Curse of the Asuune

by Jr Steven Sterup

“Go away,” Sarah replied. She didn’t sound angry but she did sound upset.

  “Can I just come in for a minute? I just want to explain some things,” Mark pressed.

  “Fine, I guess I do have your daughter in here. I can’t keep you from seeing her,” Sarah conceded.

  “Thank you,” Mark said as he opened the door.

  Sarah was still in the same ratty, beat up and burned clothing she had worn when he brought her back. Kathrine woke when she heard her father’s voice. The bandage on her right side looked new, Agnus must have changed it in the middle of the night.

  “Are you two ok?” Mark asked. He knew what he wanted to say to Sarah but Kathrine was here.

  “I’m good,” they both replied nearly at the same time, though Sarah’s was spiteful and Kathrine’s was cheery.

  “That’s good,” Mark said nervously then sat in the chair beside Kathrine.

  “Oh, geez guys. Are you in grade school?” Kathrine blurted out.

  Mark and Sarah both looked at each other.

  “Fine, I’m gonna go see our new home. You two grow some balls and talk to each other. I mean geez, it can’t be that hard to talk to each other. You were best friends for my whole life,” Kathrine said as she made her way toward Sarah.

  “Glad you’re back, Aunt Sarah,” Kathrine said as she kissed Sarah on the cheek.

  “Glad you’re back too, Katie,” Sarah replied.

  “I prefer Kathrine.” She scolded.

  “Ok, Kathrine. Jen’s little girl is all grown up.” Sarah smiled as Kathrine made her way to her dad. Kathrine kissed him on the cheek as well then headed for the door.

  “If I hear fighting I’m coming back to kick your asses,” Kathrine said as she closed the door. Quickly it flew back open. “Why do I suddenly feel like the only adult here?” She then closed the door again and was gone.

  Mark sat trying not to look at Sarah for a few minutes hoping she would start. When he glanced at her he saw she was angry so he mustered his courage and tried to explain.

  “Sarah…” Mark tried but the words wouldn’t come out. “I’m sorry, I’m an idiot.”

  “You’re sorry you’re an idiot? That’s what you wanted to talk to me about? Being an idiot? I could have saved you the trouble. I already know you’re an idiot.” Sarah crossed her legs then her arms. She was really pissed.

  “I should have told you this sooner…” Mark stumbled again.

  Sarah lost her cool. She stood up and walked determinedly toward Mark. She picked him up by the collar of his shirt and started yelling.

  “You robbed me of my judgment! All I wanted was a chance to end this! I can’t take it anymore! I’m not going to go around pining for someone I just can’t have! Not anymore!” Sarah threw Mark back on the couch. “And who do you think you are saving me? I didn’t ask to be saved, didn’t want to be saved. You arrogant bastard!” Sarah continued.

  Mark stood up. He needed to tell her. He would never get another chance. Why was he so timid around Sarah?

  “I love you!” Mark shouted and Sarah’s ranting stopped.

  At first she thought she had misheard him. Then she thought it was a cruel joke or some attempt to placate her. She got angry again.

  “So, what?! I’m just supposed to follow you around like a lost puppy while you give me pity hugs and pretend that you are happy with me. You don’t get it!” Sarah’s voice was getting louder and tears started forming in her eyes. “You are my Jen! I didn’t want this! I didn’t ask for this! I’m not going to be someone’s second choice! I’d sooner die than live the rest of my life feeling like this!” Sarah turned around and kicked the coffee table, it flew across the room and shattered against the wall.

  “I’m not being patronizing. I really love you,” Mark tried to explain.

  “That’s not possible!” Sarah was still yelling at the top of her lungs.

  “You said yourself, that I’m special, I’m different!” Mark was now yelling too.

  “So, what?! That has nothing to do with this!” Sarah was quieter, still loud but quieter than before. Sarah tried to wipe the tears away but they just kept coming. She had held this in for too long.

  “You and Jen, you are the same. To me, I mean.” He wasn’t explaining it very well but Sarah was calming down.

  “What do you mean the same?” Sarah asked, she was still crying but no longer yelling.

  The door flew open and Kathrine was standing in the doorway.

