Castle Queen
By London Shye
SMASHWORDS EDITION
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PUBLISHED BY:
London Shye on Smashwords
Castle Queen
Copyright © 2002 by London Shye
Smashwords Edition License Notes
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Castle Queen is a continuation of the lives of Leanndra, Monet and others from the book Princess of Power.
Chapter 1
It is spring in the valley. The older women are busy getting their work done, while the younger women play in the pond at the waterfall. It had been several years since any problems occurred in the valley. There has been no more sightings of Runaway groups, just the occasional stray. More and more women made their way to the valley. Some came alone, other's came with female children in tow. All was welcomed. The valley is growing. Several of the new women are very intelligent. They helped with the doctoring of the sick. There is one young woman who is a bit strange. Her name is Rebecca. But she can construct anything. Her mind seemed a jumbled mess, spilling out all these concoctions, some useful, some not, but ingenious all the same. She was born right after the revolt. She and her mother came to the valley three years ago, when she was just nine years.
Monet watched quietly, sneaking in and out of the trees and brush. Sometimes, she would jump from tree branch to tree branch, high above, to go unnoticed. She wanted to know where her Aunt Mary went once every thirty moons. She was told she couldn't go each time she asked. She is stubborn, like her mother, and this answer of 'no' made her more curious as to why not.
She has traveled in the trees for a long time. If she lost sight of Mary, she herself would be lost. But her mother taught her to have no fear. So she continued following her. When Mary reached a small clearing, there was no way for her to follow any longer without being noticed. On the other side of the clearing was a small mountain. She could see a hut at the base of it. She climbed into the last tree at the clearing and watched. As Mary made her way into the clearing, she could see a small figure running towards her. The voice was calling, "Aunt Mary, Aunt Mary". She was stunned to see that it was a boy child! She had never seen one. And he was no older than her! The boy reached Mary and threw his arms around her legs. "Aunt Teresa said you'd be here today" he said excitedly. Mary picked him up, "I've missed you Caleb."
She knew she had better get home. Her mom would be looking for her. She also knew she would never be able to tell anyone what she had just witnessed. She wanted to put what she saw out of her mind. But Monet knew the boy’s turquoise colored eyes would haunt her forever. Now, if she could just remember the path back home.
"My lady, my lady!" she heard a little voice call. Leanndra turned to see Rebecca running towards her. She learned to have patience after Monet was born, but this child got on her last nerve. "Can Monet play" she asked, out of breath. "What do you have there" Leanndra asked, curious as to what Rebecca was holding. "Oh, I made it this morning. Watch!" She tossed it into the air. Leanndra was rather amazed. It was in the shape of a cross, but flat. It stayed up in the air, gliding, like a bird, before plunging to the ground. "I think that's the best thing you've made yet Rebecca." At that moment, Rebecca's mother appeared. "I'm sorry my lady, she won't bother you again." Leanndra reassured her, it was no bother. "And Rebecca, I myself am looking for Monet. If you find her before I do, tell her to get home."
Rebecca was the only friend Monet had to play with. They were five years apart in age, and Leanndra was happy to have someone to distract Monet for awhile. She loved that little girl to death. And it was obvious Monet worshiped Leanndra. She followed her everywhere and mimicked her every move. It was sometimes hard for Leanndra, for as much as she loved Monet, it was difficult sometimes looking at her. She reminded her so much of Simone. How she missed her. How much she still loved her. The guilt she felt over her death.
Leanndra had never forgiven herself for Simone's death. She still thought the God's had punished her for allowing Mary to take the baby boy, born after Monet, to be killed. Because she had taken something Simone would have loved, the God's took something she loved. And though Mary later explained the boy had been stillborn, that didn't ease Leanndra's heart.
Since Simone's death, Leanndra put all her energy and efforts into Monet and into building the castle she had promised Simone. After seven years, it was almost complete. Many of the ladies in the valley put in their time to help. They constructed beautiful furnishings and decorations in appreciation for keeping them all safe and giving them a place free of torment. Leanndra hated to admit it, but if not for Sarah, her castle would be nowhere near being finished. Sarah carried the stones up the mountain. Stones that took three women to carry, Sarah could carry two. Because of this, Leanndra added a special quarters for Sarah to live in. Also knowing, Monet would always be safe with Sarah near.
The sun is setting and Leanndra started to worry where Monet could be. It wasn't like her to miss mid meal. Now she was late for dinner. That child will turn my hair white , she muttered under her breath. Leanndra walked out the cottage door to go look for Monet. As she stepped down off the porch, she heard “gotcha” as something fell onto her shoulders. She put her hands up to the tiny arms that hugged her neck. She closed her eyes briefly, thankful. “Where have you been! I’ve been looking for you all day” she tried to say angrily. Monet kissed her on the cheek “I’m sorry mom. I just got caught up in playing.” Leanndra swung her around her shoulders. “Promise me this will be the last time you stray from me.” Monet smiled at her and nodded, her curly auburn hair flopping as she did. Leanndra put Monet down and held her hand. “Why don’t we go to the core for dinner tonight? We can eat with Rebecca and her mother. She was looking for you today.” Leanndra was never one to be sociable, but she thought it best if Monet learned those skills. As they walked down the path, Monet suddenly stopped. Looking up at Leanndra she asked “Mom, where does Aunt Mary go when she leaves the valley?”
Leanndra hadn’t really thought about it. “I don’t know Monet. I’ve never asked.”
CHAPTER 2
Leanndra felt her arm slide around the front of her. Slowly, she raised her hand to cup her breast. She circled her nipple with the tip of her finger and pinched it lightly. Leanndra felt her press herself against the back of her, softly grinding. She moved her hand from her breast down to the moist crevice between Leanndra’s legs, her fingers sliding through tiny ringlets of hair, until they plunged into the dark cavern below. Leanndra put her hand on top of Simone’s to show her how to pleasure her, guiding her fingers in and out.
