The Erotic Mind-Control Story Archive

He had been travelling north for seven days, encountering progressively taller and rockier mountains. According to the map, this was the last mountain. When he reached the summit instead of another empty valley, he saw a castle below.

The tavern keeper’s life was safe for the moment. But should the object of his search prove not to be present, James would return and exact his revenge. He scrambled down the rocks and just before the sun reached the midday he stood before the castle’s entrance.

The gate was up, but no guards were at hand. He shouted a greeting, but there was no answer. He entered and searched the castle, but could find no signs of life. Someone must live in the castle he reasoned. Torches lit the hallways and the rooms were free of dust. He stopped to call out again, but this time he heard a faint noise.

It was coming above. He found a set of steps and climbed. The sound grew louder, and he realized it was a woman’s voice. She was singing a song in a language he did not know, but the sound was enchanting. He was weary from the long climb, but the song seemed to urge him forward. He reached the top and exited onto the battlements. The songstress stood in the midday sun, sharing her sweet melody with the world.

James closed his eyes allowing her sweet song to fill his mind. Soon the song stopped. He opened his eyes and she stood before him.

Fiery red hair cascaded down to her shoulders, framing an angelic face with intense blue eyes and inviting lips. A silk dress the color of her hair displayed her slim waist. The dress stopped just below her hips, revealing tan legs that seemed to know no end. For shoes she wore matching red sandals, whose straps rose and encircled her calves ending just below the knee. Silver bracelets adorned each wrist, while from a silver necklace hung a sapphire the color of her eyes and the size of a hen’s egg.

“Who are you, that enters my castle without permission or announcement?” Even in harsh anger, her voice was lyrical and poetic.

James bowed. “Forgive me, Milady. I did not mean to give offense. There were no guardsmen at the door. I heard your song and felt compelled to find it source.

“My name is James, Prince of Sabina. I currently lead my land, but by custom and law I may not be King until I am married. I have searched the three continents for a beautiful, wise and just woman to be my queen and my wife.

“As I travelled, I heard many legends, of a ravishing woman whose incomprehensible beauty was rivaled only by the sound of her bewitching voice.”

“Did these tales, speak of the woman’s name?”

“Lady Zusa is her name and she is said to live in a castle in the rugged northlands.”

“I am Zusa. Am I as beautiful as the tales tell?” she asked coyly.

“No, Lady Zusa, they were mistaken.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, you are even lovelier than they described. For mere words could never convey the splendor that my eyes have beheld or the mellifluousness my ears have heard.”

“For a moment, I thought you were jesting with me. Let us ride, my prince, I am eager to see my new home.”

“I am sorry Lady Zusa if I have given the wrong impression, but my search is not over. Sabina needs a more than a great beauty for a queen. She must be wise and just and of the proper character to lead my people. I have often found that great cruelty can hide inside great beauty. So I must make further inquiries, to be certain you are right for Sabina and Sabina is right for you.”

“Yes, I understand,” she said frostily. Her smile was replaced with a frown. A cloud covered the sun. Her blue eyes stared through James and he felt a chill in his heart. “But I must also be certain that you are worthy of me,” she said cryptically.

“Milady?”

Zusa had moved closer and now stood just inches away.

His eyes met hers and they locked. He sensed power in her eyes. James felt weak, and had an urge to look away, but could not. He was captivated their infinite blueness.

“You say I am beautiful enough to be your queen. Is that so?”

He still stared into her eyes. His strength was fading quickly.

“Yes, Lady Zusa, You are truly lovely.”

“But am I more beautiful than all other women?”

James was unable to think of women from his past. Their images seemed faint and distant.

“Yes, Lady Zusa. My eyes have never gazed on any beauty greater than yours.”

“Am I more beautiful than any fantasy you have ever dreamed?”

James could not search his memory, but it mattered not. With every beat of his heart, he grew more certain that Zusa was the most beautiful woman ever, real or imagined.

“Yes, Lady Zusa, you are more beautiful than any dream made flesh.”

