The Diaries of Ayesha

I stood at the altar waiting for Minx to come down the aisle. The musicians started playing "Here comes the Bride" and I knew it was Show Time at last. The ever present soundtrack in my mind started playing "Overture, Curtain, Lights" from the old Bugs Bunny Show as I waited for her to reach my side.

I looked towards her and smiled looking at the group gathered to witness the event.

The Mother of Many stood beaming at Minx as Mei Ling and Miriam served as the maids of honor. Mistress Tamara stood watching, dressed in her tuxedo and top hat, with Tammi standing next to her. Dr. Ruth was in attendance as well as Majima and Sheba and Jen. Susan sat in the front row in her wheelchair and occasionally dabbed at her eyes with a hanky. Gregor and Natalia had even flown in from Moscow to witness the wedding of Miss Minkin Dawes to Michael For. . . .

But I'm getting ahead of myself here.

Minx and I had returned from a trip with a few things left unspoken between us. It was evident that our time together was coming to an end for one reason or another and she was trying to ease the separation by having me serve multiple Mistresses in hopes of finding me a new owner.

So far the search had covered quite a bit of ground, both inside and outside of Ay'esha.

It's not that there was a shortage of Mistresses, but more a shortage of Mistresses that Minx felt would appreciate me and take proper care of me.

Sort of like finding someone to take a cat you've had for a long time.

Minx joked that perhaps she should have me put to sleep.

Ha Ha.

I finally asked her to stop trying so hard.

"Mistress, I appreciate your efforts but it's not working.", I said as we sat overlooking the Bay at sunset.

"I suppose I'm just too fussy, but I won't have someone who doesn't appreciate you taking possession.", she said sipping her tea.

"I know. I'm just a bit tired of trying to please everybody. It's hard enough sometimes pleasing you."

She smiled as she looked at the dimming sun.

"I demand the best in my slaves. You have done everything I asked and more."

She turned to face me and took my hand.

"Would you like to be released from your oath to serve Ay'esha ?", she asked kindly.

I was startled. Leave Ay'esha?

"No Mistress, I would not." , I said. " But perhaps I should try and get along without a Mistress for awhile."

The pride in her face was evident.

"You have grown. You want to serve a Mistress now. You don't need to in order to be happy."

She was right. Our scheduling had made our time as Mistress and slave less and less over the year. The time we had was good time, but there was less of it and I had grown accustomed to doing without her firm hand.

Tammi ,a nurse from the hospital I had been in, had helped with my free time, being an escort to movies and dinner on occasion. Her work at the hospital made our time together also a bit limited, but the time we had was always fun.

Not that Minx wasn't fun, she was a different kind of fun. Minx was a bit reserved, Tammi wasn't.

I could kiss and hug Tammi; I'd get clobbered if I did that with Minx.

Maybe the way to sum it up was a variant of a line from the old Patty Duke Show.

"Minkin adores a minuet, the Ballet Russe and Crepe Suzette , but Tammi loves the rock and roll, a hot dog makes her lose control, what a wild duet."

The drawback to a long term relationship with Tammi was me. I wasn't quite old enough to be her father, but her older brother, no problem.

I have a bit of a self image problem that Minx was always scolding me about.

In fact, the only person I ever really felt accepted me, without question, was my wife.

I was brought back to reality by Minx tapping my knee with her fingernail.

"Earth to Michael, come in please.", she teased.

"Sorry. I was thinking about what you said. I guess I have grown a bit .", I said.

"I want you to go home and go to bed. Tomorrow night I will send my car for you and you will join me.", she said sharply, standing up.

I looked up at her, startled by her sudden attitude change.

The next day at work passed slowly as I wondered why Minx wanted to see me that evening.

If she wanted to fire me or something like that she could do it at the Bank.

That evening as promised her car arrived and drove me to her house.

I rang the bell and heard the lock on the door buzz to admit me.

I entered cautiously and made my way through the dimly lit hallway to the sitting room.

She was waiting for me, dressed in the corset, studded belt and boots she had worn when I first met her. Her hair was styled as it was that night long ago, and she had a crop in her hand.

"Kneel M-5, eyes down!" , she commanded.

I dropped to my knees and waited. Her boots clicked on the hard floor as she approached me.

I was startled by the feel of cold steel as she cut my clothing off me as I knelt before her. I started to look at her once and felt the crop across my back with full force.

"Eyes down!", she snarled as she tore the remnants of my clothing from me leaving me naked except for my shoes.

I heard her walk away and there was a long silence broken only by the sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace.

I was startled a moment later by a collar being attached to my neck from behind. I hadn't heard her approach. Then I realized it wasn't her. I smelled a perfume I had not smelled in some time, a scent that belonged to . . .

"You are surprised by my presence M-5?", Mei Ling said in my ear.

I didn't speak, knowing that Minx would be watching for any sign of disobedience. I had not seen Mei Ling in many months, her normal residence being in Hong Kong.

I heard the boot heels as Minx approached again and heard the snap as she attached a leash to the collar.

"Like the dog you are M-5. Follow us!", she ordered.

I followed on all fours close on Minx and Mei Ling's heels until we reached the steps leading to her basement dungeon. I was ordered to my feet to descend the steps, then when we reached the bottom Minx shackled me to the wall with my back to the room.

"Prepare.", was all she said.

I took a breath and waited.

The whip strokes came slowly at first, and then became more intense and harder with each passing moment. I focused on the wall before me, trying to force the pain from my mind, remembering the discipline that Mei Ling has taught me during my early training.

I finally sagged from the weight of the pain and the whip stopped.

"You are doing well M-5.", Minx said from a few feet behind me.

There was a sting and then a warm feeling. Acupuncture needles. Mei Ling, The Master, was applying her special magic and I became more and more drowsy.

"Can you hear me M-5?", Minx asked.

I nodded as well as I could the feeling of disorientation making it difficult to try to speak.

"You have served Ay'esha well. And you have endured much for me. You have been injured seriously, and you have born the threat of death. You have been tortured by a woman who hates you. You have shown your love for me in word and deed. And you have accepted that I can not return your love in the same way." , she said.

The shackles were unlocked , the needles were withdrawn and I was helped to my knees facing the room. Mei Ling pulled my head back so that I could look upon Minx.

I saw tears glittering in her eyes, reflecting the candlelight of the room and the fire that burned in a brazier in the corner of the room.

I knew then what I had been summoned for.

Mei Ling unsnapped the leash from the collar as Minx reached for my neck.

With gentle hands she removed the collar from my neck and showed it to me. It was the collar that I had first worn in her service.

"You know this collar M-5?", she asked.

"Yes, Controller. It was the first collar I wore.", I said softly.

With a swift motion she cast it into the fire and watched it consumed by the flames.

I didn't know what to say or if I should say anything.

"You are released from my personal service Michael. That collar will never be used by anyone else or for any lesser purpose. You may serve me on occasion if you wish, but you are free to seek a Mistress on your own. Your obligation to me is ended."

