Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Heart of the Dragon ❯ Leaving for Freid ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter Eleven: Leaving for Freid

She felt violated and loved it. Dilandau had wandered back into their tent after he had lit the fire and he had found a very naked woman lying on the small makeshift bed. He had licked his lips as if she was a piece of meat and he hadn't eaten in weeks.

He had all but ravished her to death, both of them enjoying the sounds of pain mixed with pleasure. She was inconceivably sore, but it didn't matter. He was lying on top of her, still panting from exertion. He lifted himself up and stared down at her.

"I don't know if I should thank you or call you a whore."

"It's not my fault you came in," she lied.

"Well then, thank you."

"Whatever for?"

"You were a virgin."

"Your point?"

He sighed and rolled off her. She had the loveliest body he had ever seen in his life. He wanted more of her but restrained himself surprisingly. He didn't know why he was. He knew she was in pain, and smiled to himself. She was the only female he knew that commingled pain with pleasure. He treasured it too. He slapped himself for getting soft.

He pulled her on top of him and her purple eyes went lighter instead of darker, which he blinked at. He defiled her again, making her have extreme pain. She was crying by the time he was done with her. He struck her hard in the face and he saw blood on her lips. He kissed her brutally and she leaned into it.

"I love you," Seibu whispered against his lips and could have killed herself for saying it. She watched as his face twisted and she smiled.

"A guess we should be married now," Dilandau said and pushed her off him. She was overcome with such happiness she could have...could have what?

"When?"

Dilandau heard the eagerness in her voice. He didn't really want to marry her, he just wanted to play with her. But he had some honor in him. He didn't like the notion of even some. He had only a speck of it and it was being used on her. He looked back over and saw her sprawled on the bed. Her lips looked bruised and they were still bloody. He dressed himself and left, looking for a stupid monk.

Van walked into the formal luncheon room and saw Allen and Merle eating peacefully. Allen looked up and gawked at him.

"What kind of look is that?! Wipe it off your face!! There is a lady present!!" Allen scolded.

"What look?" Van asked, confused. He sat down at the head of the table, Allen and Merle at his left. He piled some food onto his plate and spooned it into his mouth. He waited for Allen to reply.

"That pleased look on your face. Let me guess. You had a wonderful afternoon with Hitomi." He paused, his smile growing larger. "Are those scratches on your arms? And is that a bruise?!"

Van glanced at his upper arms and grinned. "I was raped," he whispered, leaning towards him. Allen's eyes went large and he laughed so hard he dropped his fork.

"What's so funny?" Merle questioned, setting her gold spoon down.

"Nothing that concerns you," Allen said and patted her hand.

"I heard what you said, Van," Merle lied, trying to get one of them to admit what they had been saying.

"You heard that he was raped?" Allen asked, surprised that she had heard it when he had he had thought it barely audible.

"No."

Allen could have smacked himself. "I should have known you would have tried something like that. Do your sensitive ears burn?"

Merle rolled her eyes and looked at Van. He was completely and utterly red, his head bowed and his eyes lowered.

"I assume you were "raped" as you put it, by Hitomi." She added almost as an afterthought, "I didn't know men could be raped."

Allen said, "You're too innocent."

"Hey! Maybe I'll try it on you," Merle said loudly, yet calmly. She watched his eyes nearly cross with lust and Van's blush disappear when he laughed. Allen shocked expression was replaced by his own blush.

They finished eating and sat there talking about the situation with Dilandau and Seibu. Van had no doubt at all that she was a sorceress. Allen and Merle agreed.

"Where's your beautiful wife?" Allen asked suddenly and rested his elbows on the table.

Van played with the fork in his hands and sighed. "She's probably still sleeping."

"Why would she be sleeping? It's the middle of the day!" Merle exclaimed.

"Just like I said, too innocent."

Merle puffed up just like a bird and both Van and Allen laughed. Her ears when back and she got even more angry when they kept laughing.

