Faustus's Extraordinary New Student, Chapter 4

The next morning, Freya awoke and noted, that she didn't hurt anymore, and upon looking herself over, that she didn't have any wounds upon her from the night before. Had…had it all really happened? That meant…!! Sliding out of bed, she showered and dressed and made her way slowly out into the hallways. It was a weekend, so that meant it was both free days and she had no idea what to do with herself.

Heading down the hallway, she grabbed up a sandwich from the cafeteria and keeping an eye out for anyone heading her way, until it hit her, it didn't matter who knew or who found out now. The Dark Lord had given his blessing, and no one would ever go against him. But still, she was careful as she made her way to Faustus's office and knocked upon the door. She had to know, if it had all happened the way she thought it had, or if it had all been some sort of weird dream.

"Enter," came Father Blackwood's voice. He was sitting at his desk, poring over some old books.

"Ah… Freya. How are you feeling?"

"Better…actually." she replied as she shut the door behind her. Only her shoulder still pained. She seemed a bit…confused as she took the seat before the desk. Wondering how to broach such a subject with Faustus. "I-I'm sorry to have put you through that, Father. I should not have left school grounds." When in doubt, admit your faults.

"You did give me quite a fright, but there's no need to apologize. I highly doubt you waltzed back into that house of your own free will. And no one likes to be cooped up, of course… you had every right to go for a walk. I do of course hope you'll be safer in the future."

Freya relaxed at hearing Faustus's words and her smile returned as she sat up a bit more in her chair. "I am sorry—I mean—I'm not—I am—" She sighed deeply and began again. "I am used to apologizing first, just to get out of trouble whether it was me or Amos. But thank you…for coming for me." Her words ended with a small smile as her eyes met and held his.

He smiled back at her. "Of course, I came for you," he said, his voice infused with emotion. "After all these weeks, haven't you any idea what you mean to me?"

Hearing the emotion in his voice, she blushed. It was the first time he had said how he felt in those three weeks they had spent together, though she knew by his actions alone, it was good to hear.

"You have proven your word, and for the first time I feel there is actual hope in my life." She chuckled and blushed faintly. This was not going the way she wanted it too. "So we have HIS blessing, it seems. What does that mean…exactly?" She had an inkling but wanted to be sure hers and his ideas on the subject, matched. While he was still married to his wife, she knew discretion might still be needed but again…the Dark Lord blessed their being together. It was all slightly confusing to her.

Faustus nodded. "We have his blessing which means we can do what we like without repercussions. However, I'm technically still married, so I recommend we take caution so as not to cause a scandal within our community. However, should the Dark Lord choose to… dissolve my marriage by any means… I would then be free— actually, required, by his own word, to marry… You." He said this matter-of-factly.

As they were discussing what having the Dark Lords blessing meant, there came a knock to the door and a teacher stuck her head in saying that Freya had a phone call. Looking back at Faustus, she nodded, saying that she would be right back to continue their discussion and followed the teacher out. Picking up the phone, she was not prepared for the conversation that was to follow and her world, fell apart.

"Miss? Is it you miss?" She recognized the voice of her nanny and answered in the affirmative. "Oh Miss…I shouldn't even be calling you. Your mother had forbidden it, but I thought you deserved to know." Freyja felt her blood go cold. "It's your brother, Miss. Amos….I-I-I am afraid he is dead….I am so sorry. A tragic accident. We aren't sure what happened yet…but…ohhh here comes your mother. Goodbye Miss." With that, the line went dead.

Freyja had just enough thought left to put the phone back. Her brother…dead? The one she took care of when they were little? The one she protected from her father’s anger? Dead?! She couldn't think, couldn't breathe, the world was closing in. She couldn't focus. Walking slowly out of the teacher’s office, she had no idea what to do, where to go. All she could feel was pain, and not just from the pain as the Mark on her shoulder suddenly burned as if alive burning itself deeper, sealing itself against her skin as her part of the sacrifice was paid. She didn't even realize she was screaming.

Father Blackwood went to wrap his arms round her without a second thought. "Freya, darling Freya… Are you okay? What's wrong, my dear?" He couldn't keep the panic out of his voice.

It took Freya a moment to realize that that horrible, gut-wrenching sound was coming from her, and when she felt arms go around her, she stiffened at first. Till she heard the soothing, calm voice of Faustus as he held her close and sought to comfort her. "My—-My brother!" She managed to gulp out between sobs. "H—he's—He's dead!"

She instinctively reached up and caressed her shoulder, where the Mark burned into her skin, sealing shut as her part of the debt was paid. The Dark Lord had taken her part of the sacrifice and it hurt. Hurt to the point of being impossible to bear.

