Prison of Tides

Chapter 13 - Safe Word

Jasmine's Point of View 

      Eliza had been correct - there was an odd sense of closure having seen the videos. Our sessions had helped me prepare myself for whatever I may see. I looked forward to letting her know that her hunch was right, and that there was a sense of relief in knowing. 

      The things that had caused me such shame to enjoy watching ran through my mind. The prince had already begun taking the ugly and turning it into something beautiful. My embarrassment had fallen away as he told me to call him Sir while he watched me, so aroused by the same thing that had aroused me. By me being on display for him, making me call him Sir. I was finding that I enjoyed being looked at, being admired by him, being at his mercy. 

      Gazing into the mirror, I touched the scar over my heart, running my finger over the cuts that were nearly healed. It had been over a week since Raymond had carved his name into me. Caspian had been careful in avoiding that spot, never mentioning it to me aside from my time in the hospital. 

      The doctor had offered a skin graft, but I wasn't so sure I wanted that. Another procedure. More time in the hospital. More people poking and prodding me, another scar to heal. 

      I had never wanted a tattoo before, but the longer I stared at the marks, the longer I envisioned art covering the hurt. Turning something ugly into something beautiful once more. 

      Memories of floating on the water in the moonlight flickered through my mind. There had been something so healing, giving it to the sea. The moon, who, like me, seemed to pull and push the water. Perhaps she had seen what my heart held and offered me the same release she herself had. 

      I wanted that over my heart, the gift she had given me. I resolved to get it done before the wedding. I looked up tattoo studios in my area, and contacted one, booking an appointment for later in the day. 

      In the meantime, I had an appointment to keep. Caspian had a fitting for his tuxedo that day, and said he had other plans that I was not privy to. 

      Louis drove me to the hospital, where I got a clean bill of health from the doctor, who checked once more to ensure pregnancy hadn't taken. I was relieved when he said there was zero chance of me being pregnant. His words were confirmed as soon as I went to the restroom afterwards, seeing the streak of blood indicating my period had started. 

     Great. None of Caspian's games for a week. 

     On second thought, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. I would be off just in time for the wedding. 

     After my appointment, I made my way upstairs to visit Cherry, who looked to be in much better spirits. 

     "Good morning," Her smile was bright as I walked in, a vase of sunflowers in hand. I set them on the ledge of her window. Something to help cheer up the rest of her stay. 

     "How are you feeling?" I inquired. 

     "A lot better today. They’re letting me out in a few hours." 

     I grinned from ear to ear. Cherry was going to love the palace. I couldn't wait to see the look on her face as she felt the ocean around her for the first time in so long. 

     "I have an appointment this afternoon, but I can pick you up afterwards." 

     "Oh? What type of appointment?" 

     "I'm getting the mark covered with a tattoo." 

     Her eyes widened for a moment. "Can I come, too?" 

     I nodded eagerly. "Let me see if they can fit you in." 

     I made a quick call to the parlor. They were happy to make room for us. 

     I had never noticed in the dimly lit cavern, but in the fluorescent light, I could clearly see a faded scar similar to my own on her breast. She elected to get the same tattoo as me. A symbol of hope, we agreed. 

     After a few hours, they were done. The waning crescent moon on me, waxing on her, peeking out from the clouds, reflecting on the dark blue, nearly black waves. It covered our scars perfectly. 

     We admired our artwork in the mirror. Perfect reflections of one another. Never before had I felt a friendship so intimate. We laughed and gossiped as we rode to the palace, Louis pitching in every so often. I could tell he was happy to have me back home. 

     A thought dawned on me - we had no clothing for Cherry, aside from the hospital issued sweats and shirt she wore now. 

     "Cherry?" 

     "Yes?" 

     "How would you like to do some shopping?" 

     "That sounds nice," She said. I could tell from the look on her face that she hadn't considered it either until now. "Where will we go?" 

     I laughed. "We'll have it brought to us." I opened my phone, pulling up the palace designer's contact information. I sent him a quick text, requesting he bring clothing in her size to the palace. All styles. I didn't know what she liked. 

     We arrived home, and her mouth dropped open. "Oh, it's so big! I've never seen anything like it before!" 

     I thought back to Aiden's run-down apartment. Was that the life she was used to? We would provide her the life she deserved here. 

     Caspian was waiting in the entryway as we walked in. He gave me a big kiss before noticing Cherry, who was admiring the grand design around us. 

     "Cherry! I didn't know you were coming so soon. Welcome. I do hope you find it comfortable here." He smiled warmly at her. 

     "Oh, it's lovely." 

