Thread: The Cost of Blood (Father and Belle)

His fingers curling around her abdomen, right where her womb would be, did not take her by surprise and even that did not deter her as he hardened his grip. No. It was a different reaction altogether. It caused a rush of heat to flood through her system like she had never known, like coals buried deep in her being had been lit aflame and it made her tremble with the sudden new sensation. Pressing her lips together for a long moment she could barely remember to breathe in the wake of such a reaction. She felt that heat course through every part ofher body from her chest up to her fingers and down to her toes. But where it centered most was in her abdomen, right where her father was touching her, and it burned so deep and so hot that it developed into a physical ache like she had never known. Why was she aching so much? What was happening to her? Aelia didn't understand and it was making her mind a bit foggy...well, that and the steam of the bath...but her father's words cut straight through it. For a moment she wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. And when she repeated the words in her head - with the memory of his voice no less - she convinced herself that maybe she was reading his meaning incorrectly. Yet he had spoken so quietly, so...reverently...as though he were whispering in the ear of Aphrodite herself...and the look in his eyes was all she needed to know to prove it. Yes. He wanted her to stay. And if she did stay, the option was open for them to fulfill the desires of their hearts and minds, to stay together and have children. Aelia could feel the breath hitch in her throat as she suddenly felt the nearness of her father. If his fingers felt warm and tight before it was a million times more so now. She felt the weight of his gaze on her as though she was already bare before him and he feasting over her fair, maiden flesh. Suddenly every shift, every move he made in the water made her spine shudder and her skin quiver with his nearness. She felt as though he were some divine being standing before her - not one of mere muscle and bone, but one of power and fire that could command her flesh with merely a glance and made her heart thump against her chest. And truly, she considered his proposition. She had often heard of kings of old, mighty blood lines, marrying brother to sister to beget children, and fathers mating with daughters to create mighty off spring. Indeed, there were stories of the gods doing both of these things... But could she? She considered the alternative - being far away from him - and it made that fire in her turn so cold that it still felt as though her insides were burning. No! She could not be! The love between them was too strong...it would break her if she were to leave him. And Spartan law forbade her remaining with him should she marry. She had to remain with the man whose children she would bare...and the duty for her to have children was too strong to ignore. And in that moment she realized that should she have children, and have to remain with their father...there was no one she would rather remain with than him. I love you, she confessed as her legs pressed against his hips a little tighter. Were I to leave you, I would have to rip the heart from my chest. Her hand slipped from his cheek and both her arms extended to wrap around his neck, her back slowly arching as she gazed into his eyes. Their chests now pressed together, she feeling the warm wet of the water on his muscled chest pressing through the fabric of her dress and soaking her breasts. I choose you, she said in that same tender, praying voice that barely rose above a whisper. I wish for you.