DISCLAIMER: Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, etc. are
©copyright MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. I don’t own them, I just play
with them for a while and, like the good girl I am, I put them back when I’m
done…okay, they get a little worn, but hey…I play hard! Absolutely no Copyright
infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. It’s intended as flattery
toward the creators, writers, and actors of the characters. All other characters that
appear are ©copyright Devlin@xenafan.com. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in
any way. Copies may be made for private use only and I’d appreciate if you included
all copyright notices and this disclaimer.
VIOLENCE WARNING: There is violence (come on
it’s the Conqueror). The nature of the story is not nearly as dark as some Conqueror
fiction, but it’s essence is still the slave / master relationship that exists
between Xena & Gabrielle.
TIMELINE: My own making. Xena is the Lord,
Conqueror of Greece, but she is almost forty-five years old when she meets the slave,
Gabrielle. Many of Xena’s evil ways have been sedated, but not all. I call this Xena
the “thinking woman’s” Conqueror. She is a woman who wants to try to do the
right thing, but doesn’t always know how.
SEX: Yes, I’ll have some, thank you. Ooops! I mean, yes there is. It is our favorite
two Soulmates, after all. It’s not gratuitous, but it is quite explicit when it gets
going. This story shows consensual as well as non-consenting love (master/slave), sex and
yes, even some light bdsm between two adult females.
HIGH ANGST WARNING: I was threatened within an
inch of my life if I didn’t start putting this disclaimer on some (all?) of my work.
I will henceforth rate the angst content with sad faces, one being the lowest and four
being the highest. This story earns: L L
(2 sad faces for those without TT Fonts)
UNDERAGE WARNING: Hey, the Supreme Court said in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union (1997) that
laws against making available, online, certain “indecent” materials for those
under 18 was unconstitutional…look it up! Besides, this is perfectly
“decent.” J
I only know
how others feel about my stories from feedback. Let me know what you think...homophobes
need not apply, however. I’m at: Devlin@xenafan.com
**Special thanks to Jim Kuntz for his permission in using any Lion of Amphipolis references.
The Conqueror Series
Tale One: Journey’s End
By LJ Maas
Our evening
meal was a quiet affair; both of us lost in our own private thoughts. My young slave
seemed as pensive as I, on this evening. I told her I had a little work to do and the next
couple of candlemarks were her own. I kissed the top of her head and sent her off to her
scrolls. When she looked back at me, I thought I saw disappointment written on her face.
Sometime
later, I sat at my writing table, within the silent confines of my study, surrounded by
the ceiling high shelves packed with scrolls and parchments. I pulled the silk robe
tighter around my body, as if to ward off the chill and damp that always settled in the
castle, once the sun was drawn from the sky. I meant to get some work done writing
letters, a seemingly never-ending task. All I could do, however, was to ponder all that I
learned from Gabrielle’s scrolls.
So many
thoughts and emotions seemed to be racing around in my head; I can scarcely remember my
own name. Does Gabrielle feel anything akin to what I feel for her? She feels something,
her scroll made that much apparent, but what if it was nothing more than friendship? Yes,
she feels pleasure from my touch, but I am basically giving her no choice, am I? Gods, am
I forcing her into feeling these things? Is it similar to training a falcon to sit
on my hand in order to receive its reward, when it’s not what the bird would do
naturally? All these doubts and self-recriminations came at me until my head began to
pound.
I saw a
movement to my right and saw a tentative blonde head peek into the room. Gabrielle was
never to interrupt me in my study, in case I was in a meeting. I purposefully left the
door open to this room, hoping she would eventually find me.
“My
Lord?” she asked, standing in the doorway.
“Come
in, little one, I’m alone.”
Gabrielle
smiled and walked up to my desk, standing beside the large chair that held my long frame.
I slipped an arm around her hips and just as easily she ran her fingers through my hair,
brushing back the dark locks, that fell forward into my eyes. It seemed such a natural
movement, and I squeezed her in response.
