9. Sadie

Sadie

Lost and wet in a squelching swamp, Sadie was overcome by a fit of rage. She dashed through the murky water surrounding her ankles in an attempt to evade the souls trying to engage her in combat.

Some souls donned armor and held swords or spears. Sadie watched as the weapons clashed and those who lost limbs screamed in agony. The death rattles never ceased.

She snuck around and picked up a short sword. It was heavier than she imagined it would be. But she rolled her shoulders and held firmly onto the handle. Sadie screamed as she pierced the gut of a demon who lunged at her.

"Leave me alone!" she screamed at the laughing creature.

"Embrace your fate, Sadie Winters," it hissed. "You hide your nature well, but you are the darkest soul here."

"That's not true!" she cried.

"But it issss… "

"Die!"

No matter how many times she drove her sword through the belly of the demon, it wouldn't die. It laughed maniacally and continued to taunt her.

Sadie tore her hair out as she howled in rage. She blinked and was suddenly confronted with a mirror image of herself. A sense of foreboding washed over her as their eyes locked.

Her gaze dropped to the doppelg?nger's mouth. Its crimson lips twisted into a grotesque smile. Sadie was trapped in a nightmare as her reflection warped into something sinister.

Blood bubbled and oozed from the corners of her mouth as she laughed hysterically. Sadie trembled as she fought the urge to flee the face-off. The metallic scent of blood mingled with the mossy stench of the swamp.

As Sadie stared into the black soulless eyes, a chill ran down her spine. She realized a heartbeat too late that she'd let her guard down. However, before she was struck down, an invisible force carried her away.

Sadie jolted upright in bed, her heart pounded against her ribcage. The sweat-drenched sheets tangled around her legs and clung to her skin. She struggled to shake off the twisted nightmares she was plagued with.

The firelight cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, neither mocking nor cheering her up. Her hands trembled as she pushed the sheets off her body. She tried to calm her racing heart and mind.

Lucien's breathing remained steady next to her as he rested in slumber. She looked down at his naked back and brushed his hair from his forehead. He made a contented sound but didn't awaken.

Sadie pushed all thoughts from her mind and placed a kiss on her lover's shoulder, then trailed kisses along his spine. Since sleep wouldn't find her again, she wanted to find comfort in his embrace. Lucien was the remedy for her lingering fears. He gave her the courage to face the darkness that haunted her.

"You're up early," he grumbled in a scratchy voice.

"I'm sorry I woke you," she said with a smile, not feeling the slightest bit apologetic.

"What's on your mind?"

He gave Sadie a quick peck on the lips as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I was hoping we could bathe in the creek today and then visit Hilde. It's been so long."

A flicker of emotion flashed across Lucien's face before he rewarded her with a smile. Sadie's longing gaze flicked in the direction of the window where the heavy curtain obscured the early morning light.

"You don't need to bathe in the creek, tulip. I can have the servants draw a warm bath for us. After we're finished, we'll go for a walk."

While not a skilled swimmer as many of the common folk, Sadie found joy in the refreshing, cool waters of the creek. On hot summer days, the youngest children in the village stripped their clothing and splashed in the shallows. Men and maidens, like her, wore their underclothes to shield their nakedness as they bathed in the creek. However, when they emerged from the waters, their soaked clothes clung like a second skin, not offering much modesty.

The priest referred to this behavior as sinful, shaming young men and women and preaching that they shouldn't enjoy such dalliances outside of their marital beds. That didn't stop them from wading in the shallows and letting the gentle current wash over their feet.

Sadie loved the way the sunlight danced on the surface of the water. She and Hilde would often lie on the banks, sunning themselves and watching the clouds drift lazily overhead. They would giggle and point out the various shapes they saw in the sky. On cloudless days, they shared village gossip and their dreams for the future.

Those innocent days by the creek brought joy and a wave of sadness, as they felt so far away now. She sighed, not being able to hide her melancholy from her lover. Lucien lifted her hand and kissed her palm.

"Let's go to the creek," he said.

Her face brightened and she shrieked gleefully. "Oh, Lucien. Thank you!"

Sadie stretched with cat-like grace before rolling out of bed and grabbing Lucien's hand. She playfully tugged him after her with a mischievous grin. He laughed, and a rare glimmer of lightheartedness flickered in his eyes.

Her heart beat in pure joy. Every moment with Lucien felt like an eternity of bliss. She sank into his warmth as he cupped her cheek. After the nightmare that had awoken her, this moment felt like a dream she never wanted to wake from.

Their hands remained intertwined as they emerged from the castle. Sadie's spirits soared like a bird taking flight as the sun's rays kissed her skin.

Spring was one of her favorite seasons, as nature awakened from her winter slumber. The grass was lush and a vibrant green, while the trees budded. Birds perched on branches, chirping and warbling happy songs.

