The Red Witch

Chapter 10

“When will you stop playing with my life?” Karin asked as she shed her dress.

“Someday soon, I pray.” Greyson answered as he too shed his clothes and crawled into bed. Karin lifted her slip and carefully crawled in, staying close to the edge. “But for now, we can rest easy.” He settled back, waiting for her to join him. She did not.

“You can rest easy.” She countered. “You don’t have Lady Judith vying for your blood. You heard her today. She won’t give up until I’m dead.” She remained near the edge of the bed and laid down, pulling her pillow over for comfort. “And your father won’t tolerate us being married. He will find out the truth eventually and no doubt that poor monk will pay with his life.”

“Peter has been well compensated.” Greyson said as he turned on his side and shuffled up behind Karin. He leaned in and kissed her shoulder. She hunched it and pulled away from him. “And what I said to my father was true.” He pulled her over onto her back. “I cannot marry another because I am already married to you, and he doesn’t have a choice but to tolerate it. I’ve done nothing illegal and if he demands it be annulled, I will simply make it impossible.”

“And how would you do that?” Karin asked, pushing him back some. She turned on her side again.

“How do you think?” He returned as he pulled her back over again, this time holding her there as he moved over her.

“No.” Karin said firmly. “I have done everything you’ve asked of me but I refuse to do that.” She pushed him back a second time but he didn’t move. “I will not bleed for you Greyson.” She told him. “And you will not make me.”

“No, I won’t force you.” He told her as he slipped his hand beneath the blankets and lifted her slip. “But nor will I restrain my desire any longer.”

“Greyson!” Karin protested as she grabbed his hand to stop him. “I said no!” No such luck. He lifted her slip to her thighs and pressed his knee between hers. Karin began to whimper and she turned her head away, expecting to feel him down there. She balled her fists and hit his shoulder. “No!” She cried. She felt him grow against her and press against her thigh and she began to cry in shame.

“Don’t move.” He told her quietly as he lowered his head to her. “And stop crying.”

“Beast!” She snapped at him. “You foul bastard! You gave me your word!”

“Enough!” He said through gritted teeth. He took Karin by the chin, forcing her to look at him and she stopped hitting him. She kept trying to push him back though but she knew she couldn’t win. He rested his weight on her, pressing his desire against her thigh but he did not advance. “Stop crying.” He repeated quietly, his voice calm and almost soothing. Under the blanket, his hand moved steadily up her other thigh, dragging her slip with it. She whimpered again and flinched. “I won’t hurt you.” He said.

His fingers traced along to inside her thigh and then further across. Karin’s eyes went wide in shock and then her entire body jumped as he touched her gently between her folds. Karin instantly gripped the bedsheets at her sides and gasped as she felt his fingers slide down and then back up. It jolted her and she gasped again. He repeated the action and Karin pressed her head back into the pillows. “Oh God!” She whimpered. He began moving his hand in a slow rhythm, rubbing her jewel until she became slick and heated inside. She closed her eyes, feeling her body respond in a way she had never felt before. She felt him become heated against her thigh and he moved himself against it as he carefully slipped his fingers into her, the heel of his hand still rubbing her jewel. “Greyson!” She gasped, “What are you doing?” She cried out softly then and arched her back.

“Do you want me to stop?” He asked in a low growl as he pleasured himself against her thigh. He moved his hand a little quicker and kissed at her throat as her skin flushed with colour.

“No!” She cried and then grabbed his hair, pulling his lips tighter to her skin. “More!” He steadied his rhythm, sliding his fingers deeper into her and she tightened on them. After kissing at her throat, he lowered his head as far as he could without shifting his weight away and he nipped at her breast under her slip. Her cries sharpened as she felt her body begin to ache and he grunted with need. He massaged her deeply, easing back the fold that he would later tear open. Karin felt her body tense up and though somewhat uncomfortable with what he was doing, she felt her release cast a giant wave over her and she cried out quite loudly. The honey she released, Greyson quickly spread over her folds and he finally made his advance. So delirious was Karin, she didn’t realise what he was doing until it was done. A sharp pain hit her as he nestled between her thighs. She would bleed after all.

Greyson pushed deeply but gently into Karin and he growled deep in his throat when he felt her give to him. She cried and whimpered as her maiden blood began to flow. He felt like a red hot iron piercing into her and though she tried to push back, she couldn’t and soon enough, he was hip to hip with her. “Easy.” He cooed as he pulled his nightshirt over his head and threw it away. “Karin, it’s ok.”

