Tu Fui, Ego Eris

"What can you do against the lunatic who is more intelligent than yourself, who gives your arguments a fair hearing and then simply persists in his lunacy?"

- George Orwell

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Chapter 9: Nihil Est Miserum Nisi Cum Putes

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Hewie sat in the garden, stretched out as he yawned, relishing some rest after that chaotic few days. He had long come to accept this place as his home. Only now, however, did it feel like one. No cage or pen, no being thrown food by a monster…No need to protect the fair maiden he had befriended. He would always be on guard, but now he knew his place. That man had staked her as his mate; he could smell the hormones between the two. And in the dog world, there was nothing unusual about an older male breeding a younger female, not to mention incest. It was frowned upon, yes. Avoided if possible. But even human beings threw two of their own kind together to produce what they considered “perfect” offspring.

Not that the dog cared. As long as she wasn’t being hurt, there was no need to worry. He sighed and laid his head down, atop his front paws. The dog wasn’t too far from the large flowers he was asked to retrieve before, the ones that made him sneeze. He could still smell that giant…thing around. But subdued, as though he didn’t want to be seen…Hiding. And now the maid was dead, which he was more then happy about. Second only to the giant, she was the one he hated next. He had come to also despise Riccardo a good deal, until he starting taking charge in a more humane matter…Until he saw the way Fiona acted around him when he saved her life. Then hate turned to respect. As it often does…

Yet he was no pushover. He would keep an eye on anyone in the castle. Most especially the giant…But Riccardo as well. The minute he hit, smacked, or tried to otherwise hurt the woman…The minute he would be subservient no longer. He was the beast waiting in the dark. Eyes luminous and body tensed…

What Hewie didn’t know himself, was that this place had already changed him. A piece of the scenery…If they were to paint a family portrait right now, he would be there by the Lady’s feet. A collar of rubies and diamonds, and a look of submission, as well as honor, in his face.

Dogs live in the here-and-now, they don’t ponder on the future…They have no ability to do so. Yet even he knew that there was something grand, something beyond him going on here…These humans…If he could call them humans…Were far from normal. They had knowledge beyond anything even the most brilliant scientists couldn’t fathom. Secrets, abilities that stretched before the beginning of time. And even Hewie knew what Riccardo had planned for Fiona, and that very soon…Fiona’s womb would hold it all.

It would hold the future for not only the family…But for the world.

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Silence.

If Fiona thought it was an awkward table before…She had no idea.

Dinner again. She swore she just ate…But in realization, it had been about five hours. She was with Riccardo for a good many hours as he played. Fiona wished she could say she wasn’t happy about it, but in fact she had rather enjoyed playing piano again…Even if it was next to someone she hated. She swore she hadn’t blushed so much in her whole life. It was like her face was permanently red from here on, it still felt as though it was burning red…

She sat at the table, no food in front of her yet. However, she had heard cursing from the kitchen. It made her smile and laugh, though she tried to keep it low. She didn’t want to give Riccardo the satisfaction of eliciting in her some kind of joy in this place. Yet she dare not move, despite the fact that she knew very well that she could. She was half afraid of his way of “punishing” her. Not so much using pain as using dominance to gain the upper hand. Her rump almost started to blush again at the thought.

And well…She was hungry.

Amongst the swearing she heard plates and pans falling and clanging. She knew he was having a hard time. Cooking had been the maid’s job, she was sure he wasn’t used to doing everything himself. Fiona was half-tempted to get up and even attempt to help him…Then remembered who he was. It didn’t take much to get her upset again.

That being said, at least she didn’t have to wait for long. Riccardo came out after about fifteen minutes time, carrying a pot with a lid on it. For a moment her heart dropped as she feared it was the same one from before, but knew that the man couldn’t be that sick, could he? Upon closer inspection, the pot was shorter. The most amusing part was that he had an apron and heat mittens on.

Fiona tried to at first keep it behind closed lips, but then exploded into absolute laughter. That had to be one of the funniest things she’d ever seen.

He didn’t flinch, but instead rather expected to be made fun of. Making a “Hmmm…” Nose in his throat, he placed it down between the two seats. Again she was seated at the side of the table near the end, so he could be closer to her. Once upon a time, the table was built just for the home because of the large amount of clones that were created at a time. It used to be that two, three or so were created at one time. This coupled with the creator and the servants of the home meant more room was needed. Not to mention it had to be ornate, and fill the large dining room itself. Now…Well, now it was just unnecessary. Only two people dined there, Lorenzo and himself from before…And now it was just him and Fiona. He could see that with time this would change…He could just see his next incarnation seated at the table. And the next, and the next…

Why, he could see the whole table filled…There was room enough in the castle for all of them.

“Very funny…”

Fiona stopped laughing almost immediately after she started, and covered her mouth with her hand, looking down. She had for a moment let her guard down and forgot her place. But she was surprised to find that he did not appear angry with her, but instead had on a large smile. It was a sly smile, and in his eyes she saw just how focused he was on her. He stood there and wiped his hands with the apron, and immediately afterwards reached behind his back to untie it, and drop it on the floor.

“I’m sorry…I…I-”

“For what, M’Lady?” He questioned, giving her a quizzical look.

“For laughing? Dear, this is you’re home…Don’t act like some prisoner and think you can’t have fun…”

Instead of reassuring her, it seemed to depress the woman. She looked down and away, and bit her lip as if to stifle something. But in the end she knew she just had to let it out.

“…But I am.”

Riccardo’s expression went from playful to stone. His eyes locked on hers.

“…I am. I can’t leave. You keep forcing me to sleep with you…”

Riccardo actually giggled, and her face whipped around to look at him as he smiled and laughed…Laughed like he did on that cliff. Like he did after he killed her parents. It made her angry all over again. Afraid…All over again.

“You cannot be serious, Fiona? You are not ready to leave the castle. You cannot be trusted, you will just run away and cause a scene for yourself-”

“As long as I got out of here, what do I care if I make a scene!? And in front of whom!?”

“Love, please don’t shout. That’s rather rude-”

“What’s rude is you murdering my parents and kidnapping me!”

“I said, Fiona…To keep you’re GODDAMN VOICE DOWN!”

Fiona was utterly shocked at his sudden turn around, going from such a calm demeanor to one of an absolute psychopath…She saw in his eyes, irritation, rage, and betrayal. They burned and singed like the fires of Hell. She flinched and awaited a hit as she closed her eyes, and her hands came up to grasp her chest in reflex. She waited for the smack that never happened.

Instead, she jerked as he very harshly grabbed her shoulder, yanking her more into his direction.

“…I was done hitting you the moment you gave yourself to me…” He informed in a low, dangerous tone.

“…But don’t tempt me, dear. I have other ways to punish you. Ways that you might even come to like.”

Now she shivered as he ran his hand down her arm, and to her hand. Yet she knew that she had to get it all out…Part of her wanted to understand more about her captor’s mind. Try to piece together something of an explanation as to why this man was so mad, and so intent on keeping her hostage. Sure, he had told her about his ‘plan’, if you can call impregnating you’re niece a plan…But that couldn’t be it, could it?

She was too curious for her own good…

“You say one thing, but do another…” She mumbled, and tears began to flow. The words came out garbled and pitiful.

“You say I have freedom, that I can do what I want, that you’re my servant…That…That I own this place…But what kind of freedom is not being able to leave!? I’m a prisoner!”

Riccardo stood there…And he watched. His Lady was crying. It was everything he never wanted to see…

What part of a soul the homunculus had… ached, and for that split second he felt pity again. Sadness. For a moment he took it all in and relished the feeling, for living on this Earth for fifty-two years, this was the first time he had ever felt such a strong feeling of both guilt and despair.

Slowly, he reached out and cupped her lovely face. It looked to be crafted from the finest porcelain and lit with the light of angels…They had lost the red color from before. He remembered back fondly to the time in the music hall, and even last night were shared a bed for the first time. And he made sure that tonight he would seek the same thing.

And like music soothed a beast, sex soothed a man. Especially this man…If he could be called that.

Aroused already, sighed long and hard, he kept his hand on her face and gently moved his fingers in a circle about her jaw. Already…he could see her calming down. Her tears stopped, and the look of terror eased and was replaced with watchfulness, and caution. That, he could handle. That…He could appreciate.

“Dear…Please understand me. At least…Attempt to understand what I’m trying to do, here…”

She looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot, shiny, watching his own similar blue eyes for any trace of humanity…

“I care for you, Fiona…Even if you don’t think so…” He admitted, and didn’t like doing so.

“…And, truth be told…I don’t want to hurt you. Even if it seems that way. I don’t want to yell at you, either. The truth of the matter is…You will stay locked behind these walls until I say so. Because, beyond those doors, it’s a different world for all of us, now. I can’t lose you…I won’t lose you.”

“Quite sincerely, my dear, I won’t allow you to leave. You may be my Lady…Yet I am also the you’re Lord. And that means that I own you.”

Fiona shook her head a little and sniffled.

“No…No, you can’t own a person…” She maintained.

“You said…You said I wasn’t you’re slave…”

Fiona wrenched her hand from his grip, and stared straight ahead. She was tired of arguing…She was just too hungry and sickened to care right now.

“Let’s just eat, please…” She swallowed, and reached over to the pot of…Well, she wasn’t sure yet. But it did smell good.

For a moment he hesitated, rather caught off guard by her sudden change of behavior. Yet he was also glad…He really didn’t want to keep putting the woman’s thoughts down. He didn’t want to see her upset anymore…

“Yes, of course…” He nodded, and went to serve her by taking one of the large ladles.

She was about to comment that she could serve herself…Yet she never did force the words from her mouth, she was a bit afraid of offending him again.

“What is it…?”

“Minestrone soup. It has vegetables, rice, pasta…You’ll like it.”

Flinching, she realized she really didn’t want to eat soup again…That last time had made her so sick, she feared she’d never look at it positively again. Riccardo didn’t know how to make much, and was going by one of the most simple recipes in the book. He understood she may be hesitant, but that she had to “get back on the horse” sooner or later…

He poured it into her bowl, and she had to admit it looked delicious. It smelled just divine.

“It does look quite good…” She irked out, not wanting to admit it.

“I’m glad you think so…Damn near killed myself making it.” He grumbled, and after pouring his own, he had a seat.

Fiona hesitated for a moment, and closed her eyes as she said something even she couldn’t believe.

“I want to say grace, first…”

Just as he was about to take his first “bite”, he stopped in looked over at her, with a look that could only be described as…perplexed.

“I’m sorry…?”

“I want to say grace…Can I?”

Riccardo stared at her for a moment. Since when was she the religious type?

Ah, her mother…

He Didn’t know much about the woman that gave birth to his Lady before him…He supposed he should be grateful to her for birthing the family’s only hope.

Besides knowing her in the…Physical sense, Ugo always complained that she was a bit of a bible-thumper. Very strict and applying God to every facet of her life. She was also a terrible hypocrite, sleeping with both of them out of wedlock on the same night, and asking for forgiveness from her “God” the very next morning.

Riccardo himself didn’t believe in any one uber-God, nor did any alchemist with any sort of intelligence. They were the earliest scientists, after all. Rather their believes translated to that of a more Pagan nature, that the Earth herself was the only progenitor. He was surprised Ugo and her hit it off so well, he wondered if she had converted him…

Now her daughter sat before her. Funny how things come full-circle like that…

“You can do whatever you want, M’Lady. Yet you must lead it…I don’t believe in such silly things, so I have no experience in doing it.”

“It’s not silly!”

“Well, that’s you’re opinion. It just happens to be wrong, that‘s all.”

She proceeded to look rather upset, her eyes tearing up and lip quivering…

‘Act fast, Rick. You’ll lose her…’

“I’m sorry, dear…I…Just, do it, okay? Go ahead…”

Fiona sat up and looked at him, surprised he was at least half human, and responded to her in such a way…She clasped her hands together on the table and bowed her head. Riccardo looked around and did the same, God did he ever feel like such an ass…

“Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen…”

She wanted to stop immediately after she said “Bless us”, because she didn’t want any such thing for the man across from her…Yet realized that wouldn’t sound very “Christian”, would it? She unfolded her hands and kept her head down. Especially right now, she didn’t want to look him in the eye. Every time she made eye contact with that beast, she swore she could feel them moving over her. She still felt repulsed for what happened last night…And now she got the feeling he would try again. And really there was no doubt in her mind that he would.

Riccardo ate across from her, and watched her every move like a bird watcher studies a new species never before seen. She was tentative, quiet, almost afraid to touch the food or even look at him. He didn’t know how much longer he could cook like this. It was a royal pain in his ass. Yet he supposed with Fiona here, there would be no other choice. He couldn’t just make a new maid after what happened last time. Though the idea and challenge was tempting.

Hiring one from the outside world was a concept that graced him on more then one occasion…Yet he wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but he leaned more towards the negative. And he couldn’t have Fiona trying to appeal to somebody that could help her escape, or make her tell some authority figures…Christ only knew what would happen if the government got a hold of either of them. They would both be treated like guinea pigs when the found out what they were. Experimented on, then when they died, taken apart and dissected…All while his line died out. It made him ill. And it scared him.

“How are you’re stitches doing…?” He asked in as casual way as he could muster.

Fiona sort of blanked out, and it took her a while to realize what he was talking about. She had totally forgotten all about it.

“Uh…Fine, I guess. They don’t hurt…”

“None of them popped out? There’s no infection?”

“I don’t think so…”

Riccardo nodded. “Good.”

“I’ll have to take a look at it later…”

Fiona swallowed. She didn’t like the sound of that.

