The Enforcer's Bride

Chapter 15

Jude

I observed Sister Leah march Hannah across the town square, Hannah’s eyes darting nervously to the center where executions take place. I chuckled, Sister Leah must not have delivered the news of my gift with a good spirit if Hannah is nervous about the death knot.

After the Black Room incident and consulting my father, I prayed. How could the Father guide me to be a good man fit to lead Hannah back into His fold? What could I do to bring my Hannah back to me?

Quieting my mind was difficult as echoes of Hannah’s moans as she came and the sight of her naked body kept taking over my attention. Making me want to find her, strip her, and show her how good submission can be.

Inspiration struck as I left the Temple, thanks to the Father, and I quickly made arrangements.

I continued to watch as Sister led Hannah across the square, community members stopping every so often, shocked to see Hannah returned and alive. The square, being our main center of town, was surrounded by all necessary parts of our community. The Enforcer’s building, large and concrete on one side and the Temple directly beside it. Then on the other side the bakery, produce shop, and butchery, all smaller brick buildings. Food, faith, and protection, the necessary pillars of any community.

From fifty feet away I could almost hear community members whispering as the Sister lead Hannah to the bakery.

Hannah stopped directly in front of it, put her hand over her mouth, then pushed past the Sister to rush inside into Margaret’s arms.

Commonly referred to as Mags, Margaret is one of the oldest women in our community and has been running the bakery ever since my father was a young boy. Hannah’s mother learned and worked alongside Mags within the shop for years, then would bring Hannah to work alongside them. Hannah would leave her work in the bakery covered in flour and smelling like sugar.

During our courtship I would wait for Hannah outside the bakery and walk her home before dinner and evening prayers, the backs of our hands slightly brushing against each other, listening as Hannah effusively described new recipes she was trying or special requests from community members. I admired her passion for her work, I could listen to her describe a recipe step by step and never get tired of hearing her voice. I wanted to be with her everyday for the rest of my life.

“I cannot believe that you still detest raisin bread!” Hannah laughed as we slowly walked down the dirt road lined with workshops and houses.

The closer to the square a family lived, demonstrated a higher community need for those individuals. The healers live closer to the square while the field workers live the farthest. Hannah’s parents lived about in the middle, her mother working the bakery while her father was a Temple bookkeeper.

The fall chill was starting to settle in and tree leaves were drifting lazily to the ground around us.

I shrugged, “Well at least I don’t have the vegetable preferences of a child.” Hannah stuck out her tongue, “There’s nothing wrong with only liking green vegetables, that is a natural color for vegetables. I have no idea why the Father would make something orange.”

“The Father makes no mistakes, everything he makes is perfect.”

I stopped and looked directly into Hannah’s bright blue eyes, wanting to kiss her. Hannah blushed and tried to look away, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks, I caught her chin and pulled her face to mine. f**k tradition, f**k customs, I wanted to be Hannah’s first everything. I leaned in to kiss her when suddenly I heard a cough. Hannah and I sprung apart to see my father standing ten feet behind us with his arms crossed, mouth set in a thin line.

“I’m sure Hannah can see herself the rest of the way home.” My father narrowed his eyes, “Jude, come with me.” He commanded. Hannah bowed her head and started quickly walking to her home.

“Don’t worry, I’ll pick up where we left off someday!” I called to her, grinning. She slightly looked back over her shoulder at me, a soft smile playing on her rosy lips.

I walked back over to my father where he grabbed my collar and hauled me back to his councilman’s apartment. If only he hadn’t interrupted that day, Hannah would’ve been my first kiss. I mused to myself if Hannah had been kissed since then. I still had many questions about her life in the outside world.

I could see through the bakery window the women hugging, separating, smiling, then hugging again.

I smiled to myself, pleased I could bring Hannah joy and walked slowly back to the Enforcer’s building when Malachi ran up the steps behind me.

“News from the detail,” he panted, “Our contact in D.C delivered the information and the target is still pursuing answers.”

“He’s tenacious isn’t he?” I smirked.

“He may find us, how would you like to proceed?” Malachi asked, following closely behind me as I picked up pace.

I waved my hand, “He may find us, but he will never be able to tell what he may see.”

“And what will he see?” Malachi asked, “How much we will reveal?”

“He will see exactly what I want him to see, the girl he’s trying to save is happy at home.” I said, looking back to the bakery.