Chapter
30
Tolian awoke to the warmth of the
sun on her face and the most unusual sensation on her cheek. Like she was being licked. She opened her eyes to see Pilt standing
there. He stopped his licking as Tolian
stirred and focused his big eyes lovingly upon her. There was no disorientation. She knew exactly where she was. She reached over and scratched the winged cat
behind the ears. He emitted a soft
purr. She looked over at the open
curtain as fresh air and warm sunbeams poured in through the balcony door.
“Good morning,” said Kreel from a
chair, not far from the bed.
“Good morning,” mumbled Tolian
sleepily. “Did you stay up all night,
sitting there watching me sleep?”
“That’s my job. Someone has to watch you constantly. Our orders, remember,” Kreel responded.
“You were willing to break the rules
last night,” Tolian pointed out.
“Actually, I didn’t. I didn’t put the lust drug in the food. I was a victim of its effects, just like
you. You could say that I had the lust
drug put in the food. It’s a
technicality, but, under our laws, I would have been declared innocent. Deliberately and willingly breaking an order,
now that’s a different story.”
Tolian sat up and pulled the covers
away from her, revealing her naked body.
Pilt scooted to the other side of the bed. “How are you handling, um, everything, this
morning?” Tolian asked with kindness.
“It’s quite an adjustment, but I’ve
decided not to be bitter about it,” her newly female bodyguard answered.
Kreel tried to stifle her sigh of
discontent, but Tolian caught it. She
ignored her. Pandering to her
dissatisfaction wouldn’t help her adjust any more quickly. Tolian had fought her own adjustment the
entire way, and it had served no purpose.
Kreel said, “You might want to take
your bath now, while I’m still on duty, my Lady, so you don’t have to have
Mesdor gawk at you.”
“That’s a good idea. Thank you.
Oh, and Kreel, I think we’re on our way to becoming friends; please call
me Tolian.”
“Well, since as far as I know,
you’re the only other person who has undergone this sort of transformation, I’d
say we have a fairly strong basis for a friendship. We were almost a little more than friends
there, last night,” Kreel joked.
“Tolian, then. I am honored to
call you friend. But understand that I
will not break any orders for you, friend or not.”
“I won’t ask you to,” Tolian
promised. “When I escape, I’ll make sure
you’re off duty.”
“Fair enough.” Kreel addressed the servant girl who had been
silently waiting in attendance. “Assist
the Goddess in her bathing.”
“Yes, sir, I, er, ma’am,” said the
girl. “Right away.”
The girl presented herself to
Tolian, and led her to the pool.
After Tolian had bathed and was
dressed in a white silken gown that clung to her curves, Mesdor came in and
relieved Kreel. As he came in, he
noticed Kreel and assumed a startled and
nervous expression. Kreel shrugged,
bowed to Tolian, and left without saying a word. Tolian’s breakfast was served on the
balcony. Mesdor said nothing to her and
did his best to keep his distance. When
she had finished eating her scrambled eggs and sausage she looked at Mesdor.
“Mesdor, let’s explore my new prison,”
she said.
“As you wish, my Lady,” he
said. He was as nervous as it was
possible to be, or at least he appeared so to Tolian. He clearly did not relish this assignment and
was determined to resist his inevitable transformation.
Nonetheless, he dutifully and
politely led her around the suite. The
whole place seemed impossibly big. In
addition to the parlor, bedroom, bathroom with pool, there was a library filled
with books by faerie and mortal authors (some of which hadn’t even been written
yet in the mortal world), a dining room, kitchen, and numerous servants’
quarters. There was one door that Mesdor
refused her access to.
“That door,” he explained, without
malice, “leads directly to the Queen’s private garden.” She would have to obtain Dowbreth’s
permission before gaining access.
Tolian was curious as to how the
door in the highest tower could lead to a garden, the Queen’s famed
garden. But, she was beginning to accept
such things as normal. Besides the last
time she visited that garden, she got there through a dream. Still her curiosity was burning.
“Well, can we ask if I can go to the
garden today?” she inquired.
“Certainly, Goddess,” said Mesdor.
“I don’t see why not. I’ll get Gredalon
to ask for you.”
He was as good as his word, for in
two hours Gredalon had returned with Dowbreth’s authorization for Tolian to
visit the garden for two hours. Mesdor
and Gredalon were both to escort her, and she had to wait another half an hour
for the royal gardeners to finish their work and exit the grounds.
Gredalon unlocked the wooden
door. Tolian was extremely eager to see
how the door in the topmost tower could possibly lead directly to the
garden. Yet, as Gredalon turned the key
and opened the door, the garden was clearly visible through the egress. Tolian blinked and glanced around her to make
certain her eyes weren’t deceiving her.
