Celis T. Rono “Sleeping Dead Re-Edited”

This version has been re-edited.

 

 

 

“Sleeping Dead”

by Celis T. Rono

 

There was a reason why my grandmother was so adamant about not disturbing the sleeping dead in the forest.  I shake my head even now at the strong-willed girl of eighteen too mature to listen to her elders.  In fact, I shake my head at many things I did at that age.

In the forest lay sleeping forms that could not be awakened by even the loudest of screams or the fiercest of kicks.  My brother once had the temerity to throw a rock at an unmoving man in an immaculate tunic then ran away for fear of the figure awakening.  I stayed to watch and see what would happen, but nothing did.

A particularly handsome man with dark hair, strong nose, and full lips had intrigued me ever since I was a child.  He looked to be asleep, leaning against the cradle of an old leathery redcran tree.  I used to sit on his lap as a child and touch his black eyelashes.  As a young woman, I caressed his cold face from his cheek to his jaw wondering about the color his eyes.  He never moved.  His chest didn’t even rise to breathe in air.  Out of the twenty bodies strewn all over the forest, I was particularly drawn to this man.  I visited him everyday and even bestowed upon him a name, James.

“What happened to those people, Granny?” I asked once again, hoping my grandmother would finally reveal something useful to me.  She was the wisest in the kingdom, and some contend that she practiced the dark arts.  “They’ve lain on the forest ground for years.  Why don’t they decay?  Animals won’t even come near them.  And if they’re alive, how can we waken them?”

My grandmother shook her head.  “You’re much too curious, my child.  You’ve been asking me these questions since you were a child.”

“Then maybe it’s time you start telling me the truth,” I said annoyed.  “No one wants to talk about them.”

“You’re a pesky child, but alright, I’ll tell you what I know if you help me with my spindle.  It seemed to have hit a snag,” she sighed, brading thin fabrics together for the gowns of her granddaughters.  She was one of the richest women in the land yet she dared use her hand in lowly tasks.

“Anything, Granny.  I’ll do anything you ask,” I said, noticing for the first time how withered and gnarled my grandmother was, and it pained me.  Any type of loss disturbed me. “Rumor is these people were punished hundreds of years ago for offending the Great Lady of the forest.  They were too prideful and vain.  One particular man, the handsomest of them all, turned his back on the Great Lady’s advances and he can never thaw into a living man again.  She hated him the most,” said my grandmother.  “That’s all I know, child.  Now leave me to work in peace.”

I knew she’d spoken of my James for he was the handsomest.  My heart burned at the Great Lady’s meanness.  Everyone had faults, me most of all.  He did not deserve such a fate.  Suddenly I felt terrible for the man in the old-fashioned tunic and ran to the stable to get my horse.

They didn’t hear me.

Bessie, our rather hefty maid, was as naked as a hare newly stripped of its fur.  She was on all fours.  The stable lad slammed his thick sod from behind her wide rump while my twenty- year-old brother shoved his mount into Bessie’s open mouth.  Her gargantuan breasts slapped each other, blending together with the sound of sucking coming from her mouth and heavy breathing from the men.

“This is what you get, Bessie,” the apprentice said, slapping her ass.  “For being such a filthy girl!”

“We’re punishing you for your own good,” said my brother who looked more like my father than a young man.  “Don’t you think you deserve our pricks inside you?”

“Um hmm,” she said, batting her eyes, opening her mouth and licking Peter’s erect member with relish.

I hid behind a stack of hay, afraid to blink and miss important details.  I became aware that my nethers were dewy moist from the heated performance not too far from me.  I’d seen animals copulate before, but this was completely different.  I wanted to know how it would end.

“I’m coming,” said Roy, the stable boy, pulling out of her.  With a grunt, he sprayed her plump behind something white and sticky.  Soon after, my brother said, “I’m coming, too!  I want you to swallow my cum, Bessie.”

My brother’s face contorted into something akin to pain, and he pulled out from Bessie’s mouth.  She pointed his rod into her mouth and white goo sprayed everywhere.  Our maid licked the liquid like it was cream butter.

My body was shaking with heat and fear.  It was like I had been sheltered all my life and I’d finally glimpsed what the world was really like.  And I didn’t like it…or so I thought.  As soon as they’d left the barn, I saddled my horse and headed to the heart of the forest.  James was there, waiting for me.