When Allen looked at her, her ears were completely flattened against her head and she looked like she was ready to attack someone. He pulled her to his side and kissed her right in front of Van who frowned at him afterwards. He gave a reminding look to Merle to stay away from him like he had told her earlier and she pushed away from him. He got a disconcerted look on his face and she walked out of the room.

"Why is she doing that? She's driving me crazy!"

Van smiled into his wine glass and sipped. He knew he would be right. "Maybe she doesn't like you."

"My ass!"

A servant in white and red livery came up to Van at that moment, coming through a side door. He handed him a small scroll and he read it.

"It seems Chid is having a ball in Freid in a week and has invited us. I think I shall accept. Hitomi and I need a break anyhow."

"Just like I said, my ass."

"Stop saying that word. You'll hurt sensitive people's ears."

Van looked up from the parchment and set it on the table when he heard Hitomi talk. She was a vision in a light yellow gown that swept the floor and banded under her breasts to push them up even higher than her chemise already did. He stood up and bowed to her, taking her hand and kissing it. She smiled at him and put her arm through his. He escorted her to the table, pulling out the chair for her. Allen grinned at him. He's almost as good as me, he thought.

Van sat down, his wife at his right. He spoke up when he remembered the invitation. "How would you like to visit Freid and go to a ball?"

Hitomi's eyes lit up. "Will I see Chid? And everyone else?!"

Van smiled and nodded. She stood up, jumping up and down, her hands together. "When can we leave? Today? Please, please, please, tell me today!"

Van's smile widened and he shrugged. "If that's what you want. You'll make all the arrangements. It's your duty now as queen."

Hitomi's hand flew up to her mouth. "I forgot all about my duties as queen now. I'm so stupid."

Van chuckled and laid his hand over hers when she set it down. "It's perfectly fine, don't worry. We just got back yesterday."

Hitomi smiled at him and kissed his cheek, leaving them alone in the room. He could still hear the swishing of her skirts before the door closed.

Hitomi found one of the servants and the girl helped her make all the arrangements for them to leave as soon as possible. When Van walked in their room an hour later, she had just finished shoving the rest of her clothes in a satchel.

"Ready?" Van asked and took the heavy receptacle out of her hands. She was grateful and opened the door for him to carry it down.

They all left a half an hour later, Merle and Hitomi in a carriage and Van and Allen on horse. Varie had soundly disagreed on going and they had let her stay at the palace, where she felt safe. She was still slightly traumatized.

They had twenty men surrounding the carriage for escort and protection, just in case. They had traveled for five hours and they stopped when it got dark at a small inn. The owner seemed to know Van and Allen very well and welcomed them warmly.

"And may I ask who these two divine creatures are?" the owner asked and bowed before Hitomi and Merle, kissing each of their hands. Neither of the men seemed jealous of him, as if they were used to it.

"Isdin, may I present my wife and new queen, Hitomi," Van said. The man bowed deeply before her and she giggled, her hand going up to her mouth. He brought Merle forth and she curtsied. "And you already know Lady Merle."

"Ah, I remember this delicious confection from when she was very young. How you have grown!"

Merle smiled and let him kiss her hand again. After the fine display, Isdin gave them three rooms, one for Hitomi and Van and one each for Merle and Allen. Van frowned when he found out that Merle and Allen's rooms were adjoined, but there wasn't much he could do about it because the place was full.

Hitomi was sick from all the jostling around in the carriage and Van helped her up the stairs. Her head started to hurt and she rubbed her temples. Her whole body hurt from that stupid carriage. It was because of the dirt road they had been traveling on. She started to knead her shoulder with her right hand and rub her temples with the other one. Van noticed the discomfort she was in and he picked her up. They said goodnight to Allen and Merle when they came to their room.

Van sat her down on the bed and started to rub her shoulders. She melted and fell back against him. He rubbed more vigorously, trying to get the kinks out of her neck and shoulders. She pulled away from him after a while and said, "Can we fly, Van?"

