The Price for Peace (closed for WhisperedDesires)

[WhisperedDesires]

The procession had intentionally been drawn out, all the better to let the people see their defeat, understand their fate. Their royalty had bought peace with their own flesh and blood, seen fit to bend knee to the invaders to spare their people. Now, they too would be expected to bend knee, to save their beloved princess from whatever fate awaited her. That there was no intention from Raif to see her dead was something he purposefully would tell no one. There were greater plans in store for her.

Eventually they emerged onto the open road, the procession turning into a more military formation as outriders scouted the roads ahead and soldiers took up more defensive positions. The pace picked up as well, the formation making good time despite the endless riding and clinking of metal a droning sound broken only by the occasional shout or startled animal.

Eventually, however, they made it to the first planned campsite, just as night began to fall. Outriders returned, camp followers set to work putting up tents and soldiers took up their positions for the night watch. Raif was quick to dismount, having things to do, leaving Anna in the capable hands of one of his personal attendants. She was lead to a larger tent that had been put up at the center of the camp, extravagant and well maintained. Guards stood at its entrance, most likely to keep an eye on her, but as she was led inside the full extent of the royal trappings were revealed. A bed made of comfortable furs and bedding was already set up to one side, a basin of steaming water for bathing, even carpets placed across the ground to keep ones feet off the dirt. A light meal of cheese, bread and wine was also placed upon a small table within, ready for eating.

 

[rockinzoe]

She had been half dozing when they suddenly came to a halt, the body disappearing from her back had caused her to half fall off of the animal. Happily someone had caught her and led her to a tent.

Anna could not help but smile. She had seen her father in accommodations not unlike this when he had travelled.

The bed had looked delicious, a curious word to describe a bed but very fitting, slipping into it at night would be like the first bite of a delicious meal.

Her mood had lightened further when two soldiers placed her packs down, nodding their head as they left. She was receiving the treatment of royalty, how pleasant this had been compared to what she had been imagining.

Happily she had removed her cloak placing it over the chair, immediately going to the hot water to clear the dust of the road off of her skin.

She had considered truly stretching her legs with a walk around camp but on opening the entrance to the tent two men immediately moved spears in front of her face barring her exit. Maybe not quite the royal treatment then.

Helping herself to the food she had ate quickly, stuffing her face whilst still maintaining the expected standards for a Princess, she would have looked like a squirrel hoarding nuts for winter if anyone had been observing her.

It had been getting dark when she hid behind the privacy partition to change into her nightdress, wrapping a light robe around herself on the off chance anyone would enter her tent unannounced.

Anna's legs ached, resisting no longer she had headed to bed, placing the robe on the bed she had slipped in, only for the tent to flap and someone else enter. It had taken a few moments of them looking at each other before she realised.

"Oh god it's your tent isn't it?" She threw her head back into the pillows sighing before sitting up. "I'm really tired, where am I to sleep? The floor? Under the table? Under a mat outside?" She kicked her legs out of the bed and stood, grabbing the robe quickly to cover herself up.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

He had spent the last hour seeing to the things that required his attention. Orders to be given, walking among the soldiers, sharing moments, congratulating them on their success and hard work. It wasn't a hard task, but more often than not he rarely had the time to speak with the common footmen of his armies. Still, it was worth it in those moments when he could see his men's morale rise just from a passing comment from his lips. All the better in the wake of a victory such as they'd had.

So when he returned to his tent and found the princess already nestled into the furs, he could only chuckle. Funny, that as the hostage she enjoyed the amenities of his position more than he ever did. Better it be used by someone who could appreciate it at least, and if nothing else she'd provide her own repayment for the kindness given to her.

"There'll be no need for that, Your Highness. Rest as you will." The King unfastened his own cloak of furs, tossing it over the edge of the chair, covering her own already placed upon its back. He undid the fastening of his breastplate, sighing happily as he released its hold upon his frame before setting it aside, to be put back on in the morning. As he worked at his tired muscles, stretching them out after hours of riding, he watched her, standing there with barely a robe to cover her form, hastily held to her body to hide her modesty.

 

[rockinzoe]

She had never stood so naked in front of a man. Of course there had been many a groping and fumbling with boys but never naked skin. Anna was quickly aware that if the light had shone right behind her he would be able to see much of her slim naked form through her night dress. Thank the gods she had an extra robe over her.

Quickly her hand had wrapped under her arm pit, clutching her own chest, she shook her dirty blonde hair in front of her, using it for extra protection for her firm rounded breasts against his wandering cold eyes.

