Part 1

DISCLAIMER: Needlessly violent and foul. You know, same old, same old phair.

FEEDBACK: Tell me you love it, hate it, or could not care any less… p.phair@comcast.net

PROMISE: As long as the ancient Celt haunting my dreams continues to tell me this story, I'll keep writing it down. This is what any generation would call a…

# Fair Trade

## by phair

Chapter 10

Dru exited Loich's home carrying the slop pail after preparing and serving the morning meal. Unlike in her Roman masters' homes, Dru sat at the table with Ainninn and Loich to take her meals. She was unsure if this was their custom or if Ainninn merely preferred it so. Loich gave no indication what he thought about any of his daughter's directives. He followed along as easily, maybe even more easily, than Dru when Ainninn stated her wishes.

It had been a dozen or so suns since they arrived. Dru was provided with warm clothing, soft boots, blankets, and a cot to sleep on in the kitchen of Loich's home. She was required to work hard but every member of the community worked very hard. Her efforts were no more strenuous or distasteful than Ainninn's own chores. As for her mistress, Ainninn was as good as her word about keeping her control of Dru firm in all manner except sex. Dru was entirely unmolested under Loich's roof in both deeds and leers. It was a way of life she was quite unused to. And, one she would like to maintain.

A casual observer might initially identify Dru as a free laborer living among the Celts. Outwardly, she was treated no differently than other servants living in the village. It took a nosy eye to spot the metal collar and cuffs neatly hidden beneath the layers of warm clothes Ainninn provided for her. Dru worried when she first donned the clothes if Ainninn would cut the material back to expose the metal encircling her neck and wrists. But, her mistress did the opposite. Ainninn found a longer heavier cloak for Dru to wear when the weather turned foul.

However, Dru decided the cloak was not needed today. The sun was climbing higher in the sky and with his rise, the wind gusted less. She was fairly certain it would be more than comfortable for her to do her chores without extra layers bogging her down.

Dru lugged the pail to the communal pig pen to dump the contents. As she got closer, the snorts from the pen grew in intensity and excitement. The happy sounds made Dru smile.

“Oh, so you want some half descent slop, lads?” An older woman by the pen spoke with slow and distinct words. “Let's see what the little Viking brought for you this morn!”

Dru squinted into the sun to flash the wrinkled old woman a wider grin, “My slop is only as good as the game my Mistress and her father bring home for me to clean.”

The woman studied Dru as she spoke trying to catch all of the thick words uttered by her foreign tongue. It took a moment and then the old woman grinned, “Ha! Yes, I got almost every other one. You are coming along well, my mumbling little friend.” The old woman turn the conversation back to the teasing and the daily dialect lesson by wagging her finger with a mock scolding, “You use some Norse witchery to cast a spell on the our impressionable piggies. You make them like your garbage best. I'm watching you close, Viking.”

“What gain is there to swoon pigs?” Dru, happy that she understood all the words, laughed as she dumped her bucket's contents into the trough.

The old woman waited while the pigs shoved and pushed to get their place at the feast before stating, “See, they love what you bring best. No doubt you be a witch. And, the brilliance of winning over a pig is simple. It's hard work to chase and then kill your prey. So much better that your victim runs to your embrace and offers a bare back to be stabbed.”

Dru's features paled with the woman's laughter. She had not considered a notion such as this before. A trap lay with kindness was still a trap.

“Why so serious? Did you miss my meaning?” The old woman asked noticing Dru's silence.

“No,” she said softly. “I understood you very well.”

“You look ill. Are you well or should I help you home?” The old woman understood what was said but missed Dru's point.
“No,” Dru blurted with a sudden, unreasonable fear of a helping hand grabbing her. “I'm well. Must have moved too fast after my meal. I'm fine. Thank you for asking,” Dru stepped backward and into a solid body behind her.

“You clumsy little bitch!” The crack of the voice startled Dru worse than a whip snap. “Are you trying to rob me?”

“Sorry, ma'am, sorry. I stumbled, is all,” Dru mumbled an apology fairly certain she understood Maida complaint even though the words were a loss.

“More likely trying to knock me down!”

The old woman who had been lightly bantering with Dru only moments before jumped in to defend a clearly confused Dru. “Maida! Leave the woman be. She's merely seeing to her chores.”

