Legends of Amacia: Mysteries of Tiamat
Intimate Fears in the Night

Stopping at the bedroom door andstepping aside with a bow, Hannibal gestured to the door. “Lady’s first,” hechimed.

“Why thank you,” Selina replied,stepping into the bedroom. “You’re always such a gentleman.”

“I wasn’t always like that,” Hannibaladmitted, following her into the bedroom. “Once upon a time long ago, I was adespicable cad who only looked out for number one, going to great lengths toinsure my position in the world. I was a blind stupid idiot for doing that.”

Selina turned to Hannibal, dropping herduffel on the floor. Draping her arms around Hannibal’s neck, she gazed deepinto his eyes. “You shouldn’t demean yourself like that,” she chided softly.“You’re a good man. Don’t let the past ruin your life. The Lord forgave you forwhat you did. He said so. You should do the same.”

A sigh escaped Hannibal’s lips as hewrapped his arms around Selina’s waist, pulling her close. “I know, princess,”he replied. “But it’s so hard to let go of it. I perpetrated such great evil inmy younger days it’s hard to forget it. I’m continually haunted by it.”

“You don’t have to forget,” Selinapurred. “You have to forgive yourself for doing those things. Forgetting willjust lead to more heartache because it’ll lead you to falling back into thosesame traps again. Only when you forgive yourself will you be able to rememberit without it causing this distress I’m seeing in you right now.”

“Again, your logic is flawless,”Hannibal crowed. “The Lord’s right. You truly are what I need now. Please, helpme let go of this obsession with my dark past.”

“Only you can do that,” Selinadeclared. Hannibal’s heart fell at her words, as did his expression. “But,” shequickly added. “I can help you get to that point where you finally let go ofthat darkness. All we need to do is love and trust each other completely. Doyou trust me enough to let me in to help you, Hannibal?”

Hannibal suddenly remembered every timeshe asked him to let her into his life, including the last one just a monthearlier. Each time, he had some excuse as to why he couldn’t let her in. “Ohdear,” Hannibal murmured fearfully, feeling an icy chill race down his spine.“You ask a hard thing, Selina; a very hard thing. I really want to let you in,I truly do but I fear it and you. It doesn’t make any sense. I love you morethan anything, but I’m so afraid to let you in that I’m shaking.”

Selina noticed that his hands and armstrembled as he held her, his body tense as a rubber band pulled too far. “I cansee that,” she murmured. Selina removed her arms from around his neck andpulled him into a full embrace, releasing a soft velvety purr that reached tothe core of his mind and body. “You love so deeply, yet fear so much,” shedeclared. “You mustn’t fear me, my prince. Unlike all those other women in yourpast, I’ll not hurt you in any way. You must release this baseless fear. It’snot of the Lord. It’s the enemy trying to keep you isolated and alone. Don’tlet the Darkness win, my prince. Release this fear and pain! Release it!”

Selina’s words settled into his mindjust as her purr reached his core. The tension in Hannibal melted away as tearssuddenly burst from his eyes with the sobs that rose from the depths of hissoul. “Oh, my precious angel,” Hannibal wept, “You have finally reached me inmy prison! I’m such an idiot! Please help me break these chains that hold meback!”

“I don’t need to,” Selina purred with asmile. “You’ve finally freed yourself of this dark fear I’ve seen on you fromthe moment we first met. It’s kept everyone, including me, at arm’s length. Butnow our love has smashed those chains to bits! Now, my prince; will you let mein to help you? I want to help you in all ways.”

Hannibal wiped the tears from his eyesas a feeling of great peace settled on him. “Yes, my beloved feline angel,” hereplied. “Please come in and help me conquer myself.”