“I’d…I’d rather you didn’t…” She actually couldn’t believe herself when she said it.

“Well, I’m afraid it’s in you’re best interest, dear. So you don’t have a choice in the matter. Just as giving yourself to me helps us both. When I am born again, it will mean we both can live together as one, beautiful being for all eternity…”

The heiress shivered, and said no more. She wanted to argue…But knew it would just erupt into another argument. And quite frankly…One does not argue with a mad man. Especially one holding you captive, with your life in their hands. She didn’t want to push the homunculus too far…

Besides, she wasn’t eating her food.

It really was pretty good. She wondered if Riccardo knew this sort of stuff already, or followed a recipe. She almost asked, but realized her hunger too quickly and proceeded to eat the rest rather fast. Next she went to the bread, dipped it in, and swallowed it just as fast. She wondered to herself why she was so hungry all of a sudden, but didn’t give it much thought.

“Enjoy it?” He asked, he had finished mere minutes before her. Pushing it aside, watching her carefully.

“Yes, it was quite good, thank you…”

He nodded, then proceeded to get up, walk over and collect her plate. As his hand reached towards her, she shied away and backed up in her chair. But it was innocent, and merely took the dishes up and away, stacking them on his, and walking towards the open kitchen door. She sat there for a few minutes, trying to collect her thoughts the best she could.

Riccardo had served no wine this time…And she wondered why. A part of her told her a reason, but she shuddered at the thought, and it repulsed her to the bone. One thing she did know for certain, was that this was her chance to fight back when he advanced…Say “No”, get him off of her. Perhaps Hewie could even help her…God, she forgot about the dog, where was Hewie!?

She stood up quickly, and walked away from the room, going out by the steps on the stairway. Already she was learning the layout of the castle. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea or not. Really, she had not planned to stay the rest of her life here.

Going up the stone stairway, she made her way to what had been dubbed “her room” for now. Though she shuddered to think of it more as “their” room considering they slept in it last night. She averted her eyes from the bed, the “scene of the crime”, but couldn’t when she realized Hewie was in fact sleeping on it.

Ewwww…

“Hewie!”

At once, Hewie recognized his wrong-doing, and jumped from the bed. It sprang and made a creaking noise as he did so, and when he landed he shook himself off out of sheer instinct. He knew from his last owners that he wasn’t supposed to sleep on the bed. He had forgotten himself.

Yet Fiona wasn’t yelling, she was just excited to see him. Not to mention, wanted him off that perverted bed. Wrapping her arms around the dog, she snuggled the large animal as hard as she could. She wondered if this was the way it was going to be forever…If she was destined to live her life in fear. And she knew though, that as long as she had her dog…Everything would be alright. She could do it.

Stroking the dog’s head, his ears, his scruff, she drifted off into her own thoughts. Meanwhile, Hewie drifted off, himself…Instead, wondering when someone was going to feed him again…

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LATER…

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Cleaning the kitchen had been a bitch. The dishes were bad enough. Yet there was the stove, and everything else. He realized there was just no way he could clean this whole castle nearly as well as the maid did. Then he had an idea, he would have a cleaning crew come in perhaps once a month and absolutely bleach the living hell out of the whole place. Sure, he would have to make some…Changes. Traps would have to be disabled permanently, some things hidden and gotten rid of. Yet as long as he only let them into the castle and not the mansion…Not yet, anyway…Then it should be okay. Perhaps him and Fiona could even get out of the castle completely when that day came. That was sure to make her happy.

Even he wanted out of this place sometimes…He got that opportunity once a month, when he went to town for supplies. Yet it was never an adventure, exactly. He went to the same old stores, drove down the same road…One could say his life wasn’t exactly an interesting one. That is, except, if you forgot he was a clone and an alchemist. Besides that, it wasn’t exactly eventful.

Perhaps he could change that…He had the ability, now…With nobody around to tell him different. And perhaps even the newfound ambition to do so.

Yet deep down inside he was never a traveler, though there have been times in his life where he had to travel to strange and exotic places under Lorenzo’s command. And in those times, he had to acclimate. Strangely enough, he did surprisingly well. He would sleep in his car, book cheap, shoddy hotels that was more a hooker’s den then a place to sleep…Even once when he was very young, he had to sleep in the woods and remembered using a piece of moss on a rock as a pillow. All to get usual supplies for his and his master’s alchemical needs. The last time had been a few months ago; when he had to go to Scotland of all places. Though he hated being in the public eye, and wished himself hidden again behind the castle walls…He relished the change of pace.

The castle, despite living there his whole life, was the place he still sought to stay. It was his home. It was his family’s home…It was to stay in the family. He could just see his next incarnation living here and raising his own, and then their own, and their own…Ah, it was a comforting thought to him. How it made him giddy…

His thoughts once again turned to Fiona. She had become his obsession. His reason for living…

And if he were to lose her…He didn’t know what he would do.

Cleaning off his hands, he winced as the towel hurt the rough, dry and cracked skin that covered them. He couldn’t wait until he was healthy enough to at least feel better, if not look it. Setting it on the counter, he walked away from it and was just about to leave, when the dog came through the open door.

Great.

“What do you want now, you mangy mutt?”

The white shepherd came in looking rather earnest, like he wanted something right then in now. He whined a little and looked up, mouth opening and sitting at his feet.

“You’re hungry again?”

A small bark came from the bowels of the dog’s throat, and he grew restless in his sitting stance. Now he was being ordered around by the dog. Great. Things were going swimmingly…

“You fucking animal…You’re going to eat me out of house and home.”

Hewie just whined again, apparently only caring that he was heading towards the freezer for more meat. Riccardo pulled out a chicken this time, and sat it out on the counter to thaw. He cursed to himself, to think he just cleaned up…

No matter. He would just have to find something to occupy his time while the meat thawed-

Hewie jumped up and grabbed the chicken from the counter…

Well, less for him to do! Riccardo didn’t think twice, and walked out of the room, towards the bathroom…He thought he just heard the shower running.

And Debilitas didn’t shower.

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Besides the day previous, there was no other time that Fiona had ever wanted to take a shower. She looked for some clothes in the dresser, all of which looked elaborate, expensive, and from 16th century… And all of them, she had to admit, were gorgeous. She was so used to wearing plain-Jane school clothes or anything to hide her true figure. Instead…These accentuated it. And not a brassier in sight, at that.

The panties ranged from comfortable, normal pairs to smaller, more…Well, she saw them as skanky. Honestly. Yet she had to admit they looked fantastic on her. She winced, however, at the thought that Riccardo had to be the one to pick this all out for her or have it made. She didn’t know how or why it fit her so perfectly, but it did.

She was looking for a night-gown and found one, and again, it flowed down past her hips no more then the skirt did. It surprised her that it would be so revealing. Yet at least she knew why, if she was to be around Riccardo at all times, he would want as easy as “access” as possible. At least her sleeves were long, and separated near her elbow with a long slash down the top. It draped down and ended in small tassels that shimmered. At first she thought, surely they couldn’t be diamonds…Could they? She was shocked to look at them closer, and find that they had to be either real, or the realest looking fake diamonds ever made…

This nightgown itself most likely cost thousands upon thousands of dollars…

If Fiona was perhaps a very vindictive girl, she would have ripped the thing to shreds and tossed it in the fire. However, she didn’t exactly want to go about the castle naked and dirty. Not to mention…She always wanted to wear extravagant things. It was never bought for her, she was never allowed to buy it…She never went to an occasion that would demand it’s use.

She didn’t want to admit it…But she had never been spoiled, and she rather liked it.

It was low-cut, this time with a V-neck instead of a square. It showed her cleavage nicely, much to her dismay. And at the bottom of the V were some symbols she wasn’t sure of. To the right was a circle with a dot inside, to the left a crescent moon, and in the center was what she knew to be the typical symbol for the male, the circle with the arrow on top, pointed upwards. She wondered what it all meant. In the end, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Her mother raised her with such a staunch Catholic upbringing, she was afraid to even question the things that didn’t make sense, for fear of being lectured and sent back to Sunday school again. God knows she tried to on more then one occasion. It was best just to agree and go along with it then to fight…It was just her personality.

These symbols were far from Christian, and held some Pagan value, she knew it. Witchcraft, maybe…But defiantly alchemical. She didn’t know how powerful such symbols were. If they could do anything just by wearing them…She just kept telling herself that Riccardo wouldn’t do anything to hurt her in any way. He would never allow it…She hoped.

She put it about her arm, and walked down the steps. Making sure Hewie was following her, he pushed him into the kitchen and went to shower. Walking into the bathroom, she turned around and shut the door. How she hoped that her little plan would work, and she could be left alone…

Quickly- she undressed as she threw her clothes off and to the ground. Putting the nightgown on the top of the commode and jumping into the shower. She turned it on and screamed as the cold water hit her. Slowly, it was replaced by heat, and she stood for a moment as she relished the hot water drenched her tired, dirty, used body-

“SKKKREEESSSH!”

The curtain was thrown back, Riccardo behind it. She screamed in surprise as she tried to cover her naked body.

“What are you doing!?” She cried out, noticing the smile on his face.

“I just wanted to take a shower for God’s sake!”

She grabbed the curtain from him, and wrenched it away as she tried to close it herself.

“Just wanted to see you again, my dear-”

“Get away!” She cried, closing it all the way.

“Actually, I was going to join you if you didn’t mind…”

Fiona’s heart jumped into her chest, and her mouth refused to work for a moment.

“N-No! No, please…I‘d rather you didn‘t…”

There was no response on the other side. She tried again.

“Please! Leave me be, wait until I’m finished!”

Again, silence. Then he answered, and he sounded disappointed.

“Fine. I’ll see you later.”

Fiona listened for a long time…A very long time. He walked out, and still she listened…He was gone. The door opened and closed, and that was it.

A giant sigh escaped her mouth in relief, and she tried to recollect her thoughts once again. What exactly just happened? It was one thing to barge in on her like that…He had seen her naked yet again. And then when she asked him to, he just…left.

Was that all she had to do? Not run, scream and fight…Just tell him…To go?

Maybe…Maybe not. Either way he was gone. She hurriedly stated to complete the shower, soaking in the heat from the steam and warm water. She needed to soap up this time, no short-cuts. She cranked some soap from the dispenser nearby and rubbed herself everywhere. Arms, face…

Then she went lower, and scrubbed about her stomach. Almost immediately she felt her skin become sensitive and it began to feel very, very good to have her hand down there. She cried out a little at the sudden sensation, then went slower. Now wasn’t the time to become excited. She couldn’t afford to have Riccardo show up again. Fiona wasn’t sure if she could get him to leave this time. Not if he was determined enough.

And Fiona had seen him really determined…Apparently, this time he could wait.

She winced as she cleaned the parts he touched, the inside of her thighs were caked with their fluids, and she scrubbed hard to get it off. To think she walked around all day like that…She had no idea. Then she scrubbed between her legs as hard as she could. It hurt, still. Though it was more of an ache, it throbbed a little and she squeezed a tear from her eye when she reminded herself that Riccardo had taken her virginity…

He took a lot from her…And now she would spend the rest of her life trying to get just as much back.

There was some shampoo on the shelf, she squeezed it into her hand and applied it into her long hair. She often put it in a pony-tail because she hated it in her eyes, Riccardo apparently liked it down, seeing as he removed the band in it on two occasions. She would just have to keep it up, then. Massaging it into her scalp, she still trained her ears over the running water to listen for him. Still, he kept away. And she was grateful.

Waiting for a moment, then she rinsed, and with that rinsed the soap from her body as well. She didn’t bother with the conditioner…Right now she knew she was vulnerable in her naked state. The less time she spent clothed, the better as far as she was concerned. Rinsing long, and as hard as she could, she turned the water off immediately and stuck her head out of the curtain. No, he wasn’t there. But her old clothes were gone. Was he doing the laundry?

Fiona could only hope. She stepped from the shower and grabbed one of the clean towels. It was so soft on her body, it felt fantastic. She almost moaned as she dried off, wiping the water from her body and roughing it through her hair in an attempt to dry it without an electric source.

As soon as she felt dry enough, she flung the extravagant nightgown on. It draped just right from her breasts, and flowed downward. It was perfect…She couldn’t believe it. It made her look thin, and it accentuated her breasts just right. What the hell was going on here?

She tried not to think about it too hard…It might drive her mad. Something told her that wasn’t hard to do in this place.

Feeling a bit more confident, she sighed as she looked towards the mirror. Her teeth felt “fuzzy” and disgusting. She needed to brush them. What the hell was she to do? She didn’t have a toothbrush to call her own. Even at this point she was willing to use Riccardo’s. But she couldn’t tell which was which…

God, she missed home…

There were only two. She assumed that the maid simply didn’t brush her teeth. One looked old, like it wasn’t replaced care of a dentist’s recommendation for once every six months.

Then she looked at the other one, and realized it was brand new! She actually just about screamed in appreciation, he had prepared for her arrival…And the idea was sick, she knew, but her joy of being able to brush her now-disgusting mouth overrode it all.

Not to mention it was another part of her body that had been claimed by him…Her first kiss belonged to him, as well. His mouth was on hers…Tongue, too. It made her shiver, and she suddenly spit into the sink in a sudden act of repulsion. Yeah, she needed to brush her teeth, alright.

She grabbed it and memorized the color- white. Riccardo’s was red. She wasn’t going to be making that mistake. Getting the toothpaste from the cabinet, she spread it and started to brush. Fiona went well beyond the normal sixty-second rule, she brushed until her gums bled just a little…Then spit, rinsing her mouth out with her own hands instead of the supplied cup.