“What
is it Gabrielle?”
“You
said that you wanted to teach me, My Lord. The game…King’s Men?” she
reminded me.
“Ahh,
so I did. Are you still interested? It’s a complicated game.”
“I’ll
do my best, My Lord.” She answered.
When I
walked into the outer room, I was pleasantly surprised. A warm fire burned brightly in the
fireplace, a number of large candles and a lamp were lit, and moved close to the playing
table. Finally, a goblet of sweet wine rested by my favorite chair, which was positioned
in front of the marble table.
Gabrielle
looked up at me expectantly and I couldn’t resist reaching over to place a light kiss
on her forehead. “This is lovely, thank you, Gabrielle.”
Nearly a
candlemark later, we were hunched over the table, beginning the first real game. Gabrielle
memorized the moves that each distinct piece was allowed to make, and it became apparent
to me why she was as intelligent as she was. The young woman possessed a remarkable
memory, easily remembering the sometimes, complicated pattern of steps each piece took, to
effect a turn.
I made my
first move and Gabrielle quickly moved a piece after me. I looked up at her and she never
took her eyes off the board, hovering there as if she couldn’t wait for me to take my
turn. After a few moments of deliberation, I again moved one of my front warriors forward
a step. My hand was barely off the piece, when Gabrielle’s hand shot out and moved
one of her warriors on the far left. An arch to my eyebrow was the only clue that I was
becoming perturbed. Still the young woman focused only at the playing field. On my third
move, I pushed a different warrior into the fray, before I raised the goblet of wine to my
lips, Gabrielle moved her Centaur in to take the Warrior, and I frowned. I didn’t
like losing the first piece.
“Gabrielle,
why would you make a move like that? You took my Warrior it’s true, but now
you’ve put your Centaur in harm’s way. See?” I pointed out, plucking the
centaur from the table and putting my Castle down in its place. “You should only
sacrifice a piece to get an opponent’s piece that is of greater value.”
“Yes,
My Lord, I remember that you said that, but that was my intention.” She said, as she
deftly picked up her lavender Mystic from the corner of the board and moved it through the
spaces vacated by two of my Warriors and one of hers. She knocked my castle to one side
and placed her own piece in its square. She quietly picked up my fallen piece and set it
off to her side of the table.
“How
did you--” I leaned forward in my chair and scanned the table.
“Is
that wrong?” Gabrielle looked at me earnestly.
How could I
let my temper flare when she looked at me that way? Okay, it’s just been a while
since I’ve played the game, that’s all.
“No,
Gabrielle, that’s not wrong. Actually, you did very well.” I answered, even if
it was somewhat grudgingly.
I eased
myself back into the chair and we began again. I would study the table and the game
pieces, and then with deliberate care, I would make my move. Gabrielle seemed not to even
care, but the girl got the best of me for three moves in a row.
“Gabrielle,”
I began, trying not to let my scowl become any deeper, “We’re not in any hurry
here. I mean, you can take your time and think about your moves before you make
them.”
“Have I
done it wrong?” Gabrielle looked startled and stared at the board again in confusion.
“No,
no. I simply meant that this type of a game is a contest of wits, not speed. I’ve
known great battlefield strategists who have taken days to make one move.”
“Days?”
Gabrielle finally looked up at me.
Suddenly I
felt like a complete fool, mostly because my young slave was looking at me as if I’d
just said the most idiotic thing she ever heard.
“Well,
maybe not days exactly, but a long time.” I quickly recovered.
“Yes,
My Lord.” She answered.
I went
through two more cups of wine before I realized that must be what was throwing my
concentration off. In reality it was that and the fact that Gabrielle never slowed her
style of play, she was kicking my ass, and I was getting as grumpy as a child whose
favorite toy was just torn apart by the family hounds.