“Mom!” Leanndra woke, clutching her pillow from another dream. “Mom!” she heard Monet yell again. Leanndra crawled out of bed and opened her bedroom door, her mind still in a daze. “Mom, let’s go! You promised.” Leanndra only saw a blur of Monet running down the stairs. “Let me get dressed” she yelled down to her. Leanndra had forgotten she’d promised Monet and Rebecca she’d take them out on the boat to go fishing.
Leanndra was feeling old. She didn’t like getting up this early in the morning anymore. Her bones were stiff and muscles tired. She was nearly forty-five. If not for Monet, she would have given up long ago. But she got dressed anyway. She did not want to disappoint her daughter.
Monet and Rebecca are impatiently waiting for Leanndra when she walked out the front door. Leanndra shook her head. She is the most feared woman in the valley, the best hunter, the best killer. She withstood the elements of weather, could outsmart anyone when it came to battle, could think under pressure. She commanded respect. And she got it. But when it came to Monet, she was a pile of mush.
“Geez mom, come on” Monet yelled again. Geez? Geez? Leanndra did not understand this youthful talk. “Where do they come up with this stuff?” she wondered.
It is a beautiful morning. The sun is rising, no clouds in the sky. Monet and Rebecca loaded the fishing gear into the boat as Leanndra untied it from the dock. “You can paddle” Leanndra said, smiling at them both. They each took an oar and began to row.
After several miles out, Leanndra spotted the barge. “Over there” she pointed. “But watch those rocks.” As the boat approached the barge, they heard a loud crack! “Uh-oh” Monet said. She pulled her oar out of the water and the bottom was missing. “Damn it!” Monet yelled. “Monet” Leanndra said, in a calm voice, “It broke. You can let it bother you all day or you can use your brain like I taught you to come up with a solution.” Rebecca giggled. Monet did not like being talked down to in front of her friend. “Yes ma’am” was all she could say. “I’ll steer us to the barge” Rebecca said, winking at Monet.
Just as Leanndra had thought, they had only been fishing for little over an hour when Monet tired of it. Monet climbed a small sand hill and laid a linen sheet down. She took off her skirt and shirt to bask in the sun. Leanndra thought Rebecca’s eyes were going to fall out of her head.
At eighteen, just a few years younger than her mother was when Leanndra met her, she was stunning. “She’s the spitting image of Simone” Leanndra said aloud. Rebecca still hadn’t taken her eyes from Monet. “Hey” Leanndra said, tapping Rebecca on the arm, “didn’t you come here to fish?” Rebecca didn’t say anything. She just turned around to cast her net back into the water. Every now and then, Leanndra would see Rebecca turning to catch a glimpse of Monet.
She never thought of Monet as anything other than her friend. But seeing her like that stirred things in her she wasn’t sure how to describe. Rebecca had grown into a strong, stout woman. She kept her blond hair short and wasn’t into the ‘women’ things like Monet. Her eyes are a deep brown and always sad looking. She is an intelligent woman. Something Leanndra liked. When Leanndra caught Rebecca peeking at Monet again, she thought to herself, I suppose she could do worse than Rebecca. Leanndra didn’t want to think about it. There was still so much she wanted to teach Monet. And she wanted to spare Monet, for as long as she could, the kind of pain that came with loving someone.
“It’s time to go Monet” Leanndra yelled. As Monet stood up, Rebecca had to catch her breath. “Shut your mouth or you’ll catch a bug” Leanndra said, shaking her head. Rebecca is embarrassed. But she still couldn’t stop looking at Monet.
As they headed back to the valley, there was a nice breeze blowing. Rebecca was the only one with an oar, and she didn’t want to paddle that far by herself. She stood up, and grabbed the sheet Monet had been lying on. Then she picked up one of the spear poles. She tied the four corners of the sheet to the pole and stood it up. The wind caught the sheet and carried them across the ocean. “How did you know to do that?” Monet asked. Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It just seemed like a good idea.” It was a good idea, Leanndra thought. “Rebecca, do you think when we get back, you could rig all the boats with one of these?” Rebecca thought for a moment, of the tree glue, a holder, maybe a handle to turn it different directions. “Yes ma’am. I can do it.” Leanndra nudged Monet's foot and nodded towards Rebecca. Yep, she thought to herself, Monet could do worse.
When they got back to the valley, Leanndra went inside and left the two of them alone. Rebecca felt shy all of a sudden. She wanted to say something to Monet about these feelings she had. As they cleared out the boat, Monet asked, “Would you like some help tomorrow making these for the other boats?” Rebecca knew she could do it by herself, but she wasn’t about to say no. “Yes. That would be nice.” Was all she could muster to say. Leanndra had gone into her room and walked out on the terrace. She was watching, and listening to them. “Let’s start after the first meal tomorrow” Monet said. “Ok, see you then” Rebecca replied. Monet took a few steps toward the castle. “Monet” she heard Rebecca call. When she turned to look at her, Rebecca was standing right in front of her. Without saying a word, Rebecca cupped Monet's face in her hands and kissed her. Softly at first, then she parted Monet's lips for a deeper, passionate kiss. When she was done, she turned and walked back to the core. Monet stood there, stunned. It left her breathless. She put her fingers up to her lips and went inside the house.
Leanndra wasn’t sure how she felt about watching Rebecca kiss her daughter. She was hoping things wouldn’t move this fast between them. But she also knew, if it was meant to be she would be powerless to stop it.
Chapter 3
Before sunrise, Caleb had already chopped the wood for the day and gathered fresh vegetables from the garden. He was doing more and more of the chores lately because Teresa’s health was failing. Most women from the valley did not live to see Teresa’s age. She was seventy-four. It was probably her stubbornness that kept her alive and her love for Caleb. The only people he knew were Teresa and Mary. He has never seen another human before.