She kissed me softly on the lips and walked up the stairs leaving me with Mei Ling.

I knelt looking after her until Mei Ling touched my shoulder.

"Michael, you are all right?", she asked gently.

I shook my head no, unable to speak because of the lump in my throat. I wanted to cry very badly.

My time with Mistress Minx had ended.

I don't remember very much after that. I know that Mei Ling drove me home and put me to bed. And I remember her holding me while I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning when I woke up she was gone, and I found a note from the Mother of Many slipped under my door.

"Michael", it read, "You have been released by Mistress Minx to seek your own path. You are under no obligation to serve Ay'esha, but if you are still willing to do so you would be a valuable asset .

"You have proven your value and loyalty to us and I would welcome you into my stable of slaves with pride.

"The blessings of the Goddess shall go with you .

"With all our love , Anna."

The signature blurred through my sudden tears

I thought about the time I spent in the service of Ay'esha. The world had become a bit more peaceful by their efforts and I was proud of helping.

I decided that I should continue to serve Ay'esha in what every way I could. But joining the Mother of Many's stable of slaves didn't appeal to me. I would make my own path.

Monday morning at work we resumed our roles without a pause, the only sign of change in status being a more standoffish attitude from Minx, and a bit more restraint on my part.

The weeks passed by without any real changes; my work kept me occupied.

Thanksgiving passed and Christmas approached on reindeer feet.

It was at the Christmas party when I first met Fortinbras.

He was tall, dark haired and had a very pleasing personality. He had come to the bank from, logically enough, Denmark.

And if I had to pick a guy to be stuck on an island with , Fort would be the guy.

In fact over time, Fort did become the best friend I ever had. Always even tempered and reasonable, and a bit of an innocent despite being from a country where porn was sold on street corners.

He thought I was crazy and I thought he needed to loosen up a bit, and we both enjoyed each other's company.

We double dated with Tammi and one of the girls from the Bank on a regular basis until Tammi announced she was getting married to one of the doctors at the hospital.

That left me dateless for a long while. Mistress Tamara and I went out a couple of times, and I had the bruises to prove it, but nothing really regular

I guess I hadn't really noticed what was going on right under my nose because one day Minx called me into her office to make an announcement.

"Michael, I wanted you to know first. I'm engaged to be married."

"Excuse me Miss Dawes? You're engaged to be married?" , I said with a somewhat incredulous tone in my voice. If she had told me she was the Goddess incarnate I would have been less startled.

"Don't sound so surprised Michael. I'd always intended to get married. I just hadn't found the right man until now." , she laughed.

"Who is it? Where did you meet him? I mean when did all this happen, or was I just that blind?", I sputtered.

"You have been a little preoccupied since . . ", she left the rest unsaid.

"I guess so. I've been trying not to pry into your personal life. "

"I met him in the building. He works in International Accounts as an analyst."

International accounts. I knew in a flash who she was engaged to.

"Would his last name happen to be Fortinbras?", I asked.

"Yes.", she said with a slight blush.

"You couldn't have picked a better man Minkin. Unless it was me.", I teased.

"You know, he said the same thing about you. He didn't understand why you hadn't proposed me."

"I take that you didn't tell him the truth."

"I told him that yes, we had discussed it, but that the age gap was a problem."

"Does he know about your other life?", I said in a low tone of voice.

"No he doesn't. And he doesn't need to until the time is right. The Mother of Many has already approved the marriage and released me from my duties for a time. She has picked a replacement for me during the interim.", she said quietly.

"No one could replace you in Ay'esha.", I said shaking my head.

"You'd be surprised. You'll meet her when the time comes."

"Then I guess I have a bachelor party to plan." I said and started to leave her office.

"Stop right there!", she ordered.

I froze, hearing the tone in her voice that usually was followed by a whipcrack. I turned slowly around to face her and saw here shaking her head NO.

"No party?", I said in a squeaky little voice.

"No party. I expect you to deliver him to the church intact. Anything happens to him and you pay for it."

"And what if I'm not the best man? I can't keep someone else from throwing him a party."

"Then you'd better find a way."

Or else , was the unspoken addendum.

I went down to Fort's office and knocked on his door and stuck my head around the corner.

"Hey Fort, I understand you're going to marry my boss. Congratulations!"

He blushed and nodded.

"I think she's the most wonderful girl in the world. I can't believe she agreed to marry me!", he gushed.

"I can't disagree with that. I just wish it was me instead of you."

"I understand. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you and she.", he said sympathetically

"Yes. But there's too much of an age difference. I was married once and loved it."

"Where's your wife now?", he asked.

I took a deep breath. I hadn't told Fort about Denise despite the time we had spent together.

"She died in childbirth. ", I said evenly.

"I'm sorry.", he said softly.

"Yeah, well the best man won the prize. When's the happy event?"

He looked at the calendar and did a fast calculation.

"Three weeks, one day, sixteen hours and an odd number of minutes."

I shook his hand and started to leave when he stopped me.

"Michael. Would you be my best man?"

Thank you Goddess.

"I would be honored. But I do have to warn you that you're not getting a bachelor party. She threatened to have me shot if you showed up in anything other than perfect condition."

"For her I would give up my right arm.", he swore.

"I gave up part of my left leg.", I muttered.

"You said something?", he prompted.

"No, just figuring out how to keep you safe for the next three weeks. In the next life, you're on your own ."

Actually keeping Fort out of trouble was a breeze. All I had to do was make sure that anybody around him understood that Miss Dawes would fire anybody who got him drunk, stoned, or stupid before the wedding.

I was out of the loop for most of the planning. I made sure that Mei Ling's father did the tailoring of the tux for the groom, and also made sure her sisters were somewhere else when Fort came in for his fitting.

I hated to even think of him in drag.

That required that I occupy them for a few hours. Oh, the things I do for my friends!

I spent most of that afternoon while he was being fitted for his tux, in a corset and heels being taught to walk properly as a woman by Mei Ling's sisters. The four of them insisted on improving my walking practice with well placed blows from a riding crop, so by the time he was done with his fitting, my ass was in fits.

He noticed my somewhat different gait when I met him in front of the shop and commented on it.

I passed it off a problem with my bad leg and he accepted it, but not without a bit of disbelief showing in his reply.

And what exactly was I supposed to tell him?

The issue really started coming to a head with the guest list.

Minx called me into her office to try and put together a guest list that wouldn't compromise her cover. The task was somewhat daunting as her usual attitude was somewhat more casual.

"Michael, do you have any ideas at all? I mean it, I'm stumped." , she complained as we reviewed the list.

"If you mean other than telling Fort, no." , I said looking out over the City through her office window.

"That is not an option. I don't want to shock him. He seems so innocent about things." she said.

"Minkin, sex doesn't shock anybody raised in Denmark. They think we're a bit strange because of our attitudes. Although the dominance and submission part is a bit dicey. I mean, do you know which way he leans?" , I lectured looking back at her as she sat chewing on the end of a pen.

