Page 189 of Taken By Touch and Torment

“Yes,” Scarlett said.

“He was not a master, Scarlett. He was a piece of shit misogynist. Durian wished he was man enough to earn true respect and submission, but he died a lowlife cuck driven to insanity by his own grandiose delusions.”

Seeing Durian’s head fall to the ground was a memory I would live inside every time Scarlett flinched. Every time she woke in the middle of the night screaming. Every time she left Belise and immediately crawled in my arms to cry until she felt safe again.

She nodded, her tension easing a touch. “I know it was nothing like when you collared me,” she said. “Nothing he did was anything like what happens between you and me.”

It warmed my heart to hear her say that, to reassure me that I had made her feel cherished even during our roughest play sessions. Scarlett deserved to experience every ounce of pleasure, even the kind that came from pain and degradation. I was immeasurably proud that she’d learned how to accept her darkness even through her years of trauma.

“Collaring isn’t about the dominant, even in the strictest master and slave relationship. In a consensual dynamic, everything is for the benefit and pleasure of the sub. Rules, protocol, and limits are entirely dictated by the person who voluntarily relents their power. It’s all theater, a game, for both parties. I collared you because I am devoted to you.” I kissed her forehead. “Because you are mine to protect, mine to cherish, mine to take care of—mind, body, and radiant soul. You will choose to serve me only if you deem me worthy of that honor.”

Scarlett traced my jaw, and I captured her hand to brush my lips against her knuckles.

“Rune, you have earned my respect a thousand times over. You have held me and nourished me during my lowest moments. You have fought for me when I didn’t know how to fight for myself. You have allowed me to be my own person, make my own decisions, even if you disagree. You’ve never taken away my agency, and you have only ever made me feel heard and respected, even in a room full of vampires far older and more powerful than me.”

Her lower lip trembled, and I traced it with my thumb. “I wouldn’t be so quick to say others are more powerful than you, baby.”

She smiled. “You see me for exactly who I am. It used to frighten me, the way you’ve always been able to penetrate straight through to my core. But now, I feel safest when I’m spread bare before you.”

At this, I smirked.

“You worship even the darkest parts of me. You always have,” she continued. “I thought soulmate love was for other people. But you proved me wrong.” Her eyes welled. “You are my home, Rune.”

“And you are mine.” I kissed her slowly, drinking her vulnerability like it was the most powerful drug. “You know I love when you manage to spin such sweet, beautiful words with that spiteful mouth of yours.”

We stared into each other’s eyes as my shadows pulled her close.

“I want to give you all of myself the same way you have done for me,” she said. “I want to explore everything in this world with you, even the things my abusers attempted to steal.” Her eyes burned into mine, those full lips curling into something beautifully defiant. “I want to reclaim it all.”

“If that’s what you desire, then that’s what we will do,” I assured her. “I only ask that you take it slow. Don’t let me push boundaries before you’re ready. I don’t want to re-traumatize you.”

She absorbed my words, her mind churning with consideration. “No implements yet, but bare-handed spanking is no longer a limit.”

I smiled. “Is this your way of asking to be put over my knee?”

Scarlett blushed hard. “No!”

“Don’t think I haven’t been silently adding to your list of offenses.”

“There is no list,” she said. “I am a perfect angel. It is you who is evil.”

Scarlett was over my lap before she understood what was happening. She flailed wildly, and I laughed at her pitiful attempts to crawl away.

She huffed, turning her head to the side and glaring angrily.

I massaged her perfect ass. She kicked her legs.

My shadows made quick work of a leg bind.

“It might be hard to punish someone so cute,” I drawled.

She relaxed. Scarlett was intelligent enough to know the truth: There was nowhere to run where I wouldn’t find her.

“Sorry, I meant it might be hard for others. But like you said,” I caressed her cheekbone, moving her hair behind her ear, “I am evil.”

I delivered a slap to her ass. It was enough to make her gasp in surprise, but it wasn’t intended to cause more than a sting.

After the second spank, I slipped a finger inside her. “Baby, why are you already so wet?”

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