He wasn't really surprised at what she asked. He had read everything going through her mind when he had been rubbing her shoulders. He hadn't done that since she had come back from Earth. He didn't even think he could do it anymore because she was back on Gaea.

"Do you have something better to wear than that?" he asked and stood up, helping her stand. She nodded and walked over to their bags sitting over in the corner. He walked over to the balcony and opened it. The room had been getting hot anyhow. He looked back and saw her tearing through her satchel. He smiled and took off his shirt. He didn't want to ruin another one.

Stupid clothes, Hitomi thought and tossed a pile of it over her head. She heard Van open the balcony door and step onto it. She rummaged through more of it and found nothing. She chewed on her lip, thinking. She smiled and said wickedly, "Can't I just go naked?"

She heard Van chuckle and smiled again. She thought some more and took off her gown. She could just go in her chemise. It only went to the tops of her knees, unlike how they usually went to her ankles.

She stepped up beside him and he grinned. "That works, doesn't it?"

"Good thing it's warm out."

She saw the brief moment of concentration on his face and the small grimace as he unfurled his wings. She hated how it hurt him when he did that. She guessed that this was going to be a rare treat granted to her.

"Ready?" he asked and climbed up onto the railing. He picked her up under her arms and brought her against him.

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He jumped over the railing, gliding for a minute before flying high up into the air. Hitomi closed her eyes and let the cool air touch her skin.

Allen couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned, not getting comfortable. He flipped over again and sat up, frustrated. He knew what his problem was. Merle was sleeping just a few feet away. It was driving him crazy. That and the fact she was acting disinterested in him, like she didn't care about him anymore. What was she doing it for? He knew that she loved him. He ran his hand over his face, even more frustrated. What was with him and not being able to sleep lately?

He stood up and pulled on his pants and shirt. It was unbearably hot in the stupid room and it didn't even have any windows. Another reason why he probably couldn't sleep.

He walked right to Merle's door and stopped, his hand ready to knock. What was he doing? Was the heat driving him daft? He stood there for a minute, contemplating what he should do. He shrugged and turned the handle carefully, hoping the door wouldn't make any noise.

The first thing he noticed was how cool the room was. He walked in quietly, and saw the large bed settled in the middle of the room. He stood by it and started when he didn't see Merle's form. He looked around and sighed, relief going through his body.

She was standing on the small balcony, the source of all the air and wind. She was wearing some black nightgown that floated about her, making her look almost like she was hovering off the floor. Her hair was dancing about her like a blood red curtain that went to her hips. He came up behind her and set his hands on her arms. She didn't even seem to notice him there. He kissed her cheek, trying to get her to pay attention to him. She leaned towards his kiss and he turned her around slowly. He smiled and pushed her hair out of her eyes. The soft blowing wind blew it back into place and he held it back with his hand. He bent towards her to kiss her when she stopped him by resting her finger on his lips.

It was then he saw the tears in her eyes and the streaks down her face. A look of concern appeared on his face and he pushed down her hand from his mouth. She pointed up to the sky.

He saw Van and Hitomi flying through the air, the dark sky a magnificent contrast against the flaming stars. He could hear their bright and happy laughter. He watched as Van dropped her and he heard Hitomi's shriek. Van dived down and caught her, his brilliant wings folding back to create incredible speed. He could hear even more laughter and he looked back to Merle. He saw the tears that had been pooling in her eyes fall over. He could feel her sadness, her emptiness in life. He knew that he was the only one that could make her happy, make her experience the way Van and Hitomi felt about each other. He needed her as much as she needed him. "Merle, why are you so unhappy?"

She sniffed and wiped her eyes frustratingly. "I don't know. I wish I could perceive the love Van and Hitomi feel for each other. The way they look at each other, the way they hold each other, how they can't live with out one another. I want it more than anything." Her voice got sadder and quivered at each word.