"I think he might be submissive, but it's so hard to tell because he's always willing to please me no matter what. But that might just be his normal attitude."

"Fort is a very nice guy, sometimes almost too nice for his own good."

I looked back at the City skyline again. We couldn't tell him about Minx, but we could ...

"Mistress, I have an idea."

She looked at me with a startled expression.

"You haven't called me Mistress in months.", she said in wonder.

"This is a Minx matter not a Minkin matter. What if I take Fort to someplace like Sin? He could watch a scene and I might be able to find out how he feels about things.", I proposed. "Your cover would still be intact if he had a problem, only mine gets blown. And hey let's face it; Most of the people around here know I'm a bit weird anyway."

"It might be a little embarrassing for you if it didn't work.", she said softly considering the idea.

"I knew the job was dangerous when I took it."

Fort looked at me a bit oddly when I suggested we go out for a night on the town that evening.

"Come on Fort. I haven't been out in weeks, since you and Miss Dawes started seeing each other. In fact it was her idea to get you out from under foot tonight. She and her girlfriends want some time together . You know, girl things" , I razzed.

"And you're sure it's O.K. with her?", he asked suspiciously.

"I even have a note from her giving you permission. Is that cool or what?"

"Well, OK ."

That night Minx's limo arrived at my house to pick me up, and then we drove to Fort's apartment to get him.

The driver that night was an old friend. She had driven the limo many times for Minx and I when we were traveling on Ay'esha business. In all the time I had been with Minx I had never heard her speak, nor had I ever learned her name.

She nodded to me and closed the door after I had seated myself inside. She handed me a note with a wax seal over the flap with the symbol of Ay'esha impressed into the wax.

I broke the seal and found a note inside from the Mother of Many and a thousand dollars in cash.

"Tia will drive you this evening. She has been instructed to follow your orders and provide security escort for you. May the Goddess bless you."

Security escort? I looked at Tia more closely and sure enough she was wearing a gun in a shoulder holster. I could see the bulge. Why? Even Lydia wouldn't screw up Minx's wedding. Unless of course, she was marrying me.

We pulled up in front of Fort's apartment building where he was waiting for us on the curb.

He was a bit curious about the limo, but I passed it off as a loaner from a friend and we set out to seek out new life, new civilizations, and to boldly go where . . .anyway, off we went.

Our first stop was a strip club that had A) Good dancers and B) Good coffee. For me that is. Fort stuck with his Akvit as usual. Fort and I both had a passion to watch the dancers and see which ones had been surgically augmented. Silicon does not bounce the same way as natural flesh when a girl is shaking her booty.

Of course coming from Denmark, he'd seen tits before. But it didn't stop him from enjoying the show.

I kidded him about Danish girls freezing their tits off by running around naked in the snow, and he pointed out the Polar Bear Club doing exactly the same stupid thing every year in the Bay on New Years Day.

We spent an enjoyable two hours there tipping the girls with Ay'esha's money and then I suggested we move on to another club.

This went on until midnight when I directed Tia to drive us to Sin.

"Sin? That sounds interesting", he said in a slightly slurred voice.

Good. All that booze and no food was softening him up.

We pulled up and I led him inside past the bouncer. The bouncer made no move to stop us which was just as well with Tia three paces behind us ready for combat.

Fort's eyes widened a bit when I led him into the backroom. The bondage frame and cross on the stage intrigued him as did the rack of whips and paddles. I made sure of getting seats near the stage and ordered coffee for me and another Akvit for him from the waitress.

The room filled up slowly and soon the door was closed and the lights dimmed. The music started and on stage for all the world to see was Mei Ling with Tammi.

Fort almost shouted then caught himself.

"Did you know about this?", he hissed in the darkened room.

"Didn't you? Tammi loves being tied and whipped and teased. And The Master is very good at it.", I said keeping my eyes on the two women.

He settled down and gulped his drink and sat back to watch.

Mei Ling took Tammi and chained her to the frame with her ass exposed to the room, then started flogging her, slowly and sensually.

The reddening of Tammi's back and ass spread until it was an even shade all over her exposed flesh.

Mei Ling rang her leather gloved had between Tammi's legs and showed the wetness to the room and laughed mockingly at her.

"Such a perverted little slut, getting aroused by pain.", she said.

She released the chains and turned her to face the room and then rechained her. She started the process with the whip again and I could see Mei Ling's and Tammi's nipples start swelling in arousal from their passionate play.

She pulled at Tammi's nipples with her gloved hand, then taking a lighted candle started dripping wax on her.

I snuck a glance at Fort. He was watching raptly, entranced by the beauty of the two women contrasted with the dark tortures being inflicted.

When Tammi's nipples were completely coated in hot wax, Mei Ling peeled it off with a knife and threw it into the crowd.

The lights dimmed and they were gone from the stage.

Fort was sweating slightly from the scene he had just witnessed, and started to order another drink then stopped.

"How long have you known about . .", Fort couldn't actually ask the question.

"Since I broke my leg. I found out that Tammi was a bit kinky while I was in the hospital. It's not like I had anything else to do." , I said.

"Do you know the other woman?", he asked panting slightly.

"The Master? Don't even think about it. She's way out of your league. Way out of mine as a matter of fact."

The discussion of the players in this little drama halted upon the arrival of the two parties under discussion.

Mei Ling was dressed in a leather catsuit this time and Tammi was wearing a G - string and a leather corset.

I knelt before Mei Ling as I had been trained to do and Tammi knelt next to me.

Fort said nothing as The Master took a cigar from her purse and lit it, tapping the ash onto Tammi's kneeling back.

"I understand you are marrying a good friend of mine.", she said without preamble. " I hope you realize how lucky you are."

"Yes Ma'am.", Fort said quickly.

She smiled and puffed on her cigar.

"You answered that quickly enough. The question is, are you man enough to please her?", she said pointedly.

Fort was just drunk enough to take offense at her tone and started to reply, then regained control of himself.

"I think so. And so does she.", he said after a pause.

Mei Ling laughed.

"I think so too. Do you have objections to my attending the wedding?", she asked, tapping more ash off the cigar, this time onto my back.

"Why? I know she has all kinds of friends. And I will admit I find you very attractive.", he said.

She blew smoke at him and shook her head.

"Why do you find me attractive?", she asked.

He thought about it for a long time and when he did reply, he admitted he didn't really know.

"It's just something about you. I've never seen anything like what you did to Tammi , but seeing her kneeling here and Mike kneeling next to her just seems.... right. I don't know."

She didn't hesitate a second and snapped "KNEEL SLAVE!"

Fort was on his knees in a split second with the two of us, his head down .

She threw the cigar to the floor, pulled his head back and raped his mouth with her tongue, then walked away leaving Tammi and I kneeling with smiles on our faces, and Fort kneeling and confused.

It was later after the club had closed and we had escorted Tammi home to her husband, that Fort started asking questions as we cruised the City in the limo.