Mesdor went through the door first and, sure enough, he walked right up
into the garden, turned, and gestured for Tolian to join him. Tolian walked through the doorway. Immediately she felt the warmth of the sun
upon her face and was
caught
up in the heady fragrance of thousands of blooming flowers. She spun around at once and there was the
doorway in a small section of ivy-covered wall.
Behind the wall, more gardens stretched for a couple of hundred yards
before the tower rose to impossible heights.
Tolian watched as Gredalon slipped through the doorway.
“The Queen’s private garden.” said
Mesdor, “or actually, I suppose, it’s your private garden now.”
The vast profusion of floral
fragrances and blossoming colors was mind-boggling. The sensory rush was almost beyond her
ability to withstand. The garden was
sizable, like everything at the Faerie palace.
Stone paths and walkways cut through the vast assortment of botanical
arrangements and flowers. Right next to
her was a circular collection of sunflowers, ringed in casing stone. To her left was a pond brimming with extremely
healthy water lilies. As far as she
could see, assortments and exhibits of vastly differing plants, many of which
she had never encountered before, and many had no correspondence in her world. And butterflies flew everywhere. Their colors were so bright and vivid they
seemed to jump off their wings. Pilt
immediately popped out of the tower door and began chasing the butterflies
through the air. Tolian laughed as she
watched the cat scamper on wing after the brilliant insects.
There was such serenity and beauty
there. For the first time since her
ordeal began, she relaxed. She strolled
idly through the garden, marveling at the wonders around her, or chuckling at
the antics of Pilt. Capreesh walked a
little behind Tolian, with Mesdor and Gredalon some little distance behind her.
Finally, she had a moment to
contemplate her situation. Evidently,
she was to be a prisoner here forever, surrounded by incredible luxury, to be
sure, but a prisoner nonetheless. The
agony at her separation from Brythia seemed to wax and wane, but was always
present. Unless she could find a way to
escape or render herself useless to Dowbreth, she would never see her beloved
again. Or anyone else that she cared
about: Relinder, her father, her
friends. She would have been happy to
see Lord Talthud at that moment.
She stopped before another even
larger pond and sat on a stone bench.
She stared with a faraway gaze at the water. There was something barely perceptible moving
beneath the surface. She focused her
attention on it and strained to peer through the murky water. It was a large fish, with rainbow-tinged scales
that seemed to change hues as she watched.
It seemed to be feeding. Once she
determined what it was, her focus dwindled and she returned to her thoughts.
She gradually came up with a
plan. A good plan, thought Tolian,one
that could end her captivity almost as quickly as it began. She leaned back and called, “Gredalon.”
“Yes, Moon Goddess?”
“I need you a favor,” she said.
“I need you to ask Lord Dowbreth if he could join me for dinner this
evening. I need to speak with him on a
private matter of some importance. We
may as well dine.”
Gredalon seemed surprised by her
request but said, “Of course, my Lady, I shall ask him when you are through out
here.”
“That’s fine, thank you,” replied
the princess. “Oh, and let’s not mention
Kreel’s transformation to him just yet, okay?”
“As you wish, Lady,” he agreed
compliantly.
Without her great strength, she
would have to rely on her cunning and wiles.
Just like any other woman in her position would. The irony of the situation made her smile
wryly. Just like any other woman, she
thought. How easy it had become to think
of herself as female. Yet, little more
than a year ago she had been a man’s man.
She had even attempted suicide to avoid the transformation. And once she had become a woman, she refused
to accept her new femininity. She had
fought against any feeling of acceptance within herself. It wasn’t until she and Brythia made love for
the first time that she found that she could find some pleasure in being a
woman. The memory brought rosy warmth to
her cheeks. After that—almost like
magick—she began to accept the change.
But why? In what way had their
lovemaking changed her, or was it simply the catalyst? Had some other force been brought to work on
her, merely triggered by her initial acceptance? She was distracted by a voice coming from the
pond before her.
“Greetings, Holy Goddess of the
Silver Light.”
She looked up and was startled by
the sight of a prismatic, large fish sticking halfway out of the water, talking
to her. She was becoming inured to such
things, so she quickly recovered her composure.
“Hello,” she replied, trying to sound cheerful, but with melancholy
lingering in her tone.
“Don’t look so sad, Great One,” said
the fish, with a somewhat doleful voice.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because, I see hope in you,” the
fish said.
What first sounded like a somber tome was simply the slow manner of
speaking the multi-colored fish possessed, she realized. “And vast powers untapped,” it
continued. “Fear not, I foresee a time
when you will be reunited with your lover.”
