Maestro Fortescu: Part Two (complete)

“You look awfully happy today,” Papa Rosso says as I sit down for tea. “Usually when you leave a lesson with Maestro, you look a bit more...” he hesitates to continue.

“Pissed off,” Daddy Bianco suggests.

“Like your father?” Mama giggles.

Papa Rosso shoots her a look. “Watch yourself now, dear wife.”

I pour myself a cup of tea while they titter and fuss. “I think I am getting used to Fortescu.” I’m really not. “Our lessons have been going much more smoothly as of late.” We’re actually quite rough with one another.

“I’m still moved by the piece he performed at your birthday,” Mama sighs. “It was so wonderful! I can’t imagine how you felt. I know you two have been bickering for ages now.”

I sip my tea slowly. We bicker still, but it winds up being a sort of foreplay for us. Ever since we moved my lessons into his catacomb-like chambers, our lessons have really heated up. Today, Fortescu played the violin while I teased him - or tortured, as he puts it.

“It was a lovely song,” Papa Rosso sighs. “I know he’s working on music for the wedding.”

Ludo is getting married, and I couldn’t be happier about it. He has asked Fortescu to write a piece I could sing. His fiance, Lewis, is a very good friend of mine - in fact, it was Lewis who found me on that rainy winter’s night. I owe both of them quite a bit, so Fortescu and I have been working feverishly on a new song.

“How is that coming?” Daddy Bianco asks me.

I nearly choke on my tea and have to recover quickly. “Oh, uhm-” I dab at my mouth with my handkerchief, which still smells like Fortescu. “We’ve been going at it pretty hard.” I clear my throat. “It’s a lot of work.”

“It seems like two masterminds like you would make easy work of it,” Papa Rosso says with a smirk.

“You think it’s so easy?” Mama laughs. “They’re two big minds trying to work at something meaningful to both of them. I’m sure it’s tougher than we could even assume.”

My face feels hot as I remember the efforts Fortescu and I put out today. We help to, in a word, inspire one another. It seems the more heated we get, the better the music we produce is. Even so, we do get distracted quite easily. 

“Would you want to write your wedding song with Fortescu, Genevieve?” Daddy Bianco asks. “Or have him surprise you like he did at your birthday?”

“What?” I gasp.

“Bianco,” Mama fusses. “She’s still a young lady, I doubt she has any sort of thoughts about getting married so soon. Why, with all her touring, I’m sure she’s enjoying her career more than idle thoughts of matrimony.”

“Don’t get married,” Papa Rosso huffs. “There’s no one out there worth it!”

Mama gives him a look. “Really?”

Papa Rosso motions to me. “Look at her! No one out there can possibly be worthy! Not to mention she’s smart and talented on top of it. They would only serve to drag her down. She deserves someone who can elevate her. But I don’t think there is anyone like that who exists out there!”

I giggle a bit. “Oh, Papa, you only say that because you love me.”

“Of course I do!” he huffs. “Even if I didn’t, I could look at you and know there isn’t a soul out there who is on your level.”

Mama rolls her eyes with a smile. “Then why did I marry the two of you?”

Papa Rosso and Daddy Bianco both sit upright with looks of shock  as Mama laughs. 

“I am joking, boys.” Mama winks at me. “You’ll find love in your own time. No need to worry about marriage or anything of the sort. I just ask, when and if that day arrives, you let me know.”

I instantly feel guilty. I should be able to tell Mama, and I want to. But I feel like telling her about Fortescu and our games is shameful. “I will.” I hate lying to her. “I promise, Mama.”

That evening, when I sneak down into Fortescu’s chambers, I lounge naked on his bed while he sorts through stacks of sheet music. The papers are scattered all over the blanket as he combs through them. He glances over at me, snuggled up on his pillows as I read a book. His hand glides up my leg to the small of my back. “I like having you as an ornament,” he purrs. 

I frown and continue to ignore him.

“Something pretty like a throw pillow to adorn my bed and give me pleasure,” he growls into my ear.

I flip to the next page in the book.

Fortescu chuckles darkly as he grabs me, rolling me onto my back. He leans down, letting his blood red tongue dance over my nipples.

“I’ll lose my place,” I sigh.

“You taste so sweet,” he moans. He lifts his head to look at me. “What the hell could you possibly be reading?”

I roll back onto my stomach, turning my attention back onto the book. “I’ve been reading about weddings and different traditions.”

Fortescu’s hands knead into my ass and hips. “Not getting any bland ideas in your head, are you?” 

