The priest began loosening his sash again, his nimble fingers giving promise to some dark, desirous wish that Linda had been nursing since she’d first seen him.  She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself not to cry and praying that it was all some sick misunderstanding, that maybe it was all a mishmash of empty symbolism and chanting… or maybe it was a joke?  Her hands were lifted and placed on something smooth and warm, and they instinctively tried to escape like nervous birds, only to be clutched and pressed at her sides again.  Hot breath against her cheek, insistent and foreboding, made her eyes flutter open in surprise. 

“You will listen to me, and you will obey!”, he hissed angrily.  There was no serenity now… in his eyes, she saw the eternal promise of giving and reception, of a plaintive song that would never really end.  He wasn’t himself anymore… he was human, the same man she saw before, but when she glanced down his body – now completely naked – she realized what was about to happen.  Releasing her left wrist, Tenhaten reached down and rubbed her, roughly at first but then with a soft, feathery touch.  His fingers stroked and invaded her deeply, forcing her legs apart a bit more.  “You are my consort… my queen.”.  His tongue flicked over her earlobe, sucking and nibbling on it tenderly, and her body tingled under his touch.  Holding her hair, he gently pulled her head to one side and ravaged her neck and shoulders, moaning softly as his lips grazed her soft skin.  As wonderful as it felt to receive his attention, Linda was still terrified, and feeling that persistent nudge against her thigh, stiffening and growing, didn’t help matters… and after a few minutes it almost seemed to have a life of its own.

Raising himself above her, his weight resting on his arms, he could barely contain himself.  She knew he wanted her to look deeply into his soft blue eyes, but she couldn’t… she couldn’t tear her attention away from what was down below. 

For you shall bring forth the rain and man shall rejoice in my offering, he chanted.  Linda lifted her head up to get a better view… there was no way she was seeing it, seeing him grow longer and bigger with every word, reaching out to her like an overzealous master to an unwilling slave.  She was frightened, but yet compelled… his voice, his words, his presence caught her up in rapture and she felt her body grow heavy, and a little numb.  Above the ringing in her ears, the thunder was growing louder, and the fresh smell of jasmine blew in from the front entrance, cooling her skin.

He lowered himself to her, sucking on her nipples fiercely, licking and tugging on them with a hunger that seemed to intensify with every taste.    His lips were hot to the touch, and she winced, but he paid no mind.  After taking his fill of her, he brought his face to hers, and this time she could not look away.  In the soft amber light of the oil lamps, his face and body gleamed with sweat; holding back was taking a toll on him and he could do it no longer. 

“You have brought beauty to my temple, and for this I am pleased.”, she heard a voice say… but it wasn’t his… it was deeper, darker.  Her flesh was hot with fear, but she couldn’t refuse him.  She was his queen now, his treasure… she was the barren valley that begged for his mercy, and he would gladly give it to her.  With a soft groan, he covered her body with his, wrapping his arms around her tightly and chanting in her ear.  She could no longer understand the words, but his body spoke for both of them.  He was wonderfully nurturing, caressing her with kisses that were blistering hot, then tempering to a soft warmth that made her melt and edge up to him, silently aching for more.  It was a fantastic feeling, to be covered with it all… to be his gift, his partner, his sacrifice, his receiver.  Linda lifted herself up slightly, granting him access to her neck and upper back, but instead he pressed her down onto the naos and gently lifted her chin to look at her directly.  Kneeling over her, she was surprised to discover that the drawings and sculptures she had seem didn’t do him justice… he was quite imposing, and she tried to draw her legs close together but couldn’t.

“Are you ready to receive my blessing?”, he asked her.  “I cannot bring forth the rain until you accept me.”.  At first she was afraid, and she shook her head, but the need and craving in his eyes made her take pause.  “Even as I give all the love I have to you, my queen…”, he said with a hint of sadness, “you refuse me?  I want nothing but to make you whole.”.  His words moved her.  Without another thought, she reached down and grasped him gently.  Running her trembling hands over the smooth, hot,  thick flesh, she nudged him closer to her… he followed her lead, piercing her with a solid thrust that made her gasp in surprise.  He was insistent and nearly overbearing, but it was deep and hard and wonderful.      He had chosen her, brought her there and now was giving her what she needed, and with every second the storm was closer… the valley would be fertile once again.   

             He was so virile and prominent.  She had never felt anything like it… his tight muscles pressing against her pliable flesh, working himself in and out, lips nuzzling her neck and hissing hotly in her ear.  He brought her legs up high to accommodate him, and this nearly pushed her over the edge.    At that very moment, Linda heard a terrific crash overhead… the storm was now upon them, and his pace quickened almost as if he were racing to meet it.  “You are mine… my jewel, my beautiful delta”, he gasped as he licked her parched lips.  She was clutching him, her eyes squeezed shut in delirious rapture, barely hearing him above the raging thunder.  With one final lingering kiss, the rain descended and bathed the expectant land, the cycle of life turning once again in its churning waves.  He had given the ultimate gift of fertility, and as he held her shaking body still in his arms, both were satisfied.