Fate

Chapter 15

Another month passed. Sebastian came nightly to Al’y’Coré Moli. He had eyes for Ella only. Slowly the troop of entertainers around Ella took note of this, and tried to alert her; thinking they were doing it for her own good: they too had had the experience of being used by a noble. But every time, Ella sent them packing the way she did with Rinae. And it dawned that no one truly knew Ella’s past. To them, she was a new singer that Vari had heard on the streets as she begged for money. Sheila and Rinae knew she had been a whore as well, as did Vari, for as her employer, he had to know. The few friends she had made drifted away from her a little, unsure of what to do about the relationship between her and Sebastian.


“O-Oh, Seb, could you please be a little careful?” Ella said, “Don’t jostle me around like that!”

“Sorry sweet.” He slowed down marginally. The house was deserted once more, and Sebastian was bringing her to the same little drawing room, carrying her bridal-style. Arriving, he pushed the door open, and set her down on the divan. He ran his customary check of the locks before returning to his love, and kissing her everywhere visible. Ella couldn’t take it, and pushed his overcoat and shirt off, while he deftly unhooked the buttons at the back of the dress and untied the corset. Both fell to her waist as the couple hugged ever closer, lips trailing kisses everywhere. Their breathing grew ragged as they aroused each other more and more. Sebastian’s hand fumbled with the dress, not bothering to take it off, but simply looking for the bottom and working upwards. When his fingers touched her, Ella moaned and fell back, shivers coursing her body. Taking this as an invitation, Sebastian followed her movement, and worked her more. The shivers came, more and more violent, until Ella cried her release, clawing at Sebastian’s neck and back as she forced his mouth on hers. She took a moment to regain her breath, before tentatively sitting up, and throwing herself on Sebastian, forcing him back this time. The languid way she untied his pants was enough to make him groan with need. She stroked him deftly, and just as he was tightening under her fingers, she swiftly bent down and caught his offering in her mouth. With a moan, she savored it, before bending to kiss him. Softly first, then more urgently, with more need. Ella unhooked the last of her buttons and slipped the corset, dress, and underskirt off in a clean movement. Sebastian followed her lead, divesting himself completely of his clothes. Aroused once more, they caressed and kissed, wanting more and afraid to ask for it. Finally, Ella threw the remnants of clothing to the floor and laid back on the divan, her legs spread.

“Take me,” she whispered, her arms outstretched to welcome him. Sebastian hesitated.

“Seb! Take me, please!” she implored, “Do not doubt me now…”

He slowly nodded, then positioned himself between her legs. With a slow thrust, he pushed in completely, before pulling out again. Ella’s eyes were closed in pleasure. He continued, establishing a steady rhythm. Ella wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him to her as her climax approached.

“Harder, Seb, faster!” she pleaded. He complied, feeling his own climax building. For her sake, he held on until her legs turned the jelly and he felt her clench around him. Only then did he let go and the two melded together in bliss, harsh breath and ragged moans intermixing.

He pulled out of her, as he felt himself soft again, and took her in his arms, nestling the two of them together. They lay as such for several minutes, silent, before starting to dress again. The delicate way they did so translated the love they shared. Mid-dressing, a sound alerted Sebastian, causing him to peek out the windows. With a strangled yelp, he pulled back, fear written on his face.

“They’re back early!” he exclaimed to Ella. Her eyes widened in fear as she struggled with the buttons on her dress. They were halfway up when a sharp knock came on the door. The lovers looked at themselves in horror. Neither of them was finished dressing.

“Sebastian? Are you in there?” It was Xander, “Why is the door locked?”

Desperately, Sebastian looked around the room: there was nowhere to hide.

“What do we do?” Ella whispered, frightened.

“I don’t know. Oh Ella, I’m so sorry!”

She looked around, and, realizing there was no way out save the door, she finished doing her buttons up.

“Sebastian? Come on please, we have business to discuss!” Xander was getting impatient.

“And I want to show you what I’ve bought!” came a high voice: Miranda’s. Sebastian’s eyes widened in further horror. He was dead. There was no possible explanation for Ella to be in a locked drawing room with him.

“I love you Ella,” Sebastian told her, before crossing to open the door.

“Well! It’s about time! What were you doing in here?” Xander of Dasz strolled into the drawing room, then stopped short at the sight of Ella.

“Who is she? And why is she in here?” The Duke’s voice had turned cold. Very cold.

