Page 61 of A Debt of Darkness

“I need to leave this room, Henry. Please.”

He frowns and I'm unsure if it's because I've used his name or if it's the request. “I can't stay here anymore. I need tostare at something that isn't these four walls. Please. I need to breathe.”

He tenses and I draw a breath, noticing his fingers as they grip the sideboard behind him.

“It isn't safe yet, pet.”

“When will it be safe?” I ask, losing my temper. A pulse of anger flashes through him as I rant. “It's been a month. A whole fucking month. And the only other place I've spent any time in is the goddamn dungeons.”

His anger turns to sadness. “As soon as you’re ready, lea.”

“Then tell me what the fuck I need to do. Tell me, Henry, and I'll fucking do it. I'm going insane and I'll do anything. Any-fucking-thing.”

Henry hisses and there's a wildness in his eyes. He's wanted this and now it's here he's no longer sure.

“I need you to obey me, Ivy. Unequivocally. I need to know you'll kneel for me whenever I ask, wherever I ask. Do whatever I tell you to, even call me Master, if that's what I ask.”

“Why?”

He stiffens, taking my question as a sign I'm not ready. “Because that's what's expected here. That's how I keep you safe, lea. You're mine, so you obey. You're mine, and anyone or anything that thinks about harming you comes through me.”

I don't know what the hell this place is or what the hell's going on, but it's not what I was expecting. It's even darker, even stranger. I've barely been outside this room and even I could tell something weird was going on. There are too many secrets, too many strange noises and hushed whispers. Henry's too secretive and although all rich men have power, he is unusually forceful. The kindso overwhelming and insurmountable it doesn't even need to bother making itself known.

I dip my head.

He steps forward.

I lower my head.

He moves closer.

We're standing toe to toe and I'm unsure how close we are. I'm shaking, he's stiff. I'm spiraling, he's holding. I'm anxious, he's controlled. I'm sure, he's certain.

“Kneel, lea.”

I nod my head and slowly, awkwardly, painfully drop to my knees.

He places his hand on my head and pats me. My anxiety settles and I sink my weight down, settling into position. Henry bends down, moves my knee out and nudges my hands until they're resting on my thighs.

“Relax, lea. This is how I like you to sit. Try to remember this position. I'll adjust you until your body commits it to memory.” He stands and lifts my chin. “Now thank me.”

My eyes narrow, questioning why.

“For spending my time teaching you. For giving you my attention. For helping you become the perfect pet for your perfect Master.”

Whoa, that turns me on.

“This is how this works, lea. You take pleasure from pleasing me, and I take pleasure from pleasing you. This is how we express that, how we show our affection and devotion.”

His fingers stroke my hair and I practically purr. Scratch that, I am purring. While kneeling. In front of the man I can't trust who's the only person I've ever depended on, and the only person I ever want to.

“Lea?”

“Master?”

“Thank me.”

Dear god, my clit's on fire.

---