War Prize Ch. 03

As he reached up, his hand gliding on her arm, she leaned down and kissed him again. He embraced her, and then rolled them over so she lay under him. She bent her knees, hooking her feet together behind his back as he moved in her. He looked at her so intensely that she closed her eyes. When she arched her back, the pleasure she felt was real. She put one foot down on the mattress to better meet his rhythm, her hands roaming over his chest and back as he leaned down.

He kissed her shoulder and her cheek, and she almost forgot about the collar and the restraints around her limbs. Their mouths met again as he redoubled his pace. She felt no pain, only the usual strain of a body on top and inside her. She shuddered, crying out when he slipped a hand between them and thrummed her clit with his fingers. She clenched around him as he pushed ever deeper into her. Her skin warmed and flushed, she panted and climaxed under him. A few moments later, he found his orgasm too, and then laid himself down next to her. She turned on her side to face him, their legs still entangled. They kissed again and she stroked his face and his hair.

She thought she should say something, but her mind was still blank. She watched him open and close his mouth a few times. Whatever thought he had must have defied words, because then he simply wrapped his arms around her and they laid there in silence until they slept.

++~~++~~++~~++

The next morning she woke still in his embrace. He had rolled onto his back, and she'd followed him, laying partially on him, with one of his arms loosely around her back. She sat up and he stirred, opening his eyes and stretching. She smiled at him and traced his lips with her hand.

"I need to use the toilet," she said, grinning. "Don't you?"

He laughed and she got out of the bed, sauntering to the back, assured that he would follow. He did, and she spread her legs wide, letting him watch. When he stepped forward, she took his penis in hand, and aimed it at herself. His apparent surprise didn't impede his ability and she leaned back, allowing his stream to flow over her and down into the toilet. When he was done, she gave into that impulse to lean forward and suck the dregs from the source.

He whistled, low and long, then took her hand and pulled her into the shower. She hadn't seen him pick up the control fob, but it appeared in his hand. He keyed that short sequence that she had half memorized, and the restraints opened up as usual. They washed each other thoroughly, though he probably took more time than was needed to clean her vulva, and she made sure to lick his cock clean after she'd rinsed off the soap.

She felt giddy, almost unhinged. She wanted space, needed some way to clear her head, and to think. She knew she was at some kind of dangerous crossroads in her life, and the steps she'd already taken down the road threatened regret. She wanted time to evaluate her situation. But he was on her, embracing her again, kissing her there in the shower and overstimulating her. He stood behind her, one arm crossed over her breasts, and the other between her legs. She leaned into him, seeming to relax, resting her head on his shoulder and letting him explore.

'I have to stay calm,' she thought. 'I have to give myself time to think. I need him to relax.'

It was only then that it occurred to her that the chain he'd been so careful with was in a pile on the table. That having taken it from her collar, he'd never put it back on once she appeared in the burgundy dress. He'd left the chest harness off of her as well.

'Don't mention that. Don't bring it to his attention. Don't let him know you've noticed. Or that you're happy about it,' she thought, even as his hands and mouth became more insistent on her.

She covered his hands with hers, turned and knelt, the water still flowing over them. She gripped his penis, feeling the erection form in her hand. She used her mouth and hands to pleasure him.

"Do you have somewhere to be?" she asked, looking up at him in some semblance of adoration. "Or can I take my time?"

He leaned against the shower wall, shaking his head. "I've got a meeting."

"Ok," she said smiling, as she latched onto him. She fellated him efficiently, sucking loud and humming, looking up and watching him. She cradled his balls, and didn't mind the water running down her back, or the hard plastic under her knees. When he exploded in her mouth with a loud grunt, she swallowed him down, and licked her lips.

She stood up, put her hands behind her back, and looked demurely at the floor as he switched off the water.

"Good morning," she said with a giggle.

He tilted her head up and kissed her mouth. "Great morning."

He led her back to his sleeping area, and to her surprise, he handed her a dress. Nothing like the fancy burgundy dress and skirt, but a plain shift made out of some soft blend. It was a little large for her, but was comfortable and warm. The sleeves were short, and he handed her his old button down shirt to put over it.