Caleb grew into a handsome young man. He stood over six feet, his muscles rippling through out his body with each move he made. He has dark skin, with those turquoise eyes and jet-black hair. He never questioned why he couldn’t leave his home. He only knew he had a good life. Teresa and Mary taught him everything he knew, from hunting, fishing, gardening, to how to protect himself in battle. They were hesitant about teaching him to fight. But the valley wasn’t the only place women lived and feared there could be more brutal women out there, even worse than Leanndra. Neither of them wanted Caleb to be captured and hoped he would just accept the fact there were no others. They explained to him that his mother had died during childbirth and that his father was killed in battle. They never went into details about the uprising or the revolt.
When Caleb entered the hut, he could hear his Aunt Teresa coughing. He made her a cup of hot tea and sat her up so she could drink it. Teresa knew it was time for her to go.
“Caleb, I want you to listen to me,” she said in between coughs. “I have tried to teach you what you need to know. You have a good home here; good land for food, plenty of wildlife and it’s safe. Promise me you won’t leave until your Aunt Mary returns.” Before Caleb could answer, Teresa closed her eyes. Caleb bent down and kissed her forehead,
“I love you, Aunt Teresa.” He went outside and began digging to bury her.
Caleb sat by the fire, lonely. It would be at least twenty-one moons before Aunt Mary returned. He’s never been alone before. Tears welled in his eyes. He lay on the floor, hoping for sleep. For as long as he could remember, he had the same nightmare over and over each night. Women screaming, blood everywhere. A little girl reaching out for his hand and someone dragging him away into the forest. He woke most nights in a cold sweat. He didn’t understand the dream. Nor could he understand the little girl, since he had never actually seen one. But this night, he would sleep. There would be no nightmare, only rest.
It never occurred to him there were other people. People, who would want to hurt him, people who would love him. And he never knew how many lives he was about to change.
As her hand swept over her body, Monet could feel her hot breath on her neck from behind. A finger trailed down the curve of her back, between her ass and came to rest at her moist vagina. Monet closed her eyes and arched backward, just slightly. As one hand came up to pinch her perky and willing breasts, the finger on her vagina made its way inside. Monet moaned with delight. “Oh Rebecca” she whispered, as she raised her hand to play with her other nipple.
“Monet...Monet” Leanndra called. “Rebecca is here to start on the boats.” Monet opened her eyes and realized where she was. She remembered the dream. She sat up in bed and looked out the window. How can I face Rebecca after that, she wondered. But she had already offered her help.
Rebecca was hard at work mixing the pasty glue from the trees. She had so much pent up aggression when she left the night before; she spent most of the evening chopping down tree limbs for the linens to be attached to. When Monet walked outside, Rebecca did her best to act as though the kiss never happened. And Monet did her best to compose herself after such a dream about her friend.
At the end of the day, neither woman had spoken much to the other. With their work complete, it became an awkward silence.
“Thank you for the help,” Rebecca said.
“You’re welcome,” Monet offered. “Rebecca, I uh.” Monet wanted to say something, anything. She wanted to tell Rebecca how confused she was. Tell her about her dream. How nice she thought the dream was. Monet had never thought of another woman, or anyone else, in such an intimate way. But Rebecca’s kiss the night before stirred something in her.
“Walk with me,” Monet said, as she took Rebecca's hand. Rebecca didn’t resist. She followed Monet down the path to the water’s edge. “Come on” she told Rebecca, as she climbed some rocks up the cliff edge.
Behind some brush growing from the side, was a cave opening. “This is where I come when I need to think” Monet explained. There were pillows and quilts on the cave’s floor and a bamboo table with little trinkets on it. A lantern hung on the cave wall. Monet wanted to know if what she felt in the dream could become real. She turned to Rebecca and lightly touched her face. “Rebecca, I’m not sure how to say this, or for that matter, how to do this” she said in a shivering voice, “but...” her voice trailed off as she brought her lips up to meet Rebecca's. Monet took her hand and pulled Rebecca down to the pillows and quilts with her.
But for Monet, it wasn’t like her dream. There was no softness to Rebecca's touch. She was rough. Without thought, Rebecca ripped Monet's dress down the front to expose her breasts. She tore at her flesh. Monet tried to tell her to stop, but Rebecca put her hand over her mouth. She used the ripped fabric from Monet's dress to tie her hands and hold them over her head. Monet begged her to stop. Her cries went unheard. Rebecca bit down on Monet's lip and drew blood. She slid down to Monet's breasts and was equally as savage. Monet continued begging Rebecca to stop. It fell on deaf ears.
To Rebecca, this is how sex was supposed to be. She had never been intimate before but remembered the stories her mother had told her about the men, before the revolt. Not knowing that was one of the reasons why the uprising occurred. She slid down Monet's body and grabbed both her legs. She pushed them up over Monet's shoulders, felt for the opening of her vagina, and rammed her hand in. Monet let out a scream that echoed through the cave. Her screams went unnoticed outside the cave because the tide was coming in and the waves were crashing into the mountainside.
But the screams turned Rebecca on. It made her more vicious. She did not notice the tearing at the bottom of Monet's vagina with each thrust that she made. And since Monet was a virgin, she thought the blood was normal. When Rebecca finally came, she stopped the torture. Monet slipped into unconsciousness. Rebecca mistook this as Monet being exhausted. She did not know the pain she caused, thinking it was pleasure. After untying Monet's hands, she kissed her on the cheek and quietly left to leave her to sleep.
Chapter 4
When Monet woke, the moon was full and shining brightly across the ocean. When she tried to sit up, a shooting pain went through her. She had to force herself to stand. Crouched over, she went to the cave’s opening. She looked up at the moon, tears in her eyes, lips quivering. How could Rebecca do this to me? She wondered. If she didn’t come up with a story to tell her mother, she knew Leanndra would kill Rebecca. Monet crawled down the mountainside to the beach. She could see a figure running towards her. When Sarah reached her, Monet collapsed in her arms. She was conscious only long enough to tell Sarah she had fallen down the cliffs.
