“You poor thing,” Lela said. Oh the pain Zel’s parents must have felt when their infant daughter was ripped from them and Zel…Lela couldn’t imagine a worse life.
“She caught my father stealing spices from her garden. My mother craved spices when I was in her belly and the witch’s garden had an abundance of unique spices. When the witch caught my father stealing, she cursed him and told him he would have to give up his unborn child or refuse and watch both my mother and me die.” She wrapped her arms around Xavier’s waist. “I have lived in this once roaming, invisible tower all my life. I thought I would remain alone forever until,” she looked up at Xavier, “he found the tower. For an unexplained reason, the tower stopped moving and became visible that day. I believe in my heart that my parents somehow found a way to help me…to make the tower appear and stop wandering aimlessly. When I sensed someone outside that day, I let down my hair. I had to know who it was that had found the tower.” She gathered her hair and then let it go. It fell past her ankles, carpeting the length of the room.
Lela held her hand to her mouth. Eldrich did not move or say a word.
Xavier kissed the top of Zel’s head and said, “Tell them the rest.”
“Xavier used my hair to climb to my window.”
“Why didn’t you fly?” Lela asked.
“The hair was so beautiful and golden. I was drawn to it, captivated.”
“When the witch found Xavier with me, she pushed him out of the window, thinking that he would fall to his death. And when he didn’t fall and instead flew, she tried to cast a spell which would make the castle invisible again. No spell she cast worked. Xavier confronted the witch and knowing she was somewhat defeated and now in the Kingdom of the Lost where her spells were not as powerful she consented to letting me out at night. However, if I wander too far, her spell brings me back. Despicable, evil hag won’t let me go.” Zela covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
“What does your predicament have to do with us?” Eldrich asked, harshly.
“The same witch who cursed you, cursed Zel,” Xavier said.
“You know about me?” Eldrich said, exposing his fangs again.
“Settle yourself,” Xavier said. “I only know because the witch told me. She’s a wretched soul. She will let Zel go only if,” he looked at Lela, “if she lies with me.”
“No!” Eldrich said.
“You can’t be serious,” Lela said, nearly bursting into laughter.
“We’re not lying to you. We need your help,” Zel said, sniffling.
“The witch wants to hurt you,” Xavier said to Eldrich. “I’m sorry we’re asking this of you. I love Zel with every part of me. And I cannot save her alone. Please help us.”
Lela approached Eldrich. “Let’s go right now.”
Tears in his eyes, Eldrich said, “I love you.”
“Do you believe me?” Lela needed to know that Eldrich trusted her and that he did not believe she had lied with Xavier.
“You have chosen him. I can see it in your eyes. How long have you loved him? You tricked me into bringing you here. He is the reason you asked me to take you deep into the forest away from Barmoth.”
She moved in closer to him. “I love you. Your distrust is making my heart ache,” Lela said.
“You have broken mine,” he said, his brow wrinkled.
“Please believe me. I knew nothing of Xavier before today. I’m in love with you and only you.”
Eldrich looked at Xavier. “If you hurt her, I will kill you.” Then he dashed to the window and jumped from it.
Lela ran to the window and screamed, “Eldrich!”
He was gone.
“Will you help us?” Zel asked.
Lela turned and pounced over to Zel, ready to strangle her.
“This is all so ridiculous. You can’t honestly expect me to do what you’re asking of me. The man I love just abandoned me,” she said, glaring at Zel.
Then she walked to the staircase and grasped the handrail. She’d not stay in this place for one more second even if it meant she’d wander the forest alone forever.
“If you don’t lie with me tonight, Zel will die,” Xavier said.
Lela let go of the handrail.
“It’s true,” Zel said. “The witch has given us until tonight. That is why Xavier sought you out earlier today. He has been watching you for days.”
“So you were stalking me,” Lela said, still standing near the staircase.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Today on the bank, I was going to tell you the truth and ask for your help, but I couldn’t do it. You seemed so happy and carefree.”
“We couldn’t burden you with our concerns,” Zel said.
“Oh, right, sure I understand,” Lela said, laughing. “But now you have no problem burdening me. And what’s more, why is everything bloody red in this place?”
“Red is the witch’s favorite color,” Zel said. “She insists that everything be red.”
“Of course, why didn’t I think of that? Ah yes, the witch…the evil hag who would like to see me and Eldrich broken apart forever. I shall have to meet this witch one day so I can hit her right in her disgusting face,” Lela said, sighing and falling into a chair.
“Careful with your words. She’s never very far,” Zel said.
“Zel and I decided to spend one last night together…to let whatever was going to happen, happen. We resigned ourselves. And then, there you were standing in front of me. I thought it had to be fate. Perhaps my creator had sent you to us,” Xavier said.
“So you invited me over for stew, how gracious and wonderful of you,” Lela said.
“Look, I don’t blame you for not wanting to help us. But we need to know your answer,” Zel said.
“Will you lie with me tonight?” Xavier asked Lela.
For goodness sake, a few weeks ago a frog had asked her the same question. She was beginning to think she was going to spend the rest of her life lying with strange men to help break some witch’s curse.
She stared at them; they looked so lost and sad and pathetic, holding hands, tears in their eyes, she couldn’t say no. She believed they were telling her the truth. Forgive me, Eldrich.
“Come morning, you will take me home to Eldrich,” she said to Xavier. “And you and Zel will never cross paths with us again.”
“Understood,” Xavier said.
“Thank you!” Zel said, darting to the staircase. “I’ll sleep outside tonight.” She disappeared down the steps.
“We have a room with a bed. Or if you’d rather we stay here,” Xavier said, his voice shaking.
“I’d rather we not do this at all but since I agreed, I prefer a bed,” she said, her thoughts on Eldrich. Sharp pain went through her heart and she wondered if he would ever forgive her.
Xavier led her through a narrow hall and into a small room lit with candles. In the center of the room was a round bed.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to,” Xavier said, unbuttoning his trousers.
“You’re going directly to it,” she said.
He blushed. “I’m sorry, I admit to being nervous.”
“Let’s get it over with,” Lela said, removing the cloak Zel had given her.
She was now completely naked. He took off his trousers; she looked away.
“May I kiss you?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered.
His lips touched hers. They were warm and soft, unlike Eldrich’s lips which were firm and rather cold.
Xavier kissed her as if she were a dying flower which he was tenderly trying to bring back to life. Continuing to kiss her, he placed his hand between her legs and began to caress her; slowly he moved his fingers inside of her. He then took her hand and placed it on his cock. She grasped it and moved her hand up and down on it, slow at first and then faster.
He pulled his lips away.
She thought her knees were going to give out.
He shifted lower on her body and began to blow air between her inner thighs, nipping and tugging at her.