She sat on the bed and watched him dress. "I'll see about getting you some more clothes," he said. "We just don't have a lot of options for civilian women, you understand."

"Of course. I really appreciate this, Gen-, I mean. Ephraim."

He took her hand and led her to the metal table she'd spent so much time at. He fetched two of the bottles and they drank. He babbled on about how close they were to being able to go home, and she listened as though fascinated. He talked about his house, why he liked the location, out in a rural area, at the top of a hill.

"You should see the view, Elspeth. Especially in the spring. Wildflowers everywhere. Trees in bloom. Birds. There's a large front porch. I've missed being home."

'You've missed being home, and I'll never get to be home again,' she thought.

Out loud she said, "It sounds lovely. I've spent so much time in the city. It'll be a big change."

"I know. But I think you'll like it. There's something to be said for quiet. For solitude."

"Yes," she said. "There is."

'Something to be said for solitude. If I ever get that again,' she thought.

He glanced at the tablet on the table, noting the time. He sighed heavily and stood. She heard the chain rattling.

'So much for trusting me,' she thought.

He returned to where she sat with the chain in hand. As he hooked the end to her collar he said, "It's just a precaution, you understand. For while I'm gone."

"Of course," she said evenly.

She did note that he left more slack than usual. After he'd exited the tent, she got up and roamed around. With the extra length, she would be able to get into the shower area, and past the central support pole. Not all the way to the front of the tent, obviously, but a larger area. She tried going to his sleeping quarters, and was surprised to find enough tether to get to the curtain. But she would not be able to lay down.

'Still,' she thought. 'That's something different.'

She roamed around, walking along the bench as far as she could, looking casually at what was there. She saw that his utility belt still hung from its hook, though the jacket that had partially covered it was gone. She saw a small lockbox affixed to the bottom of the bench and wondered what it contained. She went to the cooler that held the beverages, and found a bottle of plain water. She sat on the cot, reading on the tablet. She picked a history of the country that called itself the New Gallatian Empire. The more she read, the more unsettled she felt.

She stopped reading, suddenly feeling uncomfortable in her own skin, uncomfortable in these borrowed clothes. The collar choked, the long cuffs on her wrists itched, and the ones around her ankles weighed her down. The sounds of the camp suddenly loud and grating, and the smells cloying and nauseating. Her heart raced. Her hands shook. Her vision dimmed. Air moved into her lungs too slowly, she was gasping and panting and still couldn't breathe. She couldn't scream.

Somewhere deep in the recesses of her memory, she heard His voice, soothing her, reminding her of ways to manage panic. She recalled the coaching He gave her, when He was the person causing her terror. When He introduced her to the dangerous games He wanted to play.

She concentrated on that remembered sound and those remembered words. She laid on her side on the cot, knees curled to her shoulders, arms around and squeezing tight. She tensed every muscle she could for as long as she could, and when her body forced her to relax, she rolled onto her back. She spread arms and legs wide, breathing slowly, counting. Listening in her memory for His words of instruction, of encouragement, and of praise.

Once the anxiety faded, she held herself motionless. She replayed the important moments in her life, before Him, and while she was His. She closed her eyes and imagined His face, reminded herself of the feel of His skin under her hands, of His taste, of His smell. She reminded herself of the joy she'd so often felt waking up next to Him, cooking meals for Him, attending to Him, anticipating His wants. She lingered on memories of simple pleasures, laughing, teasing each other, resting her head in His lap while He read or watched some entertainment.

She imagined the crossroads, again. In her mind, she turned and walked the other way.

Around midday, the General returned from his meeting. When he entered the tent, she was sitting at the table, casually sipping the water, reading poetry. He put an insulated hamper on the table. She greeted him with a smile as he bent and unlocked the chain from her neck. He kissed her cheek.

'Like some old married couple,' she thought.

She sat up brightly. "You brought lunch?"

"Yes," he replied. "It's just stew and some bread. But it smelled pretty good."

He pulled out the containers and the utensils. As they started to eat, he said, "The treaty has been finalized."

"Oh," she answered, maintaining a happy tone. "That must be nice."

