Prison of Tides

Chapter 14 - Dress

Caspian's Point of View 

     As the days passed, I didn't get to see nearly as much of Jasmine as I would like. While we had our fun at night, I had been left to my own devices the majority of the week.  Between my mother and Cherry dragging her everywhere under the sun to prepare for the wedding and her sessions with Eliza, she was kept busy.

     Jacob, my best friend, was returning home from his position as an ambassador in the neighboring kingdom of Alca. I eagerly awaited his arrival in the entry hall, watching for his vehicle.

     When the sleek red car pulled up, I saw the window roll down. A familiar voice called out, "Honey, I'm home!"

     I walked up to him and greeted him with a hug as he exited the vehicle. It had been months since we had seen one another. I was ecstatic at the timing of his repositioning here at the palace; there was no one else I wanted by my side as I said my vows.

     "Jacob! How was Alca??"

     He brushed his hand through his thick, jet black hair, dark eyes grinning at me. "Better now that I'm here. You know that they drive like maniacs over there? Best be glad you were spared the trip."

     I chuckled, clapping my hand on his shoulder as we made our way inside. "It's good to have you home, man." We found ourselves in the kitchen.

    "Don't I know it. So listen, Caspian, I heard some rumors while I was over there, but I don't know what's true versus just gossip. Rumors about Raymond."

     My blood became hot when Jacob mentioned his name.

     "I can see from your face that at least some of it is true. How's Jasmine doing?"

     I sighed. "As good as can be expected. Better than expected, given what she's been through, and what we found out since she's been home."

     "And you?"

     The question caused me to pause. I hadn't taken much time to evaluate my own feelings on the matter, focusing instead on my fiance's well being.

     "Angry. Concerned. Grateful she's alive and here. Grateful there's no permanent damage, at least physically."

     He nodded. "That's rough, man. I don't even know what I'd do if I were in your shoes."

     "I'm just trying to make sure she feels safe again, keep her as happy as possible. I'll worry about the rest after the wedding."

     "That's a wise course of action, my friend. I know the trial is going to be rough on her."

     "I'm really hoping they don't make her testify. Killing three royal advisors will get you executed for treason. But if they need more, I hope the videos and website will suffice in place of her testimony."

     He blinked. "Clearly there are some details missing in what I've heard. Murders? Videos? Website?"

     Propping my elbow on the table, I rubbed my eyes. "Long story short, he was stalking Jasmine since she was at least fifteen. Maybe earlier. Paid someone to kill her parents and his own wife so that he could swoop in and rescue her, and propose to her when she turned eighteen."

     His heavy eyebrows raised.

     "Yeah, you're telling me. The sick bastard had built a prison in a cave. He kidnapped another girl to test it out before he... took Jasmine. Cameras everywhere. He sold the… footage.. on the dark web."

     He sat in silence for a moment.

     "The other girl, is she.. is she okay?"

     "She has some permanent physical damage, but she's doing well. Her and Jasmine seem to be healing from it together."

     "Wait, the other girl is here?"

     "Oh, yes, Cherry is here. She didn't have anywhere else to go. After what she's been through, she needs someone. You should have seen how her sister treated her while she was in the hospital."

     I shook my head, disgusted, before changing the subject to something that left a better taste in my mouth. "Her and Jasmine are actually out with my mother now, putting the final touches on wedding decorations. Can you do me a favor? While me and Jasmine are gone, can you keep Cherry company? Make sure she has everything she needs? She’s a tough one, but she’s been through a lot and has distracted herself from everything with wedding planning. I have a feeling it’s going to hit hard when she’s alone.”

     “Yeah man, don’t worry about it. I’ll take good care of her.”

     I glared at him. “None of your fuckboy ways, Jacob. I mean it. Not only does she have a boyfriend, but she lives here now. If you make a move on her, it’s going to make everyone’s life here stressful. She’s been through enough.”

    He raised his hands defensively. “Okay, okay. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll make sure she’s well taken care of while you’re gone. Besides, if you and Jasmine are fawning over her, I’ve got to imagine she’s pretty cool. I’m sure we’ll hit it off.”

     “I have a feeling that you will, but make sure it stays platonic.” I paused for a minute. “They’re going to be home any minute now. Are you ready for the pre-marital chaos?

      He chuckled. "Oh, Elenor must be in heaven."

     "I think all three of them are." I smiled, popping a chip into my mouth.

     "And you?"

     "Oh, I am definitely ready to marry Jasmine. As long as she's happy, I'm happy."

     We looked at each other. "Happy wife, happy life." We laughed as our words came out in unison.

     "So listen, this is your last night as a single man. Do you already have plans in the making?"

     "In all of the chaos, I didn't even think about it."

     "Well, you have plans now. Don't worry, you won't be too hungover for your wedding."