Selina kissed him gently on the lips.“I will help you, my prince,” she purred, “because I love you more than my ownsoul. We both are splendidly wounded. Together, we shall heal each other’swounds and finally be one. Come…let’s take the first steps together. I helpedyou overcome your fear of letting me in. Now I must do the same by facing thefear that holds me back.” She paused for a moment; her demeanor becoming verysubdued, even fearful as she peeled off her gloves, throwing them down on anearby chair sitting next to Hannibal’s dresser. “It’s something that’sterrified me for years that I’ve hidden from everyone, including dad and you,”she whispered, her trembling voice and tone betraying a secret, deep-seatedterror. “Just thinking about facing it makes me break out into a cold sweatwhile my heart races. I want to run away, but I can’t. I…I have to face it thistime. There’s no choice, not after you just conquered your fear. I have to; Ihave to face it if I’m to have peace.”

“What do you mean?” Hannibal asked inamazement, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “How can you be afraid of me?You’re utterly fearless! But I can see right now that you are so scared you’reshaking just like I was a few moments ago. What is it that has a powerfulfearless woman like you acting like a little girl afraid of the dark? Pleasetell me so we can break its power over you.”

Selina sat down beside Hannibal on thebed and gazed into his eyes. Her arms and hands trembled as she touched him onthe knee with her left hand. “Hannibal; you love me, but do not know me,” shemurmured in a deeply troubled tone. “I’m not the powerful fearless cat youthink I am. You must understand that we’re far more alike than you realize. Ihaven’t let anyone get close to me other than my father since I lost my fiancémany years ago. I love you so much, but like you, I fear to let you in. I fearI may be hurt again. Throughout my life, people have betrayed and hurt me againand again because of who and what I am, trying to use me to further theirselfish goals. Again and again, alleged friends turned on me when I wouldn’thelp them further their ambitions. As a child, I was tormented and teased mercilesslyby my peers because of my piercing intelligence and position as heir to theKaitian throne. Even after I grew up my peers continued to hound me because Inever allowed them to control me. I’ve been hurt too many times like that fortoo long to let it happen again.

“But now things have changed. I foundyou: the one soul destined to be my mate who has accepted me for me. Even now,you treat me with great kindness and respect, not forcing your will upon me asso many others have tried to do. Yet the fears caused by a lifetime ofmistreatment by others continue to plague me. It’s not fair. I finally replace theone soul meant for me and my fears paralyze me, keeping you at bay. I want youmore than anything, Hannibal, but I’m scared to death to let you in, just asscared as you were…maybe even more so. Just telling you this has me shakinglike a leaf and I’m becoming nauseous; see.” She held out her trembling armsfor Hannibal to see. He also noticed her face paling significantly, making herlook ill. “I’m so scared now that we’re married that nothing seems real,” sheadmitted. “It’s literally making me sick. I have to do something about it but Idon’t know what.”

“Oh Selina,” Hannibal cooed, puttinghis arm around her. “I had no idea you were so vulnerable. And I do relate…Itruly do. Is this not the same fear you just helped me break? But even now,seeing you like this scares me.”

“How so?” Selina asked.

“It scares me because of how much alikeour fears seem to be,” Hannibal declared. “I was scared like that because of mydark past, but you appear to have an equally dark past that haunts you too justas much. I’m sure it’s not as despicably violent and evil as mine was, but Iknow it torments you just as much. I can clearly see that. We both must rememberthat the Lord put us together as mates. He knows and now I know for sure thatwe truly need each other. We have wounds only our soul mate can heal. Thesefears are a perfect example. I’ve always been able to help people with theirfears, but never my own. Just a few minutes ago, you helped me face my fear ofyou. It’s one of the greatest fears I’ve yet deal with, and without your help,I’d still be holding you at arm’s length, just as you’re doing now to me. Youhelped me. Now it’s time I returned the favor. As you said, these fears are notof the Lord, so we must obliterate them. We must release them back into theblack abyss from which they came. Do you follow me?”

“Yes,” Selina replied, wrapping herarms around Hannibal and holding him close. He could feel her trembling body ashe gently but firmly held her.