Her other hand covered over the top of her legs, spreading wide so he would not see the line of trimmed hair between them.

"Is that quite appropriate your majesty?" Her voice croaked slightly out of panic and lack of use from the day. His army must surely think she was his whore, how many other royals had he treated this way.

Brown eyes met his own, keeping a close watch on him as she climbed back under the furs, throwing the dress robe out of the bed as her curves disappeared beneath the furs.

Anna moved to the very edge of the bed, he was much broader than her, what if he rolled over in the night and she was crushed under his weight? Pulling her arms close together she rested them on top of the pillow, her head on top of them. Her legs pulled up slightly knees just over the edge of the bed.

She had decided not to complain and stay silent, lest she find herself in much less comfortable accommodation.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

"Appropriate? Your Highness, you are far beyond appropriate at this point."

It was an interesting thing, to watch her try to cover herself. It did little to hide her curves, if anything her actions drew the eyes. Still, he allowed her the sense of security it provided. He would be stripping it from her soon enough, and perhaps then the ultimate reason he'd chosen to take her, over say her father or even her mother, would become fully apparent.

While she lay, curled beneath the fur trappings of the bed, he moved about the room, eating what remained of the food, using a bit of cloth and the water to wipe away some of the day's dirt. It was a slow process, made slower by him taking that time to read through some of the reports he'd been presented with before entering his tent. Nothing truly critical, or sensitive to being leaked, he may believe he had her by the throat, but Raif was not stupid enough to let Anna anywhere near sensitive information that could be used against him. Eventually, however, he found his way to bed, sliding in quietly and chuckling slightly at the princess' insistence at staying as far on the edge as she could manage.

"That can hardly be comfortable, Highness."

 

[rockinzoe]

She had tried to sleep but could not. Her mind running constantly at the situation she was in. Even in the time she could relax he would make some sound or move and the princess would come starkly back to reality.

A slightest gasp as he lifted the furs, a brief gush of cold air hit her back and then it was gone.

"I always sleep like this," She had snapped, cursing herself internally, she was supposed to be pretending to sleep! Still the bed was big enough if he kept on his own side.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

Her snapped words brought forth another chuckle, amusement at her hasty defiance, and for little more than the continued discomfort of falling off the side? An unusual choice, perhaps, but then he supposed it was apt that she try to keep herself as far from him as possible. It spoke of her upbringing that she didn't consider willingly fleeing to the other side of the tent. The ground, while uncomfortable, would have afforded her at least some distance from him, instead, even with him beside her, she stubbornly kept to her place.

But he'd delayed long enough. He reached quietly over, hand pushing between her legs to brush against the insides of her thighs. How would she respond to this? Brazen rejection? Merely submitting to the inevitable? Her actions spoke of the former, but many who faced despair gave in, if only to get it over with. He wanted to know if her spirit still burned bright, if she would fight against him with every inch of her being, even in the state she was in.

 

[rockinzoe]

It was like she was an angry bitch, his chuckling had raised her hackles. Who did he think she was? She was the Crown Princess, someday thanks to him she would be Queen. Yet here he was treating her like some foolish peasant girl. She would stay clinging in that bed if it was the last thing she would do.

At first she was sure she was imagining it, but no there was a hand touching her leg. Not a fucking chance!

Her top leg kicked backwards at her assailant, she was thankful she had been so close to the edge of the bed as it allowed her to get a foot on the ground quickly and get herself up

 

[WhisperedDesires]

Her hasty defense lacked the position or the strength to do any real damage, and since he'd been expecting something like it he hardly flinched at the sudden burst of motion from the princess. Rather, as she attempted to dart away, his hand snapped out, catching her by the arm and holding fast. His greater strength made it an easy feat to keep her from running off, and he could have dragged her back into the bed. But that wouldn't serve his purposes, nor was he eager to have a thrashing woman near him.

"I'd consider your choices carefully, Your Highness." His voice had lost its mirth, any semblance of amusement replaced with harsh directness. He would not pretend what he was doing was a noble act, but he'd never claimed himself a noble king, or a man worthy of being called a hero. "You hold more than just your own life in your hands, and by your decision many could feel steel at their neck."

 

[rockinzoe]

It was painful, she had made such an attempt to run that when his strong grip had found her it seemed her arm would pop out of her socket behind her. Wrenching Anna had tried to pull herself free but his hand would not budge. On hearing his words she had frozen, turning her head to look at him, sprawled across the bed to reach her, his face dark and terrifyingly serious.