Allen pulled her hard against him and kissed her just as hard. She jumped at his roughness and grabbed a hold of his hair, pushing herself against him. He groaned into her mouth and he picked her up, still kissing her. He walked over to the bed and laid her down carefully, crawling over top her and ripping off his clothes.

Merle didn't know what was happening and panicked when she heard a piece of clothing tear. She opened her eyes, realizing that they had been closed the whole time. "Allen, what are you doing?" She could feel his big body trembling and grabbed hold of his shoulders to keep him at bay.

He got out of his daze and stared down at her. She looked intensely scared. Her fingers were gripping his bare shoulders. He had torn his shirt almost in half in his hurry to have their naked bodies pressed together.

"Merle...Merle, please."

She felt the shudders get more intense, racking his powerful body. His words touched her heart and soul. "I'm scared, Allen," she whispered. She was more than scared. She was terrified.

"I won't hurt you, Merle. Just trust me."

She gulped and nodded slowly. She closed her eyes when his hands went to his pants and she could feel his jerky movements. She was shocked when he kissed her slowly, opening her mouth and touching his tongue to hers. She didn't know what to do with her hands and she rested them on his chest. She smiled against his lips when she felt the muscles jump under her touch.

He started to pull down the straps of her nightgown and she stiffened. "Allen...."

"Shhh. What did I say?"

She hesitated. "To trust you."

"Exactly. Now don't get all stiff on me and have no fun. This is meant to be fun, not some sort of duty."

"Like Van and Hitomi?"

Allen snorted. "Yes, in a way theirs is a duty, but they don't make it to be that way."

"What do you mean?"

He smiled. "Be quiet and let me show you."

Her breathing quickened at his words and she took a deep shaky breath. She didn't want to do this, it was too...scary? Improper? No, she admitted to herself. She wanted to do this. She wanted to know what Van and Hitomi felt. And she wanted to feel it with Allen. She couldn't imagine herself doing this with anybody but Allen.

He pushed down her nightgown so tantalizingly slow, every slight touch of his fingers was a caress that set fire to her skin. She concentrated on what he was doing to her and felt amazing feelings go through her. She drew in her breath and held it, letting it slip out slowly.

Allen knew she was going to be slow to respond and he set to use every skill and knowledge he could fathom. His eyes went wide when he uncovered her breasts and his head shot up to her face. Her eyes were shut tightly, her lips slightly parted. He couldn't stop himself at her small unknowing invitation and he covered her mouth with his, tilting his head to the side to get better access and pressing himself against her. He felt her nipples harden and groaned into her mouth.

Merle traced her fingertips along his jaw, his cheekbones, and his eyebrows. She arched up against him when his hands stroked her breasts and his tongue gingerly touched her nipple. "Allen!!"

"Be quiet."

His hot breath fanned her skin and she tingled all the way down to her toes. He pushed the rest of her nightgown down and stared. "You are so beautiful," he said almost to himself because Merle could barely hear it. She trembled when his hands stroked past her hips and down to her calf muscles to play with the sensitive hollows of her ankles. She clamped her legs together as tight as she could and Allen chuckled.

"Open."

She shook her head vigorously. Was he crazy?!

"Merle...." he said, reminding her that she was supposed to trust him. She shook her head again. What, was she supposed to just fling them open?!

Allen shrugged and bent down to kiss her. He would make her a little less scared and then try again. She didn't really want him to kiss her, let alone touch her. He felt himself getting frustrated, but calmed down after she opened her mouth nervously. Her fingers buried themselves in his hair and fisted when he cupped her breasts. He smiled. He found her spot.

She was so incredibly hot, she felt like she was suffocating from so much heat. Allen was torturing her with his hands and his wet tongue on her breasts. She felt her legs go slack and Allen raise himself up to kiss her hard. He didn't have to pry her legs open as hard as he would have earlier, but he still had to try. He settled himself between them and Merle jerked, clenching her legs together, not realizing he had pulled them apart and he was between them. Instead, she encountered his hips and ended up squeezing him hard. He moaned and stiffened, not knowing if he was going to be able to repress himself much longer.