When Sarah kicked the doors open to the castle, Leanndra was in her room. She came out and saw Sarah carrying her ravaged daughter. “She’s all right my lady” Sarah said, as she met Leanndra halfway up the staircase. “Who did this to her? What happened!” Leanndra shouted. “I found her like this my lady. She said she had fallen from the cliffs.” Sarah told her.
After they got Monet into bed, Leanndra sent Sarah to the core to get one of the ladies experienced in doctoring others. Monet kept fading in and out of consciousness. Leanndra looked at her battered daughter. Her lip was swollen with dry blood smeared on her face. She could see claw marks on her neck. Leanndra pulled away the torn part of her dress to see her bruised and raw breasts. She noticed the red marks on her wrists. She lifted up Monet’s dress and choked when she saw her bruised thighs caked in blood. Tears were replaced by blind fury. “I will hunt down whoever did this” Leanndra said aloud “I will strip the skin from their bones and leave them tied to an anthill.”
When Mary returned with Sonya, Leanndra was washing away the blood from her daughter. “No one is to know of her condition” she said to Sonya. “I will take good care of her my lady, no one will know.”
When the sun rose, Leanndra was asleep by Monet's side. She felt Monet stir. “My precious angel” she said to Monet. “I’m hungry” Monet responded. Leanndra smiled and called down to the cook.
After Monet had her first meal, Leanndra held her hand. “Monet, tell me who did this to you.” Monet swallowed. “Mom, I fell off the cliff. I’m sorry I went climbing without telling you.” What was she hiding, Leanndra thought. “Monet, these are not injuries one gets when falling from a cliff. Tell me who did this to you.” She demanded. Monet stuck to her story. “Mom, I fell. I’m tired. I’d like to sleep now.” Leanndra kissed Monet on the forehead and left her to rest. She didn’t understand why Monet was protecting the animal that did this to her. Though she vowed to find out.
When Rebecca emerged from behind the curtain that surrounded her bed, she couldn’t help but want to see Monet again. Her mother noticed the look on her face. “And why are we so happy this morning?” Rebecca just smiled. A smile that told her mother all she needed to know. “I see” her mother said, smiling back. “I’m going for a walk” Rebecca told her.
As she made her way through the core, Rebecca saw Sarah. “Is Monet awake yet Sarah?” Sarah knew how close Monet and Rebecca were, so she didn’t feel the need to hide from her what happened. “Monet isn’t receiving visitors today. She was brutally attacked last night. We don’t know who did it. My lady has requested no one know what happened. So keep it to yourself.”
This frightened Rebecca. Had something happened to Monet after she left? Who knew of the cave other than her and Monet? Had Monet shown the cave to someone else? “Is there a Runaway lose?” She asked Sarah. “Crystal is checking that now.” Sarah replied. “I’ll talk to you later Rebecca. I’m on my way to find Mary.”
When Monet woke again, she knew Leanndra would have questions. Questions she didn’t want to answer. Though she was still in pain, she climbed out of bed and got dressed. She wore a white, sheer blouse, and a skirt that was died rose pink, to match the color of her lips. After she put her sandals on, she took the quill and wrote her mother a note: Mom, please do not worry about me. I’m feeling restless and need to get away. I will be back within seven moons. Love, Monet.
The moon was bright and guided Monet through the woods. She wasn’t sure where she was going. She just walked. She walked all night. When the sun rose, she felt her surroundings seemed familiar. She was tired and in a great deal of pain. But she continued walking. When she came upon the clearing at the edge of the forest, flashes from her childhood hit her. Through the fog, she could see a light shining at the hut she had seen when she followed her Aunt Mary years ago. But that was so long ago, she was sure she had dreamed it. As she walked across the clearing, a sharp pain rose in her stomach. She didn’t know it, but she had torn the stitches Sonya had put in her and was now bleeding again. Monet doubled over with cramps and fell to the ground.
When Caleb walked outside, he took a deep breath of air. He loved the mornings, so he got an early start. He walked over to where he had buried Teresa and said good morning to her. His routine would need to change now, since Teresa was no longer there. But his routine for food would not. I’m starving, he thought to himself. So he headed out to the garden for some mushrooms and a tomato, then he went by the coop to get a few eggs. As he was heading back to the hut, the fog had lifted. The sun was shining brightly. He stopped to take in all of nature’s beauty. He turned toward the clearing and saw something white in the green grass. He set his food down on the porch and headed towards the image. When he came upon Monet, he rolled her over. “My lord” he said. The sound of his voice jarred Monet. When she looked up and saw Caleb, her first instinct made her push away. But she was just too weak. Caleb picked her up and started carrying her back to the hut. Monet was powerless to stop him. “It’s ok, ma’am” he said to her. His voice was calm and soothing. Monet wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at his eyes. The eyes she’d seen when she was a child. That’s when she knew he wouldn’t hurt her and slipped back into darkness.
Chapter 5
Caleb took Monet into the hut and laid her down on what use to be Teresa’s bed. He stood over her, starring. The only two women he had ever seen were Teresa and Mary. This woman looked like neither of them. She was young, about his age he guessed. Her curly auburn hair looked like angel wings spread out on the bed. She had full pink lips, though he could see a deep cut on the bottom and bruising. He saw a red spot on her skirt, in a place he didn’t want to look. But if she was hurt, he needed to help her. He slowly lifted up her skirt and had to turn away. Who would do this, he wondered. Caleb got a bowl of fresh water and a cloth to clean her. He was embarrassed but didn’t want to leave her like that. After he gently wiped the blood from her vagina and thighs, he placed the bowl beside the bed. Again, he sat and starred at Monet. Out of all the beauty in nature, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Thinking she would sleep for awhile, Caleb went outside to do his chores.