“My brother and Lewis are going traditional.” I grunt as Fortescu’s strong hands massage up my back. “They just left on their engagement honeymoon. So Mama and I have been working hard, planning to make sure things are ready when they come home.”

Fortescu’s sharp front teeth graze the back of my neck, coaxing out a small moan. “Besides working with me, do you ever get a break?”

“I never get a break,” I sigh.

“Poor little princess,” Fortescu chuckles. “How hard it must be planning parties and buying presents.” His cock slips between the cheeks of my ass. “Fucking her Maestro.”

I bite my lip as his pulse trembles along my skin. “Get your animal hands off me,” I moan. “You’re the biggest pain in my neck.”

Fortescu continues grinding himself against my ass. “I don’t use your neck.”

“Lay down,” I huff.

Fortesu moves off me and lays down on the bed. I roll over so we’re facing one another. “It’s not just fucking, you know?” I grumble.

Fortescu places his hand on my side, gently rubbing it back and forth. “What else is it, Princess?” He whispers.

“You know,” I pout.

He moves in closer to me. “I want to hear you say it.”

I frown. “I want to hear you say it!” I snap back at him. I push him down, then sit on top of him with my thighs straddling his waist. “You started this mess. You tell me what this is.”

Fortescu moans. “You’re torturing me like this.”

I pin his hands above his head. “Good. Now answer me!”

“This,” he rolls his hips, “is passion in its purest form. It’s heat. Desire. It is what makes music worthwhile.” He licks his chops as he gazes up at me. “Love, Princess. What we make, what we do, it is love.”

I release his hands to cup my palms over my face. He grabs hold of my wrists, pulling them away to see the tears running down my face.

“I have loved you, and I will always love you,” he growls at me. 

I sniffle as he wipes my tears away. He sits up, placing soft kisses all over my face until our lips meet. I move myself in his lap, taking his cock inside me. I moan against his chest, burying my face in his hair as I bounce myself against his thighs.

“We make love,” Fortescu growls into my ear. “We make music.” He grabs hold of my hips, moving me to his rhythm. “Sing for me.”

“Fortescu,” I whine.

“Sing,” he hisses. “Oh, Genevieve,” he cries out. He rolls me over, pinning me to the bed as his hips move violently. 

I cling to him, clawing my fingers down his back as he shakes me roughly with his thrusts. I cry out his name again and again, wanting to feel more of him deep inside me. His pulse trembles, raking through me. As the heat quivers up my spine, I latch my legs tight around his waist. I trap him in place as both our songs reach their crescendo.

His warmth fills me for the first time. I feel it start to dribble between my cheeks as we lay together. Fortescu breathes in my ear, “Say it.”

I touch his face. “I love you,” I whisper to him. 

Fortescu kisses me, grinding his hips so he still rubs inside me. His seed spills out, but I want it to stay inside me longer. “I love you too, you spoiled brat. You get everything you want, don’t you?” He smirks down at me. “But you earned me.”

I stroke my hand down his chest. “You still have a long way to go.”

Fortescu removes himself from me and he looks between my legs, watching his seed spill from me. “This could spell trouble.” He uses his shirt to clean me up. “I didn’t mean to make a mess this big.”

“It feels good.” I run my hands over my belly. “I liked feeling you so warm inside me. You’re usually so cold.”

“Us Hares have a way of breeding,” he chuckles. “If we are not careful, you will be perpetually pregnant, Princess.” He kisses my belly and my breasts.

“Maybe then I’ll put some weight on,” I sigh.

Fortescu nuzzles into the curve of my neck. “You are beautiful no matter what size you are.” He slaps my flank, making me giggle out loud. “I’ll punish you should you speak ill about the body I lay all my love into.”

I bite my lip as I gaze up at him. “You just like me small so you can throw me around.” I run my fingers through his long hair. “Like I’m a toy or something.”

“My fuck toy,” he snarls into my ear.

“You’re so gross!” I laugh loudly, shoving him away.

“And you love me all the same.” Fortescu takes hold of my hand and kisses my palm. 

I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “For as long as there is music in my heart, so are you.”

Planning for the wedding continues while Lewis and Ludo are on their engagement honeymoon. It’s a tradition that allows the two fiances to enjoy each other’s company before the wedding begins. Much like the honeymoon after the wedding, this is one that assures their bonds ahead of time. Mama and I have been working hard on getting everything ready. We have sent for purple tulips, Lewis’ favorite flower, to be brought in. The Prims who work in the garden have been growing extra roses for the occasion as well.

