Compassionate, passionate words exchanged, As crimson berries frost beyond harvest’s glow. Chilling, isolated nights draw in, dank clouds, Suffocate the moonlight, whilst hot coals burn.

Wrapped in knitted blankets under a thatched roof, She taps away to her unknown, kindly lover.

Strangers sharing solitude, reaching across lands, Hope brimming, stealing away lonely sorrow.

An unusual beauty; spiralling, velvety-brown hair, Wide eyes gazing wistfully, sharing snippets; Orphaned in her country prison, abandoned, lost.

Her prince responds eagerly, heeding every word, Scared and vulnerable, ploughing out the days. She goes through each motion, waiting listlessly, Needing the connection that pings on screen.

Friendship forged; desires fuelled into passion.

As the nights shorten, he pleads for a lusty union, As the nights shorten, she acquiesces wantonly. No friends to speak of, she travels secretly, Curled on the chair, sordid messages exchanged.

Her phone their connection, the train thuds along.

Elated, she sees him at the station; darkly suave, As handsome as his images promised; tall, kind.

Shyly she crumples into the passenger seat, Fluttering her introverted lashes at her prince, She falls in love, hardly hearing his soft words.

They pull into his remote forest as dusk falls,

He speaks of preparing a sumptuous feast,

Fit for a king. His palace; a rickety cottage, But she only sees the rustic charm of his lair, Taking her hand, he leads her through the dirt.

Furnished in times gone by, somewhat dilapidated, Charming to her closed eyes. Cases carried in. Hungry and tired from her journey she sits,

At his generous invitation on the sullen sofa.

He chops carrots, onions, tomatoes and greens.

A pot boils and bubbles over the cracking range, An array of colourful vegetables drop, and steam. She breathes in the parsley scented aroma,

As his hands caress her locks and stroke her skin.

As the food cooks he builds a fire of logs.

Only the heat from the fire lights their palace, He strips her sensually taking in every curve, Smothering her quivering flesh with rough hands. Her naked form stretches before his black eyes, Perfectly shaved as promised, to his taste.

Hard at the prospect, he removes his clothes, Hands press her nubile form into the rug, Lavishing her with kisses, and licks, he attends.

Abandoned, she breathes heavily at each stroke, Until he fills and feels her; compassionate passion.

Reeling as his body drives and strides into hers,

She aches and pleads for more; his mouth covers, Feeds on every inch of her skin, forces her release. Inside her once again, his angry release follows, And sensually he massages her spent muscles.

Aromatic oils, prepared by his experienced hands, Rubbed deeply into her as she falls entranced, Succumbing to the prince’s magical spell. As he lifts her, she slips away, Oil through his fingers.

As he lifts her, she slips away, threatens loss, For before women left never to return.

His fears churn in his hollow belly,

Knowing what will come,

Oh, to keep her.

Two strong arms lift her gentle, fed body, Carry her without strain or effort, She surrenders to their power. Sees the raised, bronze bath, Relaxes as he lowers her.

Warm water floods about her, eyes close. Arms drop beneath the ripples, Inhales as oils are poured. Aromatic, relaxing, Deadly.

Water warms, beneath the tub flames burn. Overhead a cover is swiftly drawn, Enclosing her, encapsulating her. He steps back from the burner, Water flow ceases.

Screams begin as the oily water boils,

And drains. Skin sticks to the pan,

Searing chills burn icily,

Shrill yells roar; Brazen.

Shuddering she curls, burns and begs,

Beyond help. Her body agony;

Frozen in treacherous fire, Skin melts wickedly, Naked flesh.

Carrots sliced and diced perfectly,

Onions caramelised and roasted,

Parsnips, honey glazed,

Tomatoes chopped,

Cabbage boiled.

Sweet potatoes fried slowly,

Buttered suede and squash,

Parsley courgettes, Spinach spiced, Mint.

Served eloquently, and artistically.

Secretly, long woodland room,

Long wooden table, Long silver plate, Scented.

An array of colourful vegetables,

Encapsulating the basted meat,

Her roasted, preserved form; Oil and honey glazed, Smoking.

His forever.