Chapter Nine: Her Butler, Eternal

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Ann paced her bedroom as she waited for Claude, wringing her hands. It was over an hour before he returned. Claude was still in his tattered uniform, but the cuts on his face had already healed. Pulling him inside she hugged him tightly, enjoying the feel of his hands running through her hair for the last time. She looked up at him, at peace with what was to come. "I'm ready."

He removed his gloves, tailcoat, and vest before he took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. Then Claude placed his marked hand over the seal on her chest. "The contract will expire at sunrise. That provides us ample time to say goodbye."

Ann looked down, torn. She loved Claude and wanted him to stay with her one last night but she also wanted to get the inevitable over with. "You've done your duty, Claude. You've fulfilled your part of the contract. Now just…please, just do it, don't torture me."

"Perhaps I wish to savor my meal instead of just wolfing it down," Claude said, taking her face in his hands. "Besides I wish to claim something else before I consume your soul."

Her breath caught in her throat and she started to tremble. "My maidenhood."

Claude removed his glasses and put them on the dresser. He encircled her waist and pulled her close, then began to nuzzle her neck. Gasping Ann dug her fingernails into his shoulders. "Of course, if you'd prefer I just consume you instead of making love to you first…"

"Don't you dare," she replied breathlessly. She boldly took off her nightdress and tossed it aside. Claude tried to hold her at arm's length so he could admire her sumptuous body, but Ann had other ideas. She made short work of Claude's shirt, practically tearing it off of him in order to touch his bare skin, kissing his well-muscled chest, her tongue then trailing down his stomach. There was sudden desperation and urgency in her actions; no doubt because she believed her time was short. Claude stopped her and took her chin in his hand. "It is my turn to please you, my lady."

"Please call me Ann," she murmured. "I want to hear you say my name."

"My darling Ann, my dearest Ann, I want to taste every part of you." Falling to his knees he cupped her breasts, taking one then the other in his mouth, at the same time teasing her opening with his finger. He gently put one finger inside of her, followed by another. Crying out, she moved with him, pushing his fingers deeper inside her.

Ann protested when Claude abruptly stopped. He told her to climb onto the bed as he shed the rest of his clothes, then lay down next to her. Her brow furrowed as the countess lightly stroked his manhood. "It's going to hurt, isn't it?"

"A bit, but you'll soon forget it" he replied with a devilish smirk. Trailing kisses down her torso, he entered her with his finger then dipped his tongue in between her legs. He soon found her 'spot' and tapped it again and again while he licked and sucked her clitoris.

Ann tugged hard at his hair practically insensible from the pleasure he was giving her. "Ahh…Claude…please!" It wasn't long before an orgasmic wave washed over her, but Claude did not stop his ministrations, bringing her to orgasm twice more. Only when she was completely spent did he mount her. Claude kissed her almost violently as he rubbed his member against her sex to lubricate it. He had waited so patiently for this and now Ann would finally be his. He spread her legs further apart, draping her legs over his arms. "Take a deep breath."

Ann inhaled deeply; as she exhaled Claude entered her in one smooth motion. The countess cried out in pain. "In case you're interested it bloody well hurts more than a bit!" He was certain it did, but her tight warmth felt absolutely glorious around him. "Just keep breathing," he said with a grunt.

He claimed her mouth once more and soon Ann had regained her enthusiasm, crushing his mouth with hers and running her hands over his back. A few minutes later she began rocking her hips against him. Claude gladly began to move inside of her, at first gently, then he began thrusting with more force. Digging her nails into his backside she encouraged him to move faster. Claude could feel himself getting close, but he didn't want it to end quite yet. Reluctantly he withdrew and turned over onto his back.

"Why did you stop?" Ann whimpered. "It was just starting to feel wonderful."

"I want you to ride me," he replied, panting. "Swing your leg over my waist and I'll ease myself inside you."

Hesitating briefly Ann did as he asked. She was still sore so she lowered herself down onto his length gingerly, then rested her hands on Claude's chest.

"Damn, you look beautiful," he said.

Ann laughed. "I was just going to say the same about you."

Claude put his hands on her hips and started moving her up and down his shaft. She began moving of her own accord allowing him to rub her clitoris with his thumb. Ann smiled blissfully as her eyes fluttered close. Arching her back to allow him greater access, She quickened her pace. Claude managed to delay his own release until he could sense she was just about to climax. Ann shrieked as she came, her vocalizations losing all coherence. Claude thrust upward one final time before his orgasm followed hers.

Ann lay on his chest with Claude still inside her. As he held her he memorized his lady's scent, a heady mixture of roses and lavender now mingled with sex. He could feel a strange emotion welling in his chest, causing tears to spring to his eyes. He knew it couldn't be love, but it was something damn near it. With a wistful sigh he settled Ann next to him and put her nightdress back on. She caught him with her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

Claude brushed her hair out of her face. "It has truly been my pleasure to serve you, my lady." The spider demon passed his hand over her eyes, causing her to fall into a deep sleep. He lay beside her and watched her sleep, listening to the calming rhythm of her breathing. Would that he could have her always like this, but such attachments were not for demons. If his fellow demons discovered the depth of his caring for this human Claude would be stripped of his rank and Ann would likely be sacrificed.

Shortly before sunrise he heard Thompson driving up in the Dudley carriage with the two women he had the younger demon fetch last night. Claude reluctantly rose, kissing Ann one last time on her forehead.

Later that morning…

When Ann awoke she was alone. She looked out the window and saw that it must be well past sunrise. Confused, she threw the bedclothes back and jumped out of bed. "Claude?"