“Father, I, I can explain,” Sebastian began.

“I should hope so,” said Miranda, who was staring at Ella; positive she had seen her face before, “I know that woman, I’ve seen her before.”

With dismay, Ella realized that Miranda remembered her from when she had come to tell the Dasz family she had witnessed Ana’s murder. Ella did her best to keep her face blank, though inside she was trembling with fear.

“She was…entertaining me,” Sebastian said. The Duke raised an eyebrow, “By singing. This is a girl from Vari Del’mas’s place, Al’y’Coré Moli.” The Duke looked convinced, but not Miranda. Her eyes roved the room, and suddenly fixed on something.

“Are you sure that’s all Ella was doing?” she asked icily.

“Ye-yes, of course,” answered Sebastian.

“Then why, pray tell me, are there stockings over the back of the divan?”

Ella’s breath quickened, but she let Sebastian tackle that one. Unless spoken to, her rank didn’t allow her to speak.

“The maid must’ve left them there accidentally. I’ll speak to her.”

“Sebastian, today is the maid’s day off. I should think that these haven’t been around since yesterday, hmm?” The Duke’s doubt was beginning to show, “Leave us Miranda,” She retreated without a word, shooting an angry look at Sebastian.

“My son, I would’ve hoped you would be a better liar.” He took a step closer, and slapped Sebastian across the face.

“But you never never bring a whore inside the house!”

“She is not a whore!” As Sebastian uttered those words, he knew he had just sealed both his and Ella’s fates.

“What did you say?” Xander of Dasz whispered furiously, before slapping his son again.

“She. Is not. A whore.” Sebastian reiterated his statement. “Miranda recognized her, you don’t? This is Ella, Father: The same one who witnessed Ana’s murder!”

“A witness I should’ve silenced when I had the chance,” the Duke murmured.

“What?” Sebastian breathed, incredulous, “You ordered Ana’s death?”

“She was too rebellious. She had no intentions of marrying. Can you imagine the shame? I should have conformed to the traditional belief: When a first-born is female, kill her lest she bring shame and disgrace.”

“Does Mother know?”

“No,” the Duke sighed, “Bring her—” he waved in Ella’s direction “—back to where she came from. And next time, you go there. Never bring a whore into this house again, or you will leave with her.” Before Sebastian had a chance to retort, Xander of Dasz stalked off, leaving Ella and Sebastian alone.

“That was close,” Ella whispered.

“Let’s get going before something else tickles his mind.”

Ella grabbed her stockings, slipped her shoes on and followed Sebastian out the back way. He hailed a hansom and they both got in.

As they neared Al’y’Coré Moli, Sebastian finally spoke.

“I might not be able to come for a few nights, just to sort things out with my family. But I do not, in any way, regret this afternoon. It was worth it. I love you Ella, you’ll hear from me soon.”

“I love you too Seb,” They kissed, and she hoisted herself out of the hansom, making a beeline for the door under the rain. When she reached it, she turned and blew a kiss at the darkened hansom. As it drove off, Ella turned and found herself face to face with Vari.

“Oh, hello,” she squeaked.

“Good afternoon Ella, I was just on my way to visit some nobles. I’ll see you tonight, right?”

“Yes, of course,” she replied, “See you later!” Ella edged past him and headed straight to her room. As she pushed the door open, a comforting hand dropped on her shoulder, and Ella turned around to look into Rinae’s concerned face.

“I was looking for you earlier,” she said, “Can I come in?”

“Sure,” Ella replied, walking in and taking her cloak off, carefully hanging it on the hook at the back of the door. “Have a seat,” she gestured the room, as she put her stockings away and took her shoes off.

“So, umm, where were you this morning?” Rinae asked, “Sheila and I were looking for you to go shopping.”

“Oh, I was out. I left early.”

“Aah… you, you were at that noble’s house, weren’t you?”

“What are you talking about?” Ella answered, feeling the blush creep up her neck.

“Don’t play games with me honey. It’s not like I’m going to tell.”

“Rinae, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hon, if there is one thing I cannot abide, it is lying. Now, do you seriously want to continue doing what you’re doing?”

“What?”

Rinae stood, and made for the door, “Don’t come running to me when he breaks your heart.” And she walked out, leaving Ella bewildered and guilty. Then she scoffed. Sebastian? Break her heart? Like that was ever going to happen.