     I heard footsteps clattering down the hall, followed by the laughter that made my heart sing. "Caspian? Where have you run off to?"

     "In here, my love."

     The footsteps came closer.

     "Jacob! You made it!" Jasmine made her way to him and gave him a big hug. They were friends as well, and she'd missed him nearly as much as I had.

     Cherry walked in behind her, donning a floppy black hat with a red ribbon that matched her lipstick, sunglasses covering her eyes.

     "Cherry, this is Jacob. He's a good friend who just got repositioned to the castle. He'll be staying here from now on. Jacob, this is Cherry."

     Jacob took Cherry's hand in his. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

     "Likewise," She said, smiling from underneath her hat as she removed the glasses.

     "How's your day been, handsome?" Jasmine gave me a peck on the cheek.

     "Better now that you're here." I grinned, watching as she walked to the refrigerator, pulling out a pitcher of strawberry lemonade - her favorite. The dusty rose skirt of her dress rode up, just enough to tease me, especially with those strappy ankle-length boots. I'd chosen this outfit for her to wear today for that very reason. I was thrilled when she confided that she liked when I picked out her clothing for her. It had quickly become another one of our games.

     I thought about all the things I was going to do to her tomorrow night, when our wait was finally over. As much as I enjoyed the games we had been playing, I knew nothing would compare to the closeness of making love with her. That neither of us would feel complete until I was inside of her, taking her the way she needed me to. The way I needed to.

     Jasmine brought me out of my thoughts for a brief moment when she sat down on my lap, continuing to catch up with Jacob. Her body wiggled in innocent excitement as she spoke, no idea the effect she was having on me. Or maybe she did know. Maybe she was tormenting me on purpose.

     All I could think of was lifting up her skirt and slipping both hands in, one going up to feel her breasts and the other between her legs. I felt myself begin to grow hard, thinking of her moaning in my lap. Thinking of pushing her panties down and kissing her neck, pulling on her n*****s. Lifting her onto the counter, tasting her. Letting my erection out and bringing her down on me, her sighing my name as her hands reach up to pull my hair, feeling me inside her for the first time. Taking her chin in my hand and guiding it up so my mouth could meet hers, tasting her moans, high on the pleasure.

     "Caspian?" She snapped me out of my lust filled fantasy as she looked back at me and placed her hand on my thigh, giving it a light squeeze.

     Jacob and Cherry were looking at me, as well.

     "Hmm?"

     Jasmine grinned slyly, her rear moving across me as she turned a little to look back at me. Only I could see the seductive look on her face.

     "Jacob was just asking what our plans are for the honeymoon, dear. But since you won't tell me, I told him he has to ask you."

     "Oh," I said, coughing a little. "Yes, it's a surprise. I'll tell you tonight, Jacob. But as for you, my future princess; you must wait one more night to find out."

     "What about me?" Cherry linked her fingers together and rested her head on them, blinking innocently.

     "Nope. Because you'll just turn around and tell her everything I've planned."

     Cherry rolled her eyes before turning her attention elsewhere. "So Jacob, what was Alca like?"

     He began going into detail about his adventures. I didn't hear a word of it.

     Under the bar, where no one could see, I slid my hands onto Jasmine's thighs, barely touching beneath the hem of her dress. I let my fingernails trace just a little higher. If she was going to be a tease, I would give her a taste of her own medicine.

     They travelled towards the inside of her thighs, and I felt her back stiffen against me, felt her skin raise in chills.

     I saw her lick her lips, trying to keep her focus on the conversation.

     I had other ways I wanted to make her squirm and beg for me, ways that would take longer than the brief hour we had the past few nights.

     "Cherry, why don't you take Jacob for a swim while I steal my fiance for a few hours?"

     "That's a great idea. What do you think, Jacob?" Cherry looked towards him.

     He smiled. "Yeah, that sounds great. I missed being on the coast. The lakes of Alca are gorgeous, but nothing beats the open ocean."

     With that, they left us. I pulled Jasmine closer to me, parting her legs and rubbing my own between them. I saw her bite her lip, trying to be quiet. That wouldn't do. I needed to hear her. Only then would I take her to bed.

     I fulfilled part of my fantasy from earlier as my hand found its way under her dress towards her chest, feeling as her n*****s pressed against my palm through her thin bra. Her panties were growing damp as I traced her opening, the fabric between us.

     She stifled a moan and I lay my lips on her neck, begging her to let go of that tight control and make a noise. I caressed her throat and ran my thumb over her lips, parting them and slipping my thumb inside.

     She squirmed against my hand between her legs, and I pressed myself into her back. This time, she let out a whimper.

     That was all I needed. I turned her around, her legs around my waist. She looked down at me, her sighs becoming more passionate when my lips covered hers.

     I lifted her onto the bar, taking her panties off and stuffing them into my pocket. I pulled her to the edge, lifting her skirt and teasing her legs with my mouth.

