The Witch's Daughter Read online

  Craving more of my lover’s skin, I slipped the loosened fabric of the ruined dress from her shoulders, pushing it down to reveal her breasts. I shivered as the tips hardened into small pebbles, loving that she responded to me so quickly. Dizzy with want, I nipped at a soft place just over her cheekbone, leaving a mark beneath her eye. Her breathing sped up, but she did not try to stop me. Pleased that I had marked her in such a visible location, I stroked her there with the pad of my thumb, enjoying the way she trembled for me.

  I left more red marks along her jaw line, down her neck, and across her collarbone, trying to burn my presence into her skin with teeth and lips and tongue. I wanted everyone who saw her to know that she was mine. When my mouth finally reached her breasts, she forgot her caution and wrapped her arms around me, hands stroking over my back in gentle circles.

  Too impatient to wait any longer, I pushed the dress down further, dragging it over her hips and leaving it tangled around her knees. My hand crept lower, pausing briefly at her stomach, exploring its unfamiliar shape. Rapunzel’s lips parted, preparing to speak, but I silenced her with a kiss. Whatever she wanted to say, I was not in the mood to listen. The only talking that I wanted to do was with our bodies.

  So beautiful, I thought as my hands wandered… smooth legs, pale skin, flared hips, soft golden down… My thoughts were disjointed. Even though I was the one touching Rapunzel, I selfishly remained focused on my own desires. I crave…I want… I need…

  I slid inside of her, taking her with no preparation. She gasped and adjusted the angle of her hips, pressing down. I was caught for a moment before her muscles accepted my touch and released, still gripping and pulling at my fingers. “Mine,” I breathed against her cheek. Exactly what I wanted.

  “Yours,” she agreed. She did not hide the tiny gasps that she made with every thrust of my hand.

  My chest could have been gaping open, the way her touch saw into my heart. Rapunzel’s mouth latched on to my neck, suckling the skin hard enough to leave a dark purple bruise. I allowed the contact, taking pleasure in it, but kept my focus on the hand working steadily between my lover’s thighs, cradling her like a treasured possession. She shuddered in my arms, but I only held her tighter.

  The first time, I had taken Rapunzel in anger. Now, I took her in desperation, not bothering to hide or suppress the storm of emotions between us. I needed her. I craved her like water and air. Not just physically, although my body screamed for her, but spiritually. I needed her to need me. I felt a strange mixture of satisfaction and sadness when her body seized up, muscles locking tight as she whispered my name.

  She fell into my arms and sobbed. Suddenly unsure of myself, all I could do was hold her until the storm of tears passed. “I understand if you want to leave, but please… please don’t…” I rocked her gently, murmuring love-words in her ear that neither of us would remember later, holding her tight against my chest. My heart’s wounds began to heal. Rapunzel still loved me, still wanted me. She loved me enough to set me free, but I would never leave. “I am so sorry…”

  “Shh. Not now. Later. Just… later.”

  “Ailynn, do you trust me?” she asked, gazing directly into my eyes. I tried to look away, but her hand cupped my cheek, holding me in place. The touch of her palm burned and I felt myself blush.

  “I love you,” I said, my voice cracking as the words caught in my dry throat. My heartbeat sounded unnaturally loud in my ears. I was terrified.

  “I know you love me, but do you trust me?”

  Did I trust Rapunzel? Could I trust her not to hurt me again? Was I ready to give her all of my heart, to take that leap of faith? She had the potential to cause me so much pain.

  “I–I suppose that love and trust… are the same thing…” I stuttered.

  My lover shook her head, blonde strands of hair catching the firelight. Her hair had been trimmed today, but it was already to her shoulder blades again. “Please, Ailynn. Tell me you trust me, or at least tell me how to help you. I hate seeing you in so much pain.”

  “I’m not in pain,” I lied.

  “Then why won’t you let me make love to you? Why do you look at me with sadness in your eyes?” I could not answer her questions. “I have promised over and over again that I only love you, only want you. What else can I do to convince you?”

