My Fair Lady

Corinne struggled to regain consciousness as she felt her body rising and falling, pounding rhythmically, rough warmth between her legs and the smell of what she could only guess was a spring meadow coupled with the musty smell of...

…a horse? Startled, Cori's eyes flew open as she grabbed the mane of an incredibly large white stallion and held on for dear life. Still somewhat dazed, she glanced down to see her own black hair flowing down her shoulders and across her breasts and…no; it couldn't be…bare legs?

"Oh dear God," she agonized, "I'm naked! And my hair has grown at least 12 inches!" Seeing a cluster of shrubs that would offer safe haven, Corinne awkwardly guided the magnificent horse in that general direction.

Slipping carefully down to the mossy carpet below her, Corinne fell to her knees. "What the hell?" she muttered. "Think Corinne, think! The club that doesn't exist…Gabe, one of the hottest men she had ever laid eyes on talking about a letter, and the sensual and intoxicating Garrard, who she had been inexplicably drawn to."

Cori shuddered as she vaguely remembered the feel of him next to her and wanting to feel his lips on her neck. She remembered the feeling of being entranced by him and how willingly she would have let him take her. Sighing, Cori told herself to snap out of it and get a grip.

What was it Morpheus had said about excitement and romance? Was she under some spell or hallucinating from the Delirium? What was his part in all of this and for God's sake, why couldn't she get a decent cup of coffee and wake up! If in fact this was a dream.

"You torture me with your wanton behavior my lady," a deep, sensual voice spoke. From the shadows a man emerged and stood naked in front of her. His form was tall and well sculpted; he bore a strange mark or tattoo on his chest. His tanned skin was smooth with the exception of a dark trail of fine black hair that led down to…

Blushing profusely as she realized the man caught her admiring him, Corinne met his amused gaze and tried in vain to cover herself. The man chuckled softly, "No need to cover your form, my lady. I am quite familiar with your ample charms by now." He strode confidently toward her and his eyes smoldered with blatant desire.

Taking her boldly in his arms, he kissed her deeply and Corinne found herself not shocked but drawn to him; she craved him as though she was meant to be with him somehow. "Could this be?" Cori wondered as she responded with equal passion to his kiss. She didn't even know his name. Did she?

Pulling slightly away from her, his face twisted in mild agony. "His Lordship will have my head were he to learn of our liaison, Lady Corinne," he murmured in her ear sending a renewed trail of goose bumps along her spine. "You mustn't be so willful, riding out in the open like this. If someone witnessed it…I shudder to imagine the harm that would befall you. His Lordship can be a cruel, vindictive man. I fear not for myself but for you my lady."

Kissing her once more, he then led her to a stream. "Come, your robes are here. Dress quickly and return to the manor. I will linger awhile and follow soon after. Night will fall soon; it will not do for the betrothed of Lord Dunstan to stray beyond the gates after dark."

His voice was bitter as he spoke. He watched as she hastily threw the gown over her head and walked toward the horse as he quickly donned his own.

Corinne hesitated. Did he say betrothed? Her stomach lurched at the thought and for once she prayed she would encounter Morpheus in order to demand some answers.

The manor…would she even know what direction? Turning back toward the man, she confessed, "I'm afraid I've forgotten my way."

He leaned in close and Corinne was immediately drawn to his masculine scent, a combination of musk and sweat. Had she been intimate with him? Surely she would have remembered being with such a magnificent man.

"Perhaps the wine has impaired your senses too much my lady," his warmth breath purred against her cheek, "I trust your steed will know the way."

Corinne clumsily mounted the horse with the aid of the mysterious stranger and held on once again to its mane. She cast one last wistful look at him as he smiled seductively at her before slapping the horse's hindquarter as it abruptly took off and trotted into the meadow once more.

Still confused and unsure of her whereabouts, Corinne tried to make sense of where she was and who she was. Could this be some sort of Renaissance Faire she found herself in the middle of? No this had to be a dream or some alcohol induced hallucination. That kiss was surely no hallucination…

Lost in thought, Cori found herself arriving at a sprawling manor built of brick and stone. It had arched windows and stained glass as though it came straight from the Middle Ages. There were several horses grazing in the front where a man stood among them seemingly murmuring to them.

"Excuse me? Could you tell me where I am?" she called out hesitantly. As the man turned and approached, Corinne gasped once more. "You!" she exclaimed. "I should have known you would eventually turn up."

Smiling enigmatically Morpheus stood amused and watched her. "Lady Corinne you look flush. I trust the ride was pleasant?"

Although she could not avoid the deep red that stained her cheeks, Corinne held his gaze, "Just what the hell is going on here, Morpheus. How are you doing this…this…whatever this is you're doing. Is it the Delirium? Are you drugging me? Where are my clothes…my favorite blue dress?"

Morpheus chuckled softly, "So many questions, my lady, and not enough time to answer. His Lordship expects you for the evening meal. Best to not keep him waiting; his patience wears thin in more ways than one. Hurry, off with you to change!"

Leading the horse away from her, Corinne heard Morpheus whisper, "Come Argentis, the lady will have need of you soon enough." Turning, she headed toward the steps and entered through multiple archways before finding herself in a garden.

Corinne marveled at its beauty and the sweet fragrance of…what was it…she tried to remember when the image of Gabe's tanned muscular form slicing into the vivid blue water suddenly filled her head. The sun was falling slowly behind the forest in front of her and Corinne swore she heard the sound of surf in the distance.

Entering a bedroom off the garden, Corinne opened the wardrobe and quickly selected a gown to her liking. "At least it's blue," she mumbled. She briefly considered lying down…perhaps she would awaken in her own bed after all when a voice interrupted her thoughts, "Lord Dunstan grows impatient my lady. He awaits your arrival in the dining hall."

