New Kind of Torture

Blood washed over her like the waves of the ocean. Serenity screamed in horror as her pale flesh was covered with the deep scarlet liquid. It was warm on her flesh and smelled of iron. The smell was over powering and turned her stomach, making her sick. She tried to stand up from the cold stone floor she lay on, but the wave of blood crashed on her again, knocking her down. She didn't understanding how she could be drowning in blood in the stone room—how was it even possible that there was so much blood—

Serenity sat up abruptly in her bed. She threw he hands to her throat as she gasped. Her chest heaved and sweat poured down her body. She blinked a few times as her mind seemed to reconnect to her body and she remembered where she was.

She was in her bed, in her own bedchamber at the Den. The room was filled with darkness and a cool breeze was blowing across the room from her opened window. She pushed the comforter off of her body and moved to the window, closing it sharply. The breeze just tickled her cold skin. She ran her hands through her hair as she stared out the window looking at the bright moon in the sky. She took a long deep breath as she gripped the curtains in her hands; she closed them tightly then made her way back to the bed.

It had only been a dream, she reminded herself.

She pulled the blankets over her chest and laid her head back down on the pillows. She positioned herself in the center of the large bed and made sure the blankets were tightly over her so she was snug underneath them.

It had been months since she had killed King Terron with her bare hands, but almost every night she had dreams of his death in some manner. It haunted her. It enraged her that even from the grave the man tortured her. But this was an entirely new kind of torture; one that Serenity didn't know how to cope with.

She rolled over because her mind would not stop replaying the scene of Terron's murder. She stabbed him in the stomach first, then tried to again in his stomach but he blocked it and forced her dagger into his thigh, then she stabbed him straight in the heart.

Serenity sat up. It was no use. She could not sleep. She threw the blankets off her body and pulled a thin silk robe over her white silk nightgown. She moved out of the bedchamber into her suite, marched across the room to her balcony and ran at the railing. She jumped onto the railing of the balcony and threw herself off of it into the cold night air.

As she plummeted to the stone courtyard beneath her balcony, she pulled her knees to her chest and extended her arms open wide. The wind tore through her hair, pulling it back behind her head. The feathers at the nap of neck tickled and twitched. There was mild pain across her skin as her feathers sprouted while she transformed. Within moments, she pulled up away from the cobblestone as a beautiful dove glimmering in the night sky.

She flew almost every night now. Since Prince Theron has become King of the Tigerian Territory, he had lifted many restrictions on birds. They could transform freely and fly whenever they wished to. They still held the low status of slave or indentured servants. King Theron had not yet freed the birds like he wished to, which did not surprise Serenity. She knew it was not something that would happen overnight once he took the throne.

She soared over the outskirts of the Den and towards the Magic Forest that separated Tarzaharth from the Den. Tarzaharth was outside the Tigerian Territory, which ended somewhere in the Magic Forest.

Serenity dived down between the dense branches of the forest and glided through the brush. She flapped her wings easily to keep her pace steady and strong. The air felt good between her feathers. It distracted her from her nightmares and the torturous guilt that surrounded Terron's murder and the loss of her unborn child.

Serenity tucked her head down and transformed out of her bird form into an elegant human again. She somersaulted onto the soft grass of the forest floor, stood up straight out of the roll and looked around in the darkness. It was much darker in the dense forest than out in the open air over the Den. Without much thought, Serenity lifted her hand and a small white orb of light appeared over her hand, she pushed it up into the air over her. The orb hovered over her like her own personal sun. She smiled slightly and began to walk through the forest.

The soft grass felt wondrous under her bare feet. It was cool and slightly damp. She walked silently, appearing to hover like a ghost in her white nightgown, towards the small creek that cut through the forest. She stopped for a moment as she reached the creek's edge and looked over her shoulder. She thought she may have heard something behind her.

She didn't move or breathe for a moment. She knew the forest was full of magical creatures, but as one herself, she never felt unsafe while exploring. She often came to the forest at night, when she couldn't sleep. In the months since her miscarriage, she had yet to see another creature in the forest.

Then she heard it: the soft pad of paw prints on the grass behind her. She stood up broadly on the rock next to the creek looking through the brush for the creature's eyes. As she peered at the bushes, a massive white Siberian tiger appeared from the dark shadows of the low brush. Her stomach clenched for a moment when her eyes met the tiger's gleaming purple ones. She remained still, trying not to smile as the tiger trotted to her. He stretched like the giant cat he was and laid down on the rocks next to her.

Serenity sat down on the grass next to the magnificent creature. She brushed her hand down his smooth back. She counted his strips as she stroked him gently. She scratched his ears as he turned his head to her.

"I couldn't sleep," she whispered sadly. "I just need some fresh air."

The tiger rolled onto his back. Serenity smiled as he stretched out, yawning. She watched, mesmerized, as he transformed from the beautiful massive white tiger, to the even more magnificent half naked man. King Theron lay on his back, with his muscular arms folded behind his head. He was only wearing black cotton pants. His muscular, rippled chest was revealed. His flesh was as pale as Serenity's. She stared at his piercing purple eyes and felt him staring into her soul. His long brown hair was tied back in a low ponytail behind his head.