“Release this fear and pain,” Hannibalsaid softly. “I’ll never knowingly hurt or betray you, ever. You’re mybeautiful angel: my deliverance from the world of darkness, pain, heartache,and despair. Let me be the same for you, princess. As you said, we’re bothsplendidly wounded. Only together can we dispatch these fearful demons thattorment us and mock our weakness. Now tell me; what fear haunts you the most?You can tell me. I won’t make sport of it. I promise. Only by telling me willyou be able to overcome this beast. I know more about fear than most peoplebecause not only have I fought it all my life, I’ve actually used it as aweapon against my enemies. I know how fear works. Only by sharing and facing itcan you not be taken by it. You reminded me of that lesson a few minutes agowhen you helped me face my fear of letting you in. I let you in. Now, as yousaid, you must do the same. Let me in, Selina, as I let you in. I’m here foryou. What scares you so much right now that the world has become a livingnightmare?”

“I…it’s so crazy,” Selina murmured, hervoice trembling.

“What’s so crazy,” Hannibal askedinnocently.

“I’m scared that if you see me as Itruly am, you’ll not want me,” Selina wept, the terror evident in her voice. “Ifinally have you in the palm of my hand and I fear to truly reveal myself toyou because you may reject me.”

“I suspect there’s more to it thanthat,” Hannibal surmised. “It’s okay to tell me what is really bothering you.You can trust me.”

Selina gathered her fleeing courage asshe stared at the floor. “I’m embarrassed to even admit it but I’ve neverreally been with anyone before,” she admitted, “and the thought that I couldnot please such a kind noble man is a torment I can no longer bear.”

“Wait a minute,” Hannibal replied. “Areyou telling me that you’re a virgin?”

“Yes,” Selina declared softly, tearsstreaming. “I’ve never mated with anyone before, not a single soul.”

“Oh,” Hannibal whispered as an epiphanystruck him. “And you fear that because of that, I wouldn’t want you?”

“Yes,” Selina moaned emotionally. “Thatand the fact I’ve never exposed myself to anyone in that manner, ever. I’venever even undressed in front of anyone other than the royal doctor on Kaitia,who happened to be a female like me. Not even my dad has seen me undress. Ijust couldn’t bring myself to do it. I never trusted anyone enough to do that.”

“Oh my precious feline angel,” Hannibalcooed, rocking her gently in his embrace. “There’s no reason to fear what youtold me. Being a virgin is an honor in my eye. It shows you have great moralstrength and character. Most humans throw their virginity away long beforethey’re mature enough to grasp what mating truly means. They don’t understandthat one of the things that separate us from the most of the animals is beingmonogamous. They just don’t grasp the concept and as a result, procreateprolifically without any thought of who they may be hurting when they jump fromone mate to another. But you have revealed that you don’t act like that. Youhad enough of a moral structure to want to wait for the right man or cat foryou. It just so happens that I’m the right man for you. You should considerthat a badge of honor. I do.”

“Really?” Selina asked.

“Absolutely,” Hannibal replied. “Beinga virgin is nothing to be ashamed of. Can I tell you a little secret?” Shenodded and Hannibal whispered, “I’m a virgin too, in the technical sense. Notonce have I ever physically mated with anyone.”

Selina gasped in astonishment. “No,”she replied, “even through those dark times of your life you never mated?”

“Nope,” Hannibal insisted. “Not once,but it shames me to say that in the days when I was an agent of destruction, Iwitnessed first-hand how the Darkness perverted that most beautiful, intimateact of mating between two people meant for each other by the Lord’s will. I’veseen things done in the name of love and mating that sickens my stomach andrevolts my mind and heart. Witnessing the perversion and desecration of thatpure act of love by the Darkness repeatedly over decades led to my fear ofletting you in. Even now it haunts me and makes me wonder if I made the rightchoice by letting you in.”

“You fight it even now, don’t you?”Selina asked, stunned by the revelation.