     "I'm afraid we haven't prepared a room for you yet. The good news is, you now get your pick." He winked at us. I put my arm around her shoulders and steered her upstairs. 

     "Let me show you the options." 

     We giggled as we heard Caspian's laughter echo through the grand hall, looking back to see him grinning at us with a twinkle in his eyes. 

     Cherry ultimately chose a room in the same wing Caspian and I stayed in, with a perfect view of the water. As if on cue, my phone dinged, a message notifying me that the stylist, Geoff, had arrived. He, too, was excited. It wasn't every day he got a new project. 

     I requested the clothes be brought to the dressing suite downstairs and accompanied Cherry. 

     "Why don't you have some fun? Pick out whatever you like, and it's yours. I'm going to go catch up with Caspian." 

     She nodded, disappearing into the room as I made my way to find my fiance. I finally located him in the garden, feeding the birds. I joined him and tossed a handful of seed towards the pigeons that had clustered around us. 

     "How's your day going, handsome?" 

     "It's going well, love. I ran my errands, the sun is shining, and now I'm sitting with you. I couldn't ask for more. How about you?" 

     "Well, I did something today." 

     He raised an eyebrow inquisitively, and I pulled down the collar of my shirt. 

     "That's beautiful, Jasmine." He kissed my cheek. "Although not as beautiful as you. I like it much better than a scar from a skin graft." 

     "As do I, dear. It was a bit last minute. I'm glad I pulled the trigger on it." 

     "What did the doctor say today?" 

     "Clean bill of health. All the tearing has healed, the infection is gone, and everything is back to normal." 

     He smiled at me, kissing me on the lips this time. 

     "Mm," I murmured. "Now are you going to tell me about your errands?" 

     "Let's just say I got things for another game I want to play." 

     "Oh? I hate to break it to you, but it's that time of month." 

     He smirked, a playful, mischievous look in his eye. "That won't matter for what I have in mind." 

     My thoughts raced as I considered what he could be planning. 

     "You'll have to wait until tonight to see. I believe someone is looking for you." 

     I followed his eyes to see Cherry, dressed in a black lace dress with a deep V neck and matching tights. Black combat boots completed the look. The alternative look worked well for her tall, lean form, and her eyes gazed at us as she sat by Caspian's side. Her hair was cut, fringed and framing her face. 

     For some reason, my mind raced back to our time together in the cave. Not the bad times, but those moments with just the two of us, how utterly erotic she looked with my fingers inside of her. 

     I looked away, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts. I loved Caspian, and besides, she probably did not want me in that way. Only because of force was she with me in the first place. It was purely lust that filled my mind. My love for her was a different kind. 

     "Thank you for the clothes," She smiled. Bright red coated her lips. 

     I needed a distraction. 

     "You're more than welcome," Caspian and I said in unison. We all laughed, before I voiced a suggestion. 

     "What do you say we go for a swim?" 

     With that, we changed into our swimsuits, making our way to the ocean. We all splashed each other, playing in the waves, something that had been withheld from her for far too long. 

  Being all too familiar with the elation she felt now, I knew that it would begin to fall away as she lay alone in bed, leaving her only with the memories. Her newly found security would be ripped away the moment we told her about the videos, about the drugs. 

     I would take her out that night. Despite only meeting her two weeks ago, I knew her. She needed this more than she knew. I wondered if the moon would reveal a gift to her, the way she had revealed one to me. 

     After hours of playing beneath the surface as though we were giddy children, we surfaced as the sun began to set. 

     Back on the shore, I attempted not to notice the way the drops of water glistened on Cherry's breast. I felt Caspian's eyes on me and looked away in guilt. An unfamiliar look was on his face. Not jealousy. Not possessiveness. I couldn't place it. 

     We dried ourselves and headed to the castle, where the king and queen welcomed Cherry with open arms after we dressed. We had a dinner to welcome her, a meal with lobster as the main course. I knew Elenor was behind it - it was far too elaborate for any else's handiwork. As usual, she had gone just a smidge overboard. 

     Still, it was appreciated. I could tell she quickly took a liking to Cherry, as did the king. Her nerves about meeting the royal family vanished, as she quickly came to realize they were people, too. 

     After we ate, I told Caspian that I needed some time to explain things to Cherry. 

     Taking a breath for courage, I knocked on Cherry's door, trying to figure out how exactly I would tell her. Perhaps the Chief had already talked to her, but judging from her behavior, I doubted it. 

     "Jasmine," She smiled, a silk red robe draping her body. I tried not to notice the pale skin of her thighs. 

     "Take a walk with me?" 

     She threw on a dress and flats, changing in front of me. We walked the path to the beach slowly. 

