Dragon Born: Book I of the Tendaaren Chronicles
Chapter 14: Madness in the Moonlight

"Evil lurks in places you would never imagine and tries to charm its way into your life.“--Anonymous

Emily was overwrought with excitement. She had just had the most amazing news. She was just made head servant to the keep. She was going to be given the nicest quarters all to herself, the best hours, and not only that she was Allabandar’s private servant. He was such a gentle soul. He always treated her with kindness. He was the one who saved her and brought her to the keep.

Giddy with her news she flew through the halls trying to replace Damien. When she finally did he gave her his typical confused and deferential treatment in public. It was not that he was ashamed of their love. She knew that. He was still gentlemanly to her public, but he still acted as if he did not know her from the castle chef. His act for the good of their relationship still stabbed her at her core. He always made up for it after though. He would send her beautiful handwritten poems and wildflowers. Each time enumerating all of the things he loved about her but also explaining to her that though he loved her still he just had to keep his vows.

As she stepped over the threshold of her quarters she realized happily that tonight was no different. On her nightstand was an incredible bouquet of flowers that could have only come from the throne room and with them a note that melted her soul into her feet. She felt warm and excited all over.

My darling Emily. When I first saw you.

I fell hard, I fell deep, I fell complete, I fell into blissful ease.

Your laughter like the giggling of a spring stream and I knew.

Your love my sweetest rose is like the summer breeze.

Let us escape to a land of fairies and twilight.

follow me to the willow tree rising high above the fields of green.

Meet me so I can revel in your voice. So like that of a songbird in flight.

Away from prying eyes and courtly decree.

I will meet you when the moon is shining brightly in the evening sky.

though it still is nothing next to the sparkle of your eye.

Where I can taste the sweet paradise of your lips.

in the magic world where our souls can sip.

The sweet juice lovers dreams.

She squealed and danced a little around her room. His words melting her soul. Though he was not a particularly talented poet the words were all she needed to assuage the pain of his rejection from earlier.

Tonight they would celebrate! Her skin prickled in excitement and a blush gently touched her cheeks just thinking about the possibilities of making love to Damien for the first time.

Anyone of high rank was not allowed to court or fall in love. A ridiculous and impossible premise but it was a rule of desperation. It became law when queen Eleanor was slain by her childhood lover. She and Cameron had fearlessly flaunted their love which many thoughts had become their doom. It was decided that as long as Scelestra was a life the loves of any people of high rank within the rebellion was forbidden to be openly discussed.

So the next best thing was a castle full of people having secret affairs. High-ranking officials never married or had children. It was too risky. However, that rule did not stop secret families and love affairs from popping up suspiciously around the keep, and after 150 years of no incidents in the keep, the decree had become quite lax. Having been one of Scelestra’s victims by association Emily was better at hiding her affair than most but lately with a heart full of enthusiasm her control had been slipping.

It had worked out for the best though she had become prone to singing perky little folk songs while she worked and Allabandar so enamored of her voice and appreciative of her hard work promoted her. She busied herself around her quarters getting ready for her evening.

How does one prepare to be deflowered it was such a giddy thought that jumped and squealed a bit to herself as she dug into her belongings replaceing her best dress and ribbons. so she could be at her most beautiful. Not that she thought he would turn her away if she was in her serving frock but there was something magical about the task of turning herself into a temporary courtier.

Finishing the touches on her appearance and posting a couple times in the mirror for good measure she squeaked with glee and ran out the room and off to their secret place. It took her a little over half an hour to reach the willow and by the time she did she was panting with effort. She stood up straight and took in the beauty of the world around her. High on a hill overlooking the patchwork fields and the beautiful lake was an ancient willow. Its whispering branches had grown thick over the centuries creating the perfect shield for their lovemaking. The moon was bright and full, illuminating everything with a pale luminescent glow. The stars danced across the black velvet of the night sky. Emily’s skin prickled with anticipation and the feel of the evening chill.

She felt a strong hand grip hers and spin her around in a graceful pirouette. She beamed at Damien enchanted by his emerald eyes and dazzling smile. He grinned happily back at her. His hand pressing in on the small of her back pushing her into him. With a flourish, he dipped her back and kissed her deeply. Her surprise melted quickly and she wound her arms around his neck and met his lips with equal enthusiasm.

Damien lowered her gently to the ground and as he did his lips traced her ear then onto her neck sucking deeply causing her back to arch in pleasure. She moaned at his touch. An uncontrollable fire building in her toes and spreading out through her whole body. Damien’s hands busied themselves with her bodice expertly untying each and every button. He made quick work of her bodice and sat back and admired her breasts exposed to the moonlight. Emily bent up to kiss him pressing herself into him and entwining her arms around him. He continued his ministrations on her neck his fingers gently entwined in the tumbles of her brown hair.

Her body reacted pushing her mind away, seized in the bliss of hazy sensual pleasure. Her fingers caressed the seam of his pants emboldened by his reaction she tore at the drawstring letting his trousers fall. Emily pressed deeper into the kiss her hand stroking him. He shivered in pleasure and glided his fingers up her legs, circling into her inner thigh then lightly tickled her. He lay her back down on the ground never letting his fingers give up on their pleasurable quest. She softly began to gasp and pelvis began to move and pivot inviting him in and he gladly accepted. He pulled her to him and delighted in her gasp as he slid inside her. She moaned in excitement as he thrust into her biting her neck gently at first but as their lovemaking continued something strange began to happen. The gentle grip of his hands on her hips became extremely painful. She bit her lip holding back not wanting to upset him. Then she felt her insides tearing and burning. Something was wrong something was very very wrong. She pulled away from the kiss wild-eyed and gasping in pain. Her organs felt like they were being torn apart. No longer was this pleasant love making this was torture.