I touched his familiar face, my fingers lingering on his lips.  His chiseled face, wide shoulders, and well-padded crotch excited me.  I lay on top of his stiff body, feeling tingly for my boldness.  I’d never been fearful of touching him.  He had a little freckle on the right side of his lip and my mouth was drawn to it.  I kissed his lips, trailing my tongue on his mouth just the way Bessie had licked cum off my brother’s penis.  Before I knew it, I was licking his entire face like he was sugar candy.  I experienced a burning sensation in the pit of my belly and heat in my private parts.  I was a virgin then, and I had no idea what was happening to me.

The only thing I could do was lift up my skirt and rub myself all over him.  Even then I could not get close enough.  I always carried a knife in the pockets of my gown.  Young women were encouraged to defend themselves against unwanted advances.  Without thought, I began to slice away James’ clothing.  I had a deep desire to see him naked.

I ripped the fine blue tunic from his body and slashed away at his white undershirt until his muscular chest was uncovered.  With feather light touches, I explored the sparse forest that was his chest hair.  My hand shook, itching to cut his leggings and find out what lay underneath.  My beautiful James.  My sleeping prince.  How strange he made me feel.

“I’ve always loved you, my dear James,” I said, breaking the silence of the forest.  “I’ll waken you if it’s the last thing I do.”  I cleared my throat.  “And I’m sorry about your clothes.  I shall bring a blanket for you tomorrow.”

That night, I lay in bed with the picture of Bessie getting pumped by two men.  I’d always thought coupling meant a man and a woman.  Not three people at once.  I imagined James squeezing my breasts as I touched myself.  The burning feeling in my secret parts would not let me sleep.  I clamped my thighs tightly to keep it from bothering me further, but the burning feeling merely intensified.  My hands moved on their own accord and reached for my opening.  Oh-so-slowly, I stuck a finger in but felt nothing but sticky wetness.  I did not know then about the power of the clitoris.  So I lay awake unsated and dreamt of running my hands through James’ soft black hair.

I was eighteen and had the right to choose which man I wanted to be my husband for life.  It was a sacred ceremony among our people.  When asked by a priest who I’d chosen, I said, “I want the sleeping man called James in the woods of Antara.”  The shock this brought to the small assembly of men hoping to become my betrothed and the handful of women who wished I didn’t choose their men was torrential.

There were protestations and angry shouting, but in the end I got what I wanted for I had the power of choice that day.  I had the half-naked James brought into my chamber and had him placed in a tub.  “You can go, all of you,” I told the servants.

He was naked, his leggings removed by my own hands.  James possessed a strong body, wiry and well-muscled.  His buttocks were shapely and firm while his member hung limp but long in the soapy water.  I washed him all over, spending much time cleaning his anus which I found to be tight and interesting.  The second object I took painful attention to was his sack and penis.  I couldn’t help myself.  I soaped, fondled, and tugged until I was breathless.

When I was done, I had two farm boys carry James, covered in sheet, to my bed.  I lain with him, shaking and unsure.  I too had removed my clothing and my bare skin touched his cold flesh.  I kissed him again hoping he’d open his mouth just a little so that I could insinuate my tongue into the opening.  I was burning with a fever and didn’t know what to do.  He was so beautiful with his black hair and arresting body.  I needed to shed virgin blood that night to seal the marriage.

I took his stiff hand and pushed back his digits except for the index and middle fingers.  With my eyes closed, I straddled his fingers until my maidenhead was broken.  I rode part of his hand and imagined they were his manhood until I cried out with my release.  The wetness of his fingers I licked while I scooped my own juices and whetted his wide pale mouth with them.  I didn’t know what possessed me, but I dipped my fingers into my wet opening and began to smear it all over his body…especially his sex.

I woke next to my James the following morning.  The sun’s rays hit my love’s face and for the first time, I noticed some color in his mouth and cheeks.  I blinked my eyes several times just to assure myself that I wasn’t seeing things.  I realized the virgin blood I had applied to my husband’s skin remained after I’d sponged him clean.  Healthy complexion remained.

Every night I’d kiss him all over, licking his most forbidden parts.  I had such hunger.  I wanted to devour him.  I slept without a stitch of clothing on top him hoping to warm his cold skin.  Then one day, I spied Bessie and my brother in the kitchen by the crackling hearth.  She was kneeling in front of him, her mouth full of his sex.  My brother’s trousers were a pool of brown by his feet.  I hid behind barrels of husked cornmeal and watched.

Bessie rocked back and forth on her heels taking in every inch of my brother and making moaning, slurping sounds.  “Hurry up, girl, before we’re found out,” he said, grabbing a fistful of Bessie’s curly hair and adding force and momentum.  The girl was practically suffocating from the largeness of my brother, her exposed heaving breasts bobbing with the motion.  I smiled despite the odd sensitivity of the situation.  I knew what I would do to my husband that night.