  “The yelling stopped, I just wanted to make sure that you two hadn’t killed each other,” Kathrine snickered. Behind Kathrine was Agnus peering over her shoulder.

  “You guys ok?” Agnus asked.

  “We’re fine,” Sarah snarled wiping the tears from her eyes.

  “Good, now why don’t you two just hug or something,” Kathrine said.

  “Yeah, go have sex and get this over with,” Agnus added.

  “Ewww,” Kathrine sneered. Now she was acting like a kid but the mental picture of her father having sex with her aunt slash soon to be step-mom was not something she wanted in her head.

  “You guys seem better at least,” Kathrine said as she slowly closed the door. “We’ll be right outside.”

  Before Kathrine could shut the door Sarah yelled at her.

  “Kathrine!…Probably better not come in unless you hear yelling from now on, breaking furniture might mean something very different here in a few minutes,” Sarah smirked at Kathrine.

  “Quit that! Scarred for life here!” Kathrine said as she shut the door.

  “Now what were you saying?” Sarah wasn’t crying anymore.

  Mark looked down at her and quickly forgot what he was saying. Sarah was beautiful. Even in ripped up clothes, her face wet from crying she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

  “I can’t remember,” Mark replied and leaned in to kiss her.

  “Woa, woa, I’m not that easy,” Sarah said as she put up her hand. “You were saying that Jen and I are the same?”

  “Yes, I feel the same way about you that I did about Jen. It’s like you’re the same person, almost.” Mark still thought he wasn’t making sense but it was making Sarah happy so he went with it. “Maybe I have two people I’m supposed to be with? Maybe God gave me two?”

  “You seriously feel the same way about me as you did about Jen? The same? No different?” Sarah asked as she pushed Mark on to the couch playfully.

  “No, I mean, yes, the same,” Mark stammered.

  “I see, well I think we should take this slow then,” Sarah stated.

  “I can do slow, as long as you are happy,” Mark replied.

  Sarah started to unbutton her ratty shirt and it fell to the floor. Sarah positioned herself on Mark’s lap facing him and kissed him on the lips.

  Mark had never wanted to kiss someone so much in his entire life. He was nearly drunk from her scent. He gently caressed her smooth back up to her shoulders then placed his hand behind her neck. With the back of his other hand he slowly traced a line up her stomach and marveled at the soft noises of pleasure that came from deep in her throat.

  “I thought you said we were gonna take it slow?” Mark asked as he pulled away from Sarah.

  “I meant you need to take it slow. I haven’t had sex in about seven years. I don’t want you wearing yourself out. We’re gonna be at this a while,” Sarah smirked and kissed him again. Her hands quickly undid the buttons on his shirt but Mark was impatient. He tore the shirt off himself and threw it.

  “Slowly,” Sarah reiterated.

  Mark wasn’t sure he could do slow. He wanted her more than he had ever remembered wanting anything.

  Sarah gently kissed down his neck and to the middle of his chest. While she kissed him she found pleasure in the moans he was making. She very slowly undid his jeans and then worked her way back up.

  “To hell with slowly,” Sarah said, then she stood up and removed her torn pants.

  Mark sat there dazed at first, for the first time he d
idn’t have to look away, he didn’t have to feel guilty. Mark’s eyes took in every inch of the five foot four beauty standing in front of him then he stood to meet her. He removed his pants as well then leaned down to kiss her again.

  Mark’s lips left Sarah’s and made their way to her ear. He nibbled it then whispered. “I want to kiss every inch of you. I don’t know what I did to deserve you but I’m starting to like slowly.”

  Mark lifted Sarah and carried her to the bedroom where he gently laid her on the bed. He quickly positioned himself on the bed above her and gently moved his fingers up and down her naked body smiling every time she sighed. He kissed Sarah on the lips again and then made his way down. He stopped at her nipples and gave them each a little nibble before continuing south. He was really liking slow now, he wanted this to last and Sarah seemed to have changed her mind also.