“So, I am truly beautiful beyond all dreams and imagination? Any man would be desperate to gaze upon me. Out of all the men in this world, I allow you the great honor. You should be grateful I permit you to fix your eyes on upon my magnificence for even the briefest instant.”

James silently agreed. Her words were true and wise. He considered himself incredibly fortunate to be in her presence.

“Perhaps you should kneel,” his legs collapsed as she spoke the word, “before me. That seems an appropriate display of gratitude.”

Zusa considered the kneeling prince.

“Now, bow your head.”

James complied. All he could see were her feet.

“Yes, admire my lovely feet. Notice how the straps caress my flawless skin. Look at my lovely, perfect toes.” She wiggled them slightly. James struggled to catch his breath. “Perhaps, you’d like to kiss my toes?” she asked with amusement.

The idea, which a moment ago never would have occurred to him, now consumed his thoughts. He moved to kiss the large toe on her left foot.”

“Stop,” she commanded. “I have an even better idea. This stone,” she tapped with her left foot, “is just one of thousands that make up my castle. But it is a very special stone. Do you know why my prince?”

“No, Lady Zusa.”

“It is special because, for the moment, I choose to stand upon it. Show your appreciation for this piece of granite. Kiss the stone beneath my feet,” Zusa ordered.

Without hesitation James reverently kissed the stone.

“Very well done, my prince. You have learned your lesson in gratitude well. Now for your second lesson: obedience.”

“You will remain here, kneeling with your head bowed, until I return. It may not be until morning, but you shall not sleep. You will remain awake in quiet contemplation of the pleasure it gives you to obey me.”

And with that she walked away.

Hours passed and Lady Zusa did not return. The sun set and he did not move. In his mind her commands still echoed.

James remained kneeling through the night. When the rain soaked his clothes and the north wind chilled his bones, he did not even consider looking for shelter. Even if she had permitted him sleep, rest was impossible with the continual howling of wolves and the shrieking of owls.

An hour after sunrise, he heard a clicking sound. The sound grew closer and then stopped. Though his head was still bent in submission, James could see two black boots made from a material he did not recognize.

“Well, my prince, it seems you have obeyed me well,” Zusa said.

He continued to study the boots. They looked to be made of leather, but it was unlike any leather he had seen before. They reflected the morning sun like polished obsidian. They were tight to her skin, accentuating the shape of her calves. And these boots had heels! Yesterday, he had had marveled at her legs, thinking nothing could compare, but now these boots enraged his passions like never before.

“Admiring my boots? Well, you may lift your head and see me in all my glory.”

James lifted his head and gasped.

Zusa was dressed in the same shiny material as the boots. It clung to her like a second skin revealing and enhancing every curve of her physique. It appeared to be all one piece and ran all the way to her neck. A silver belt made of chain links hung loosely around her waist. A giant green emerald, suspended by a silver necklace, rested gently on her chest.

“I did as you commanded, Lady Zusa. To be allowed to gaze upon your great beauty was indeed an honor. I show my gratitude with obedience,” Prince James said still kneeling.”

“I am pleased that you learned this lesson well, but is it not possible that you sought temporary refuge when the rain was hardest and the wind was coldest?”

“No, Milady, I did not.”

“Very good. And you would not speak falsely to me, or try deception?”

“Having gazed upon your magnificence, I don’t think it’s possible to speak anything but the truth to you.

“No, it’s not,” she agreed. “I just wanted to ensure you knew that as well.”

She looked at him with amusement. “Now, my slightly damp prince, you must be tired, sore and hungry. Rise up and follow me.”

James followed Lady Zusa. He observed that the height of the heels caused her hips to sway in a most remarkable manner. Back and forth the hips swung, his eyes following the tiniest movement with great interest.

Zusa smiled to herself. She could feel his eyes upon her. Experience had taught her that a weakened body would lead to a weakened mind. He was succumbing to her charms more quickly with each passing moment.