Fiona wiped her mouth with a nearby towel, then took a long look at herself in the mirror…She was always told she had a lovely face. A beautiful smile. Yet right now she just looked pale, scared… Small bags were under her eyes despite acquiring so much sleep…Even sleep so deep as what she’s had.

A long sigh fell from her lips, and she ran her hands through her hair. Or at least, tried to. It got stuck from all the knots. She needed a brush, too. Again she reached for the brush with purple hair in it, and looked at it more intently instead of just throwing it aside. She picked out most of the strands, then ran it under the faucet, and picked at it again. That was as clean as it was going to get, she decided. It would have to do.

It was just a bristle brush, so it couldn’t get knots out…But it would have to do for now. Brushing it the best she could, she set it back down on the small table. She really couldn’t believe she was actually settling into this place…It made her sick. She had to come up with another plan, she just had to…Before…Before…

“Before you get pregnant…”

She thought it, but she didn’t dare think it too loud…

---

He watched her from afar…Hiding behind the corner of the stairway so that he could get the jump on her. Watching her move even excited him. It brought back memories from the chase the day previous. She was attractive, yes, but that wasn’t the only reason why he was so enamored with her. Inside her she held anything and everything his sickly yet strong body craved. She was like water to a fish for him. And here he was, gasping for air.

This time she wasn’t drunk…Weak. This time would be a challenge.

Walking past, she headed towards her bedroom. She was cautious, looking here and there, her body shaking. He sprang up behind her, and zeroed in like a lion for it’s kill.

“’Ello, my dear…Ready for bed, yet?”

He swore the little thing jumped ten feet in the air, and then she looked sickly, and thought she may just faint again. Yet she kept her head, walking backwards slowly as she looked for the dog left and right…But no, she had seen him quickly eating a whole chicken in the kitchen. There was no way she was prying him away from that. She was a bit afraid he may choke on a bone, but he had eaten half of it already, with no ill effects. She would just have to fend for herself this time.

“Please! I just want to sleep by myself…”

He tilted his head at her, and gave her a look not so much of anger, as mock confusion.

“Don’t be silly, dear. We are Lord and Lady…Of course we are to share a bed together!”

Her breath caught in her throat…No, not again…She couldn’t let it happen again. She was on her toes this time, she had to fight back, had to think of something…

“An uncle and his niece should not share a bed together! Nor should…a father and daughter!”

As she said this, she walked backwards towards the door…If she could get to the bedroom un-harassed, she could try lodging the door again…She could talk him away this time, she convinced herself of it. His eyes glazed over a little, and he seemed to have transformed right before her eyes from a playful attitude towards an insane one…It was this side she saw in the mansion as he chased her. It was this side that she was terrified of.

‘Keep calm…’ Fiona told herself. ‘Don’t run…Don’t back down…’

When you run from a lion, a bear, a dog…A wolf. It gives chase. They were all predators, just as he was.

“And who fed you this…Nonsense, child?”

Her mouth almost failed to work. What in the hell?

“It’s common sense! It’s just…wrong.”

For a moment Riccardo just looked at her, and it wasn’t so much that Fiona “had him” in as much as he couldn’t believe what he just heard. She knew he was going to say something that was going to utterly shut her up.

“According to you, perhaps. But I’ll have you know it is not as horrible as you seem to think. May I inquire, miss, who told you this? Whomever it was knows nothing of common sense!”

Fiona stepped back again, shaking her head…What was he saying!? He truly was insane!

“Didn’t…That old man…“ She paused for a moment to remember his name. “Lorenzo! Didn’t he tell you the difference between right and wrong?”

She was disgusted to hear him sort of laugh and smile. It was obvious to the poor woman that she wasn’t changing his mind right now. Fiona didn’t know if she ever could.

“My dear…My child…I have read and studied volumes of books, literature, tomes beyond count. I hold knowledge on the whole Universe and her powers from the very dawn of time. I hold the key to the beginning and the end… Are you honestly questioning my intelligence? What I should and should not know? What I have been taught?”

Beginning to shake, she backed away even farther. He was starting to sound like he was before, back on that cliff…It seemed so far away, now…Hard to believe the whole chase, everything…Had already happened.

“For I am not taught my dear, only reminded. We both hold this knowledge. Yet of the two of us, only I have been versed in it’s ways…The ways of minds so great, they have been kept under secret for time beyond count.”

As he said this, he got closer, she stood her ground. Her breath hitched and she closed her eyes. ‘Don’t run, don’t run, don’t run…’

“I’m not…I’m not denying you’re intelligence, Riccardo…I just think you are a bit-”

She closed her eyes, she was so afraid to say it, but she had to…

“…Delusional. Ignorant…”

She braced for a slap that never came.

Instead, she heard him begin to laugh. It started low, then it rose just a little. Not as bad as before, but bad enough to make her wince and fear for her life. She was concerned the man was mad.

“Dear! Delusional? Perhaps, I admit. Maybe even ignorant…Of a few things. But all people are ignorant to some things in this world. Most in you’re circle, I’m sure are ignorant of alchemy and all the things it can accomplish. The whole of the world is ignorant to us and this place. What is the point you are trying to make, Fiona?”

He watched her, a bit angry, but more willing to debate then anything. Then he realized she was crying, and decided to tone down a little. Her eyes were plastered shut by her own tears, face down-cast…

“Fiona, I know enough to understand that…There can be…complications from a union such as ours. Yet those complications are easy to deal with. Rare. Unlikely. Don’t dwell on them. They will control you if you let them.”

Her eyes opened up just a little, and looked down at his feet in fear. Not wanting to meet his gaze…

“It’s wrong…”

There was silence between them, her words hung in the air.

“Do you think that, or do they think that?”

“…Both”

Riccardo made a “humph” in his throat. What was he to do with this girl? Technically, she was now a woman, but he would always think of her as his “little girl”, seeing as he genetically was her father, just as she mentioned. The thought itself didn’t bother him one bit. Only in that their child may have some sort of defect- but as he mentioned, such defects were indeed rare, and took many, many generations to show themselves. This in-breeding would occur only once…In which he planned to teach his creation to clone. Or creations, as the case may be.

“Well, regardless of what you may think…Or they, for that matter…In the day I lived, child, it happened more often then not. It happens, still. There’s nobody here but me to judge you, Fiona. This is you’re castle, you’re home. So lighten up, eh? I don’t have all night to argue with you…We can be doing…Other things...”

Another step. Yes, he was getting closer.

“I don’t want to…No…” Her voice was on the edge of tears, she sounded so weak, so terrified. Why? Didn’t he treat her to a good time last night?

“Dear, why must you defy me? It is not as if I am not careful with you…”

“I said no!”

There was another stand-still. A long silence. One filled with noises of displeasure on both sides. He moved closer, she moved back, and he would voice these concerns with groans in his throat. She would cry out a little, watching him like a hawk. Fiona may have said no…Yet he hadn’t tried anything in particular, yet.

Hunters always look for weaknesses in their prey…

And they always circle before they strike…

“Why?”

“I just told you why!”

“And I gave a reason why it was ludicrous to think so.-”

Fiona began to back away, faster then before. Not a run…Not yet. And he followed.

“Where are you going, love?”

“Leave me alone, please!”

Then he stopped, and watched. Only watched, didn’t move as she backed away, then turned around and walked towards the door, then through it, closing it behind her.

How DARE she…After all he’s done for her-

He gripped his side in a sudden jolt of pain. All the emotion starting to tear him up inside…And he remembered the knife-wound the old man inflicted back in the water tower. He had almost forgotten about it. It wasn’t bleeding, but it was sore, and a bruise-not to mention another scar-would remain.

It reminded him of what he had to do to acquire the girl, and in the end she curled up to him on the stairway. In his lap, sobbing uncontrollably. How he wanted to hold her again. Yet he wouldn’t be cast aside so easily…What he said last night held still. If she didn’t give in, then he would have to be a bit more forceful. He didn’t convince her, it wasn’t as simple as just not wanting sex…Because he was convinced that she did. She was just hung up on this whole ‘incest’ thing. He almost laughed at how funny it was.

No matter. He always got what he needed in the end…This time would be no different.

Slowly, he followed. He opened the door to find her walking slowly back to her room. No…Their room. It was their room. A guest suite, technically. He really never had a room of his own, only sharing one with his brother when they were children. Things would change, however. Perhaps in time they would have a room of their own that wasn’t made out of happenstance.

She looked back at him, he was quiet but she still had ears trained for his movements.

“Go away!” She cried again. In the end, Fiona knew, however it was a losing battle.

He did not answer. Did not need to. Only walked forward, determined, craven, mad. He had to have her, his gaze was set on lust, his face contorted into a sneer stuck on desire. For her. For only her…

She backed up and found herself in the corner by the door that led to the guest suite. Fiona dare not enter it, for she knew what would happen if she did. It contained a bed, and she would be helpless the minute she fell onto it.

“I don’t want to…”

“You are mine, Fiona. I will do with you as I will…”

No. No. No. No. Noooo….

Maybe if she fought back, if she fought back, maybe he would get the hint…

Riccardo at this point didn’t care. Perhaps Fiona got pregnant from last night…Perhaps not. All the science in the world couldn’t tell him that, yet. Until he was sure, he would have to keep trying. His potency ended last night, but there was still a chance his inferior semen could do their work. If he did it enough…Surely, there was a chance. He was positive she was fertile, and this was the time frame for it. There was no messing around.

“No…”

He knew that she was making it hard for him. Riccardo knew the girl more then she knew herself- she was hoping to make it difficult so he would just leave. It didn’t stop him in the mansion, it wasn’t going to stop him now. Back then she was running from him and absolutely enraging him so much he resorted to brute force. If she ran again there would be problems. But now…He had her cornered.

Once it began…He knew she would enjoy it. Was convinced. Positive. Sure…

And if not, well that was just too bad. What had to be done…HAD to be done.

He had to live on…

That possessive attitude returned. Demanding. He felt as if, if he could not have her, he would simply die.

Closer…One could always be closer.

Blocking her only escape, Fiona huddled against the wall. She shut her eyes and looked away as he sort of swooped in on her like a bird of prey. His right came up to hold her chin, and she let him move her face towards her. As horrible as it seemed to her, she knew she had no choice. That a kiss was…In the end, just a kiss-

Closer, he placed his lips over hers once more. Holding her delicate face in the most gentle way possible, he tried to be forceful yet careful at the same time. He didn’t intend to ever hurt her, only if need be. And if he didn’t need to, then he never would…Never could. She was far too sweet to destroy. His rough hands caressed her lovely cheeks and skin as they held her in place, his arms to her sides as he used his bulk to keep her at bay.

She moaned a little in his mouth, and her whole body melted under his touch. Her moan was like that of a woman being pleasured in bed, and as he leaned in closer his force increased. Mouth warm, hot, enveloping her. He tasted like wine even still, and she lost track of everything. Just a kiss, it was still just a kiss- Again, she cried, and couldn’t help but begin to kiss back. Her tongue responded a little at first, and he was far to eager to accept. He moaned back in response, and it was a pleasant one that made her quiver…In what, she could only describe as pleasure.

He broke away, and kissed her neck, her innocent, soft and unprotected neck. She moaned, a tear escaping her eyes as she pulled her head back voluntarily. He laid hard, passionate kisses on the pale surface of her jugular. She cried and panted just a little as she felt her loins ignite against her will.

The clone’s right hand came up under the nightgown, running along her side as it moved over her thighs, waist and finally landing on her breasts. She jerked and cried under his rough touch, squirming and trying to escape but knew it wasn’t going to happen. There was nowhere to run, and knew he would never let her just…Go.

Fiona let out a surprised, warbling gasp as he fondled her right breast briefly, the other hand holding her still, to the wall. He watched as she reacted, and she looked away in shame as she blushed profusely. He cupped it, feeling it’s weight and his breath accelerated in anticipation and excitement. Finally, he pulled his hand away, and she made a noise he wasn’t sure was relief or disappointment. With both hands he reached up and pulled the gown off her shoulders just enough to access the right breast, and she gasped in embarrassment as he held it again, his thumb brushing her sensitive nipple. She gasped and writhed against the wall, and he watched it all in the light of the castle this time. He titled his head and smiled as he did so, and as he worked her breast he leaned in, and came to place his mouth where his hand been.

She cried into the night air, his teeth scrapping her nipple as it jerked harder into arousal, becoming hard and ripe for him to play with. She contorted against the wall, under his touch as he held her with his left hand. The fact that he was holding her in place only sought to strengthen her arousal. Licking and sucking, he inhaled as much as he could into his mouth, and the warmth that he possessed was almost unbearable as she craved to be filled again.

His left hand switched from holding her, and ran down her right side, cradling her fat thigh and holding her plump ass. He gave it a little squeeze, and she inhaled sharply as stroked it, following her body rhythm as she moved under his touch. Then that same hand moved from the back to the front, brushing her sensitive stomach with the back of his hand. His mouth released her breast and kissed her chest, traveling upwards as he inhaled her scent.

Riccardo’s breath was hot to her sensitive skin. Her body continued to jerk and twitch like a rat caught in a trap, and he laughed under his breath in such a hot and bothered way. He traveled upwards to her neck, sucking at it as though he was going to gobble her whole. She panted and moaned as he pressed himself further against her, weight bracing her into the wall.

He held her right shoulder as he went to her mouth again, which she immediately returned this time. Her body head was rising and every part of her began to blush uncontrollably, she was as red as a beet and shivering, quaking in his grasp. And then his hand drifted south and slipped into her silk panties. She gasped in his mouth and pulled away briefly to yell into the air.

