bed-rest for two days. I feel fine, love, and I must return to my duties."

  She eyed him for a moment and nodded, "I would very much like to have you return…"

  He pulled the covers off of himself and sat up, scratching the fast-growing stubble on his chin, "…But?" he could tell an open-ended sentence when he heard one.

  Erzsébet paused, swallowing hard and turning to the other women in the room, "My ladies, how are you this morning?"

  "Well," Loredana answered for all three, "We were arriving with your breakfast and were wondering if you needed anything else…" The elder maid could sense what was about to happen and took the hint.

  His bones cracked as he stood, rolling his head from side to side, when he suddenly had a massive attack of vertigo, "No, that will be all. Thank you. Please, leave us."

  The ladies-in-waiting made their exit silently and left the two. Upon the closing of the massive chamber door, The Regent's manner softened as he caved and wobbled. Erzsébet caught his broad shoulders and sat him back down on the bed.

  "Ill. That's what you are," she tisked and reached for the platter of food, watching her hands visibly tremble.

  Her husband swatted them impatiently away, not noticing, "No, I must return to Walter. He has news on Lord George and Lord Victor. He has been investigating and tearing through their papers, desperately trying to find something that could link the Assassin and Lord George together."

  "And so far?" Erzsébet challenged him with a questioning look.

  His face fell, forming more aged wrinkles on his scruffy cheeks, "So far, nothing," his gaze intensified as it returned to her, "That is the reason why I must be present. You cannot shackle me to the bed, woman. As Regent of Hungary, it is my duty to bring justice to Her during times of war. This was an act of war, it qualifies. Therefore, it stands to reason that I leave this room and question the House of Poděbrady. We cannot hold them under the tip of a sword for much longer without my presence asserted."

  Erzsébet placed the tray down heavily onto the bed and traced his bruises and scratches with a finger, "You will leave this room when you have eaten your food and when I see three guards posted next to you at all times."

  Her tone of voice was as tight as a girth to a saddle.

  The Regent laughed softly and nodded, "Alright, alright. Peace, my love," he grasped her hands, "Now, what is it that is plaguing your mind? I can tel
l something is…amiss."

  Erzsébet choked back a tearfully rueful smile, slowly stroking his broad palms and not daring to look into his face as she informed him, "It…it's Ladislaus, my love…"

  William tossed and turned in her sleep. The Assassin was grinning at her; his hand was outstretched with the candle in his palm. She was the only one in the room, watching it tip in his hand. She screamed and ran for him, but no matter how fast she sprinted the candle was faster. It dropped and exploded the barrel, causing her body to flail to the castle wall. She felt her head crack violently into a pillar and watched the stained glass window above them shatter into thousands of jagged pieces -a sound that rang in her ears like the piercing screams of what would soon be the foretelling chaos in her land.

  "NO!" William's eyes snapped open as she swung a fist upward.

  "Ack!"

  She focused her eyes onto the person in front of her who was rubbing his red jaw. He smiled, nonetheless, and waved a hand.

  "'Ello there, my lady," Pip sat on the edge of her bed with a bottle in his hand.

  "Oh, dear! I just…you were…and then I…" she sounded horrified, shifting her eyes from her deployed hand to his jaw and blindly reached up to his chin, "Forgive me, please. I was having a terrible nightmare."

  Pip shrugged the pain off but dipped slightly in to feel her touch as she examined the ding, "You pack a mighty fine swing there, kitten, but it was nothing I could not handle."

  Her eyes softened and she smiled weakly at him, suddenly aware of how hideous she appeared. Yet, in all of her bandages and primitive splints, her blonde hair still sprung out like straw as thick as his working fingers. Even in the midst of the pain and mourning, William still looked beautiful to him.

  "I look like Death warmed over," she struggled to sit up as her stiff arms and wrapped legs refused to bend.

  Pip snickered at her comment, "A very beautiful incarnate of Death then; one that has entranced this fool."

  William sat for a moment before gracelessly tipping forward to close the space between them for a hug, but instead found herself falling face-first into the bed covers with a painful and surprised grunt. Pip uprooted himself in a bought of laughter at her clumsiness that resounded obnoxiously throughout the large room. She nervously thrashed and struggled to sit up once more, consequently yelling at him.

  "You are so boisterously loud! Quit laughing at me and help! Or leave, scoundrel!" she snarled at him, tearful.

  Pip controlled himself adeptly and took hold of her shoulders, easily lifting her up and into a strong embrace, wrapping his arms gently around her, "Girl," he inhaled, "You could not be more perfect to me, disabled or not," his eyes trailed down her shirt as he held her there, "Though, it is adorable to watch you struggle and squirm."

  William latched onto him for support and balance; she sighed. He smelled of leather and horse stall -that outdoor scent of a working man with a small whiff of mead, "I'm just content that you emerged from the wreckage relatively unharmed."

  "Compared to you, I'm golden," Pip smirked, eyes squinting as his crooked smile elongated. That cheeky grin.

  Damn him.

  "Rah!" she grunted, "You drive me nearly to insanity! Half the time I want to be in your presence, and the other half I want to avoid you. If I'm not thinking about you, then I'm thinking about personally tying you up and choking you," her hands stiffly made their way up to grasp his thick neck. She squeezed ever so slightly, only proving that she really could not hurt him.

  Pip laughed again, "Kitten, you are incapable of choking me. Your small hands barely wrap around my neck as it is. Your only use is with a bow and arrow apparently…or rummaging around the larder to make me a sandwich."

  William's eyes darkened as she shoved off of him in disgust, "Goodbye, castle guard," she tried to turn her back to him.