She led him down a stairway deep into the castle’s interior, through a hallway and finally to small room with no windows. A single lit candle was in the middle of an oak table. She stood on one side, James on the other.

“I thought Milady was taking me to a place that I could eat, rest, and rid myself of these wet clothes.”

“No, I merely observed you were tired...”

James tried to stifle a yawn.

“Hungry...”

His stomach rumbled audibly.

“And sore.”

He stretched out his arms in a vain attempt to loosen his muscles.

The candle burned with a sickly-sweet scent. James found the odor unpleasant and breathed shallowly though his mouth. This did not escape Zusa’s notice.

“Inhale deeply,” She commanded.

He complied. The scent filled his lungs and his head. The room seemed to swirl. Thoughts became more difficult. There was a pleasant humming in his mind. He inhaled again, and the humming grew louder.

James noticed her eyes for the first time that day. They were a deep forest green like the emerald that hung from her neck. He breathed deeply again and the humming grew louder, drowning out all other thoughts.

Zusa observed he was ready and began her induction.

“Just look at the flame and listen to my voice...Listen to my voice and grow more relaxed....Watch the flame and listen to my voice...”

James’ eyes locked on the flame.

“Very good...just watch the flame and listen to my voice...watch the flame and listen to my voice...you’ll find it very easy to just listen to my voice...so easy to listen to my voice...”

“Yes, verrry eassszzy,” James slurred.

“Shhhh...” Zusa brought a finger to her lips. The nail was a dark and shiny green. “No need to speak. Just listen to my voice...”

James nodded imperceptibly.

“Very good. Now continue to listen to my voice and you’ll begin to notice a gentle relaxation throughout your body...”

And James did begin to feel a warm and soothing feeling permeating his being.

“Your body becoming more and more relaxed as you listen to my voice...more and more relaxed...more and more relaxed...in fact just the thought of my voice is enough to create an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility throughout your whole body...

“And now that you are feeling so relaxed, so peaceful, you find yourself about to drift off into a deep sleep. Your eyelids becoming so very heavy, it’s such a struggle just to keep them open...”

On cue James eyelids began to flutter.

“Your mind so empty....your body so relaxed...just listen to my voice....mind so empty...so empty...

“Yes, so sleepy now. So desperate for the sleep and relaxation that only my voice can provide...I am going to count from 5 to 1 and when I reach 1, your eyes will slam shut and you will fall into a very deep hypnotic trance...

“Five...so relaxed....Four...enjoying the sound of my voice...Three...so sleepy....Two...eyelids so heavy....One...deep sleep now...”

James eyes closed as she knew they would.

“Now my dear pet, you are in a deep state of hypnosis. It feels so wonderful, but only my voice can bring you here and make you feel this way. And whenever you hear my voice whether in trance or not, you will remember how good it can make you feel, just to listen to my voice...”

A faint smile crept across his face.

“And whenever you hear my voice, and only my voice, say the words ‘Sleep now’ you will immediately return to this blissful hypnotic state.... whenever you hear my voice, and only my voice, say the words ‘Sleep now’ you will immediately return to this blissful hypnotic state...”

Zusa’s voice was barely above a whisper, but James’ mind was so focused, he heard her words clearly as they echoed in the caverns of his empty mind.

“You trust me implicitly... Everything I tell you is the absolute truth... You trust me implicitly... Everything I tell you is the absolute truth...

“It feels so good to obey my words...It feels so good to obey my words...You are filled with desire to serve and obey... You are filled with desire to serve and obey...

“Now my hypnotic toy, let’s play a little game. I want you to imagine you’re in a room with a book. This is the book of your life. Everything about you from the day you were born to now is in this book. Your name, your memories, everything. Do you see it?”

No response.

Zusa chuckled silently. “You may answer when asked a question. Do you see the book?”

“Yes,” James replied. He voice was monotone and emotionless.

“Good. Do you see yourself holding the book?”

“Yes.”

“Good, now I am in the room. Hand the book to me.”