"Sorry," Merle said, more embarrassed than she had ever been in her life.

She stared into his eyes and she saw how dark they had gotten, from the normal light blue to almost a midnight blue. He started trembling again and he buried his face in the curve of her throat, playing with the pounding pulse. He delighted in the small moan that escaped her lips that she had been trying to hold back.

"Merle, don't try to hold back on me. I won't let you."

"Allen, please."

He smiled and let his tongue play with her pulse a moment longer before he ran it up to her lips. His tongue went over and around her lips and slipped between them to kiss her lightly. He didn't know what he did, but she went completely wild, arching up against him and kissing him fervently. He couldn't take it anymore and he pulled her legs more widely apart, and he lunged forward. Her hands in his hair nearly ripped it out in the slight burning pain that had went through her when he had thrust his full length into her. He didn't move, letting the slight pain slowly disappear. He kissed her to reassure her.

She lifted her hips after a moment and his fingers dug into her skin as he gritted his teeth. Her legs started shaking uncontrollably, and soon it went the whole way up her body. He moved within her faster and faster and she moaned again and again, not able to stop. "Allen!" she yelled and her head thrashed back and forth on her pillow, her fingers digging into his skin as she bowed off the bed.

He felt her muscles clench around him and he groaned, tensing and heaving over her. Merle still had her eyes closed and her body felt languid. He calmed after a while and blinked, staring down at her. She finally opened her eyes and gazed back, not knowing what to do. Her senses came back and she felt tears come to her eyes. No, she didn't just do this. Her chest constricted and she pushed Allen with all her might to get him off her. He fell to his side and sat up, not understanding. She inhaled deeply, taking back her tears. It was too late. He would hate her now. "No, no, no..."

Allen looked at her weird, still not understanding. "What? Did I hurt you?" he asked, concerned now.

"Don't you understand?! You just took my virginity! I'm a lady!!!!"

"What's your point?"

She looked away. Why couldn't she be immune to him, or...or ugly so he wouldn't even look at her? She didn't want to say what she was about to, but she did anyway, regret and sadness filling her voice. "We have to be married now."

Allen smiled at her. "I already knew that. I am knight and I know the code of chivalry. I was planning on asking you to be my wife, but one thing led to another and I didn't get a chance," Allen explained.

The tears of sadness turned to tears of happiness. "Oh, Allen! I thought you would hate me and never talk to me again or-"

Allen pulled her up against him and kissed her forehead. "Merle, I know what I'm doing, not you."

Merle giggled and looked up at him. His eye color had returned to the marvelous light blue that she loved to gaze into. He smiled and kissed her cheek, his hand running through her hair repeatedly. He sat there fascinated, as she started to purr. "You are so strange, but in a beautiful way."

Merle's ears twitched and he smiled. He let his hand wander down to her breast, but something whacked his hand and he took his hand back quickly, not knowing what it was. "What was that!?"

"My tail."

He shook his head and laid down, pulling her with him. Her hand found its way to his heart and she sighed in contentment, falling asleep.

"Van, I can't ride in that thing. If I do, I will...throw up on you!!"

Van laughed and said, "Wouldn't want that to happen, now would we? I'll carry you in front of me on my horse." He paused and added, "When we get close to Freid, you'll have to get back in because people will start talking and wondering what kind of strange people we are. And also, I am going to have to teach you how to ride a horse." He smiled. "Not that I mind carrying you in front of me."

Hitomi blushed and watched Van mount Knight gracefully and hold out his hand for her to take. She took hold of it and he lifted her up, settling her in front of him, her legs on either side of the horse. Her royal blue dress went up to the tops of her knees, and Van could see the white frilly stockings. He didn't like the way his body reacted when she scooted closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Hitomi, my dear, don't move or I will push you off this horse and you will walk," he said, his teeth gritted.