  I stared down at my hands, which were folded in my lap. Rapunzel’s hand drifted down from my cheek, resting on my shoulder, still warm against my skin. “I… I just…” I could not finish the sentence, feeling foolish. After everything I had done to be with Rapunzel, was I going to deny myself pleasure because of my fears? Yes, Rapunzel might hurt me again… but the broken bond between us hurt more. I wanted to repair it.

  I dissolved in her arms, letting our bodies come back together. She was slow and patient with me, covering my face with light butterfly kisses that flared like firesparks against my skin. As her gentle palms explored the strip of flesh between my pants and shirt, I reached out to touch her as well, curling my fingers in long, luxurious golden hair.

  I cried out when the contact stopped, a soft, wordless protest. “No, it’s my turn to make love to you. I have been very patient,” she said, removing my hands.

  I stiffened, unsure of myself. Rapunzel held her breath, waiting to see if her touch was welcome. I sighed, forcing my body to go limp and stretching my arms above my head. If Rapunzel wanted to be with me despite everything, how could I say no? Swallowing down the nervous knot in my throat, I whispered, “I trust you.” The warm smile that curved Rapunzel’s lips was my reward.

  Reverently, lovingly, Rapunzel helped me out of my shirt, pulling it over my head and past my outstretched arms. Straightening my mussed hair, I noticed Rapunzel staring at my breasts, lips parted and eyes hungry. I shivered under the intense, heated gaze. “Shhh, Ailynn,” Rapunzel silenced me, her mouth placing a line of quick kisses along my shoulder. “Let me make love to you. You are so beautiful.” For the first time, I believed those words. I was beautiful in my beloved’s eyes.

  Rapunzel’s fingers traced curious patterns against my sides, her hands stroking up from my hips and caressing my ribs. I sighed, letting my eyes drift shut as she palmed my breasts, cupping them with one smooth motion, gentle but decisive. With my eyes closed, the low, satisfied groan that escaped her throat seemed loud in my ears. I was a little embarrassed when Rapunzel trapped the hardened tips of my breasts between her fingers, coaxing more soft sounds of pleasure from me.

  I tugged at my pants, pulling them off and leaving the rest of my clothes on the floor in a heap. Half-lidded brown eyes traveled up the line of my body, starting at my ankles and tracing over my legs and stomach, lingering on my breasts, which were still covered by Rapunzel’s hands, and finally stopping at my face. I trembled. Those eyes felt like two small circles of flame crawling over my skin.

  Sometimes I forgot just how beautiful my lover was and how much power she had over me. It took me several moments to catch my breath and still the rapid beating of my heart. Rapunzel seemed amused at my loss of control, but was content to wait for me instead of simply claiming what she wanted.

  The first touch was cautious, her hand barely brushing a naked hip. The second touch was comforting, a soft trailing of her fingers down the side of my arm. Our lips brushed as she settled comfortably between my legs. How did she always know just what I wanted? For a moment, I allowed myself to be overwhelmed by the warmth and sweetness of Rapunzel’s kiss.

  The kiss was not enough. I wanted another, and another. Our mouths fought, struggling for control, but I knew that I would let Rapunzel win this time. My teeth scraped her lower lip and she gasped against my mouth as her hands wandered down my back, pulling me impossibly close.

  I closed my eyes as she trailed kisses down my throat and across my chest and stomach. A startled gasp spilled from my lips as she took the sensitive tip of a breast in her mouth, making me tremble fiercely. Rapunzel opened her eyes and the familiar shade of brown made my lips c
url in a smile. Familiar. Some people feared becoming too familiar with a lover, knowing them too well and growing bored, but I could never have enough of this. This love, this connection.