James gasped.

“What’s wrong?” Zusa asked.

“You-You’re just so beautiful.”

“Yes, I am. Heartbreakingly beautiful. So exquisitely lovely it will cause you physical pain when you don’t obey my commands immediately.”

James’ body shook.

“Now hand me the book.”

“Here, Lady Zusa.”

“From now on, my pet, you shall refer to me as Mistress or Mistress Zusa.”

“Yes, Mistress Zusa.”

“There’s a fire burning in the fireplace in the room. Do you see it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to place the book in the fire. As the pages burn, each one of your memories will burn as well. Your parents, your country, your first love, even your name all gone in a puff of smoke and a pile of ash. Watch your memories burn, disappearing before your very eyes.”

“Has the book burned completely?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Good. I am going count to 3 and when I reach 3 you’ll be wide awake and feeling wonderfully refreshed, but all your memories will still be gone, nothing more than smoke and ash....One...Starting to wake up...Two....Eyelids fluttering open....Three....Wide awake now.” Zusa snapped her fingers for effect.

James opened his eyes.

“How do you feel?”

“I feel wonderful.”

“Excellent. Have you ever felt any better?”

James considered the question. “I’m not sure. I’m trying to remember how I felt some other time, but having a little difficulty.”

“Oh, it’s not important,” Zusa said suppressing a smile. “I’m very interested in the land you come from. What was it called again?”

“It’s- it’s. I’m sorry. I can’t remember the name. Isn’t that odd?”

“Yes, most odd,” Zusa agreed. “No matter about the name, tell me about the country. Is it large or small? Does it have a sea coast... rich mines...good farming lands?”

“I don’t know,” James said. “I don’t remember a thing!”

“Just tell me something simple. Like your name.”

“I don’t know,” James repeated. His voice was becoming shrill. “My mind. It’s empty. No memories. All gray!” He felt helpless, lost and alone.

Zusa reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Relax, there’s no need to panic,” she instructed. James’ anxiety level dropped on command. “I shall take care of you,” she promised.

He felt reassurance at her touch. Her kind words of promise eased his fears. The cruelty in her eyes, he mistook for compassion. “Thank you so much, Mistress Zusa, I am eternally grateful.”

“Yes you are,” Zusa agreed. “Sleep now!” she commanded.

His eyes slammed shut.

“Now my pet, I will bring back your lost memories. When you awaken again all your memories of the past will be intact. Your conscious mind will not remember our little time together, but your subconscious mind will. And whether in or out of trance you will still respond to all my suggestions and commands.

“Prepare to wake on the count of 3...One....becoming aware of the room...Two...Eyelids fluttering open....Three...Wide awake now...”

James’ eyes opened on command.

“So what country are you from again?”

“Sabina,” James answered.

“Yes, of course,” said Zusa. “It just slipped my mind for a moment. Why don’t we get you out of those wet clothes and find you something hot to eat?”

James found set of dry clothes laid out for him. After he changed he found a table with roast meat, freshly baked bread, a variety of fresh fruits with coffee and cider to drink. He didn’t see the servants who brought his clothes or prepared his meal. For that matter, once he had entered the castle, he had not seen anyone other than Zusa. He asked her and she laughed. She had plenty of servants, dozens. But they were very well trained never to be seen, but to always be prepared.

After the meal, James retired to the library. He was sitting, reading a book when she entered. Zusa had changed clothes again. Boots covered in light brown fur rose to just above her knees. A white skirt with a jagged hem rested low on her hips. Her midriff was bare. A halter the same color and material as the skirt barely covered her breasts. Gold armbands brought out her deep tan. A purple gem hung from her necklace.

He stared involuntarily.

“Recovered, my prince?”

“Yes, much better now, thank you.” He returned his attention to the book he had been reading. “Mistress Zusa, where did you get this book?”

“Oh, it’s just a gift from long ago.”

“It’s an old book and very valuable. I don’t understand much of it. But it’s full of powerful and dangerous magic.”

