Princess Ces'alena (12 page)

Standing next to Lena assisting her disrobing. Lena stood listening letting her garments fall from her. “I been knowing him since he was a baby. His mama and me, we grow up together. He may look like his daddy…but he his mama’s son. There now…ain’t that nice and warm? I even add some herbs to it to sooth you.” Kayleen continued as Lena climbed in, her eyes closed in bliss, relaxing back into the high back wooden tub. A scent of gladiola’s and a touch of sweet lilac lit the air, forcing her eyes open to see Kayleen adding fragrant oils to the bath. Lena sank deeper laying her head on the back of the tub. The whole time, Kayleen continued to talk to her about Manny as she moved behind the tub, releasing Lena’s abundant head of hair.

“I bet it feel good if you sink under to wash your hair…I’ll help you.”

With Kayleen’s encouragement, Lena did so, going under to wet her hair, staying under a moment savoring the feeling of coming clean. With weeks and weeks spent aboard a ship, then traveling in a wagon with only a wash down now and then. Nothing felt as good as this. She came up and leaned forward so that Kayleen could take up the heavy mass to soap and lather.

Kayleen was relaxed as well while talking and administering to Lena’s bath. “I remember the first time Morris lay eyes on Ms Royal. He come to the house after her sister Elizabeth. Oh and wasn’t she the uppity one…and as usual, Royal was the embarrassment of the family...running about bare foot, in and out of things like something wild. She was the middle child you see…the only red head of the bunch, with a temper to match. She detested Elizabeth sometimes, Grace too, the baby girl. Then she laid eyes on Morris, tall - strong, and striking a handsomeness she never seen before… especially his height, cause you see, Ms Royal was tall herself. Her sister’s were short and dainty while she was long limbed and rough - didn’t care though. Every time her daddy try to clean her up and match her with somebody…she beat’ the man up! But Morris - well, he was the one man that could handle her. Next thing I know - he set his heart for her, said he was coming here to this new land - and he needed a woman with fire in her soul, strong enough to endure it all. Her daddy settled him with a dowry, which I was a part of ‘cause we was so close, and here we ended up.” She finished pouring a bucket of rinse water over Lena as she stood in the waist bath. “One more and that should do it.” Another bucket went over her head rinsing the suds down her young caramel colored body. She then handed her a towel to wrap around her as she stepped from the tub. As Lena sat, Kayleen towel dried and combed her hair out which had a heavy curly wave to it - the short tufts surrounding her face curling in attractive ringlets of tawny silk. As Kayleen talked on, Lena took note of a velvety soft, turquoise gown laying on the bed, and matching kid slippers on the floor beneath it. She knew that wasn’t given to her to sleep in.

“Yes…he want you to wear it. He waitin’ on you now. See, he got a powerful attraction to you honey. You something special, no need for you to fear him. ‘Cause he gone treat you real gentle, he promise me he would, he like-…”

Lena suddenly turned on the seat to look up at Kayleen. “Does he wish me for his bed?” She asked knowing the answer. Kayleen exhaled, nodding and adding, “You could do a lot worse for yourself sugga. He gentle. He kind. He young, and he’ protect you as long as there’s life in’im. Accept him sweetie. Accept yo’ life for what it is. Count yo’ blessin’s. ‘Cause you could’ah end up a lot worse. If you was a princess once, forget it now - ‘cause them days long gone. Ain’t no way for yo’ daddy to find you now. The way Manny look at you, once tonight over… he ain’t never gonna leave you be no way, and he show ain’t gone let no body take you from him. I know that as I know him…thing is… you got to accept it, and thank God it’s him that’s got you, and nobody else.”

Lena looked down away from her. Her heart was pounding, stirring the butterflies in her stomach.

“Come on honey, he waitin’…least give him a chance.” Kayleen coaxed. Swallowing deep, scared to the point of feeling her temples throb, she stood and donned the gown, slipping her feet into the soft slippers and followed Kayleen out of the cabin, walking as if a sheep to the sacrificial alter or slaughter. But where was she to go? What was she to do? Who was there to save her? If she ran, where would she run to? Into whose clutches? Whatever she must endure at his hands, she had no choice. She had to allow him his way until she found a means of escape. But that would take time, and tonight… like it or not, she must submit to the man that now lay a claim to her. Out of the cabin, across the dark yard where only the light of the moon lit the way, she was escorted to the house.