     "Did you speak with the Chief yesterday?" 

     She shook her head. "No, why?" 

     I took a breath once more. "I know this is hard to think about, and even harder to think about. But there's something you should know." 

     The water touched our toes, and she froze. Her head tilted back to see the waxing moon. 

     "Cherry? What is it?" 

     Her eyes had turned so pale that they were nearly white, as though a film had come over them. 

     Her voice was strange as she spoke. "I see it, Jasmine. The videos. The drugs. The men. Hundreds of men. That's where the time went." 

     I stared at her for a moment before pulling her away from the water. As soon as she was away from the sea, she gasped, her eyes turning back to normal. 

     "What the hell was that?!" 

     "Oh my gods. I was going to tell you tonight - and tell you that, that the moon, she gave me a gift, I thought maybe she had... had given you one as well. I see my suspicion was correct." 

     She nodded. "Clearly." She was shaking. I felt the rage pumping through her veins, the destruction, the pain. 

     "Let me show you something." I stripped and she followed my lead. 

     We waded, sinking into the water, finding our way to the deepest parts of the bay. I could see that she was reflecting, as I had just a few nights beforehand. 

     "Let yourself feel it, Cherry." 

     She went through the same cycles. I sat with her. I cried with her. She clutched her chest, and I made no effort to stop the chaos churning in her soul. 

     After some time, we floated on the surface together, her hand in mine. 

     "Let it out. Scream. Cry. Shout it. No one will hear but me." 

     She let out a series of shrill shrieks. She cursed Raymond, cursed the other men, listing them all by name. When she was done, we looked up. 

     "Now let yourself feel her." 

     Her eyes lightened once more. Her breathing was quiet, as we both stared into the night sky. 

     After what felt like forever, she spoke, a wave of calm radiating from her. "She says she saw that I could not see and hear the world for too long. She says that she has bestowed to me the ability to see and hear the truth." 

     Cherry's voice echoed with knowledge far beyond that of our world. 

     "She says she bestowed upon you the ability to control, as he tried to control you. She says only the worthy are given her gifts. She says we are worthy. She says she will guide our paths. She says she will not waste the anguish inflicted upon us." 

     She snapped out of her trance, and I stared at her. 

     "That was intense." 

     She nodded. "I think I'm done." 

     "I'm going to carry us to shore. Just feel the water around you." 

     I directed the currents beneath us as I had done beforehand. I could see that Cherry was experiencing the same transformation I had nights before. I was glad I'd decided to bring her. 

     On the sand, we lay there, reflecting on everything that had been revealed to us. 

     "I feel so honored," She mused. "This was a great idea, Jazz. You were right. I feel better, about everything. She's looking out for us." 

     "Yes, she is." 

     With that, we dressed and walked along the private shore. 

     "So how does this work?" 

     "The gifts?" 

     She nodded. 

     "I can't say that I know. I only found out a few days ago. It seems like I can control the flow of water." 

     "Ah. It seems like mine only works when I touch the sea. I'll have to experiment with other forms." 

     "Yes, as will I." 

     "It makes sense, you know." 

     "Hmm?" 

     "That it would always be water. She governs it, you know." 

     "Yes, it does make sense." 

     "What does Caspian think?" 

     "Oh, Caspian thinks a lot of things." A giggle slipped out, and she grabbed my arm. 

     "No!" She laughed. 

     "Not.. not all the way. Not until next weekend." 

     "Next weekend?" 

     "The wedding?" 

     "Oh! Yes, the wedding. In all the excitement, I managed to forget about the wedding." 

     We laughed. 

     "So how is it? How is he?" 

     I sighed happily, thinking of his smile, causing her to laugh harder. 

     "Shut up, Cherry!" It was my turn to smack her arm. 

     "Is it... is it good? After. You know, after everything?" 

     I nodded. "It is. There are a lot of things we never would have explored otherwise. He's always so patient, always seems to know what I need." 

     She nodded, draping an arm over my shoulder. "That's what you deserve, Jazz." 

     "You deserve it too." 

     “Yeah. I’m not so sure I’m going to get that from Aiden."

     She frowned for a minute. “What do you mean?”

     Sighing, I looked over the water. “I don’t know. He loves me, and I know that he does, but he’s always too drunk to even have a conversation with. I just don’t feel it so much with him anymore. But that’s horrible. I mean, he’s been waiting for me all this time, praying for me. I think I’m going to give it more time. It’s only been a few days now, maybe things will get back to how they used to be.”

     “I hope they do. If not, then there’s someone better out there for you. I can feel it.”

     “Thanks, Jazz.” 

