A Bargain

I knew at this point that there was no use struggling against the rope that bound me. Spending the last few days under the constant supervision of silent guards, it was made painfully clear that escape was not an option. Still, as I was escorted through the camp I felt far more aware of the restraints holding my hands against my back. Perhaps it was the prying eyes of the soldiers, especially those who seemed to share laughs or knowing looks with one another. I had been told nothing about my destination, or what would happen to me when I eventually got there, but I got the feeling some of them knew my fate. Just as I was taught, I held my head high and my expression calm. I knew full well my title and anything else I had left had been lost in the battle, but that didn't mean I had to let any weakness show.

Eventually, my silent chaperons and I reached a large tent in a clearing. I prepared myself to step foot through the entrance but a hand caught my shoulder and pulled me back. Without saying a word, the guard who'd stopped me proceeded to brush the hair out of my face and looked me up and down before gesturing me forward. This alone would have put me on edge, but earlier a group of women had shown up in my cell to help me bathe and dress in one of my favourite gowns. I was certainly happy to be allowed these luxuries, but nobody would answer when I asked why I was suddenly expected to be presentable for the day. The deep royal purple seemed at odds with my current situation, but I was just grateful to have some of my dignity returned to me. And now again my appearance was being checked, maintained and examined. I stepped into the tent, and the extravagant decorations and piles of pillaged goods confirmed what I had already started to suspect. I was brought here to meet someone important.

I hadn't given much thought to my captor up until this point, all I knew was based on court rumours and my fathers bitter comments. I had heard about his ruthless destruction of our neighbouring kingdom, people used words like 'merciless', 'savage', and 'tyrannical' but nothing more than that. Whatever I'd been expecting, I was still taken aback by the man in front of me. He relaxed on what looked like some form of a makeshift throne, waiting. He was much more.. civilised than I would have thought. The word handsome drifted through the back of my mind, but I tried my best to ignore it like the rest of my untamed thoughts. But his dark hair and the way his eyes quietly studied every inch of me seemed to keep bringing the word into focus.

The one thing that pulled me back to the reality of who I was dealing with here was the smile. It was faint, reserved and lightly charming. A smile like that could have potentially eased my mind a little, but I just had this feeling In my gut that there was something else behind it. I sighed and prepared myself to present a wide smile and a polite greeting, assuming it would be in my best interest to win this man's favour. Before I got the chance to make a good impression, I was pushed to the carpeted ground by the guard behind me, my previously tidy hair falling around my face as I was unable to move it. I gasped and shot my gaze up to the man in front me, hoping for some kind of sympathy. But nothing. He made no move to admonish my assailant, and instead just continued to let his eyes wander across the view before him. This subtle lack of care made me decide not to speak first, though I wasn't sure whether this was in defiance or out of respect.

When eventually he spoke his voice was calm and slow. Every word seemed intentional.

'I'm so sorry it took me so long to summon you, there was more work than I anticipated after the last attack.' He explained as if this gave me any more information.

'pardon?'

'Well, I've been meaning to introduce myself for longer than I intended to wait. You see, I think our individual situations cross paths in a way that means we could be of great help to each other.'

'You want to help me?', I tried and failed to mask my suspicion and confusion.

'You sound surprised.'

'Well respectfully, sir, you did chase my family out of our home and burn the place down after us..'.

He laughs softly. 'You make a fair point. But that wasn't personal. I have no fight with a sweet girl like you.'.

It mildly irritated me how he called me 'sweet' as if he'd have any way of knowing anything about me. But I forced a smile and batted my eyes, I still needed answers from him.

'So.. How do you propose to help me.?'

'Your family is scattered, your status gone and your options are severely limited. We've done you a kindness by letting you live, but I think you could be very valuable here.' He looked down at her position on the ground as he continued.

'I'm willing to offer you protection, a title, and a home. With me.'

The shock of all this hit me like an arrow. I'd fully expected to spend the rest of my life penniless and starving yet this seemed far too good to be real.

I rushed the words as fast as I could,

'Well of course I'm so grateful that-'

'Before you accept-' he paused to let out an impatient sigh as he interrupted me,'I would also have certain expectations that you would fulfil for me. Do you understand?'

Something dropped in my stomach and sparks ran through me as I finally started to pick up on the implications of all of this. He continued,

'You would belong to me. In your entirety.'

'Like your bride?'

'Well not quite, we'll see if you impress me first. But there will be some similarities. So?'

I swallowed and tried to keep breathing so that the blood rushing to my face was not painfully obvious. 'Well I was set to be engaged to an eldest son in the- '

'No man with any power would want you now, I would assume that arrangement is off.'

He paused and slowed down. 'Sorry I misspoke, I meant to say this: No man with any power would want you, apart from me.'

When it came down to it, It didn't take long for me to weigh my options.

'I accept'

With a wave from his hand, he gestured for the guards to attend to me and they swiftly removed my restraints. Already I felt good about my decision to accept this deal, at least he was allowing me to be comfortable. He then raised his arm again, prompting the guards to bow their heads and step outside.

The moment they were out of sight he spoke. 'Take off the dress'

My heart stopped.

