Silver Kiss

Euphoria was led back to the Vanity room, where her body was stripped of its innocence and left naked into its shameful glory. Euphoria was quick to move her hands over her breasts, but the action did little to protect her from the hands the urged her on through another door and into an elaborate bathroom. Euphoria’s breath caught in her throat as she moved her head slowly to take in all of the room.

The theme seemed to be crimson seduction. The bath tub was marble and sunk low in a stone base. She would have to walk up a few steps to get up to the bath. The floor was a blood red color and sparkled with rubies. A red carpet sat at the foot of the bath’s stairs. It was a few feet wide, and looked plush and rich in a silken fabric. The room was windowless, and seemed to seal in its own peaceful darkness. A broad chandelier swung proudly above the floor. It was silver in color and was decorated in the darkest rubies and sheerest diamonds. Euphoria was led forward, not given enough time to look at the rest of the room.

She pulled her arms away from the woman’s grasp and dipped her foot into the creamy liquid filling the deep tub. Euphoria found herself seeming to fall into the white fluid. She closed her eyes as her head sunk under. Euphoria gasped as she pushed herself up. The bath was more a pool than a bath. Euphoria made her way over to the “seat” at the other end. Her body heaved a last frightened breath as she sat, and enjoyed the warm milk on her skin.

Before leaving, the maids sprinkled red rose petals over the top of the steaming liquid. Euphoria watched as they hurried away. Suddenly she felt the full weight of her loneliness toppling onto her shoulders. Euphoria shielded her eyes from the light coming in through the slightly opened door. A trickle of tears came splashing from her eyes.

Why was she here? How had she gotten here? She pushed the thoughts from her mind at the same time that she wiped the tears from her eyes with a delicate finger.

“Are you so disappointed to be here?” Asked the familiar voice of temptation. Euphoria’s head shot in the direction of the shadowy figure standing only a few feet from the bath. She did not answer for a moment, but quietly studying his face, as her eyes were now used to the darkness.

Lust. The one word summed up his smoldering gorgeousness. His eyes were an ever flaming pit of sex and licentious sins. They were a deep blue sapphires. His hair was an almond brown, and was a bit longer than his cousins. His was also tied back in a loose pony tail. His face was perfect. She could see the outlines of his cheeks, his jaw was strong, his lips were sinuous and full, and his neck was graceful, but not at all feminine. His body was a powerful enticement. His shoulders were broad, boasting of a healthy figure. Euphoria’s eyes fell down the lithe waist, lean chest, and tapered thighs. He was truly a sight to behold.

“I don’t know. I don’t believe that I am disappointed.” Euphoria replied truthfully. She refused to look at him now, and had turned her head back to the wall.

“Then why do you cry?” He asked, she wurprurprised to hear no hint of sensual cruelty in his tone, but rather curiosity. Euphoria sighed.

“I am away from home.” Her answer was short, and Xadrian could tell that she was not imparting all of her reasons. He did not push her for more.

“Do you wish to get out of the bath yet?” He asked, nodding his head towards her. Euphoria shook her head, grateful for the change in conversation. One of the maids feet was heard coming up the stairs, once she entered the room, Xadrian slipped from sight, and exited somewhere in mystery. The maid instructed Euphoria to stand, and get out of the tub for a moment. Two other maids walked into the room and the process of emptying the tub began. Euphoria was taken to yet another room. This one much smaller, and less grand.

“Here you will bathe.” Explained a maid in a toneless voice. Euphoria stepped gingerly into the small tube of lukewarm water. It seemed that she had no choice but to leave the comfort of the other room. She was left with rose soap, different shampoos and conditioners for her hair, and plush white towels and wash cloths. Euphoria closed her eyes. She lay back for a moment. What was to become of her?

She lathered the soap against her skin and washed the white remnants away with a wash cloth previously dipped in the shallow water. She cleansed her body of the worry and stress. She washed the limpness from her tresses, and waited as the conditioner brought life back to her blood red curls. Euphoria heard the sound of joyful music floating below her. It was the sound of mixed violins, harps, an whole orchestra of instruments. But this only seemed to worsen Euphoria’s mood.

Euphoria tried to recall the words of one of her favorite Irish ballads. The words were sweet on her tongue as she sung them lowly.

Her voice was crisp and clear, and though not beautiful, it resonated with the song’s sorrow.

Xadrian heard her voice as it drifted to his ears. He listened intently.

Her voice rose and fell with the song’s mournfulodylody. Her rhythm was excellent, as if she had sung the song all of her life.

The harmony was rich, and she sang the song as if she had lost her everything.

She finished with a bit of a bittersweet sigh. Xadrian’s breath was silent. He could not think a single coherent thought for the moment. His head was too busy wondering where she had learned such an lingling dulcet and acquiescent ballad.