A few seconds later Clara entered with a tray of food. "Good morning mistress! It's so nice to be back home—"

"Where's Claude?" Ann snapped.

"He left shortly after me and Polly arrived," Clara replied, taken aback by her mistress's brusque tone.

Ann quickly put on her robe and ran downs the stairs, all the way calling Claude's name. Polly rushed out of the kitchen and met her at the bottom of the stairs.

"Where is he?" she demanded in a full panic. "He couldn't have left, he just couldn't!"

Polly gave the young countess a look full of sympathy. "Lady Ann, he's gone—"

"No! He wouldn't just leave me!" She started for the door, but the older woman barred her way. "Annie, stop! He's gone—hours ago." She pulled a letter out of her apron and handed it to her mistress. "He asked me to give you this."

With trembling hands Ann opened the letter, hoping Claude had left her some clue as to where she could find him.

Dearest Ann,

As you know I am a creature who feasts on human souls, but I realized last night that your soul is not a fit meal for a demon. Your kindness and compassion as well as your love for me would have given me an eternity of indigestion had I eaten you. To stave off my hunger for an appropriate soul I consumed John Hunter's soul last night before I came to your bed. I was forced to leave you this morning in search of another contract. I know I should have awoken you to say goodbye, but I was afraid you would have managed to talk me out of leaving.

I never thought I'd ever say this to a human, but I will remember you always and I will truly miss you. You may not think so now, but your large heart will heal from the heartbreak I have caused you. On the contrary, my tiny spider's heart will be forever wounded by the true love you have shown me.

Eternally your obedient servant,

Claude

Collapsing to the floor, Ann burst out into tears and had to be practically carried back to her room. It was only then that she realized the contractual seal on her chest was gone, meaning she had no way to call her butler to her side ever again.

Ann was inconsolable and didn't eat or sleep for days afterward. It was two months before she finally forced herself to rejoin English society at her servants' urging, but Claude had misjudged her heart's ability to heal. Though Ann tried to move on with her life, even entertaining the petitions of several highborn suitors, she knew she would never love another.

For who could ever compare with her beloved demon butler?

40 years later…

It was raining the night Ann Countess Dudley was to die. No family or friends were at her bedside, merely a hired, but loyal, nurse who answered the door when a man in black knocked.

"I'm here to see the countess," he said, his strange golden eyes flashing.

The nurse tried to close the door, but Claude Faustus stopped it with his hand. "She's indisposed, she's not seeing visitors."

"She's dying," said Claude bluntly. "I have business with her." He pushed his way inside, then took the stairs that led to her bedroom two at a time.

The protesting nurse followed well behind him.

The man burst in, waking the countess from a fitful slumber. It took a moment for her to focus on the figure standing in front of her. She smiled as tears welled in her eyes. "Claude, is that you?" She gestured to him weakly.

Claude immediately knelt by her side and took her hand. "Yes, my lady—my dearest Ann."

The nurse stood in the doorway, out of breath. "My lady, this man just forced his way in—"

"It all right, Mary, Claude is an old friend. Please leave us." Mary slowly closed the door behind her, but Claude could tell she was still listening at the door. He looked around the dimly lit room and could see that little had changed since he left. Even that damnable Mr. Horse was still perched on her dresser since the day Claude had put it there.

Ann stroked his cheek. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see you, but why after all this time?"

"I changed my mind about your soul. I've come to collect what is mine." Claude could smell the cancer that had taken hold of her small body. "I'll be damned if Heaven claims you."

"What about that eternity of indigestion you're likely to suffer?" He could see a little flash of anger cross her face, but it was quickly replaced with the love he had become accustomed to seeing. Claude suspected she had never forgiven him for leaving her side.

He caressed her hand and kissed it. "I'll take my chances."

Ann grinned and touched his cheek. For a moment she looked like her young self. "I always hoped you'd come back for me. I never stopped loving you, though I admit I hated you on occasion."

"So why did you choose to remain a lonely spinster while I continued my devilish ways?"

She shrugged. "I kept busy."

"Giving away your fortune to any poor unfortunate soul with his hand out." Claude raised an eyebrow. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"I wanted to make sure there was nothing left for the Dudley family vultures," she replied with a grin. "I even gave away the house."

Claude chuckled. "So you do have a little vindictive streak underneath all that philanthropic nonsense! I heartily approve."

Ann laughed, then winced in pain. She looked up at Claude, pleading with her eyes. Claude brushed a few gray hairs from her forehead. "Are you certain you want this?"

Tears ran down her cheeks as she nodded. "To be with you for eternity is all I've ever wanted."

Claude kissed her tears away, this time relishing the burning taste of her love on his tongue. "Close your eyes, my darling." Ann did so with a contented smile on her lips. With a turn of his wrist Claude snapped her neck, ending her pain. There was no reason to cause her unnecessary discomfort for he knew her soul would make no attempt to escape. He covered her lips with his and easily pried her spirit from her dead body. He held Ann in his mouth savoring the mixture of flavors as his demon nose was filled with the intoxicating aromas of regret, anger, love, and heartbreak.

Though she was not the gourmet meal he had once hoped she would be, she was still delicious and satisfying in a comforting way, like a simple home cooked meal, but she didn't settle well. The Countess Dudley lodged in his heart, causing him constant pain, but the love he could still sense from her acted as a balm. Claude would never dare admit it to anyone, but Ann's aching presence made his interminable immortal life just a little more bearable.

The End