Page 83 of A Crown of Lies

The first slap to his ass happened so fast he barely had time to react to it, and itstung. His mouth fell open, almost in disbelief. After that long list of impact tools, he’d been prepared for a paddle, or a flogger, or almost anything except an old-fashionedspanking,as if he were a child.Somehow, that was even more humiliating than if he’d used a paddle, and Rowan hadn’t even given him the right to wear the collar he’d bought. He was completely naked, his neck exposed. That made itworse. It settled in just how disappointed Rowan was that Ieduin hadn’t been able to control himself.

There was a pause between the first and second strikes, just long enough for Ieduin to shout out a stop if he needed to, but he didn’t. It was only a little sting, and hedeservedit. The second strike stung even more. A small grunt of pain fell out of his mouth, but Rowan didn’t stop, didn’t let up.

“Do you understand why I’m doing this?” Rowan said and slapped his ass again, hard enough that the crack echoed off the walls.

“Yes, sir!”

“What did you do to earn a spanking, boy?”

“I…” Before he could answer, there was another slap. Ieduin grimaced and wrapped his arms around Rowan’s leg. “I fucked Rixxis when you told me not to!”

“You fucked my future wife.”Slap. “Didn’t you?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir!”

“Are you?”Slap. “Or are you just sorry you got caught? I think it’s the latter.”Slap. “I think you’d do it again if you thought you could get away with it.”SLAP. “That’s the kind of bad boy you are, isn’t it?”

“No! No, I’ll be good!” He squeezed his eyes closed, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.

These were no gentle, playful slaps on the ass that he’d laugh off later. This was a true punishment that might very well make it difficult for him to sit for a while. Another slap and he jerked.

“I’m going to need a better apology than that, boy.” Rowan grabbed his raw ass, rubbing it roughly before tilting him again. “Beg me for my forgiveness.”

Ieduin slid down Rowan’s knee, kneeling between Rowan’s knees. He threw himself forward, clinging to Rowan’s leg again. “Please, sir! I’m sorry. I really am! I swear it!”

“I’m still not convinced.” Rowan jerked his leg away. “But you’re going to spend the night learning just how to apologize to me.” Rowan crooked a finger.

Ieduin tentatively rose.

The collar jingled as he lifted it. “You think you deserve this?”

No. He knew that was the right answer, even if he wanted it. His neck felt naked without the torq, and it was such a pretty collar. Rowan had it made just for him.

Ieduin hung his head. “No.”

“That’s right. You don’t. But I’m going to give it to you anyway, and do you know why?”

Ieduin shook his head and then added, “No, sir.”

Rowan reached for him, and he had to fight not to flinch away. With two fingers, he lifted Ieduin’s face to look at him. “I’m giving it to you because it pleases me to do so. Because despite your mistake, you please me, and I think you deserve the chance to earn it. What do you think? Would you like that chance?”

“Yes, sir!” Ieduin reached for the collar.

Rowan grinned and pulled it out of reach. “I’m going to make you work for it. You know that?”

Ieduin licked his lips, considering the collar and the list of things he’d consented to in the baths. It was a long list. There was no way they could do all of that in one night. Still, he knew he’d only gotten a taste of what Rowan could put him through. This was a chance to stop.

Now that he knew what he was truly in for, maybe he should have reconsidered. Even if Ieduin had some experience with these sorts of games, he’d never really been pushed. Rowan was going to push him. Hard. Hard enough he might need those safe words by the end of this.

“Yes, sir,” he said and bowed his head.

“There’s my good boy.” The throne creaked as Rowan leaned forward.

The collar closed around his neck, the weight of it heavier than the last one he’d worn. Its silver chains hung low, dangling between his legs. On closer examination, he realized they weren’t just chains, either. There were attachments on the end of two small round charms shaped like flowers. The third, longer chain had a wide metal ring.

Rowan gestured again with two fingers for him to rise, so he stood. His eyes slid to Rixxis sitting back from the throne, her expression entirely too serious. She looked worried. The last time he’d done anything with Rowan, she’d gotten mad and tried to lecture him. He gave her a subtle wink and a quick smile to let her know he was okay.

“Ow!” Ieduin looked down, wincing at where Rowan was working to attach the flowers to his nipples. They slid behind the piercings, hugging the whole nipple tight without disturbing the piercings. “Huh. That’s pretty genius.”

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