"I didn't think you were trying to run," he said in a smooth deep voice that felt like velvet running over her skin. Serenity gave him a small smile. "I came to your chamber, but you were gone. I thought you might be here."

"I had a nightmare, your Majesty."

Serenity turned her head to look at the creek. The sound of the rippling water was soothing in some way. It had a steady rhythm that brought her peace of mind. Theron sat up and extended his hand to her cheek. He traced her jaw line gently with his fingertips.

"Please, we're alone here," he said almost with a begging tone. "Call me Theron."

Serenity frowned. "It makes it more difficult for me," she replied not looking at his purple gaze.

Theron looked down at the damp grass with a heavy frown.

"Give it time," he whispered. "People will come around—"

"—your counsel made it clear that a bird would be a poor choice of mate. Do you think it's simply because they don't like me or is it any bird that offends them?" Serenity replied shortly.

"I will make you my mate," he replied sternly.

"Just give everyone time. You will be my Queen. Who better to encourage peace and hope as we forge a new path for the territory and for your kind?"

Serenity looked at Theron with dark navy blue eyes. She was tired but suddenly felt guilty for being angry at Theron. He wanted to make her his mate, he was just waiting until his people were ready to accept that he was going to marry a bird. Some of his counsel agreed that Serenity would be a good match, political and socially, but a majority of them were concerned that if anything were to happen to Theron and rule passed to Serenity that there would be a coup and she would be overthrown.

When Theron first told Serenity that he had to delay his plans to release the birds from their bondage and marry her, she was so angry that she didn't speak to him for a number of days. That is when she requested her own chamber, separate from his. He granted her request without any question.

"I'm sorry for my behavior," she whispered. "This transition has not been easy for me. I feel as though I have no place now – no purpose. I'm not your servant, but I am also not your mate. What am I to you, Theron?"

Theron leaned close to her face, touching his nose to hers. He kissed her lips delicately as he stroked the back of her neck. Her feathers felt smooth under his fingertips. He continued to kiss her slowly, hoping his actions would tell her what she was to him.

"First, you are my love," he said softly in her ear. Serenity bit her bottom lip as a tingle of hot desire grew in her center between her legs and in her breasts. "Second, my betrothed and my future Queen."

Serenity smiled as Theron spoke to her. He leaned back slightly to look at her beautiful navy blue eyes. "Please, just give it time."

"It's not just the counsel," she sighed. "Even my own kind act as if I have betrayed them somehow."

Theron took her hands that were nervously pulling at the grass. He kissed her fingers softly.

"Let's not worry about what other people think about us," he said. "Just what we think of each other."

Serenity nodded. "Alright."

"You'll stop calling me by my title?"

She smiled at him with lustful eyes as she leaned forward towards him. She sat on her knees in front of him and leaned over him.

"Yes, your Majesty," she teased as she pushed him back to lying down gently.

Theron smiled broadly as she laid her body on his. Her hands brushed the loose strands of his brown hair behind his ears. She followed the extension of his arms and held his hands over his head as she kissed him deeply, her tongue running across his lips. Theron wrapped his right arm around her waist, pulling her body even closer to his. Smoothly, he pushed his body over hers, flipping her onto her back and leaning over her. He held her hands over her head, intertwined his fingers with hers as his other hand pushed her nightgown up her legs. His fingers crept up her inner thighs as he kissed her deeply with hot passion. He pulled away slowly before his fingers touched her hot sex.

"Don't stop," she whispered as she wrapped her left arm around his shoulders. She appreciated his caution due to her history. He was always respectful of her body and desires. He never wanted to push her too far too fast despite how desperately he wanted her. It was something Serenity had always loved about Theron. He always treated her with respect; something only someone who loves you would do.

Theron pressed his fingers into Serenity slowly. She smiled at him with pleasure as he entered her. He leaned down, kissing her full on the mouth again. She sighed with pleasure and pressed her hips up to his. It had been sometime since they had been together sexually; they were both eager to feel the others body against their own.

Theron sat back releasing Serenity's hand. With his fingers still in her, he pushed her nightgown up farther to her hips with his other hand. He leaned his head down, pressing his tongue gently to her sex while he continued to penetrate her with his fingers. Serenity cried out in passion. She brushed Theron's hair and held his head down against her. The feeling of his tongue and lips on her sex sent ripples of hot passion through her entire body. She twisted her hips carefully on his lips and cried out his name. Her cries of passion echoed against the dense trees in the forest.

Theron sat up on his knees with a wide grin on his face. He loved pleasuring her and making her cry out with ecstasy. He pushed his pants down slowly and laid on her body. She wrapped her legs around his center as he entered her with his throbbing member. Theron brushed her hair and wrapped his arms under her shoulders. He pulled quickly, throwing his body to the side and rolling on his back. He kept Serenity close to him with his strong arms.