"It is. They'll do the signing ceremony tomorrow. Then we go home."

"Really? Tomorrow?"

"No, no. We've got to work out a few more logistical things. Some troops will be staying behind to patrol the new territory. But..." He paused dramatically, as she spooned more of the stew. "Since these battalions have been at the front for so long, and since we have other troops dedicated to counterinsurgency, I've asked that we be among the first to return. I should find out this evening if the request has been granted."

She'd sat back and watched him closely while he was speaking. His expression was pure happiness, and expectation that she would be just as happy. Just as happy as him, though she was being taken from her home rather than returning to it.

She managed a smile and said, "That will be nice. If your request is granted, how soon would you, I mean we, be able to leave?"

He shrugged; his eyes still crinkled from the grin on his face. "It's hard to say. But it doesn't take long to break down these camps, with all the automation. We've got an airstrip a few miles away. So, a couple of days, probably."

"Wow," she said, honestly incredulous. "That fast? That's amazing."

"Yeah. We'll go to a home base for a few weeks for debriefings and resupplies, that kind of thing. And then I'll take my extended leave. You'll go on to my house right away. You won't be allowed on the base. Those of us who were rewarded in similar ways have permission to take our chattel home and secure them before returning."

Her gorge rose at the casual way he once more referred to her as property. She stared down at her meal; her appetite obliterated.

"Elspeth," he said softly. "Look at me."

She raised her head.

"I know, or I think, you and I have gotten past that. Past the circumstances which led to our meeting. You have to know I think of you as more than just a piece of property. But. But legally, there are terms I have to use."

'How far can I test this?' she wondered. 'What will he allow, now?'

She gave a small and shaky nod. "I'm just not used to it. With Him. With Curran, it was different, because I made the choice. Every day, I reaffirmed that choice to stay with Him. I don't have that choice with you."

He nodded in his turn. "I understand that. Or, at least, I understand it as well as I can. These are different circumstances." For a moment she had hope that he would grasp her meaning. "But you'll get used to it. I think you'll find it as advantageous to you as your relationship with Curran."

She smiled tightly again, nodded briskly to mask it. "Of course. I'm sure you're right."

They finished eating. She half listened as he held forth about his plans once he got home. She studied him, studied his face, the movement of his jaw, the pulse in his neck. She studied the way he held himself and moved his hands. She nodded along, murmuring encouragement in the right moments. When the meal was over and the dishes put back in the hamper, the General casually stood and reaffixed the end of the chain to her collar. He kissed her cheek again, and she turned to kiss his.

As he walked to the front, she walked with him for a while, her arm around his, until she was brought up short by the chain. He turned and kissed her lightly again, and she ducked her head as though blushing. She watched him move toward the hook with his jacket, and noted that the utility belt hung untouched. They waved at each other as he exited the tent.

She stood for a moment, thinking, remembering, feeling the anger bubbling up inside her and the despair washing the anger down. She went back to the cot.

When the General returned for the evening, he found her still on the cot, reading again. She'd returned to the history she'd started. He looked tired and she remarked on it. He sat heavy on the cot next to her and immediately unclamped the chain, tossing it toward the table where it spilled and clattered back to the ground. She fixed her attention on him, leaning into him as he put an arm around her waist.

"You look like you've had a long day," she said soothingly.

His answer was a slow nod, and his hand reaching over to unbutton the top of her dress. She kissed his cheek and slipped from his embrace. She stood a foot or two from him and said, "Let me."

She shrugged off the shirt she wore like a jacket, and slowly unbuttoned the rest of the bodice, spreading the fabric wide to expose her breasts. She fondled herself, squeezing and caressing her breasts before letting them fall. Then she reached down and gathered the dress in handfuls, the hem slowly rising. The General leaned back on the cot, his eyes bright, glued to her, and a slow smile spreading. She pulled the dress up, slowly, until it reached her crotch, then she let it drop.

He laughed and groaned, leaning forward to try to grasp the garment himself. She slipped out of his grasp, laughing, leaning forward so he could see her breasts shifting, hanging loose. When he stood, she stepped back again, twirling on one foot and catching the hem. Before he could get to her, she'd pulled the dress up and tossed it to the ground.