“It hurts!” She cried back but then couldn’t help but fall silent at his image. She had not seen him without his shirt before. Her hands lifted instinctively and she touched the powerful muscle around his chest and ribs.

“I know.” He told her softly. “It will pass, I promise.” He lifted her back enough that he could lift her slip right up and then pulled it over her head and cast that aside also. Karin went to hide herself from him but he shook his head and moved her hand back as he settled on her again. “Never hide yourself from me.” He cooed. He licked his lips as he lowered his head again, kissing her flesh tenderly. As he did so, he gently moved his hips, pressing into her. She cried out anew and tried to push him back a third time. “Karin.” He said, turning her head to make her look at him. “Look at me.” He moved again and she flinched but kept his gaze. He moved a third time and she let out a small cry of both pain and pleasure. She gripped at his ribs. “Now lift your knees gently.” He asked, trying to encourage her. She did so and he groaned deep in his throat again. “Higher.” She did so and then cried out softly in pleasure only. She felt the pressure ease away and as he moved a fourth time, she felt him touch her core. He leaned down, kissing her deeply and with love, breathing through as he began his rhythm. Karin responded instantly, gripping his sides with her knees. Her hands went to his hair, pulling his head down and she kissed him this time.

Twice more Greyson brought his new wife to release before he finally reached his own and though he hadn’t want to, he planted his seed deep inside her. His shout echoed around the room before he collapsed atop her. Karin whimpered softly as her knees dropped again. The sting was agonising and as he moved, she yelped. “It’s ok.” He told her again. He kissed her softly, kissing away her tears and he smiled down at her. “You were worth waiting for.” He whispered at her. She nodded gently and then whimpered as she felt him slide from her. The sheets became soaked as her body expelled him and he moved back enough that she could breathe easily. He moved across, falling onto his back beside her. She turned on her side and he pulled her to him.

“Will it always hurt like that?” She asked quietly as she let him gather her close.

“No.” He said honestly and he kissed the top of her head. “The worst is over and soon enough, you will feel only the pleasure of it. You might even come to crave it as I do.” He put his free hand behind his head and closed his eyes. She felt him relax and so she relaxed also.

“How is it that you can break your word without….?” She stammered.

“Without what?”

“Without me knowing it.” She continued. “You gave me your word you would not force me, yet you….”

“But I also told you I would not hold back my desire any longer.” He turned his head and opened his eyes. He looked down at her on his shoulder as she looked back up at him. “In truth Karin, I did nothing that your body didn’t ask of me and what you asked of me.”

“I did not.” She said, lifting her head quickly.

“I asked you if you wanted me to stop.” He said. “Your answer was clear.” He nodded as she put her head back down. “You should get some sleep now… Wife.” He said with a grin. Karin groaned softly and shook her head as she settled down to do just that.

Karin woke alone in the bed, though not alone in the room. Her eyes opened to find Emily stood over her with a wide grin on her face and when Karin realised she was still naked, she grabbed up the blanket and held it tight to her. “Good morning!” The girl said cheerily. “I see someone had a wonderful night!” Emily winked knowingly. She perched on the edge of the bed as Karin gripped the blanket tighter.

“Emily, what are you doing?” Karin asked quickly and skittered further back.

“Oh come now!” Emily chimed with a sigh, “Did you really think we wouldn’t find out?”

“Find out what exactly?” Karin asked as she turned over and began searching for her slip. It wasn’t where Greyson had thrown it. Emily had it. “Give me that!” She demanded. Emily handed the garment over with a laugh and Karin pulled it on, dragging it down under the blankets as quickly as she could.

“The whole house is buzzing with the news!” Emily told her as she pulled the blankets back sharply and then laughed again at the mess on the sheets. “And Lord Greyson hasn’t stopped smiling all morning!” She chuckled. “You two are very sly, you know, hiding your little secret from us all and Lady Judith is fuming. I swear she nearly soiled herself when Lord Greyson went down and told his father.”

“He told them?!” Karin yelped and fled the bed quickly. “No!” She cried, “No, no, no! She wants me dead already! Emily, you’ve got to hide me!” She pulled on her dress as quickly as she could. As she raced to the door and opened it, she found a servant about to knock with a breakfast tray.