Would he really kill because she got out of the bed? Nothing she had seen so far had given her any real reason to doubt him. Her breath was ragged, a strained sort of breathlessness coming over her. Even still, could she really get back into the bed with him, Anna had stood for some time considering this. Finally she had decided there was no choice to it, she had come to save her people after all, she would have to see it to the end now.

Slowly she moved back towards the bed, whilst the grip remained firm it wasn't as painful. Her foot kicked back the furs a little before sliding in with care.

"Don't touch me." She warned, knowing she had nothing at that moment to threaten with, she made the threat anyways. "Don't." She repeated sliding back under the furs, using her free hand to cover herself.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

He watched as she made her decision, as she crawled back into the mass of furs. It was a decision he could respect, as someone who would do anything for his own people. That didn't stop him from smiling slightly, she would give in, provided the proper motivations. That was all that mattered, at least for the moment.

He waited, like a predator stalking its prey, for her to nestle herself comfortably before moving once more. His hand moved once more, brushing lightly against the skin of her thighs, moving ever upwards, teasing along her skin in the dim light of the candle upon the table. He was content to let the candle burn itself out, for why would he deny himself the sight of the woman before him, the swell and curve of her form. Perhaps, tonight, he'd see that same form arched in ecstasy. But he'd start slow, out of consideration, at least unless she made it necessary to take more direct action. Rather than words, he'd let his actions speak for him.

He would touch what he pleased, whether she gave her consent or not.

 

[rockinzoe]

At the touch of his hands she was about to protest. She nearly did. However she realised it would have been a futile effort, they would have went round and round in a circle all night long.

Crossing her arms over her chest she turned herself slightly, laying on her back and staring up at the ceiling.

“I’m going to cut your hands off one day.” She stated in a low tone, “Before I kill you that is, I’m going to butcher you.” Loathing pouring out through every word.

She did put a little effort to stop him, holding his arm and trying to shove him off, but it didn’t work and she didn’t want to seem like she was putting a lot of effort into it.

Instead she crossed her ankles and worked on keeping her legs as tightly closed as possible, let him try moving his big ugly hand upwards now.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

Her defiance was, as ever, more amusing than frustrating. Her attempts were halfhearted at best, at least now that her situation was swiftly setting in. She couldn't really resist, not without risking the death of her people. Would he really put so many to the sword over her denial? Unlikely, the loss in resources would be severe, and he'd more interest in that than a woman's body. But what she didn't know, or rather what she assumed, served his purposes well.

He said nothing to her threats, baseless as they were. Though she did her best to clamp her legs closed, to keep his hands from sliding across skin and teasing the smooth plane of her inner thighs, the effort would ultimately prove useless. He leveraged his greater strength and position to force her open, hand grasping her legs and forcing them apart, to reveal herself to him. She'd feel pain at his force, he was certain of that, but if she wanted to be defiant than she'd be rewarded in kind.

He paused then, hands holding her legs open, letting his gaze fall upon her, drink in the sight of her form, the smoothness of her skin the dim light.

 

[rockinzoe]

She had gasped as her legs were pulled apart, quite surprised at his strength and her own bodies lack of fight. Her face turned to look at him, a shudder ran through her as she realised she really was quite helpless at this point.

"You are possibly the most dishonourable Bastard I have ever had the unfortune of meeting." She had spat out, her legs released her tension, he would do what he willed.

"Take your pleasure so I can sleep." She muttered before turning her head away from him. Someday she would get away from here and with every fibre of her being she would seek justice for herself, if that was at the cost of her own life so be it.

The silence sat for a moment before her hand came up and slapped him, she let out a burst of manic laughter, she would be sure to cause him as much pain as possible throughout the duration of their time together.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

And now insults and compliance, paired with the sudden flash of pain as she sought an outlet for her own vulnerability. He accepted the words, and the slap, without comment, his silence its own shield. He had no need for words, though her assumptions brought a smirk to his face. He wouldn't take his pleasure from her, not yet at any rate. No, tonight her body would surrender to his touch, just as she'd surrendered to his armies. Another conquest to add to the pile.

He wasted little time now that she'd relented in her resistance, his fingers finding their way to the lips of her sex. Brushes that ghosted along the sensitive skin, teasing touches only hinting at the deeper intentions. Her defiance left little in the way of lubrication, which would make pleasuring her difficult, but the body would provide given the right... motivations. He was not expert in such matters, despite the time he'd spent with women on many a night, but he knew his way well enough to draw out that which he sought.

