Sapphic Fairy Tales 05: The Beast

A shallow gasp of air escaped Belle's mouth as Kalinda leaned down and bit ever so gently on one of her now hardened nipples, her teeth sending tingles through Belle's prone body. The vampire empress looked up at her and salaciously ran her long tongue in a delicate rotation around Belle's nipples, moving swiftly from one to the other as she cupped her small but soft breasts in her powerful palms. All of the inhuman power in Kalinda's body seemed somehow softened in this moment, or at least restrained, as if she was consciously holding back in order to bring Belle pleasure rather than pain.

'Mmmm, you see? You're enjoying my company already, my very special guest.'

Kalinda crooned mischievously as she twisted Belle's right nipple between the ends of her slim pale fingers. Belle involuntarily gasped again and found that she was suddenly able to arch her back in pleasure, and it felt so good when Kalinda twisted her other nipple playfully. Despite herself, she felt herself becoming wet with the attention that her breasts were receiving and her skin felt alive with the gentle fire that she had only ever felt a few times before. She knew that she should fight back, howl and scream and beg to be released but part of her wanted this, didn't want the attention that Kalinda was lavishing upon her to stop.

She wanted more, and she knew that she shouldn't, she had been taught to destroy creatures like Kalinda Blackheart. But Kalinda was not some ravening beast rampaging the wild, she was beautiful and sensuous and by the gods above she knew what to do with her hands. Belle moaned out loud as she felt Kalinda's hand run down her stomach and cup the delicate split mound of flesh that lay between her legs, softly grinding the ball of her palm upwards with a persistent pressure.

'This is a dream', Belle gasped 'This isn't real. How are you doing this?'

'Yes, a dream. But what a dream to find yourself in. I can show you things and make you feel things that you've only ever imagined before. Why wake up from such a dream when you can surrender to it and just... feel!'

The final word was emphasised by Kalinda finally slipping a single slim finger deep inside of Belle's now moistened slit, penetrating her most tender entrance and causing Belle to moan and grind her teeth with pleasure. Kalinda was continuing to alternate her mouth between nibbling and licking Belle's breasts then over her whole shoulders and neck area, covering her torso in a smattering of tiny bites and kisses. Belle writhed underneath the smaller woman, aware that she was now able to move her arms and legs, but now unwilling to fight back or flee, she was too lost to the blissful sensations that were overwhelming her.

Kalinda's single finger was soon joined by a second and Belle bit down hard on her lower lip to keep from screaming out at the wonderful sensation of being so filled up by her digits. Then, slowly at first but increasing in tempo as her body warmed up to their presence, Kalinda's fingers began to crook in a slow deliberate beckoning motion. The tips of her fingers rubbing gently along the most sensitive areas of her insides filled Belle with yet more rapturous energy, making her writhe in her captor's unrelenting grasp.

Stroke after stroke and grip upon bite upon kiss drove Belle's mind further into a furor of ecstasy, her whole consciousness seemingly overwhelmed by the descending red mist of passion that filled the dreaming void she was trapped in. Kalinda's own dark red eyes pierced through the veil and locked tight to her own, not allowing her to look away for even a moment as she continued to massage away at her slit and kiss sharply at her breasts. Even in the heat of passion the vampire empress's hair and skin were utterly immaculate, whereas Belle's short brown hair was frizzed with energy and her skin felt flush with warmth.

The growing tension inside Belle, which grew with every delicate stroke of Kalinda's fingers, was approaching the point of breaking, like a siege weapon under strain. Belle cried out in hurt filled joy as Kalinda bit down a little harder on her nipple, mixing the pleasure and pain inside her like hot alchemy.

'I can feel that you're close,' Kalinda purred deeply, 'would you like me to help you finish, my dear guest?'

'Yeeeesss!' Belle breathed without thinking, all her training and logic forgotten in the heat of the moment.

With a smile Kalinda leaned up slightly and with her sharp fangs bared bit down hard on Belle's exposed throat with the speed of a pounding animal. Belle cried out in pain, which rippled through her like a hot knife, but rising from below the pleasure from her groin mixed with it and in that instant the vibrating tension inside her finally snapped. Belle's body was suddenly filled with a hot writhing cascading bout of ecstatic release, her back arched and her toes pointed, every muscle in her body tensing at once as she threw back her head and screamed, her eyes tightly shut, even in the dream. Her pleasure was forced out of her more and more by the persistent thrusting of Kalinda's hand inside of her and the sharp but dull pain at her throat.

