Page 15 of Be Careful What You Wish For

Still distracted, very much lost in a world of her own, she made a pot of tea, using the kettle and Country Roses tea set. Then holding the cup in her hand she walked around the outer edges of the room. Table and chairs highly polished and ornate were placed strategically in front of large portrait windows, overlooking the beautiful bay. Deep leather sofa and armchairs encircled a leopard-skin rug in front of a fireplace, carved etchings in the wood running down each side. Heavy oak panelling filled walls on every side. Books heaved on a giant bookcase, next to which a computer flickered to life in the corner.

Surprised, she bowed her head as she read the words that appeared as if by magic on the screen, but which in truth Richard sat typing next to where Shadow watched, quiet amusement flickering across his face.

Welcome, my Precious. This is the way we will communicate for a while. Your words, your sharings will come to me as gifts of the heart. Be open with me. Trust that I am here for you. Each morning when you wake, take time to use this for your feelings, your thoughts. Tell me your dreams. Your concerns. Your fears. Let me have a special place in your heart as you have in mine.

Perching on the chair she put the cup aside, and typed quickly.

My heart is full. You are there, with me always. Already I miss your presence. But if this is the way it must be, at least there is a way I can reach you when I ha

ve that need. Please, be gentle with me. Tread softly... lest you tread on my dreams?

White Lady with the numberless dreams, you will come to me when the time is right. Do well by Shadow. He is your teacher for now. Learn well and he will reward you. But go now, and explore. Use the time you have been given.

As the words spooled away from the screen they saw her quicken her pace through the rooms, and they sensed even before she knew where she was heading. The bedroom was filled with white lace. Wardrobes filled the length of the wall, but they were empty. There was also a chest on the floor... locked. Either side of the king-size bed was a locker made of the same heavy oak which adorned the lounge. Moving swiftly on she came to the huge bathroom, a bath sunk into the floor, with deep carpet-piled steps encircling its sides.

A shower cubicle of large cupboard proportions stood to one side. And a deep basin boasting shining gold taps hung below an array of cupboards filled with expensive creams and oils, and all manner of products she would have seen at Hartington Hall, because that was their suppliers.

They sensed her indecision, watched her working through the desire to feel the warmth of the water from a shower, using some of the products she had seen; or sample the waters she could see through the windows glinting in the sunlight beyond. She chose the latter. And washing the crockery she had used carefully in the sink, she hesitated only moments gazing soulfully into the emptiness of the wardrobe, before throwing open the doors and making her way in the morning sun to the beach.

Cameras were hidden in ornaments set seemingly randomly around the grounds. And through the lenses they could see her clearly, sitting on a flat rock, her toes dipped in the cool waters of The Sound. It was the first time they had seen her actually relax since her arrival. She pulled the fur of the coat closer around her, as if a sudden flurry of wind had reached inside to touch her pale skin. Or else she had become fearful of being on show. Her actions seemed to confirm the latter, as she turned back towards the upper windows of Arcana to wave. Did she sense them watching? In any event, Richard couldn’t resist the urge to wave back. It was as if she needed to know she wasn’t entirely alone.

Later, back in her Chamber, she made good use of the creams and oils, and the shower obviously fulfilled a need. Shadow brought dinner to her on a trolley, and she seemed to delight in the silver platters filled with delicious dishes made to tempt her. Everything had been carefully orchestrated and planned, designed to offer pleasure, comfort, protection, and to help her feel special, loved. They needed it to become familiar to her, to be home.

By early evening she looked tired, drained, as if all the life had gone out of her. The new lifestyle was taking its toll. For the first time she shrugged the comfort of her fur to one side, slipping quickly beneath the ample feathered duvet covering the bed.

It took but minutes for her to fall into a deep and satisfying sleep. She slept so soundly that she remained oblivious to the covered footsteps of Shadow and her Master. They gazed down at their charge, smitten by the childlike pose she adopted, curled up tight as if returning as a foetus to the womb. Then they departed for the night. In their wake they left bowls of red roses as a way of expressing their pleasure, a gift to tell her she was special.

One full bloom was placed beside her on the pillow to greet her when she awoke... a prelude to the specialness which would follow. Shadow had lovingly nurtured the rose from a small cutting he’d found dying by the wayside. He called the rose simply, Angel.

Arcana

It was a house of secrets. She knew it as soon as she woke - an awakening such as she had never experienced before.

The sweet smell of roses fragranced the air. Rich and red, immediately they held her attention, offering a stark profile against the backdrop of the otherwise cream décor of the room. A trolley filled with a freshly prepared breakfast selection awaited her pleasure, while Shadow stood silently watching at the foot of the bed.

‘Good morning. You slept well?’ He waited for her nod, acknowledging the hint of a smile playing on her lips. ‘We will share a light breakfast together and this will become ‘Our Time’, a time when we might get to know one another as soulmates and share. Today it will also give us the chance for you to familiarise yourself with your routine. Then your instruction will begin.’

His voice, not unkindly, held her attention. She listened, matching his gaze. But suddenly self-conscious, pulled the cover demurely up over her chin, aware of the eyes watching her every move.

‘Shadow, can I ask: there aren’t clothes in the wardrobe. What shall I wear?’ She noticed with a touch of concern the fur coat she had placed the night before at the foot of the bed was removed.

‘Part of your training is that you begin to accept the way you are. To be comfortable with yourself. To learn to love your body and everything that makes up the essential you.’

He pushed the trolley to the table beyond the arch, unloading its trays of fruit juice, cereals and wholemeal toast.

‘Come. Eat. We will talk. And I will explain.’

Abi’s arms automatically folded about her body as she covered herself as best she could.

‘Come. Sit. Breakfast is waiting, and we have much to do.’

Shadow was eager to begin. A quiet mannered man, his eyes darted this way and that about the room, as if taking in a whole lot more than they saw. And yet at the same time he had a quietness about him. He paid attention. He listened. He observed. She knew there would be no concealing anything in his presence. There were times he seemed to look right through her, reaching through the tangle of confusion to the hidden black box deep within her mind where lay her secret fantasies, thoughts, desires, but also those things she feared most.

In the morning light his skin was the palest she had ever seen, smooth as silk, and yet there was nothing delicate or fragile about him. His short, stocky figure suggested power, strength, and his eyes at times were scary, even cruel? While his hair was cut so short that it was almost non-existent. He was dressed in a black pair of joggers and a clean freshly ironed T-shirt. It seemed unfair when she had to remain naked. Her hands hovered uncertainly around her ample bosom, fluttering like restless butterflies with no place to land. As she caught him watching her she lowered them hurriedly to clasp demurely in front of her pussy. It was obvious she was already in a high state of arousal. She couldn’t hide the fact. The dampness covering her pubic hairs making them glisten like early morning dew on grass was plain to see.

He patted a chair, and she sat opposite him while he poured tea, slipping food onto her plate according to a nod or shake of her head.

‘Now, let’s begin by clearing your head of questions. This is the way it will be. These are the rules you will follow. We will add to them as we need.

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