“And, knocking me over to steal my purse is one of her chores now? Really, Bria, you saw her hit me with your own two eyes. What did you think would come next?” Maida snarled.

“She did nothing of the sort, so don't be spreading tales, Maida,” Bria warned. “I stood no more than a hand span from the woman. She stepped back and you were too close. You should pay more attention to where you walk.”

“Ma, is there a problem?” A deep male voice called from a short distance.

Dru worked to smother a groan of annoyance. “Not them again,” she thought to herself.

She didn't need to understand what was said to realize trouble was gathering at her back. The beat of several heavy feet racing across the field snapped Dru into action. Dru turned on her heels and sprung toward the men racing for her. The move stunned them. It broke their formation. Maida's six sons were big but all were fairly dumb. The oldest, Oldren, was perhaps the dimmest of the brood. He held his ground and charged at Dru.

“He just never learns,” she thought to herself.

The slop bucket was launched right for his nose. It connected better than she hoped. Oldren howled and collapsed to the ground cradling his bleeding face. Dru didn't wait. She sprinted for the abandoned house at the far end of the village. The run was longer than she needed to wear the boys out but she could use the exercise.

Children began to hurry out from their morning meals to watch the chase. As usual, Dru inserted a few head over ass and back again flips to get the children laughing. Maida's sons must have had a filling meal because they were even slower than normal. She used the few extra moments to insert a cart wheel which made the children gasp with wonder.

“You there, girl,” Dru stopped running and spoke to a young girl carrying a pail filled with eggs. “Let me have three and I'll show you a game.”

The girl hesitated but other children urged her to hand over the eggs. It always amazed Dru how easily the children understood her. Perhaps, she was on their level of intelligence. More likely, they were just eager to see what games she knew and made a point to listen closer to her than the adults of the village would bother to do with a chatty slave.

The girl, a fiery red head, was a bit older than most of the other children and tired quickly of their begging. The girl held the pail out and Dru pick up three still warm eggs. She took a deep breath and began to toss the delicate items in the air. She caught each easily but there was always one in motion. The children giggled with delight at the trick.

“There is only one problem with this game,” Dru said to her audience.

“WHAT?” The children shouted with excitement.

Dru grinned, “I don't know any other way to stop except like this.”

Dru fired each egg at an approaching brother. The mess staggered them slightly. The children shouted and laughed and nearly danced into the path of the oncoming boys forcing the louts to slow even more. Dru chuckled and trotted off to the abandoned house and her secret escape route.

* * *

Ainninn exited her father's house and wrapped her cloak around her body to ward off the cold wind. Her bangs blew lightly with the breeze but it was not strong enough yet to lift the thick braids off her shoulders. Too soon in the season for that kind of gale. She stifled a yawn as she wandered over to the low stone wall ringing her home.

Commotion across the village common caught her attention as she settled down to sit. A small army of children were running and dancing in merry circle around Dru. The slave herself was trotting along punctuating her travels with a flip or a hand stand. This delighted the children no end. Ainninn rolled her eyes at the antics which were becoming so common place several prominent members of the village had discussed Dru's unprecedented displays with Ainninn already.

The Celts were a hard working people. Every member of their village contributed regardless of age or skill. All backs and every hand were needed if they were to survive the harsh elements of their birthplace. They celebrated as hardy as they worked. Marriages, births, deaths, and Samhain, were all welcomed with the same intensity as splitting wood or leading the hunt. Yet, the moments of joy on any given day was limited by whatever lad was working at your elbow and his sense of fun. It could, in fact, be rather dull. Nothing like the excitement of Rome.

Ainninn's attention was drawn back to Dru in time to see Maida's boys catch a handful of eggs with their faces. The children squealed at the sight. Ainninn heard an unexpected sound mixed with the little voices being carried on the morning wind; Dru laughed.

* * *

Dru could easily have used the broken front door to entered the empty home. Instead, she jumped through a gapping hole where the leather drape covering the window had rotted away. The room was dank from exposure to the elements. It surprised Dru each time she entered the abandon home that nothing was taken or moved since her previous visit. For some reason she could not fathom, the people of this village ignored the hovel and all its contents.

“The Roman's would have picked this place clean before the previous owner drew his final breath,” Dru muttered to herself. “But, these Celts are not Roman. They may actually be the opposite of Romans.”