I have been designing Lewis’ wedding attire, wanting it to suit him as well as show he will now be a king. Lewis has always been a man of simple needs, preferring overalls to anything the palace could provide. I know getting used to royal attire will be a trial for him, so I am hoping his wedding clothes will be something to ease him into it. 

Lewis and Ludo return home a week before the wedding, and are instantly separated. For the entire week before the wedding, they are not allowed to see one another, let alone be in the same room. But knowing those two and how sneaky they were about their relationship before, I doubt they’ll stay apart. 

I keep Ludo company in the evenings, showing him scrapbooks from all my tours as a singer. It’s been nice catching up. Ever since he was crowned king, it has been hard to find time to spend alone together.

“Are you nervous?” I ask him.

“I thought I was losing Lewis,” Ludo looks at me with a shy smile. “I’ve already faced the most terrifying thing I could have thought possible. Now, I have happiness in the palm of my hand.

I smirk. “Oh, is that what you call it?”

Ludo strikes me with a pillow. “Sister!” he cries. “How dare you think in such a way?” A bright smile is still on his face. 

“I’m an adult!” I roll my eyes at him, giving him a returning blow with the pillow. “I can think any way I want.”

“I always see you as my little sister,” he sighs. “It’s never occurred to me to think of you as a woman.” He nestles back down in bed. “So… are you?”

I look away and hug the pillow. “None of your business.”

“So silent now,” he murmurs. “Let me think. Who would be a worthy match for my darling little sister?”

“None of your business, just like I said!” I huff at him. 

Ludo has caught me and he knows it. He grins brightly and squeezes my hand. “So there is someone!”

I fight him off. “Just go to bed! Not everyone is fucking the stable boy.”

“Well, I sure hope not!” We both start cackling. 

Eventually, Ludo falls asleep, and I sneak from his chambers and down the hall. I let myself into Fortescu’s quarters. I find him asleep in bed, so I cuddle up beside him. His arms capture me and drag me under the covers.

“Where have you been? I can’t sleep without you!” he moans into my ear.

“I was talking with Ludo,” I gasp. 

“Ah, that's right, the king has come home.” Fortescu removes my nightgown and starts kissing down my chest. “I’ll forgive you just this once.”

I cry out as his tongue pushes between my folds. His fingers dip inside me, coaxing my nectar to spill while his tongue dances around my sensitive bud. He snarls and moans, sounding very much like a vicious animal.

I then hear a clatter and a shocked exclamation. Looking up, I see Ludo standing at the waterfall curtain, rooted to the spot with a look of horror on his face.

Fortescu sits up in alarm, then quickly hides his face behind his arms. 

“Ludo!” I try to cover myself. “It’s not what you think!”

Ludo shakes his head slowly. “I, uh-” he steps away from me as I approach him. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… I saw you go through the door, I was-” he cups his hand around his mouth. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Fortescu places his mask back on. “Only the king can enter my chambers and not be punished for it. You are lucky.”

“And what about you?” Ludo snaps at him. “Violating my sister like that!”

“He wasn’t!” I snap at him, cutting him off as soon as I could. “How dare you? You don’t even ask me about this?”

“He’s a Hare!” Ludo snaps. 

“And?” I bark at him.

“Genevieve, they are dangerous creatures,” he whispers. “And their seed is-” he hesitates. His eyes dart about before they land on me again. “It’s a curse.”

“I like it!” I say with an indginent sniff. “And I like him!” I point back at Fortescu. “So you don’t get to say anything at all, Ludo!”

Ludo frowns and shakes his head. “I can’t believe this!”

“You did it too,” I scoff. “How is this so different? I ask you. Just because he’s a Hare? Because they’re supposedly bad? We’ve known Fortescu all our lives, and aside from being a whopping asshole, has he ever done any harm?”

Ludo frowns at me. “Papa and Dad are not going to like this.”

“Oh, fuck.” I cup my hand over my mouth.

“If they find out, they may kill him.” Ludo glances to Fortescu. “Me falling in love with Lewis is one thing. Yeah, they got mad at it, but you’re different to them, Genevieve!” He grabs my shoulder. “They don’t like the Maestro. They don’t like men toying with their daughter.”

“I only toy with her in bed. Everything else is serious,” Fortescu jumps in.

“You’re not helping!” I snap back at him.

“Genevieve,” Ludo murmurs. “What did you think would happen?”