Stars burst behind Belle's eyes and she felt the last few drops of her orgasm leech out of her as she collapsed once more back onto the bed.

The bed, where she had been lying. Her eyes shot open, this time for real, the dream was gone and she looked up to see the smiling face of Kalinda kneeling next to her. The vampire woman's lips were tinted with red and Belle felt the very real dull ache at her neck where she had clearly just been feeding. She also realised with a burst of shame and confusion that it had not been Kalinda's hand that had been buried deep inside her, but her own two middle fingers from her right hand, while her left had been pinching the sensitive skin of her nipple, not Kalinda's mouth. She had driven herself to orgasm in her dream, fantasising about this beautiful but terrifying woman smiling at her from above.

'Such wonderful dreams you have...' Kalinda said with a smile as she licked the last few drops of sanguine liquid from her lips.

'I only wish that I could have been there myself, but sadly my sight only allows me to see, not to interact.'

'You saw my dream?' Belle asked, shaken as she realised what that would mean.

'Yes my sweet guest, I saw everything, such a delightful fantasy. I'm very sorry to have woken you, but... you did ask for my help.'

'But I didn't mean... that's not!'

Belle stammered, her hand reaching up to her neck, which came away wet with residual blood and her mind reeled at the implications. In the moment, she had wanted it, needed it more than anything else in the world and despite the pain, or perhaps because of it, it had felt so good at the time.

'Come now Belle, don't try to pretend you didn't enjoy it. I told you I wasn't quite so beastly once you got to know me.' Kalinda teased as she got to her feet and moved towards the door of the chamber that Belle lay in.

'Dinner is set for seven, I hope you will be there my dear, you need to keep your strength up after all. Please feel free to roam the castle, and by all means, come find me if you get... bored.'

And with that Kalinda blew a small coy kiss and rather than opening the door to walk through it, simply walked forwards and phased seamlessly through the wood.

- - -

Although she had clearly lost some blood Belle found herself able to get up and don the well fitting pair of trousers and pale shirt that had been left for her. There was no sign of her swords or armour, and she didn't think that she would find them by looking. Instead she spent several hours wandering the vast halls of the castle that she was imprisoned in. She had already given up all thought of escape, if Kalinda wanted to keep her here then there would be no escaping from her. Higher vampires were deathly fast, had superhuman senses and could punch a hole through your chest and rip out your heart without even breaking a sweat. No, she would have to bide her time and find another way out.

Besides, as far as imprisonments went, this might not be the worst of them. Even if her host was a monstrous vampire who sucked the blood of living beings to sustain her own deathly existence. But Kalinda, although terrifying in some ways, was intriguing and enticing in others. Belle had to admit to herself that she found the woman attractive, and no wonder, the woman was hauntingly beautiful, like a portrait painted by a genius artist. And she clearly found her attractive too. Belle had always admired a woman who, although smaller and slighter than her in build, could be assertive and powerful both in and out of the bedroom. Kalinda could rip her in half in more ways than one, and so she fit the criteria of a small feisty woman quite perfectly.

After several hours of wandering the castle, exploring the vast empty chambers within, the clocks began to strike seven for dinner time and Belle made her way back to the dining hall that she had found earlier during the explorations. When she opened the door to the large high vaulted room she saw a long dark table laden high with a sumptuous looking feast prepared by expert chefs. Belle had seen neither hide nor hair of any kind of servants during her investigations of the castle and assumed that the meal must have been prepared magically.

Nonetheless, the food looked and smelled magnificent, almost as magnificent as her host who sat at the far end of the table holding a glass of something red up to her as she entered. Kalinda was wearing a long red satin ballgown with a scandalously wide and low neckline which dropped all the way down nearly to her midriff. Her arms were equally bare and Belle found her eyes unable to move away from tracing their gaze over the soft pale skin of her shoulders and down her chest across her nearly exposed breasts. She smiled with a devilishly enticing grin, also looking Belle up and down with her own dark scarlet eyes.