     Smiling, we approached the palace, and said goodnight as we each entered our rooms. 

     Caspian sat on the bed, waiting for me. 

     "How was it?" 

     "You wouldn't even believe me if I told you." 

     "Try me," He pulled me onto the bed and kissed me. 

     "You know how I was able to move the water?" 

     "Mhm." 

     "Cherry can see now." 

     "A seer? Do you know how rare that is?" 

     I nodded. 

     "The moon told her." 

     "Did it help?" 

     "Yes. I didn't even have to tell her. As soon as she touched the water, she saw the truth of everything. And I showed her how to give it to the ocean, as I did when I gave you a fright a few nights ago." 

     He stared at me. 

     "What?" 

     "You're amazing. Do you know that?" 

     I smiled as his lips captured mine. 

     "Go get a shower, love. I have another game I want to play with you. But you absolutely must tell me if you are uncomfortable, want me to stop, or if I’m hurting you. You remember the safe word, my love?" 

     My curiosity piqued, I nodded. 

     When I stepped out of the shower, found an outfit on the counter – a short red dress that zipped in the front. There was a set of black panties and a push up bra. Putting it on, my new tattoo peeked out from the scoop neck of the dress, adding to the sultry look he’d put me in. 

     I decided to take it a step further, twisting my hair into a long French braid, angling to the side so that it fell over my chest. I put on some makeup; the same way I had the night we announced our engagement. The way I knew he liked it. 

      I opened the door slowly, feeling shy. 

      “Come out, Jasmine.” His voice was firm this time. Not as gentle. I felt chills, and exited the bathroom, prepared to do what he said. 

      “I like when you wear what I choose for you,” He whispered, his hand pulling my braid back so that was looking at him 

      I blinked up at him, heart pounding. He kissed my neck, now exposed by his actions. 

      “Are you ready to do what I say?” His teeth sunk in, and I reached up to tug on his hair. 

     He moved my hand down. “You only get to touch me when I say that you can.” 

      “Yes,” I said, keeping my hands by my side. 

      “Yes, sir,” He corrected me. 

     “Yes, sir.” 

      “Good,” He whispered, twirling my braid. “Let me see your hand.” He held his own up expectantly. 

      I placed it in his open palm. 

      “Touch me, Jasmine.” 

     He guided my hand down over his khakis, and I felt his bulge through the pants. Sighing, he began to move his hand up and down, stroking himself through me. 

      I looked up at him, feeling a blush against my cheeks. He took his hand off mine, and I stopped moving my hand. He immediately pulled it back. 

      “I didn’t say you could stop, Jasmine. Keep going.” 

      Looking down, I did as he commanded. He pulled my braid once more, bringing my gaze back to his. His lips were parted and his breathing heavy as I felt him in my hand, felt him growing harder. 

      “Get on your knees, Jasmine.” 

      I kept my eyes on him as I knelt, making sure to keep my hands by my side. 

      “Unbuckle my belt.” 

      “Yes, sir.” I unfastened the belt around his waist. 

      “Now unbutton my pants.” I fulfilled his request, unzipping them as well. 

      “Good girl. Touch me again.” 

      I teased him with my hand for a few moments longer, before he pulled himself out. 

      “You’re going to taste me now, Jasmine.” I licked the head of his member before sliding my mouth around him. He wrapped my braid around his hand, controlling my movement with it. I felt myself, so in need of him, incredibly aroused by his dominance. 

      He looked down at me until he finished, before telling me to swallow. 

     I did, savoring his salty taste in my mouth. 

      “Onto the bed, Jasmine.” 

      “Yes, sir.” I lay back, ready for whatever he wanted to do to me. I loved him. I loved this unfamiliar side of him. 

      “I’m going to show you something.” He pulled out a black box, similar to the one from the day beforehand. “If you want to, nod. If not, shake your head, my love.” 

      He opened the box. I nodded, looking up at him and biting my lip. 

     He took the silk lined restraints out, attaching them to my hands, and then to the headboard. He slipped the mask over my eyes, positioning my head onto the plush pillow. 

     I felt his hands lift my skirt, pressing something down over my panties. As it rubbed against me through the fabric, I let out a small moan, twisting lightly against the restraints. 

     I felt a buzzing between my legs as the small vibrator rocked me with a feeling of ecstasy. Caspian tucked it into my underwear, right on top of my c**t, and I felt him slowly unzip my dress. 

     “You look so good tied up for me like this.” I felt his mouth on my skin, his teasing touch. I wanted him inside of me. 

     He pulled my bra down, onto my stomach. The feel of his mouth devouring my breasts as the vibrator tormented me was too much, my womanhood more sensitive than it normally was. I approached my climax all too quickly. He turned the vibrator off and removed it before starting to take off my panties. 