She strolled across the dusty floor to the cupboard near the stone cold hearth. Pulling back a heavy fur left hanging as a door, she squatted and lifted trap in the floor by sliding her fingers between a splinter in one of the blanks. The hole beneath echoed with a welcome wind song but was dark as night. She dropped down into the space. Pausing a moment, she reached back and stilled the sway of the fur and then lowered the trap door back in place over her head. Dru suppressed the desire to whistle as she followed the tunnel to the other end; a dry, stone strewn crevasse.

She emerged in bright sun light feeling invigorated. The run had done her muscles a world of good. Dru allowed herself a small smile when she kicked a stone ahead of her as she walked down the ancient river bed. It lead to the meadow on the sea side of Loich's home. She would be back and doing her chores before anybody had a chance to miss her. Dru was sure of this.

She did a quick step kick to send another stone skidding ahead of her. The stone's progress was stopped cold by a heavy, booted foot emerging from behind a massive, moss covered boulder. Dru, like the stone, stopped still. She held her breath but not because she was uncertain of who owned the boot. Dru knew who it was and she knew then she was wrong assuming she would not be missed.

“Mistress,” Dru said as her owner stepped out into the middle of the crevasse.

“Morning,” Ainninn said with a grin. “Did you enjoy your run?”

Dru swallowed hard and felt the weight of her collar around her throat, “I wasn't trying to run off, Mistress.”

“Oh, I know. In fact, I know you've been taking these little sprints on a regular basis. It is quite the talk of the village.” Ainninn folded her arms across her chest as she explained, “The children have a keen interest in your skills. They've even started to imitate a few of the moves. Little Noe snapped a bone in his hand trying to do one of those flips you do so effortlessly.”

“Oh no,” Dru felt her stomach do its own back flip. “I didn't mean to encourage them, Mistress.”

“Really? It looked like you were trying to do just that with the egg stunt.”

Dru dropped her gaze to the stones beneath her feet. “Sorry, Mistress.” What else could she say?

Ainninn continued as if she did not hear the apology. “Their parents have been hounding me for several days to see this matter. And, I've made my mind up exactly how to address your antics.”

The healing welts on Dru's back burned to life. Her knees trembled with fear of revisiting such physical agony so soon. Tears tried to force their way out but Dru clenched her fists to hold them back.

“You will gather the children on the village green every other morning right before they break the fast. Show them how to perform some of the easier moves. Nothing to get them in trouble but enough to give their little bodies a good stretch. Run their little legs off then send them home to eat,” Ainninn said in a very serious tone.

“What?” Dru asked. “You want me to show them how to run and jump?”

Ainninn laughed, “I, for my part, don't actually care. My neighbors are another story. They care a great deal. It seems the children are running themselves into solid sleeping between their chores and their learning and their play. Pretending to be our own great, little Viking is quite the honor of late.”

“I don't understand, Mistress. Aren't their parents angry? I mean, Noe got hurt,” Dru walked toward Ainninn to ask her question. “I would think they'd be looking for a piece of my hide.”

Ainninn grimaced. “You should be glad they are not listening to Maida. Your skin is exactly what she wants. But, my neighbors are practical bunch. The children are exhausted by nightfall. They drop into their bedding and need to be dragged out at sunrise. Their parents are finding their own rest and,” Ainninn laughed, “a bit more than sleeping is going on when night falls. We'll be seeing a few more wee ones before the next summer solstice, I'd imagine.”

Dru thought for a moment and then blushed. She was so worried about being punished, her brain was slow to understand the villagers' agenda. Once she did, she was completely embarrassed. Embarrassment lead to a flash of anger.

“Fine, I'll play your village idiot sent out to entertain the babes so my betters get to entertain their wives.”

Ainninn visibly stiffened at the remark. Her eyes narrowed. However, she did not inflict her will with a violent show of words or might.

“I thought you would like the chance for regular exercise instead of waiting around to be chased about by lumbering bullies. It looked to me like you enjoyed your time with the children. I did not realize formalizing the chore would be such an imposition on your busy day.” Ainninn's temper snapped and she let her hands cut through the air between them to end the discussion. “Forget it! Forget I even offered you play time. I try to do something nice and you snarl at me. Forget it then! Do your chores and leave the children be. I'll tell Maida to keep her hounds on a shorter leash. If needs be, I'll escort you on your leash every single time you leave the house to enforce this peace you seek.”