"How long have you been . .", he started to ask.

I've heard all the questions since Minx collared me, so I could answer them quickly.

"I've been a slave for about three years, to different Mistresses. And yes I enjoy it. And yes Miss Dawes knows all about it. "

"What does she think of it?", he asked.

"Ask her. After all the Master is an old friend of hers. She's not as innocent as she looks."

Then I asked the question I had been waiting to ask.

"Did kneeling in front of The Master turn you on?", I asked.

He blushed and then nodded, too embarrassed to speak.

"Miss Dawes makes you feel the same way sometimes too, doesn't she?", I pressed.

"Yes, sometimes.", he almost whispered.

"Tell her. If you feel that way, then you owe her the honesty of telling her. She loves you Fort. And she loves me too. It's what we are that she loves, not the image we project, but what we are. You want to worship her, so do I. You can, I can't. It's that simple."

He looked towards me and shook his head.

"I'm too ashamed to tell her. What will she think?", he said.

I laughed.

"Look at her friends Fort. Look at me. I've told her things I'd never tell anyone else in the world because I trust her. If you can't trust her, then you'd better rethink the wedding. I'm dead serious about that. Perfect love and perfect trust.

"Think about Tammi's husband. I know he's not kinky at all. But he loves her enough to let her play with people. He trusts her to come home. You met him tonight. Did Bob make you feel uncomfortable at all?"

"No, he didn't."

"There you go then. Tell Minkin the truth about your feelings and trust that she loves you. She hates people who doubt themselves without a good reason. Someday maybe she'll tell you a bit about my problems with that."

He still looked a bit uncertain, but nodded agreement.

"O.K. I'll tell her. But if she decides to break off the wedding I'm going to toss you off the roof of the building."

"Deal."

Tia and I delivered him back to his apartment about dawn and she drove me home. When we arrived I was startled to hear her speak.

"You have done very well M-5. The Mistress will be pleased as will the Mother of Many."

"I was beginning to think you were a mute! Why haven't you said anything to me before?", I exclaimed.

"I didn't have anything to say to you before."

Great. All this time I've been riding with Mr. Ed.

"Do you think it worked?"

"Yes I do. And Denise would be proud of you."

That stopped me short.

"How much DO you know about me?", I asked in amazement.

"I was assigned to watch you when you were returned home. Think of me as your guardian angel. The Mother of Many wasn't sure exactly how far Lydia would go to get you, so she decided you needed a baby-sitter for awhile. When you returned to Mistress Minx's service, I returned to my normal duties."

"That doesn't explain...", I started to say.

"I've read your entire file. While you were at the Spa I lived in your house, paid your bills, did everything. We carried out a full background check on you at the same time.", she explained.

I had never really thought about it. I knew that someone had been living in my house and driving my car. I'd just never really bothered to ask.

She escorted me to the door and then startled me by kissing me.

"What was that all about?", I asked in wonder.

"Because you are a very good man and you've suffered much for love."

She walked back to the car and I watched her drive off.

I fell into bed exhausted and dreamed.

I saw a woman in my dreams. Not a face, not a body, but a presence. She was warm and kind and I could feel a caring about me. Not for me but about me. And in the dream she spoke to me. A single word.

"Patience."

I woke up a few hours later, the dream stark in my mind, and the word still ringing in my ears.

I mulled over the dream as I did my Saturday chores. I was still thinking about the dream when Fort called to announce he had a severe headache and was wondering how much of a fool he'd made of himself the night before.

"Oh you were fine, don't worry about it. I mean I kneel in front of beautiful women anytime I can.", I said evilly.

"Oh God.", he said.

"Just don't be surprised if the Master wants to borrow you from Minkin sometime."

"Oh God, oh God.", he said sounding even more distressed.

"Fort, come on lighten up. You're not in any trouble.", I said becoming concerned.

"Oh God, oh God, oh God.", he repeated.

"Fort, this is sounding like an old Shelly Berman routine. I'm coming over there to pour coffee down your throat."

"Oh God."

I hung up and made a quick run through the shower and shaved.

There was something seriously wrong with Fort. And I didn't think a hangover covered it.

He was still in his clothes from the night before when I got there and looked like hell.

"Did you sleep at all?", I asked, going into his kitchen to start the coffee for him.

"No, I've been laying here all night thinking. I can't marry her."

I almost dropped the coffee pot.

"Take a deep breath and try that again. You can't what?", I said soothingly.

He looked at me through bloodshot and weary eyes and repeated himself.

"I can't marry Minkin. I love her, but ...", he trailed off.

"But what? You're married, you have a terminal disease, what happened?", I said sitting next to him.

He looked into my eyes and sighed.

"It's the Master."

"Well what about her?", I said confused.

"I can't get her out of my head. I laid here thinking about her. Not Minkin, but her.", he moaned.

I knew exactly how he felt. I loved Minx with all my heart. But the Master was something special.

"Fort, come on man, it's just hormones. She is beautiful, sensual, a true delight to behold and serve. But she doesn't love you Fort. Minkin does.", I said.

"But I want the Master to love me. I want her to possess me.", he said intently.

Oh shit.

"Fort, I think you need to have some coffee and sober up. Then after you're nice and sober we'll try this again."

I finished making the coffee and gave him a cup and made sure he drank it.

"Do you have any vitamins here?", I asked.

"Yeah, in the bathroom."

I checked it out and found what I was looking for.

"Take these.", I said handing him a half dozen pills.

"What are these?", he asked.

"Poison. Just take 'em will you.", I said.

He grimaced at the taste but got them down.

"Bleah. What were those things?"

"B-12 with thiamin. Now finish the coffee.", I ordered.

After he finished the coffee I helped him strip down and pushed him into the shower.

"Don't come out until I get you.", I ordered.

I heard the water start and then I settled down to do some serious thinking.

He'd fallen in love with Mei Ling. He doubted his love of Minx. And I was in deep shit.

Or was I.? I'd told him that he needed to be honest about his feelings. I didn't actually know how Minx felt about having Fort as her slave. Maybe she just wanted to love him.

I was beginning to think my parents should have named me Hamlet. It seemed I went from one tragedy to another.

I walked back into the bathroom to check on Fort.

"You doing better now?", I asked.

"Yeah. The headache is going away. Can I come out now?"

"Go ahead, but take it easy.", I said.

He came out of the bathroom a few minutes later looking at least a little better and sat down in a chair.

"Now, tell me in simple English why you can't marry Minkin?", I requested.

"The Master. I mean, Minkin makes me feel kind of like that, but the Master.", he stammered.

"No shit. I was her slave once upon a time.", I agreed.

"And you left her? You have got to be crazy!", he replied in shock.

"No. I didn't leave her. I was owned by someone else at the time. And I guess in my heart I always will be."

"Your wife.", he said.

"No. I love her and always will. But my heart belongs to someone I can never have.", I explained.

"I just can't figure you out sometimes."

