Ch. 01: The Scarf
My darling concubine,
Sadly, we are separated by enormous distance, yet I find myself thinking of you.
I remember the first time I saw you...
I walked through the market place searching for a gift for my Prince. No longer in his favor, a little bored with me, I hoped to rekindle his passion with an unusual present.—new blood for his collection of concubines. You were to be that gift. Bored, I examined the women for sale—they looked tired, jaded and unremarkable. Then...
I saw you – a tiny figure at the back – your posture giving away your pain and expectation that you'd be overlooked. Yet something about you called to me even though you seemed unaware of my scrutiny from the crowd.
Today, I send you this gift – a scarf I found in the same market.
I want you to undress and hold the fabric to you as you read this.
The scarf holds my perfume, and I hope this will help you recall my presence. Even across the miles and through the long journey, my hope is the fabric will have retained my favorite perfume which will remind you of how it feels to caress my skin, a trace of tobacco which may remind you of my kisses, and perhaps traces of my musk from when I pulled it repeatedly between my thighs last night when I thought of you and longed for the pleasure you give me.
The material and texture are particular, too. The scarf is soft like your skin, yet black which represents my touch and possession of you. The translucence makes me think of your wide-eyed trust. The sequins are solid and shine like your inner beauty.
Search with your breath—find what remains and use your imagination to bring me to you, as if I was there now...
Last night I undressed and thought of you. My eyes closed, I draped the scarf around my neck. I let it trail across my breasts and remembered what your sweet hands felt like as they tentatively stroked my skin. I tingle with the memory even now as I write this. I want you to place the scarf in the same way I did. Pull it away—relish the soft, rough coolness as it slides across your throat, grazing your neck where I bit you and marked you as mine.
I remember when they brought you to me—the first time and I knew, even then, that you belonged to me, that I wouldn't let you go. I had to enjoy you and explore your body, and I wouldn't, couldn't, give you away or risk losing you.
You tried not tremble as I circled you, and you didn't flinch as my slaves removed your clothes—careful not to touch the skin that now belonged to me. I knew you didn't like my eyes scouring your curves and pale, flawless skin. I watched you breathe and wondered at your composure. Your head hung demurely, eyes instinctively on the floor, no doubt aware of my painted toes. I heard a slight intake of breath, sensed fear as I leant forward and touched a scar on your arm with a long fingernail.
"What are these?" I asked one of the slaves. No one knew. You glanced at me as I spoke but kenw to look away as I leaned even closer.
"I've decided to keep you for myself," I told you. "You belong to me." A slight nod. "All of you..." I lowered my voice, "Even this..." I cupped your mound and felt you shift a fraction. "Leave us," I said. The slaves hesitated, and I removed my hand to wave them away. "I want to prepare her myself. No one but me must touch her."
Loosening my belt, I moved towards the deep, warmed bath. I poured oil into the water then pulled my silk dress over my head. I stood before you, naked, before my prize.
I want you, now, to bunch the scarf and roll it gently across your skin, slowly, not forgetting your back and buttocks as you bring back that moment, the heat from my admiring gaze.
Do you remember the bath—how we both stepped down into the deep water? How I took your hand? How you lowered your eyes and knelt before me?
"Wash yourself," I said, and I watched hungrily as slowly, you scooped handfuls of water and rinsed your head and shoulders.
A finger beckoned you closer, and you slid forward—apprehensive but so brave.
"You are here to please me," I explained gently. "That will be your pleasure." You thought a moment, glanced up at me and looked away automatically when I frowned.
"You must ask permission to speak and you will address me as 'Mistress' for I am yours as much as you are mine."
Your scarf, concubine, is a symbol of how you are tied to me. Softly, willingly, I want you to think about that tie as you wrap the fabric loosely around your wrists. Lie on your belly. I want to know that now you are submissive and beautiful. I want to visualize your skin glowing you flush with a sense of purpose. Take pride in that knowledge.
Remember how I placed my hands on your breasts? I wanted to teach you how your body belonged to me. I held your eyes as I gently massaged your skin. I enjoyed how you tried to stay still. You knew your place, and I sensed that you wanted to touch me.
I slid my hands to your waist. The water heaved as you shifted to part your thighs and raise your knees for me. I nodded my approval, proud that I had chosen someone who knew what I wanted.
"You are a good kitten. This is my name for you because you are young, soft and innocent."
As I spoke, I watched your face for a reaction. Your eyes were half-closed and I could feel your heart pounding in excitement, perhaps a little fear.