Page 29 of Storms & Sacrifice
Sir strokes me through each shot, releasing me only when he’s sure I am empty. I lay there in a daze on the bench, drained both physically and mentally. That warm sinking feeling hasn’t gone away, but I am becoming more aware of my surroundings, and I think I feel a chill coming on. Two sets of hands are on me again, stroking and gentling my body as my arms are untied and released. Once I can feel the blood circulating through them again, I’m helped to my feet and turned around slowly to face my audience. Their renewed applause makes me think about everything they just witnessed, and I bury my face against Sir’s chest as itturns red.
“Alright, I hope you all enjoyed the show!” Brull steps forward to address everyone. “If you are interested in owning any of the implements you saw us use today on this cute pup, we can help you find everything you need inside the store as well as answer any of your questions. I hope you all enjoy the rest of yourweekend!”
“Great job, David.” I turn my head to see Nylan standing at the side of the stage with Ragnar. I smile at the compliment. “I gotta get back to work, but that was totally worth using my lunch break.”
“We’ll see you both later,” Ragnar says from behind his elf, ushering him away so he’s not late for the rest ofhis shift.
“Yes, I must say that was quite impressive, Captain.” This new voice comes from the other side of the stage, and I turn to see an older, familiar looking orc watching us. His head is shaved, but he’s got a big bushy beard, which is brown with flecks of grey. To his left, wearing a collar and attached to a leash, is another orc around the same age, though of a slightly larger build, shirtless with his nipples pierced. His head is also shaved, but his beard is black and trimmed short, right below the silver bullring hanging from his nose. The guy talking looks familiar, but where do I...Oh. He’s the judge who oversaw my friends’ trial after we were arrested. Which ended up being a very good thing in the end because sentencing them to the labor camp for two months is a relatively light punishment around here.
“Thank you, sir.” Khazak straightens up at the praise. “I cannot take all the credit. He has taken to his training wonderfully.”
The older orc looks at me then, and I do my best to straighten my posture, despite how out of it I feel. “Yes, I can see that you are a good match for each other. I hope you both enjoy the rest of thefestival.”
“You as well, Councilman.” Sir gives a small bow as the two older men make their exit. When he turns to me, I can see how happy the compliment made him. I smile back as best I can, my eyes feeling droopy, but I can’t suppress the shiver that follows. Khazak looks at me with a small amount of concern. “Brull, do you mind if we—”
“Go ahead, brother. You know where the bed is.”
Khazak helps me walk inside the shop, which is filled with people now that the show is over. Even in my stupor, I can feel their eyes on us. Ignoring them aside from a friendly wave, Khazak walks us to the back room, then through another door just off to the side. It opens to a small room with a bed, a bathroom in one corner through an open doorway. This must be where Brull sleeps.
Pushing me onto the bed first, Sir climbs on behind me, pulling me into his chest once he’s on the mattress. Stroking a hand down my back, I feel him reaching for the plug still lodged inside of me. Gripping the tail by the base, he gently tugs it out. My body expels it once it passes the widest point, and I whimper at the empty feeling it leaves behind.
“You did very good today, David.” The praise is whispered into my hair. “I am very proud of you.”
Still unable to bring myself to be verbal, I whine low, curling farther into his chest. I’m not sure why I’m feeling this way. Raw, tired, my body’s temperature somehow both hot and clammy at the same time. I close my eyes, the dim light of the room helping me to relax and drift. The hand continues to stroke my back, and as the words of praise are whispered, I fall into a light sleep, Sir wrapped around me to keep me safe.
Chapter 6
Iwake to the feeling of a hand brushing along my back.Khazak. How long have I been out? The hand stills when my body stirs, allowing me topull away.
“Welcome back.” His voice is soft but teasing. “How are youfeeling?”
“Okay, I think.” I cuddle forward into him. “Whatwasthat?”
“It is called ‘dropping.’” He keeps petting my back. “Sometimes, when things get intense as they did on stage, the body’s hormones become elevated. Did you notice yourself feeling any different?”
“Yeah. It kinda felt like I was falling into a trance.” I remember the warm floaty feeling from earlier. “It was almost like I was floating outside ofmy body.”
“That is called subspace.”Good to know.“Afterward, as you come down and your body’s chemistry returns to normal, it can leave you feeling fatigued, or cold, or even depressed. It is something that can happen to either person involved, dominant or submissive. When I noticed the signs, I took you in hereto rest.”
“Will I be okay?” I’m not feeling exhausted anymore, but still a little sluggish and sorta just...down.
“Yes, some feelings may linger, but you are already sounding much better.” His hand moves to my neck, and he thumbs my ear. “I would give it a few more hours.”
“Do we have to go anywhere?” We’re in Brull’s bedroom right now I’m pretty sure.
“No.” He chuckles. “We can stay here a bit longer.”
Which is what we do, though not before Khazak beckons me to sit up and makes sure I drink a glass of water. There’s a pitcher on the bedside table I’m not sure was there before. Then we just lay there together, cuddling, and slowly the melancholy feelings begin to fade. When I’m ready, I sit up, wanting to stretch my legs.
“Feeling better?” Khazak asks, sitting up to join me.
“Yeah, I think so.” I look around the small room, spotting his bag and our clothing in a neat pile onthe floor.
“Brull brought them in while you were napping,” he tells me, seeing where my eyes fall. “Same as the water.”
Aww. “I should thank him.”
“You already have.” He lightly thumbs my lip. “Remember?”