Her brother, the one person she loved more than even Faustus, was gone. Taken much too soon. She had nursed him when sick, taking care of him had given her purpose when things became most dreary. He was her life, and now that purpose was gone.

It was all too painful to think about, to put two and two together and realizing that this was the price she was to pay for what she wanted most. It didn't occur to her till later, that Amos was far safer in the Dark Lords arms then he ever was at home, but for now, she broke down completely, and curled into Faustus's chest as she sobbed as if her heart, her very soul, would break.

"The Dark Lord took your brother?" Faustus asked. "I see…" Her debt, then, was paid. Was it worth it, he wondered, as he rubbed her back soothingly. Was it worth it, to her? She wouldn't have to protect him or take the lash for him anymore, she had no reason to ever return home now, but he didn't think saying that would be terribly helpful, so he remained silent.

He wondered what debt the Dark Lord would seek to claim from him. Would it be so harrowing? His wife was expecting twin sons, and he did so want a son. But did he want Freya more? Would that be worth it to him? Only time would truly tell. He had been ordered to take her to wife, which meant he would be released from his marriage. Perhaps soon? Perhaps later. It didn't do to dwell on these things. The Dark Lord did things on his own time.

Her world had fallen apart, and it took most of the night for her to 'come back to herself' as she cried till she hiccupped. That Faustus stayed with her…or rather, stayed with her till she at least settled, meant so much to him and when she could finally open her eyes enough without tears pouring from them, she sat up in bed, wrapped her arms around her knees and sighed deeply. It was a heavy price to pay, but she had calmed and was trying to think it out rationally.

Looking up at Faustus, she gave him a soft, but still slightly sad smile as she wiped her eyes and moved to cuddle into his embrace. His arms about her, his scent, comforted her. "I'm alright now, Faustus." She said softly, nuzzling into his neck as she pulled back to look up at him. "My brother is safe, in the Dark Lords arms. I have no need to fear for him anymore." She said softly, no real emotion in her voice, but her eyes still had that old spark of fire within them. "We did say…anything….I just didn't think it woul—" She paused and breathed deeply, raisin her eyes to his. "I love you, Faustus. My brother is safe. If that is HIS will, then I will have to make peace with it. Being with you……is all I ever wanted……" She trailed off as she watched him. Wondering his thoughts and hoping his loss wouldn't be too much to bear when it happened.

They didn't have long to wait. As they sat together, Faustus comforting her there was a knock on the door and the door to the dorms opened and there stood Zelda, the midwife for Lady Blackwood….and in that instance, Freya went cold as she noted the look on her face. She KNEW even before the woman opened her mouth.

"I am so sorry, High Priest…." Zelda said softly, as if daring not to tell him such news. "I am afraid, Lady Blackwood….is dead, and your unborns with her." Nodding, she turned to depart, her job done.

Freya was as if stunned and saddened once more. Faustus had lost far more then she, in her opinion and it hurt her all over again. "Faustus….ohhhh my Love…I am so sorry." She sought to comfort him as he had comforted her.

Faustus waited patiently for her to come back to herself. He had someone bring her soup to drink to keep her hydrated through all that crying, and besides, sometimes eating healthy food did wonders for one's emotional state. She did eventually calm down and express that Amos was in a safer place….

He stared blankly at— no, through Zelda Spellman as she delivered the unwelcome news. He did not break down, nor sob. He merely stared. The Dark Lord had taken his wife. That was good. That meant he was released from his marriage and was needful to marry Freya. But he had also seen fit to take his sons. That…was not good. He would need to make new sons, post-haste.

"Thank you," he said woodenly to Freya. It would be insensitive of him to propose right this moment. "But… This means that we are free. Fully and completely. It is what we wanted. Yet the price… Pardon my outburst. I shall need some time to adjust to the…new circumstances."

Freya nodded, knowing exactly how Faustus felt….well maybe not exactly but close. She had loved her brother more than life, while he and his wife were so in name only, but the babes. That was what hurt her the most. Freya loved children and had that maternal instinct from taking care of Amos. Hearing his loss, just about broke her again. But, she held herself together as she slipped her hand into Faustus's and curled back up around him and into his embrace. Seeking to comfort him as well as get comfort from him.

This was something the Dark Lord had said that they would need to get through together, and she knew he felt something other then what he was expressing. Sharing in their grief, would help them both, for in the end, it would make them stronger, and nothing would ever be able to part them. The Dark Lords words echoed in her head, as she sat there, holding Faustus as he held her.

'If you can make it through what happens next, no force on earth will part you.'

Was it true? Inside, Freya knew it was, and she and Faustus could get through this, just as the Dark Lord had said, together.

"It's alright, Faustus. It's ok." She whispered ever so softly to him, hugging him tighter.