When he got to her and wrapped his arms around her, she let him. She let him bend her back and kiss her mouth and then down her front. She let him pick her up and carry her back to the cot. He set her on his lap, facing him, while his hands roamed all over her, settling on her backside, gripping her loosely there. She stretched her arms around his shoulders and rested her head.

He slipped his palm down her side. "I'm hungry. I'll get us some food."

"That sounds great."

"Don't get dressed again. I want to look at you."

"Of course," she said.

'It's cold in here, and it's not like I have a true option, but sure, I'll pretend it's fine,' she thought.

She slipped off his lap and smiled at him. "I am a little chilly, though."

He reached down for the shirt. "Put this on, then. But unbuttoned."

"Thank you." She pulled on the shirt. He sat next to her and continued to touch her. Once again, she let him. She let him use her body to relax, and made herself relax into him. She leaned back on her hands, and he bent to suck her breasts. She closed her eyes, trying to enjoy the sensation. Trying and failing.

His touches gradually lightened, and then he stood. He picked up the tablet and told her about the food he was ordering. When she stood up, he looked at her quizzically. She pointed at the toilet area, and he waved. He didn't follow her, and she used the few moments in there to collect her thoughts.

She returned to the central area, and sat at the table. The General was at his bench looking at something. She didn't want to seem too curious about what he was doing.

'You have to be careful,' she thought, 'and smart.'

She moved the chair she was in over, so it would be in his line of sight, but she didn't attempt to approach him. She cleared her throat and he looked at her, smiling. She'd chosen to sit with the shirt bundled behind her, and she leaned back in the chair with her legs hooked around the front so that her knees were open. She figured he'd appreciate that.

"So," she said to him, "can you tell me about your day?"

"More of the same. More meetings. Working out details. Nothing important."

'Nothing important, except the fate of hundreds of thousands of people you overran,' she thought.

"Oh. Did you get your answer?"

"My answer to what?"

"If these battalions can go home first?"

"Oh," he said, still looking down at the tablet he was using. He waved a hand in her direction. "I did. And yeah, we'll be leaving the day after tomorrow. They'll start striking the camp in the morning. The signing ceremony is at noon. But it's not here."

She barely heard the last three sentences. Her heart had jumped at the timeframe. The day after tomorrow. The phrase stuck in her brain, repeating like a warning. But she managed to keep herself composed, and by the time he looked over at her, she'd come up with a suitable response.

"That's great. It's so soon. It's a lot to absorb. In a couple of days, I'll be at your house."

He walked over to her and squatted down in front of her. "You will. You'll love it." He reached out, one hand draped on her thigh, and one hand kneading the tip of her breast. "You will love it, I'm sure."

She opened herself up to him, letting him slip a finger inside her and then obediently licking when he pressed it to her mouth.

"I'm sure I will, Ephraim," she found herself saying.

He shifted in front of her, kneeling, and sliding his arms around her shoulders.

"Then we have some real celebrating to do, tonight."

He smiled and pressed his mouth to hers. They kissed long and slow, and she pulled his body into hers, once again giving herself over to him. They didn't stop until there was a discreet cough behind him that signaled the food had arrived.

They ate well. He distracted her and teased her with the infernal implanted device. She laughed about it, and claimed that she would tease him when she got the chance. He ramped up the vibration until she couldn't talk and dared her to put him in the same state. When he turned it off and she recovered her breath she said she would.

They retired to his sleeping quarters. She teased him with her mouth and hands, bringing him close to climax and then letting him go. Bringing him close again and then abruptly switching positions to give him sensation somewhere else. She took his cock deep into her throat, letting him thrust into her there until her eyes watered, then pulling hard off of him and diving down to swallow his balls. She wet a finger and slipped into his anus, causing a surprised grunt that devolved into a full-throated moan when she found his prostate and suckled his glans at the same time. When he was babbling and covered in sweat, she pressed her breasts against his rod, stretched her hands along his chest and fondled his nipples. She stayed unmoving until his breathing slowed and he covered her hands with his.