“Ah! No, not there…Ah!”

But no, he didn’t listen. She felt his rough, dry, calloused finger work it’s way into her folds. She backed up the wall, her body crawling with sensation. She wanted it out, but God it was all too much. She couldn’t resist any more then what she was doing. Why did it feel so sensational? He fingered deeper, inserting more fingers as he entered her slit open and made her moan and writhe, she was wet, slick, and her juices collected about his digits as he worked.

“Sto-stop…Ah God…No, don’t-”

Every time she protested, he delved deeper as a punishment. His rough skin brushed against her clit, and as he did this he pulled his fingers out and began to rub this exclusively as he leaned in closer, breathing in her fevered, red face that was sweating up a storm. He touched foreheads with her, and smiled and laughed at her position. She contorted and twisted as he fingered, rubbed, and toyed with the tiny organ that drove her mad.

In one fevered motion, he jerked away from her as if she had some sort of disease, and Fiona had thought for a moment something was wrong. It happened too fast for her to react, she stood there shaking for the next few seconds. Then he swooped in and grabbed her into his arms. She grasped, and whipped her head around to see them go through the door, and saw the bed. There was no turning back, now.

Riccardo, in haste threw her onto the bed. It bounced a little in response. He had a raging erection from the whole episode, but it could wait a few more seconds. Crawling onto the bed, afterwards, her heart quivered and it felt as though her whole body ignited on fire. He moved on top of her, and she cried out in despair. She swore to herself this wouldn’t happen again.

“Now, let’s get this off of you…” He spoke, and his voice made her heart leap as it’s deep, brutal tone seduced her it itself.

Taking the bottom, he easily and quickly rolled the new applied nightgown off her body, and pulled it off over her head. She cried out in a sort of protest, but it mattered little. Her breasts bounced just a little and he watched with eager anticipation. He flung the gown onto the floor as if it wasn’t worth thousands of dollars. Money was never an object to him. Especially now.

She laid there, naked…And this time, the lamp was on, and he could see every inch of her gorgeous body. Before she could move to cover herself, he did so for her, laying down as his right hand found her lovely waist, wrapping around it and tugging it close to his body. Her bare skin was pressed against his rough uniform and was at least grateful that he didn’t take it off.

The other arm found the back of her head, and pressed it into his out mouth as he kissed her in fluid passion. His body wiggled atop hers, which was held down by his sheer weight. All she could do was cry out, and she couldn’t exactly do that now. She kissed him back in response, without even thinking. When he began to fondle her again she gasped in surprise, to which he laughed in his sardonic way. He went to her neck again, covering it with soft kisses as she panted for air.

Tweaking her nipples with his left hand, he lowered his mouth to her right breast again. At this point she felt his erection again, poking between her legs as he ground it into her. It made her jump and wiggle, made her attempt to crawl away without going anywhere…

Creeping down, he moved down her body as she lay there, recovering and forgetting totally that she could have gotten up and ran away if she chose. She wanted to, but simply and utterly could not. Her mind was always on the run, her body was weak and chose to accept the pleasures bestowed upon it.

That’s when she felt him began to lick her…down there. She cried out in a shrill tone as she tried to get away, but he held her feet. She kicked in shock, and writhed as he licked harder, deeper, feeling the warmth of his mouth on her folds and womanhood. Harder, deeper, wetter, it made her sick and excited all at the same time. Her arousal deepened, body craved his penetration once more.

He finished, lapping up to her stomach and placing a kiss there. Then she watched in horror as she watched him undo his pants, untying the knot then pulling them down. Already she could see for the first time how hard and big he was. Or at least, it seemed that way to her. She didn’t have any other experience in the matter. Yet he sure as hell wasn’t small, that much was very certain. He slipped off his sandals with his feet and kicked them off the bed. His briefs came off and she looked away in shame. It was indeed the first time for her. She felt it before, but now…Now she saw it. And she horrified herself to find her body reacting in a positive way.

“No, I, I…I-AHH!”

She screamed as he grabbed her legs, and in one swift motion spread them wide. Her back arched off the bed and hands grabbed the sheets. She braced for it, and especially after just seeing it, knew she would need to. He spread her wider, and she tried to close them…but he was too strong, too determined. Too powered by lust. His hands, rough calloused and powerful, ran down her sensitive inside thighs, and she jerked in response like a cork from a bottle.

Moving between her unguarded legs, she writhed and protested to deaf ears. Little cries escaped her lips as she hit her head off the bed from frustration, and cried into the young night’s air. And in one swift motion, she felt his hardness penetrate her. She could feel it travel upwards and into her body, filling her absolutely and making her body stiffen and contort in response.

Still, he was careful with her even now. She had never been so aware when he bedded her, and to her it was as if it was the first time. He didn’t put himself fully in her all at once, but as he slid in he watched her face with cold, calculating efficiency. Her eyes closed, mouth open as she panted hard. He was but a mere inches from her face, his body and weight held over her as he held himself up.

He placed his lips upon hers again, and she moaned into his mouth as he gave her a short kiss. Then he broke as he started to thrust. Her body wrenched on the bed, twisting and moving as she reacted to each heavy and powerful movement from her ’lover’. He backed up, still inside her, and held her nice, tight, yet pale rear.

“You are mine, Fiona…Mine to take, and have whenever I desire…”

Pulling her towards him, she forced more of himself into her. She cried out in a combination of despair and passion.

“…Mine to possess…And pleasure for all eternity.”

She lay on the bed, back on his knees as he held her rear firmly, and there was no way in hell she was going to get away. Though she tried even still.

“You are mine, I own you…Every piece of you…Mind, soul…And body…”

He said this as he worked into her, thrusting slow and arithmetically at first. She took it all, and had no choice to. Her hands clasped still to the bed, grabbing at the sheets as her palms were sweaty and strained. Her head lay on the sheets, hair still wet from the shower and the beads of perspiration on her face only made her that much wet, slick, and clammy. He moved smoothly inside her, pulling her hips to meet him at every push. It created a marvelous rhythm that sent her breasts moving and jiggling.

And she…could feel and see it, and it drove her into madness to know that here body was unintentionally giving him pleasure. Fiona bit her lip to sustain the sounds of pleasure that she knew she was feeling. He filled her to capacity, and was incredibly satisfying to her body’s cravings. She felt, and heard him pumping her in a synched manner, gradually building up as her body seemed to signify. She curled her toes, her legs couldn’t help but wrap around him in an effort to force him off.

Moaning inside her mouth, she yearned for him off, it shamed her to be blushing red over every inch of her body…To be enjoying this. Yet the more she wanted him out, the better it felt. Pressure, harder, faster, built up inside her as she knew she was reaching her peak. Her mouth watered and she finally opened it to cry as it began mounting to a close. He plunged deeper, deeper, again and again, digging harder into her body then what she thought possible. Conjoining her, trying to become one with her as he grinded more and more into the reaches of her body. Two became one, and as she reached it, her body responded. For sex is like a dance, and it took two to tango. Her body started meeting his hips, moving upwards to feel even more of his manhood within her, feel his heat and skin brush over hers. Be in his control. Her legs closed around him, pulling him in as he plunged within her-

“No, NO! No, you… can’t, you can’t- I’m going…Stop it! Stop-”

She spoke as if in tongues as she reached climax, not wanting to orgasm for him again…Not wanting him to do the same and depositing his demonic seed inside.

“Almost done, love.”

And he said it in a surprisingly smooth manner. And as he did so, he thrust harder into her, pulling her tight, and came. Her back arched, and she cried out in orgasm as her body tensed, contorted, and clenched around him inside her. She grabbed the sheets as hard as she could, and emptied all her frustration and shame into the cry, as she knew she couldn’t move…Couldn’t fight back. That cry was all she had.

He moaned upon release, and panted above her as he watched her expression. It made him unbelievably happy. Filled him with warmth and satisfaction as he watched her body react to him. Watched her as she was obviously filled with pleasure but didn’t want to admit it. Then slowly it relaxed, and she let go of her hold on the sheets and her legs lay rubbery around him.

The sensation was too lovely…He didn’t want to pull out quite yet. Being inside her was the single most wonderful thing ever in his whole, incomplete life. He inhaled the scent in the air. Her sweat, his seed, their bodies…He knew, right then, that he had to have died and went to Heaven. The moment was too perfect. This was all too good for him…

Then it began to catch up with him, and he felt suddenly fatigued. He slowly pulled out, and as he did so she found herself hating the sensation of her being so empty…So void. She immediately curled into a fetal position, body throbbing and aching in response to his organ within her. It pulsed as it recovered. Fiona sniffled, shaking as she lay on her side…Trying her best to gather her thoughts.

He lay down beside her, chest to her back, running his hand along her side. She shuddered and moaned, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing her neck and ear tenderly.

“I can feel you’re Azoth running through me…” Riccardo whispered in her ear.

“I can feel…Every part of you, all throughout me…”

She shivered and moved a few inches from him…His words made her ill.

“I can…Feel you inside me…”

And he could…He felt electricity flowing through his body…Like he was on fire, bursting with energy and life. For a brief few minutes he would feel as though he were complete…His only regret was that it was not permanent. Perhaps one day…He could only hope. Riccardo had experimented enough on himself to know the effects of Azoth transfusion. Yet he still didn’t know if there was ever a point where the body could be sparked into producing more then what it was supposed to. Yet he had never had Fiona before…

Fiona gasped at the sudden horror of him becoming hard again behind her…For him, apparently, it didn’t take long at all. She didn’t know what he was talking about behind her, but it gave her chills.

Just then she knew that perhaps she could get away…Get out of his grasp and out of bed. Just to be away…And also, she needed to use the bathroom…Bad. Clean off, wash out her mouth again…Maybe another nice, long hot shower to cleanse her body of his ills.

He was still stroking her body, hands traveling leisurely up and down her sensitive side. If she wasn’t so hot right then, she would goose bumps. His hand traveled to her thighs, where he worked it between them and stroked the inside. She found herself moaning rather plaintively to his stroking, which was by all means rather pleasant. Tears forced themselves from her eyes at the concept.

Riccardo took her sounds to heart, they were music to his ears. He then played on them, stroking her a bit harder and dancing his rough fingers in circles on her sensitive, cold skin. Even now she felt like an ice-box. Like the pale moon…A winter’s cold night. He had no idea why it was so intoxicating…But oh how it was.

After all, in the cold winter one needs a furnace…

She continued to make small, little noises behind her closed lips. He could easily tell that she was rather liking this, and trying her best to hide it. Silly little thing. Just what was she trying to prove? Who else was there here to impress? To be judged by? Only him, and he was by no means one to judge.

Ah, he would have to broaden her horizons. She was an angel, perhaps born with wings but stricken down to Earth by her parents and stripped of them. He had to keep her bound to Earth until she gave birth to him, but he would be sure to give her the wings back. Wings of feathers and flesh…Why he could almost feel them growing on her back as he touched her.

“I want to go home…” She whispered, so she could say it…But hoped that he wouldn’t hear it.

“You are…Home.”

“But…I don’t want to be here. With you…”

“Sometimes, love, it’s not about what you want…It’s about what’s best.”

“What do you mean…?”

“What’s best for us and our linage…Is for you to be here, with me. And you will find through doing what you need, that you truly discover what it is you want…”

There was a long silence, and she piped in, unsure even why she did.

“If I wanted to listen to The Rolling Stones, I would…”

“Who?”

“Never mind…”

She started to crawl away from him, moving towards the wall. He felt her leave him, but instead of grabbing he let her- wanting to give her some feeling of freedom. It hurt him to pen her up too much.

Fiona crawled back and off the bed, and carefully stood up. Though, it was hard. Her feet were cold, and almost instantly she wished herself back in bed, next to…Him. She waddled…Because her legs hurt from the recent experience…over towards the railing in the room. She held it, and took a nice, long breath. Her vision cloudy, heart hammering still.

Right now she didn’t care if Riccardo was staring at her naked body. And she knew he was, she could always feel his eyes on her…She just needed a moment. Just a moment. To reflect…To gather her thoughts-

God, she didn’t even hear him that time. He came up behind, and felt him place his hands on her hips. She unintentionally gasped and moaned all at once, and shuddered…He was hard again, already. He wanted to go again, and she wouldn’t fight it.

He kissed her neck, holding her around her waist and preventing any such escape, not that she wanted to. She openly moaned in response, tears coming on again as she closed her eyes and leaned into him, savoring his warmth. She was tired of being the prey…Being the partner felt so much better.

“That’s my girl…” He whispered into her ear, his tone deviously happy.

She cried out as she felt him penetrate her from behind, and he bent her over the railing just a little. Her breasts bounded and her mouth watered as she braced for each push. He grabbed her thighs as hard, yet gently, as he could to go deeper. Each breath she took was labored…It was as though her very lungs were filled with him and his mass.

Spreading her legs a little, she suddenly felt him push in even more, and she felt that feeling of “wholeness” once more as passion grew in her stomach, his smooth rhythm sending her into a tizzy as she rode along rather then fight it. It didn’t take her long to come this time, and she felt herself explode into ecstasy right along with him, and she heard him cry her name. She hung her head in shame as she moaned…It parted her lips before she had a chance to stop it.

He leaned in over her shoulder, kissing her neck once more, nuzzling her like some needy tomcat.

