Chapter 15

Velona slept like he'd never slept before, through the night, beyond the morning, past the afternoon and well into the evening and then night of the next day. He slept like he hadn't slept since the murder of his mother. When he awoke he found himself rested and ravenously hungry.

He didn't know how long he'd been asleep as he rose to his feet but assumed it had only been a few hours. He looked out the window to see the moon was still out, in all its glorious beauty. For a moment he just stood in it iridescent glow as it cascaded through his windows.

He yawned and then stretched, his stomached rumbled and he was once again reminded of his hunger. He put on a robe and slowly slinked out of his room and down to the kitchen. For some reason everything felt different, grander in some sense, perhaps it was just his mood as he began rummaging through the cupboards, he couldn't recall the last time he'd been in such a good mood.

He piled a plate up with left over food from his ball and then another plate. He nibbling as he went and felt as if he could eat a horse. He realized he hadn't eaten anything since lunch, he'd just been so busy getting everything ready and attending to his guests. He brought the plates into his dark dinning, setting them on the table. He left the room and went down to the wine cellar getting himself one of his favorite bottles of wine. He poured himself a glass then sat down at the table.

He was just digging in, when he noticed another sitting at the table. He heard the flick of a flame and a candle was soon lit. He saw Beckett sitting at the table, he did not look happy. Velona continued to eat, wondered how long he'd been sitting there. After a few seconds he swallowed his food and then got up, getting a second glass of wine for Beckett.

He made no motion to take it and just continued to glare. Velona took his seat once more and bit into a crests leg. He savored the flavor and chewed it for a bit, waiting for Beckett to speak, obviously he wanted to talk. When several minutes passed in silence Velona took a sip of his wine and then broke the tension, "You're up late, don't forget we have lunch with the Garaner's today."

Velona took a longer sip of his wine and then tried the crab tarts, they truly were exquisite and worth the extra expense. He closed his eyes, savored one and then another, he knew he would regret indulging later, when his corset fit tight but for now he didn't care.

"Yesterday," said Beckett quietly.

Velona was so wrapped up in the tarts that he almost didn't hear him. "Hmmm," he said, "Yesterday what? Did something happen?"

"The lunch was yesterday," said Beckett flatly, "You've been asleep an entire day,"

Velona looked at him skeptically. He took up his wine and nearly finished it off, thinking over what he had said, surely not, surely he had not slept an entire day, never in his life. He'd almost always had restless sleep barley getting more then a few hours here or there…save for a few exceptions.

"No," said Velona setting down his glass. "I can't have-

"You did," said Beckett. He finally took up the glass of wine in front of him and finished it off in one swig.

Velona sat for a moment, he couldn't believe it. He'd completely slept through an entire day. Annoyed he spat "You should have woken me,"

"You needed the rest," said Beckett sighing.

"What about the lunch. I promised Juna I'd help her with flower arrangements,"

"It's been taken care of," said Beckett.

"What of the staff! What must they have-"

"I gave them the day off, for working so hard on the ball. I needed time to clean up your mess."

Beckett locked eyes with Velona and his stomach sunk. He finally recalled the events of last night. It almost seemed unreal now. He'd been upset, beyond upset. He could have blamed it on the wine. He'd had more then enough glasses to justify what he'd done but he'd always been able to hold his own, if anything the alcohol had just eased his decisions.

He went to Korina seeking to make her suffer, to murder her with his own bare hands. When he saw her with the ring, when she had lied to his face again and again, it only made his choice more and more clear. They'd argued, they'd fought and tore through the manor but he got her...he got her. He wrapped his hands around her neck and could still remember what it felt like to squeeze the life out of her.

He'd been determined to kill her, to destroy the feelings she evoked within him. She made him lose control and he...he didn't lose control, not now...not ever. She squirmed helplessly underneath him and he'd watched the life slowly draining from her until she fell limp in his hands. He glared down at her and it was almost over and yet.. it wasn't. He couldn't...he couldn't do it.

He'd let go of her let and roared with frustration, he knew… he knew what he had to do...what he should do and yet time and time again he couldn't why...why...he...he'd closed his eyes, knowing why...he...he...She did something to him that no one else did, he couldn't explain it...couldn't justify it.

He...from the first moment he'd saw her, he'd been taken in by her. He'd denied it, explained and excused it away but he…he wanted her. He sat in the library and finally let go…finally gave in and accepted for whatever reason he…wanted her.