  Taking pity on me, she eased one of my legs over her shoulder, her left hand trailing up and down my thigh in one long, comforting stroke. She started behind my knees with warm kisses that made me shiver above her. Slowly, achingly, she ran the tip of her tongue in a teasing line along my inner thigh. “Please…”

  Now that she had me pleading for her touch instead of just enduring it, Rapunzel was satisfied. My back arched and I smiled as she buried herself in the soft wetness between my thighs. I stiffened at the first touch of her mouth, letting all of my muscles relax as I surrendered. My head fell back, leaving my throat exposed and my hair tossed over the pillow.

  “You taste… mmm… - wonderful…” she murmured, sliding her tongue inside of me and finding a sensitive spot, one that made my breath hitch and my stomach muscles jump. A curious hand crawled over my torso, returning to my breast.

  Only when I was ready did she kiss upwards and lash at the straining, sensitive bundle above, pleased by my very vocal reaction. My fingers slid into her hair, gripping tightly as she took me in her mouth.

  One last stroke and I was lost to another world, head falling back again as waves of bliss broke over me. My hips lifted to follow her mouth, my hand tangling deeper in her hair and pulling her tighter against me. This, I thought to myself before her movements began again, was all I needed for the rest of my life.

  …

  Part Three:

  Recorded by Lady Eleanor Baxstresse, taken from the verbal accounts of Ailynn, the Witch’s daughter

  …

  Chapter One:

  Despite our frantic reconnection the night before, a heavy numbness settled over me by morning. My heart no longer ached with every breath, but Rapunzel and I had only taken the first steps towards repairing our broken bond. I woke before she did; trying to untangle myself from her arms and legs without disturbing her. Rapunzel just held on tighter, unwilling to let me go.

  I settled back down beside her and buried my face in sweet-smelling golden hair. The scent of soap clung to it and I wondered when had she possibly gotten the chance to bathe. The texture of the blonde locks was smoother than velvet against my cheek, almost as soft as a liquid. I could not resist nuzzling closer to her.

  “Good morning, my love,” Rapunzel murmured sleepily, trailing her fingers along my back as she stretched her arms. She did not want to release me. Perhaps she was afraid that I would run away again. Rapunzel had broken my heart, but my nasty habit of bolting for the door whenever difficulties arose between us worsened the damage.

  “Arim Dei,” I said, unable to keep a yawn from my voice.

  Rapunzel pressed a kiss to the point of my chin. “Ailynn… so it wasn’t another dream. You really are here with me…” I was pleased that Rapunzel dreamed of waking beside me, but I was also wounded by her skepticism.

  “Don’t sound so surprised,” I mumbled, hurt.

  “I didn’t mean it that way.” Rapunzel sounded upset and I felt guilty for speaking sharply with her first thing in the morning.

  “I’m sorry…” we said at the same time, interrupting each other. Both of us smiled a little. Soft lips moved against my neck and her breath tickled my shoulder. My friend Cate’s advice floated up from the back of my mind. Nothing can guarantee happiness, Ailynn, even a soul mate. You must seek it within yourself.

  “I know I have no right to place demands on you,” I said, starting slowly, “but I want to know where we stand.”

  I gave her a few moments to consider her answer, too cautious to press her. “That is up to you, I think.” Although she spoke the words clearly and stared directly into my eyes, I sensed her nervous energy. All traces of sleepiness were gone. “I am so tired of fear, Ailynn… I have been fighting it off ever since you left me.” Her comment forced me to suppress a thick surge of guilt that threatened to squeeze my breath away.

  “Ever since I can remember, you have been there for me. Then, all of a sudden, you were gone. I was locked in a tower with no way out. At first, Mother Gothel was my only visitor. I thought she would go mad and kill me. I was afraid something would happen to her and I would be left alone to rot in that tower. I feared what would happen when she found out that I was carrying a child. Most of all, I feared that you really were dead and that I had lost you forever. I did not know what fear was until then. I had been afraid before, but fright is temporary. Fear is permanent.”

