I wished that we could have strolled straight out onto the street to walk in the fresh early evening air. But my new husband turned us left, to the small, windowless stone room where I was about to lose my virginity to a stranger, in front of an audience.
4
_____
Trax
The feeling of Althea’s mouth against mine had been pure heaven. But now I had to torture this poor girl to satisfy some ancient barbaric tradition .
If I didn’t go through with it, I would likely be beheaded. But even that didn’t worry me quite as much as embarrassing this lovely young lady who was suddenly my new bride.
As we walked into the small stone alcove, the seven elders were already in place in a circle, with their backs toward the center. A pristine white sheet covered the raised platform. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw another sheet folded beside the ceremonial scarf.
Thank goodness the King had granted my request in the name of his daughter’s modesty. Otherwise my plan would never have worked.
Although the older men were turned away, it was easy for them to glance partially in our direction any time they chose. Three of them were definitely watching as I lifted Althea, positioning her like an offering on the platform with her arms stretched up over her head.
Taking the blue and white silk scarf, I bound her wrists to the intricately carved post, watching as her eyes grew wider. I laid down over her, covering us with the sheet, ignoring a few of the elders’ grumbles.
They began their quiet chanting as I moved slightly over her as if I were groping her through her dress. Bringing my lips close to her ear, I breathed, “Princess, forgive my wandering hands, but we must pretend that our union is real.” She nodded quickly. She understood my intent.
Feeling her soft, curvy body under mine was making my shaft harder than it had ever been in my life, and there was no way to keep it from pressing against her thigh. Forcing that from my mind, I needed to focus on our display of affection.
“M’lady, may I kiss you, caress you, and make this look as real as possible?” I whispered.
“Yes. Do whatever you need to do,” she murmured.
I honestly couldn’t tell if she was nervous or excited at first, but as I gently kissed her, those luscious hips moved under me as her legs spread slightly. Her soft lips parted, allowing my tongue to seek her mouth.
The sheet over us wasn’t nearly large enough to hide us completely, but at least she was covered from her knees to her shoulders. Hitching up her skirts, I arranged the fabric so that only her shapely calves could be seen.
My hand traveled back up, accidentally brushing against her round breast. Her soft cry surprised me.
“Princess, do you like the way I touch you?” I asked as quietly as possible.
Her breathless nod and wide eyes sent a deep shudder down my spine. I would be entirely within my rights to take her this second. The feeling of sinking my length inside her sweet, tight body would be pure heaven.
Gritting my teeth, I took a breath. I was a brute, but I wasn’t a monster. Yet I did need to convince the elders that she had been properly taken.
With my lips against her earlobe, I brought my hand to her silken thigh. “Princess, can you imagine what it might feel like as I thrust inside you, stretching you open for the first time, molding your body to mine?”
A deep sigh escaped her lips, proving that she was aroused. Another shudder ran through me. I was causing her flushed throat, her tiny moans. Her legs wrapped around my hips to draw me closer, as if she genuinely wanted me.
I would love to have that discussion with her some other time, but at that moment, there was only one way to get her to make the appropriate sound that was expected right now.
Sliding my hand up her inner thigh, she gasped loudly. Pinching her tender flesh, her sharp squeal echoed around the room.
There was a slight break in the chanting as I heard a few chuckles, then the elders continued.
Moving my hips over her as if we were indeed making love, I murmured, “Well done, m’lady. That was perfect. I’m so sorry I had to hurt you.”
A single tear glistened in her left eye. “I understand.”
Kissing her again, I was surprised at the heat emanating from every inch of her. For a girl who had never been touched, it felt like she wanted nothing else.
I was so tempted to lift all of her clothing and spill my seed right against her soft belly. Her desperate little sighs were driving me positively mad with desire.
There was just one more thing to ensure our deception would succeed. Using the thumbnail of my bandaged left hand, I slightly opened a small cut, then took a deep breath.