Hannibal sighed deeply. “I do,” headmitted. “But I won’t back down and push you out now that you helped me toovercome that fear. Just because I overcame it doesn’t mean I don’t have tofight it anymore. Only when I replace that true peace with my past and soul will Itruly conquer that demon. Still, your courage and love helped me take thatfirst step to destroying that devil. Now we shall take those same stepstogether to help you destroy the same demon within you.”

“Thank you,” Selina murmured. “But whatabout the other fear; how do I conquer that?”

Hannibal smiled warmly. “I think youknow how,” he answered softly. “I too am very bashful when it comes toundressing in front of people. I won’t undress in front of just anyone. But youmust understand that I’m not just a stranger off the street to you...notanymore. I’m your husband and even more important…your soul mate. You needn’tfear baring yourself to me and vice versa. But I won’t force you. I feel you’lldo that when you’re ready.”

“You’d do that for me?” Selina asked,once again amazed at Hannibal’s candor. “You’d wait until I could replace thecourage to bare myself to you?”

“In a heartbeat; you’re worth it,”Hannibal stated. “To be honest, even I’m uncomfortable right now gettingcompletely naked with you right now, as much as I would love to. For one thing,it could lead to passions that may create trouble for us because of our vows.I’m not sure I actually trust myself in that position. Still, I can’t let thatbe an obstacle. I think I know what we can do to help alleviate this dilemma.”

“What?” Selina asked.

“I’ll take the first step,” Hannibaldeclared. “I’ll partial undress for you. Besides, you have to know what you’rephysically getting with me.” Hannibal promptly unbuttoned his shirt, taking itoff. As he took it off, he said, “I must warn you this old carcass isn’t themost handsome thing to look at. I’ve had a very hard life and it really shows.”Throwing his shirt on the bed, he stood up and posed bare-chested for Selina,revealing his scarred chest and back. “See what I mean?” he asked, holding hisarms out slightly to each side so she could see every bullet-hole, slash,knife-wound, claw, and bite-mark on him. “I’ve been through the meat grinder somany times it’s not funny anymore. My enemies have tried to kill me so manytimes I’ve lost count.”

Selina’s eyes grew round with wonderand concern. “Oh my god,” she breathed, standing up. “May I?”

“Yes,” Hannibal answered. “Go ahead.Touch me and see what the Darkness has done to me in their efforts to destroyme.”

Selina touched Hannibal all over hischest, arms, and back, feeling the scars as if she were reading them. “This isunreal,” she breathed. “I’ve been your friend for two years now and not oncedid I ever realize that you were mistreated so badly.”

“It’s the price I paid for the life Iled,” Hannibal proclaimed. “The life of a warrior is not a nice one regardlessof which side you’re on, and this canvas shows an accurate picture of thatprice. It’s also one of the big reasons I have the same fear you do. I fearedyou would not want me if you saw that I was literally damaged goods. Many ofthese physical wounds have unhealed emotional damage I deal with to this day.”

“Oh Hannibal,” Selina replied,embracing Hannibal gently. “You’re not damaged goods. You’re just a tough oldcat like my dad who has seen more than his share of violence and war. It makesme realize how important our union really is. I also just realized how stupidmy fear was. I was afraid to bare myself to you because I didn’t know how you’dreact. But you have the same fear and overcame it, showing your scars tome…something that I know isn’t the easiest thing to do. You loved me enough toshow me who you were.” A trembling sigh escaped her lips. “I guess it’s time I showedyou who I am,” she stated softly, stepping back. “After all, it’s only fair.You’re my soul mate, after all. You have a right to know. Do you want me tostrip all the way down?”

Hannibal caressed her cheek with hishand. “Only if you feel comfortable doing so,” he answered. “I’m sure at somepoint both of us will be able to strip all the way in front of each other. Butthat doesn’t have to happen now. That’ll happen when the time is right andwe’re ready.”