“Good morning, Mistress.” He said warmly. “My Lord Greyson has asked that I bring you your meal in bed.”

“Not now!” Karin snapped harshly and pushed past him.

“Mistress!” The servant called but Karin ignored him.

“Mistress!” Emily called also and gave chase. “Sorry!” She called to the other servant. “I’ll clean up later!” The two women ran down the corridor and out onto the balcony where Karin stopped dead in her tracks. “Mistress!” Emily gasped, “At least let me tie your dress up!” She grabbed at Karin’s laces but Karin batted her hand away. “You can’t go down like that! You’re not decent!” She tried again and failed again as Karin moved to the top of the stairs and looked down in absolute horror.

“You lied to me!” Ferrydean snapped as he paced before his son. Greyson sat easily in his chair with his elbows on his knees. “How could you?!”

“I told you, Husband.” Judith said coldly as she rubbed her belly. “She has bewitched him, clouded his mind and darkened his soul.”

“Shut up Judith.” Greyson returned quickly.

“Mind your tongue!” Ferrydean shouted.

“Or what?” Greyson asked, “You’ll have it cut out? You’ll die trying.”

“This will not stand Greyson.” Ferrydean told him as he pointed a gnarled finger at him. “I’ve already spoken with the Bishop and he agrees. This marriage is invalid, committed illegally by an apprentice not ordained in the rites.”

“You paid him, you mean.” Greyson corrected. “The man was happy to perform the ceremony as I asked of him. He is still a ward to God and thus able to do His will. No matter what the Bishop says, Father, this marriage will stand.” He watched as his father began to pace again. “Are you so desperate for a title Father, that you’ll destroy an innocent just to get what you want?” He asked. “Or is it that you are jealous? Your own wife has been such a disappointment that you feel you must take mine.”

“How dare you!” Judith shouted. She sat upright on the bench, her face snarling with rage. She looked to Ferrydean, “You see?” She snapped. “You see what that witch has done to your son?”

“And why do you hate her so much, Step-mother?” Greyson asked, turning his own angry eyes on her. “Is she that much of a threat to you?”

“That w***e is a threat to us all!” Judith returned sharply. “Her sorcery will destroy us! We will burn in hell for letting her stay here!”

“Why?” Greyson asked. “Because she has red hair? Because she has a mind and a voice to speak it? Or is it because you see her replacing you as Lady of Ferrydean Castle as you replaced my father’s previous wife?” He c****d his head to one side as Judith looked away. “I thought so.” He said, eyeing her sharply. “But you are right about one thing, Step-mother.” He grinned, “There is a w***e in this house but it isn’t Karin. Until I married her, Karin remained untouched. The only blood she ever left on my sheets until last night was little more than her cycle. Unlike yourself, who was not only eager to turn my father’s head but had spread your legs for more than just him.”

“You shut your mouth!” Judith yelled.

“Enough!” Ferrydean shouted. He turned to Judith. “Leave us.”

“I will not!” Judith shouted at him.

“I said leave us!” Ferrydean yelled back. Judith quickly got to her feet, scowling at her husband before giving Greyson a look that could sour milk. She then spotted Karin at the top of the stairs.

“You w***e!” She screamed, “You’ve ruined everything!”

“Judith!” Ferrydean yelled. The woman fled the hall as both men turned their heads up and regarded Karin. “You!” He snapped. “Come here!”

Karin approached slowly, her dress hanging loose, her hair in a tangled mess down her back and her bare feet creeping along the stones. Ferrydean growled at his son and shook his head in disappointment. As Karin got close, Greyson rose and held his hand out to her. She took it and he sat down again, pulling her across to sit on the bench next to him. Karin perched carefully, suddenly aware that she was still a little sore. Ferrydean paced a few more times before stopping. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done, girl?” He asked her. “The chaos you have caused my mouse?” Karin opened her mouth to respond but Ferrydean lifted his finger at her. “You were nothing when I brought you here.” He continued. “A dirty, motherless wretch of a girl that should have been dead long ago. I gave you a home, I fed you, I put you to work. I gave you an honest life and this is what you do with it? I think perhaps I should have sent you away as my wife demanded.”

“Sire.” Karin said quickly, “If I may?”