     "Let's go to the room, love," I whispered, kissing her right outside of her center.

    Jasmine nodded, her hands in my hair. I helped her down, and we tried to remain calm as we made our way to the room.

     As soon as the door shut behind us, I pushed her against it, kissing her. I was on my knees, lifting her dress and kissing her thick thighs. I'd missed her taste the past week. I couldn't wait for it any longer.

     I lifted one of her legs onto my shoulder, my mouth immediately going for her soaked center. All sense of control was lost as she cried out. I was devouring her, her leg rigid against my shoulder as I savored her taste.

     "Oh…" Her moans were so sweet, like melted honey, the same way she tasted. I needed more of her.

     I stood, wrapping her legs around my waist and carried her to the bed. She unbuttoned my shirt, and it dropped to the ground behind me, her fingers moving to unbuckle my belt as we fell onto the bed.

     I paused for a minute, taking a moment to look at her. My Jasmine. Her lips were red from our kisses, her skin flush with desire. I lifted her dress again, slowly this time, up over her head, planting my lips delicately all over her lovely body. The bra was discarded in a heartbeat, and her response to my lips on her skin enticed me as always.

    She reached down to unbutton my pants, and within moments, I was nude as well. She reached down to touch me, but I wasn't ready for that. I needed more of her satisfaction before I would have my own.

     I intertwined my fingers with hers, pinning her hands beside her head on the mattress. I parted her thick thighs with my knee, pressing against her with it, listening to her whimpers and watching her face change with every little move I made.

     I moved both her hands over her head, holding them down with one of my own. I needed my other for more important things. She was soaking wet as I slipped my finger across her entrance, across her c**t.

     I watched as need flickered across her face, as I pulled back every time she got close to finishing.

     I had something else I wanted to do.

     I opened the drawer to the nightstand and pulled it out - a small, silicone plug. I held it up and she nodded, her hair sprawling around her head.

     I slipped it into her dampness, into that drenched spot between her legs, before spreading her cheeks and inserting it with care. She cried out.

     "Are you okay, my love?"

     She nodded. "Don't stop, Caspian. I need it. I need you."

     My mouth was between her legs again, and this time, I let her finish, her orgasms giving me so much pleasure. I couldn't wait for her to be tightening around me instead of around my tongue the following night.

     I rolled her over, my fingers finding their way inside of her. She was even tighter than usual with the butt plug in.

     I pulled out the crop we had experimented with a few evenings before and gave each cheek a pop before lightly smacking her p***y with it.

     She started to drip.

     I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled her on top of me, her glistening p***y on my face, as her own mouth found my member. I couldn't believe there was a time when I'd never felt this newfound closeness with her. Her head bobbed up and down, her tongue flickering over my most sensitive areas as she stroked the bottom of my shaft. I had a small, curved vibrator that I slipped inside of her. I'd only teased her with it before, never put it into her.

     She started thrashing on top of me, getting much louder as she moaned my name, until she collapsed on me, her body shuddering.

     As she whimpered into my d**k from her orgasm, I came as well, and she sighed as she licked up every last drop.

     I pulled her up towards me at the top of the bed, taking the plug out before I helped her get comfortable. I kissed her, much more gently this time, as I caressed her face, brushing her hair out of her face.

     She sighed and pulled the fluffy comforter over us. Her head was over my heart - right where I wanted it. I traced the soft skin of her back, and she looked up at me, a sleepy look on her face as she smiled and kissed my chest.

     "I love you, Caspian."

     "I love you too, Jasmine."

     Raymond has been right about two things; She was perfect. And it was a miracle I hadn't claimed her body long before. I loved her, and I needed her. More than anything.

Cherry’s Point of View

     After returning to the palace with Jasmine and Elenor, I was ready to get out in the sun and enjoy the water around me. I was surprised to see that there was someone else waiting for us with Caspian. Jasmine introduced him as Jacob, Caspian’s best man who was in the process of moving back to the castle. I remembered her telling me about him, but she’d neglected to mention how handsome he was. His dark hair, tanned skin and brooding brown eyes looked me up and down, a sideways smile appearing on his face when he took my hand for a brief moment.

     I listened intently as he told me all about Alca, getting the feeling he had told his adventures to every available woman he had come across. I had to admit that his tale of being stranded in a river in the middle of nowhere enthralled me, to the point I almost didn’t notice Jasmine and Caspian grinding on each other across from us. Jacob and I both saw it at the same time, and he winked at me before asking Caspian about honeymoon plans. We both snickered when his face turned red, and were happy to agree when they suggested we go for a swim.