Serenity followed his lead and sat up on him, pressing her body down onto his and letting his sex penetrate her deeply. She placed her hands on Theron's bare chest as she moved her hips in a steady rhythm on him. Theron stared up at her with wanting eyes. He ran his fingers up her arms. Slowly, he pushed her robe off her shoulders to reveal her pale arms. Then, he pushed the thin straps of her nightgown down her shoulders to reveal her breast. Her nightgown lay useless around her waist as she rode him. Theron was so taken with the sight of her beautiful breast that he sat up and kissed each of them gently. He cupped them with his hands and moved his lips to her neck and earlobes where he nibbled playfully.

Serenity threw her head back, looking up at the dark canopy of the forest. She wrapped her arms around Theron's shoulders as he began to thrust up into her more quickly. He grabbed her hips, holding her firmly as his pace quickened. Serenity began to cry out feverishly as she looked Theron in the eye. His purple gaze captivated her as he held her. He didn't break her stare as he continued to press into her.

Within moments, they were both gasping for air after their climax. Theron laid back in the grass, holding Serenity close to his chest. He brushed his fingers through her silver blond curls and kissed her forehead.

"The nightmares," he whispered after a few minutes of calm silence. "They're of the murder?"

"Yes," Serenity replied. She didn't want to talk about it further. She told Theron after they discussed what happened, that she would never discuss it again. She did not want to keep reliving the trauma. Apparently, her own psyche had every intention of making her relive it, every night.

"Do you believe in the magic of dreams?"

Serenity sat up slightly, lying on her side, looking at Theron with raised eyebrows. "You mean premonitions?"

Theron nodded. "I just wonder if there is something to it as it relates to your magic."

Serenity shook her head. "I don't know. I barely know my own magic. I've never studied it. I've read books about ancient magic, but it would take an elder to teach me anything more. I don't know if dream magic would help me."

Theron seemed to be thinking seriously as he twisted Serenity's curls between his fingers. "We should return to the Den. The sun is going to rise soon."

He sat up pulling away from Serenity slightly. He grabbed his pants and pulled them on as he stood. Without another word, he transformed quickly into his massive Siberian tiger form. Serenity stood up next to him, pulling the straps of her night gown back on her shoulders. She stood tall next to Theron. She glided her hand down his furry back. He looked at her with gleaming purple eyes. She scratched his ears and stroked his back again. His fur was smooth and warm to the touch. He threw his head back to the brush where he had appeared earlier, motioning for her to get moving back to the Den.

She rolled her eyes but transformed instantly to the gentle dove she was. She flapped her wings and took off into the air, soaring high into the canopy. She looked down and saw Theron rushing through the low brush after her. She was able to lose him once they exited the Magic Forest. As she soared over the slums of the Den, Theron had to race through the twists and turns of the streets. She flew over the wall of the palace without any issue. She soared around the towers looking for Theron's balcony.

She was not surprised when she landed on the balcony and entered his suite to find it empty. It was much quicker for her to fly back to the Den then for Theron to run through it, even in his tiger form. She dropped her robe on the circular sofa of his suite as she walked by it heading for the bedchamber. The double doors of the bedchamber slid open easily. Serenity stopped dead in the doorframe as she stared into the bedchamber.

The room was well light with nearly a hundred candles. On the oversized bed, lay a beautifully colored and thin Caspian tiger. Serenity assumed the creature had to be female. Her tail was swinging up and down over the edge of the bed. Serenity took a slow breath as the tiger moved, sitting up in surprise.

"I beg your pardon," Serenity said with a bow of her head.

She slid the doors shut quickly and turned her back to the bedchamber. She moved to the sofa, picked up her robe and pulled it on quickly. As she walked to the balcony, she heard the chamber door open. She paused for a moment to look Theron in the eye. He beamed at her. He was happy to see her in his chamber.

"You have a guest, your Majesty," Serenity motioned to the bedchamber of the suite. There was a harshness in her voice that made Theron scowl. He looked at her puzzled. "Good evening, your Majesty."

Before Theron could say anything, Serenity turned and dashed across the balcony. She dived off the railing towards Theron's garden and transformed midair. She danced through the air as her wings glittered in the dimming moonlight. She flew around the palace of the Den for sometime before returning to her own chamber.

She knew that Theron did not ask for the Caspian tiger to be in his room. She was sure that it was some sad attempt of a member of the court to win over Theron's heart and make a tiger as his mate. But it didn't make her any less uncomfortable. This was the issue she could not articulate to Theron. This is why she felt as if she didn't have a proper place or public relationship with Theron. If she was to be his mate, then he needed to make it known to everyone. Perhaps tigresses would stop throwing themselves at him. But also, Serenity needed to be more assertive of their relationship and her position as his betrothed. She should have dismissed the Caspian tiger from Theron's bedchamber. But what would have played out after that as she was a bird, in low social standing compared to the beautiful tiger?

Serenity went to bed frustrated and angry. She did not sleep well for the short remainder of the night. The nightmares of drowning in blood came back to haunt her…