"I can't figure me out sometimes either. If I tell Minkin that you want to cancel the wedding because of meeting the Master, she'll kosher me with a fruit knife."

"I can't help that.", he protested.

"Look don't say anything to Minkin about this yet. Give it some serious thought. Be real sure you want to call this off. Give me until Monday night.", I pleaded.

He sighed but agreed.

"Monday night.", he promised.

I left him with his thoughts and drove to Levy's Tailor Shop.

Mr. Levy was a bit startled to see me, but quickly ushered me into the living space above the shop.

"Mr. Forbin, what ever is the problem?", he asked handing me a cup of tea.

"I must see Mei Ling. Something terrible has happened.", I said.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You are speaking of the young man Mistress Minx is to marry."

"Yes. Where is Mei Ling?"

He gestured towards a door and shook his head.

"She is in her room. Be very careful my son. She was very affected by this man.", he warned.

I walked to the door and tapped on it lightly, then entered.

The room was dim, the shades drawn. Candles burned on an altar and Mei Ling, the Master, knelt before it, her head down.

"Sit, but do not speak", she said without looking up. "I know why you have come."

I sat on the hardwood floor silently, gathering strength from the tranquillity. I knew I was facing the calm before the storm.

"I desire this man for myself.", she said gazing at the altar.

"You can not have him Master. He has sworn his love to another. A sister of yours.", I replied quietly.

"And I know his feelings towards me are the same.", she continued.

"So he has said. But he does not understand who and what you are.", I warned.

"I am to sacrifice my happiness because he is ignorant?", she said mockingly. "You have always been willing to sacrifice for her. You are perhaps almost too selfless."

"I've been told that."

She turned away from the altar and I could see the tears glittering in her eyes.

"You would ask me to give him away freely. A man I desire with all my heart. A man who desires me with all his heart.", she said flatly.

"Yes I would. As a sign of the love you have for Minx. And as a favor to me."

Her tone turned bitter.

"A favor for you. I owe you nothing. Even when you came looking for me in Hong Kong, it was for Ay'esha and Minx. Not out of concern for me."

I stood up and looked down at her.

"You're wrong. I care about you as I do Minx. You are as much a part of me as she is. You taught me to control my fear. You taught me to accept her love and yours. What I am and what I have done, is for you as much as she."

She rose and looked at me, the pain and anger of her love burning in those eyes.

"What will you do to prove your love to me?", she said scornfully.

"What would you ask of me?", I said kneeling before her.

" I want to see you hurt because of love.", she said.

"Master, you have seen that.", I replied.

She turned back to the altar and picked up a small bowl and ignited the contents with a candle.

"Inhale!", she commanded as the smoke rose.

My senses faded away to be replaced by a sharp and vivid memory.

The hospital. The ICU. My wife bloated and disfigured from the damage to her circulation, pinpoint bruises where the veins had ruptured.

I could hear the blips of the machinery tracing the trickle of life that still remained.

"Do you want us to revive her if her heart stops?", the doctor asked me.

I touched her head to find the ember of her mind, the link we had always shared, and found nothing but cold ash.

I looked at her mother who knew before I did that her only child was dead, only her body remained alive, the mind gone.

"No. Let her go.", I said , knowing there was no other choice.

I watched the traces of light on the monitor slow and then smooth out into flat lines. I stared at them, unchanging for five long minutes.

"Doctor, salvage the organs you can. She would have wanted that."

I turned and walked out of the room keeping my emotions under tight control.

Then I broke down and howled like an animal in agony.

A few minutes later another doctor came in and announced my daughter was dead as well.

"There was nothing we could do Mr. Forbin. She was just too young to survive.", she said, touching me.

"Would you like to speak to a priest?", the nurse asked.

I laughed at the idea.

A priest. For what? To tell me that it was in God's plan for my wife and daughter to die. That they'd gone to a better place. To give me platitudes. Not a reason for their deaths. Not a logical explanation. Just bullshit from someone who couldn't possibly understand.

"No thank you.", I said regaining control of myself.

Her mother and I drove home in separate cars, and I stopped at a funeral home to make arrangements. They refused to take my money and suggested I consider cremation. The County would pay for it.

I knew that Denise wouldn't have minded. We came from fire and to fire we shall return.

I talked to the County office, calmly, rationally, dispassionately.

When I got home I laid down and put a plastic bag over my head and tried to kill myself by suffocation. I knew if I could control myself, I would just go to sleep. No pain, just oblivion.

I tried to die that night. And failed.

As I started to pass out I heard something or someone tell me no. It wasn't time yet. I still had to finish my job.

I ripped the bag open and then fell asleep.

I awoke in the morning with my hand tingling. I looked at my wedding band, cast in silver and made by her mother for us.

As I watched, the solder joint of the ring broke and the ring slipped off and fell to the floor.

And I'd never fallen in love again until Minx took me.

But the scars had never healed. I still had the nightmares. I still woke at night clutching a pillow, sobbing.

I was alone.

And then I wasn't alone. I was laying on the floor, my head cradled in Mei Ling's lap. Tears were streaming from her eyes.

" Was that what you wanted to hear?", I asked in a mixture of despair and anger. "Did you want to see my soul ripped out? Now you have .", I said trying to sit up, wiping my own eyes.

She pulled me back into her lap and stroked my head.

"You still live there don't you?", she said softly.

I closed my eyes and nodded.

"I still haven't figured out how to live without her. I've tried. Oh Goddess, I've tried. I've forgiven myself for failing to save her thanks to the Mistress. But I still see it like it was yesterday. I hear certain songs I think of her. I listen to "When I'm Sixty-four" and I weep. That was our song. Everything I've done since then has been shaped on that moment."

"And you would sacrifice your love again, to see Minx happy?"

"She deserves happiness Master. I might have squandered mine in the past. But I can try and make sure she doesn't."

Mei Ling, the Master, smiled down at me through her tears.

"I shall not interfere. I will make the man understand. But I don't think Minx really understands how deep your love is for her."

"I think she does. She just can't say it in words. She released me from my collar to try and make it on my own because she loves me too. If I can, she will be happy. If not, she will always be there for me.", I replied.

"Sleep Michael. I am here for you as she is."

"Do not move. You are safe here. Mei Ling has gone to speak to the man.", Li announced.

"I'm sorry about ..", I started to say.

"It was my sister who decided to leave us in jail. Not you. Have no fear.", she comforted.

I started to get up but was gently restrained by the four women.

"You are to be treated well. Mei Ling wishes it. "

Before I could do anything my clothes were being removed and I was carried to Mei Ling's bed.

The women gently massaged me and stroked me softly, not to arouse me, but to relax and comfort me. I started drifting into a warm stupor from the attention. I wondered why Mei Ling had asked them to do this.

The touching went on for a long time but they didn't let me fall asleep. They kept me in that twilight of sleep and waking where the dreams come.

When the touching stopped I opened my eyes and saw Mei Ling standing before me naked, her long dark hair covering her nipples. The dragon tattoo on her arm seemed to breath fire in the light of the candles.