When Leanndra woke, she went in to check on Monet. Her bed was made and she found the note on her pillow. She went downstairs to find Sarah, who was in the cooking area. “Did you see Monet when she left?” she asked. “No my lady, I thought she would still be resting.” Sarah answered. Leanndra knew it would do no good to hunt for her. She had taught Monet well in the art of covering her tracks. All Leanndra could do was wait for her daughter to come home. “Did crystal check the Runaways? Are any missing?” Leanndra asked Sarah. “She checked my lady. They are all accounted for.”
This caused some concern in Leanndra. Did that mean a Runaway was loose in the valley? And how would he get in without being noticed? “Sarah, get Crystal and tell her to bring the other guards to the castle.” If a Runaway was here, she needed to find him, and quick.
The hot sun is beating down on Caleb. He needed to get a stall built for the Mustang he roped the previous week. He took off his shirt, hoping it would be cooler while he sand down the boards he cut out from trees.
Inside, Monet was waking. She looked around at the ceiling and sat up when nothing seemed familiar to her. When she did, she felt a horrible pain in her stomach. She saw the bloodied water beside the bed. That told her whoever’s home she was at had obviously tried to help her. So whatever fear she had disappeared. She looked around the hut, trying to get a feel for who lived here. It’s decorated like a woman, she thought. Getting up was not easy. She held onto the wall. She made her way to the door and opened it. The bright sunlight blinded her for a moment. She saw Caleb. She took a quick breath. She didn’t see anyone else around. She closed her eyes and thought, please don’t let it have been him who washed me up. Now she was embarrassed at the thought.
When Caleb turned around, he saw Monet standing in the doorway. “Hello there” he yelled at her. “Are you feeling any better? Maybe you shouldn’t be up.” He looks nothing like the man slaves back at the valley, she thought. This man was lean and she had never seen so many muscles. From thirty feet away, she could see his familiar turquoise eyes. His jet black hair touched his shoulders. She didn’t know how to describe him other than to think he was beautiful. And why wasn’t she afraid of him? Where am I, she asked herself.
Caleb began walking towards Monet. He seemed to glide with each stride. The sweat on his body glistened in the sun. Monet's heart raced. My God he's massive, she thought. When Caleb reached Monet, he held out his hand. "My name is Caleb. This is my home." Monet hesitated, but only for a moment, then she placed her hand in his. His touch was soft, and he lifted up her hand and kissed the back of it. This surprised her. "My name is Monet" she said. "Are you the one who found me? And do you live alone?" She couldn't help but stare at him. His jaw was square and hard, with a hint of beard coming through. "Yes ma'am. I found you. And yes, I live alone now." He could see her face turning a light pink. "Ma'am, I assure you, I did nothing inappropriate while you were asleep. I only wanted to help you." knowing why she was embarrassed. "How long have you been here?" she asked him. "All my life. I've never been anywhere else." he replied. "You shouldn't be up ma'am. Maybe you should lay back down and rest." Monet was intrigued by him. "Caleb, please, call me Monet. Ma'am is what my mother is called." Caleb was nervous. He didn't know the steps to take when one has a guest. "Fair enough, Monet. Please, at least sit and I'll fix you some tea. I haven't had my morning meal yet. Would you care to eat with me?" Monet was hungry. "Yes, that would be nice." Monet sat in the chair by the door.
When Caleb came back outside, he carried a tray with two plates. Each had scrambled eggs, fried vegetables and a biscuit. There was also grape jam, tea and in the center of the tray, a tiny vase he had placed a sunflower in. He gave Monet her plate and sat down on the ground, facing her.
"You put a shirt on" she said. Caleb blushed. "Yes ma'am. I mean, Monet. I'm sorry I'm not properly dressed. I would have been, with more notice." he said shyly. While he was speaking, Monet had taken a bite of her eggs and vegetables. "You're dressed fine Caleb. It was just an observation." she responded, thinking all the while, this is delicious! Who is this God-like man. Monet could sense an innocence in Caleb. Why had he never left his home? And what did he mean by "now" when asked if he lived alone?
Monet was tiring. "Caleb, this is very good. Thank you. Would you mind if I lied down for a bit. I’m feeling a little tired. But I don't wish to intrude on you." Caleb hung on every word she spoke. "Monet please, it's no intrusion. Let me help you." he said, as he stood. He gently took hold of her left arm and placed his right hand on the small curve of her back to steady her. Monet pulled away, but only for a second. Sensing her hesitation, "Monet, I don't know who did this to you." he said in a low voice, "but he is a savage and should be punished. Women should be treated with respect and taken care of. I can say not all men are like the brute that took advantage of you."
Monet relaxed and leaned into Caleb as they walked in the hut. He guided her to the bed and helped her sit down. "I have chores to finish. If you need anything, I'm just a yell away." he then turned and left her. As Monet lay down, she couldn't help but think of the way she felt in Caleb's arms. How safe she felt. How hard his torso was. She had questions, but was too tired as her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 6
Leanndra tried to keep busy while Monet was gone. She spent most days in her golden chair, watching over the valley and sometimes watching the other women play in the waterfall. Since Simone’s death, other women had not interested her. She put all her energy into raising Monet. Now that Monet was an adult, she wondered what her future had in store for her.
Extra guards had been placed around the valley. Only a few knew what happened to Monet. Rebecca missed her. She stayed awake at night thinking of her. Wanting her. Missing her. She fantasized about being with Monet again. She longed to touch her.