He felt like a weight had been lifted, not from his shoulders but from within. He sat there for the longest moment staring down at her and then began to undress himself and then her. When she was naked before him he took his time, taking what he wanted. Everything fell away and he was consumed by his needs, his desires. He'd been had and had so many over the years but...Korina, felt as if she were made just for him. He lost himself completely within her and he didn't think...the pain...the rage... for brief moment it all...it all went away...

When it was over he was confused...disoriented. His mind cleared enough to realize he'd been hurt. He'd stumbled out of the room to take care of it and ran into Beckett…From there it was all a bit of a haze. Velona felt his head now, feeling the bandage. Beckett must have cleaned him up and...Korina. He looked at Beckett holding his breath. "Did you…"

Beckett let out a long sigh, "No...I gave her something, she's asleep...not dead. Though I think it would be better for all of us, including her if she was."

Velona breathed again, he didn't feel hungry anymore, he pushing his plates of food away. "Thank you for taking care of it,"

Beckett didn't say anything, he didn't demand answers for last night or ask a single question. He simply waited for a response, a decision, an order to be made but what Velona wanted to do now...even he himself did not know. When it came to Korina he was at a loss, his thoughts muddled, all reason and logic seemed to fall away.

He ran a hand over his face and closed his eyes. He needed time to think, to truly think but there was no time. Blaine would be returning soon and then everything he'd been striving for all these years would finally come to fruition. His skin burned with the near anticipation of it, soon, soon. And yet now because of his hasty actions, he had other problems to deal with.

The Countess would be returning at some point and no doubt want her granddaughter back and then there was the servants. It was reasonable to give them the day off but they would still, no doubt be talking especially when they saw Velona's injuries. He still wasn't clear how bad they were but taking in the sting of his hands, the pounding of his head and the aching of his neck, he knew quite an explanation would be needed, especially if he was going to keep things contained. All it would take was one whisper from his servant to another. to get all of Crestmoore talking.

Velona let his head fall back, taking it all in, he let out a short laugh thinking, he'd really made a mess of things. He needed to clean it up, he needed to start planning and taking action, yet all he could think about was...Korina. He felt her seeping in to his thoughts. Where was she? Was she still asleep? What was her condition? How soft her skin had felt...the feel of her, the taste of her...thinking clearly now, surely he must have exaggerated...no one could feel that good.

He realized he was spiraling out, he needed to reign things in, gain control once more, over his thoughts and over the situation at hand. He mulled over what he should do, coming up with a plan. First he would go to Korina and see what her condition was. From there he could judge what needed to be done, if things could be covered up or not, either way, a decision would need to be made. Once he'd decided what to do with her, then he could build out and take on one problem at a time.

He nodded to himself having a solid plan. He opened his eyes and sat up straight, turning to Beckett, he asked "What room is she in?"

"The Grayson," said Beckett.

Velona rose to his feet and left the room without a word, his good mood falling away. He ascended the stairs, determined to resolve things quickly. He would simply see what Korinas' condition was, make his assessment and move on. He would not allow her to cloud his judgment any further.

It didn't take him long to get to the Grayson room, on the second floor. At the door he paused and took a deep breathe, collecting himself. He grasped the doorknob and opened the door. When he stepped into the room, it was nearly dark. There were no windows in the Grayson room, so the only light came from candles.

It must have been a while since Beckett had been in as only one candle was still lit and it was nearly down to its quick. Instinctivly Velona lifted it and lit two other candles. The room brightened and he finally looked around. He saw Korina soundly asleep in bed, the covers pulled up to her chin. He swallowed and approached slowly.

Her face was cleaned of blood but he could see welt and bruises from where he'd beaten her. He estimated how many days and weeks, it might take for them to fade, if they could be covered with makeup. He sat on the bed and then reached out for the covers, his hands were shaky.

He suddenly felt uncertain, like he was walking on unstable ground or a thin rope. He pressed on pulling the covers back, he expected her to wake but she didn't. He found she was completely naked and tried to stay focus. He needed to see the damage so he could make...his assessment...that was all...he'd look and leave…look and leave.

He looked down at her chest, checking to see if it would rise and sink. It did ever so slightly and he moved on, he looked over her shoulders, breasts, arms, stomach. The bruising was no worse then her face, there were some scratches and cuts, but could be easily hidden with clothes...there was still a chance they could... let her-

He lowered his gaze, to her mound of soft curls. He couldn't help but touch them. He tangled his fingers in them and clenched his hand, he leaned in breathing her in and shuttered at her intoxicating smell. The shadows began to dance about as he drew closer and closer... just to examine her...just to...to...to…

He held his breath, reaching out he grasping hold of her face. She looked so beautiful...He leaned in pressing his lips against hers wanting to feel them to taste them. They were so soft, so sweet, she didn't move, she didn't struggle like before. He pressed his cheek against hers and nudged, wanting to bath within her, within this feeling...she evoked. Touching her, feeling her skin against his, Velona's chest didn't ache but felt full.