“Thank you,” Selina whispered. Shekicked her shoes off and unbuttoned the collar holding her evening gown up.With just a little push of her hand, the gown slipped off her frame, droppingto the floor revealing a white satin teddy and stockings. The teddy mirroredher gown in structure with a narrow collar holding it up and no back down tojust above the waist. It fit to her frame perfectly with high-cut legs whilekeeping her chest and abdomen covered modestly, making it look like asingle-piece bathing suit. She clasped her hands in front of her, blushingdeeply.

“Whoa,” Hannibal breathed in amazement.“I thought you were beautiful before, but now…wow! You’re radiant! Your beautystaggers my imagination.”

“Do you really think so?” Selina askedhesitantly.

“I don’t think so,” Hannibal replied,cupping her cheek with his hand. “I know so. You’re the most beautiful creaturein the entire universe.”

“I’d really like to believe that,”Selina stated. “But there’s something I have to show you before you can trulymake that judgment.”

“You must believe me,” Hannibalinsisted. “You’re beautiful beyond words. I wouldn’t lie about something likethat.”

“If that’s the case, then look at thisand tell me I’m still beautiful,” Selina retorted. She quickly unsnapped theteddy’s collar and bared her chest and belly to Hannibal. The snug fit of theteddy on her waist and hips kept it from falling off her. Hannibal’s eyesbulged as he saw numerous scars on her breasts, chest, belly, and sides thatappeared to be burns, gashes, claw marks, knife-wounds, and bullet-holes. Someof the scars were very large and telling. The most prominent of the scarsresembled four giant claws on a single hand eight inches wide that had tried torip her open diagonally from right to left across her chest, starting near herright shoulder and ending almost at her left hip. Tears dripped from her eyesas she stared at Hannibal’s astonished face. She trembled, demanding, “Now tellme that I’m beautiful with all these scars, Hannibal! I’m not beautiful. I’mugly. I’m a freak and know it! There’s no way you could love a freak like me!”

Hannibal’s astonishment melted awayinto the most affectionate look Selina had ever seen on him. A warm smilecrossed his lips as he pulled her into a loving embrace. Kissing her on thelips, he said, “Nonsense; I see no freak here. You’re no more a freak than Iam. I see a goddess of a cat who has survived a great trial, but didn’t comethrough it completely unscathed. You should be proud of those scars. It showsyou are a survivor, like me.”

“But it makes me ugly!” Selinainsisted. “How could anyone, you included, want a scarred freak like me?”

“But I do; I want you just as you are,Selina,” Hannibal answered instantly. “Your scars are a badge of honor, likeyour virginity. In fact, I think it makes you even more beautiful.” He reachedout to touch the claw scars on her right breast. “It gives you an exoticquality that sends shivers down my spine. I love them and you. It shows me howspecial you really are.”

Selina pushed Hannibal’s hand away,stepping back and turning away from him. She folded her arms in front of hertrying to hide the scars. “Don’t patronize me, Hannibal,” she balked, tearsrunning down her cheeks. “You can’t possibly want me all scarred up like this.I’m a monster! I’m ugly!”

As Selina turned her back to him,Hannibal noticed some smaller scars on her back, which were not as obvious oras numerous. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her frombehind, firmly but gently holding her. His hands felt the claw scars on herbelly and a chill raced down his spine. “No, don’t touch me!” Selina begged,trying half-heartedly to get out of the embrace. “Please don’t hold me likethat. You deserve better than the freak I am!”