She climbed onto the bed and I took her in my arms for the first time.

"You have seen Minx and I make love before. Now it is time that I make love to you", she said.

I kissed her softly. Her body was fragrant and her skin was warm and soft.

She moved so that I could take a nipple in my mouth, and held me as I suckled on it like a child. I didn't understand why it felt right. Mei Ling was a Daughter of Ay'esha. She was my Master in many things.

But she was a woman giving herself to me. A beautiful woman.

We made passionate love that night.

I awoke to find her gone from my side. I started to rise and was stopped by her reentering into the room with a tray.

"Good morning my love.", she said kneeling at the side of the bed.

"Please Master, don't do that.", I said as she offered the tray to me.

She smiled up at me.

"I am not your Master right now Michael. I am Mei Ling, your lover. It is time that someone showed you the same devotion that you show us."

"But..", I started to object.

"Michael, you have done so much and have asked so little in return.", she said.

"But I wanted to. I owed Minx for returning my life to me.", I said.

"And you have repaid that debt. She has released you from her personal service. You are free to make your own path now, without obligation. She knows of your guilt and absolved you of it. Does she know of the other part? Your attempt to die?"

I looked away from her.

"No. I have never spoken to her of that. She would be ashamed of me. It was the act of a coward to even try."

"It was the act of a man in desperate pain. An animal will gnaw it's leg off to escape a trap, and when they do, they usually die. I told you I could heal your wounds but I could not cure the pain in your soul. And I cannot. You must do that for yourself."

I looked back at her, still kneeling and holding the tray, placidly.

"How? I've asked myself that question every day for years. "

She shook her head.

" Do you think you are the only one who has suffered a loss? Do you think that no one else has been in pain as you have? What of Lydia? She suffered a loss and you tried to comfort her at the cost of considerable pain to yourself. Where is the courage you showed then?", she chided.

"But that's different. I can always help others. If only by being a bad example.", I objected, taking the tray from her and setting it down.

"And you don't deserve the same compassion and selfless love you showed her?"

"I did it to try and please Minx.", I said.

"You have told that lie to yourself too many times Michael. It rings hollow. You just refuse to see what a good and decent man you are. You dwell on your past errors. You think of things that others have long forgotten.

"How can you expect anyone to love you when you have lost the ability to love yourself?"

I just sat without saying anything.

Had I really become so mired in self loathing and hatred that I was incapable of being loved.

No. Minx loved me. And Mei Ling.

It was the ability to accept it that had withered away. It was the ability to expect I could be loved that had died. That I deserved to be loved.

A smile blossomed on that beautiful face as the realization crossed my mind.

"And the dawn breaks.", she said in delight.

"Perhaps. It may be a false dawn .. my love.", I said hesitantly.

She reached for the tray and poured a cup of tea for me.

"Think about it. Now drink your tea and then let us bathe together. We've much to do and only ten days until the wedding.", she said.

The tea only took a short time but the bath took a bit longer. It was too much fun to hurry.

It was noon before I was dressed again and she escorted me to the street.

"Now, go see Minx and tell her what has happened. I will see you tonight.", she said kissing me.

"Tonight?", I asked ,confused.

"Tonight. I will be waiting for you.", she said.

"Here?", the mystery deepening.

"No Michael. I will be in your bed waiting for you. But Minx expects to see you soon. So go!", she ordered.

"Yes Master.", I said with extreme servility.

She laughed like a child as I drove away.

I arrived at Minx's house and was escorted to the garden by Miriam.

"The Mistress is waiting for you in the gazebo. Shall I bring tea for you Master?", she asked.

"Yes, please.", I said trying not to react. Master. You know that didn't sound half bad.

I sat down across from Minx as she jotted notes on a legal pad and waited for her to speak.

"I understand that Fort reacted somewhat positively to Mei Ling and Tammi.", she said looking over the gardens.

"Yes he did. ", I said quietly.

"Michael, don't lie to me. He wanted Mei Ling more than he wanted me.", she said in anger.

"He hasn't seen Mistress Minx. He's only seen Minkin. He has no idea who Minx is."

She turned to me and I could see she had been crying.

"Mistress..", I said reaching out to touch her cheek.

She slapped my hand away fiercely.

"This is your fault. It was your idea."

"If you choose to blame me, go ahead. I've spent time with Fort, I've spent time with Mei Ling, and I've spent time in Hell for you. And I'm tired of being blamed for the way other people behave.

"If Fort can't see how valuable you are, then screw him."

"How dare you! If you were still my slave I would punish you until you screamed for mercy.", she said hotly.

"I still serve Ay'esha. It is your right to do so if you choose.", I said struggling to control my fear." The truth is you have hidden a major part of yourself from Mr. Michael Fortinbras. And if you really love him, you owe him the truth too. I told him he had to be honest with you. You owe him the same thing. Unless he is to be a slave instead of a husband. A thing instead of a life partner."

"You bastard!", she said rising to her feet, her ever present riding crop gripped in her hand.

"Your humble servant.", I replied kneeling before her.

There was a long pause and then she sat down again.

The Miriam brought the tea and set it on the table silently, and then withdrew.

"Michael," Minx finally said, "you have always been a grievous pain in the ass. You have caused nothing but trouble. And the worst part about it is that you always seem to have the right answers."

"No Mistress. Not always. Fort is confused and so are you. Mei Ling wants Fort badly. But she went to him to tell him it was impossible. She gave him up for you. "

I hesitated.

"I want to be your husband. I want to be your lover. And I can't and that hurts too."

She shook her head.

"You know that's impossible Michael. I don't love you that way.", she said , her anger gone.

"I can still dream Mistress. No one can ever take my dreams away. And even you can't order me not to think of you that way."

I knelt silent before her, my heart exposed for her to see.

"Michael....", she started to say, then stopped. "Please leave."

I kissed her feet and then stood up.

"Yes Miss Dawes.", I said in my most formal tones, " But for your sake, please call Fort and talk to him. I think there are a few things you two need to know about each other before the wedding."

Mei Ling was waiting for me when I returned home.

"It did not go well Michael?", she asked seeing the expression on my face.

"No it did not.", I said shortly.

"Do you wish to tell me about it?", she asked as she set the table for dinner.

"No.", I replied shortly, and then regretted my rudeness. "I'm sorry Mei Ling. I 'm just very tired of being in the middle all the time."

"The reason you are in the middle all the time is because that is what you are best at.", was the response.

It was very late when the phone rang.

I answered it quietly, not wishing to disturb Mei Ling who was curled up beside me.

"Hello?"

"I want you and Mei Ling to come here right now.", Minx commanded.

I looked at the bedside clock. 3:30AM.

"Do you know what time it is?", I said unwilling to move, unwilling to believe that she was calling me at that hour. Even when I was collared to her she never called in the dead of night.

"Yes. Tia is on her way to pick you both up."

"Wait a minute. How do you know Mei Ling is here?", I asked.