In stories, princes always saved poisoned princesses with a kiss.  If he did not come along, the princess would never live a full life.  She would be a mere sleeping beauty.  I was going to be the hero this time.  I wanted to wake my beautiful darling up so he could make love to me properly.  I couldn’t wait to leave the hall after supper and start for our chambers.  James was there naked with his eyes closed.  “Oh, please open your eyes,” I said in a whisper.  “I want you to see what your wife looks like.”

I removed my favorite gown, red velvet with gold trimmings and sat in between his legs.  After braiding my hair, I lowered my mouth to the tip of his groin and licked gingerly, carefully.  With preciseness, I lifted up his thick phallus and led it into my mouth.  I imitated Bessie’s technique, nearly swallowing James whole, his tip pushing up against my throat.  He tasted so good.  Like wild mushrooms.  I was so lost in my task that I hadn’t noticed the hardening of his manhood until it nearly spilled down my throat.

Excited, I sat up to stare at my husband’s erection.  I thought my heart was going to burst.  With glee, I straddled him until every inch of James was inside of me.  I feared the thought of flaccidity for it would mean he was dead asleep again.  Instinctually, I knew what to do.  I moved my hips, undulated my lower body, and finally rose up and down his large penis.  Soon I forgot about my husband and closed my eyes, enjoying the intense pleasure his sex was granting me.  “Oh, James,” I said over and over.  “Open your eyes for me, my love.”

With my breasts dewy with sweat, I climaxed.  It was then that I focused on the handsome face of James.  My heart leapt for two perfectly clear emerald eyes stared up at me, unblinking.  He was in a trance and not quite awake, but at least I learned what color his eyes were.

The healthy pallor of his face and the opening of his eyes heartened me.  It seemed like he was wakening as I was immersed in the blossoming of my own sexuality.  Every night I bathed him with my tongue not shirking from the places considered unclean.  To me, James was everything that was beautiful and delectable.  I took him in my mouth until his veiny member filled up with blood and hardened.  I swallowed him, up and down, as deep as my throat would allow me.  When my mouth tired, I mounted him hoping he would come inside of me and provide me with a bairn.  He never did.

I knew very little about the art of making love and my poor attempts had brought miniscule results since his eyes had opened.  His left hand was more pliant and his color strong but that was it.  James remained cold no matter my attempt at warming his body with my naked flesh.

Determined to waken my love, I’d no choice but to call Bessie and the stable boy to my chambers.  The maid curtseyed.  Her unkempt gown with patched holes and whoosh of curly dark hair nearly undid me.  I wasn’t the kind of mistress who treated servants unjustly.  The stable lad named Roy with filthy nails and clothes that hadn’t seen a washing in weeks stood before me in his barefoot with nervousness.  He probably thought he would be dismissed.

I cleared my throat and began.

“I’ve seen you two in the stables,” I said, my tone hard.  I left the fact that I’d seen my brother as well.  “I could dismiss you both for your behavior.”

“Oh, no, Mistress,” cried Bessie.  “I need to send me mum a stipend for she is a cripple as you know.”

“And I’ve nowhere to go,” said Roy.

Squaring my shoulders, I said, “You will not be dismissed as long as you do what I ask and let no one know about what we do.”  The two servants looked at each, and turned back to me and nodded their assent.

“I am trying to waken my husband.” I indicated James, propped on his side, staring unblinkingly at the servants.  A white sheet covered his nakedness.  “I need both of you to make love in front of us.  And not just one position but many.”

Bessie’s mouth formed an ‘O’, and Roy tried to erase a grin.  “Whatever we can do, ma’am,” he said.  He looked about the room.  “Ought I lay the pallet yonder on the floor?”

“Yes.  And like I said, if this ever leaks out, I will punish you both severely.”

“Not one word, Mistress,” promised Bessie, her chubby cheeks aflame.

Slowly the two servants shed their clothing.  Bessie shivered, uncomfortable with the arrangement, her large breasts heaving.  I walked over to the hearth and placed more logs into the fire.  I climbed back into bed and ran my fingers through James’ jet black hair.

Bessie lay on her back while Roy, hard as wood, got ready to plow.  “Wait,” she said nervously.  “I’m not ready.”

“Well I am.”

“I don’t want to get hurt, Roy,” she said, truly nervous now.

“Do not hurt her in any way, Roy,” I decreed.  “What do you need to get ready, Bessie?”

