Something was touching her neck. Marielle flinched and rolled her shoulder. His hair. Tendrils of his long hair were tickling her. Slowly as her mind awakened, she realized where she was and started to sort out all she was feeling around her. His arm was snaked under hers and across her body. His hand was gently caressing her breast, fingertips toying with her nipple. He had draped his thigh over her hip and the morning hardness of him pressed against her buttocks. As she stirred, his voice spoke against the back of her neck. "Tis morning. Time to start the day."

"Yes, m'lord." Her voice was still full of sleep. Her attempt to roll from his grasp and the bed was weak, but it wouldn't have mattered, he had no intention of letting her go. She was a slight thing and so easy for him to move. He kept her corralled with his arms while he leaned up and over her. He slid his hands beneath her, turning her, grasping at her hips to draw her up on her knees. She made it easier actually. She thought she was crawling away. He only had to work his legs between hers and pull her back.

Bayne slipped his arm under her waist and pulled her ass to him as he propped her up. "It's the best way to begin these things you know, as natural as any creature..." He spread his other hand across her back. She was on hands and knees now as she looked over her shoulder at him. She thought to beg, but he had that relentless gaze on her. This was a lesson he meant to teach. There would be no discussion. His hand pushed on her back, forcing her to her elbows. She dropped her head and already was whimpering. She had heard many things. She feared most of them. But what was she to do?

Kneeling behind her, Bayne stepped his knees apart, pushing her legs open further. He slid his hand along her back then rounded her smooth buttocks and proceeded beneath her til she jumped as his fingers slipped to part her lips. Ah yes, he thought, fear is a fortunate element. She was moist from it.

He let his fingers enjoy the softness between her legs, especially as one finger slid slowly in. His own arousal was growing impatient, pressing against the inside of her thigh. He curled over her and held tightly to her waist as his finger explored to find... yes... she was indeed without knowledge of this crucial bit of magic. He grinned against her back. Marielle panted lightly as he worked within her. She drew her hands together and pressed her face into them. It might have been a prayerful pose in other circumstances and perhaps even in this. She prayed he would not do what she feared but the brush of him against her thigh gave her no hope that he would let her go.

His voice was husky and muted against her back. "Marielle, my young apprentice... we begin our lesson now." She was relieved as his finger slipped out of her then she sucked in a sharp breath as something larger and warmer touched her. It moved between her lips then pressed her. His arm held fast around her waist as her stomach collapsed and a cry escaped into her hands. He had pushed, forced his way just inside. The moisture from her own body helped him but not so much as to ease his entry, or so it seemed to her as she whimpered. "Sssshh" he hissed. "Tis a lesson all must learn."

Bayne ran his other hand up her side then wrapped his arm across her breasts, holding her to him as he slowly progressed within her. Marielle shivered as his breath and hair tickled across her back but it only served to tighten her muscles around him. She felt his thickness was too much and even more so as he pushed past her virgin tightness. Bayne moaned as he slid full in and felt his hips meet her buttocks, even as the length of him tapped her depth.

His first strokes were slow. To Marielle they were maddening. She could feel every bit of him sliding in and pulling from her. Her whimpering grew more quiet as he began a steady, faster stroke. It seemed less torturous to her and perhaps her body was adjusting.

She closed her hands into fists and locked her jaws to hush the cries she wanted so much to release. Bayne was now working his hips quickly, harder against her cheeks and more urgently pushing himself to his own satisfaction. Marielle's soft body shifted beneath him. He used his grasp to pull her hard against him then drew himself partially out again. Her tightness and his work swelled him until he sucked in his own breath and forced a stroke home that burst the fire through his mind. He groaned aloud and arched up from his crouch over her.

Marielle felt the fullness of him pushing hard inside her then she breathed more easily as the pressure waned and he slowly began to slip from her. When he drew back and left her completely, she collapsed onto the bed. Bayne rolled off to one side and lay panting hoarsely.

After a few minutes, Marielle felt the tickle of his issue dripping from her, though she didn't know precisely what it was. She grew concerned and rose from the bed cautiously, walking on shaking legs to the bathing room.

There was fresh warm water in the tub. She didn't pause to think on this miracle but stepped into it. She washed slowly at first then more fervently, wanting to wash him off of her, out of her. After drying, she returned to the bedchamber. She didn't pause or ask or wait for permission to dress. She went to the stack of folded clothing and slipped on the chemise then the light overdress. As she laced up the bodice, she noted how clean and wonderful the clothing smelled. She also looked up to see that Bayne was sitting up watching her.

"There, you see?" He was grinning at her.

She furrowed her brows and paused in her action of smoothing down the dress, enjoying the feel of new clean clothes. "See what?"

"My little Marielle, already the magic is working. You have taken it upon yourself to clean and dress and be ready for our trip home."

She didn't feel as though she had learned anything, except that he had his own uses for her. However, she was being kept well so far and would see what today might bring. As he left the bed to go wash himself, she watched his long strides. He was not ugly, in fact, he was rather handsome in a way. He was not terribly mean, he just liked telling her what to do and maybe he was sometimes harsh but not for very long. He had not hurt her this morning, although she was sure it was something he'd want to do again. She had heard.

She sat down to nibble at leftover fruit and picked at some bread and cheese, after breaking off what had dried overnight. Lord Bayne shortly emerged from the bathing room, once again in his long dark robe and false beard. He went to the door and stood with his arm offered to her. "M'lady Marielle, shall we away?"

Marielle fought the urge to look behind her and see whom he was speaking to. She smiled with a blush at his address then cleared her throat as she rose to stand, brushing crumbs from her clothing. She crossed to him and awkwardly figured out how to slip her arm in his, with his help.

It would be some time before Lord Bayne and Marielle would visit Double Moon again, but there would indeed be much magic about her. Mostly the magic of learning to love an old looking mage who bought a ragged street urchin and made her his apprentice and his Lady.

(Click on candle to return to the Great Hall)

Hall of Innocence

Sorcerer's Apprentice
Part 1   Part 2
Strawberry Blush
Hidden Talent