“How can you see this, fish?” she
inquired, quite surprised by his remarks.
“I see many things under the
water. I see things that are to
come. I am old, among the first of my
kind. I have the gift of true-seeing. In you, I see an eternal creature of
unequaled glory and of immeasurable power.
When you tap those energies, you will find out that all things are
possible.”
“If I have this hope in me,” Tolian
said, “it comes from your kind words, fish.
Thank you.”
“I am honored to be your servant,
Holy Lady,” said the fish, and with that, he disappeared beneath the waters.
Tolian felt a new optimism. She prayed the fish was correct. In any case, she was prepared to proceed with
her plan.
Tolian was dressed as provocatively
as possible, without being obvious about it.
Her form-fitting scarlet red gown was so low cut that she had to
concentrate when she moved to keep her breasts from toppling out. And it was, without a doubt, the single
shortest gown she had ever seen, being cut enough above her knee to reveal a
fair portion of her thighs. She had
instructed Capreesh and Delotti to apply her makeup with subtle allure. Her perfume was heady and intoxicating. Enough so, she hoped, that Dowbreth wouldn’t
smell the lust incense burning discretely in a nearby brazier. Tolian admired herself in her full-length mirror
as Delotti made the final additions: diamond earrings, and a matching
choker. Capreesh stood a few feet away
admiring their handiwork, while Kreel (who was sitting on the bed) watched with
some interest and newfound curiosity at the process.
“I’m never going to be able to do
all that,” Kreel said,
discouraged.
“Of course, you will,” said Tolian,
hoping to provide reassurance. “It will
be good for you to start trying soon. It
will be so much easier if you just embrace it and stop feeling guilty about
being a woman. You may start to like
it.”
“It’s easy for you to say,” Kreel
said, “You seem to like being a woman.”
“Now, Kreel,” Tolian said, eager to
change the subject, “you’re absolutely certain Dowbreth doesn’t know about you,
right?”
“For the fourth time, yes. I’m sure.
Gredalon didn’t mention it. No
one else has gone downstairs, since we came up.
Besides, he’s pretty upset about the King and Queen’s
disappearance. Seems that they cannot be
found.”
“I would think that Dowbreth would
be happy about that,” said Tolian.
At that moment, the door maiden
entered. “Queen of the Astral, High and
Holy One, Lord Dowbreth has arrived, at your invitation for dinner.”
Tolian nodded. “Fine, I’ll be ready in one second.”
She turned to Kreel. “Wish me luck.”
“Looking like that, you don’t need
luck. I don’t think you’ll even need the
lust drug or the incense,” Kreel replied.
“Thank you, now, go hide
somewhere. Oh, first go find Gredalon to
take your place. Go, hurry.”
Kreel hastened out of the room and
Gredalon returned in her place. He
bowed.
“You ready, Gredalon?” asked Tolian.
“I serve,” he acknowledged.
“Excellent. Let’s go,” Tolian said.
Dowbreth was waiting for her in the
parlor. His scowl was more pronounced
than usual. He was wearing his usual costume, his green armor, tentacle-like
cape, and belt of heads around his waist.
Tolian shuddered when she saw him.
She could feel the violence and impatience radiating from him like a
palpable force. She steeled herself to
keep from expressing her revulsion.
Instead, she gave him a slight smile.
“Lord Dowbreth,” she said with graciousness, “thank you so much for
coming. As I said in my invitation, I
have some questions for you, so I do appreciate your attending me.”
His blood-red eyes glared at her
with hatred, yet his words were cordial.
“‘Tis I that am indebted for the invitation, my Empress, my
betrothed. I am your servant.”
“Come,” offered Tolian, “Let’s
eat. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve
been taking my meals out on the balcony of my bedroom. It’s comfortable for me, so I thought it
would be suitable for us.”
“As you wish. Lead the way.”
Tolian did just that, with Gredalon
tagging dutifully behind.
“Oh, can we let Gredalon go and eat
his dinner with the others? You can
watch me, for a few minutes, right?” she asked.
Dowbreth shrugged.
It was clear to Tolian that Dowbreth
had given the matter no more thought. Perfect,
she thought. “There you go, Gredalon;
you are dismissed,” she said.
He bowed and walked in a different
direction as Tolian and Dowbreth entered her bedroom and headed toward the
balcony.
The servant girls seated them. She had made certain that there were plenty
of girls on hand for tending to the meal and its presentation, yet they were
advised to keep their distance when not needed.
The magic music box was also placed nearby to provide relaxing (and
amorous) dinner music.
Bread, soup, and finally grilled
steak and lobster tail were served.
Tolian watched to make certain Dowbreth was eating. She had to fight to keep the smug grin of
satisfaction off her face.