Up the steps that led into the kitchen, through it to the back stairs where the servants traveled about their duties, with only the light of a candle, Kayleen lit in the kitchen to lead them on. In a frightened daze she followed, knowing that tonight he would do things to her; things that both frightened and intrigued her. When they reached his door, no knock was needed, it was left ajar. Kayleen squeezed her hand, and then gently nudged her within.

Kayleen closed the door behind her; taking off down the hall to return to the slaves quarters.

Lena’s hair was still damp; the cool evening breeze blowing in from the open double French doors across the room made her shiver. Her left hand came up to stroke her right arm as she watched the sheer curtains flutter from the breeze. The light of the moon also lay within the space allowed by the doors, shining in halfway across the floor, clearly outlining the massive bed that dominated the right side of the room. Beside it on a night stand flickered the small flame from a single candle. The left side of the room remained bathed in darkness and shadow, and it was from there…she first heard his voice, shaking her from within.

“Don’t be afraid of me. Please don’t be afraid…I would not hurt you, not ever – please believe that.” Slowly his large frame stepped into the light of the moon that lay at the end of his bed. He walked until he stood completely within it, holding onto one of the corner post where the mosquito net was tied.

“Come to me…please. Step closer…I just want to look at you.” He beckoned in a whisper meant to ease her. With her head down, biting the inside of her lip, Lena moved toward him. Slow, cautious steps brought her to him…her adrenaline pumping so, she felt light headed which seemed to turn on a soft ringing in her ears. She fought not to faint from her fear as she stopped before him. Manny closed his eyes inhaling the delightful sweet scent of her; his heart pounding.

Never had he wanted to do something so right, as when he made love to her. She would be his first virgin. He could feel as well see that she was scared. He needed to shake her up a bit - so with a nervous chuckle he asked,

“So, where’s the little
‘she-cat’
I witnessed today? I think I’ve been deceived in believing nothing did she fear.”

Lena’s back stiffened as she shot a defiant glare up at him. Her eyes narrowed with fire and her chin pointed daringly to show she had no fear of him, or what he planned for her. Too late however, she realized her mistake. Because the mocking look she expected to see in his eyes was not there; instead, was the look of a man with strong passions and flaming desires.

Lena knew true panic, because she could not take her eyes from him.

His face was clean shaven, and his thick blonde hair hung to his shoulders wet from him taking a bath as well, she suspected. She swallowed deep and felt ashamed of herself because she could not resist letting her eyes lower to his naked chest; furred with light tan hair over hard muscle and prominent pectorals, leading down his hard stomach to disappear within his snug breeches. Lena closed her eyes forcing her head back up, turning away from him to face the burning candle on the bedside table.

The man before her was magnificent in every form as far as she could see. Though his features were hard and rugged, it only aided in his absolute masculinity. He was as desirable as she was afraid. She wished she had the willpower to run from him, but didn’t…she was in trouble.

“Hey…Ceś alena…look at me. Please, look at me.” Manny’s hand went to her chin, lifting her face up and around, gently holding it within his forefinger and thumb as she struggled to keep her eyes averted.

“Look at me…I want to see those eyes.” He pleaded softly. Swallowing convulsively she did so. Her beauty took his breath away…he could hardly contain the thought that she belonged to him. “Do you know why Kayleen brought you to my room?” He spoke in soothing caresses as his thumb gently stroked her chin. She had no doubts why, but she couldn’t speak, her throat was closing up on her as her breast grew heavy with the building fear. Gently with his other hand, he stroked her upper arm, slowly taking that hand up to join the other as they both cupped her cheeks.

“God above, she is lovely beyond words.” He spoke as if thanking him, “I cannot take my eyes off of you. Never has my eyes seen something as exquisite as what they behold now and you’re mine. You belong to me now Ceś alena.
Me.
God knows I want you…I cannot help it…I want you.” He stood holding her thus, watching the play of expressions that crossed her features, he wanted to kiss her, hesitating to give her time to reject him, he had promised Kayleen, he gave his word. Her breathing increased with his huskily spoken words, her breast rose and fell capturing his attention, her nipples were hardened, and straining against the confines of the gown, Manny’s mouth watered.