Hitomi grinned and wriggled on his lap. He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth harder, grabbing a hold of her upper arms and squeezing. "Hitomi...don't do it again. There are people around, and I can't believe what they are probably thinking right now. Now stop moving or I will beat you."

"A wonderful prospective that will turn into something undoubtedly yummy. Oh, please beat me."

Van couldn't help but grin. He turned around when he heard an outraged screech. Merle was running from Allen, her arms in front of her, and a silly smile on her face. Allen came out of the inn, his own smile on his face. He ran after her and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back against him and turning her around, kissing her soundly on the mouth. Her screech disappeared into thin air and she wrapped her arms tightly around him. Allen broke the kiss and smiled, spinning her around in the air, her arms still hooked around his neck. Van smiled when he heard them laugh. He looked back to Hitomi and saw her own smile planted on her face. He kissed her cheek.

"Van, what do you think is going on between them?"

Van didn't even have to contemplate for a moment. "They're in love."

"Really? I only thought Merle was in love with him. I thought Allen returned to her only tolerant indifference. What happened?"

"I interfered and gave her some advice."

"Since when do you know anything?"

Van raised his eyebrows, pretending to be insulted. A lopsided grin appeared on his face and he said, "I learned it all from you."

"Ah, how sweet. I knew you felt something for me."

"You're ridiculous. Come on, Allen!! We have to go!!"

"Yes, your absolutely wondrous highness that should rule the world," Allen shouted back to him. He mounted his horse. He saw the loath look Merle gave the carriage and hauled her up in front of him. She smiled shyly and he wrapped a protective arm around her middle. He walked the horse up next to Van and Hitomi and grinned, his white teeth a spectacular display.

Both Van and Hitomi shook their heads and started forward, their bodies going in tune with the sway of the horse.

The small entourage made it earlier than expected to Freid and Hitomi and Merle were ushered into the carriage. They mumbled the whole time and got in.

Hitomi stared fascinated at the city, at how so much had changed after the war. They made it to the palace only after a few minutes of going under the city gates. She saw how many other carriages were lining the circular drive, one she noticed, was almost just like the one in front of the palace in Fanelia.

A man opened the carriage door and helped Hitomi and Merle out. He said, "Your highness," and bowed deeply before her. She smiled back at him sheepishly, and watched him do the same thing for Merle, except he didn't 'your highness' or bow as regally as he had for her. She saw Van and Allen conversing somewhat behind the carriage and telling a couple of stable boys to bring their horses to the stable and give them a good rub down. The boys nodded and took the reins of the horses, talking to them and taking them away. She heard Knight whinny when a blonde haired boy stroked his nose.

Van walked over to his wife and took her arm. "Shall we, your highness?"

"Of course, your positively glorious majesty."

Van smiled and escorted her up the large stairs to the front of the palace. The wide doors were swung open for them and two red and white liveried men bowed deeply. "Is it always like this?" Hitomi asked Van quietly.

"Of course. Now nod and smile at them, pretending that you actually care that they have to grovel at your beautiful feet."

"Van, you're so mean," Hitomi giggled and slapped his arm. He smiled back at her and stopped when an elderly looking liveried man came up to them and bow as low as his arthritic bones would allow. Hitomi looked back and saw Allen and Merle coming up behind them, Merle holding up her gown and Allen's right hand holding onto hers, his other arm behind his back. She looked at Van and saw he was doing the same thing. She felt so weird because she had no idea what she was doing. She hadn't known you had to hold up your gown. She blushed lightly and took hold of her gown, lifting it just the right amount.

"Your majesties, if you will follow me, I will show you your royal suites."

Van nodded, looking completely detached from his surroundings. Hitomi just shook her head and walked up the red carpeted staircase that the old man was leading them up. She looked back again and saw another servant point Allen and Merle to where they were going. Allen nodded to the man and started ascending the stairs with Merle still on his arm.

Van directed her to some interesting things, like an old painting or a huge chandelier, or a sculpture. She noticed how totally changed the palace was because Chid was in charge now and everything had been rebuilt.