“It can be like this, forever. Fiona…”

And that was exactly what she was afraid of…

---

ONE WEEK LATER…

---

That night seemed like just yesterday for both of them…But most especially Fiona. She remembered how he stayed in her for a few more minutes, but it had felt like an eternity. When he pulled out, she tried to follow him to keep as much as him in her as she could, and he smiled and laughed at the idea.

“We can go again if you’d like…” She remembered, his tone cheerful and…happy. Fiona thought it was the first time she ever heard him happy.

She shook her head lazily, and he complied. He had to admit he wanted to, but in respect for her sudden compliance, he let her go. Besides, she looked so tired…Ready to fall dead asleep. In fact, she almost fell into his arms. He carefully guided her to the bed. Pulling back the sheets, he lowered her into the bed and laid her there. She curled up like a child in her father’s arms, and a sort of warmth was brought to his cold heart when he saw it. It made him feel like a father already.

Unlike a father, however, he himself shed the rest of his clothing, arranging the hood and undershirt onto the floor in a neat pile. He did the same to Fiona’s nightgown. She would need it in the morning…Then she felt his warm body embrace her, and curled up into him as he held her close by the waist. She made small moans of despair as she did so, her whole body still throbbing and sore. So was he, however, drained of energy yet full of life. He nuzzled her and kissed her ear.

“Sleep well, dear.”

“I can’t sleep…” She responded…Despite her tired body, she was wide awake.

“Yes you can. Just close you’re eyes.”

“Perhaps if I think of…Happier times…” She commented, voice breaking as she tried to make him feel guilty.

It didn’t work.

“You’re happiest times are yet to come, Fiona. Now, go to sleep.”

And that fucker knew her too well…Because she did. She didn’t remember when, but she fell right asleep. Fiona did wake up a few times, only to find him still next to her, and she drifted off again.

Things haven’t changed much since then.

The days started to blur into each other…One like the next. She would like to say she was bored…But the fact of the matter was there was enough drama around the castle to keep her on her toes. It would be a good while for her to ever become bored with the place. She wished it could happen soon.

She took the habit of hiding around the castle. Trying to avoid him. He spent a lot of time in the lab, the room before where she destroyed the golem. Still, she didn’t want to see or hear him in any way…That was, until, night…Night, he was always there. Like a incubus, he came and visited her in bed. Usually, he led her there, took off her gown, and she would give herself up. His hard, scarred hands traveled along her thighs and back, making her shudder, making her heart race…

Not that nights were the only time…Oh, no…Far from it. Mornings were another, rarely was he never in the mood for an opportunity to ruin his morning erection. A few times he did so in the middle of the day…And she had to admit he caught her off-guard. She actually found that the best way for him to leave her alone was not to fight, but to seem uninterested. She had, indeed, got him to stop on several instances from doing this.

Life in the castle was not as horrible as she may have imagined. There were no chases, no attempts to murder her, torture her, hurt her…She had only seen Debilitas once, out her window in “their” newfound bed room. Her heart caught in her throat, and she stopped breathing for a moment…And realized he was only…gardening. That was it. That was all this creature actually did…

Fiona watched as he would water all the pots, coming very close to the window, where she hid behind a drape to avoid detection. He didn’t even bother to look in the windows, instead being so utterly focused on his work, no matter how simple it may had been.

He hummed as he worked…Some tune she didn’t recognize. She could only assume there was one place that he heard music, and that was from the music hall itself. She felt her soul practically bleed for the poor debilitated soul in the window. Had she not been so terrified…She would have walked outside and tried to communicate with him instead of hiding. Yet she knew that if anything happened to her at all…Riccardo would kill the poor thing faster then she could blink. She didn’t think…She absolutely, positively knew.

Riccardo prepared food for her, 24-7 as she desired. He always asked what she wanted, and she had never actually gave him a request. Except once, just the day previous she asked for that milk and honey concoction that he made for her before. He fetched it quickly, bringing it to her steaming in a glass. She could have sworn she gained a few pounds since her stay at the castle…Nothing noticeable, however. For the first time in her life she was eating real food, at a normal rate. Instead of feeling like a pig, she felt rather relieved and liberated.

One thing she hated taking, however, were the vitamins and supplements he forced on her. She had an idea what they were, even though he didn’t tell her. Perhaps they were fertility drugs, prenatal vitamins…She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that he made them himself, and that there were three of them, all different colors.

And she had been right- the drugs Riccardo had made everyday were exactly as she expected…Save for the third. There was a fertility enhancer, a prenatal vitamin…and something rather strange that the outside world never heard of, and wouldn’t have until centuries later. It allowed the ability to decide the sex of the child. The minute his sperm fertilized the egg, it would turn immediately into the two chromosomes, X &Y. And if she was, per chance, already pregnant, then the sex itself would be altered. If the child was born a female, then so be it…He could always try again. Yet the sooner he was reborn, the better for them all.

He would confront her with these pills once a day, with a glass of water. If she didn’t take them voluntarily, he would grab her…And force it down her mouth, and rub her throat like an animal. Each time he would have her open her mouth and check it to make sure it went down. She hated it beyond comprehension…Despised it as much as she did him. Fiona didn’t feel pregnant…Not yet. She didn’t know much about it, the symptoms, how long it would take…She knew that missing the period was a surefire sign. Morning sickness, too.

Nothing yet. Thank God. The thought itself made her sick enough as it was…She tried not to think about it, except for late at night…When he held her in his arms and she was about to drift off to sleep, she thought about it. What would she do? Could she get out of this place and get an abortion? Could she…Somehow find another way to get rid of the abomination that could be inside her at this very moment? Her body caring for it, growing it, treasuring it without her very permission?

It all made her so ill…

She had long since excepted that she may be in this castle a little while…Still, she knew she would have to find another way out. If she could but find the castle key…Unlock it, get out…The first thing would be to go to the hospital, make damn sure they check her out…Make sure beyond all possible doubt that she wasn’t pregnant…Because she wouldn’t want it to grow one more second in her body. Be inside her one minute more…She would want it ripped out, flushed from her system…Destroyed.

Or at least…that’s what she kept telling herself.

She knew…She knew that she could never, ever do that. Some people could never, despite any circumstances…Get an abortion. It wasn’t so much that she was against it or anything, it was the simple fact that she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The simple fact of the matter was that it was still a baby…A child. Her child.

No- She couldn’t think of that. She was going to get out…Or at least, hold on for the hope that she could. She couldn’t let herself slip into madness like the others in the castle had.

Fiona knew there was no reasoning with Riccardo…He would never let her leave. Despite knowing him very well in a physical sense…She had yet to really try and even hold a conversation. She had to admit her own fear of the man was making her uneasy towards just sitting down next to him and questioning his motives. Before she had tried to talk him out of sex…It didn’t work out as well as she wanted it to. Perhaps this time would be different.

Right now she sat on the bed in the guest suite. She wore a simple one-piece dress was snug about her waist. It was far from revealing, covering everything from her neck, shoulders, and ended at the floor. It was loose below the waist so she felt like she could run if she needed to. It was white with intricate designs, embroideries and ruffled edges. And it wasn’t silk, either…Just normal, ruffled cotton. She had to admit she loved it. Nervously she straightened her ruffled sleeves, crossed her legs and thought some more…What was she to do?

Hewie slept on the floor down by the table. Fiona had found a large pillow in the nursery…She didn’t like being there, it made her ill to think what could have happened and what could- but finding a bed for her dog had been worth it. It was red and made of satin. Riccardo had seen it but said nothing, he apparently didn’t care. Good thing too, because she had never accounted for his reaction.

She swore all that dog did was sleep…That and eat. The poor dog didn’t know just how fat that was going to make him. She sighed and plopped backwards on the bed. Right now she could go for a nap. Her body felt unusually drained…She wondered if Riccardo somehow had something to do with it.

The clock struck noon, it was very loud…Very soon, Riccardo would come through the door, asking what she wanted for lun-

Then the door opened slowly, and she knew who it had to be…Without question.

“I’m not hungry.”

Still on the bed, on her back, she kept her eyes closed as to not want to see him. She half-expected him to take her while she was on the bed, but no…His silence meant something else.

Her eyes opened and she sat up on the bed, he stood there, in his hand a small set of surgical scissors, the other a small bottle of liquid without a label. She sat back on the bed a little…A part of her told her he couldn’t mean anything harmful…The other part…The other part wasn’t wholly sure.

“What…What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer her at first, just looked at her with wide eyes, and tilted his head just a little. This frightened her, and she backpedaled a little on the bed.

“It’s about time for those stitches to come out. M’Lady.”

Riccardo walked towards her without invitation, and she hesitated…Then started to crawl backwards on the bed. The thought of him coming at her with those…Instruments of destruction…Was like something out of a nightmare. The man was mad after all…And in complete control over her. He could do whatever he wanted and nobody could help her. Not even Hewie, whom he had under his foot.

“No, I want a doctor to do it-”

Stopping, he paused to laugh, eyes hungry as he looked at her.

“Silly girl, you…I’m just as good as any doctor. The very first healers in this world were alchemists, my dear…”

Her skin crawled, and she stopped…Not so much reassured as much as she was frightened of repercussions.

“I’m well versed in the ways of medicine. So please, just lay down, and relax. The more you wiggle, the more likely you’ll get hurt.”

“…Hurt?” She questioned.

“Yes, I could accidentally poke you with these…Even if I did, it wouldn’t too much…”

Fiona bit her lip, drawing her legs up to her chest and looking at the small scissors in his hand. They were tiny and curved…Surely it wouldn’t be too bad, would it?

“Okay…”

“Alight, then. Lay back down, dear.”

She gulped, body shaking as she did as told. In the end she reminded herself to simply do as told…

If she didn’t…Well, what choice did she have? He was just going to hold her down, anyway.

“That’s a good girl. Now hold still.”

Closing her eyes, she looked away…At least, for the time being. Her body shook and trembled and he hadn’t even touched her yet…The mere thought was enough.

“Is it going to hurt?”

She asked this as he prepared the instrument. He opened the bottle and set the cap on the nightstand.

“It really shouldn’t…At most it might sting just a little.”

This unnerved her…But she couldn’t help but watch him now, eyes opened instead of welded shut as she saw him stick the scissors in the liquid, and recognized it must have been some sort of disinfectant. Then he set the bottle down with the cap, and came towards her rather nonchalantly. She snapped her eyes shut as she laid still and once again began to tremble.

“Lay absolutely still…It’s essential.”

Saying this sent a tremor through her body…It didn’t help one bit.

“Please just get it over with-”

As she said this, his hand reached down and took the bottom of her dress, pulling it up from her legs and thighs and over her body. She shook, reminded of the nights they shared…He lifted it up to her chest, exposing her lovely little stomach and thighs. Her skin tensed in response to his touch, as it still did, goose bumps forming where they could. His fingers traced over it, he couldn’t help but touch her in every and any way, any chance he could get. Slowly, he moved her panties down a little. She jerked, not anticipating this. A protest formed in her throat, but she held back…

He studied the stitches, they were a little red about the edges but besides that, no sign of infection. His fingers traced the pattern and she tensed, hoping he would just DO it already. Then he lowered the scissors and carefully clipped the knot at the end, and gently tugged it, she bit down a little on her lip as it DID sting just a bit…But not enough to feel hatred towards the man for it.

Another snip, another pull…One after another. She moaned a little in irritation, biting her lip again and trying not to move. Finally he pulled the last stitching out, running his hand along the small scar and making sure it was fine. It looked okay, save for the holes the stitching occupied, of course. He grabbed the solution from the nightstand and poured it upon the area, just a little, enough to wet it.

“There we are, good as new…”

Fiona was quick to pull down her blouse as soon as he pulled away, then retreated towards the head of the bed. He watched her in fascination…Even still, she was afraid of him…

The week, as far as he was concerned…had been wonderful. Every night had been full of sex and sleeping…Far be it from what he had been used to. Feeling a woman’s warmth as he made love to her, then laid in bed with her was the most wonderful thing in the world, no…make that, the world, and the heavens…He hoped it was what Heaven was like. If not, he could simply never die. At least, his physical body. His soul would continue to live on forever thanks to Fiona.

His affection for her grew by the day…She had an absolutely perfect body with the smoothest skin he ever touched, like silk. She was cold almost all the time, until he touched her, then she lit up like a flame at a lighter. When he looked into her eyes, they were the brightest, clearest cerulean blue he had ever seen. He saw intelligence, creativity, he saw submission in her eyes…Instead of the almost constant droll, tired expression…the dead look of either Lorenzo or Daniella.

He knew she hated him. And, she knew why. Riccardo always told himself he didn’t quite frankly…care what she thought of him. Though that attitude was changing. As he grew attached to her, he began to seek her approval…Much against his own wishes.

Now his time spent in the lab concentrated on different things. There was his usual research into himself- still unraveling the mystery of why he was and his genetic abnormalities. He was his own sort of sick fascination, despite his hate for himself. There was Fiona, whom he had a small slide of her blood from, whom he studied without her knowledge. Then there was other things…Alchemy was something that he would always strive towards, as much as It may have been dead to him and his family…Towards the whole world. It was what he was raised into, it was what he was used to…It was why he was created. An abomination…It was how he was created.

Now he studied himself and how Fiona had changed him. The results were not large by any means, but the fact that it was ANY result was beyond phenomenal. The dog Azoth, or the artificial Azoth he manufactured…Gave him a boost and nothing that lasted or made any permanent change. Fiona…She didn’t just give him a boost, a boost beyond anything he ever saw before…But was changing him little, by little…His genetic structure, changing. Azoth capacity, growing. Compassion…existing.