'Welcome darling, I'm so glad that you decided to join me for dinner',

Kalinda called from the far end of the table as Belle took her seat. Belle looked down at her empty plate in front of her and briefly considered trying to steal one of the sharp knives she had been provided with to use as a weapon. But no, if her sword had been no good against Kalinda then a bread knife would hardly do better. Instead she decided to sate her hunger and reached out for the nearest food, piling her plate high with various meats, cheeses, roasted vegetables and sauces before digging in with a ravenous appetite.

In the semi-darkness at the far end of the table Kalinda smiled to see her guest eat so heartily. She did not eat anything herself but merely continued to sip and swirl the dark red liquid in the goblet in her hand, licking her lips after every drop.

'I'm glad to see that you have such an appetite my dear. I'm afraid that my bite does drain people somewhat. It is important that you keep your strength up if we are going to be spending more time together.'

'You're still not going to let me leave then?' Belle asked around a mouthful of food.

'Sadly not, I cannot have you running back to the yokels in the nearby village and telling them what you have found here. There'll be an armed mob at my gates before the night is out, and I do so hate wasting precious lives when unnecessary.'

Kalinda pouted in mock sadness as she continued to gaze over as Belle, her eyes falling below her eyeline and tracing the muscular contours of her neck from afar.

'You know my name, although I never told it to you,' Belle said while waving an accusatory chicken leg at her host. 'I assume that means that you know even more about me, and that you know where I come from and what I do for a living? I'm not some country yokel with a burning torch and a pitchfork. Why keep me alive? I'm more of a danger to you than a whole army of peasants could ever be.'

In reply to this Kalinda sat back in her chair and laughed with an amused little chuckle, she sat silently for a moment regarding Belle with analytical eyes before replying.

'I admire your bravado my dear, and yes you do pose more of a threat to me than a hundred untrained peasants could ever do. But make no mistake, I have seen a hundred more of your kind in my long and storied life. Questing knights, trained mercenaries, heroes and yes, other Beast Slayers, all have come and all have failed to destroy me.

'So why am I keeping you alive you ask? Quite simply my dear, it sounds pathetic I know, but I am seeking company. The company of such a beautiful and interesting young lady as yourself is hard to come by in this lonely backwater wilderness that I am trapped in. So I hoped that we could talk, get to know one another, maybe provide each other with some distraction and pleasure. When you live as long as I have, you learn to appreciate the value of good company and good pleasure.'

Belle frowned in puzzlement for a moment, processing what Kalinda had just told her. She had been allowed to live because this monster from the darkest pages of her bestiary was lonely and horny?

'You're a prisoner here?' She asked to break the silence.

'Yes indeed sweet Belle, cursed to never step beyond the bounds of this castle. Were I not, then you and all other folk would surely live under my rule as surely no force under the moon or sun could have stopped me from re-forging my Empire.'

Kalinda threw her head back and looked as regal and imposing as possible, and Belle thought for a moment that even she, a Beast Slayer, would have thrown down her weapons to worship at the feet of this mighty imposing Empress. She looked back along the length of the table, their eyes met and for just a moment Belle saw the deep dark sadness that dwelt within her. Kalinda had lived for hundreds of years, every other person she had ever cared about had withered away and left her behind, the curse of immortality binding her to this castle with nobody and nothing to care for her.

'You're lonely.' Belle said softly as Kalinda looked down at her goblet, almost dejectedly.

'Ha!' Kalinda spat with no small amount of bitterness. 'I think I passed through loneliness about 250 years ago. I don't know what I am any more, but for what it's worth it has been nice having you here darling Belle. If nothing else, the presence of a warm body does help bring a little life back to the castle.'

For a moment the two women sat at opposite ends of the long table, the food and drink piled high between them, completely forgotten. Kalinda's eyes, dark red and old and sad, Belle's eyes deep brown and warm, and now tinged with a hint of softness for the creature who had been her enemy.

Kalinda was the first to break eye contact and finished off the last of her red drink with a toss of her head before she stood and started towards a shadowed door to her right. Belle's eyes followed her stately gait as she went, admiring the delicate but powerful movements of her legs beneath the long satin dress.