The old man showed them their rooms, which was weird for Hitomi. She thought that they would only share one room because they were married. The man directed a pack of servants with their luggage and they set them in a corner. The man clapped and the servant men left. He bowed out of the room, saying, "If you need anything, your highnesses, just ring."

Both Van and Hitomi collapsed on the huge bed. Then they started laughing. Hitomi rolled onto her side, holding onto her stomach, still giggling. Van did exactly what she did and rolled onto his own side, laughing just as hard as her. Hitomi calmed and wiped the tear that had fallen down her face. She sighed again and asked a now silent Van who was smiling, "What was so funny?"

"I don't know, but whatever it was, it was funny."

"That hardly made sense."

Van stretched, his hands fisting above his head. Hitomi stood up and walked around, checking out the room. The chamber was mostly white and red, the bed sheets were crimson, and the curtains were white. The furniture was dark, almost black. There was a connecting door on the side and she opened it, peaking in. It was just the opposite of this room. Blue and white. She liked them both, but it was kind of weird to see rooms completely the same, yet opposite.

She loved the large white marble fireplace in front of the bed. She walked over to it and examined the figurine pieces on the mantle. A porcelain, or what she thought was porcelain, man and woman held each other, dancing to some unheard song. The next one was a woman holding a faceless child in her arms, a white blanket curling around them in an invisible wind. The next one shocked her. A strong, black haired man with wings unfurled held a woman with brown hair, flying in the bright blue, cloud covered sky. It was then she noticed that the man and woman dancing looked just the same and the woman holding the baby looked just like her.

Van came up behind her. "These are my personal rooms. I had these made a year or two after you left. I missed you so much." He said quietly and then laughed. "You wouldn't believe some of the fantasies I had brewing in my head of just holding you or...other things."

Hitomi smiled shyly and opened her arms to him so he could hold her. "You can hold me all you want now," Hitomi whispered and pressed closer to him, an indescribable feeling of just wanting to hold him overcoming her. She wondered what it would be like if he hadn't wished her here. Would he be married to Seibu now? Would she be half dead? Or would she be dead? She shivered at the thought and Van took it for desire. "I need you so bad," he whispered and picked her up in his arms, carrying her over to the bed and lying her down on it. He smiled and stopped when his fingers went to the buttons on the front of her dress. "Did you realize that we haven't really ever made love slowly? I can't seem to accomplish it."

"Doesn't bother me."

He laughed and started back on her buttons. He muttered to her, "I will be calm and subtle. I won't rush things and nearly attack you. Do you understand?"

She stared at him.

"Please just say you understand."

"I understand." She wrapped her arms around his back and he came down over her. His hands went wild on her gown, pulling and jerking, ripping it to shreds. "It doesn't matter, damn it!" he yelled and then there were no more words because he was kissing her. When he bared her breasts, his eyes darkened and he moaned even as he fondled her with his mouth. He was trembling, lurching over her, trying to cover her with his hands all at once, even as he was tearing away her clothes and his.

When she was naked beneath him, he had to raise to get off his pants. He wasn't very graceful; he was too enthusiastic and he ripped them.

"You're so beautiful, Van."

"Oh no, no," he said and fell on her. He pulled her legs apart and drove himself into her hard and fast.

She moaned and dug her fingers into his hair, pressing him closer. Her body moved with his and he got more frantic, his breathing labored. He felt her nails digging into his shoulders and the tight clenching of her muscles around him. He came sharply into her and she screamed, her back arching off the bed. He covered her mouth with his hand when she continued to yell and he pounded harder into her. His mouth replaced his hand and he kissed her over and again, moaning loudly. She was wringing all semblance of control from him. He let go when she quieted, trying to control the savage and unrelenting movements so he wouldn't hurt her.

He groaned, then fell to his side, drawing her against him. She felt the strength of his arms around her waist and savored the safety of it. In the next moment they were asleep, their breathing deep and rhythmic.