  His hands fell from her side, but his smug expression caused her to turn back around.

  "I have some news about that title."

  "What does that mean? Out with it," she demanded, futilely crossing her arms in an attempt to look formidable.

  Pip traced his hand on her blankets, "Well, after The Regent woke up briefly from the trauma, he asked for me at once. I'd thought he was going to throw me in the dungeon the way I tackled him, but he took my hand and said to me 'Guard, for your courage and bravery, you have saved me from most certain death. I am in your debt.' The Regent asked what he could give to me in return for my act of valor, and one thing came to mind."

  William's eyes widened, "Wait…you…?"

  Pip nodded, "Oui, I asked to be knighted. He fervently agreed and had Walter snatch a ceremonial sword from the throne room. He knighted me -being active leader of Hungary in the absence of a king- that afternoon with his wife and a few of my castle guard friends as witnesses. I am now Sir Pip."

  William's mouth dropped, "But that means that you can enter in the tourney! You can fight for my hand in-" she paused, "…is…is that what you've wanted this whole time?"

  Pip bashfully grinned, the slightest hint of a blush on his cheek, "Your large and chaste bosom heaves magnificently," he tried, but she only recoiled in disfavor of the comment. He tried again with less crass and more sincerity, "One is a disgrace of a man to let someone as fine as you slip through his fingers."

  William scoffed this time, unsure if she should be flattered or nauseous. Either way, she suddenly found herself mirroring his grin. It had to be that crudely honest streak in him.

  Now, all he had to do was win. And not die.

  Simple.

  Vincent's lips were warm and inviting as he silenced Richard with another kiss, deepening the scarlet lust blossoming inside of her. He made slow, knowing circles with his hands on her back that moved lower and lower with each stroke. Richard's breath caught in her throat as one hand trailed lazily up her thigh, lifting her undergarments out of his way. Richard's mouth opened in a silent gasp, allowing his tongue passage into hers as he explored her. As their mouths worked against each other, tension between them began to build. Tension that was as desired as it was suffocating.

  Vincent released Richard as she gasped for air, watching as she threw her head back to expose her long neck. Pulling her back to him, his lips easily found their way to kiss her collarbone. Her warm skin and fast-beating pulse were dancing across his tongue as he kissed her neck, lingering there for a moment.

  Powerrr…it purred.

  Powerrr through the currency of life…Vincent…her lifeblood…ever so sweet…ever coursing through that nimble body…pleading to be-

  "Velaaad," she whispered, awakening him from his trance as she slipped her hips higher onto his waist.

  Vincent shoved the voice to the back of his head when he found his mouth closing in on her throbbing jugular. His eyes widened in shock as he realized his ensuing actions. Vincent quickly closed his mouth and jerked his head away from the area, but it was difficult to control anything else when he felt Richard's hands explore his abs. She eagerly slid her own hands along the solid contours of Vincent's chest, her soft touch causing him to shudder as they ventured lower and lower. Vincent succumbed and locked lips with her once more, eager for her intoxicating taste to delight his senses again.

  Richard felt Vincent tip her back to him as his embrace began to caress her body with heat that steadily rose in each passing second. A deep pressure inside of her increased until it nearly became unbearable as his delicious touches elicited a moan from her that vibrated their joined lips.

  "Richard," he answered her with a ragged voice as he caught her in another open-mouthed kiss.

  Richard's mind was a swirling vortex of entropy, but out of the whirlwind she managed to feel two things: wrong, and wrong. This was wrong.

  But it feels so g-

  Wrong! It was all wrong! Wrong! Not right! No, it had to stop. She had to stop. She was off to marry Lord Victor. What had overcome her senses? What on this green earth had possessed her?

  Vincent.

  Her r
eason was bucked off once more as he gripped her waist with both of his hands. But what shocked her was when he suddenly ripped their kiss apart and gazed down at her with a troubled look.

  Vincent blinked his eyes, trying to conceal the evident lust still held within them, "Richard, you must leave."

  She felt her chest heaving for air and her thoughts a minute behind his, "Wha'?"

  He took a hold of her shoulders and swallowed, "I…think I hear someone coming," he lied and watched her pause for a moment, then clumsily slide off of him, the bed, and wobble as her feet touched the floor.

  There. Isn't that what you desired all along? Now flee, before you succumb to your foolishness once more, her Reason chided.

  Both looked at one another for a moment, as if finally absorbing in what they had just done in the briefest of moments: the gross act of misconduct in which they had both played a part, the sins both had committed for which they would need to repent, and the consequences that would always follow with such debauchery…if anyone knew of it, that is.

  Vincent smiled apologetically, already sensing the inevitable rain of rage that was about to flood to him in three, two, one…

  Richard shamefully smoothed out her clothing and closed her eyes, "Wha waz I thinkin'? This waz wrong ta do." She retreated further away from him, attacked by an overwhelming avalanche of guilt and panic, and tried to make it to the door quickly, wiping her mouth free of his intoxicating taste.

  Vincent's face did not change, but instead kept a quiet calm, "You wish to run away from your feelings for me? Be my guest. See where that leads you. Live in denial your whole life," he paused for effect, goading her with his last words, "Try it."

  Richard's mouth opened in anger but she closed it with a snap, speaking through her teeth, "Thas where you and I differ. Your lust blinds yu. It takes over control. Yu think yu c'n control mee? Therez one thing I c'n do that yu can't, an' thaz seperating mye feelin's when carryin' out orders. Your lust fer me will be yer undoin', mark mye words," she stomped out of the room and slammed the door to the barracks, but not before pausing to glance at Ladislaus tearfully.