  Unable to bear it any more, I clung to my lover’s naked form, praying that I could banish some of her fears and her pain. “You need something stable in your life. Something that you can hold on to when everything else seems to be spiraling out of control…” I tucked my head over the soft swell of her shoulder, feeling her heartbeat against my chest. “I want to be what you need.” That was true, but I did not know if I was up to the task. I could only try.

  “Don’t – don’t make promises that you can’t keep. I’m not strong enough to lose you again.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said. Rapunzel had already proven that she could be strong without my help. She had survived Mogra’s imprisonment and even the news of my death without giving up on her dreams of freedom. Carefully, not wanting to startle her, I reached a hand between our bodies and let it rest on her stomach. It was probably my imagination, but it already felt larger to me. “Can you feel him moving yet?” I asked, wanting to let her know that I did not hate the child for driving a wedge between us.

  “Not yet.” Reassured, she clasped her hand over mine, letting our fingers weave together. “How do you know it will be a boy?”

  I was still frightened – terrified, really – of dealing with the unexpected child, but determined not to show it. Rapunzel did not need to know about my doubts. She probably had enough of her own. Although many girls her age were already married and bearing their husbands children, she still seemed so young… I reminded myself that Rapunzel was a woman now, not the little girl that I looked after so many years ago. She had already proven that by making love to me.

  “I don’t know,” I stammered nervously. “I just didn’t want to call him an ‘it’.”

  “Do you want a son?” Her use of the word ‘son’ made me uncomfortable, but I did not tell her so. I forced myself to resent the situation instead of Rapunzel or the unborn child. None of this was the baby’s fault and I needed to put Rapunzel’s choices behind me. “I am not sure,” I said instead. “I have never thought about children much before. I… I just want to be with you and I want you to be happy…”

  “As long as you are with me, I will be happy.”

  “I will be happy after you two are findin’ some clothes to wear,” came a voice from the other side of the room. Doran had exited his bedroom and was holding his hand over his eyes.

  Rapunzel squeaked in surprise and pulled the blanket up to her chin, blushing redder than a spring rose. I forced my own blush down and swallowed to ease the dryness in my throat. “Um… our clothes are… torn. We don’t have others to wear,” I said, proud of myself for getting the words out despite the embarrassing situation.

  “I will be fetchin’ some for you, but you must take care of lunch,” he offered as a compromise. Both of us quickly agreed, and Doran retreated back into his bedroom to find us something to wear.

  “Lunch?” Rapunzel said, staring guiltily at her hands. “We slept that late?”

  “I don’t know what time it is,” I confessed, unable to resist trailing my fingers over her flushed cheeks. They wandered over her lips and she nipped at them playfully, catching my index finger between her teeth. The feel of a soft, warm tongue immediately made me forget about Doran’s interruption.

  Before we could be caught again, Rapunzel let my finger go. “It could have been worse,” she said. “The blanket covered us and we were only talking. I am glad to be out of that dress.” She kicked th
e crumpled fabric away from the mattress with a bare foot, letting it slide several inches across the floor. “It was growing tight around my belly.”

  “Have you thought of a name?” I asked, stroking her stomach a second time. She let her eyes drift shut, purring in the back of her throat, and pushing in to the touch. My feelings of heartbreak and betrayal would not disappear overnight, but the knowledge that a child was growing inside of my lover was also a little exciting. I was conflicted, but unwavering in my decision to hide my doubts. I would deal with my insecurities on my own. There was no need to worry Rapunzel.

  “No, not yet,” she said without opening her eyes.

  “Maybe I… I could…” Before I could finish offering to help her choose a name, something large and soft landed on my face. Swatting away the fabric that covered my eyes, I realized that Doran had thrown a tunic and leggings on top of my head. “Thank you,” I called out, shoving my arms through the sleeves and pulling it over my head. Rapunzel had also been given clothing to wear, although I noticed that Doran had not dumped them on top of her head.

  “Stop frowning,” said Rapunzel. “I would rather see you smile.” Even tangled in the large shirt, I could not deny my lover such a simple request.