Gabrielle
began do notice my darkening mood, which must have been why she suggested we quit for the
evening. It took me a while, being caught up in my own petulance, but I finally realized
that Gabrielle was slowly losing pieces to me via moves that she hadn’t been foolish
enough to make in the beginning of the game. Gabrielle reached over to move her King into
a spot even a beginner wouldn’t choose. The light of understanding finally made
it’s way to my thick head. Gods, why do people bother with me! I’m as bad as any
ill-tempered child.
I calmly
sighed and reached out my hand, covering Gabrielle’s under my own, before she had a
chance to lay the jade playing piece down.
“Gabrielle?
You see I hate to lose, don’t you?” I asked.
“Yes,
My Lord.” She answered softly.
“Do you
know what I dislike, even more than losing at anything?”
Gabrielle
shook her head and brought a solemn gaze up to meet mine.
“When
someone lets me win a contest because I’ve intimidated or bullied them. I hate that
about myself and now I feel I may have committed that act with you, and that was never my
intention. Now, you realize that once your hand leaves this piece, this move will be
final?”
“Yes,
My Lord, I remember.” Gabrielle nodded her head.
“Then
I’ll ask you…do you still want to place your King there?” I looked across
at the girl and grinned, telling her I knew of her ruse.
“No, My
Lord?” she phrased it as a question just to be sure.
I laughed
aloud. “All right then, please continue.”
My mood
cheered considerably after that, although it was short lived. I thought I had a plan, but
four moves later, Gabrielle moved her King again and looked up at me. I’m sure the
tentative smile on her face was from my open mouthed expression as opposed to any real joy
she felt. I could be wrong, however.
“I
believe, My Lord, that you are cornered.”
“No,
Gabrielle, that’s called dead.” I looked up from the table with a wry smile.
“By the Gods, girl, how did you do that?” I was still scanning the table trying
to figure out where I went wrong.
I sat there
and listened as Gabrielle explained the method behind her moves. I had always been taught
to think a few moves ahead, but this young woman amazed me. Gabrielle was at least six
moves ahead of me, during the whole game. I knew that some possessed a skill such as this,
but for it to be my young slave, that astounded me.
“Come
here, you.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her into my lap, squeezing her tightly and
covering her neck in a shower of teasing kisses, that to my delight, made her laugh in my
arms.
“Remind
me to do something, Gabrielle.” I told her.
“What,
My Lord?” she responded.
I pulled
back and put as intent a look on my face as I could muster. “The next time I go into
battle, to take you with me. You’re the greatest strategist I’ve ever been
acquainted with.”
The young
woman giggled, as I hoped she would, but somewhere, deep inside my brain, that tiny voice
was back, telling me I finally met my match. Boadicea, Caesar, Alexander, Antipater, they
all challenged me and, eventually, they all lost. Could even the Gods have known, that a
small and loving little slave would be the one to cut me down to size?
*********************
This time
was different and I don’t know why. Gabrielle lay against me in our bed, actually,
more on top of me, her breasts pressed firmly against mine, our legs entwined, both of us
pushing our bodies into the other, just a little bit further each time. The kisses
weren’t nearly as raw as the ones we shared last night, tonight, it seemed as if it
was all about softness, slow touches, and gentle arousal. Tonight the fire wasn’t
roaring out of control, rather it was building slowly, with a need to see it burn
throughout the night. Gabrielle touched me, then I touched her, and soon we were simply
trading caresses, each igniting burning trails along the other’s skin.
I felt
Gabrielle’s body slide along my own, positioning herself more fully on me. When she
leaned over my face, reaching down to kiss me, I kept my eyes open to watch as she teased,
first with the tip of her tongue. I watched as she ran her small pink tongue along my
lower lip, tugging gently with her teeth. She continued by running the tip along my upper
lip, continuing to stroke the cleft there in a subtle motion that hinted at regions of my
body much lower, that would soon feel that same stroking tongue. I could stand the
arousing torment no longer and wrapped my arms around her waist, crushing her against my
body. I sucked that tongue into my mouth and we both began a rocking motion with our hips,
in response to the oral exploration.