“I had no idea. I receive so many gifts. I can never keep track of them all.”

She looked at the book and thought about how it changed her life.

When the old wizard came to her town, she had caught his eye. He bargained with her father for Zusa. What neither man realized was that she was manipulating the transaction from both ends, engineering an escape from a town that held no future for her. The wizard left with Zusa, after he had divined a new well for her father. She knew the plans the wizard had for her, but she turned the tables and seduced him. When he had taught her all his secrets and spells and was of no further use, she took his books and left him heartbroken. The last she heard, he was reduced to doing card tricks for a traveling carnival, while enduring the memory of what he once had and could never have again.

Breaking the wizard wasn’t part of any revenge on Zusa’s part, even though he certainly would have used her up and discarded her. Zusa wasn’t motivated by greed or revenge or any other petty emotions. She reveled in the adoration of power and its use.

At a young age, she had decided that the power and the exercise power were neither right nor wrong. Power was nothing more than a fundamental force and law of nature, like gravity plucking an apple from a tree and dropping it to the ground.

Exercising power was her destiny. There were many sorts of magical power: transmutation into gold, the enchantment of objects, but none excited her more than the power over minds. Controlling thoughts, altering memories, manipulating emotions, creating unconditional obedience. That was the truest and purest power. Power over people.

She caught James staring at purple stone.

“So you like my crystal. Or perhaps something else catches your eye?”

He blushed. She was right. He couldn’t help but stare at her décolletage.

His eyes met hers. And now they were purple. The same purple as her crystal.

“Mistress Zusa, your eyes. They are purple like the stone.”

“Yes, do you like them?”

“Yes, but before they were green like your emerald, and before that blue like your sapphire.”

“I think my dear prince has not recovered completely from his ordeal.”

“Then what is the true col—”

“Sleep now!” She didn’t need him trying to comprehend the magic behind her eyes.

James eyes slammed shut.

“Welcome back to Zusa’s Deep Hypnotic Sleep. I am going to take you deeper than we went before... Deep into your subconscious...Deep into your soul...where all will be revealed to me...

“With each passing moment going ten times deeper...with each word I speak going ten times deeper....so deep...so open to Zusa...so relaxed...going deeper and deeper still...

“Your mind...so open to me...open to my command....open to my suggestions...

“Now, my pet, tell me about the women in your life...tell me about your greatest loves...”

“Janet was my first love. I was just eleven. She was my teacher in math and natural philosophy. A Circassian, tall and lean, with hair the color of the sun. She was so smart, so wise. She would lean over me when I did my lessons and I would smell her hair. I never told her how I felt. I always tried to be the best student I could to please her.

“Siobhan, the stonecutter’s daughter, with skin like cream. She was the first girl I kissed. It was in the hay in the back of the royal stable. My mother found us out. Her family was sent away to the colonies. I never saw her again.

“Xian Chi, a princess and exotic beauty from the East, with delicate features and long hair the color of a moonless night. She had the most gentle soul. She was to be my wife. She died from the black fever, a month before we were to be married.”

“Very good, my pet. Think of all the passion, the desire, the lust you held for your loves. Visualize them coming together in a ball. A small gold ball. It’s in your hand. All the love you’ve ever felt in this one gold ball. Do you see it?”

“Yes.”

She used a sharp edge of her crystal and nicked the index finger on her right hand. She did the same to his left hand. She placed her finger against his, cut on cut, allowing their blood would mix.

She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, “himon tuhoaa syy”

His body shook. She smiled. One final step.

“Do you still have the ball?”

“Yes, Mistress”

“And this is the ball containing all the desire, love, lust you’ve ever felt?”

“Yes.”

“Hand the ball to me.”

In his mind’s eye James handed the ball to Zusa.

“I own your passion now, your desire, your lust, all you ever felt for any woman, for all women, you now feel for me, and me alone.”

“Y-yes.”