With that pronouncement spoken, Ainninn turned and strode away. The only indication to the depth of her anger was the stomp of her boots on the stones. Each thump was like a physical blow leaving Dru trembling.

“What have I done?” She gasped. “I talked myself back onto the chain.”

Dru bolted after her Mistress. She had to try to apologize. She didn't want to go back to the trappings of slavery that Ainninn had previously ignored. Dru didn't want to stop taunting Maida's sons. She definitely did not want to stop showing off for the children. But, she mostly didn't want to disappoint Ainninn.

“Mistress, wait, please, I'm sorry,” Dru panted because of her fear and not because she was running to catch up with Ainninn. “Please wait!”

Ainninn was hurrying. She was trying to race further ahead but Dru was a well trained athlete. She was able to get in front of Ainninn before they reached the middle of the meadow. Dru's hastily prepared apology fled her mind when she saw Ainninn's face.

“Crying? Mistress, why are you crying?”

“Leave me be,” Ainninn tried to push passed Dru but the woman was rock solid and unyielding.

“Mistress, I'm sorry. I should not have spoken so sharply. I thought, I thought you sought to make a fool of me,” Dru confessed.

“Why would I do that?” Ainninn was bewildered by the claim. “I rescue you from certain death and then bring you to my home and you think I'm setting you out for mockery? Woman, are your senses rattled?”

Dru took a very serious tone to reply, “My head was often hit in the games. Perhaps, my brain was split somewhere along the way. Mistress may be the owner of a two minded slave.” Dru paused a moment before she burst out laughing but Ainninn did not even spare her a smile.

“I do not find your chatter amusing,” Ainninn warned. “You can not hide scornful disrespect of my station behind self abasement.”

Dru nodded agreement. “Please, Mistress, I'm sorry. I should not have spoken so when you offered something so wonderful. If you would still allow it, I would very much like to teach the children how to jump and run properly.”

“I shouldn't accept your begging, you know,” Ainninn sniffled back tears from her deeply wounded ego. “If my father or Finntan heard you speak to me so…,”

“NEVER!” Dru interrupted. “Mistress, I would never show that kind of disrespect to you in front of your kin or neighbors. I shouldn't have done so between just us but I would never forget my mouth with others near.”

“So you say now. But, mark me, I will not stay my hand the next time you let your tongue wag unrestrained at me.”

“I would bare my own back to your justice,” Dru whispered her submission.

Ainninn, surprised by the statement, took a moment to gather her wits. She wiped her face dry with her sleeve.

“Even if we are just us, I will not tolerate your prattle anymore. I will thrash you senseless and leave you for Maida's louts to paw over,” Ainninn threatened.

“Understood,” Dru kept her eyes down as she replied.

Ainninn started to step around Dru again but the slave reached out and took her hand.

“Will you tell me, now that we have finished with your stating your rights with me, why were you crying? Please, Ainninn, tell me,” Dru spoke softly and dared to make eye contact.

Ainninn focused on their hands. Dark fingers encircled by white fingers. The contrast intrigued her. The compliment of the image warmed her.

“I was trying to make you happy and you acted as if I was being cruel. You hurl my kindness back at me as if it came to you at no cost. You behave as if I owe you more than I do but the truth is you owe me more than you'll ever provide me,” Ainninn complained.

Dru brought their entwined hands to her heart and leaned down to kiss each of Ainninn's knuckles. “I'm sorry. I accept however you see fit to punish me.” The promise was hushed.

“Don't tease me. You made me swear an oath of chastity. It is too late for you to try to seduce me. I'll not let you play with me so. Release my hand,” Ainninn was emphatic.

“Please, Mistress,” Dru raised her own eyes to meet Ainninn's once more. “Perhaps, the pact we made was rash. I was new to you and fearful of your ways. Maybe, maybe we should start again. We could begin like this.”

Dru edged closer to Ainninn. Their hands were trapped between them. Dru pressed her lips to Ainninn's trembling lips and lingered there.

“See,” Dru hushed, “that was a nice thing I returned to you in thanks for your kind offer.”

Ainninn raised her free hand to cradled Dru's cheek. Dru flinched back out of conditioned reflex. Her body spasmed with a shiver of fear as she looked away in shame. The warmth of Ainninn's palm settled on her cheek and she turned toward it. She kissed the soft flesh and a tear slipped down her face.