Everywhere…I
simply wanted to touch her everywhere at once, and Gods know, I tried. The silky
smoothness of her skin, the way she urged her hips into mine, the scent of her, all
combined to fill my senses to the point of overload. I kissed her shoulder and ran my
tongue along the corded muscle of her neck. I breathed in her aroma and sighed. Gabrielle
smelled of the delicate soap from her bath, the light rose oil that reminded me of the
deep red flowers in my garden, both mixed with the bouquet of our mingled desire, that
rose up and threatened to overwhelm me.
I slid my
hands between our bodies, wanting to touch that wetness, aching to feel the young woman
tremble against me with every stroke of that sensitive flesh. Gabrielle intercepted my
hands and grasped the wrists firmly, drawing my hands over my head. I could have stopped
her with sheer strength, but I was curious to see where my slave was going with this. She
wrapped my fingers under the wooden headboard, her eyes, never leaving my own.
“If you
let go…I’ll stop.” She whispered into my ear, before sliding her tongue
along the outer edge, letting her teeth tug at the flesh of my earlobe, all the while I
could hear a low whimper coming from the back of my throat.
“Gabrielle…”
I drawled out in warning. Gabrielle’s past episodes of domination came at a time when
I couldn’t think, but this was slow and calculating, and I wasn’t sure if I was
prepared for this conscious decision.
I still had
my hands wrapped around the lower post of the carved wood, when Gabrielle pulled back and
looked into my eyes. She stroked my cheek with fingers that seemed to burn my skin with
their fiery caress.
“Please,
Xena…let me?”
Gods, was
there a man or a woman alive who could have ignored that passionate plea? I certainly
wasn’t one of them, as I white knuckled it around that wood and concentrated on
keeping my grip.
All I could
say later was that Gabrielle’s tongue certainly made a meal of me. I knew I was in
sincere trouble when I was literally shaking, my muscles jumping in tiny convulsions,
before Gabrielle’s lips ever enclosed a rock hard nipple. When she licked her lips
and covered the aching bit of flesh a loud groan flew unbidden past my lips, my back
arching into the pleasurable sensation.
Fighting to
take in normal breaths of air, I felt that tongue as it slid down my abdomen, gliding
repeatedly over the muscles of my belly that rippled and fluttered as small tremors of
desire shot through me.
“Gabrie--Oh,
Gods!”
I cried out
in the middle of pleading with the young woman. Gabrielle moved her body against mine as
she positioned herself between my thighs. Moments ago her tongue was creating teasing
patterns along my skin, but when she reached the thick patch of dark curls, I felt the
coolness of her skin skim along my heated center. By the time I called out her name, I
felt her run a hard nipple along the length of my sex, grinding the stiff nub against my
sensitive core.
“Yes,
Xena?” she responded brazenly.
“You
are such a wicked woman.” I panted, my hips pressing forward in an attempt to feel
that delicious sensation once more. “Please, baby…ohhhh…” I
wasn’t disappointed, as Gabrielle slid the hard point of flesh back and forth against
my swollen clit.
It seemed to
take an eternity for Gabrielle to use her lips, teeth, and tongue to blaze a trail along
my inner thighs. She teased and then she pleased, holding me on the brink for longer than
I thought my control could hold out. I was so very ready, that I swore the next time she
even blew a breath of air across my hypersensitive sex; I would explode in ecstasy.
Her tongue
finally made gentle flicks against my nether lips and I could feel my legs spreading
further apart, the muscles in my thighs taut and trembling with anticipation. That first
lingering touch, as her tongue gently separated the engorged folds, and I felt that warm
wetness slide inside of me, caused the back of my head to press into the pillow and a
long, drawn out groan to be released from my throat.
“Oh,
yes!” I responded to the touch.