“Good. Now, I am going to awaken you pet. But when you awaken, you will find yourself unable to move. Unable to lift a single finger. And the more you struggle to move, the more immobile you will become.”

Awaken on the count of 3...One...Eyelids opening...Two...Becoming aware of your surroundings...Three...Wide awake now...”

His eyes opened, and she recognized the look of raw, unbridled passion.

James saw the object of his desire. He reached for her, but his arms didn’t move. He tried again to no avail. He saw her. He had to have her. But he couldn’t.

“How are you, my prince?”

“Mistress Zusa, I adore you. I pronounce my eternal love for you. I must have you.”

“Is that so?” She ran a finger lightly across his chest. “Why sit in your chair, when I am right her before you. Why not take me in your arms?” She leaned forward and brushed his cheek with hers.

He desperately wanted to touch her. She was so close, it was maddening.

“This is insanity. I need you. I must have you. My heart bursts with love. My mind reels with lust. You are all I ever cared for and dreamed about!”

“And yet you remain seated in your chair.” She drew even closer and whispered the enchantment again, “himon tuhoaa syy.”

His heart exploded. He was drenched with sweat. His mind was filled with pure animal lust and desire, beyond all possible thought or reason. He could feel her sweet breath in his ear. Curls of her hair gently caressed his face. Her scent engulfed him, adding to his madness He ached to embrace her. He strained with all his effort, but was unable to lift his arms, unable to move even a single inch.

“Please, Mistress Zusa, release me. I cannot endure this. I think I may truly perish if this continues any longer,” begged James.

“Silence!” She waved her hand.

James fell mute. He was now hers. Completely spellbound. He could not refuse her now. Any order she might give, no matter how outrageous, would be obeyed instantly.

“Sleep now!” She commanded.

James had sudden sensation of being aware. Not as if he had awakened from sleep. More like returning from a deep thought. There were bits of memory, fleeting images, almost dreams. A room with a candle. A green emerald. A small gold ball. The memories were just out of reach. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts.

He was still kneeling in the same clothes he wore the day he arrived at the castle. But wasn’t that today? He looked up. The sun was low in the East. Wasn’t it overhead moments ago? Zusa wore the same red dress and ruby sandals. The almost memories faded as he stared at her exquisiteness.

“Something disturbs you, my prince?”

“No, Mistress Zusa. It seems a fog has settled over my mind. Obscuring my thoughts for the moment, forgive me.”

“It is interesting how often men in my presence find their thoughts clouded. Will this clear your mind?

She moved closer, positioning her legs just inches away from his still bowed head. The red straps of her sandals glistened in the sunlight as they encircled her legs. He marveled at their impossible length, the perfection of their shape, the flawlessness of her tan.

“Perhaps, not clearing my mind, but my attention is riveted.”

“Well then let me remind you what you had just said. You had just announced your long search was over and I was to be your Queen. You proclaimed my beauty, intellect and character beyond compare, and that your people would consider themselves lucky and grateful to be my subjects.”

He agreed. Zusa was indeed lovely. And somehow deep in his soul he knew that she was good and wise and would make a just ruler. He also loved her deeply with a passion that burned like the desert sun. And yet there was a figment of a dream, a scrap of memory, a nagging doubt.

“Come, my prince. Let us make my ascendancy to the throne official.” She led him to a table. On it laid a long document entitled Royal Decree.

“Sign this and I shall be queen.”

Fervently, he picked up the quill, ready to make this Goddess on Earth his wife. He was on the verge of signing when the word ‘abdicate’ caught his eye. He read the words that followed. Could this be true? He read further. It was a scheme! Fury and passion battled inside of him. The feather slipped from his hand.

“What is wrong, my prince?”

“Mistress Zusa, My search has taken years. I travelled many leagues and climbed mighty mountains. I endured all this to find you and make you my wife, to give you all that I have, and to find a new Queen for my country!”

“And so it all shall be. Once you sign the decree.”