“I won't hurt you,” Ainninn whispered as she pulled Dru's close. “I want you but I'm not interested in a struggle with you. You say the kiss was nice and it was but then you pull away. What do you want, Dru?”

Dru looked up and her tears broke loose, “Please, Mistress, I think I would like you to hold me?”

Ainninn complied with the request. She wrapped her arms around Dru and held her close. Dru, however, was unyielding.

“I've hugged softer stones,” Ainninn muttered and released her slave.

Dru stood with her face turned toward the ground beneath her feet. She did not reply. Another shiver would quake her frame ever few breaths but otherwise she was motionless.

“I don't know what to do,” Dru finally confessed.

Ainninn raise both her eyebrows in surprise. Her reaction was her own because Dru never glanced up.

“Didn't you said they trained you in the art of love?” Ainninn asked.

Dru clenched her fists but kept her eyes down as she bit out the answer. “No, I said they took from me that which all women hold dear. Usually, my Master had me beaten until I could not stand any long then he had me chained to the stable wall.”

“He would take you there? With the horse watching?” Ainninn was horrified.

“The horses never seemed to notice,” Dru shrugged. “Master would have me first and then leave me hanging for the day. Any soldier or slave with business in the barn was welcome to me. He kept me next to the water barrel for their convenience.”

Ainninn reacted on instinct. She removed her cloak and wrapped it around Dru. She cradled her close to ward off the shivering gripping the woman. Slowly, Ainninn lowered them both down to sit in the long grass. Hugging and hushing, Ainninn began to rock Dru. It took no more than heart beat for Dru to snuggle deeper into Ainninn's embrace.

“Why so cruel? What terrible trouble did you cause to make him inflict pain so hateful?” Ainninn asked as she nuzzled Dru's ear.

A sob broke and then another before the story would finally break free. “I don't know! I never knew what I did wrong. I couldn't understand anything he was saying! The bastard would order me to do something and I'd try to guess what and be wrong. He screamed but it was jibberish in my ears. I still wouldn't know what to do. He'd get disgusted and hand me over to the task master to begin my punishments.”

“God, bless her and free her from her misery with your warm light,” Ainninn mumbled a prayer her mother taught her as Dru cried. “I'll hold you, girl, and you weep away the bitter memories. Aten will bless you, Aten will heal you,” Ainninn hushed. “My mother promised me long ago that Aten is the strongest God a good heart like mine can call on and you need the strongest.”

Dru wept her disappointment, “Your Aten will never understand my prayer. Only you and children seem to be able to hear me.”

“This is why you are with me,” Ainninn said and gave Dru a gentle squeeze, “so I can call on him to heal you. I will beg him to turn you back to the softness of a woman from hard stone slave the Romans carved.”

“Hope he listens,” Dru was doubtful and her tears flow in full force.

Ainninn was not. “Aten will hear me. I was promised to him at birth and he blesses me daily. My mother made my father swear he would allow me to follow Aten to the afterlife. All Loich asks is that I respect Iwernia's goddess while air fills my lungs. I can respect her and still beseech Aten to bless you. I will promise you to Aten and you will join my mother and me in the afterlife.” Ainninn cuddled Dru closer as the weeping increased. She place a tender kiss to the sweaty brow. “You cry your heart out and I will pray mine away.”

Chapter 11

“I feel the fool,” Dru muttered when her tears finished their work.

“Waste no time on that,” Ainninn directed with a hoarse voice. “How does your heart beat? Weak as an old man or strong as a babe?”

Dru thought for a moment before shifting slightly in Ainninn's arms in order to see her Mistress. “It thumps along a little faster like I had a hard run.”

“Ah, very good,” Ainninn said with a grin. “Aten is blessing you. Before the winter comes, you'll have your whole heart back.”

Dru's features softened and she gave a shy look before averting her gaze. “Maybe, I don't want it back,” Dru whispered.

Ainninn just stared at the woman unsure what she meant.

“Well, maybe I don't want all of it back. Maybe you could keep a piece of it for me,” Dru ventured into the silence with a brief tremor in her usually steady tones.

“Lass, if I take a piece, even a tiny smidgen, I'll be looking for the gift that comes with a captive heart,” Ainninn said.