“Shhh,” Hannibal murmured in her ear.“It’s okay, baby. I’m not going to hurt you. You have to release this pain.It’s poisoned you for far too long. Release it, Selina. You’re not ugly. You’rebeautiful, even with your scars. It makes me realize how right you were whenyou declared how alike we were. Please, let me in to help you bear this burden.I can see it’s about to crush you.” He suddenly let her go and turned heraround, taking her by both hands and holding them at chest level while lookingher in the eye. “You’re such a noble, sensitive soul with so much love to give,”he said softly. “But you’ve been deceived by a demon; an impish little voice inyour head telling you that you’re ugly because of these scars. It lies to you,Selina. Kick that little imp in the ass by not believing the lie. You’rebeautiful in not just your mind and heart, but in your body as well. Yourbeauty comes from within, not from the outside. Let go of this lie and releasethis pain. Please, release this pain and horror and cast it into the abyss fromwhich it came.”

Selina shook her head sadly. “I don’tunderstand,” she moaned. “How can you say that after seeing my wrecked body? Achance encounter in a war zone years ago ruined my life and scarred me forever.How can you still want me like this?”

A wry smile crossed Hannibal’s face ashe let go of her hands and gestured to his chest. “Ahem…I can ask the samething, you know,” he countered. “Compared to you, I’m a calamity. But I canplainly see you accept my scars. Why don’t you accept your own as I do? Beauty,ugliness is all in the eye of the beholder. And it doesn’t come from theoutside, but from in here.” He pointed to Selina’s heart, adding, “It’s fromhere that your true beauty shines, not from your damaged mauled body. Itdoesn’t make any sense to me why you can’t see that.” Hannibal’s face explodedin realization as he suddenly saw the problem plaguing Selina. “Oh mygoodness,” he breathed. “I get it now. This is why you feared revealingyourself to me. You thought if I saw that you weren’t perfect, but damagedgoods like me that I’d reject you. Isn’t that right? It’s okay to tell me thetruth. I’ll love you whatever you say.”

After a lengthy pause while Selinarefastened the teddy around her neck covering her scarred chest and belly, shebroke emotionally and sobbed, “Yes, yes! I thought that. I believed you’d leaveme if you found out that I had been seriously injured and scarred for life.”

“Oh princess,” Hannibal cooed, holdingher hands. “This fear has poisoned you for ages. Look at me.” She looked intohis eyes as he said softly and deliberately, “I accept you as you are…scars andall. You needn’t worry about being scarred. It doesn’t matter to me. It’s whoyou are. Yes, you’ve been grievously wounded, mauled, and scarred physicallyand mentally, just as I have. But it’s not the end of the world. You survived,as did your beauty. Believe me when I say this, I know how such grievous woundscan mess with your mind in a bad way. You needn’t let it do that any longer.You’re a beautiful, kind, and loving cat, full of surprises and wonder. I’dnever let something as silly as a few scars come between us when we’re soperfectly matched. I love you just as you are. Let this fear go. It’s held youback long enough. Send that devil back to the darkness where it belongs.”

“You really want me after seeing mymangled body?” Selina whimpered.

“Are you kidding?” Hannibal chimed.“I’d be a fool to turn my back on you because of those scars. They’re just asbeautiful as the rest of you, actually giving you some character and an exoticair that I never noticed before. It’s breath-taking. Those scars make you looklike a tiger in a way and you know I love tigers.”

“So I’m not ugly?” Selina queried,slowly letting go of her mistaken beliefs and fears about her looks.

“Not by any stretch of theimagination,” Hannibal assured. “Even the goddesses of old would be jealous ofyou. You’re so very beautiful. And that teddy…wow! It’s so primal and sexy. Itenhances your beauty six-fold. I love it and you with a passion!” Hannibaluttered a seductive rumbling growl to emphasize his approval of her that madeher briefly chuckle.

When it finally registered to Selinathat Hannibal truly believed she was beautiful despite her scars, her face litup and she threw herself into his arms, kissing him passionately. Hannibal respondedwith equal passion, holding her close as the kiss ended. “Thank you, Hannibal,”she purred. “You did it! You helped me overcome my fear. Thank you.”

“You’re so welcome, princess,” Hannibalreplied warmly. “At some point, I’d like to know how that actually happened toyou, just out of curiosity.” Selina shuddered, her face falling in dismay. “Butyou don’t have to do it now since it appears to be a bad memory for you,”Hannibal added quickly upon seeing her reaction to the request.