“But it will be yours alone. Not husband and wife. Not King and Queen.” He lifted the document. “This gives you all my treasure, my kingdom, everything. I will have nothing! This is nothing but a confidence trick,” he shouted, his rage finally overwhelming his lust.

“And that will make me happy.” The words struck him like thunder. In an instant the rage was banished as if it never existed. He started to speak, but she smiled and his knees went weak. She nuzzled his neck and his heart raced. In his ear she whispered, “It will make me so very happy. And you want to please me. You need to please me. Sign it for me, my prince.”

His mind spun. Her voice echoed inside his head. He was consumed with desire, passion, adoration, gratitude. He did want to make her happy. He lived to make her happy. He grabbed the quill and scribbled his name. All his lands, titles, moneys, the Kingdom itself. The sum total of all he and his forebears had fought and bled for. Everything. It was now all hers. And she deserved it.

“Very good, my ex-prince. I am most pleased.” She inspected the decree. “Her Royal Majesty Zusa, Queen of Sabina and the Colonial Lands, Empress of the Seven Isles! It has a pleasing ring to it. I’ve never been an Empress before.” She was silent for a moment. “But now what I am to do with you?”

“I beg your pardon, Mistress?”

“Your Majesty,” she corrected.

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I do not understand the question.”

“My dear James, certainly you can see that someone in my exalted station can’t have a bankrupt commoner living in her royal castle.

“But my gold...my titles...my lands.”

“No. My gold, my titles, my lands.”

“Yes, they are all yours,” James said without regret. “I could be your guardsman, and defend you and your castle,” he offered.

“What need have I for guards? With a wave of my hand the most devious thief or deadly assassin will kneel in obedience before me.”

“But, Your Highness, I adore you with all my heart. Please, I am yours to command,” begged James.

“Yes, yes. I know. Eternally grateful and eager to serve,” she said with just a trace of boredom in her voice. “I’ve heard it all, many times before.

“But it’s time for you to go now. I’ve had many admirers take the easy way out. They’ve leapt from the castle heights right here.” She pointed at the ramparts. “And dashed themselves on the rocks below.” She glanced at the sky. “Even now the carrion eaters circle, sensing a meal and another tragic end.

“Or you can wander the countryside, singing songs and telling tales of the beautiful Zusa to whom you gave everything, just because she asked. Tell the tale well and I can look forward to another generation of headstrong young knights and nobles battling their way to the castle for a chance to prostrate themselves before me.

“Or perhaps I can conceive of an even crueler fate for you,” she said with delight.

“Your Royal Highness Zusa, I have nothing. I am nothing. You are everything. I eagerly await what future you have in store for me. All I wish for in life now is one last chance to gaze upon your incomparable beauty.”

“It is a simple request,” she conceded.

She ran her fingers across his chest. Her arms encircled his neck and she drew herself to him. He looked into her deep blue eyes and found himself falling. She pressed against him and drew her lips close. His body shook. Their lips brushed. He moaned faintly. Lips brushed again. He trembled. His mind was lost to lust. In his ear she whispered “huulilleni puolestaan liha kiveksi.” And then she kissed him.

Time stood still. His heart did not quicken, it slowed. His blood did not race with fire, instead his veins filled with ice.

She broke the embrace and stepped back. He gasped for air. His hands were numb. His head felt heavy. With considerable strain he looked down. He saw the color disappear from his right hand as it became gray stone.

With the greatest of effort he turned his head one last time. The objection of his adoration and affections was grinning triumphantly.

“You have your wish, my penniless pauper. The greatest gift I can bestow. You shall gaze upon my physical perfection. Not just for a moment, but for all eternity,” she said icily. “Never let it be said that Queen Zusa is anything but generous.”

He tried to speak, but his jaw wouldn’t move. Air no longer flowed from his lungs. The numbness was replaced with a feeling of cold...of stone...of death. His thoughts slowed. His blood froze. His heart stopped. The last thing he saw Zusa’s incredible beauty. The last thing he heard was her enchanting, mocking laughter. The last things he felt were joy, contentment and gratitude.