“Tell me who you belong to.”
His voice was a snarl, but she could still hear the pressing edge to it, the superiority that told her how vital she had become to him.She should have been terrified by that inference, or at least perturbed by his need to possess, but for some reason, as his stare burned into hers, there was only acceptance.He knew who she was, yet he still craved her.He’d seen her at her most defenseless, yet the more he discovered, the more he seemed to want her.
“You.”
She scarcely even recognized her guttural reply, but there was little doubt that she meant the word.Even though there was a whole world out there for her beyond the walls of his parlor, a life with friends and a future, in that moment, she couldn’t refute his sentiment.She’d never known anything like him, the dangerous glint in his gaze, or the way he so easily took control of her body and mind.
“I belong to you, Master.”
“That’s right.”He rested his temple on hers, his voice breaking as his crescendo neared.“You’re all mine, Kristina.Don’t fucking forget it.”
Chapter Fourteen
Kronos
With a final glance Kristina’s way, Kronos slipped through the ether, leaving her cell and materializing inside Shelley’s.He’d left Kris tucked up under her blue cover, her eyes responding to his sleep enchantment and falling closed as soon as he’d laid her out on the bed.There was no longer a need for restraints.She would sleep long into the hours to come, but if she stirred before he returned to her, he had no issue with her moving around the small, white space.
After everything they’d experienced together on that first day, she merited that much liberty.
Pausing in the atmosphere, he donned the short tunic that covered his groin, preferring to greet Shelley in the usual manner.He’d alluded to her being ready for The Advancement in recent weeks, but his decision for her to leave would still come as news to her.He needed to be ready to explain and console that it was time for her to move on.
He appeared in the corner of her cell, finding her stretched out on her bed.
“Master.”She straightened at his presence, pulling herself into an upright position and allowing the blanket covering her to fall to her lap.“I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Are you well rested?”
He advanced toward her, taking in her long, dark hair covering the swell of her breasts.He had no doubt that he would miss Shelley—they had been on a great adventure together those last months—but having Kristina meant that things were already different.He was no longer gratified to see Shelley’s body in the way he had once been.She was beautiful, but she was no longer his.That mantle had passed to Kristina.Instead, he wanted to reassure Shelley.To let her know she was more than worthy of her life to come.
“I am, Master.”Her brows knitted as though she, too, could discern the unspoken change.“How can I serve you?”
He smiled at her willingness to oblige.It had taken a long time and a lot of work on both of their parts to bring her to heel, but ultimately, she had accepted his authority.In her submission, he knew she’d discovered a freedom her old life could never have allowed her.She’d finally learned how to trust, recognizing that he would push her, but he’d never let her fall.
He sensed there was solace in that for her, and as that trust had grown, she’d revealed many of her fears, telling him what she’d endured as a child.He wouldn’t forget those disclosures, or the way he’d held her while she cried.He hoped that the release had helped her to understand herself better and would serve her well in the future.
Either way, the moment was right to release her.She was ready to leave the restraint and protection of his realm.
“You can listen.”He gestured to the chair on the other side of the space, waiting as the seat skidded in his direction, coming to a halt by his calf.“I have news.”He settled on the chair, conjuring a small, blue runner by his feet.“Kneel.”
She slipped from the bed at once, falling gracefully to her knees on the mat in front of him and placing her palms on her thighs the way he’d taught her.Pride bloomed in his chest at her obedience.They’d never shared the same spark he’d felt with Kristina, but Shelley had once demonstrated much of the skeptical disdain that Kristina displayed.Her compliance had been hard won.
“You have come a long way, my little mortal.”He reached for her tresses, running his hand over their soft length to her shoulder.“I am proud of what we’ve achieved.”
She risked a glance his way.“Master?”
“I told you that I would sculpt you to my will.”He squeezed her shoulder gently.
“You have certainly changed me, Master.”Her head was lowered, but he noticed the way her lips twitched.
“We’ve changed each other.”He reached for her chin, insisting she meet his eyes.Her brown orbs widened at the change of tack.He’d spent days correcting her whenever she’d met his gaze, yet suddenly, he demanded that she did.“I have worked you hard, and you have shown me how to help you.”
“Master.”She frowned.“I don’t understand.”
Her confusion was plausible.Their routine had become as sure as the sun rising in the east.He would appear, and she would kneel.He would order, and she would comply, yet he hadn’t made any sexual demands on her that morning.Instead, he’d chosen to sit and talk.No wonder she was perplexed.
“I shall explain,” he told her.“But first, let us take stock.”
“It sounds like you’re saying goodbye, Master.”Bewilderment gleamed in her eyes, and one glimpse was all it took to let him know that the idea disturbed her.
