Chapter nine: Conclusion
Sabine was no longer locked in her room. Talos never mentioned why to her and she never asked. She used the clothing he had provided her and began to wander through the fortress over the next several days, learning the halls and the exits. She also wandered in an effort to elude Talos, after he had foolishly told her he had never seduced her mother. She found the entire claim to be twaddle. She spent little time in her room and most wandering, thinking it would be easier to avoid him that way, even though he always seemed to find her when he wanted her.
She had written a response to her brothers, being certain to mention they should not come for her as Talos had instructed, she knew he would read it before sending it, but that didn't mean she left out her own hidden messages. She was more determined to leave now, her strength had returned and as the days passed she made sure to look comfortable, so that she could fade more from the guards' attentions. She knew she would find a way out, it was only a matter of time, but she could not try anything abruptly, she would need a plan. If Talos were to catch her in her escape he would certainly lock her up again, and with no freedom she would have no hope. She would need a plan, and unfortunately she would need help, however she already had what help she would need in mind as plans began to formulate in her head.
Sabine kept her mother in mind the entire time she plotted, and what Talos had said to her kept circling in her. How could he have expected her to believe that her mother had gone to him on her own accord? The idiot, how gullible did he think she was? She knew the truth. He had abducted her mother and seduced her, keeping her prisoner until Sabine herself came to rescue the woman. Yes, he had kept her mother the same way that he kept her now. Sabine had taken his seductive face. Back then she had felt that would ensure he couldn't seduce again, however now she was livid that she herself was being seduced, not by the face, but by the man. Yes, there was that unthinkable feeling he placed upon her, now not only when he touched her but also when he was near, and as much as she tried to fight the butterflies surrounding her senses when she looked upon him, she couldn't. She was no longer certain she could kill him, even if she wanted to, and she feared if she stayed much longer her desire to leave him would also fade, so she decided it was time to get on with her plans, and seek out the help that was necessary to leave this place.
It was a risk, Sabine knew, but she had to try. She put on her brave face as she entered a silent room in the castle where she found Lara again, cleaning the furniture. Lara was still wearing the cloak Sabine had placed on her days before. By now her hair was matted and there was dirt on her body, she was entirely unkempt and miserable, and this time Sabine was glad to see it. Lara's misery only worked to Sabine's advantage. Sabine approached her kindly, pouring some water from the corner and offering it to Lara.
"It looks like you could use a drink." Sabine smiled sweetly.
"Thank you." Lara smiled, drinking thirstily, "Is there something I can do for you?"
Sabine's smile turned more assertive as she made herself comfortable in an arm chair, crossing her legs under the black dress she had chosen to wear, the way it perfectly wrapped around her body gave her a sense of power, and made her look powerful to the diminished red head who was standing half naked and in need of a bath.
"I was thinking I could help you." Sabine replied.
"You're very kind, but Lord Talos is set on this punishment, and I know better than to argue, you should too, I would imagine."
"I agree." Sabine insisted, "In fact I don't intend on arguing at all, I plan to leave."
Her words were so bold it brought a shy yet troubled look over Lara, who quickly turned back to her work, glancing at the guard standing at the entrance.
"He can't hear us from here." Sabine stated, following her gaze.
"I shouldn't be speaking to you." Lara stated.
"Alright." Lara sighed as she stood again, " I understand your position... however, I do not want any harm to come to Talos, I doubt you do. If he keeps me here my brothers will come, and I will not be able to control the outcome... if I were to leave, no one would have to die."
"Why are you telling me this?" Lara whispered.
"Because we are in a position to help each other. You know the fortress, with your direction I can get us out, both of us."
"And where would I go?" Lara frowned, "This is the only home I have."
"It seems to me you're nothing but a slave here." Sabine stated, "Come with me and you will be safe. I'm sure you know of my brothers, they rule the desert provinces, and both are in need of a wife."
Lara looked up curiously, Sabine seemed to have caught her attention.
"I am no longer a suitable wife for such men." Lara stated.
"To the contrary," Sabine smiled, "You seem to be the exact kind of woman my eldest brother desires, and with my suggestion, I have no doubt he would marry you... he is a kind man, and very handsome, for a brother."
Lara was staring at Sabine, looking entirely frightened, and as Sabine felt she was loosing the woman's interest she sighed and began to leave.