“You may not!” He snapped. “You will remain silent, understand?”

Slowly, Karin got to her feet and squared her shoulders. “Forgive me Sire, but I will not remain silent.” Ferrydean opened his eyes wide in shock.

“How dare you defy me!” He shouted.

“No! How dare you!” She shouted back but then took a deep breath. She firmed her jaw and lifted it in defiance. “How dare you presume to tell me of my place! How dare you presume to know what I shall and shall not do with my life! And how dare you think I owe you anything! You traded me for six iron without a single thought or care to your son when your wife made it clear you couldn’t have me as your w***e! It was Greyson that gave me a home, Greyson that fed and shod me, Greyson that cared enough to let me be me!” She pointed at him to press home her point. “You gave me nothing!”

“Why you impudent b***h!” Ferrydean boomed as he raised his hand to strike her. Karin didn’t flinch but Greyson did and quickly got in the way. “Move!” He demanded.

“It’s ok.” Karin told Greyson quietly and moved around him carefully back to Ferrydean. “It’s ok, he can hit me if he wants.” She eyed Ferrydean carefully. “But I guarantee, it will be the last time he will ever use that hand.” Ferrydean hesitated and Karin lifted her chin again. “Go on, Lord Ferrydean, strike me down if you dare.” He raised his hand again, tensing his shoulder.

“Father!” Greyson growled.

“Disgusting w***e!” Ferrydean yelled and brought his hand down to strike. Karin held her breath and lifted her head just a little more. Everything seemed to slow down a little and she watched his aged fist come towards her, picking out each hair along his knuckles as it got closer and closer. She then smiled as she leaned to one side. She tucked her shoulder back and turned her ribs side on. Ferrydean’s hand sailed by with an inch to spare and landed heavily on Greyson’s chest instead. The shock on his face was priceless and Greyson couldn’t help but begin laughing. Karin waited until Ferrydean withdrew and then righted herself. “How…?” He stammered before growling at her, “You are a witch!”

“Oh please!” Karin said with a sigh, “Did you honestly think I’d actually let you hit me?” She lifted her chin in defiance again. “There’s no sorcery in what I do or don’t do and I was dodging my father’s fists before I could even walk. And he was stronger and faster than you could ever be. I’d just be grateful Greyson stopped you falling on your ass and making even more of a fool of yourself.”

“That’s enough!” Ferrydean snapped, rubbing his wrist from the impact.

“Oh, I haven’t even started.” Karin goaded with a smile. “From my first moment in this God forsaken castle, I have watched, I have listened and I have learned while you have paraded your wealth and so called respectability around like a new stud. You may have held the King’s favour once, mighty Lord Ferrydean but respect and true wealth is something you will never have and I’ll tell you why. Every time you spit your foul mouth over the people that have worked and died for you, you lose their respect and their trust. You go through wives like your son goes through shirts and yet you expect him to gain you better standing and then you berate him for refusing to be like you. You’re no man of worth Ferrydean, you’re just a hen-pecked bully of a man hiding behind his equally foul mouthed bully of a wife!” She then spat on the ground at his feet. “And don’t even try giving me a reason to lay all her sins bare, for you know well and true, I will and I will make sure everyone knows about it. You’ll be the laughing stock of the entire valley, not just this damned castle!”

“You’ll hang for this.” Ferrydean said darkly and with malice.

“Fine.” She replied as she turned about and moved away. “And I’ll gladly drag you to hell with me. Good morning, Father.” She spat the last word as she returned to Emily, who stood with her mouth agape in horror.

“That….. That b***h!” Ferrydean gasped before looking at his son. “And you chose to marry her? You’re insane!”

“I know.” Greyson said with pride and sat back down again.

Judith’s carriage pulled up outside the run-down house and Hamish Tilling emerged from inside with a look of confusion. Judith opened the curtain and looked out with a handkerchief held to her nose. “Well look what we have here!” Hamish said with a grin as he approached the carriage. “If it isn’t her ladyship in person. Are you lost?”

“Where is your father?” She asked over the delicate lace. “I have a proposition for him.”

“About fifty yards that way.” Hamish returned, pointing his hand at the family graveyard. “But you’ll find the conversation a little one sided.”

Judith looked out a little and firmed her jaw. “I suppose you’ll have to do then, young Master Tilling.” She said with a sigh.

“I’m listening.”