I glare down at the ground. “I never thought you’d pop in and spy on us.”

“You two are obviously… intimate,” he coughs. “But what do you do about protection? Hare seed isn’t a mythical sort of substance for no reason. It has magical properties. The safest sex you can have with a Hare is no sex at all!”

“And it’s awful,” Fortescu laughs. “Also, it’s not sex, it’s love. Like you’re so special with your purple cat husband.”

“Hey!” Ludo snaps, his cheeks darken to red.  “I need to talk with you.” He points at Fortescu. “And you,” he turns to me. “Go to your room.”

“You can’t make me!” I bark at him.

“I’m your king. I most certainly can.” He gives me a harsh, terrifying glare. “Now go. I need to speak with him alone.”

“Go on,” Fortescu says with a nod. “I’ll tend to this. No worries.”

“Both of you, be nice.” I gather my things and leave, going back to my room and locking the door behind me. 

I don’t sleep, but exhaustion carries me away in the morning. I am roused from sleep by banging on my door. 

“Who is it?” my voice croaks as I shoot up in alarm.

“It’s me! Hurry!” Fortescu shouts.

I race to the door, throwing it open to Fortescu, who grabs me up in his arms. He quickly closes the door behind us, and just over his shoulder, I see a group of Card Knights come racing forward. Fortescu is laughing as he shuts the door again. 

“Pack your things!” he grins at me.

“What’s going on?” I scoff. “What the hell did you do?”

“Your brother and I had a lengthy discussion last night - in which I realized that the two of us need to run away for a while,” Fortescu chuckles.

“But the wedding is in three days!” I blurt.

“Exactly,” he tosses a rope he has on his shoulder out the window. “Our wedding. Now hurry, pack!”

“Wedding?” I freeze in place.

“I’m going to marry you,” Fortescu breathes. “I’m going to love you no matter what they say. Just because I am a Hare does not mean I am incapable of it.”

I rush to pack a bag while Fortescu holds me in his arms. He climbs down the rope with me, bringing us to rest in the garden. Already, I can hear a great clamour coming from within the castle. We dart into the rose maze, where we become instantly lost to the world.

Fortescu takes me away from the royal grounds where we find a horse waiting on us. We ride for hours until we disappear into the Tulgey Wood. Once we are there, we follow the stream until we come upon a small cabin built from briar logs that wrap amongst themselves, creating walls that look like a knitted scarf.

“What is this place?” I whisper as Fortescu helps me down.

“This is my childhood home.” He takes off his mask and kisses my forehead. “I keep it for whenever I need to escape.” He then scoops me back up in his arms. “You’re shaking.”

“Of course I am! I have no idea what’s going on.” I lay my head against his shoulder as he carries me over the threshold. 

The interior of the little cabin is neat and cozy - just one single room with a tiny kitchen, a small table, and a bed. On the very back wall, there is a white violin on display. Fortescu lays me down on the bed, where he caresses me until I am calm again.

“Say you’ll marry me,” he whispers. “Please. Or else I have stolen you for nothing.”

I sniffle as tears drip down my cheeks. “Of course I am saying yes. But why did we have to run away? What did Ludo say that made you want to run?”

“He told me no,” he says with a chuckle. “No matter how many times I said I loved you, he said it would only be a danger to both of us. As a Hare, he thinks I have no control.”

“My fathers will murder you where you stand,” I sniffle.

“Not if you marry me. They wouldn’t dare harm their son-in-law - at least, that’s what Ludo told me.”

I blink as I stare at him. “Ludo told you to do this?”

Fortescu nods. “All his idea. He cares so much about you, he was willing to sacrifice his wedding. Isn’t that corny?”

“Why would he-” I hiccup. “He’s the one who said-”

Fortescu cups his hand over my mouth. “When I spilled my guts to him - hell, I even cried - I think he understood. Having just been in that place of urgency himself, he knew how truthful my heart was.” He kisses my temple. “Ludo said we should get married. After that, we can return to the palace.”

“But you’ll-” I gasp.

“I’ll be in trouble, for certain,” Fortescu says with a nod. “But we’ll be together.” He holds my hand tight. “So let’s rest, and we’ll find a chapel as soon as we can.”

I’ve heard so many romantic tales of people eloping before, but I never thought it would be something to happen to me. It is a quick, simple ceremony, performed secretly where no one can see. Afterwards, we enjoy a few days of peace, until one morning the door to the cabin is knocked down.