He ran his hand through her hair and kissed her lightly at first on her cheeks and chin but then he began to press harder, deeper. Ravenously he trailed kisses down her neck, to her left shoulder, he bared down with his teeth, leaving marks before continuing his trail of kisses down to her breasts. He took them in his hands and they fit perfectly. He squeezed them, licking and then sucking, her nipples perked and turned a deep shade of pink.

He let go of her and feverishly pulled away, only long enough to remove his robe and pull off his dress. Naked he climbed on top of her, he no longer had any control, he wanted her...needed to be inside her again…He quickly spread her legs and positioned himself.

He was concerned he might have to wet her again but she was still bleeding, his seed still seeping out of her. He poised himself at her entranced, looking down at her before he thrust. She was still so damn tight but he didn't care as he sunk in and was surrounded by her unbelievable warmth once again.

His eyes widened, no longer hindered by the wine, fully rested and alert he was able to take in every sensation, every moment of astounding pleasure. When he was younger, he'd wavered from his vow...he'd tried to find something to relieve the chaos that roared within him. He'd been drunk, he'd even gone to drug dens and tried just about every pure induced pleasure, hoping...begging for an ounce of relief.

None of it, none of it had released him, none of it had given him even a second of true and utter peace...He realized nothing could make him forget, nothing could bring him what he desires, save for vengeance, the pain, the agony of those who had wronged him. Even then he couldn't be certain but imagining it, planning it...pursuing it with everything he had was only thing that kept him going...the only thing that kept him going…

Velona shook and quivered within Korina he looked down at her mesmerized. It was clear now the effect she had him was undeniably profound. She made him feel something, he'd never felt before, an overwhelming euphoria.

He moved his hips slowly thrusting at first and then began to buck. It didn't take him long, this time to grow close. Before he knew it, he was barley holding on. He didn't want to stop, he didn't want to release just yet, wanting this pleasure, this moment to last forever but his body, it couldn't hold out…He stiffened all at once and shuttered releasing inside her. He was annoyed for only a second before a surge of intense pleasure rippled through him. It nearly made him black out. He didn't remember the first time being this strong.

He rolled off her and it took him a moment to catch his breath. For several long minutes he just laid on his back. When he finally came down from the intensity, he turned on his side and pulled her into him. He soaked her in, dozed off and on as he spooned her.

When he was ready for another, he took her from behind, taking his time, he thrust slow, slow and then quick, slow slow and then quick, it was like dancing. He felt drunk, felt out of his bloody mind with pleasure, nothing else mattered beyond this moment, beyond his next thrust. Again and again he lost himself within her.

He tangled around her, tasting the salt of her skin, tracing every line and curve of her body. He wanted to know every inch of her, possess every part of her. Korina..she...she was his...had always been his…he could feel it now...something deep within him...always knew…always knew. He lavished her with kisses and held her tight, pounding, pounding until he could no more and passed out.

When Velona woke his mind felt clearer. Korina was still sound asleep. Whatever Beckett had given her, must have been strong, to which he was grateful. He knew once she awoke, he'd have a whole other set of problems to deal with. For now he simply got up, he cleaned himself, dressed and then ran a brush through his hair, lightly pinning it up.

He cleaned Korina up and then reposition her back in bed, covering her up once more. Before he pulled away, he ran the back of his hand against her cheek, still feeling a longing...a deep craving he couldn't quite seem to quench but for now it would have to wait. There were other things he needed to attend to.

He stepped out of the room and Beckett was there, sitting in a chair, his arms crossed. Velona had no idea how much time had passed but Beckett looked beyond tired, like he hadn't slept in days. Velona didn't think it could be that long but in that room with her...time had ceased to exist..

Beckett glared at him still expecting an order a decision to be made. Clearly something had to be done...but what. What was he to do with her? There was no place for her in his world and yet it would seem one was required. If he couldn't kill her and couldn't let her go then then there was only one thing left he could do…

Velona took a deep breath, finally having made his decision. He looked Beckett in the eyes and ordered, "Make the arrangements, we're keeping her."

Beckett leaned forward in his chair as his face sunk. Clearly this was not the response he expected, nor wanted. His eyes shifted from side to side as he thought and then met Velonas' gaze once more. It looked like he might say something but instead he nodded and stood. Velona turned and made his way upstairs, knowing it was time to get to work.

Thank you for Reading^^