"M-5, stop asking questions and get out of bed."

Click.

M-5. She hadn't called me M-5 in months. What in the hell was going on?

"Master, we have to get up.", I said softly shaking Mei Ling.

The next thing I knew I was on the floor with a thump and she was on top of me pinning me down.

"Michael, never try and shake me awake.", she said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry. Minx is sending the car for us."

Mei Ling shook her head in annoyance.

"At this hour?"

Before she could say anything else there was a knock on the front door.

"That must be Tia. Minx said she was on her way.", I said getting up and padding to the door.

I opened it slowly and found Tia waiting there, her stance indicating that she was on the alert for anything.

"Come on in.", I said.

"No. Hurry up both of you.", she said intently.

"We have to get dressed.", I said starting towards the bedroom.

"No time.", she replied and grabbed my arm.

Mei Ling came out dressed in a robe and handed me a pair of jogging shorts.

"Let's go.", she said. "But it had better be damned important."

Tia couldn't tell us much as she drove us towards Minx's house.

"She had me pick up Mr. Fortinbras for dinner about six. Then she calls me at home a little while ago and has me come pick you two up. And that's all I know."

She pulled up to the door where a sleepy eyed Miriam was waiting for us.

"Master Ling, the Mistress would like you to come to her bedchambers. M-5 you are ordered to kneel here and wait.", the girl said.

Well that was a come down for my ego. From Master to M-5 in twelve hours.

Mei Ling looked at me as I knelt and patted me on the head.

"As soon as I know what this is all about, I'll tell you.", she said and followed the girl up the stairs.

The wait seemed like an hour before I heard boot steps on the stairs.

"M-5 ! Keep your head down. You will not look upon us.", I heard Mei Ling command.

I kept my head bowed and waited. All I could see was two pairs of polished boots in my vision and then not even that as I was hooded.

A collar was placed around my neck, a welcome weight and then the comforting snap of a leash.

"Come."

I followed on all fours expecting to be led to Minx's dungeon, but instead I was led up the stairs to the second floor.

I could smell incense and candle wax and then felt the wood floor under me turn into soft carpet.

"Kneel. Stay!", Mei Ling said.

I waited on my knees, hands open, palms up.

I listened closely for any sound that might give me a clue as to what was going on, but there was nothing except the sound of my own breathing. Then I heard the creak of a chair in the room.

"What are you?", Minx demanded.

"I am a slave to Ay'esha.", I answered as I had been trained.

"And before that?"

"I was your personal slave."

"And before that?"

"I was nothing of value."

Again the creak of the chair as someone shifted their weight.

"Do you love me slave?"

"Yes Mistress."

"Why?"

I thought about it. Why did I love her?

"I just do. I can't explain it."

"You must.", Mei Ling said.

"I love you because of the love you have shown me. You trusted me. You gave me confidence in myself. You made me feel like I was worth something again."

"But you do not love me M-5. You do not love yourself enough to love me.", Minx replied.

"I know me too well Mistress. I want to be worthy of your love. But because I'm not some of the things I wish I was, I doubt my ability."

"You still haven't learned, or perhaps you still haven't accepted that you are you. And you do have the abilities I want and need. Those and more so."

I knelt silent. If that was true I wanted to ask, then why couldn't I be her lover. Was I that flawed?

"But the one ability you have that you discount is your ability to love me as you do. How many men and women have desired me? How many have had me? And how many do I love? Three of you. I love you because of who you are.

"I can always count on you. You have protected me, you have suffered for me, and you have sacrificed for me. No thought of reward has escaped your lips. You have served me with a pure love, unlike most men."

I started to blush under the hood.

"Mistress, you know I wish to be your lover. I can't say that makes me pure.", I said.

"But it does make you very much a man. A man, M-5. Not an animal."

She removed the hood and I saw Fort naked and bound to a chair, Mei Ling at his side.

"Now that he has seen the power I have, perhaps my fiancée will consider well what awaits him.", she said." I may keep you this way my love."

Fort just moaned in a mixture of pleasure and frustration as Mei Ling teased his nipples with her nails.

"Perhaps I should have you serve his needs M-5? Have you suck his cock for me to watch."

I looked at Fort and Mei Ling, and then I looked at Minx.

"It might not please him Mistress.", I demurred.

"Does his pleasure matter? It would please me. Move!", she said and tugged the leash.

I made my way on hands and knees to where Fort was tied, his cock semierect from the attentions of the Master.

I looked up at him in embarrassment. We might have been friends but lovers? I hesitated before him to Minx's annoyance.

"You like sucking cock. So do it. You've watched Mei Ling and I. Now it's time for us to watch two men make love.", she insisted.

Myself I didn't care. But I was suffering for Fort. He was being used in a way that he'd never experienced before. At least I didn't think so.

I took his cock in my mouth and concentrated on it. It tasted slightly of precum and I took it deeper into my mouth, sucking gently.

He moaned and his cock stiffened as I worked it for the amusement of Minx and Mei Ling.

I concentrated on the task at hand, trying to get a feel for what was enjoyable for him and what wasn't. As I felt the first shudder as he started to cum and then pulled back.

Minx pushed me away, removed her panties, and slid slowly onto his cock as he sat tied and helpless. She sat motionless and I heard her soft moan and then his loud one. They shuddered together and then Minx wrapped her arms around his bound body and sighed as Mei Ling picked up my leash and quietly led me from the room.

"I don't think they need us any more.", she said softly as she led me down the hall.

"No Master.", I replied.

She led me to a spare bedroom and unsnapped the leash.

"Keep the collar on Michael. You look naked without it."

"Yes Master."

She climbed into the bed and patted the side of it.

"On the floor Michael. Where you belong tonight."

I sighed in happiness.

"Yes Master. Good night."

It was a short night, but I still managed to make it to work only an hour late. I might actually have made it if the Master hadn't insisted on having her body worshipped.

Not that worshipping her body is a bad thing. I just have this thing about being to work on time. Even if I do know the boss is going to be late.

Minx arrived about noon and I gave her the summaries of the business so far that day. Things hadn't changed much between us despite the events of earlier that morning. She was Minkin Dawes and I was her assistant Michael.

She came out of the office and handed me a list of the wedding guests for my review.

I guess she and Fort had come to some sort of an agreement, because the list was a who's who of Ay'esha. I was a bit surprised to see Gregor and Natalia on the list, but after the St. Petersburg affair, I could see why.

"Miss Dawes, I notice the guest list is a bit light on people who work here.", I ventured.

"Deliberately so.", was all she said. "Get the invitations printed and sent today."

"Yes Ma'am", I said and took the list from her and reached for the phone.

From that point on it was like a countdown to a launch of the Space Shuttle.

I was beginning to feel kind of left out of the whole affair until T-3 days when had our first rehearsal.

Minx had been a bit more distant than usual and so had Fort, but I'd put it down to wedding jitters.

After all I'd already done it once before.