     Ditching the lovebirds, I changed to my swimsuit, the one piece with a short skirt attached. As much as I was enjoying the unexpected attention, I didn’t feel secure with the male gaze, especially on the scars that lined my bikini area. I quickly rushed down to the water, having agreed to meet him there. I sighed in relief when I reached the water before his arrival. Being seen by strangers made my mind go to other places, dark places. Places I didn’t want to be.

     Jacob finally appeared, joining me under the waves. He took me out to sea, further out than I’d swam before. He said he had a spot he wanted to show me, and after swimming for what felt like forever, we arrived at a cluster of rocks. I felt my heart pounding, heard my breath hitch before the ringing in my ears took over. Rocks in the open water. Rocks jutting out of the sea, waves crashing against it, bringing me back to my time in captivity.

     He climbed onto the rocks and beckoned to me, and I shook my head, keeping a poker face. I wouldn’t reveal this fear, this weakness to a stranger.

     “Come on, the view up here is amazing!” His dark chest hair dripped water onto the rock underneath him. There was no cave, just a spot to sit. I took a breath, reaching out, seeing if he would hurt me or not. The waves whispered to me.

     He will not hurt you.

     I shook my head, my vision clearing. I took his hand and let him pull me up, consciously slowing my breathing as I faced my fears. I didn’t know him well enough to trust him, but I trusted my sight.

     He grinned at me. “Not so bad up here, right?” I shook my head, and he pointed to his right. “Look at that.”

     Dolphins leapt out of the crystal clear water, and I stared at them, amazed by the sight. Jacob looked at me, perplexed.

     “Have you ever seen them before?

     “Not close like this. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve swam before, but foster parents typically don’t prioritize time to explore the ocean.”

     His brows raised. “You were a foster kid?”

     “Yeah.”

     “Who would have guessed. We’re birds of a feather, Cherry.”

     “You were in the system, too?”

     He nodded, eyes on the dolphins. “Never knew my parents. Could be that they died, could be that they abandoned me or I was taken and they just never found me. All that I know is that at least one of them was a merfolk, because I can breathe underwater. As for the other, they could be anyone. What about you?”

     “Mine were both merfolk. They had drug problems and abandoned me and my sister when I was five.”

     He looked at me for a moment. “That’s rough. I’m sorry to hear that.”

     I shrugged. “It’s old news. I don’t worry about it too much anymore.”

     “Agreed. Things really worked out for the best in my case. Talun and Elenor - the king and queen - took me in when I was a teen. Never imposed themselves as my parents, just made sure I stayed out of trouble and had what I needed. I don’t know where I’d be without them.” The dolphins swam away, and he picked up a stone, skipping it on the water.

     “They do seem to have a thing for taking in strays, don’t they?”

     “Don’t even get me started. At one point, Elenor wanted to adopt, like, five kids at the same time. Talun put his foot down, compromised by letting her get five dogs-” His words broke off as he laughed at the memory.

     “I haven’t seen any dogs,” I laughed with him, kicking water onto him with my foot. “You have to tell me the rest of the story.”

     “Okay, so it turns out that Elenor has no clue how to take care of pets. It’s a miracle that the cat is even alive. She took her in, but Caspian got attached and took over her care himself.”

     “Never would have imagined him as a cat person.” I chuckled. “It’s nice, though. That they have such big hearts, all of them.”

     “Yeah. The only thing I want that I don’t have now is a family. You know, make sure that when I have kids, they have the family I wished I’d had as a child. Because of my dumb luck landing on the royal family’s doorstep, I’m in a position where I can provide that whenever the time comes. It’s just a matter of the right time and person.” He paused for a moment. “What about you?”

     “What do you mean?”

     “Do you want kids? A family?”

     “Yeah. I’m not getting my hopes up, though. There’s a lot I’ve got to figure out. For now, I’m taking it one day at a time.” I didn’t know him well enough to reveal my innermost thoughts; that while I shared the same dream, mine had been laid to rest. I kept my tone level, trying not to think about it too much.

     Jacob nodded, completely unaware of my thoughts as his grin showed through his coffee-colored eyes. “Talun always told me that when it’s right, you’ll know. Until then, enjoy life.”

     “That’s a good policy to have. Enjoy life.” I leaned my head back and let the sun fall on me, regretting my decision not to wear a bikini. I found that I was relaxed by his lighthearted words. They gave me hope for the future, that things would be alright somehow.

     “We should probably get back,” He said, looking at the position of the sun. “I have to make sure Caspian has a good time tonight. And not the type he had with Jasmine earlier in the kitchen.”

     I snorted. “They think we didn’t see, you know.”

     He wiggled his eyebrows before jumping in the water. “Oh, I know. Those two couldn’t keep a secret if their lives depended on it.”

     I dove in after him. “I’m starting to notice that.” I also noticed the way the drops of water glistened on his shoulder blades before he sunk under the surface with me, and I attempted to divert my attention.

     That night, I dreamed of Jacob, and of children I knew I would never have.