'Come with me,' Kalinda said at the door as she half turned her head back towards Belle, 'I want to show you something- something secret.'

Belle sat motionless in her seat for just a moment, wondering if this was some further trap to torture and ensnare her in some vampiric trick. Her hand hovered for just a moment above the long wooden skewer that had been pierced through several pieces of meat and vegetables, before she let it lie and got up to follow Kalinda through the door.

The two women traced a long winding path through the corridors and stairs of the castle up towards the west wing, where a high tower loomed tall and dark above the rest of the building. Kalinda led the way with a small lantern through the darkened chambers of her home, and Belle followed behind. Despite herself Belle could not avoid the occasional glance at the sway of Kalinda's hips in the perfect long ball gown, and Kalinda in turn occasionally looked back and caught her looking, causing Belle to blush. The turmoil inside of Belle continued to roil unabated. Her training demanded that she slay this creature and her heart cautioned her that Kalinda was not some ravenous beast in need of culling, but a complicated person in need of some affection. And layered on top of this was her growing undeniable attraction to this mysterious, powerful and beautiful woman.

Finally they reached a door at the top of a long set of spiralling stairs and Kalinda retrieved a key from her bodice to unlock it before holding it open for Belle. The inside was dark and gloomy, long swathes of fabric hung from hooks across the walls and Belle could make out the shape of a large made up bed to her left. But what grabbed her attention chiefly was the single table at the centre of the room, down upon which shone a single beam of moonlight from a window far above. Illuminated on the plinth was a single glass or maybe crystal case, immaculately carved and seamless. At the centre of the case, suspended as if by magic sat a strange object.

It appeared to be a single bloody human heart. As Belle looked at it, the object beat just once and the rhythmic thump seemed to fill the chamber with a deep sonorous vibration. But no grotesque spray of blood splashed the walls of the glass case, and the heart seemed to go still for a few more moments before another slow and steady beat sounded again.

'This is my great secret.' Kalinda said quietly from the corner where she had been standing.

'This is the price I paid for my immortality. I became, quite literally, a heartless wretch. I live as long as the heart beats, and in a thousand years it has never missed a beat.'

Belle tore her eyes away from the heart and looked back over at Kalinda who stood with her hands together before her, her deathly pale skin illuminated like pearl in the moonlight from above. Her eyes were fixed on the organ in the glass case before her, her expression twisted into a mixture of hatred and fear.

'After a millennia of this half-life, I've questioned that decision many times, but I've never been brave, or perhaps desperate enough to end it all myself.'

Kalinda's eyes flicked towards another object on the table and Belle followed her gaze towards the single long sharp stake of plain wood which lay waiting beside the glass case. Their eyes met once again for just a moment, and Belle saw the acceptance of whatever she decided to do next deep within Kalinda's ruby coloured eyes. The turmoil within her screamed, but only for a moment. Then she turned away from the heart and the wooden stake, took Kalinda's pale cold face in her palm and kissed her deeply on the lips.

A single beat of the heart filled the room with its resonant boom as their lips met and Belle felt Kalinda's mouth gently open, allowing their tongues to gently intertwine as they pressed their bodies strongly together in a long passionate kiss. Belle felt Kalinda's small but powerful arms reach up and wrap themselves around her waist, tugging at the pale fabric which covered her torso. She broke the kiss for just a moment as she pulled at the shirt herself, and looked down at Kalinda with a happy smile as they came back together to continue the kiss. Kalinda's body felt cool against her skin, but slowly began to warm as the two of them wrapped their arms around one another once more. Belle's fingers intertwined into Kalinda's long dark hair and Kalinda's nails dragged a sharp but delightful scrape down Belle's muscular back.

The two momentarily broke their kiss once more as Kalinda took Belle by the hand and led her towards the bed, pushing her down to sit on the mattress while she remained standing before her. She bit her lower lip playfully as she reached up with her long pale arms to the straps at her shoulders, which were still barely keeping her dress up. Belle smiled as Kalinda took a little turn and slipped the upper half of her dress away, exposing her delicate back and narrow waist. Although she knew that this woman could probably break every bone in her body, she still enjoyed the sight of her petite shoulders and neckline as she looked back coyly at her.