The Dark Witch And Her Knights

44 ***

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The crack of lightning far off in the distance startled me awake. A rook was screaming his displeasure on the ledge of my window. Time was running out. It had been two weeks since I had taken over Citrine Manor. Now the locals knew it was Atropa Hall.

At least a dozen carpenters had been here remodeling the estate according to my desires. I had all the orange fixtures of the house changed to a light purple, wanting the manor to appear as pleasant as possible. For inside, my true taste would be on display. A wicked and deadly display if any mortals laid eyes upon it.

The master suite was finished yesterday. Tonight was my first night sleeping here. The room was on the upper level and farthest back into the home with large windows overlooking the forest at the rear of the estate. The basement was previously used for storage which was relocated to the attic. The main floor below me was redecorated along with the adjourning wings.

Crawling from bed, I approached the window swinging it open with a firm grip to fight back the howling winds outside. The rook cawed and hopped inside upon my awaiting hand. I shut the window as a bolt of lightning lit the dark sky. My eyes caught the silhouette of a hooded figure standing at the edge of the forest. I stared back boldly until the rook cawed and tapped me with its clawed foot.

A glint from his clasped talon caught my eye. The rook eagerly released a ring into my open hand. The band was gold with a mauve gem encircled by much smaller diamonds. The shape reminded me of an eye. My attention snapped back to the tree line the moment the window was flung open by a great gust of wind. The rook cawed and set out back into the storm headed straight to where I could sense the figure awaited its pet.

It was a message letting me know he was watching. Reluctantly I adorned the ring knowing it was what he wanted. My fingers grazed the necklace around my neck. The rain harshly pelted my skin through the open window as I watched. What I was waiting for I didn't know, but as my sleeping shift and hair began to soak I still could not tear myself away or move enough to shut the window again.

Thunder rumbled and shook the house. The storm was right above us. Only a minute later was there a knock at my door and I was finally able to turn away. I cracked the door open to find Tovias on the other side, bleary-eyed, holding a tall candle stick.

"There is an unfamiliar presence on the estate, Mistress," he informed me while rubbing his face.

"He is of no threat to us." I turned from him and reapproached the window to shut it. The sill and the floor below were puddling with rain and sure to warp if I left it as such. With a snap of my fingers, the mess vanished. With another peak out the window, I could no longer sense any lurking presence. The door creaked shut as Tovias closed it. I felt his approach from behind.

"My senses scream otherwise." The warmth of his body bled into my back. His hand came to rest over my shoulder after pulling my damp hair back. He leaned down hovering over my ear letting his breath warm my chilled skin. "Who makes you tremble in such fear, Mistress?"

"I fear no one. It is the storm that has frozen me to the bone." His other hand had come up as he began rubbing soothing circles into my muscles with his thumbs.

"Then let me draw you a bath as you tell me about your late-night visitor."

The bathroom adjoined the master bedroom. It was dark but the abundance of candles Tovias lit and the moonlight from the wide windows gave a peaceful glow pairing pleasantly with the sounds of the pelting rain outside.

The warmth of the water had comforted me in ways I had not expected. Tovias lounged back behind me as he lazily worked his finger through my soapy hair as I sat between his muscular arched thighs. He rinsed my hair and began massaging my back and shoulders. My hands gripped his knees when he worked out the more serious knots.

"Will you tell me about him, your secret admirer, the one with the gift of eyes?" He playfully nipped at my earlobe and I found myself fighting to hide my hand below the soapy waters.

"Are you jealous?" I cooed playfully.

"Oh very." His hand drifted below the water and came to cup the underside of one of my breast. As if saying I am here but where is he? The crook of my neck was graced by his lips as he pulled my arm from the water and kissed down from shoulder to knuckle. He was so bold that he went as far as kissing the mauve ring resting there before pulling back and redirecting his attention elsewhere.

"One day I will see you sit upon the throne that is owed to you." He pulled my knees above the water forcing them to relax open against the insides of his. "You will wear the finest of crowns, jewels, and gowns." Fingers skated the inside of my thighs. "All shall bow to none but you. And by your side, I shall stand. Unconditionally loving you, serving you until my eyes fall shut for the final time."

He started whispering in my ear, "Before there was you, there was no me." His hand came up over my eyes blocking my sight. "There was no light." His other came to rest over my mouth and nose halting my breathing. "Not even air." The loss of those senses made his touch more prominent. The sound of his voice. The echo of lightning outside. They rattled me to my core.

"So, if you want me or him or others- I am unbothered. For even the piece of you I have is more than I would dare ask for. I breathe because you gave me breath." The hand obstructing my breathing fell away first. I gasped a pant that was more of a moan. "If I must fight, I shall fight. For it is you who gave me the strength to do so. I can see only because it is you who gave me sight." My vision returned and an arm circled my ribs, a hand resting over my chest. "My heart beats for no other since you made sure it would continue to beat at all." I could feel the shattering ache behind my sternum and I knew I loved this man. An unexpected whimper escaped me.

It was at that moment he decided to touch me where we had both longed. My whimper turned to a moan and my head fell back on his broad chest. Tactfully yet gently he circled and messaged my apex before breaching me with two fingers. I gasped and squirmed feeling the hard length of him dig into my back. Shallowly he began pumping his fingers into me at a teasing pace. Reaching back I grasped him around the neck and pulled him down to meet my lips for a trembling kiss. He pushed in as deep as he could curling his finger and finding that enticingly sweet spot that made me moan louder.

To the precipice of release, he brought me before withdrawing. Cusping the bottom of my thighs he stared deeply into my eyes almost as if waiting for me to deny him. Stealing a kiss he lifted me before impaling me on his waiting length. He was bigger than I expected and a scream escaped me but was cut short by his lips over mine.

His hand slid up my throat squeezing just a little before it came to rest under my jaw. He cooed and sshhh'ed me until I could feel myself getting accustomed to his size. Hands returned to my thighs lifting me and dropping me onto his length again. This time I fell deeper, taking even more of him. My back arched and my head fell back on his shoulder. We both moaned relishing in the feeling. It didn't take long before he no longer needed to lift me and I was doing all the bouncing and grinding against him. As his hands became free he explored my curves gripping and squeezing.

The water waved and lapped around us as he grabbed my hips and picked me up to turn me to straddle him. He palmed and squeezed my ass checks as he stared into my eyes while lowering me slowly back down on him. His hands returned to my hips while he pushed and pulled me at a tantalizing pace. Water splashed over the edge of the tub as he guided me to move faster for him. Our breaths mingled and my hands shivered as I gripped his scruffy jaw between them bringing my lips to his for a kiss that hopefully described everything I felt but couldn't voice.

The kiss broke and he gripped my face as I had his whispering against my lips, "I love you." My whole body shook and I whimpered increasing my pace. I leaned forward gripping the lip of the porcelain behind him. "And I love you," I breathed into his ear while I came undone. He grunted and his grip grew harsh. His hips thrust up into me and I could feel the hardness of him pulsing. He wrapped his arms around me resting his hands on my back and pushing me against his chest. The warmth of his release coated my insides. A hand found its way to the back of my neck and guided me until our lips passionately met again.