Free The Obedient Wife (an erotic short story) by Delilah Devlin Page A

as rheumy as an old woman’s, and her arse was too sore for her to sit, she took her own pleasure in the tinkling of the gold coins that spilled into her secret stash.
    While the daughter plotted her escape, her father traveled far and wide, seeking a suitor with deep pockets. When he approached a particularly wealthy village, he asked for the name of the richest among them. He was led to a castle deep in the wood, situated atop a small berg.
    He ignored the fact his guide wouldn’t draw near the iron gate, thinking the lord who owned this keep must indeed be important to instill such awe. The grounds inside were immaculate but deserted, but he didn’t worry. Perhaps the castlefolk were working in faraway fields or seeing to the evening meal. Glancing around, he noted the tall crenellated walls, the huge stone facade. It was a fine place, fit for his beautiful daughter. He could well imagine himself sitting before a large hearth, drinking ale, while servants hovered to keep his cup full.
    The sky above darkened, casting a pall over the bailey, the shadows cast by the crenellated walls looking like a long row of sharp teeth. A frisson of unease crept over him for he was alone and far from home, and he didn’t know a soul in this region who would care whether he came to harm in this mysterious place. But recalling his mission, he gathered up his courage and approached the door. He pounded on the thick oak, and then trembled when it creaked open, for a creature, not quite man nor all beast, opened the door.
    “Sir,” the miller said timidly staring at his furry face, “I seek the wealthy man who owns this keep.”
    “What business have you with him?” came the surly response in a deep growling voice.
    The miller swallowed a lump of fear that lodged in his throat to chirp, “I’ve a treasure to offer.”
    The beast stroked his hairy jaw. “Just what is the nature of this treasure?”
    The miller recalled the words he’d repeated countless times on his journey. “I offer the fairest woman in this land. A girl so beauteous even the roses bow to her when she passes.”
    “Is the girl obedient?” the beast asked in an even tone.
    The father cleared his throat. “She is as fair as the sun and moon.”
    “Does she obey?”
    The miller grew nervous beneath the beast’s sharp gaze. “She sings sweeter than a sparrow,” he said, as his hand traced imaginary notes in the air.
    “Will she accept a husband’s command?”
    The father fought the quaver in his voice and said crankily, “I have told you she is perfect in every way.”
    The creature eyed him, and then smiled, revealing enormous teeth that made the old man’s knees weaken.
    “Bring her to me. If she is everything you promise, you will have your price.”
    Giddy with success, the old man returned to his village, riding his old horse triumphantly through the streets.
    “Miller, did you find a husband for that girl?” the smithy’s stout wife shouted out from her window.
    “A finer lord cannot be found.”
    The swineherd’s wife passed him, giving him a narrow-eyed glare. “Will that girl of yers be leaving soon, old man?”
    “She will, and she shall live like a princess in a castle.”
    “More fool’s the lord who takes her,” the woman muttered under her breath.
    The miller paid the woman no mind, convinced she spoke from jealousy because of the perfection that was his child. When he returned home, he slammed open the door and called to his daughter.
    A loud crash sounded inside the cottage, and she arrived at the door looking disheveled, her lips reddened and her skirts askew.
    “Did I wake you, sweetling?” her father asked.
    She glanced over her shoulder, and then offered him a hesitant smile. “So, you’re back. Did you find success in your journey?”
    Her father grabbed her hands and nearly jumped, so great was his joy. “I’ve secured a fortune for you, girl.”
    She rolled her eyes and quickly ushered him out of the house. “We