  Sarah gasped in pleasure as his mouth found her center. He lingered there long enough for Sarah to moan his name softly then began nibbling and kissing inside her thighs. Mark worked his way back up, stopping for a second time to make her cry out his name before kissing up her body to her neck. His fingers continued to pleasure her while he kissed and bit her neck. Every time he found something that made her gasp or moan he made a mental note. He wanted to find every sensual spot on Sarah’s body then go back and give them the attention they deserved. Sarah attempted to grab his manhood, she wanted him to feel pleasure as well but he moved her hand away gently.

  “You’ve waited longer than I have for this, it’s your turn first,” Mark whispered while he nibbled her earlobe.

  Sarah attempted to argue but Mark’s fingers had found the right spot and her words were cut short with a gasp. She ground her hips against Mark’s hand, the only word that managed to escape her lips was his name.

  “I think you’re ready,” Mark whispered as his mouth left Sarah’s earlobe.

  “Yes, I want you inside me,” Sarah pleaded.

  “That’s not what I meant,” Mark smirked and his lips again kissed their way down to her center.

  Sarah gasped and shook uncontrollably as his mouth hit the same spot his fingers had found earlier. She grabbed his hair and held on tightly as her body exploded in ecstasy. Her gasps and moans stopped, she had no control over her own body. She felt like electricity was running through every muscle. When the storm of pleasure eventually subsided Mark kissed his way up her stomach. Sarah panted, out of breath, and ran her fingers through his hair gently.

  “I hope I didn’t hurt you,” Sarah apologized.

  “I expect much worse than that soon,” Mark chuckled. “I think you might need one more before you’re really ready.”

  Mark found his way to Sarah’s breasts and took turns nibbling and sucking on each of them while Sarah’s nails scraped along his back. Mark had given her time to rest, it was time for number two. He put his hand under the small of her back and flipped the small woman over with one motion.

  “What are you doing?” Sarah asked but Mark answered only with nibbles and kisses up her spine.

  His hand caressed her beautiful bottom then moved between her thighs again. His fingers returned to the spot he would always remember while his thumb entered her. Sarah gasped again and moaned his name softly. Mark brushed her hair to the side and sucked on the back of her neck.

  “Shit!” Sarah cried out as she felt the pleasure building for a second time. She buried her face in the pillow and Mark could hear her muffled cries. “Yes, yes!” Then only sounds of pleasure as her body shook uncontrollably again.

  “Perhaps a third?” Mark asked grinning.

  Sarah took her face out of the pillow then flipped herself over.

  “Not until you’re inside me,” she demanded.

  Sarah pushed on Mark’s chest and he let himself fall onto his back. Sarah eased herself onto him and a high pitched sigh escaped her lips as he entered her. Soon Sarah couldn’t control herself any longer and she felt the pleasure building for a third time just as Mark tensed up beneath her. After the onslaught of pleasure subsided once more she fell onto Mark’s chest. Mark put his arms around her and rolled to the side. He gently kissed her forehead while he held her close. Sarah buried her face into his chest and laid there, content. She finally had her one and she would never let him go.

  Chapter 20

  After a few days, when Sarah and her dad had settled down a little, Kathrine came over to talk. She had missed Sarah and had so many things to share with her. They had been very good friends when Kathrine was younger and she wanted that back. Kathrine sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, making small talk with Sarah, while her dad tried to clean the place up.

  “It’s ok dad, I’m not a little kid, you’re just gonna make a mess again after I leave,” Kathrine smirked as she looked at Sarah. Sarah smiled back while Mark blushed.

  “I keep telling him that but he won’t listen,” Sarah said over her shoulder more to Mark than Kathrine.

  Sarah was wearing a dark blue, silk robe which Kathrine assumed had nothing under it while Mark wore sweat pants and an old tee-shirt.

  “He can be so uptight sometimes,” Sarah said when she turned back to Kathrine.

  “I know,” Kathrine agreed. “Do you think Sarah and I could have some time alone?” Kathrine asked her dad.

  “Umm…” Mark didn’t want to leave Sarah’s side but he knew he couldn’t spend every second with her. “Sure?” He was more asking Sarah than answering Kathrine.

  “Go get your house ready,” Sarah smiled at him.

  “You mean our house?” Mark responded.