Dru did not answer immediately. She rested her head on Ainninn's shoulder and took a deep breath. They sat there while Dru considered her options. Ainninn was more than happy just to enjoy the beautiful morning and the warmth of the snuggly wrapped body in her arms.

“Will you help me give you the gift? I just don't know how it's done,” Dru finally spoke even though her cheeks pinked with her embarrassment.

“Yes, I think I can help you with the details,” Ainninn said with a chuckle. “You'll see, your body knows what to do if it wants what is offered. Let's hope I'm worth wanting.”

It was Dru's turn to laugh. “You have more worth than I've ever seen before. You could be goddess in Rome.”

“Blah, who'd want to be a goddess there when I'm me here?” Ainninn said before roaring with unrestrained laughter. “Nothing compares with life among the Celts, girl. Nothing!”

Ainninn punctuated her claim by taking Dru's cheeks in both hands and placing a firm kiss to trembling lips. The kiss was strong but warm and nibbling with a hungry desire. Dru hesitated slightly before her need was well and truly sparked. She returned the gesture and advanced the act with her own wayward tongue. It was Ainninn who broke first for air.

“Ahh, I think you're heart beat is shattering the stone prison holding it bound! You are tender under the shell, Dru. I can feel it.”

Dru shoved the cloak back from her shoulders. She was anxious to engage in this sport. But, her touches of Ainninn's body were tentative from inexperience. Ainninn encouraged her with nods and mirroring her moves so Dru could feel how wonderful the contact felt. With one hand, Ainninn snapped the cloak fully open and let is float down to spread across the grass. She guided Dru to recline on the rich garment.

Ainninn did not straddle the body below her own. Instead she knelt between Dru's thighs but left space between them so the woman would not feel crowded.

“Help me with this, won't you?” Ainninn hushed as she brought Dru's fingers to the edges of her tunic. “I'm fiercely hot and will soon swelter if you don't take it from my back.”

Dru did not reply as her fingers helped to strip her owner. In spite of the cool breeze, Ainninn's dark skin stayed warm as it was fully revealed.

“You are beautiful, Mistress,” Dru mumbled and tried to look away.

Ainninn took Dru's chin between her finger and thumb to direct her vision back to her face. “You can look at me with no fear while we do this. It should not be much of a task if you think fair.”

“Much more than fair. You are very lovely,” Dru blushed. “Too lovely to want me. I'm ruined.”

“Oh, that is something for a lover to decide,” Annan reassured. “Let me take my time and see what you've brought to me.”

Drub swallowed hard and nodded. She was the image of rejection even though Ainninn was progressing slowly with soft stroking and gentle words. Dru was motionless as Ainninn peeled away the tunic, boots, and trousers hiding years of scars.

Dru's body bore the marks of her suffering well. For all the abuse, she looked as strong as an ox. Her skin was tanned from years of fighting outside in the elements with barely a shield to protect her nakedness. Blond hair was bleached nearly white from long days under the Mediterranean sun. Her muscles were not merely hardened; they were finely sculpted by a skillful trainer in the art of making a human hand a weapon of death.

Ainninn studied Dru once all the cloth was put aside. Her first move, she knew, would either calm Dru enough to stay or send the woman into a panic which might be fatale for both of them. With just her index finger and thumb, she took hold of Dru's chin again to force eye contact.

“Ah, I finally have stiff competition. You are a competitor worthy of my challenge,” Ainninn said quietly.

Dru grimaced. “Mistress wishes to spar now that she's seen my shame?”

“No, your Mistress wishes the beauty beneath her would touch her. Will you, Dru? Will you touch me here?”

Dru's grimace vanished as Ainninn guided their entwined hands between her thighs. The warmth welcomed Dru's chilled finger tips. They easily slid up inside the wet, puffy lips of Ainninn center. A small gasp greeted the intrusion as Ainninn began to move against the strong hand filling her. Dru was fascinated watching the waves of emotions crossing Ainninn's brow; surprise, pain, relief, joy, and again, then out of order repeated again.

Dru realized her movements caused and changed Ainninn's response. The power of this new kind of control filled Dru. She found her own rhythm forcing Ainninn to adjust to her pacing and then changed it when Ainninn seemed ready to explode. The action removed the tension and started Ainninn working toward her climax all over again. A flame of desire ignited low in Dru's belly and twitched to life in her own deep, wet center.