As Corinne followed behind the woman, she tried to remember if she knew anything at all about a man named Dunstan but came up empty. She was led to a grand room where a rather imposing man stood near the fireplace. His back was to her as he stoked the flames and spoke in a smooth, hypnotic voice, "Join me here by the hearth my lady."

She tentatively approached him and as she neared, he straightened and turned to face her. He was incredibly handsome…dark hair set off his sharp features and pale skin but his most noticeable feature were his eyes which were black as onyx and cold. Corinne's pulse raced but it was not from attraction or desire but fear.

Lord Dunstan reached toward her caressing her cheek and Cori pulled away instinctively. His eyes narrowed, "I will possess you soon enough Lady Corinne and I shall stoke the fires within you much the same as those in the hearth."

God it was like a horrible B movie. Stoke her fires? Was he joking? Corinne had to get out of here. Her eyes darted around the room praying for the omnipresent Morpheus to show up and give her another damned drink.

Leaning in he almost sneered, "Give yourself to me my love; there is no one here who will speak of it and no reason to wait any longer. We are betrothed; what keeps you from my bed chamber? Surely not another man…" Dunstan pulled her roughly toward him and his mouth was on hers as he made his way down her neck to the gentle rise of her breasts.

Footsteps echoed against the polished tiles as Corinne turned and saw the man from the meadow. "Ah Marius, your timing is…uncanny." Looking to Corinne once more, he gestured for them both to be seated at the massive dining table.

The meal was a blur as Corinne frantically tried to snap out of whatever this was…a dream, it had to be a dream…when she heard Marius mention a letter. Alert now, her eyes never left his face as she listened intently trying to make out what they were saying.

Abruptly, Dunstan rose and turned on Marius, "You will not speak of it again Marius. Leave us now; I wish to be alone with my betrothed." Corinne could see his jaw tighten perceptibly as Marius persisted, "But my lord, it was written…"

"Enough!" Dunstan bellowed, "You try my patience Marius. Do not do so again or the steel of my blade will swiftly find your heart." Casting a warning look toward Corinne, Marius nodded slightly, turned on the heels of his boots and walked away.

Corinne felt lightheaded. "Oh God," she prayed, "Let this be the moment I black out and wake up at home." Stumbling slightly, Cori felt Dunstan clumsily pull her against him before she fell. She steadied herself, his grip felt threatening, and spoke carefully, "Perhaps my ride this afternoon took more of a toll than I thought. I'm going to get some sleep."

Regarding her thoughtfully, Dunstan countered, "Yes," he practically hissed, "I imagine it did. And will you be…riding again tomorrow?" His voice was almost venomous and Corinne wondered if he knew…what? Knew what? She didn't even know what had happened in that meadow.

"Perhaps. Well goodnight then," Corinne was trembling as she turned toward the direction from which she had come.

"Corinne…a moment please." She stopped in her tracks, "Yes?" Dunstan's voice was frosty as he addressed her, "We will marry in two days' time. Make no mistake, you will be mine and I will have you. Pleasant dreams my love."

Corinne headed as quickly as she could toward the bedroom. "Aren't there any doors in this place?" she grumbled as she tried to decide if she should risk running away or trying to sleep and wake up someplace else.

"Anywhere but here," she decided as she slipped her dress off and stumbled around the dark room reaching for the armoire. Only a faint beam of the moon's rays filtered through the open windows as the heavy scent of oleander drifted in.

Seeing a tray on the bedside table, Cori smiled. "Morpheus you sly dog," she purred. Taking a drink Corinne waited for the familiar darkness to overtake her. She sighed, "There's no place like home," she muttered softly.

"My Lady, you are more beautiful than I had imagined." Dunstan's voice caught her by surprise as Corinne completely forgot her state of undress. "Get out!" she ordered. Laughing, he was on her in three strides.

Dunstan reeked of liquor as he pawed at her and kissed her in places that he had no right to. "You give yourself freely to Marius and yet you deny your betrothed. I will have what is rightfully mine tonight and you will give yourself to no one but me," he sneered lustily.

"You will not defile her Dunstan! You know what is written," Marius roared from the doorway.

Rising from the bed and turning, Dunstan glared, "You think I am oblivious to what you have done with her Marius? She belongs to me and yet you partake of her flesh and seek to deny me my right?"

"I will spill your blood before I see you touch her again," he seethed. "Corinne you must flee. I beg you run, I will find you again, now go!"

Marius planted himself protectively in front of Corinne. She whispered in his ear, "What is it Marius? What is written? Where can I find it…the letter?" Without lifting his eyes from Dunstan, Marius answered, "You speak in riddles Lady Corinne. Take your leave now. Ride to safety. Argentis knows the way. Quickly now!"

Corinne, hesitated, uncertain and then fled. Argentis was waiting and she swiftly mounted him. She wondered briefly what Marius meant about defiling her and what was written. "And he thinks I talk in riddles," she snorted.

The silver stallion galloped steadily toward the light of the moon and Corinne thought she could make out the shadow of a man standing at the forest's edge.

Time seemed to slow perceptibly as Corinne began to fall once more into the now familiar haze. Shadows overtook her slowly as her body descended, weightless, a breeze blowing gently against her skin.

Somewhere in the void, she could hear a man's voice calling her, distant, familiar and faint. Clinging to the stallion desperately Cori tried to hold on until darkness consumed her once more. The last thing she remembered before going under was the sound of…

Tag Emily...can't wait to see where she goes from here!