The Ringmaster's Bedchamber

  Sometime ago

  The ringmaster exits her bedchamber and heads for the eating table. She has not even dressed, wearing only her silk nightclothes. Percy watches the ringmaster as she crosses to the table. Bright ribbons of energy dart around her head and torso. The blue, yellow, and red tendrils cause Percy's eyes to cross; as they zig and zag over and across each other. Yet another lover has met a questionable end. Percy is secretly grateful for his dual usefulness to the master.

  "You are looking...Rejuvenated," Percy says, moving to pull out a chair for the ringmaster.

  The ringmaster smiles and waves Percy off, performing the action for herself. She slides her eyes craftily in his direction.

  "You should have been there, Percy. It was spectacular. I feel like a new woman. Better than that even. Haha."

  The ringmaster tosses her long black hair over one shoulder and reclines her head back. A soft chuckle escapes from her lips as she squeezes her eyes shut. She is close to pure ecstasy.

  "Oh, Percy. I haven't felt this good in a long time. Not since Perciv..."

  The ringmaster's eyes shoot open and her mouth clamps shut. Raising her head back to a level position, the ringmaster quickly regains her composure. She shifts her weight in the seat, straightening her back and tilting her head haughtily.

  Percy gazes at the ringmaster with narrowed eyes. She is absolutely beautiful when she feigns indifference. However, thanks to the powerful essence increasingly wrestling for control of his mind and body, Percy is able to see every change in the master's lively energy field. Nearly everything the master does is for show.

  As if hearing Percy's inner thoughts, which wouldn't be a huge leap for her, the ringmaster raises both arms over her head and stretches. The ribbons of energy around her head and torso become more electrifying. Percy almost drops the platter in his hand as he stares thirstily at his master, admiring every curve of her body.

  A vague memory attempts to resurface in Percy's mind. At the same instant, an intense pain shoots through the left side of his head, making him sway on his feet. He lowers the platter in his hand to the table and grips the side of his head. The image persists, and the pain in Percy's head increases.

  Alice. He is sure that was her name. As sure as he can be. The memories of her bring him much pain, but he finds himself struggling to remember them anyway. The first day he and Alice made love, he'd run his hands through her long hair--and down her slender back. She had greatly enjoyed his touch.

  He has tried to make love to the master. The interrupting images of his time with Alice, and the resulting headaches, made it nearly impossible to perform as expected. On such occasions, the master frustratedly threw him out of her bedchamber. Perhaps, it is time to try again.

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  Percy squeezes his eyes shut and wills away the memories of Alice. Alice is not here now. The master is. And her spirited energy calls to him. She calls to him. It would be foolish to refuse such an open invitation. Even if it is a dangerous one. What is danger, to one such as him?

  "Master..." Percy begins. "I wish to know pleasure. I wish to know it with you."

  The ringmaster's eyes open, but she does not lower her arms. Only her head. She stares at Percy with unblinking green eyes. Her painted lips part and Percy stiffens. Is she seriously considering his offer? Or will she hurl spells at him for his outspoken stupidity?

  "Oh, Percy," the ringmaster says in a husky whisper. "We have tried that before. That is why you no longer sleep in my bedchamber. You may be a wonderful servant. The best. But you can offer me very little in the way of pleasure."

  Percy leans forward on the table, daring to look the ringmaster in the eye and challenge her.

  "It has been some time since we have tried. I may yet surprise you."

  "I doubt it, Percy. But..."

  A purple glow appears in the ringmaster's eyes, outlining the green of her irises. She exaggerates her movements as she climbs from her chair. Bending forward onto the table, she taps the end of Percy's human nose with a slender fingertip.

  "I will give you another chance," the ringmaster continues. "I will return to my bedchamber. You have until I remove my dress to convince me you are up to the task."

  "Why so long, Master?" Percy quips with a crafty grin. "I hear four hands are better than two."

  The ringmaster laughs and leans forward even more. She plants a kiss on Percy's waiting lips. Energy sparks along his mouth and Percy resists the urge to smack his lips together. There will be interesting times ahead.

  Once inside the master's bedchamber, Percy proves that four hands are indeed better than two.

  =====================================

  "You're staring into space again, Master." Joaquin says with a sly grin. "And you haven't taken a single sip of your wine."

  The ringmaster returns Joaquin's grin, bringing her wine glass to just under her nose. She rolls her green eyes in slight annoyance.

  "There is a reason you keep pressing the matter, Joaquin. You've put a spell over this wine."

  "Of course," Joaquin confesses with a deep laugh. "Your task is to figure out which spell I have cast."

  "My task?"

  "Yes. Your task!" Joaquin replies, crossing both arms over his muscular chest. "You are always testing others. It is time someone tested you. Is that not why you made me your lover?"

  "Oh, Joaquin," the ringmaster sighs, placing the full glass under her nose a second time.

  She inhales deeply before dipping a painted nail into the wine. Lifting the same fingertip into the air, the ringmaster stares at her raised finger, observing the energies floating above it. With a loud gasp, the ringmaster lowers her glass and glowers playfully at Joaquin.

  "What are you trying to pull, Joaquin?"

  "No more than the usual," the ringmaster's lover replies with a casual shrug.

  "But, right here? In this field?"

  "It's not as if anyone is around to notice. Who's going to tell? The sunflowers? And the rabbit madams are safe at the inn. We are completely alone."

  Joaquin's purple eyes study the ringmaster's pleasant face. Her eyes narrow, blinking ever so slowly. She is thinking of him again. That damn clown!

  Leaning across the blanket, Joaquin takes the ringmaster's chin in his hand. He kisses her passionately, only stopping to look deep into her sorrowful eyes.

  "It is your turn now. Do your worst."

  The ringmaster chuckles softly before drawing Joaquin close again. There will be no spells of forgetfulness today.