 

[rockinzoe]

Although she had expected something to come it had still been a shock when he touched her, a slight gasp of surprise escaping her lips. The touch had been gentle too, something else that was unexpected, Anna had expected his hands to be clumsy and rough with her, before something else was forced in its place.

Still she wasn't turned on, she knew he could touch her all he liked and get no response from her. Despite still being unclaimed by man, the Princess was not inexperienced, the delights of tongues and fingers were not strangers to her, though she must not think about those times now, not when it could have an adverse affect on her body in its current predicament.

She tried to think about her revenge, how incredible it would feel to stick a blade in his neck, watch the life drain out of his eyes. She tried. However each time she played the scenario out she found thinking of him made it worse.

That was when the worst thing happened, she felt it. The slightest amount of lubrication produced by her body was now making its way to his fingers. Shit.

If she could get her face any further away from him, any further in the opposite direction she did try, as a slow blush covered her cheeks and chest.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

In the dim light, the shadows over his face did an excellent job of hiding the small, satisfied grin that spread across his lips. Try as she might, her body reacted to his touch, providing him the smallest amount of its gifts. It wouldn't be enough, not nearly enough, but it was a start towards the now inevitable end.

With his fingers only just coated, he still wouldn't push his fingers into her. But his teasing fingers did grow bolder, ghost touches becoming more confident, slipping just beneath her outer lips to tease at the more sensitive flesh beneath. He was eager in his own way now, eager to watch her squirm, to hear her voice, to feel her deny the feelings he would give her, only to ultimately fail.

 

[rockinzoe]

She let out the lightest of groans, his fingers felt good. Why could he not have been too heavy handed and then she would never take any pleasure in it? Why did he have to be light!

Her body arched ever so slightly, stretching herself out under him which only seemed to heighten her pleasure.
Even if he wanted her to, she couldn't physically look at him, couldn't bare to see the look of his face, probably the same look when he had beaten her in combat. Insufferable.

Arms held tight across her own chest, partly to protect them from any ideas but also because her hands wanted to touch him, wanted to grip his arm as the pleasurable hums went through her body, hold it as her body reacted to his hand more.

Emotions were mixed, part of her wanted to sob out, it had felt so good and yet so wrong, not in the fun wrong but right way, wrong because her kidnapper was giving her such tender pleasures

A small whimpering moan escaped her lips as her fingers dug into her arms.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

He could practically see the internal struggle, the white knuckled grip upon her own arms, fingernails digging into skin. But her tiny vocalizations gave her away, the subtle arch of her back against his touch. If that were not enough, her body gave of itself more freely now, the wetness of her providing easier access to her sex, as if inviting his touch, eager to be pleasured. She might not wish it so, but her body was more than honest enough, and it would be his personal delight to see her body give in fully.

Now that she was more pliable under his ministrations, he became bolder still. Fingers slipped into her now, seeking to reach into her depths, curling against her inner walls, pulling pleasure from body, moving slowly, so very slowly. All the better to draw out this torturous pleasure, to make her succumb and know it fully. He chose a goal now, to hear her cry out, to hear her voice rise inhibited by her denial. He would have her voice ringing in his ears, or he would draw this torture out longer and longer.

 

[rockinzoe]

It was so smooth, the way his fingers slipped into her, it made her feel like she was soft butter being spread over a warm piece of toast. Her back arched pushing her head back into the pillow, her eyes closed so as to avoid seeing him, before melting back down into the bed.

With the damned war consuming her country for the last couple of months, pleasures in life had been forgotten about. Anna had been too busy talking to her people, training with her brothers soldiers and the occasional nursing of wounds, the result being she had quite forgotten what life was like before war.

Her hands dug harder into her arms, pushing her chest together actually hurting herself a little before she relented. A hand flashed out gripping his upper arm, gripping it and without meaning to pulled it closer against her.

Another small moan escaped from her lips, it bloody felt good.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

Her resistance crumbling, Raif took the opportunity provided to him and began to move his fingers more aggressively. What were once slow, ponderous motions became sharper and quicker, seeking to drive her ecstacy ever higher. Her own hand gripping his arm only encouraged him in his actions, proved to him that she was moving towards the seeking of pleasure now, instead of denying herself. For the first time since he began to touch her, his rough voice emerged into the nearly silent air, but for her quiet moans.

"Tell me, Your Highness, are you feeling good? Does my touch bring you pleasure?"