“It is,” Selina whispered, “a very badmemory. I almost died when it happened.”

“Then don’t give it another thought,”Hannibal instructed. “I know very well how bad memories can mess up a happy daylike today. Let’s not screw it up anymore.”

“I appreciate that,” Selina said,relief evident on her face. “I’m just not ready to share it yet.”

“I understand much better than youthink,” Hannibal stated. “I’ll not pry unless you want me to.”

“Thank you,” Selina murmured, touchingher forehead to Hannibal’s forehead. “You truly are a prince. Maybe at somepoint, you can help me heal that festering sore.”

Hannibal touched her on the chin withhis thumb and forefinger. “It would be my honor and pleasure, princess,” heproclaimed. “Just let me know and we’ll tackle that beast together. By the way,how do you feel now?”

“I feel strangely good,” Selinaadmitted. “I’m not afraid now. What about you?”

“Same here,” Hannibal replied. “I nolonger fear you or letting you sleep with me.”

“You mean it?” Selina asked.

“Sure do,” Hannibal answered. “Butyou’ll still have to be wary of me while I’m asleep. I occasionally haveflashbacks while asleep and I can get very violent without knowing it. It’s oneof the prices I continue to pay for the wars I was involved in.”

Selina cupped Hannibal’s cheek in thepalm of her hand. “I understand, Hannibal,” she murmured. “I’ll be careful. Youmust do the same for me too for the same reasons.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hannibal chimed. “Now Ithink it’s time for bed. I don’t know about you but facing our fears has wipedme out.”

Selina smiled warmly. “I know what youmean,” she agreed.

“I’m going to take a quick showerbefore coming to bed,” Hannibal declared. “You might want to take this time toreflect and settle in. I’ll do the same while I shower.”

“Okay,” Selina said with a nod asHannibal walked away. He stopped at his dresser to pick up his pajamas beforeleaving the room. Minutes later, the sound of the shower echoed into the bedroomas Selina picked up her gown and carefully folded it. After sitting the gown ina chair next to Hannibal’s dresser where her gloves sat, she moved her duffelnext to it. Returning to the bed, she turned the blankets down and situated thepillows. Sitting down on the edge of the bed with a sigh, she peeled off herstockings and tossed them over to the gown and duffel. The stockings landedperfectly on the folded gown. Another sigh escaped her lips as she looked atthe floor with her hands in her lap, pondering everything that had occurredsince she walked into the bedroom as his wife.

“God I love that man,” Selina murmuredwith a smile, looking towards the door. “We really do need each other. Howcould I have been so afraid to show him my scars? What a stupid thing to beafraid of. He’s more chewed up than I am.” A yawn escaped her lips and shestretched, reaching for the ceiling. “Oh dear me,” she purred. “I’m suddenly sotired.”

As she looked at the bed, a lovingvoice whispered in her ear, “Take off your teddy. It’s okay to be with himnude. Don’t let your fear stop you from revealing your true self to him.”

Selina looked around, seeing no one.“Is that you, Lord?” she whispered.

“Trust me, little sister,” the voicereplied almost inaudibly in her ear. “Don’t be afraid to show him yourinnermost being. Both of you need to take off all your masks and let the othersee you for what you are.”

“Yes,” Selina murmured. “I understand.Thank you, Lord.”

“Love him, little sister, and he willlove you,” the voice echoed in her ear, fading away.

Selina removed her teddy and laid it onher evening gown in the chair. An icy chill raced down her spine as sherealized what she was about to do: reveal herself fully to Hannibal as hislover and wife, scars and all. Another yawn escaped her lips as the bed lookedmore appealing. Crawling on to the left side of the bed, she stretched out,laying on her right side with her left arm resting comfortably across her hip.Propping her head up with her other arm, she gazed toward the door and waited,feeling amorous but very tired. Her eyes fluttered as drowsiness weighedheavily upon her.

