28 The Differences in Intercourse 1 (2/2)

'Forgive my intrusion, Prince. I...'

She stopped when he pulled her from the floor to her feet and embraced her. At first it surprised her, but then she relaxed in his arms. Slowly he kissed her neck then moved to her lips. He felt a shift in Lilly. A shift that seemed to take over her movements. Their kissing became more passionate, as James maneuvered her towards the bed. He removed her clothes and her hands did the same for him. Their bodies intertwined. Lilly's breath caught when James brought their lower bodies together. But she relaxed. Accepted his presence while surrounding him with hers. He felt a lot closer to her. A closeness that did not dissipate with their physical separation. James lay beside her once more. She snuggled up against his chest.

'I have no words to describe how amazing this feels, James,' Lilly whispered. 'I love you, so much.'

'I love you also, Lilly.'

He caressed her face, his feelings mixed as he observed the happiness and bliss on Lilly's face. Several voices whispered in his mind as he continued to observe the beautiful woman in his arms.

'Unfaithful,' they whispered.

'Is something wrong, James?' Lilly asked, when he stopped caressing her.

'Why did you have sex with Briar?' he asked. 'We were engaged.'

Lilly feathered her fingers across the side of his neck and shoulder. 'For Adremedians there is no such thing as an engagement or a marriage. When one of our people needs to be replaced they find an Adremedian of the opposite sex to create it. Then the one requesting the replacement takes him or her and teaches them. However, if the one needing the replacement is ill then two healthy Adremedians, who have not refused the first contact, create that replacement for them.'

'I understand all that, but why you? Why didn't Briar ask another female Adremedian?'

'He did, James. Briar asked everyone else, because he has been touched by the forbidden as I have. Because of that, neither of us should have been able to create anymore Adremedian replacements. However, since all of the others were sick or refused he came to me with the hope that, even though the ability to create replacements had been closed for both of us, we would still be able to aid the continuation of our people.'

'Would you do it again if you were asked to?'

'I would not be able to.'

James rolled away from her and got out of bed. 'I don't understand who you can set Adremedian intercourse aside so easily.'

'James, I....'

A strange sound reached his hears. He turned. Lily pressed her face into the mattress.

'Lilly? What's wrong?'

'What is this feeling?' she winced.

He moved back to her side. 'What are you feeling?'

'I… I can't feel my hands.' Then she buried her face into the blanket and he heard her whine. 'What are you planning?'

'I don't know yet. Carthago thinks we should cut your hands off.'

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Lilly forced her head into the bed a little more and her hands shook. 'Then take them.'

'Lilly, I…' He picked up one of her hands and it felt wet. Turning it over, he could see several cuts splitting the skin open. 'What is happening?'

'Take them,' she cried.

James left for Brandy and some bandages. Lilly seemed unaware of James as he bandaged her hands or the burning liquid he had her drink. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment before they closed in sleep. That was punishment enough. James set the Brandy on the table before going to the dungeon where Carthago waited.

”James,” he said. ”What have you decided?”

”No punishment is necessary.”

”But you two were engaged. Did that hold no weight for her?”

”There is no such thing as an engagement or marriage in her culture.”

”So that makes it okay to have sex with one of her own before she marries you.”

”I don't expect you to understand, Carthago. I can't do it.”

”Then what is to prevent her from doing it again?”

James shook his head then left the dungeon. He walked slowly back to his room. Lilly was still asleep in their bed. He laid by her side and brushed the hair from her face. Memories of the summer house came to mind and he rested his forehead on her shoulder. Her arm came up and wrapped awkwardly around his head.

'Lilly?' he asked, looking up at her.

Her eyes were still closed. 'Why is everything slow to respond, James?'

'It's probably because of the Brandy I gave you for the pain.'

She rolled to her side and sat up.

'You probably shouldn't get up yet.'

'I feel sick.'

He got up for a bowl, but Lilly ran for the door. She staggered in her run and banged her right shoulder hard against the door frame as she slipped out. But she didn't stop. James followed after her, but lost sight of her once they were outside the castle. He kept looking and caught sight of her as she was leaving through the back gates of the city. Running, he caught up to her about half way up the first hill.