Page 116 of Servitude to Serpents

“The two of you are simply darling. I’ve been watching you since you were seated. Such love would make for a beautiful addition to the gallery I’m putting together. It is nude, of course, but with such young, supplebodies—”

I stifle my sudden burst of laughter as Warrick cuts her off. He’s warm and charming, turning her down in such a skillful way, she beams at him like he just handed her the world. I grip his hand back, letting my nails dig into the flesh on his wrist. He doesn’t need to bethatcharming.

The older woman doesn’t falter, her thick French accent carrying around the sunbaked veranda. “I notice there is no ring. Why have you not married this stunning girl? She could be a model, young enough to be your daughter… You are very clearly in love.”

That makes me laugh, a blush blooming across my cheeks as I glance at Master.

He returns it with a loaded look, making the woman gasp. “You have asked her, but she said no?”

“Only fifty-eight times.” He chuckles, the sound smoothing over my soul.

I roll my eyes at him, quickly tugging away my wrist so he can’t give me another demerit. Of course, he has been keeping track.

This time, she addresses me, tugging a chair over to our table. “You must tell me why. He is so handsome! Impeccably dressed, so certainly, his finances are not lacking.”

I laugh again, my cheeks growing hotter yet, and it has nothing to do with the unseasonably warm weather. “The handsome, nicely dressed man has to guess where I want him to propose before I’ll say yes.”

She makes an exasperated sound. “And he has failed sixty times?”

“Fifty-eight,” Warrick corrects sullenly. “I have flown her all over the world, taken her to see the wonders, the most lavish events and venues, and I’ve yet to earn her hand.”

The woman purses at that. “Poor dear. At least you have her heart. Keep guessing; men are clueless creatures, but eventually, they get there.”

It’s crazy how easily laughter flows between us now, like it has always been there, like we’ve always had each other. We stepped into forever in the blink of an eye, long before either of us knew how badly we wanted it.

“Now, tell me how the two of you met. I need inspiration, an epic love story, if I cannot photograph you in the nude.”

“It is quite epic. Don’t you agree, my pet?”

I stumble over my words. “I- Y-yes.”

“Go on then!” She urges, her attention unwavering, making me glance nervously at him.

My mouth nearly gapes when I see that devilish glint in his hazel eyes.

A dare.

One thing I’ve found is that we are perfectly matched, giving when needed, pushing, pulling, sometimes screaming, and most often, fucking. It’s a dance we perform flawlessly, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Since the moment I met my master, I wanted nothing but to be consumed by him, and consume, he has, taking and taking before filling me up to keep me from whitling down to bone. Every second has been fucking electric. Every touch, every kiss, everyI love youwhispered soul binding. So, when he dares, he knows I’ll take the bait.

I give her a sweet smile, trying to will the flush from my cheeks before I deadpan, “He bought me from a sex slavers' auction.”

She smiles for a second, waiting for the punchline of what would certainly be a very bizarre joke.

The silence stretches, pregnant, nearing full gestation, before Warrick puts me out of my misery. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, but I have many more locations to try, and we have a plane to catch. Come now, Pup.”

I dip my head, mumbling out an,it was nice to meetyou, leaving the stunned and rightfully horrified older woman to stew as he helps me from my seat. The plug goes off right as I stand, the sensation making me buckle, a gasp escaping my lips. I cough again, as if it would help anything as he places money on the table, his arm snaking around my waist. Sir leads me away from the café, his fingers tickling my inner arm, absently tracing the scaled outline of the snake tattooed there. It’s a gift I couldn’t stop sobbing long enough to receive the first try as the artist covered the lily.

Branding me a serpent.

Nothing has ever felt more right.

His lips brush my temple, the world stilling just for us as he inhalesme. “Chloe, my love, you are in so much trouble.”

I shrug against him. “You dared me to.”

“I did no such thing.”

Hypnotic by Zella Day

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