Eventually, the creek came into view. Its gentle burbling welcomed them as the glossy surface reflected the picturesque sky. They were able to enjoy the morning in solitude.

"Come here, Sadie."

Lucien wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you, Sadie Winters," he said against her lips.

"Lucien—" she whispered.

He didn't allow her to finish her response before pressing his lips against hers. While she loved hearing him profess his feelings—words were never necessary. He'd trusted her with his deepest secrets long ago, and their souls were intertwined. In the moment of silent connection, their hearts beat as one.

"Make love to me. Please."

"You never have to ask."

Lucien's nimble fingers untied the silk ribbons of Sadie's fur-trimmed cloak. He undid the lacing on the bodice of her gown and slid it from her shoulders. His lips warmed every spot of her pale skin as it was bared, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He peppered kisses along her collar and full breasts.

Sadie's head fell back with a soft moan. Something was so familiar in the way her body craved his touch, but subconsciously, she knew how much she'd missed it, as though it had been so long since the last time they were together.

She shook the intrusive thought from her mind and focused on the sensation of Lucien's touch as his hand slid between her thick thighs.

"Your body is beautiful, tulip. I love your soft skin and rounded curves. Your breasts are a perfect handful, and your ass is like a succulent peach."

Lucien spoke against her skin as his gentle touch became bolder and his kisses more ardent. When he sucked on her neck hard enough to leave a mark, she gasped.

"What's gotten into you?"

"I want you to bear my marks, Sadie. I want the world to see you belong to me."

The desperation in his voice gave her pause. She wanted love, but he seemed to need more. They were soulmates, and nothing they did together was wrong. His unwavering devotion was enough for her.

"I remember you once told me there were different ways to make love. Will you show me what you want?"

She spoke quickly out of embarrassment, trying to convey her thoughts. A flush pinked her skin, and Sadie hid behind a curtain of her dark hair.

The rumble of laughter from Lucien's chest turned her from pink to scarlet. He put his fingers beneath her chin and forced her to look up at him.

"Don't hide from me, little succubus."

She squeaked as he lifted her naked body and carried her over to a birch tree.

"Grab onto the trunk, Sadie."

Her mouth formed a wordless o as she watched wide-eyed as he reached for a bough and snapped it from the tree. He grabbed the ends and flexed it slightly before waving it before him, testing its flexibility. Sadie trembled as he brushed her bare back with his fingertips.

"I'm not going to whip your back with the switch, tulip. I'm going to use this on your ass."

"Why?" she asked.

Without responding, he whipped her behind, causing her to yelp. He did it again immediately, not giving her a chance to recover from the first sting. He did it multiple times before approaching her and massaging the sore globes with his hand. The deliciously painful sting mixed with the rush of blood and his tender touch caused her core to become slick with desire.

"How does that feel?" he asked against the shell of her ear.

Though his penis was still in the confines of his breeches, she felt the power of it pressed against her hip. He pinched her nipple and rolled it between his thumb and forefinger. Pain and pleasure tendrils coiled within her making her shaky with desire .

"I need more, Lucien," she mewed.

"Keep your hands on the tree," he instructed.

He teased her with kisses down her spine until he bit her ass cheek. His fingertips gently ran up her arms, but then he grasped a fistful of her hair and yanked just enough for her to feel a tingle in her scalp.

"Lucien… please…" she begged.

His hand slipped over her mouth, and he growled, "This is what I want, tulip. I need you to be as desperate as I fucking am. I want you painfully aroused by my seduction and willing to sell your soul for a taste of my cock. Nod if you understand."

Her breath quickened as her chest rose and fell. They were already bound by heart, body, and soul. Yet, she would willingly give him every bit of herself if that was what he needed. She squealed beneath his hand as he yanked her hair again.

"I said, nod if you understand."

It was better not to provoke the beast within him, and she nodded.

"Good little tulip. I remember how you tried to dismiss me the first time. You wanted to treat this as transactional. But I knew I was going to keep you for my eternity. Fuck, Sadie, I'll never have enough of these little moments."

Tears welled in Sadie's eyes as his words struck a chord within her. It was what he didn't say that caused his voice to waiver and why he forced her to look away from him.

He slid himself between her thighs and parted her lips. His thick cock probed her entrance. She cried out as he thrust into her with a single stroke. She'd taken him many times before, but this time, they both wanted it to hurt.

There was no starting slow. Lucien's hands gripped her hips, leaving half-moon impressions on her skin. Her hands slipped on the smooth bark as Lucien pistoned in and out of her at a furious pace. Her breasts swayed back and forth as his hips slapping against hers added to the cacophony of her cries.

"Take it for me. Fuck me. Love me."

"I will… I do…"