Gabrielle
seemed to take great delight in this slow torture. I seriously began to wonder how long
she could keep me, hovering along the edges of orgasm, without actually effecting my
release. It seemed like time was passing so slowly. Every one of my senses was screaming
out with need, while Gabrielle slowly and relentlessly used her tongue to explore, taste,
relish all that I was.
“Baby…please…I
need…” I groaned again.
Gabrielle
paused to speak, but not before taking a long stroke against my heated flesh with her
tongue.
“What,
Xena…what is it you need?” she asked, before quickly returning to the slow
strokes of her tongue.
“Oh,
Gods…I need…I need…” I felt as if I were being turned inside out.
“I need…you!” I was finally able to blurt out.
It was as
though Gabrielle knew that this was my breaking point, so to speak. Perhaps in some way,
it was what she was waiting to hear or maybe she realized that I wasn’t going to say
what she wanted to hear. Whatever it was, it spurred her to action, and after what seemed
like candlemarks of being so lovingly ravished, I was about to find my release.
She wrapped
deceivingly strong arms around my thighs, holding them open and to the bed at once, and I
could do no more than give in. Suddenly, it was happening, her tongue, those teeth, and
her lips…everywhere at once, first sliding through the swollen folds of my sex,
reaching up to flick against an enlarged clit, then entering me with deep penetrating
thrusts. I couldn’t concentrate on one area of pleasure, it was simply everywhere at
once, licking, sucking, and prodding. I felt
as though my orgasm started the moment she buried her face against me and it was simply
taking all this time to well up from some hidden depths to swallow me whole. I felt my
body jerk and twitch as I lay there waiting for my climax to devour me. When at last I
felt the penetrating warmth and the spasms begin in my groin, I realized it was too much,
too much emotion, too much feeling, all at once. I tried to pull my legs closed, but
Gabrielle’s embrace was deceptively powerful and she kept me spread open, the
pleasure flowing over me in waves, threatening to pull me under and drown me.
The roaring
in my ears was surely the pounding waves, trying to drive me under. It was only as the
next release took me higher; that I understood the roaring sound was coming from my own
throat. There wasn’t enough left in me to fight and I eventually let the waves pound
me to the bottom. I let the blackness settle over me and felt a contented satisfaction
that was new and strange to me, as I floated along, more than confident that Gabrielle
would pull me back to the surface.
*********************
“It’s
all right…I’ve got you.”
I felt the
words whispered close to my ear and as I felt myself slip back into my own skin again, I
told myself that I already knew that. I already knew that Gabrielle would not let me
drown. Here she was, whispering words of comfort and brushing her fingers through my hair.
“By the
Gods, woman…what you do to me.”
It was the
first thing out of my mouth and it made Gabrielle smile.
“You
frightened me. Are you all right, Xena?”
“I
didn’t mean to scare you, but you…Hades, I can’t even explain what it felt
like. Come here,” I beckoned her into my own embrace and suddenly our positions were
reversed.
I felt an
odd sort of strength when I held Gabrielle in my arms. What she wrote in her scroll was
not only insightful, but also true. I would do anything for this small woman. I would go
to any lengths to keep her warm and fed, and safe. I wanted her to know this and I looked
into her face, but my tongue instantly froze in fear. What does one say when revealing
your heart…how do I go about it? There was only one recourse for a warrior like me,
and that was action, not words.
I reached
out a hand to touch her face, running it lightly across her cheek, letting my fingertips
glide across full, smooth lips. I bent my head and when I’d bridged the small
distance between us, I pulled back ever so slightly, merely brushing my lips against hers.
I wanted to do what my words could not, let my body tell Gabrielle what I felt in my
heart.
I pleasured
her body as tenderly as I could, gently stoking a fire in the small woman until she could
no longer hold back the moan that rose up in her throat. My hand cupped a breast, the
thumb lightly rubbing the taut nipple, again, that delightful sound from Gabrielle. That
became my goal now, to elicit more of those sounds from the young woman’s body.