Hannibal returned a couple minuteslater wearing only his sweat pants. Seeing Selina lying seductively on the bedcompletely nude, he cringed with chills racing down his spine. His eyes grewwide as he saw her completely uninhibited from the crown of her head to thetips of her toes. Blush crept across his face with his smile. “Oh my goodness,”he chimed. “Look at this beautiful nude tigress on my bed. Whatever shall I do?How do I combat such raw power and beauty that has snared my soul?”

Selina laughed wearily and beckoned himwith her finger. “Come over here and replace out,” she replied in a seductive tonethat betrayed her fatigue. Hannibal settled beside her and she promptly cuddledclose, draping her arm across his chest while sliding her left leg over hisleg. “Thank you,” she whispered, giving him a kiss on the lips. “Please holdme.”

Hannibal nodded, wrapping his armsaround her. “How’s this?” he asked.

Selina shifted position so she couldlay her head on his chest and shoulder. “That’s perfect,” she replied sleepily.“God, I’m so sleepy.”

“Me too,” Hannibal agreed, feeling hisown body crashing from the fatigue. “But before the Sandman takes us todreamland, what made you decide to sleep nude with me? I didn’t think you wereready to take that step.”

“I’m not sure,” Selina admitted.“Something just told me it was the right thing to do.” She rolled on her back,showing her entire scarred body to Hannibal. “Do you still replace me attractivelike this?”

“Oh yeah,” Hannibal murmured, proppinghimself up with his arm. “You’re perfect in body and mind. I’m honored that youwant to sleep nude with me. It means you’ve accepted me and yourself, scars andall. I’m proud of you, princess.”

“Can you do something for me,Hannibal?” Selina asked.

“Anything,” Hannibal replied.

“I want you to touch my scars,” Selinainsisted. “Feel my scars and body the way I felt you. Love me with your handsand lips.”

“Of course,” Hannibal replied, gentlycaressing Selina’s breasts, chest, belly, and legs. “Oh, what a crime it was tomangle this beautiful body of yours like this. I feel your pain, Selina. Let memake it better.” He started kissing each scar on her chest and belly as if shewere a child and his kisses would make the wounds better.

Selina smiled warmly and broke out intoa deep pleasant purr that reflected her pleasure. “I knew it,” she crowedsoftly. “You really are a sensitive soul that loves me for me.”

Hannibal stopped kissing her scars andlooked her in the eye. “Is there anywhere else I need to kiss to make itbetter, princess?” he asked in a sultry tone.

Selina touched her lips and Hannibalpulled her into a passionate embrace, kissing her gently on the lips. Selinapressed her body against his and threw her leg over his hip while holding himtightly as they kissed. Hannibal stroked her hips and thighs as they shared thepassion of their love. When the kiss ended, they lay on their sides, locked togetherin a tangle of arms and legs. Selina stared into his eyes with utter adoration.“Oh my,” she purred breathlessly. “You surprised me there, Hannibal, whichisn’t an easy thing to do.”

“How did I surprise you, princess?”Hannibal asked, still stroking her thigh as it sat on his hip.

“Your sensitivity surprised me,” Selinareplied, her tone glowing with affection. “You somehow knew exactly how toreach me and please me. God I love you.”

Hannibal patted her gently on the hipand smiled. “I was just following my instincts,” he admitted. “Besides, I’venever really made out with anyone. I’m glad it was you. You’re just soscrumptious I couldn’t help myself.”

Selina chuckled at the comment, holdingHannibal tightly. “And so are you, my prince,” she replied. “You can kiss melike that forever. But now, I’m crashing and can’t stop it. Let’s go to sleepnow.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hannibal answered. They shifted toa more comfortable position and promptly fell asleep moments later in eachother’s arms: their first night spent together as husband and wife.