Andrea
bathed with extra care willing herself to remain calm. She had lain with each of the Masters so she
knew their touch. She remembered the
pleasures that each had brought to her, but this was still new to her. She still felt embarrassment when she was
with them, and Andrea felt this emotion was all hers and not something from The
Dark Ones.
As
she sat relaxing in her bath she reflected back on her time at the manor and
now she understood things that had appeared strange to her at the time. When she saw one of The Masters smiling at a
servant girl, or the giggling she heard from the servants. The rushed exit of a servant when she
entered a room. The blushes she
saw. Andrea now understood that
although she belonged to The Masters, they found their pleasures in many
places.
The
Lady's job was to bear the child of The Masters. What happens next? Would
The Masters no longer want her after tonight?
They had opened a new door in her life would that door be closed before
she had the opportunity to fully explore it?
Andrea
was dressed in a gown of white. Black
cats chased each other around the hem of the dress. The sleeves were decorated with silver stars and lighting bolts. The skirt had fire breathing dragon
embroidered in gold and a lavender rose was embroidered on the shoulder, The
Lady's rose. As she stood there in her
bridal gown she reflected on what her life would be like after today.
There
was a bright light and standing in front of Andrea was Miranda.
"You
make a lovely bride my lady." Miranda told her. "But you are troubled."
"How
do you know my thoughts?" Andrea asked.
"I
know everything." Miranda informed her.
Both
girls laughed. "Now you sound just
like Celestial." Andrea said and
they started laughing again.
"Andrea,
don't be afraid of your future. You
belong to The Masters now and for always.
They will take care of you and all your needs. They will not abandon you after today. Andrea, you no longer need my aid. You are The Lady."
Miranda kissed Andrea on the cheek and then vanished leaving a white
rose, Miranda's rose, in Andrea's hand.
"Thank
you Miranda." Andrea whispered as she lifted the rose to her nose to enjoy
the fragrance.
It
was time. With a courage found deep
within her Andrea descended the stairs with Mirada's rose in her hand. She walked to the audience room, passing
bowing servants on her way. Andrea
opened the door to the audience room to find The Masters seated in their
respective chairs talking amongst themselves.
When she entered the room all taking ceased and all eyes turned to look
at Andrea.
Andrea
became unexpectedly embarrassed at the attention focused on her. Her heart began to bear faster as panic
formed and a sudden urge to run from the room overpowered her.
Starchild
came forward offering her his hand.
"My lady. Come sit with
us."
Andrea
took his offered hand and walked with him as he led her to her chair. The chair in the middle of The Masters.
"Would
you like something to drink My lady?" Beast asked as he offered her a
goblet of wine.
"Thank
you." Andrea accepted his offering.
"Andrea,
we thought that Stephen could come for a visit the day after tomorrow."
Starchild told her.
"That
would be wonderful. He so wants to come
here." Andrea hesitated before continuing, "I really am sorry about
the other day. Dot doesn't know his own
strength."
"I'll
say. He packs quite a punch."
Starchild agreed with her.
"I
have been able to keep his power under control but sometimes when he gets angry
or if he thinks I am in danger well, even I cannot stop him. One day when he was three he became very
angry because father said he could not go with me to the healer's. When I returned I discovered he had blow up
the old stables."
"We
must remember to stay on his good side." Starchild laughed.
"Miranda
has been to see you." Demon remarked
Looking
at the rose she carried in her hand, "Yes she has." Andrea looked
directly into Demon's eyes, "But she is gone now, not to return."
Demon
nodded.
The
four shared a quiet dinner together talking and laughing amongst themselves.
"Andrea."
Starchild began nervously.
"I
know Starchild." Andrea bowed her head.
"Do
you want me to explain anything?"
A
look of concern came over Andrea's face.
"What happens after tonight?"
it was the question she had been afraid of.
"What
do you mean?" Starchild was surprised at her question.
Embarrassed
now, "After tonight what happens to me?
Do you send me home? Do you go
on with your lives? Will you think
about me?" Andrea looked away as she finally voiced her deepest fears.
"You
stay here. This is your
home." Demon told her as he
realized what was wrong. No one had
ever told her what would happen after she conceived their child.
Starchild
stood in front of Andrea, "You are The Lady of the Manor."
realization also dawning on him.
"You will live here with us and rule over the people as we do. Our child will live here with us and we will
teach the child what he will need to know to defeat The Dark Ones."
"Besides,"
Demon whispered as he took her hand, "I enjoyed having you in my bed and
can't wait until you come back."
Andrea
blushed and then took a deep breath and sighed in relief. She was not going to be sent away. And they still wanted her.
Demon
stood in front of Andrea and lifting her chin in order to look into her eyes,
"We will understand if you choose not to continue."
Grateful
for his understanding and concern Andrea smiled at Demon, "I am
ready."
Starchild
extend his hand to her, "Come My Lady.
It is time."
Andrea
took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the bridal chamber.
With
gentle hands each of The Masters helped to undress Andrea kissing and caressing
her as they did.
An
hour before dawn Demon caressed her cheek and said, "It is
time." He held out his hand to her
and then led her to the garden door and into the meadow. The Masters watched as Demon transformed
into a dragon, picked up Andre and flew away.
Andrea
felt no fear as the dragon carried her away.
The
dragon held her tightly with his tail knowing he could not completely loose
himself to his passion or he might drop her.
Suddenly Andrea began struggling with Dragon causing him to loosen his
grip on her and then wings emerged from Andrea's back. Beautiful butterfly wings. \
When
dragon realized she could keep pace with him his passion grew The Masters
watched their dance from below.
Exhausted
Andrea lay in dragon's arms retracting her wings and allowed him to fly her
home. Dragon landed in the meadow and
transformed into Demon still holding a sleeping Andrea.
Starchild met them in the meadow putting Demon's robe around his shoulders and wrapping a blanket around Andrea. Demon would not relinquish his hold on his beloved Andrea. He carried her back to the bridal chamber and lovingly laid her down careful not to wake her. Starchild tucked the covers round her as Beast and Celestial watched.
"Come
Demon, a hot bath and food will do you good." Beast said taking the arm of
his friend.
"What
if she wakes?" Demon protested
"I
will stay with her." Starchild told him. "I have already eaten and
bathed. You have worked harder than us,
go and relax."