That’s
when I froze.
I literally
stopped all movement and nearly stopped breathing. What sounds? Gabrielle never makes
noises, of any kind, when I touch her. Even in orgasm, if I weren’t so completely
attuned to her body, I would never know when she achieved her release.
I pulled
back a small way, enough to look down into Gabrielle’s face. It was there; the girl
might be able to hide many things from me, but not this. I searched her eyes; hoping that
it was my imagination, and that she would smile and it would be fine. Gabrielle’s
eyes filled with tears and she pulled her gaze away.
“I’m
so sorry, Gabrielle…I suppose you must think me an old fool.” I said sadly,
easing my pain with a bittersweet smile.
“No,
never My Lord” she answered softly, her tears escaping from the corners of her eyes.
“It…it seemed to mean so much to you. My silence bothered you and I only wanted
to please you.”
I reached up
and pressed my fingertips to her lips, realizing now that she must have felt nothing as I
was just kissing her. What a fool I’ve been, thinking a young woman, especially a
slave could ever come to care for me. Of course, she feels something for me, I’m the
first master she’s ever had that’s been decent to her. She’s grateful and
confused, and very young. She is my slave, and I foolishly misled myself into thinking
there was more…feelings…emotions…love.
I suppose if
I knew how to cry anymore, I would. Gabrielle was a slave and she had no feelings for me,
beyond serving me well. Why didn’t I see that before? I am her master…Xena the
Conqueror…I am the Conqueror, and it’s all I’ll ever be.
I pulled
away from Gabrielle and moved to the edge of the bed. The small blonde wrapped a hand
around my forearm.
“Please,
forgive me, My Lord.” Gabrielle pleaded.
I
hadn’t the heart to be angry with the girl. She only did what she knew best, to
intuitively serve her master. It wasn’t her fault if her master happened to be a
lovesick old fool.
“It’s
all right, Gabrielle.” I answered, gently pulling her hand from my arm.
“You’ve done nothing wrong.”
I rose and
pulled on my robe, crossing the room and stepping into the outer room. I walked to the
window and pulled back the tapestry, tying it in place. I turned and eased my frame into
the chair that always faced the window. I watched the stars shimmer in the blackness, even
now wishing I could cry. I had to smile at that. I spent my whole life learning how to
ignore my emotions. I remember crying on the day I gave my son away, but not once, since
then, have I allowed myself what I perceived as a woman’s weakness. Oh, an occasional
drop or two when overcome by emotion, but it was rare, and you could count the seasons on
both hands between the occurrences.
Until
Gabrielle.
I’ve
cried real tears on more than one occasion since she’s been with me. Funny, but now,
when I think a good cry might be a welcome relief, I am unable.
I felt
Gabrielle’s presence and turned to see her with her robe pulled around her, fear or
sorrow in her eyes, I couldn’t tell which. She moved to me and dropped to her knees
in that familiar pose of subservience.
“Forgive
me, My Lord. I didn’t mean to anger you.”
I touched
her cheek with the back of my hand, smiling as tenderly as I could muster. She gently grasped my fingers and kissed the
scarred knuckles. I extricated my hand, slowly pulling away. It felt too good and Goddess
knows, I felt enough of a fool already.
“I’m
not angry with you, Gabrielle. I told you, you’ve done nothing wrong. Go on, go get
some sleep.” I turned away to look back out the window. “You may as well sleep
in your own rooms tonight, little one. Leave me now.” I added.
I turned one
last time, before she left the room, and I thought I saw an incredible sadness in
Gabrielle’s face. I knew that is was my own imagination, and so I rested my chin in
the palm of my hand, preparing for a sleepless night.
*********************
The sky was
beginning to turn that soft gray color, just before Apollo’s light breaks through. I
sat in much the same position as I had the whole night. Thinking of my life and what an
awful mess I’ve made of the whole thing. Wondering what I was to do with my little
slave now. Do we keep on, she giving, and I taking? Do I continue with our nights of
mutual gratification, or do I merely let her pleasure me and keep a respectful distance?
