Page 17 of Beneath the Flames
Lea nodded eagerly. The stylist turned Lea around in the chair to face the mirror—and the room fell silent. The stylists had chosen to enhance her natural beauty rather than hide it under heavy makeup. And her short hair was light and feathery, reminding Brie of a cute little pixie.
But what really struck Brie was Lea’s inner glow. She had never seen her girlfriend look this happy before in all the years she’d known her.
“Oh, Lea…” Brie said breathlessly. “You look absolutely stunning!”
Lea clapped her hands excitedly, showing off her beautifully manicured nails, while the other women showered her with compliments.
Brie grinned. “Hunter isn’t going to be able to take his eyes off of you, girlfriend.”
Lea jumped out of the salon chair and crushed Brie in a big hug. “I feel higher than the best sub high right now!”
Brie laughed as she returned Lea’s heartfelt hug and whispered, “Just wait until he places the collar around your neck.”
As the two of them were leaving the salon together, Brie asked her, “So, have you seen the collar yet?”
Lea’s eyes twinkled. “Nope, Hunter insisted on surprising me.”
Brie bumped hips with her as they walked. “Well, that should be a fun surprise.”
“I know!” she squeaked.
Hunter had rented a yacht for the special event, as well as hired a professional photographer to capture the ceremony. Brie boarded the vessel with Sir and was blown away when she saw the couple.
The two looked like royalty.
Lea’s gown had a silver corset-style top that accentuated her voluptuous breasts and a full princess skirt of silver that transitioned into a beautiful pink ombre at the bottom. Hunter wore a formal gray suit with a light pink tie that matched the color scheme of Lea’s dress.
He walked up to greet them, explaining, “We’re heading out to the natural arch called Land’s End to perform the ceremony.”
Master Nosh nodded thoughtfully beside them. “For an occasion as sacred as this, you have picked a fine setting.”
“I agree with Ese’he,” Nenove said, bowing her head to Hunter. “What an unexpected treat that we get to see the arch up close while the two of you exchange vows.”
Hunter looked at Lea and smiled. “I want our beginning to reflect the immensity of my feelings for her.”
Brie was touched by how Hunter had put great thought into every detail of the collaring ceremony. It was as grand as an elaborate wedding and, by his own declaration, just as important.
While the photographer set up her equipment, the captain of the yacht slowly guided the vessel to the famous rock formation.
“How are you feeling, Lea?” Brie asked while Hope pointed excitedly at Lea’s pretty dress.
“I feel like a princess,” she grinned, doing a twirl for Hope.
Hunter overheard Lea and leaned in, telling her in a hushed voice, “I’m glad to hear it, sprite. Doing BDSM scenes while dressed as a knight is my favorite kind of kink.” He nodded to the photographer who was motioning to him. Looking back at Lea, he added with a wink, “You might say it’s a kink in my armor.”
Lea’s eyes lit up in surprise when he walked away. “That has got to be the cutest joke I’ve ever heard in my life…”
“This is definitely a match made in heaven.” Brie giggled, feeling giddy for her friend.
As the boat neared the arch, the vessel slowed down, and Brie held Hope up to look over the railing at all the colorful fish swimming in the clear blue water below.
“This is such an incredible place to hold a collaring ceremony,” Brie told Sir.
“Are you jealous?” he asked.
Brie turned to him and smiled. “Not even a tiny bit. I wouldn’t change a thing about our collaring ceremony, even though you crushed my heart.”
Sir chuckled lightly, wrapping an arm around her. “It was an unfortunate necessity, babygirl. The established rules of the school required it, and I needed a moment to decide how I would proceed after I watched you walk away from me.”