'I beg your pardon?'

'Your clothes. Take them off'

I couldn't even process the situation I already found myself in. I thought there might be courting or at least conversation before performing any of these duties.

'You can't- I- That's not- I', my response was barely understandable, it was so choked and stuttered out.

His hand twitched on the arm of the chair.

'My dear. I've been very patient with you, but if you continue to question me this incessantly I might not feel as generous with my offers. This is your last chance.'

He looked down into my eyes as It sunk in what was about to happen.

'Strip'

My hands shook as I raised them to the top of my buttons, so much so that I struggled with each and every one. My heart beat ran fast at the prospect of being too slow for him so I mumbled out an apology.

'I'm Sorry, I'm just a little nervous. it might take a while.'

He smiled that same masked smile at me again.

'Oh don't worry your highness', he responded in a slightly mocking tone,' Take all the time you need'.

Something in his enjoyment at watching the slow reveal of my body made me want to get it over with. So I took a deep breath and sped through the rest of the obstacles of loosening my dress.

Eventually I found the courage to slide it off of my torso and step out of it, returning to my original position after. I hoped the deep sound he made when he looked at my chest was a good sign, but I was sure at the very least it was one of approval. Honestly so far that was my leading theory as to why he'd chosen to spare me. Growing up I'd been quite annoyed about the frankly ridiculous rate at which my breasts grew, but I soon realised that men considered me to be blessed because of it. The opinions of these men had rarely concerned me, and I tried to ignore the small satisfaction I felt from hearing this approval.

The sudden lack of layers should have made me want to shield myself from the cold but so much blood was rushing through my body that I barely felt them at all.

He stood up and slowly walked over to me, never breaking his hungry gaze from my body. He delicately touched my face and for a moment he looked so genuinely composed compared to my own state, I couldn't help but let out a whisper.

'I don't know what I'm meant to do.. I've never-'

He ran his hands softly through my hair, softly shushing over my concerns.

'You poor pretty little thing, there's no need to worry.'

He grabbed me by the jaw and twisted my face so that my neck was as at angle as the other hand gripped tight in my hair.

'I know exactly what to do with you.'

Without warning he threw me back onto the rug. My hands went immediately to protect my chest which left me stunned and gasping when his hands forcefully pushed my legs apart. I opened my mouth to protest but all that came out was a high pitched yelp as he slid two fingers along me and easily slipped them inside.

I was barely processing the way he had watched my body earlier, and the calm way he had pushed her fingers into me.. It honestly felt more as if he were just assessing something rather than considering how it might affect me. He chuckled slightly under his breath feeling the slickness on his fingers, 'perfect.'

He took his fingers away and all I could think about, despite the shock of it all, is how it felt a little empty when they're removed. I tried not to whimper as I lay on my back, I stuttered out another question.

'What- What's perfect?'

His hands were much less shaky as he unbuttoned his own clothes, freeing himself from the clearly uncomfortable position the stiffness must have been causing, but I did still manage to notice a slight sense of urgency in the action. I can't help but stare. I must admit my first thought was that of dread as I compared the size of the fingers to the size of what was held in front of me. Having to one day take this inside of me filled me with a strange mix of concern and anticipation.

'You, princess. You're perfect for being ready so quickly.'

Without warning he sank to my level, put a hand on my waist and started to position himself at my entrance until I could feel the tip sinking in just a little. I gasped, completely stunned at the sudden escalation, and my hand flew up to have my palm on his chest

'Wait'! I'm sorry, sir, I really am. I promise I'm not trying to disrespect you, please, I want this deal but I'm just- I can't do this yet.'

I let out an unsteady breath realising I might have just ruined my one chance at a better life.

He took my hand and wrapped his fingers around it.

'It's okay darling.',

He planted a kiss on my flushed cheek,

'I know you can take it for me'.

He slammed into me before he even finished the sentence. I forgot to be embarrassed about how soaked I seemed to be, and just thought how grateful I was to have the aid when he forced his way inside me. I thought it was over until he pulled one of my legs so that the thigh was lying across his chest, while simultaneously pulling me open wider with his hand. I felt something powerful in my body. Something devastating that I'd never felt before, but was somehow desperate to feel again.

The sound I made was undignified. My first thoughts were of the guards standing outside, what they must think upon hearing my cries. Taking a second to reflect on my naivety, I realised they probably had known the whole time that this was why I was brought here. This realisation only seemed to worsen the shaking in my legs and the whimpers escaping from my lips. I looked up at the man I had just promised to dedicate myself to, who was currently pushing himself deeper inside me with every passing second. I half expected to see him laughing at me, at the sounds he'd been drawing from my body. But instead I saw his eyes close into a blissful expression as a quiet groan fell from his mouth. His hand gripped my thigh, he pulled me tighter into him in order to leave a trail of kisses along my thigh as he began to slowly push himself in and out of me. 'Oh I knew you'd be good'. He breathed the words quietly but I was so focused on him that I heard them clear as day.

I felt him pulse around me. Or maybe I was the one pulsing. It was a little hard to tell.

'good?'

'Useful. Very very useful.'