“Oh fuck, already?” Fortescu groans before he’s yanked off the bed.

“Don’t hurt him!” I scream.

“Hurt him?” Papa Rosso snarls, Fortescu’s neck in his fist. “No. I’m going to kill him!”

Daddy Bianco picks me up off the bed. “He’s going to pay dearly for kidnapping you.”

“He didn’t!” I blurt. “You have to let him go! We did this together!”

“Try to make excuses all you want, darling,” Papa Rosso snarls. “But he is going to answer for his crimes!” He starts to drag Fortescu out the door.

“We’re married!” I scream. 

Daddy Bianco nearly drops me and I have never seen such a look of violent illness and anger on Papa Rosso’s face before. They both exchange a look before Daddy Bianco sets me down on the bed.

“Let me at him!” he roars, charging with his sword drawn.

“Boys! Boys!” Mama rushes up on horseback with Ludo and Lewis behind her. She hurriedly breaks her husbands up and gets Fortescu on his feet. “You’re acting ridiculous!”

“You’re not even reacting!” Papa Rosso booms. “They’re married, Primrose!”

“He tricked our child!” Daddy Bianco adds.

“Oh, please, you couldn’t even trick her into playing peek-a-boo as a baby,” Mama scoffs. She comes into the cabin, dragging Fortescu with her to protect him. “You two, sit.”

Fortescu sits on the edge of the bed with me. “Yes, ma’am,” he grumbles.

“Now,” she scoffs. “You will not be getting off the hook.” She points. “Either one of you.” There is a fire in her eyes I have never seen before. “Both of you are in terrible trouble. I don’t think I have ever been so mad in my entire life!” She huffs and smooths down her skirts. “Running away. Getting married!” She laughs. “Your brother’s wedding is ruined. Not to mention your own.” She shakes her head. “Seriously, Genevieve, what has gotten into you?”

I fidget with my fingers. “Mama, I’m sorry. I did it to protect Fortescu, I knew if Papa and Dad found out about Fortescu and I, they would react horribly.”

“Damn right!” Papa Rosso snarls, held back by Lewis.

“I love him,” I whimper. “I always have and I couldn’t bear to think I wouldn’t-”

Mama pats the top of my head. “Go home,” she growls at me. “Go with your brother.” She sends me off with Lewis and Ludo. “I’ll finish this.” She turns back to Fortescu.

“You know,” Lewis sighs as we slowly make the trip home. “I thought for sure nothing could top what happened with Ludo and I. I’m very impressed.”

“Save it,” I grumble.

“It’ll be okay.” Lewis replies. “Your mom has a way of making things better than they seem. She’ll take care of this, don’t worry.”

“Thanks,” I smile gently. “You’ve got a way yourself.”

Fortescu is escorted to the dungeon, for his own protection. Until my fathers cool down, it’s the best place for him. I am also placed under supervision in my room. Anytime my fathers look at me, they burst out crying, so Mama figured it was best all around to hide everyone until things calm down.

“We’ll plan the new wedding so both of you can get married,” Mama tells me.

“Is that all you care about?” I try to joke.

“Of course not,” she huffs. “You broke your promise to me!”

I slouch down. “I know. I’m sorry, Mama.”

She sighs and sets her teacup aside. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you say you were seeing someone?”

“I don’t know, I just-” I clam up and close my eyes. “I felt like I would be letting you down. That I wouldn’t seem perfect anymore.”

“You know that’s not true,” Mama sighs. “I wanted you to tell me so I would know you were happy.” She puts her arms around me. “You’re going to be on thin ice with me for a while.”

“I know.”

Mama smiles at me. “He’s in his chambers.” She brushes my hair from my face. “You can go see him if you like, but I expect you back before dark.”

“Yes! Of course!” I gasp.

I hurriedly rush to his lair and slip inside. Already, I can hear him playing the violin. As I step out of the hallway, he sees me. He drops the violin instantly, and we run at one another. He holds me so tight I can barely breathe.

“Your mother is a frightening woman!” he laughs.

“We only have until nightfall,” I giggle as he lifts me from the ground.

“Plenty of time!” Fortescu places me behind the piano. “I want to hear you sing, my love.” He picks up his violin again. 

“One song,” I say with a nod. “And then another.”

“And another and another,” Fortescu grins from ear to ear. “We have all our lives now, don’t we?”

I strike the first note on the piano. “Yes, my husband.”

Fortescu bows his head. “Just play, wife,” he scoffs. “Let’s begin.”