  “Yes, our house,” Sarah replied. She was almost too giddy but Kathrine understood why.

  “You’re moving in?” Kathrine asked.

  “If that’s ok with you?” Sarah still wasn’t sure how this was sitting with Kathrine and Kathrine’s opinion mattered to her.

  “Of course it’s ok,” Kathrine smiled.

  “We were also thinking that you might be getting a little old to live with your dad so…” Sarah paused with her usually overly dramatic style. “I was hoping you might take my place?” Sarah pretended to cringe.

  “Really?” Kathrine asked sincerely.

  “Yeah! You would be right next door but still have all the privacy you need. You’re a grown woman, you don’t want your dad hanging around all the time,” Sarah made a face at Mark.

  Kathrine leaned in to whisper to Sarah.

  “Or my soon to be step mom?” Kathrine hoped.

  “We’ll see about that,” Sarah whispered back.

  Mark walked over and kissed Sarah then said his goodbyes and left.

  “Oh come on, you’re telling me you didn’t think about it? You’ve been pining over my dad for how long? Twenty years?” Kathrine said as she lifted her coffee cup.

  “I don’t want this to be weird, I mean I’m not trying to take your mom’s place. I just want to make sure everything goes ok and you’re ok with this.” Sarah was serious now.

  “Ok, let me start by saying. You’re not taking anyone’s place. Our family has always had four people in it. You have always had your own place. You’re just umm…switching roles, I guess,” Kathrine was surprised at how not weird this actually was. Their family had always been strange. Her dad had always had two wives and now that it was just Sarah, why should she not enjoy the perks, as her mom had called them.

  “Are you sure?” Sarah asked trying to make sure Kathrine was really on board with this.

  “Here,” Kathrine took her necklace off. On the necklace was the wedding ring that her mother used to wear.

  “Wait, no, I can’t wear that,” Sarah objected.

  “I don’t expect you to wear it,” Kathrine laughed. “Here is what you do. You put this away in your jewelry box or whatever, then when you are ready for dad to propose you put in around your neck. Make sure he sees it. He will get down on his knees and beg you to marry him.”

  “I don’t understand,” Sarah said.

  “My
dad is a smart, forceful person…except when he is around you or mom. You two do something to his brain I think. He can’t think for himself, he’s always too worried about doing the wrong thing. So when mom wanted him to propose she wore this necklace with this ring on it, the one my grandmother gave to her. I’m sure you will get your own ring but if dad sees this he will know I gave you my blessing.” Kathrine gently put the necklace in Sarah’s hand.

  “You have no idea how much this means to me,” Sarah said almost ready to cry.

  “I don’t think you know how much you mean to me,” Kathrine replied.

  Kathrine walked around the table and hugged Sarah.

  “I missed you,” Kathrine said, now she was about ready to cry.

  “I missed you too,” Sarah replied. “Is that all you wanted? It seemed like you were wanting to ask me something.”

  Kathrine returned to her seat and readied herself.

  “I wanted to ask how you first knew. I mean, how did you know it was him?” Kathrine asked, she seemed a little too nervous. There was more to it than she was ready to share.

  “Well, it’s hard to explain. It was a feeling, the way I felt when I looked at him. The smell of him, sound of his voice. It was like I was being pulled toward him and I couldn’t stop.” Sarah looked at Kathrine hoping she might share more.

  “I see,” Kathrine said, as she stared intently at her coffee.

  “Are you gonna tell me what’s going on yet or do I have to tickle you like I used to,” Sarah teased.

  This made Kathrine smile. Even at sixteen Sarah would tickle Kathrine whenever she was holding back. Sometimes Kathrine would intentionally hold things back just to get Sarah to tickle her. It was one of the few childhood things she kept into her teenage years and she had loved it.

  “No, I’ll talk,” Kathrine said, sticking out her tongue. It was so good to have Sarah back. At one point she had thought that her dad had also killed Sarah. That day Kathrine lost three family members, no one realized how much Sarah had meant to her, not even Sarah.

  “Well then…” Sarah prodded.

  “I met this guy,” Kathrine unintentionally smiled and looked down to try and hide it.