At the outpost, Crystal could see the shadow of a wagon heading towards the entrance. Her only light was cast by the moon. She blew the sea horn to alert the others. When the wagon reached the gate, four women jumped off. Behind the wagon, three Runaways were chained. “What can I do for you” crystal asked. “Pardon us ma’am. We have been traveling for eight moons now and have had no food to speak of. Might your village spare some for us?” a thin woman asked. “Where did you get those Runaways” Crystal snared. “We caught them four moons ago. They were pilfering at an abandoned village.” one of the other women said. At that moment, Leanndra came running up. “I heard the horn.” Then she saw the Runaways. Crystal told her what the women said regarding them. “It could have been one of them” Leanndra said. Four moons was enough time to get that far away after hurting her daughter. “You are welcome in our valley. But to stay, they must die.” The men’s head turned to Leanndra. “We haven’t done anything!” one yelled. The thin woman spoke “For a place to live with food, I don’t mind them dying.”
It had been a long time since Leanndra was able to take her aggressions out. “I’ll alert Sarah to prepare the caves. They die tomorrow at sundown.” Leanndra was sure one, if not all of these men hurt her Monet.
When Monet woke, the only light supplied was the fire in the hearth. She sat up, thirsty. Where would he keep the water, she thought. Caleb was across the room in his bed that was surrounded by a sheer cloth, asleep. Monet walked over and pulled the cloth back, suddenly putting her hand over her mouth. The fire glowed across his naked body. She had never seen a naked man before. And suddenly, she realized she liked what she saw. She wanted to touch him, for him to touch her. “This is wrong” she said to herself. As she turned to go back to bed, Caleb reached out and touched her hand. “Monet, are you alright? Do you need anything?” he whispered. “I...I just wanted some water.” she replied. Caleb stood up, wrapping a sheet around his waist. He walked over to a table in the corner and drew her some water from the pot. “Here you go” he said, and returned back to bed. Monet thought she would die. She was glad it was night. She knew she was blushing. After she sipped her water, Monet went back to bed. Curling up, she was now more confused than ever. She was suppose to like Rebecca. But her thoughts were on the man across the room from her.
When Monet woke the next morning, it had been five moons since she left the valley. She stood up from the bed and looked for Caleb. He wasn’t there. She tried combing her fingers through her hair. I must look terrible, she thought. When she walked outside, she could see Caleb crouched by a mound of dirt. She walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “She led me to believe there were no others. Just her and Aunt Mary. I...” he stopped. “I now know I must leave here, to be with others. You found me. So I know others exist.” Monet became frightened. “No Caleb. You can’t leave here.”
Monet did her best to explain the uprising and the revolt to Caleb. She wasn’t sure herself about all the details, she only knew that for her entire life, men were slaves, or they were killed. “Caleb, I must go home. I will be back. I promise. But don’t tell your Aunt Mary I was here. It’s important she doesn’t know. ” He didn’t want her to leave. “Monet, if what you told me is true, why have you stayed and been so nice to me?” Monet looked up at him, “Because I like your eyes”, she smiled. He felt a pain in his chest. It was unfamiliar to him.
Caleb walked Monet back to the hut to gather her things. “You promise you will come back?” he asked. “Nothing could keep me from coming” she said. Monet lowered her head for a moment. She looked back up at Caleb and saw the sadness in his eyes. She didn’t know why, and didn’t know where she got the courage, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. “I promise” she whispered, lightly brushing her lips against his. She then turned and headed across the clearing.
At late day, Leanndra was restless. She laid out her sword and outfit for tonight. She relished at the thought of torturing and killing the three men who waited in the dungeon. “Tonight, I will right their wrong” she told herself. A part of her was glad Monet was not here to witness her work. The other part, knew she needed to be here, to learn. For one day, she would take her place. Near sundown, Sarah knocked on Leanndra’s door to tell her it was time.
Not many women witnessed the killings that night. No one knew why the men were in the caves. If they had known, not a single woman would have been in the core. Leanndra was brutal. The men’s bodies were not recognizable as human when she was done with them. Crystal liked watching the old Leanndra. She had that fire in her eyes again. When she was done, Leanndra was soaked in blood. “Crystal” she said, with an evil smile,“ I’m ready for some wine now. Why don’t we head down to the core and find some women that would like to bathe me”.
Chapter 7
As Crystal and Leanndra walked through the core, each pointed at a different woman. The women stopped what they were doing and followed. The women knew they were chosen to give pleasure to their leader.
Crystal chose three women. Leanndra chose only one. Once they reached the outpost, Crystal got a fire going. "Dance for me" Leanndra ordered the women. "But you, draw me a bath" she said to the young woman she had picked. Crystal brought out a jug of wine for each of them. Leanndra drank hers fast. It gave her a fuzzy feeling in her head. She almost fell while getting into the tub. The young woman began to wash her. Leanndra had not felt the touch of a woman since Simone's death. She missed it. The other women began dancing around the fire, stripping down until they were naked. They touched themselves and each other, kissing, licking, caressing. This turned Leanndra on. Crystal couldn't take much more herself. "I think I'll go it alone tonight" Leanndra said to Crystal. To that, she stood up, getting out of the tub, taking the hand of the young woman she picked and led her into one of the rooms.
Once inside, she grabbed the young woman's hair and pulled her head backwards, pushing her up against the wall. "Make no mistake about it. I'm going to fuck you. Fuck you hard and long." she hissed, as she bit down on her neck. The young woman let out a yelp and a tear streamed down her face. Leanndra put her other hand on the young woman’s breast, and could feel how fast her heart was pounding. When she came up to kiss her, she could see fear on her face.
At that moment, she realized that must have been how Monet felt when she was attacked. The rush Leanndra had felt was now gone. She felt ashamed for making this woman afraid. "I'm ready my lady" the young woman choked.
"What is your name?" Leanndra asked her. "Wendy" she responded. "I'm sorry I frightened you Wendy" Leanndra whispered, taking her into her arms. Leanndra leaned down and kissed her lips softly, swirling her tongue underneath them. Leanndra could feel the passion building in her from not having a woman in such a long time. She pulled the straps down off Wendy's shoulders and let her dress fall to the floor. She took a couple steps back to look at her. Her blond hair fell across her shoulders, barely reaching her nipples. She held her hand out, and Wendy took it. She pulled her down to the bed and lay on top of her, spreading her legs with her knee. She stared into Wendy's eyes for a moment, to see if her fear was gone. It was.
