Page 88 of Ruled By Magic

Hex stumbled but kept to her feet.

Adante stepped forward. The prince’s face was bright with interest. He’d appreciated the show. “Kneel and thank your Lord Commander,” he said to Hex. Indignation flashed through me. The men hadn’t had to do that. But no one seemed to enjoy men’s humiliation.

Moving stiffly, her face blank, Hex knelt. She looked up at Leo and muttered, “Thank you, Lord Commander.”

Leo nodded an acknowledgment, then flicked a hand at the seats. “You may take a seat now.”

Ouch, I hadn’t thought of that. Our painful sessions ended with me in bed, lying on my side. Peter helped Hex from the stage. She sat down with a wince, and he leaned over, saying something. A brief smile brightened her face. Good.

It was time. I looked to Leo, and he pointed to the post. “Over you go, Liv.”

He didn’t look cold and clinical now. The interest in his dark eyes matched his brother’s, and the sight of them standing together, watching me, was overwhelming. Zantus, they were alike—Adante a crueler mirror to Leo’s teasing games. I tore my gaze from them, approached the post, and waited.

Leo positioned me with slow, lingering touches. He slid his hand down my back as he bent me at the right angle, locked me in place, then took his time lifting my skirt.

“I’m going to enjoy this,” he whispered into my ear. He caressed my cheek, then withdrew.

My whole body shivered as desire came to life in a blistering wave. Even the vast crowd couldn’t keep it down. The thought of him aroused, anticipating the punishment, made my need burn hotter. If only we were alone. I tensed, awaiting the first blow.

Leo drew the wait out. I imagined him holding off—amused, perhaps exchanging a glance with his brother—and squirmed against my bonds.

Crack.

The swish of the cane gave me a second to prepare, then the strike landed. Different to our usual implements, there was a moment of nothing, followed by a line of burning fire that tore across my skin. I gasped, the pain a shocking flare in my brain. No wonder Hex had cried. I steeled myself. The second blow fell, bright and searing. My body jerked and my thoughts softened, drifting toward the place where pain became welcome.

As each strike fell, I pictured Leo. The controlled confidence of his movements. How aroused he must be, watching the red welts appear on my thighs. How much he would want to touch and tease me between strikes, as he usually did. The crowd faded to a minor annoyance. There was only me, him, and the smoldering canvas of pain and sensation that was my skin.

I lost count, swept away by the thrill. My head swam, my self-control slipping. Sounds fell from my lips—strangled whimpers, moans. My body ached for his touch, wet and ready for him to take me. And then it was over. I panted, fighting to regain some equilibrium. To prepare for the point when my bonds would disappear and I’d have to stand on my shaky legs.

As my excitement faded, shame crept in. Had it been obvious I’d enjoyed it? Could the crowd tell? Could Adante? Something private and forbidden, brought out into the open.

“I’m going to release the magic now,” Leo warned, and I braced.

“Just a minute.” Adante’s voice. Fear, like a knife, sliced through the floaty sense of peace that shrouded me. Someone approached. I twisted my head to the side and saw the prince. He studied me.

“She handled that very well indeed. She can manage five more. I’ll take a turn.”

I couldn’t keep the horror from my face, and he drank it in, eyes locked on mine.

“That won’t be a problem, will it, Lord Commander? I won’t mark her any worse than you already have.”

The challenge in his voice was clear. What would happen if Leo refused? To deny the prince in front of such a crowd would be a huge insult. And it would prove to everyone he viewed me as more than just a prisoner.

Terror seized me, but I fought it back. He had to allow it. Anything else was too risky and could derail the process, endanger us. But the thought of Adante striking me on sore and swollen skin knotted my stomach. He wouldn’t be gentle.

The silence stretched. Adante said, “Lord Commander?” with a puzzled note in his voice, as though wondering what the problem could be.

“Three strikes, Your Highness. I know her limit. She’s almost there, and I need her coherent. I’ve got plans for her shortly.”

The crowd laughed at his implication. I breathed out. An excuse to take me to privacy once this was over, thank Zantus.

Adante didn’t wait. He lashed out before I prepared myself, a brutal hit across the sorest section of my ass. I screamed, and tears sprang forth. It just hurt. No part of it felt good anymore. He landed a second blow with no recovery time, right where he first struck. The pain tore through me. My scream echoed in the now silent room. The last strike fell low on my thighs, close to the backs of my knees, a lance of agony. I sobbed and crumpled, limp in the magic that held me.

“I’m going to release you.” Leo's voice was tight and clipped. The bonds disappeared, and I sank to the floor, legs unable to hold me.

Adante was merciless. “Thank the Lord Commander and myself.” His smug tone ignited my hatred for him. He’d cornered us. Teeth gritted, I forced myself up to my knees.

“Thank you, Lord Commander. Thank you, Your Highness.”

---