“Please…don’t do…don’t do this to me…it is not right…I was – I am promised to another.”

Manny tensed. That sudden strange, yet familiar feeling was coming over him again. Very much like that feeling that shook him when Kevin dared to touch her. Inhaling deeply, he shook it off, this was absurd; she was here now, with him. Whoever that someone was, he was obsolete…because he held the rights and papers on Ceś alena Huebana… and that was that. Her eyes were pleading up to him, her voice small and fearful…leaving him to wonder, should she actually deny him, tell him outright – no, could he muster the strength to release her? Once more, his conscience reminded him of his promise to Kayleen. But as he stood with her there, he knew the truth.
‘God — please forgive me…I can’t…I can’t!’
He thought weakly. “What I say to you now
Ceś alena…you must hear and come to terms with. You belong to me…no other - anywhere…matters. Nor will he ever.” His teeth clenched at hearing those words come from his own mouth.

He was to enjoy her once…just one time — he’d promised himself.

After considering his father’s order and coming to the decision to do as he’d been commanded, he already found that resolve slipping. He wasn’t certain he could stick to it with her as he’d done with the others.

“Please…you mustn’t…I don’t even know you. It is not right that I let you do this to me.” She thought she could just walk in and let what would be, happen. However, cold feet were freezing over…she couldn’t go through with this. Manny sighed wishing he were a better man, but now he faced a truth about himself…there within him, were traits of his father. If it were in his power and will to take something he deeply wanted…he knew now, that he would do so just as his father did so. Lena, was within his power and will. If he was promised to burn in hell eternally for taking her … he knew he would burn… because this night, he could not deny himself. With both hands now firmly, but carefully gripping her upper arms, he admitted his weakness.

“I pray that you don’t come to hate me. But I cannot deny myself the pleasure of tasting something so desirable. Please know that I will care for you always. You will want for nothing as long as you are mine.”

“I want to go home!”

“You are home. I am your master, your owner. As long as you live…and as long as I want you…you will be mine.”

“No!” Lena shouted in anger. “I am Princess Ceś alena! You are not worthy of me!" She stomped finding her fire once again. "Who are you to touch me?! To own me?! I am free – you have no right! Who are you?!” Manny straightened stunned...it was time to show her who. “Princess…it’s about time you found out. About time I showed you. About time you accepted it.”

“No-…”

“Yes! Damn it - yes!” Moved beyond his control, he pulled her up and kissed her mouth with the strength and power of everything he felt right then; wrapping his iron strong arms around her, squeezing her to his chest as he ravaged her mouth. Lena felt her head spin as he sucked the very air from her lungs. Kissing her as she’d never experienced before. The heat of him, the power of him, and the passion of him surged through her like a mighty storm. There was nothing in her to compete with this…nothing that prepared her for this onslaught. Her heart was beating so hard she was certain he must feel it as he crushed her to him. With ease, he carried her to the bed and laid her down, covering her with his size and strength, retreating from her mouth taking a much needed breath. “Will you now, stop this fighting me?” He was gasping, so was she; she shook her head, “No!” She panted.

“You little-…” Cutting himself off, he went down and kissed her again.

His body lying over hers, but as she struggled, he softened. His conscience was starting to bother him. At the same time her body began thrilling tingles at the sensations being turned on by him; the weight of him, the heat…his mouth now tenderly pecking at hers. Slowly he shifted his weight to the side as he kept his mouth close to hers, his nose rubbing from one side to the other of her small nose; his blonde hair caressing her cheeks, tickling her senses. His hands holding her face tenderly…until his forehead came to rest with her own. They were both breathing deeply now. Neither moving… just laying as the passion slowly receded. Never in his life, had he been brought to where he was now, but he could not stop himself…pride be damned. “Ple-e-ease, don’t - don’t deny me. I beg you, don’t deny me.” He breathed at her lips, kissing them again…this time softly.