Leanndra kissed her again. This time, Wendy kissed back, inviting Leanndra's tongue inside. Leanndra moved her hand down to Wendy's breasts and twirled her nipple in between her fingers. Wendy let out a small whimper as Leanndra moved down to take her nipple into her mouth. She trailed her hand down Wendy's body and pulled her leg over her own. Wendy leaned into her, arching her back so her pelvis was up against Leanndra's. She moved her hand under Wendy's leg to feel the moist warmth awaiting her. Wendy let out a load moan when she felt Leanndra's finger enter her. Leanndra began biting and sucking on Wendy's nipple with more force. Wendy took her hand and pushed down on Leanndra's to make her finger go deeper inside her.
Leanndra slid another finger inside her to a resounding "Yes!" from Wendy, as she started rocking back and forth against leanndra's hand.
Leanndra had been pulling in and out slowly, teasingly. "Please my lady, I can't take it anymore" Wendy said in a begging voice. "Please fuck me harder".
Leanndra felt herself smile. She continued for a few more minutes, sliding in and out of Wendy in very slow motions. Then, with all the strength she had, she pumped as hard and fast as she could. Wendy stiffened and arched her back to take her all in, moaning short sounds, gasping for air. She wrapped her arms around Leanndra and let out little screams of pleasure. Both were drenched in sweat. As Leanndra rolled onto the pillows, she thought to herself, I am so out of shape for this. Then drifted off to sleep.
Monet entered the castle doors. She came through the valley on the edges. Knowing who she was, the guards let her pass. She was glad to be home. Yet, she missed Caleb. She yelled for Leanndra, but got no answer. She must be at the core, she thought. Monet went into the cooking area to get a cup of wine. Though she was exhausted, she knew she would need something to help her sleep. Monet climbed the spiral staircase up to her room. She walked onto the balcony and stared out into the land. Caleb was out there. Though she had just left him the morning before, she longed to be back with him. “No, no!” she said, shaking her head. “I have to talk to Rebecca. That is who I’m supposed to be with.” She tried to convince herself. Not knowing when Leanndra would be back, she laid down to sleep. Her mother would have questions for her and she needed rest to face her.
When Leanndra came home, she did not know Monet was back. When she got to the top of the staircase, she heard a voice. She drew her sword and crept down the hallway. As she listened, she realized it was Monet. Her bedroom door was cracked. Leanndra pushed it open a few inches and saw Monet in bed, talking in her sleep. A feeling of relief poured out of her. She shut the door, thankful her daughter was home.
When Rebecca approached Monet, she put her arms around her from behind and kissed her on the cheek. “I missed you” she said. Monet closed her eyes. Please don’t let it be like the last time, she said to herself. She felt Rebecca’s breath on her neck. Rebecca pulled her hands up to cup Monet's breasts. Monet took a deep breath, then reached up and pulled her dress off her shoulders and let it fall to the ground. Rebecca caressed Monet's breasts, teasing her nipples. She slid one hand down between Monet's legs. Monet took another deep breath. Rebecca parted her vagina lips and gently played with her clit. She walked Monet over to the bed, still behind her, and lowered her down. She kissed the back of Monet's neck and moved her hand down between her legs again. She stimulated her ass opening while she continued sliding her finger down to her vagina. Monet felt Rebecca ease herself in. She couldn’t believe how good it felt and how caring Rebecca was this time, slowly moving herself in and out. She turned her head to kiss Rebecca. “Noooooooooooo!” Monet screamed, seeing Caleb’s face.
Leanndra burst into her room. “Monet! My dear. What’s wrong?” How could she tell her mom, who hated men, who taught her to hate men, she was falling in love with one. “Just a bad dream, mom.” Monet said.
Chapter 8
“I killed the person responsible for hurting you Monet” Leanndra said, as they sat eating the first meal. Monet turned her head quickly “Mom no!” she yelled. “A few outside women caught three Runaways. I know one of them is the one that hurt you. They were all killed to be sure I had the right one.” Leanndra said, smiling. Monet closed her eyes. “I need to go speak with Rebecca” she said, getting up from the table. “She’s missed you Monet” Leanndra answered back. “But I want to know where you’ve been the past six moons” she added. Monet didn’t answer as she walked out the castle door.
Monet wasn't sure what she was going to say to Rebecca. Her mind drifted from her to Caleb and back again. Her heart told her she wanted Caleb. But she knew it could never happen. Her mother would kill him or she'd be banished from the valley. She was almost willing to take that risk.
As Monet approached Rebecca's home, a part of her wanted to turn around and run. Rebecca came around the corner and saw Monet. "There you are!" she shouted. Rebecca ran over to Monet and hugged her. Monet stood stiff. "Sarah said you had been attacked the night at the cliff when we were together. Who did it to you? I guess it doesn't matter now. Your mother took care of them." Monet's head was spinning. "Rebecca, we need to talk. Is there some place we can go?" she asked. Rebecca took Monet's hand and led her into the hut. "Mom won't be back for awhile. We can talk here" she said. Monet was hesitant at first, not knowing how to word what she needed to say. Finally, she was able to convey to Rebecca that it was her that caused the damage. That Rebecca is the one that hurt her. How she had been too rough and brutal. She didn't stop when Monet told her to.
Rebecca's eyes filled with tears. She fell to the floor in front of Monet and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Please, please forgive me Monet. I didn't know. I would never hurt you. I,.I love you." Monet pulled her up and looked into her eyes, wiping the tears away. "Rebecca, I'm fine now. Let me show you..." her words faded as she kissed Rebecca. When Rebecca grabbed her too tightly, Monet pushed away. "No! Like this." she said, pulling Rebecca softly into her and kissing her again. "I want to be touched like this" Monet said, caressing Rebecca's face.