"I'll let you think it over." Sabine stated, "If you decide you are interested I'm sure you can find your way to where Talos is keeping me... I will need to know of any unguarded passages, and we will need horses, if you think you can manage."
Sabine left Lara with nothing else said. There was always the chance that Lara would go to Talos in an effort to regain his favor, but Sabine did not see that happening. She was offering Lara security and a potential husband, where Talos would probably offer nothing more than clothing, likely rags. Sabine was comfortable in her assumption that Lara would do nothing to threaten her, and now she just had to wait. Of course, the waiting wasn't exactly easy.
Sabine had just returned to her room, deciding she should try to rest while she could. She went nearly out of her mind when the two strong hands grabbed her, restraining her hands behind her back. She felt the knot of fear in her throat and she was certain she had lost all color. She had started to shake, for a moment thinking that she had misjudged Lara; she had gone straight to Talos. But then she heard Talos laughing, amused that he had surprised her.
Lately he had been unable to surprise her that way. She had grown a sixth sense whenever he was near, and although she thoroughly objected when he initially put his hands on her she had less fight in her each time. This time she was all nerves; he had frightened her, and even if the thrill of it was already taking over her body, hardening her nipples and sending the dampening chills through her thighs, she made her anger towards him apparent as she let out muffled cries of frustration and struggled against his grasp until one of his hands came around her, firmly holding her neck without strangling her, and his other hand went to her breast, rolling at her nipples, tightening them against his fingers.
She heard him laughing against her ear and began wondering what he found so amusing. She hated when he touched her, especially when she was angry with him. She knew the moment he put his hands on her, her body would betray her and she would be trapped, this time was no different. She became calm against him as he fondled her, waiting for him to release her arms when he decided to.
"Aren't you feeling lively today." She heard him smirk.
"You frightened me." She replied, trying to keep her voice calm, but without much luck.
"We're you expecting someone else?" He asked, and for a moment Sabine was certain he knew what she was planning, so when he released her hands she composed herself before turning to face him.
"No." she answered. "What do you want?"
Stupid question, she knew what he wanted. Playing dumb would get her nowhere. She wished he would leave now, if he stayed she knew what would happen, he would add to whatever doubts she had about leaving, and she couldn't have that, not now.
She already felt her skin burning as he looked down her body. He liked the dress she wore; he'd like it more if she took it off. He sensed something different in her today, he wasn't sure what, but he was sure that when he found out what, it would surprise him. She always managed to surprise him.
Talos resisted the urge to tear her dress off and tackle her right there. Instead he turned his back to her and began to peel off his shirt and walked towards her bed.
"Come here Sabine." He called over his shoulder in an unusually calm manner.
She stood still and watched as he dropped his shirt on the floor before disappearing behind the thin curtain separating her bed from the rest of the room. What the hell was he up to now? She thought she could slip out the door, maybe elude him for a few hours before he caught up to her, but her body was aching, telling her she needed to go to him before she burst with frustration. She held back anyways, in part knowing any hesitation on her part always added to the mind-boggling lessons he inflicted on her body. She had gotten past the way her body so eagerly reacted to him, she thought she even liked it; it was the idea that he was getting to her mind that bothered her. She had no control around him, control she so desperately needed to get back.
"Come Sabine." He called again, "Don't make me come get you."
God she wouldn't mind if he did that, not the way he would storm towards her, making her heart race, take her into his strong arms and show her exactly why it was futile to resist him. The very thought prompted her forward, until she was standing in front of the bed, watching him sit there, watching her. He held out his hand for her, and deciding she needed to show some resistance she ignored his hand and sat down on the opposite side of the bed.
Talos smiled and went to her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. She flinched upon contact, but mostly because of his gentle treatment. Even his kisses were gentle today as he trailed them over her neck, tilting her chin back to seek out her mouth where he made the usual intrusion with his tongue. She felt the light feeling in her chest as she received him, and the tingling in her belly as he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her back onto the bed, pulling her dress from her shoulders until he was able to slip it over and off her legs. She gave him her usual cold stare upon being naked but he smiled at it and without warning separated her knees, witnessing the glisten of her juices within the crease of her pussy. He ran his hand up her thigh but stopped before he touched the chasm that was so needy for him.