Ainninn surrender to Dru's command. She rode the thrusts and then crashed with the shifting of the stroke heartbeats before her moment. Any other lover to try this move would have been tossed from her bedding. But, Ainninn knew Dru was not being cruel and taunting. The slave understood nothing of foreplay and less about sex. It was Dru's first time and Ainninn let Dru play with her as long as she wanted.

“Like this?” Dru finally questioned.

Ainninn reached down to guide the hand inside of her. “More like this.”

“Yes?”

“Yes,” Ainninn panted. “Harder, harder, push, hard…yes, yes, ah,” Ainninn gasped as her body spasmed.

Dru continued to pump into the contractions. She was pretty certain Ainninn found her thrill but stopping would lessen the moment. A smile crept across Dru's face as she realized the wetness between her own legs was a happy release.

Ainninn slumped forward and caught herself with a hand on either side of Dru's head. She smiled before placing a chaste kiss to Dru's expectant lips.

“You are a natural,” Ainninn breathed and began to trail kisses from Dru's lips to her chin, to her neck, to her breast, to her navel.

Dru stiffened and Ainninn stayed where she was. She continued to stroke Dru's outer thigh with soft finger tips. Nibbling kisses were liberally delivered to the soft skin around the belly button. But, Ainninn went no further with her exploration.

“What, what are you waiting for?” Dru asked with panic evident in her voice.

“Permission,” Ainninn mumbled then returned to caressing the skin beneath her lips.

“What? Permission?” Dru was befuddled. “I'm nothing but your slave. You can do with me as you like.”

“Then,” Ainninn said and looked up with a grin. “Then, I would like permission to taste your sweetness.”

Dru's cheeks blushed with shame as she confessed, “I doubt you'll taste anything but the bitter dregs of my innocence but you are welcome to it.”

Ainninn placed a soft kiss on the furry patch of blond hair gracing Dru's sex. She breathed in the scent and noted the excitement Dru already found. Ainninn gently lapped the traces of joy clinging like morning dew to the slave's swollen lips. A low moan from above encourage Ainninn to delve deeper and her tongue was greeted with a shiver. Dru reached down for Ainninn's hair with a sudden fear of this unprecedented thrill.

“I'll go slow, lass. Soft as a breeze until you beg for the wind to take you over the cliff,” Ainninn promised as she took Dru's hand and guided it to her face. “Hold me here and feel my moves before I inflict them inside you.”

Dru was mute with warring emotions and meekly nodded agreement.

Ainninn dipped her tongue into Dru's slit. She took a lazy path from bottom to top and back again. Dru moan before bending her knees to dig in her heels. Her hand remained on Ainninn's cheek but her fingers curled around her long braid. Ainninn ventured deeper into the hot center. Dru let out a yelp but was pulling Ainninn closer, not pushing away. Ainninn latched on to the throbbing nub she'd long sought. Dru gasped and Ainninn nipped lightly at her prize.

“More,” Dru managed to beg.

Ainninn happily obliged and enter Dru with two fingers. Another squeak of delight broke the morning stillness. Ainninn pumped in and out slowly increasing the pace until Dru lost all control. Her scream echoed over the meadow and sent a flock of birds skyward.

Ainninn snagged the edges of her cloak and pulled the material around them as she settled down next to a still panting Dru. Once she stretched out, Dru wrapper trembling arms and legs around her long body. Dru buried her face into the crook of Ainninn neck. The grin spreading across Ainninn's face vanished when she heard a sniffle.

“What's that? Did I hurt you? Tell me, why the tears?” Ainninn held Dru close as she asked.

Dru shook her head slightly but refused to let go of her Mistress. “I never knew it could be so nice. All these years of pain, it could have been ecstasy.”

“No, lass,” Ainninn said and placed a tender kiss to the top of Dru's head. “It can only be ecstasy with the one you are meant for. So, I guess you really are mine.” She paused a moment before admitting, “And, I just might be yours.”

The arms holding Ainninn tightened but Dru did not lift her face from its safe harbor to answer. “I hope you are right. Having wasted so much time, I'd rather not let another day get away from me looking to find this delight with somebody else.”

Before Ainninn could reassure Dru a voice shouted from Loich's parapet.

“ROMANS!”

TBC

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