I saw
movement out of the corner of my eye and when I turned, Gabrielle was standing in the
doorway, between the two rooms. She wore a small silk shift that I gave her as a present,
but no robe.
“Gabrielle,
are you ill?” I asked, taking notice of her swollen, red-rimmed eyes. It was quite
obvious she’d been crying all night, and the sight stabbed at my heart.
She rushed
to fall to the floor before me, her sobs shaking her body.
“Gabrielle,”
I picked the girl up, pulling her into my lap. “You’re freezing…you’re
going to catch your death.
I rose, with
the young girl in my arms, and settled onto the large lounge, pulling a heavy blanket from
the back and wrapping it around the young girl’s body. She looked up at me and her
cries grew in intensity.
“Gabrielle,
has someone hurt you?” I asked, only to have her shake her head. “Have I hurt
you?” I asked again, thinking that must be it.
“N-No,
I hurt y-you.” She stammered.
“Gabrielle,
you haven’t hurt me.” I reached down and wiped the tears from her eyes, holding
her closer until her shivering and tears both eased up a bit. I thought it odd that she
would be so overwrought at the mere thought of causing me pain.
My young
slave wrapped her arms around my neck, and burrowed her face against the warmth of the
skin there. I held her tightly, knowing that she deserved some explanation from me, no
matter how big an idiot it made me look. She served me well and I was traumatizing her
with my inability to put a voice to my stupidity where she was concerned.
“It’s
me, Gabrielle…you’ve done nothing to displease me. I…I thought…Gods
this is so stupid.”
Gabrielle
pulled away from me, tears still glistening in her green eyes, but she had a look so full
of compassion, that it gave me the strength to continue.
“I
thought…that perhaps you…felt…more…” I stumbled.
“More,
My Lord?”
“Felt
more…for me, I mean. I…oh, it was a foolish notion I had…I never
meant to cause you pain with my own weakness.” I turned away from her; I could feel
my cheeks getting hot. It’s been quite some time, since I felt this kind of
embarrassment.
I felt soft
fingertips guiding my chin back to face her.
“Do you…feel something…something more…for me?”
Should I lie? Should I laugh it off? Should I remind myself that masters don’t fall in love with their slaves? I knew that none of those options would be fair.
“Yes, Gabrielle.” I answered, truthfully.
“What?”
she asked. “What do you feel?”
“I
don’t know…just…more.” I answered vaguely, still wondering if I
could have fallen in love with the girl.
“I
thought you would know.” She began and I looked down into her serious face. “I
thought you could tell me what it was, since I feel it, too.”
“You?”
I was confused. “For me?”
Gabrielle
nodded, and the look in her eye told me it was true and she was as confused as I.
“What
do you think you feel?” I asked her, not even daring to hope that I would hear
her answer one way or another.
“I’m
not…I’m not sure…just…more.”
I leaned
over to kiss her forehead and she smiled in surprise.
“Does
this…does this bother you, My Lord, my feeling this?”
I wrapped
her in my arms once more, resting my chin upon the top of her blonde head. “I have to
admit, Gabrielle, it does scare me a bit, but it certainly doesn’t bother me. How
about you…doesn’t this scare you at all?”
I felt those
small arms tighten their hold about my waist as I felt Gabrielle shake her head back and
forth. For the first time in candlemarks, I felt like laughing at the absurdity of the
situation. I chuckled aloud and gave the small blonde in my arms a squeeze right back.
“It
would if you had any sense, trust me.”
I felt much
better feeling Gabrielle’s lips turn up into a smile against my skin. Neither of us
said another word until the sun rose, then we slipped back into bed and fell asleep
holding tightly to one another, uncertain as to exactly how to describe what we felt for
one another, only knowing it was more.
Chapter 14: Lovers And Madmen Have Such Seething Brains