     “What... what are you doing?” I moaned, feeling myself twitching. 

     He stopped, lifting my leg. His hand came down on my butt cheek. “Whatever I want to. Aren’t you mine to do whatever I want with?” His voice was laced with desire. I could hear the need in it, feel how much he wanted me. 

     “Yes, sir.” 

     I felt him leave the bed, heard his footsteps walk away. My mind flashed to the video of Raymond pretending to be Caspian, of him walking away after taking what I believed was my virginity. Where had Caspian gone? I couldn’t see him, couldn’t hear him anymore. Couldn’t get up to find him. 

     I breathed, trying to calm myself. I felt the softness around my wrists. I knew I wasn’t there anymore. He was coming back. He loved me. He had to be coming back. 

     “Caspian?” I asked. Panic was setting in. I still didn’t hear him. 

     I squirmed against the restraints. “Caspian!” I called again, my voice frantic. I heard footsteps approach me. 

     “Red.” I could hardly breathe.

     Immediately, his touch was gentle on my face, removing the mask, removing the ties around my wrists. 

     “What’s wrong, Jasmine?” He looked concerned. 

     “Where did you go?” My breath was heavy, hands trembling as I tried to figure out what to do with them.

     “To get a towel.” He held it up. “I didn’t want to make too much of a mess.” 

     I felt tears of embarrassment form. Of course, he was getting something for me, to make me feel good. Of course, he hadn’t left me there alone. 

     “I’m sorry,” I cried, covering my face with my hands.

     He pulled me towards him, onto his chest, covering us with the sheets. His thumb wiped away the single tear that fell. 

     “Don’t be sorry, love. That’s why we have the safe word. Tell me what’s wrong, so that it doesn’t happen again.” 

     “I just.... when you were gone, I thought of that awful video. I thought, maybe this wasn’t real, or that you weren’t coming back.” 

     He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I will always come back for you, Jasmine. But I promise, I will never leave you like that again. This is real. I love you.” 

     “I love you too.” I let him comfort me until we fell asleep, legs tangled together, the silk ties still attached to the headboard, my clothes still half on. 

Cherry’s Point of View

      Aiden had the next day off, he decided to take me out. We had a great time at first, catching a movie. He let me choose, and didn’t even complain when I picked a horror flick, which he normally hated. I was glad to be spending time with him again, and I knew he felt the same. Afterwards, we grabbed an early dinner in the city, at our favorite burger bar. The sun hadn’t set yet, and we were enjoying the spring air.

     He ordered a shot of vodka for himself and a martini for me. In the time it took me to finish my drink, he was three shots in. I’d known he was drunk when he came to see me, but I figured it was last minute, he didn’t know he had anywhere to be. This was something else entirely, something I’d noticed every time he visited me in the hospital.

     “Aiden, what’s going on?” I asked, reaching across the table to take his hand.

     “What do you mean, darling?” He smiled at me, taking a bite of his burger. His blue eyes were warm and friendly, but they were unfocused.

     “It seems like you’re drinking an awful lot since I got back. Way more than you were when I was living in the city.” I popped a french fry into my mouth, dipping it in ketchup first.

     “There’s just a lot on my mind these days.” He kept his answer brief, and his smile was tense, less gentle as he spoke.

     “You know that you can talk to me about it.” I squeezed his hand lightly.

     “When you disappeared, I looked for you, right? But everyone else thought you up and left. Even Rain. When the police heard you went missing the day you turned eighteen after a fight with your sister, who was your guardian, they laughed it off. I knew something was wrong, though. That you would have at least told me if you were leaving, probably would have come to stay with me, even though I know my place is shite.” I nodded as he continued. “I was going mad. Alcohol kept me from taking it out on people. And now here you are, in front of me, and I can’t stop.”

     “Aiden, I’m right here. I’m okay.” Kind of. The server passed us, and he ordered two more rounds. She took his old shot glasses away. “You have to stop. You are killing yourself with this. Have you been to any meetings?”

     His eyes widened. “Meetings? Like AA?”

     “Yes. If you can’t stop, you need to get help.”

     He nodded. “You’re right, darling. No more alcohol.”

     I smiled brightly at him. “I have to use the lady’s room, but I’ll be right back.”

     When I got back to the table, there were four empty shot glasses, and one he had to his mouth.

     “Aiden!”

     “What is it darling?” His words ran together, and his eyelids were drooping.

     I called for a driver to take me home. While I waited, Aiden didn’t stop drinking, looking at the bottom of the shot glass instead of at me.