Exactly how and why he was trying to understand…Though he had a theory. Fiona’s Azoth wasn’t THAT powerful, only a little more special then that of an average being. It was Azoth that had gone undamaged, unchanged throughout the years. Perfected. Yet it was it’s pure, absolute nature…She was Aureolus Belli just as much as he was. Alya’s Azoth was there in form but not substance, there was no doubt in her mind that she was special.

Yet why would it change him so much? Already, he had tested his sperm count…It had doubled overnight. He was ecstatic. It was as though Fiona’s body had wanted him to fertilize her. Perhaps, subconsciously, it was Aureolus’ body reaching out to be reborn. And if so he was certainly grateful and glad for any help that he got.

Azoth could do many things. It was the universal solvent…It was part of the soul, the base…without it, one was incomplete, with it they were complete but normal. With Fiona’s Azoth, they were extradrodanry. And with that, they can do anything. He didn’t take Ugo’s Azoth because it would have meant bringing him back to the castle and risking Lorenzo getting a hold of it. It would have been worth it, he knew, but at the time he really didn’t care. In the end he didn’t care what he looked like or how young he was. It disheartened him when he thought about it, but not enough to send him into a mad fury to convert his brother’s Azoth. Especially his dead brother’s Azoth.

He wished he could have just sucked it from him then and there…Yet he didn’t have that ability like his creator did. Lorenzo knew how, but he never showed him this knowledge.

Riccardo wasn’t even concerned about the bodies that lay in the wrecked car. By now he was sure some local or poor lost soul had discovered them and the police came to take them away. Their bodies now in some morgue or unmarked grave. It was a shame it had to happen like this. A feeling like cold water ran through him at the thought of his brother…And he felt a chill like the sense of death upon him.

Fiona watched as he set the instruments down, and a look played across Riccardo’s face. It was a look she never saw in him before, a look beyond his normal scowl, his look of desire or triumph. It looked as though he had been shaken by something. She almost asked him what was wrong. Instead, she pried her own lips open and asked something else.

“How old are you…?”

She didn’t know why she said it…It just, came out. It was an awkward moment, and if she didn’t ask something it was going to get worse. For a moment he hesitated, a look of obscurity on his face. He was curious why she wanted to know, and it actually took him a moment to think it through.

“I’ve lost count.”

Tilting her head at him, she looked at his expression with a similar look of confusion.

“Lost…Count…? How can you not know how old you are?”

Riccardo laughed a little, and looked at her rather coyly. She saw him as a younger man in an older man’s body. He seemed to be almost playful in his advancements.

“In physical years, I’m fifty-four…But my soul…our soul…Has lived on for thousands of years. Generations beyond count.”

She looked at him blankly. Right now she tried not to focus on the concept of an ever-living soul…Instead that the man before her was the same age as her father had been. Which meant…Which meant more then she cared to think. That they not only were brothers, but grew up together…

Not to mention, he was older then she would have guessed. He wasn’t graying, though his hair was thin, and he really didn’t look that old…Nor did he act like it.

“Fifty-four? You don’t look it…” She mumbled.

Riccardo didn’t react at first to the compliment, though she didn’t mean it at first. After a few seconds, he responded.

“Thank you. Our blood ages well…We’ve perfected the art of staying younger, longer. Living longer…Experimenting on ourselves. Not to mention several formulae to assist…”

Nodding blankly, she heard his words…But focused on his expression. He was talking but blindly so. There was something else on his mind.

“I see…” Then she waited a second, and asked.

“Were you and my father…Twins?”

He stiffened…How did Fiona know what he was thinking…?

“As a matter of fact my love, yes we were…”

Yes, he was merely an embryo when Lorenzo realized he would be deformed…And decided not to abort his life. To this day Riccardo wondered why. If he was too merciful, or simply wanted someone to take care of him in his old age…He wasn’t sure. Either way it made him sick.

Lorenzo split the embryo with a chemical, trying to salvage something from the failure…And like that, he created Ugo. Surprisingly enough his own self survived the split, taking the brunt of the deformities, while Ugo seemed to had repaired himself as he grew and showed no evidence of it.

They grew in the same tank, side by side…They shared an umbilical cord. One that fed and developed them both. Lorenzo lovingly oversaw their development the same for both…Because, at the time, he was still a man capable of caring. Because of his nature, Riccardo had to be taken out and “born” first, Ugo having a few more days.

Technically, Riccardo was the older brother…And he was the original clone of Lorenzo, the “good” side forming his brother, the “rest” forming himself.

His twin brother, Ugo…It was true, though he never thought much of it until Fiona brought it up…

Fiona’s throat ceased to work…She just watched him. His expression looked disgusted and revolted at something. Perhaps himself. Instead, she watched him nod to her, and told her that lunch would be waiting downstairs. She found this unusual, because he normally asked what she wanted…Enjoying simply talking to her. Yet he seemed bothered, disturbed, and so he instead made his exit as quickly as he could, solution and scissors in hand.

The question came out long after he had left.

“Oh, Riccardo…Why, why…Why did you kill you’re twin brother…?”

---

Riccardo stood at the stone ledge outside the lab. Below lay one of the courtyards, grassy and well-lit this time of day. Down there led hallways to the music room and dining hall. Luminiscents, one of his fields of interest, disappeared here and there. He had no problem with them as he, himself, had so little Azoth they never chased him. Though Fiona seemed unnerved by them, and especially at night when they were most common, she tended to stay away from areas that they appeared. He would have to find a way to exterminate them if they continued to be an issue.

He sighed, and shook as another flashback overcame him.

This time he was looking through his creator’s eyes. He was standing at the doorway from the lab, looking as they played…They, as in, himself and Ugo. They were only just barely four…They were out on the ledge. At the time there was a wooden balcony to keep them from falling. It had since rotted away.

Ugo had a toy truck…And Riccardo wanted it. It didn’t help the fact that he had a toy truck of his own that Ugo had tossed over the ledge and then laughed about it. Lorenzo, of course, had refused to go down and get it. They weren’t allowed to walk down the rung-ladder, for good reason.

So instead, he watched as his child self stood there and pouted, arms crossed as he watched his twin brother play with his own truck. Making running noises as he ran it along the stone. Riccardo looked up at his father for assistance.

“Ugo ‘won lemme play with the tuck!” He had tried to say, not quite mastering his own words.

Feeling his father’s emotions, he knew Lorenzo had been irritated and impatient. In other words, he could quite frankly give a shit.

“Let him play, Riccardo. I’m really not in the mood for this right now. I need to get back to my work. Play nice, I‘m serious, now.”

He watched as, through Lorenzo’s eyes, he walked back to the lab. Riccardo, in the present day, shook his head violently as he tried to rid himself of the image. It wasn’t a pleasant memory…Because of what happened after that.

Riccardo had groaned and moaned over the fact that Ugo wouldn’t give let share…And for that matter, tossing his own over the ledge. He was always taking things from him! It wasn’t fair! His brother was always thinking him the weaker one because of his scars and sickly body. Stamping his foot again, he made his opinion vocal.

“Giv’it back!” He whined. “It mine! You’re mean!”

“No! Go get your own!”

“You thow it!”

“So go get it!”

Reaching down, he tried to grab toy, and they fought in a tug of war. It was a small fire-truck that was made of wood and hand-painted. It was probably rather expensive. Riccardo’s had been a green dump truck that he loved, but he could see it being broken now at the bottom of the wall.

“Gimme!”

“No! Stop it! Father!”

Ugo tried to yell for Lorenzo’s help, luckily enough he never heard. He was sure that Riccardo would be the one in for the beating, not his “favorite” Ugo. It was never his precious, perfect twin brother’s fault…

In frustration Riccardo let go, which made his brother fall back to the harsh stone. He gave his slightly older brother a nasty look, righted himself, and stuck out his tongue. He looked so damn righteous as he stood there in his light blue, tailored clothing with the caduceus embroidered in gold all over. Riccardo himself was usually dressed in a duller red outfit, dirty from his mischievous ways and his golden embroidery had long since lost it’s luster.

“Go get your own!”

Another stomp of his foot, another huff, then Riccardo did something he would remember forever. He walked over, and climbed easily over the small gate Lorenzo had put up to stop them from using the rung ladder. Normally his word was enough and any physical obstacle was enough to stop them…But when the chips were down, it was no real problem. He easily clambered over it, dropping to his small legs on the other side. He was going to be dirty but he didn’t care. The knees of his tiny outfit were already black with soot from the chimney. Then he stood up and walked towards the ladder. Ugo realized what he was doing and jumped up.

“Father said no! He said you get hurt do’n there!”

“Shut up! You ‘tol me go get it, now you said not ‘tew!”

“Nuh-ah!”

“Yeah-huh!”

“Nuh-ah!”

While trying to argue with his sibling, Riccardo, without fear, started to go down the rung ladder. One foot, then another, he slipped at first but found his footing quickly. His little heart jumped in his chest when his foot slid the first time, but it settled as he gradually started to climb down.

His brother ran to the gate and looked down, a look of actual fear in his small face.

“Come back! “

“In a wittle bit! Get truck…”

He wished he had listened to his brother…He really did. What happened next was something that stuck in his mind to this very day.

As he went to step down the next rung, he slipped. He wasn’t sure exactly what happened except that he must have missed it and tried to right himself. The spaces of the ladder were too large for his tiny body, and as he tried to reach for the next rung below he missed completely, and fell.

It was a long way for a child to fall, and as he hit the ground he splayed out and smacked his head. He wanted to scream out at the utter agony that rang through his body, but his consciousness was fading. He remembered looking up and seeing Ugo peering down at him and yelling something. Then he ran away, just as his vision faded to black.

Later, he awoke with a stabbing headache in his bedroom, Lorenzo and Ugo there. He began to cry almost immediately, to which his father, surprisingly enough, comforted him as he rubbed his back.

“It’s alright, love.” He spoke, voice disappointed but calm.

“I think you have learned your lesson. You won’t be doing that again, will you?”

Riccardo tried to shake his head, but couldn’t with it in such pain. So instead he just mouthed a “no”, to which Lorenzo nodded in approval.

“You’ll be fine. You didn’t do any permanent damage…Luckily you’re bones are not affected by the Azoth deficiency…”

He spoke with such knowledge to such a young child, but he understood it all.

“Consider yourself lucky you have a brother that cares about you.”

Looking over, he had seen that Ugo had been crying, his face wet and eyes red. Sniffling on cue, he looked away from his brother’s face and towards his feet.

“I sawry…” Ugo apologized…the best a four year old could do, anyway.

What followed after that were two full weeks in bed. Lorenzo cared and fed him, took him to the bathroom when he needed it, gave him some alchemic concoctions that would speed his recovery. But most fondly of all was that Ugo came to share his toys with him. Kept him company…Slept next to him instead of his own bed across the room. It made him think that his brother actually did care, did love him…He could see themselves growing up together and doing everything together…

Now, Riccardo stood at the top of the ladder... He remembered how he had started climbing the ladder again when he turned thirteen, but was still leery of it. He had since done it numerous times beyond count. To this day he still had a fear of falling, though it’s effects had diminished over time. He could still remember his brother’s face from above as it looked down. And he could still remember his face as he ran him through with his sword…

Standing there with his arms crossed, he very willingly let out a long, sad sigh. What had gone wrong? Why did he leave them…? How could he do that to their family…? He couldn’t blame him, but he couldn’t forgive him, either. Now he had his daughter…Their daughter. She was beautiful, she was perfect…

And she, too, had saved him from a downward spiral…

---

TWO MONTHS LATER

---

December…Fiona couldn’t believe it…

It was fucking DECEMBER…and she was still here.

Fiona looked out the castle window near the steps to the dining room. She sighed lazily. It was getting darker sooner, about five ‘o clock, and she watched as snow began to gently fall and collect in the castle courtyard. Looking out the window of the area at the top of the steps that led to the dining room. She had to admit it was rather beautiful.

She wasn’t used to being so cold…Normally her body handled cold weather better then others, she liked going about barefoot, and she suffered easily in the heat. Her body temperature was normally low. Yet this was new for her. The castle walls were freezing, and the open parts of the estate let the cold air and snow right in. Riccardo, at her request, had the fireplaces in every part of the castle going non-stop to make up for it. And was sure to get her a nice, thick nightgown and several items of clothing. Including some fuzzy socks that she knew he must have been embarrassed in buying.

Riccardo would leave the castle every month, usually right in the middle second or third week. He would go first thing in the morning and come back late at night, at about nine. The car would be stacked with groceries, and other supplies of questionable origin. He would commission Debilitas to come out and help bring them in, and he was sure that there was an eye kept on Fiona so that she could never escape. She had learned to simply stay away from the gate to avoid conflict…She supposed a part of her had just…given up on escape.

Another part of her lived for it…

When he did leave, she would run about the castle screaming obscenities that he couldn’t hear, hurling insults at her confinement and his behavior. Yet it didn’t last long, and didn’t bring her much joy. She could do these things right in front of him if she so desired, and she knew he wouldn’t so much as bat an eyelash. In fact, if anything he might laugh about it in his rather sardonic matter.

There was what she had dubbed “Plan B”, in which entailed looking for a castle gate key. She swore she had turned at least part of the castle upside-down. His lab. The study. The music room…And in the course, she found many things that either intrigued or disturbed her.

In the lab were many things that seemed oddly familiar, as if she knew she had seen them before…But she knew. Knew, that she hadn’t. It was so odd. Deja-vu to the most extreme. She knew of alchemy, yes, but not really anything to do with it in particular before she came here. Why should she? She was just a normal girl. Albeit bored out of her skull.