I started to ease into the gentle pace at which he was moving. I could manage this.

'See? you're taking it just.. beautifully. It's not so bad is it?'

'No' I muttered out.

'good. So now you know you can trust me.' He smiled in earnest for the first time, and this one was malicious and sharp.

He grabbed my breasts, letting his hand fall hard and began ruthlessly pulling and pinching. He still maintained the slow and steady rhythm with his hips. I couldn't help but let out a moan that I never could have imagined hearing in my own voice. His hand moved to grip my throat as he looked deviously at my flustered face.

'Careful, your highness. Or do you really want everybody to know how fast you allowed yourself to become my very own whore?'

His voice sounded mocking but his eyes were still just staring down at my body with a quiet intensity. I shook my head desperately.

'No, please. I'll be quiet, I swear."

He smiled again very slightly, shook his head and raised his eyebrows.

'Of course you will.'

He took his hand off of my neck and moved it to grip on my intricate braids as he started to truly pound into me at full, brutal force.

I didn't know whether my desperate cries were from these overwhelming new sensations or from the pain of feeling myself stretch around him, and his hands pulling at my hair.

It was at this moment I realised that he'd been giving me barely anything compared to what he really wanted me for. And this time the realisation was a loud one. He moaned and breathed heavily as he continued to throw himself into me over and over, clearly letting himself get completely carried away with his own satisfaction. Those sounds were far overshadowed by the cacophony leaving my throat. I tried repeatedly to keep my voice down but I had no defences for this kind of stimulation. When I tried to cover my mouth with a hand, he pushed it to the ground in disapproval, clearly eager to listen to me unravel underneath him. Some part of me started to slip away. Or maybe a new part began to surface. For a split second I forgot my pride, my situation, everything. I just let myself savour the feeling of being held against him while he filled me and discovered new nerves in my body. But only for a second. As soon as the indecency of it all sunk in I started to push and writhe against his ruthless pounding. He gave me a measured slap to my cheek to force my face to be directly opposite his as he thrusted into me for just a little while longer.

Without warning he pulled himself out, and my immediate reaction was that of some wounded animal, immediately more vulnerable and helpless. I couldn't deny it, all I wanted was to have him back inside me. Before I knew it I was being dragged across the floor to fall in front of the makeshift throne on which my new master reclined. He softly stroked himself as he watched my thoughts catch up to my situation. I found myself analysing the movements of his hand, taking note and frantically trying to learn how I might make myself 'useful'.

Oh God. I told myself that this was just a survival instinct, but that unfamiliar pulsing in my body begged to disagree. I didn't just want to be useful. I wanted to be good. Perfect. To be whatever he needed me for.

I caught his eyes as I straightened myself, and found myself blushing once again wondering if he could tell what I had been thinking about. For a second we just looked at eachother, my gaze meeting his from above. It occurred to me that unfortunately he might be able to see my thoughts behind my eyes, as I could clearly see him planning a hundred things to do to me in his mind. He glanced between me and the stiffness in his hand. I could tell something was expected of me, but nerves rushed through my body as I tried to think how to approach the task. As if sensing my panic, a hand on the back of my head guided my mouth.

And just like that I was full again. For the first few seconds most of my energy was focused on trying not to choke. Once I started getting the hang of bouncing up and down without spluttering, I started to experiment a little. Eventually I ran my tongue along his shaft and was rewarded with a sound I was already becoming so devoted to causing.

I licked enthusiastically, once again learning to get used to my circumstances. Every so often I would look up at him. Wether for comfort, approval, or out of fear I still wasn't sure. It surprised me when I heard his voice again, i'd started to lose track of time, but he spoke suddenly and in a rushed tone.

'Do you really want to be mine, princess? Because it's about to be.. too.. late.'

I nodded frantically with him hitting the back of my throat with every movement. He groaned louder than ever and grabbed my hair, using his grip to make use of my throat entirely at his own will. It hurt, I knew that it did, but something about the pain just filled me with pride as I felt myself choke against him. I still wasn't sure how to help him best, but I knew I could at the very least just take whatever he gave to me. Just as I was beginning to worry how much longer I could maintain this, I felt something warm hit my tongue. An unfamiliar taste filled my mouth and shot down my throat. He pulled out with a satisfied sigh, but as I went to spit out the contents of my mouth he put a firm hand over my lips and looked at me with raised eyebrows. Managing to understand what he wanted from me, I swallowed.

After a few moments of listening to my master catch his breath I slid to lie on the floor. Eventually he put his clothes back together and stood, leaving me shaking and twitching on the ground. He walked over to a pile of thick blankets and cushions and threw them over and around me. Barely taking a moment to check on me, he walked towards the tent exit. His only stop was to bat my arm away when I went to reach for my dress.

'There won't be any need for that my dear. I have business to attend to, but I'll be back soon'.

He picked up and threw my dress across the room, out of reach. He caressed the side of my face and left without looking back.

I attempted to make myself look decent as possible under the blankets as I let the same wonderful word repeat over and over in my head.

I let out a contented sigh.

'Soon.'

{Dedicated to my lover, based on a dream he had}