“Ow!” She exclaimed pain filling the words and she tried to push herself away. Fear clutching her soul. she desperately hoped her exclamation would make him slow down to make him go back to a couple minutes before when the world and their love felt natural and light. She knew her doom when she finally saw his face. His expression menacing and in place of his hazel eyes were two terrible glowing red eyes. Filled with terror she whimpered then instinct took hold and she tried to fight. Her body seizing in the futile effort to get away.

Damien ignored her his grip tightening and he pushed her hard into the ground. Her head smashed into a root and bled lightly. She now uselessly struggled, failing to get away from him. Her claws digging into him clawing at him desperately trying to pull herself out from under him.

All while her intestines were knotting up in unimaginable pain. Unable to bear it anymore She screamed in panic and agony. Her scream echoed across the empty countryside falling only on the ears of the wind and the animals. She was so alone.

Emily eyes wide shivered in fear beneath the man she loved. She began to weep uncontrollably. Damien’s face was contorted in vicious glee. Her body seized with fear as he finally released her liquid fire consuming her abdomen. She curled up in a fetal position choking on her tears. Hiding her face in her palms she refused to face her attacker.

“Surprised my sweetest rose?” A terrible female cackle followed those words.

Gasping for air Emily turned to see the real identity of her assailant. As she did a she became aware of a terrible darkness that crept through her veins swallowing the edges of her heart and mind.

Scelestra appeared before her newly acquired prey and sniffed at the air in disgust. She had to resort to such pathetic measures of controlling a servant and dressing like one. Looking at the tattered dress next to her she laughed at the girl before her. A mousy thing that she had been teasing for months.

The servant girl stared accusingly at her at first as she revealed herself but it wouldn’t matter. Scelestra had her whole mind. The girl had given herself entirely to her and now was owned by her. She watched satisfied as the girl’s eyes slowly began to glow a bright scarlet hue.

“Ah, my little pet you will do just fine. She purred.” The girl remained glassy-eyed a delightful red hue glowing back at Scelestra. Scelestra waved the phallic cylinder in her hand proudly at her victim.

The sex was just a tool to administer a potion. What she released into the girl was not semen but a magic concoction that ensured total control over the girl. Scelestra delighted side effects of her potion as she watched her prey squirm. This particular potion is a challenge to acquire and administer. The victim has to be completely in the love for it to work; but, It was worth every bit of her effort. Scelestra might as well be in the castle and with this little maid as her toy.

Pleased with her work Scelestra paced back and forth smiling. Her mind lauding herself as she looked at this examined the claimed girl before her. This little love affair worked out better than she could have ever dreamed. Not only did this servant girl have high-level clients in the court but no she was Allabandar’s private maid! He was Scelestra’s very own white whale. That man had always eluded the best of her traps but now she had him. Clearly, he was fond of this little servant girl. God only knows why she was so plain and basic. Scelestra had been losing patience with the game of catching the little thing until she heard the news of the promotion echoing in her mind. When Scelestra realized she could have access to Allabandar’s private quarters she had to act. She eyed her prize and laughed.

“You stupid thing you thought Damien would love you when he beds men?” Emily just sat there on her knees staring at Scelestra vapidly. Scelestra wrapped her finger with the girl’s hair and pulled her face close so she could admire the bright red eyes. It was always the most fun when they were new toys. This pet may yet become favorite of hers. Seeing as how Paul was completely useless but this one this one could grant her access to everything she ever needed.

Now with the help of the magic potion and her telepathic powers, she could see through her eyes. She could explore Allabandar’s private quarters, watch conversations through this pawns eyes, no more of her lazy interpretations of those around her. Scelestra could now work with a live feed of the keep and all of the people inside. Laughing again at the girl’s naive notion that Damien could ever love her when he was clearly interested in only one man. Such an easy target as well but not worth the risk. She couldn’t take the seer’s mind he was too dangerous with his fading in and out of reality. If she was not careful and she got taken by a vision and she would descend into madness. No this little mouse of a girl was much better and so gullible. People will believe whatever they want to believe when they are in love. What a deliciously ghastly emotion she thought to herself and laughed. A terrifying sound that shook the delicate willow branches around her.

The mousy girl’s eyes started to go back to their natural hue augmented by the little freckles on her cheeks. As the girl began to blink slowly Scelestra realized she had run out of time for gloating. She had to set her plan in motion so Scelestra spoke the girl’s undying order.

“You will charm Allabandar. Make him fall in love with you and then you will kill him.” The venom in her words seeped into Emily’s brain to do their work. The spell was guaranteed to work part of the beauty of this particular potion. The girl would never know she was under Scelestra’s control. Scelestra would slip in and out of her mind unseen. She watched as the girl fell to the ground unconscious. Scelestra would wipe the memory of the evening from the girl’s mind and for good measure the relationship with ‘Damien’ as well. She had a new task. To fall in love with the leader of the rebellion and then kill him. The beauty was to this little servant her falling for Allabandar would be real even though she was coerced into it. She could even still be in love him when the spell is broken and the dagger leaves his heart. Scelestra cackled as with a flick of her wrist the girls body was wrapped in a black smoke and transported back to her quarters. Scelestra strode off to her carriage and smiling wickedly to herself.