Despite her confinement, she was far from bored, here. She wasn’t certain if she was grateful or not.

She discovered alchemical formulas written down everywhere, even some scratched into the walls and tables. Fiona could almost imagine what it was like to be so dedicated to something as to go mad as they sought a solution. It reminded her of some of the people she knew in school. And it scared her to think anyone in such a fury for knowledge.

The study was the most fascinating room…She looked into some of the older books. The pages crumpled and dust flew as she opened them, and had to hold and wait for the air to clear. It was written in German, which surprised her as she wasn’t aware that the Germans practiced alchemy. Then she opened others to find ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics deciphered in page after page, Italian, Arabian, Persian, Latin, Chinese…Languages she couldn’t even decipher let alone read. She wondered if they knew how to read all these or just had them for references. Fiona may had been looking for a gate key, but she found herself more interested in these strange texts.

What she found unusual, however, were the additions of recent books. There were a few, oddly enough, on dog care. Fiona figured Riccardo got some of these before, for what reason she didn’t know. But these others looked brand new. Did he get these to take care of Hewie? She couldn’t say for sure. He did seem more knowledgeable about how to feed the dog properly then before…

Yet the most disturbing was the fact that there were more books about pregnancy, midwifery and child care then she would have liked. Some were old, yes. But most were recent. Published within the last few years, and bought, obviously, within the period of a few months ago. In them, she found bookmarks, and it was clear that Riccardo had been doing his research.

On cue at the thought, her skin crawled…

Life at the castle had not gotten worse…In fact, Riccardo went from sleeping with her nightly, to only five times a week. She supposed she should be grateful, but strangely enough it made her feel almost less desired. Fiona threw this feeling away every time it came up. She reminded herself she was in a strange situation and her brain was confused, was trying to make the best of it.

As much as she hated to admit it, she was getting used to him already. Not only him, his ways…But what he did to her at night. She still gave him the cold shoulder, still said “no” as he advanced…Yet what Fiona didn’t want to admit to herself was that it was all a façade. If she didn’t do it, she would feel horrible. She could always say she had no choice, that she did resist but he took advantage of her…But she couldn’t deny the utter cloud of ecstasy he put her on after every session of lovemaking. That she fell dead asleep every night, exhausted, satisfied…

The nights he didn’t…The nights he didn’t, she couldn’t sleep. She ended up staying in bed hours after he got up, until about noon when Riccardo woke her for lunch. Though in her case it was more of a breakfast.

And besides that, he treated her amazingly well. She still hid from him, but she found it just as easy to avoid eye contact. When she did, she found that most of the time he was no longer as interested so much as in sex as in pleasing her. He came to check on her every few hours, and if he couldn’t find her at first, he would eventually though searching high and low. He seemed to almost get a kick out of it.

That part of him would probably always scare her…

“Would always”? What was she thinking? She wasn’t going to be here forever! Fiona held on hope that she could get out…Had to. Or in the very least…In the very least…

She didn’t know…She didn’t even know what she wanted…

Hewie, on the other hand…Had gotten more docile by the day. He bothered Riccardo for his food now, not her. It made her jealous. Yet she knew in the end she had nothing to be jealous about, if she took the time to feed the dog he would look at her the same way. Yet every time she tried too, Riccardo had done so more then a few hours ago. Yet when it came down to it, when it came to playing and care, he was her next best friend. Fiona didn’t know what she would do without her dog.

In the very least, she would be grateful to him for giving her that…

She stood at the window in her fuzzy, white socks, long gown with long sleeves and a skirt that was just above her ankles. The turtleneck that came up to her chin was billowy and ribbed. She wore her hair up, with a clip to keep it piled on top her head. She shivered on cue as she watched the snow fall.

“Dear…”

Fiona shivered again as he approached from behind.

“Are you feeling alright? Not too cold, are you?”

He watched as she shrugged a little bit, eyes downcast as she looked at her feet. She seemed to never want to bother him for anything. He really wished she would…Her stay would be so much more comfortable if she did.

“Are you sure? Perhaps you should stay with me in the lab, it’s like Hell itself in there…”

A comment on the tip of her tongue almost made it’s way out, but she held it back. It would make her feel bad to say what she had been planning to…He treated her too well…She of all people hated to admit it, but it was true. It twisted her gut inside to think how well she was taken care of. Like some prized pet.

“That’s okay…I’m fine…”

Fiona jolted as his hands found her shoulders…She crept forward a little, and he followed.

“You are cold…”

Wrenching from his grip, she walked to the side, folding her arms again as she looked ahead in disdain. She heard Riccardo sigh behind her.

“Dear, what’s wrong? You seem so tense…And you’re as cold as the dead-”

“Of course I am!” She exploded.

“I’m trapped in this place, freezing, confined, being…taken advantage of…”

Riccardo crept in, putting his arms around her, closing her in. She fought a little, then sighed as she went limp in his arms. He felt so warm…Instantly, her body temperature went up. His teeth nibbled at her ear, the only part exposed above her turtle neck.

“Ah!” She cried out, and bit her lip, she closed her eyes…He was so warm…

Fiona wondered if this was like Satan would feel like…

“Love, if you need anything, you need only ask…I’ve been working on the Tele reception, it should be up in no time.”

It had been one of the few things she asked for…Being able to watch either of the two, small, television sets in the castle. She asked him rather sadly, with her head down…She hated it, but she tried fixing it herself, fiddling with the wires, but nothing came about. He agreed, even though he didn’t really know what he was doing, per say.

He had been tinkering with it for whole day, just yesterday. And she was grateful for it… When he was finished he planned to say “thank you…”

And that was going to be about all she was going to give him in exchange…

“I…I appreciate that…” She said in a low voice, she didn’t like talking to him when he was like this.

“Ahhh, do you?” He nuzzled her, and she jumped again.

“Yyy-yes! Yes, I am…”

“Then why are you so tense? Why are you afraid, my love?”

Fiona shook her head. Why couldn’t he understand how she felt? Was he really that psychotic?

“Do I really need to say it again, Riccardo?”

Laughing a little in his throat, he leaned in again, and moved his hands from her waist to her shoulders. Slowly, he put his thumbs into her muscles, pressed his palm into it, and slowly, surely, began to massage them as best he could. He had never done it before. Instantly, she relaxed, muscles loosening, a sigh exiting her lips.

At that, he pressed harder, working her shoulders vigorously and with all the strength he had. From her lips came no cry of pain or complaint…Her head sagged forward and she moaned a little without hindrance. And he kept going far longer then she expected. Her legs became wobbly, body heating up…And her womanhood began to pulse as images flooded her mind. Those of her in bed as he was planted deep inside her…

Before she knew it, he was re-enacting her fantasy. He leaned into her.

“Want to continue this in bed?”

Loosely, under a spell, she nodded, she was mad with hormones and desire. She just couldn’t help or stop herself.

She felt herself swept up and into his arms. He carried her to the bed not too far from there, setting her on top. He fell on there with her, covering her body, carefully, with his own. Her body loosened automatically, putting his hands under her gown and lifting it up and over. She cried out as his warm hands embraced her now freed, lovely breasts. They hardened almost immediately, they were pointy before from the cold, but they engorged and turned purple at the nipples.

His mouth fell upon them, and she was lost from then on. She moaned and panted under him, he removed his castle uniform and threw it to the ground. She, at his request, did not look at his body. With eyes closed. As he gently rubbed her nipples, he pressed into her and her legs sprang open and practically invited him in. Yet he knew she wasn’t wet enough, so he simply nestled between her for now. His member rubbed her clit as he lay on her, rocking her into excitement. Her lover kissed her neck hungrily and made her cold skin sizzle with warmth. Her white skin flushed red, and her plump lips practically begged for him. He kissed her passionately as his manhood rubbed her in a seductive motion. Her body screamed…

When he felt her get slick, he pulled back and her hips followed him, but just as he began to penetrate she was awakened as to what was going on…But it was too late. He entered, feeling his large head and shaft pierce her and slide inside her body. His hips met hers as he slowly began to thrust inside, a rhythmatic motion that made the bed squeak and a sickening squishy noise from the action itself. In the steady missionary position, her legs up and bent, she, as always tried to squirm away but he continued. And he always won.

“No…No…I’m going to- I’m going to come, no…”

No, not again, she couldn’t come for him, willingly even once more, no..

At this prompt, he knew how she liked it…

“Sorry love, I’m afraid I’m too far along.”

At her cries, he pushed in even harder and deeper. It sped harder, stronger, into her small frame that was barely able to handle it. Her face contorted into shock at the power and ruthlessness of the man, and she held on for dear life as he made short work of her will. She bent to him, and he held himself steady as he continued to thrust smoothly into her.

“No, no…I’m gonna…No, I’m coming-I‘m-”

On the brink to begin with, she came after a few moments, legs clutching and pulling him deeper as her muscles clamped down on him and were sure to keep him wedged deeply inside as he spilled all his seed.

“AHHHH-Oh God!!”

She screamed into the air, and panted as her vision struggled to correct itself after seeing stars…Her body flushed, tired, drained…And now, she was hot, sweaty…Shamed.

Still inside her, he embraced her svelte body. Covering her with himself. She struggled to hold her eyes shut. She at least wanted to look at the ceiling…

“You can open them now, if you’d like…” He panted, barely even getting the words out.

Suddenly she had no desire to. She shook her head, crying a protest. Then his right hand graced her face, gently resting on the side and warming her skin.

“Please…”

Doing as asked, her eyelids creaked open, and she saw only him, eyes closed kissing her cheek lovingly. He looked up into her eyes, and blue irises met blue. She saw an image of herself in those eyes, and she was so frightened by this that she wrenched her vision away…

“You see my dear? I told you I can feel you in me…”

Riccardo seemed to take great delight in this, making him laugh just a little. She shook her head in revulsion and fear.

“Don’t ever do that again! Please!”

And she wasn’t asking, she was telling. She didn’t like that. She hoped to God he would at least respect that. Riccardo nibbled her shoulder, which was ivory and silky to the touched…and tasted like sweat. He looked at her with fondness. And nodded, agreeing that if it bothered her so much…He would stop.

“Fine, M’Lady. If it pleases you-”

Out of the corner of Riccardo’s eye, he could see through the open window. And in that window, was Debilitas. He stood there, staring at them both. And Fiona lay there almost completely uncovered, and that included her heaving, engorged breasts, and him very apparently inside her. Riccardo was completely sure that he had seen the whole thing…

Fiona noticed him staring at something with a look of utter rage in his face, and followed the gaze. She followed it to the window.

“Ahhh!!” She screamed, and immediately grabbed the sheets and pulled them up around herself.

Debilitas jumped back in shock, and promptly turned around and took off towards the courtyard.

“You had better run you- AGGHH! I’m going to kill him!”

Riccardo carefully maneuvered off of Fiona, slipping out of her and standing up. She turned away to avoid seeing him, and he stood up, looking for his clothes to quickly run after the abomination. Out of pure curiosity, she opened her eyes and saw him, naked, for the first time.

She was surprised to say the least.

He was almost nothing but lean muscle. A slight pouch to his stomach, from being an alchemist sitting at his lab all day…But that was certainly nothing to complain about. Scars criss-crossed over nearly every inch of his body save for his neck and buttocks. His chest wasn’t “worked” and hard like some model, but didn’t resemble that of an old man. His skin did take on the consistency of age with a wrinkle here or there, but it was the scars that interrupted them and made him look like a dried-up riverbed in the dry heat.

What was most shocking was the birthmark on his left shoulder…It was identical to hers. She had seen it before on herself in mirrors, she had never really seen it as a blemish. Her father had the same mark, and thought it was weird…But she never thought twice about it. His was a little rough around the edges…Imperfect just like him. Besides that…It was the exact same thing…How was that possible?

He tied the rope about his pants, and was ready to run out the door like that…When Fiona, surprisingly enough, spoke up.

“Wait! Don’t go…Please…”

Turning around, he looked at her with a combination of confusion and horror as he realized she had been looking at him. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that… A mixture of anger and embarrassment flooded him…He never cared at her looking at his face. He enlightened in the horror it caused her. Yet this…This was something he always covered. Even in his own home.

“Come back to bed, Riccardo. I’m…I’m cold, again…”

Fiona hated saying those words. Yet she pushed them from her mouth. She didn’t know why she cared so much for the deformed creation, but despite his loathsome behavior, she knew he was as innocent as a young child that may have accidentally gazed at their parents making love. They may run in hide, or they may stop to watch in shock. Unable to move…The creature didn’t even seem to know what sex was.

It was the pity that she bestowed upon him…as well as his practical worship of her that made her heart bleed for him. To her he was but an overgrown child…One that needed a mother. That she couldn’t be…Not now, anyway. But she could do the best she could. She simply could not allow him to hurt this…creature. What had Riccardo called him? Debili…Debili-something?

“He needs to pay for what he di-”

“Please! I’m so cold…I want to go again, please…I need you.”

If Riccardo had been a dog, his ears would have perked up. Smile forming, he turned towards her, and all thoughts of Debilitas ceased, it didn’t matter anymore. Why should it? His Lady demanded his presence…She demanded even his body. It came off as suspicious to him, but he didn’t care for her reasoning. What could she possibly want from him besides what she asked for? Besides, he would gladly give it to her.