They said nothing to each other
until they partook of their main course.
It was Tolian who began. She
wanted to keep him off balance, not paying attention to how he felt until it
was too late.
“Lord Dowbreth,” she said,
“I’ve been thinking. It seems to me,
that you don’t need to keep me here. You kidnapped me so it’s obvious that
through me you could take control of Faerie, which you have done. Why can’t I just make you my regent here, or
whatever, and I’ll go on my way, and you can have what you want. It means nothing whatsoever to me who rules
Faerie. I’m sure you’ll do a good
job. Why not just let me go home?”
Even before she had finished that
sentence, she could feel the lust drug beginning to work. She felt the raw masculine energy Dowbreth
exuded. She was disgusted with herself
as attraction to him replaced the revulsion she normally felt. This has to work, she prayed.
“Why not let you go home?” He laughed with obnoxious gusto. “Why should I let you go home? What can you give me that I do not already
possess? Besides, I have made another
bargain to gain this already.”
Another bargain? thought Tolian.
He leaned close to her. The simmering rage in him was sexy. She
“You want to hear about my
bargain? You want to hear Dowbreth’s
story?”
“Yes,” she whispered with way too
much husky sexuality in her voice.
“But, you don’t really want to hear
my story do you? You really want to make
love to me, don’t you, Tolian?”
Her burning heart sank, but her
desire for him did not. Now her plan was
almost a small matter to her. She needed
to make love to Dowbreth. What was he
saying now?
“Your ill-conceived machinations
have failed, Princess,” he hissed with disdain.
“You see, not only did I take an antidote for the lust drug, but, in
something of an amusing practical joke, I made certain that the entire supply
of that antidote, in this tower, was destroyed.
I don’t think you’re going to be feeling good for some time. You should be in great readiness for our
wedding day, however.”
“Why wait for our wedding day?”
Tolian panted. She felt like a dog in
heat, as if she were on fire, burning with desire so strong. She needed a man. Part of her knew the plan had failed, but
that part was not in control.
Rationalize, Tolian, Think.
No, I need him. Think. An idea flashed across her mind. It would satisfy both her wanton lust and her
desire for freedom.
The giant caught her by the shoulder
with one hand, and threw her down on the hard stone of the balcony. With his other fist, he punched her hard in
the face. That sent her sprawling even
further. Blood spewed out of her nose.
She was dizzy, in pain, scared for
her life, but she still wanted him. She
crawled towards him, attempting to suppress the bloody fountain shooting from
her nostrils. She looked up at Dowbreth.
His hideous grin spread across his
entire face. His filed teeth glowed as he smirked in
triumph. “Do not try my patience
again. Dowbreth will not be trifled
with.” He untied his magic bag from his
head belt and held it up over Tolian’s head.
She could barely think, but the
bag’s magic worked just as well, anyway.
That sickening feeling, that trace of malice, and then there was
Brythia. Her heart leapt. The druidess lay sleeping. By a fire.
Out in the woods somewhere. A
sword held next to her head as a reminding menace. A threat that penetrated Tolian’s muddied
head.
“Brythia,” she croaked in
misery. “Brythia.” Tears now mixed with her blood. Then the image was snatched from her. There was just Dowbreth leering down at her,
holding the bag. Her face hurt. He was maliciously toying with her, she was
aware of that, but it didn’t stop the all-consuming desire to have sex with
him. With any man.
He kicked her in the shoulder. She felt a snap as it was dislocated.
“Do not forget, wench, that I hold
your girlfriend’s life in my grasp.”
“I hate you,” she cried. And she did, but still she needed him.
“I am not so affected by your
presence as others in Faerie. I am
protected, by my own magick.”
She shivered in the corner, glaring
at him with hate and lust held in the same stare.
“What magick do you have? Your bag?”
she hissed back at him.
Dowbreth held the bag aloft. He unfastened the string that tied it
closed. He reached in with the other
hand and began to remove that which was inside.
“Behold,” said Dowbreth, “the source
of my magick.”
For a second, all the pain, the
rage, the fear, the lust that she was feeling went instantly numb. There was nothing. No feeling.
No emotion stirred. Just a heavy
coldness descending on her like a curtain of unfeeling dread.
It was a head. Dowbreth held it by the hair. Tolian recognized it even before it had been
removed completely from the bag. She had
seen that person before. It was
Hertrid’s head, the second person to become possessed by the Demon. The one she had killed. Black orbs for eyes fixed upon her. To her horror, the head began to laugh, with
that familiar evil hissing snarl of a laugh.
“Greetings, Tolian of Lorm” said the Demon’s head.
Copyright 2004, 2015 Diana Hignutt
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