Bessie squirmed, partly covering her breasts and shockingly bushy privates.  A smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.  “He could get me wet by eating me down there.”

“Oh, no.  I will do no such thing,” said Roy.  “You’re dirty.”

“And you think you smell like roses when I go down on you, you filthy pig?”

“Enough!  Do what she asks and get on with it.  I want to learn now!”

Bessie spread her legs wide, triumph on her face.  With much trepidation, Roy got on his knees and began to lick Bessie’s inner lips, spitting out pubic hair now and again.  How she moaned so, writhing when Roy inserted three dirty fingers into her hole.  Heat spread all over my body as I imagined James doing the same to me.  It didn’t take long for Bessie to scream out her pleasure nor did it take Roy any time to kneel upright and wipe his mouth with the back of his hand.

“My turn you little strumpet,” he growled.  “Get on your hands and knees.”  Bessie narrowed her eyes at him but did as she was asked.  I’d never seen such a huge behind before in its naked state.  When Roy began slapping Bessie’s ass, my eyes widened.  “What are you doing, man?” I asked alarmed.

“I’m punishing her, Mistress,” he answered with a grin.

Bessie turned her head to me.  “Don’t worry, Miss.  I rather like this sort of punishment.”  Aghast, I watched Bessie get the spanking of her life, her enormous cheeks red from Roy’s ministering.  Bessie moaned and cried as Roy punished her, and with his free hand, he squeezed her breasts like he was milking a dairy cow.

Fascinated, I turned to James whose member had prodded the small of my back.  He was enjoying the spectacle.  With excitement running through my veins, I yanked the blanket off of his beautiful body and stared at his fine posterior.  My hand shook as I administered the first of the dozen or so slaps on his firm cheeks.

Bessie eyed my beloved’s throbbing sex and licked her lips.  Her open admiration for my husband angered me.  “Enough of this slapping.  Do something else.”

“Yes, Mistress,” said Roy.  His voice hinted of mirth.  He turned Bessie on her back and pushed her legs up in the to afford a clearer view.  “As my rod is currently out of commission, I will need to use my fist if that’s alright with you, Bessie?”

“Fisting’s a treat for me,” she said breathless.

“You’re sopping wet, you dirty girl,” he said with a maniacal look on his face.  “You see, Mistress, it’s good to be thus lubricated,” explained he.  He first inserted two fingers in her bushy opening then he moved to three, then four.  I thought Bessie was going to faint from the size of Roy’s hand.  Finally he pushed his thumb in and his entire fist went in and out of her hole.

My mouth was suddenly parched.  I reached for James’ penis and felt moisture on the tip.  I also realized that his chest was taking in air.  Excited that my prince was waking, I kneeled on the floor and took his thick phallus in my mouth while he continued to watch the sex acts between the two servants.  Roy, his prowess as hard as a blade hilt, replaced his fist and pumped happily away at a very satiated Bessie.

I sucked my love, licked him, and stroked him until I heard a sigh from his lips.  He tasted salty and smelled of the woods.

A hand bore down on my head, and I instantly became angry.  I thought Roy had the audacity to touch me and I pulled away from my husband’s erect member.  It was then that I realized that James was the culprit.  I heard Bessie gasp as James pulled me to him.  His atrophied limbs now moved.  He lifted me onto his lap and slowly lowered me onto his engorged sex.  I gasped at the pleasure and the surprise of finally awakening my love.

“T-take off your gown,” he said in a gravelly voice.  With shaking fingers, I did as I was told and lifted the gown over my head.  I’d forgotten about everyone in the room as I rode my husband until I shook with pleasure when he exploded inside of me.  Slowly he pushed me on my back as we switched positions.  He kissed my brows, my eyes, my nose, and my mouth.  Oh how he kissed my mouth, dipping his tongue to dance with mine.  “I’ve loved you forever, dear one,” he said to me.  “Thank you for waking me from an eternity of sleep.”

We had exactly six months of bliss until once more, his limbs hardened and his eyes closed to resume his eternal sleep.  I tried everything to wake him, but nothing I did brought him back to life.  I remember feeling my swelling belly and giving thanks for the child he’d given me.

James never talked about how he’d been turned into the living dead.  He merely said it was a whim of the fairies.  It amused them, he said.  I slept with his cold body until old age took my sight.  It was then that I told my child and grandchildren to return him to the forest.  Perhaps another girl would fall in love with him and bring him back to life.  Despite the briefness of our time together, James had given me a son who looked so much like the love of my life.  That was enough for me.