"Yes," Faustus agreed, holding her close. "I do believe it will be okay. I've …got you… and I've never felt this way about anyone before. Perhaps our own future will…no, it must be better."

"It will be….I know it will." Freya said softly, nuzzling into the crook of Faustus's neck. His scent was so calming for her, and her touches were so gentle as she sought to soothe him as well. She pulled back, just enough to rest her forehead against his, her eyes burning into his dark orbs. He had dark eyes…that was the first thing she had noticed about him upon their first meeting. Not quite black, not quite brown, but breathtakingly beautiful. "We will make it so." She gently whispered softly against his lips. "Together…."

Whether it was that he was so close, and so understandingly gentle, or whether it was his scent and her instincts, or even whether it was their shared pain that made her move, Freya didn't know, but as she stared into those dark eyes, she felt the fire flare back up inside her and she moved slowly forward and pressed her lips to his. Their first, real kiss.

Faustus had no idea what had prompted her to kiss him. Perhaps this was another form of comfort she was offering? It would be impolite and insensitive of him to turn her down, especially since he would be expected to take her to wife soon, so he did the only sensible thing under the circumstances. He cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss, untying his ascot with his other hand. He kissed her with a fire and passion he had only recently known, nearly biting her lip.

"Dear girl," he murmured as the kiss broke, "I do believe I've fallen in love with you."

Feeling Faustus respond, that fire went from a slow burn inside of Freya, to an out-of-control blaze! When he deepened the kiss, she nearly whimpered softly against his lips, feeling him nearly bite her, caused her to gasp softly as he pulled back.

Hearing his words, hearing him say it…for the first time, made her melt. "I love you, too, Faustus. So much…" her words soft as, with a quick wave of her hand, for she had been practicing, warded the doors and the soundproofed the room, as she kissed him again. Reaching for the buttons on his shirt, as she did so, to undo them. Wanting to be closer to him. He was HERS, she was HIS and all else would fall into place in time. For now, she needed him, desired him, loved him and in a way that only made sense, only HE could save her.

Faustus hesitated only a second before pulling her in for another kiss, allowing her to undress him. She was, after all, of marriageable age, she clearly did love him, and it had been a pleasure instructing her. He looked forward to showing her just what pleasure they could bring each other. Thus he commended undressing her in turn, barely breaking the passionate kiss between them.

Freya really had no idea what she was doing but her pain for the loss of her brother, turned into something else as Faustus kissed her. She knew it might not be the ideal time nor situation for their 'first' time together, but she felt like she was drowning and only he could save her. Make her feel anything else for each returned kiss inflamed her, made her body burn for him as he slowly undressed her. Being bare before him, she found she had no shame, for she loved him and knew he loved her. But seeing him disrobed before her for the first time, stole her breath away. He was so heart wrenchingly gorgeous to her!

She trailed her lips from his and down his neck slowly, nipping lightly at his collarbone, learning him by touch, by taste and by his scent, which damn near made her swoon! He was perfection made real. A God in the flesh and she wanted to worship him as such and be worshipped in return.

Faustus, so proper, so usually concerned with appearances, felt his scruples melt away at her touch. So eager was she to please! He was hugely impressed, and he melted like ice into her touch. All misgivings similarly fell away from him. There was no way this could be wrong, when it felt so right!

Freya felt her misery turn into something else as she melted into Faustus's arms. His kisses seared her soul, and his arms kept her feeling safe. Her first time was with someone she loved, and that was all that mattered to her. Whether it was the proper time or not. She loved Faustus, with all her heart and soul….and in that pleasure filled bliss they shared, she buried her brother as the grief faded away in her Beloved's arms. She took her time, learning what pleased him as she moaned softly and arched against him, encouraging him to not hold back and to vent his emotions as well. "I love you, Faustus…so much." She whispered to him as she kissed him, trailing her lips down his neck and holding him tightly to her.

As he made love to her, the rest of the world fell away. There was nothing stopping them from pledging their troth to each other, particularly now. The technical details of the preparation could wait… But he had a thought.

"How would you feel about getting married on All Hallows Eve?" he asked as he held her close.

His words caught her by surprise as Freya pulled back enough to look Faustus in the eyes, to see if he was serious. Looking deep into his eyes as she tenderly caressed his facial outline, Freya felt herself blaze with love for the man in her arms.

"I would love that, Faustus." Her words soft as she nuzzled him lovingly. "Nothing would make me happier…" Her smile was bright but loving as pleasure crossed her face as she watched him. Her arms wrapped back around his neck as she arched slowly against him and gasped in delight. It was a lovely idea, since All Hallows Eve held meaning for them and their Coven. What a wonderful way to mark that particular night.