He walked towards her with the widest smile she had ever seen, showing just how white his teeth were. Say what she could about the man, he took care of his mouth, anyway…He started to undo the rope about his waist again, and she put on a fake face to mask her loathing as his pants fell to the floor, his briefs joining them. She looked away and got on her stomach, lifting her rear just a little. He positioned himself behind her and took hold of her waist from above and behind, holding it up as he once again entered her, sliding in easily as they were both still wet. She moaned as he did so, surprised that he could get so hard so fast at his age…

“Ahhh, Fiona…” He whispered as he fluidly pumped into her.

Riccardo couldn’t help himself…She was so hot, so wet…So tight. She was marvelous. He could care less if she was a blood relative, why it made it all more for them to have such a wonderful connection. She panted and opened her mouth as she grabbed the covers and sheets, taking fistfuls and wiggling on the bed. He held her just so, as he may get more of himself inside her. She gasped for air as she reached her climax.

“Oh God…” She cried, eyes soaking wet from tears, but she couldn’t help herself, either…

“Harder, dear?”

He urged her, trying to see how she would respond…

“Uh…uh…” She tried to speak, but found it nearly impossible.

Then he slowed, and watched in delight as her face dropped. Let her go without his enthusiasm…see how she reacts…

“Harder, my dear?”

“Yes…” She whispered, so low to as barely be heard.

“Hmmm?” He still held off, practically stopping.

“Yes!”

“Do what, Fiona?”

“Harder!”

“Harder, what?”

“…F…Fuck me… harder!”

“Whom are you talking to?”

“Fuck me harder, Riccardo!”

“Louder, love…”

“Fuck me harder, Riccardo!”

As soon as she said the words, he began to pound into her, and the words were caught in her throat as she immediately felt her arousal satisfied. It was crying out like a stuck pig for his organ…And just when she thought she wanted him out, wanted him to stop…She found herself crying for more.

“That’s it, that’s it…” He chortled, a laugh at the end of his words.

“Harder, dear?”

“Harder!”

There was no enthusiasm in her voice…Only demands. Only wants. Finally, he saw a bit of her real self come to bear.

He did as commanded. And he was quite surprised to watch, and feel, as she came rather quickly after that. She cried out in a high tone that dissolved to a sob, and she buried her face in the bed in shame. He came almost instantaneous with her, making sure he got all the seed he could within her body. Gently, he rubbed her body as she lay there, and bent over to kiss along her back.

“Still cold…?”

---

The next morning was a combination of happiness and embarrassment for Fiona. Both were contained in the fact that she woke up, and instantly recognized the wetness between her legs. Blood. She had gotten her period. She had been paying attention to it, earnestly awaiting the day it was to come. She was in a miserable, terrified mood all day yesterday, as she had been late a day. But today…Oh God, was she ever relieved.

She knew the damp, sweaty feeling well. And it explained her behavior last night. Yeah, that was it…Hormones. She suddenly felt so much better about herself, she wasn’t weak to desire for that sick freak…She was just driven mad by her period.

Riccardo slept next to her, and suddenly with realization was more then embarrassed…Now she had to explain to him that she had to get up and use the bathroom. That is, if she hadn’t bled all over him. Which would just kill her when it came to her dignity. Though she wondered if she had any left…

One thing was sure, this had to get up now, if she waited until her normal time to get up, or for Riccardo to awaken…She would be soak and wet. She opened her eyes and wearily took a look about. Hewie slept on his normal pillow down the small set of steps. She hoped he wouldn’t bother her while she tried to make it downstairs…God she wished the bathroom wasn’t such a journey away.

Riccardo slept father back towards the wall, his arms loosely around her. She was glad for it, that way she could actually get up without disturbing him and waking him up. The less she had to explain, the better. For a moment she listened to him to see if he wasn’t already awake…His breathing was slow and deep, his warm breath hitting her neck. She was so tempted to fall asleep again…It was too cold outside the bed and so warm under the covers.

She tried her best to edge away from him, lifting the covers and sliding out of bed. He made a noise but didn’t quite wake up. She proceeded, putting her feet on the cold floor and nearly crying out in response. The fire in the fireplace had long since gone out, leaving nothing to warm the floor.

“Up already?”

Fiona froze in her tracks, her heart slinked. She had to remind herself it was no big deal…

“I need to use the bathroom.”

He yawned, then groaned, and Fiona wondered for a moment why he even seemed to care.

“Oh, alright…Don’t freeze to death down there, love…”

Relieved, he lay his head back down, turned positions towards the wall, and seemed almost immediately to fall back to sleep. She let out a sigh, and ran carefully to the door, through it, and down the steps. She opened the door and ran to the toilet, taking off her panties and inspecting them. There was some moistness, and a few spots, but nothing major. She wondered about this, but decided it was no big deal…Perhaps after one’s first time, the period got lighter? She didn’t know, but she was still sure she was in the clear.

Checking under the sink, she was grateful to find tampons. At least Riccardo thought ahead, she could give him that. She prepared herself and wearily made her way to the other guest room. If she could get away not being in his bed, she would. She got under the covers quickly and fell asleep easily, relief spreading over her like the warm blanket itself.

For Fiona, ignorance was bliss.

---

LATER THAT DAY

---

The woman may have been delighted that day…For reasons, she understood, that she was not impregnated by her homunculus captor. However, the homunculus himself was rather the opposite. He discovered the used tampon casing in the trash, and was none to pleased. He did not communicate this to his “partner”, but stewed in his own rage as he paced the bathroom.

Until he decided to take the casing. He remembered something that he read from one of the many conception books he had obtained. That, sometimes a woman would “spot” or bleed when the embryo grabbed hold of the uterus’ lining. He took it, and, making sure he wasn’t seen…Stole away to the lab. His Lady, he knew, would be curious to know why he had it, if he was caught.

He had purchased a pregnancy test for one good reason. Yes, he had two labs. One of the alchemic sort, and one of the scientific persuasion. And in both, he could determine pregnancy sooner then any store-bought test…Yet he knew that sooner or later, the young lady would reach for it to test herself, and he would find it there, and she wouldn’t be able to hide it. One is either pregnant, or not, simply put.

Yet she had not, not yet. A tampon, a sign of a period, was his only clue…And he would have to simply make do. Sure, if he wanted to he could always force her down and take a blood test…Yet that was a lot of work with the possibility of the poor thing getting hurt in the process.

His heart started to race as he got the tools ready, but his hands were steady. Preparing for the test, he kept an eye to the door. Already he was making plans in his head of getting the finest wine from the storeroom.

Something told him he was going to have a reason to celebrate very soon.

---

Fiona didn’t know why her period was so…almost nonexistent. She knew for a fact that you couldn’t get one if you were pregnant, so she swept that idea under the rug. She went to go change her tampon when she realized it was dry. In fact it came out rather painfully…She shrugged her shoulders and thought nothing of it at the time…Yet the more she dwelled on it, the more it bothered her.

She walked up from the bathroom, once again into the hallway that joined the stairway to the bedroom. That’s when she saw Riccardo. And he saw her…

He ran at her at a speed she didn’t see since the night he chased her. She ran in response, terrified that he was going to do something horrible to her-

No! He had her! It was all over-

Riccardo simply grabbed her about the waist, and held her high, spinning her around in a circle, laughing at the top of his lungs.

“There’s my girl! My lovely girl!”

Now she couldn’t help but scream, but happily, reaching a high tone and then she began to laugh herself, shrieking as he spun her around like some ice skater and it’s partner.

“Riccardo! What’s gotten into you!” She cried just as he stopped.

“Ah! It’s not what’s gotten into me, dear. It’s what’s gotten into you!”

This threw her off a little, and she looked at him in the eye with a genuine look of confusion.

“What…?”

Setting her down, he leaned in closer. She backed away in his arms, but he held her steady. His hand wove behind her head and kept it there, and he came closer to her lovely face.

“Nothing dear…Nothing at all…”

He kissed her with more passion then either thought possible, being slow and deep. She melted in his arms, wanting to get away but finding it too intoxicating, him too powerful and strong. His rough lips meeting her smooth ones, she moaned in his mouth and a tear escaped her eyes. God, she hated her hormones…

She broke it, pulling back, but he went in again, making this kiss shorter but still lovely. This one he broke, but kept close as he rubbed noses with her. She shuddered but withstood it. She had never seen him this affectionate before.

“I think I love you, my dear…”

Fiona’s stomach did a flip, then promptly bottomed out and felt like it left her body entirely…

“…Think?”

Riccardo smiled wide at that, and he gave her a kiss on her lips.

“I’m not sure I know what love is, dear. But I’m pretty sure.”

Shaking, Fiona pried his hands from her, and started to walk away.

“Please, I…Just leave me be…”

Chuckling a little, he took a step back. He was still smiling a little to wide for Fiona’s taste.

“Fine, love. If you wish…”

He backed away, and as he started to walk away, he kept looking back at her…A mile-wide smile still on his face.

“If you need anything, M’Lady, please be sure to let me know…”

Watching him descend the stairs, he couldn’t help but wonder just what the hell had gotten into him…He was jolly, delighted, practically walking on air. She wiped what little saliva he left on her lips away, suddenly repulsed and disgusted. Just how crazy was that man, anyway?

Why was it, that even when he left…She still felt him a little too near?

---

TWO WEEKS LATER

---

Her eyes shot open.

She knew this feeling. When he kissed her at first, she felt it. She had since passed that point, but this was caused by something else entirely. Though she didn’t know what.

Nausea.

Fiona’s mouth watered, it felt like a ocean rolling in from a low tide. She could feel her supper making it’s way past her molars. Immediately, she shot up and out of bed. Not giving a damn that she had to wrench her way from Riccardo’s hands. She thought he would have been more upset had she spewed all over him and the bed.

Hopping onto the floor, she ran as fast as she could out the door, down the steps, through the dining room…And it was killing her all the while- and into the bathroom. She just barely made it to the toilet when she doubled over, and prayed to the porcelain God, getting on her knees and throwing up into the bowl.

She felt her stomach lurch, her body bucking as she hurled up more and more. It felt strangely relieving as her body got rid of it all. Yet it was far from pleasant, and she felt so sick and disgusted as she couldn’t seem to stop. Last night’s lobster with buttered rolls-much to her displeasure-made it’s exit from her body. Tears streamed down her face and made her eyes beat red as they rained from her face. Finally it seemed to stop, after about the fifth heave, though her stomach still rippled to force it’s way out.

“Ugh…Oh, God…”

Wave after wave of nausea hit her…The room spun as she knelt there. Her head pounded with a horrible headache. She could only fathom what sort of illness she had developed. Is this what sort of sickness God put upon people who slept with their own kind?

“Ah, so this is where you are…” Riccardo chimed in as he entered, an almost happy tone to his voice.

“I was…Beginning to worry where you had gone off to in such a hurry…” He spoke as he made his way towards her.

“I’m sick…” Fiona coughed out as she knelt there, arms about the bowl…Ready to heave again.

“I can see that…” A small humor in his voice. Fiona felt like crying from utter humiliation.

Closer, and then he knelt down behind her, and she couldn’t help but wonder why. What she was doing was disgusting. It made her sick and she was the one doing it. She felt his hand on her back, and it gently started to rub to rub it up and down. She felt warm all over, all of a sudden…And round two showed itself.

Again her stomach lurched, and she threw up nothing but acid and bile, but it wouldn’t stop. Tears dripped into the bowl as she heaved and wretched painfully. She started to cry from agony…She was fine yesterday, what the hell was wrong with her!?

“It’s alright love, it’s perfectly natural…” He cooed, his voice so low.

“You’re body is simply…shedding toxins. Doing it in the only way it knows how. It’s preparing itself…Is all.”

Fiona shook, a tingle spreading over her body like a wave of cool water.

“Wh-what? What do you mean? What’s happening to me…?”

Riccardo hesitated, clearing his throat and unsure of what to say. He continued to rub her back, and thought of a way to put it as to not send her into hysterics.

“Something beautiful, my dear. Something that will bring us even closer….”

He watched as she fell away from the commode, she tried to stand up, and he rose along with her. He held her gently, and moved her towards the sink.

“I don’t understand…” She moaned, her body sickly and feeling weaker then ever before.

“That’s quite alright, Fiona. You will in due time.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek, and let her tend to herself with the sink.

She splashed cold water on her face, wiping off the food remains. Promptly washing her hands and drying them off, she then cupped them and used it to collect water, and wash her mouth off. Instantly she felt better, her mouth no longer disgusting and rancid. Yet she was still dizzy, nauseated, and the last thing she wanted was food.

“You can go…” She spoke, not liking him hanging on her every move.

“I can take care of myself.”

Riccardo contemplated this, studying her face and body. She sure didn’t look it.

“Fiona, I don’t think you’re in such a good state-”

He watched as she jerked back to the toilet, and she knelt down and promptly threw up even more clear fluid. She wretched for a few more minutes, then she started to sob in misery and pain…He followed, getting down on his knees once again behind her. His hand rubbed her back and he leaned into her shoulders. He breathed into her, hoping that in some small way to comfort her. It just tore him up to see her like this…But it had to be done.

“What did you do to me…?” She cried, eyes soaking wet, nose running.

Looking up, he blinked a few times, then brazenly answered.

“I did something beautiful to you, miss Fiona. I gave you a lovely gift…” He rubbed her back again, hoping to calm her.

Fiona’s body twinged and shivered…She felt revolted, disgusted, adored and swimming in a sea of despair…She contemplated his words. She felt ready to faint but clung to hold on. Piecing things together, it finally dawned on her that period or no, she didn’t have a virus at all. This was morning sickness.

“No…No, no, no…”

“Yes, my dear…Yes.”

His hands moved around to her stomach, to which made her jerk and cry in response.

“I am in you’re womb…You’re pregnant…”