Page 102 of Servitude to Serpents

“Chloe.” My name sounds like a prayer on his lips, a name he returned to me. His hazel eyes are filled with such regret as they turn toward me. I watch as my tears drip onto the handsome planes of his face. He doesn’t so much as blink, making no move to wipe them away.

“Everything will be okay now. I’m home.”

He nods, keeping his eyes on mine as he kisses the last one, his arms banding around me to hold me close to him. “I’m not a good man, not even a good person. The mistakes I’ve made could fill novels, but—" He swallows, running the tip of his nose along my flesh as he composes himself. “One of the most wrenching will be not telling you how much I adored you, how madly, stupidly in love with you I am. Sending you away will weigh down my heart long after my body returns to the Earth. Even in death, I will endeavor to earn your forgiveness.”

My chin wobbles as I close my good eye, silent sobs heaving my chest. I watch him through flawed vision, like staring at someone disrupted by hazy waters. “I love you too, Master.”

A yelp leaves my throat as he quickly rises, taking me with him like I weigh nothing at all, only letting us part long enough for him to rip his suit off and join me beneath the steam. The eucalyptus plants hung around the squared shower head tickle my shoulder as the realization of what he said settles on me.

He loves me.

Master loves me.

And he said it out loud.

Head of the House of Serpents, Basilisk, loves the sad, failed child prodigy he bought at auction.

Before my sobs burst free of my chest, he hikes me up so high, I panic. My thighs wrap around his head as my back meets the cool wall of the shower. My whole body jerks when his tongue dips out, making the tiniest of flicks across my clit. “Please.”

The only answer I get is his groan as he spears me with his tongue, flicking itinside to hit that rough patch that makes me feeleverything. My hands knot in his speckled auburn hair, keeping him flush while he teases my clit, flicking and testing that tiny pulsing nub until I’m gasping like a fish out of water. It's torment, but soon enough, he relents, sucking, lapping at my cunt wildly.

He feasts like I’m the only thing sustaining him.

I roll my hips, grinding against his face, my thighs squeezing him hard as he devours me, and I’m not sure he can breathe. With a whimper, I try to move back, only to have twin arms band around me, forcing me back against his face. So, that’s where I stay, rolling and fucking his mouth until I scream out my release, my head canting back against the stained glass that lines the small windows in the tall shower with a thud. I could’ve put my head through it and barely even noticed. I’m jelly, limp in his arms, when he lowers me, his mouth claiming mine with such gentleness, if I had a conscious thought left in my body, I’m sure it would be spent on tears. He kisses me for so long that when we finally break apart, it’s with a shared gasp. It’s only then that my master enters me, stretching and filling me. My eyelids flutter, stars bursting behind them as he rolls his hips. His pace is languid and adoring, his eyes on mine, large warm hands cupping my face before he releases me.

“So perfect, my little pet,” he murmurs against my neck, drawing out my pleasure. “So beautiful, stretched on my cock.”

“Yes.”

He keeps that pace, breathtaking and lazy, mind numbing, until I clench, my core gripping and spasming around his cock. His answering moan comes in the form of my name, and I lose it all over again.

It’s hours later, after he has washed and dried me, held me and fed me, that we walk into his office. Or more so, I get up to stretch my sore body and he follows, unwilling to leave my side. Walking back into his office, tears well, bursting in my eyes as I press my palm to my chest. Shivers break out, running the length of my spine as sage and oak envelop me. I draghimthrough my lungs as I lean back into his broad chest. My lips part as his hands dance over my arms. “It doesn’t feel right,” I whisper somehow, still finding a way to be embarrassed, evenafter everything.

He stills, and the way his breath stops in his chest makes my heart flutter, but as always, he recovers quickly, slapping his stone exterior back into place. “Perhaps because you aren’t on your knees.”

A smile pulls at my lips, because he’s right. I love this game we play; I live for it. So, I drop to my knees, sighing when he strokes my hair.

“Good Pup,” he praises, pulling his fingers across my braid.

Ask him. Do it now.

I clear my throat, readying myself, only for the words to die on my tongue.

His hand stills, cupping my chin from behind to pull my gaze to him. “Something on your mind, my love?”

My love.

God, how easily he makes butterflies fill my stomach. “My collars…” I start, not sure how to continue.

I watch as his jaw clenches, nodding. “I will toss them.”

Horror and a shockingly strong wave of sadness crash into me, making my eyes go wide. “No! Please, Sir, I want them back! I feel…wrongwithout one. It’s stupid. I’m stupid for—”

My words cut off as his face hardens, his grip tightening on me. Those butterflies go wild, making my heart race. “Nevercall yourself stupid. You like me owning you, but you feel you shouldn’t because society hasmadeyou feel that way. I would be honored to return your collars to you, but understand it will not be like before.”

“But Sir, I—”

“This time, we do it as equals. You can stop it…if youneedto.”

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