I had made arrangements with Father Alexi to do the ceremony even though Minx and Fort were of two different religions.

"I wouldn't normally do this but as a favor to a friend, I will.", he said agreeably.

"I haven't done you much good so far Father.", I said thinking of the end results of the Rudenko affair.

"More than you think Mikhail. So for this, I will perform the wedding of your friends.", he dismissed.

Minx didn't want to have the wedding in a church and Fort didn't want to have it outdoors, so they compromised on staging it at the Palace of Fine Arts in the outdoor rotunda by the lake.

That complicated the arrangements for the music until I located a string quartet that was willing to perform outdoors on short notice.

We got through the first run through of the ceremony without too much trouble, other than the tendency of Miriam to giggle nervously at some points of the process.

"I'm sorry Mistress.", she apologized. "I guess it's like being on stage in some ways."

"More than you know.", Minx said with a hint of anger in her voice that puzzled me.

What was she expecting? Things don't always go as planned in any wedding, but being angry with Miriam because she was nervous didn't make a lot of sense.

Then I started paying closer attention to how Minx and Fort were interacting.

They were very stiff and cold, not like lovers about to be united at all.

I gestured for Mei Ling to come over to where I was standing and nodded towards where Minx and Fort were standing talking intently.

"Trouble in paradise?", I suggested.

She watched for a few moments and then nodded in agreement.

"Something is troubling her but she is trying to keep it under control.", Mei Ling confirmed.

"So do you ask or do I?", I queried.

"For now, we must observe. Perhaps that way we will discover the facts without causing a disturbance."

Minx walked away from Fort and stepped in front of the crowd.

"Could we run through it again please? I want this to be perfect.", she announced.

So we did it again. And again. And again.

As they say in the film business, it took five takes to get the shot she wanted, and then we were dismissed with a reminder to be on time for the wedding two days from now.

I arrived at Fort's the morning of the wedding with his tux on a hanger and the wedding rings safely stowed in the pocket of mine and knocked on the door.

He opened it slowly and carefully as if expecting the Grim Reaper himself.

"Sorry.", he said by way of explanation and turned away.

I looked around the room and observed a couple of empty vodka bottles and looked into his eyes to see if he'd been drinking.

I needn't have bothered looking into his eyes as his breath could peel paint off the walls.

"Jesus Hashimoto Christ, Fort! You're getting married in a little over three hours.", I exclaimed.

"I know. And I want to tell you something Michael. After the wedding, I don't want you around my wife ever again.", he said heavily.

"Hey man, mellow out. She does what she wants to do, and you know it.", I replied lightly trying to put a more positive mood in the room.

He staggered away from me and into the bathroom where I heard the shower start running, leaving me to consider his last words to me.

His cold attitude towards me lasted all the way to the wedding and I made a mental note to ask Minx what his problem was after the service.

And that's where we came in.

Father Alexi started the ceremony and I relaxed as much as I could under the circumstances.

"We are gathered here today, in the sight of God, to witness the marriage of Michael Fortinbras to Minkin Dawes.

"Marriage is a commitment, not to be taken lightly or wantonly to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites like brute beasts who have no understanding.", he exhorted as I kept a casual watch on the surroundings, Tia standing off to one side also sweeping the assembly and the crowd of curious onlookers for any sign of trouble.

"If any man present can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.", Father Alexi read.

I looked at Minx and saw in her eyes the answer to his question.

I started to speak and then stopped.

What if I was wrong? My own feelings towards this wedding were mixed, but my personal desires weren't good enough to call a halt to the proceedings.

"Do you Michael Fortinbras take this woman Minkin Christina Dawes to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death us do part?", Father Alexi intoned.

"I do.", Fort said loudly.

"Do you Minkin Christina Dawes take this man Michael Fortinbras to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish and obey until death us do part?", Father Alexi intoned.

Minx, my beloved, looked at her husband to be, and at me her devoted slave standing at his side, and then looked back at Father Alexi.

"No.", she said simply.

"Excuse me?", Father Alexi said in confusion. "No?"

"No. I will not agree to obey him blindly. I love him, but I will not surrender my own self to his will.", she said.

"Minkin we discussed this before.", Fort said stepping towards her.

"No Michael. You told me how it was going to be. We did not discuss anything.", she corrected him.

"Father, just continue with the service. We'll work this out later.", Fort said dismissing Minx's objection.

"I don't think so old boy.", I said reaching for his arm.

"Don't touch me you cocksucking pervert.", he snarled.

"Pervert?", I said through gritted teeth and then saw a chance at a line I'd never get to use again if I didn't use it now. "That's pronounced Per-vect!"

I punctuated the correction by grabbing the seat of his pants and throwing him into the duck pond with a resounding splash.

"Michael Charles Forbin, how dare you throw my fiancee into the duck pond!", Minx roared.

I dropped to my knees in supplication.

"I'm sorry Mistress.", I said.

"You should be. I wanted to do it myself.", she laughed and threw her wedding bouquet into the pond as Fort struggled to shore with water lilies on his jacket and murder in his eye and headed for me.

"You son of a bitch!", he said drawing back a fist and receiving a solid kick in the balls from Mei Ling that curled him around himself as Tia sprinted to our side.

"Father, I think we can call off the wedding.", Minx said as Tia dragged Fort away.

Father Alexi just looked around at the crowd and sighed.

"Mikhail, do me a favor. The next time you need a priest to perform a wedding, let me send my friend the Rabbi instead. This is more his sort of ceremony than mine.", and walked off shaking his head.

I looked at the group talking in a mixture of amusement and confusion and shrugged my shoulders.

"That's all folks!", I called and to my delight heard the quartet swing into an arrangement of "Merrily We Roll Along".

"I couldn't marry him Michael.", Minx explained that night at what would have been the wedding dinner . "I do love him, but he wanted me to give up the things that make me who and what I am. Including you."

"I'm not totally sure I understand.", I said as I watched Mei Ling and Gregor waltz across the dance floor.

"He didn't have any idea that I'd already released you from my service and demanded that I do. He told me he didn't like the idea of anyone touching me or looking at me or serving me. He was jealous of you.", she explained sipping her champagne.

"So why didn't you tell him?", I asked picking up my glass.

"Because after I released you I realized I'd made a mistake. I do love you Michael and even if we can't be lovers, I don't ever want to lose you.", she said.

I looked into her eyes and sighed seeing the love in them for me.

"And if I find the right girl?", I asked, sipping my wine.

"I'll dance at your wedding.", she said raising her glass in salute.

I reached for the champagne bottle and refilled our glasses as Anna came to our table with Tia as her escort.

"Minkin, I hate to leave such a wonderful party, but I must go now. Something big has come up and I may need your services and Michael's too if he's willing.", she said and walked away.

I reached for my bowler hat I had chosen to wear for the wedding and settled it on my head, then reached for my glass as Minx picked hers up with a delighted smile

"Mrs. Peel, " I said with a nod towards her, "we're needed."

Chapter 22

Here Comes The Bride