 

[rockinzoe]

No. It did not bring her pleasure. It brought her humiliation. It brought her anger, hatred, rage even. But not pleasure. Except his fingers were releasing a long standing tension she never realised she had held.

"No" The words emerged in a whisper from her lips. No to his questions, No to her own body which was reacting too well to his touch. No to what would be the utter humiliation she would have if her brought her to the peak of her pleasure.

She would not allow it, think of her country, her people under the rule of his, their vulnerability and helplessness. Except those thoughts kept bringing her back to her own situation, how she was in the same position as those she left behind.

Then she felt it, that hill being climbed, her body tensing as it tried to focus on its pleasure, building up the pressure inside her, her breathing ragged and then stopping altogether as it reached the summit. Her body arched and stationary as his fingers continued bringing the first wave of pleasure, the first relief. Anna squeaked, then moaned as she gasped her first breath of air, a moan of both delight and devastation. She could feel herself clenching around his fingers, those damned digits causing waves and waves of pleasure in her body.

It was a relief when it was over, though she feared what would be next.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

He watched her body as it gave in, even as the word of denial emerged from her lips. He felt the sudden tightening of her core, muscles driven to the limit as they clenched tight. He felt her walls around his fingers, clinging to him, using his touch to drag every ounce of pleasure it could. She might deny him with, but her body sung its honesty, her moans the call of her pleasure made manifest. He could feel it himself, the lustful desire to take her here and now, but discipline more than won out. He had plans, and though it would bring him temporary satisfaction to know the pleasures her body could give, he sought more than mere physical pleasure from her.

As she came down from her high, body finally relaxing, he slipped his fingers from inside her. He took a few moments to watch her, to observe the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she regained her breath, to see the shuddering aftershocks that rocked through her frame, the slight shine of sweat along her skin glimmering under the last vestiges of candlelight. But the time for touching was over, and after those few moments of observation he laid himself down, back resting on the furs. There would be opportunity aplenty for more, of that he was certain.

"Best find your rest, Your Highness. We've a long ride ahead of us tomorrow."

 

[rockinzoe]

Anna let go of his arm as soon as her mind sobered up from its pleasures. She could have wept, she wanted to cry but she refused to be the simpering Princess, that is what would be expected of her. Her body tingled, a gentle ache of satisfaction between her legs, a warm glow on her face. This was possibly worse than she expected, pleasure albeit a forced one had thrown her completely, torture or cruelty she was prepared for at least.

Sleep came eventually to her, but it was not until she could hear the gentle snore of the King beside her, even then she woke up too early and feeling unrested. Rising from the bed she could feel her own wetness sticking to her from the evening before, quickly she moved to the basin of water, washing herself despite it being icy cold. Despite everything she had changed hidden from view, picking at some food on the table and wrapped herself in her cloak.

It must have been early, on peeking her head outside the camp was quiet. She stood waiting silently, who knows for how long, until the Kings horse was brought around.
By the time he was ready Anna was already sitting silent and pale on the front of it.

 

[WhisperedDesires]

He had rested well, despite the relatively unfamiliar weight of someone else in his bedding. He awoke after she had left the tent, gaze scanning the room in a halfhearted attempt to find where the princess had gone. She had little hope of going anywhere on her own, the only real option to remain within the encampment. Her own loyalty to her people, to her need to keep them safe, would ensure she remained.

His own morning routine was simple and swift, a few servants moving swiftly to supply fresh water and a light meal. He didn't bathe, no time, but he splashed the warm water onto his face to wash the sleep from his eyes. He was dressed soon after, emerging to the hustle of the encampment being torn down just as swiftly as it had been put up. An hour later, and a brief walk around again to speak with the men, and he made his way to his own horse. He was pleasantly surprised to find Anna already mounted atop it, looking for all the world like she was headed to her own funeral. Perhaps, in her own mind, she was, though Raif had little intention of ending her life. Admittedly, he had intended to let her ride on her own horse, but if she was going to be making assumption about her place, he wouldn't dissuade her of the notion. He mounted the horse himself, keeping just as silent as she, and with a final check of those around him he signaled for the column to begin the days march towards the border.

It was a long, dull ride, the steady beat of booted feet upon the earth the only real sound to be heard. Raif, after a few hours, finally broke the silence, gruff voice spoken just loudly enough so that only Anna would be able to hear him.

"Tell me, Your Highness. How was your rest? Well, I hope." His voice held the clear signs of his mirth, for they both knew he was speaking of more than just sleep.