This is nothing like my mother had described, Rebecca thought to herself. "I think I understand Monet" she said. She took Monet's hand and led her over to the bed. She gently kissed Monet's neck, nibbling just a little. She pulled Monet's dress down off her shoulders and lightly kissed her down to her breasts. She took her tongue and swirled it around one of Monet's nipples. Monet let out a soft moan. "Like this?" Rebecca asked, as she gently took the nipple into her mouth, biting just slightly. "Yes, that's right " Monet said, barely able to speak. Rebecca pulled Monet's dress completely down and lay her on the bed. "Please" Monet said, "take off your clothes too". Rebecca did as she was told. "Now, come here" Monet whispered, as she held out her arms.
Rebecca could feel the excitement building in her. Keep yourself under control. Do as she says, Rebecca thought to herself. She crawled into Monet's waiting arms. Monet took her hand and trailed it over her own body. She brought Rebecca's head down to her breast. "Like earlier" she whispered to Rebecca, who graciously took the nipple into her mouth. Then she moved her hand down between her legs "only two fingers and gentle" she told Rebecca. Monet was breathing heavy. Rebecca slowly massaged the outside of Monet's vagina and clit. Monet let out a loud whimper. Then Rebecca slowly pushed her fingers inside. This made Rebecca cum. "Oh God" she let out. Monet raised her legs a little and Rebecca slid deeper inside. She reached down and moved Rebecca's fingers in and out, how she liked. Rebecca moved up to kiss her, then lightly bit her down the neck and back to her breasts. Monet started to squirm, rocking back and forth. "A little faster" she moaned to Rebecca. Rebecca complied, still lightly biting Monet's nipple. "Please!" Monet begged. "Faster?” Rebecca whispered. Monet screamed "yes, yes!" Rebecca moved in and out at a frantic pace. Monet lifted her hips off the bed in unison with her. She took a deep breath as she felt the cream like substance run out of her. Reaching down to hold Rebecca's hand in place, her muscles contracted once more before she lay there, exhausted.
Rebecca, out of breath, held Monet in her arms. As tears flowed from her eyes, she softly said, "I had no idea that's how it was suppose to be. I will spend my life making up for what I did to you at the cliff." Monet smiled. Too exhausted to move or speak. She nestled against Rebecca, content.
When the women woke later that day, Monet told Rebecca she would be leaving again in seven moons. “Why? Why do you have to leave? Can I go with you?” Rebecca pleaded. “I’m sorry Rebecca. There’s something I have to do. And I need to do it alone.” She replied. “I won’t be gone long. Maybe six moons.” She saw the sadness on Rebecca’s face. “Don’t worry Becca, you have me ’til then.” She leaned up and kissed Rebecca, stroking her hair. “And now that I’ve rested, I think it’s your turn to feel the kind of pleasure you gave me earlier.” Monet whispered in her ear. Her hot breath sent shivers down Rebecca.
Monet crawled on top of her and slid half way down, pinching one nipple between her fingers and taking the other into her mouth. Rebecca’s eyes fluttered back. Monet moved her hand down to Rebecca’s clit. She lightly rubbed back and forth. She parted her vagina and could feel how wet Rebecca was. She slowly pushed one, then two fingers inside. Rebecca’s head arched back as she let out a deep moan. Monet pulled her fingers in and out while rubbing against Rebecca’s clit. She bit a little harder on her nipple, then blowing on it and repeating. When Rebecca wrapped her legs around Monet, she pushed deep inside her. Rebecca cried out. Monet pumped faster and harder as Rebecca brought her hips up to meet each stroke. Then, with three strong and hard pushes, Monet held the last one, deep inside, as Rebecca let out a final cry of pleasure.
“I think I could handle six more moons of this” Rebecca sighed. Monet giggled,“Me too”.
Chapter 9
When Monet left Rebecca’s, she walked through the core and ran into Mary. “Well young lady, I haven’t seen you in quite some time” Mary exclaimed. Monet desperately wanted to tell her she knew about Caleb. Monet gave her a hug. “I know Aunt Mary, I’ve been busy. Have you seen mom?” she asked. “She’s up in her chair. She’s turning into her old self again. I for one, am glad to see it.” Mary said.
“Aunt Mary, do you think there will ever come a time when men are not called Runaways? And no longer slaves?” This question puzzled Mary. Why would Monet ask that? Mary knew Leanndra had raised her not to tolerate men. But the question still made Mary think of Caleb. “I don’t know Monet. There may come a time. But I don’t think it will happen during my life.” That remark made both women sad. But neither knew it. “Thanks Aunt Mary. I need to go see mom. Why don’t you come to the house for third meal one night?” she asked. Mary nodded as both women left in opposite directions.
Monet could see Leanndra in her chair. She waved up to her and Leanndra motioned back. As Leanndra made her way down, Monet thought how she could bring up the subject of the Runaways. It wouldn’t be easy. “Well” Leanndra said when she got to Monet. “I see you’ve been with Rebecca all day”. Monet wondered how she could know that. Sensing her curiosity, Leanndra reached up to straighten Monet’s hair. “You must always check yourself before entering outside Monet.” Leanndra laughed. “Let’s go home for third meal. We need to talk. I want to know where you’ve been and how things are with you and Rebecca.”
Once home, both women sat down to a bowl of rice and fish. “Tell me, my secretive daughter, where did you go when you disappeared?” Leanndra asked. Monet didn’t answer. Instead she asked, “Mom, do you think there will ever come a time when men are no longer slaves? Do you think all men are bad?” She could see fire in her mother’s eyes.
“Why would you ask me that Monet?” she scoffed. After a few seconds of silence, she added “There might have been one that would have been a good man. But that was long ago and something I will never know. But as long as I’m alive, I will never accept men joining women in this village.” Monet thought it was useless.
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