Page 18 of Beneath the Flames
Brie stood on tiptoes to kiss him. “Even though I never meant for you to step down as Headmaster, I’mgrateful for the decision you made.” She glanced at Antony and Hope, adding, “We all are.”
Sir took her hand and kissed it gently. “I can’t imagine my life without you or the children in it.”
As the boat slowly pulled up to the rock formation, Master Nosh, Hunter and Lea took their places at the bow of the ship. Nenove stood beside Hunter, her head lowered, while Sir and Brie stood beside Lea.
Hunter had requested that Master Nosh officiate the collaring ceremony. A man of few words, the head trainer kept it simple and succinct.
“Ian Castillo and Lea Taylor have asked us here to stand witness today. Nothing in this life is as important as the partner you choose to walk life’s journey with.”
Turning to Hunter first, he asked, “Hunter, are you secure in your decision to be her Master?”
He gazed at Lea and said confidently, “I am.”
Master Nosh then turned to Lea. “Sprite, are you secure in your decision to be his submissive?”
She gave Hunter an adoring smile. “I am, Master Nosh.”
“Because Hunter and sprite are both graduates of the Training Center, they have chosen to follow the official collaring ceremony of the school. However, they will finish it with words they have composed for one another.”
Sir handed Hunter a square velvet box. Taking it from him, Hunter turned to Lea. With a glint in his eye, he commanded, “Open the box, sprite.”
Her hands were trembling when Lea opened the hinged box. She let out a pleased gasp. “It’s beautiful…”
When Lea picked up the collar to admire it, Brie could see that the thin gold band was etched with two intertwined vines that reached around the entire length of the collar. Set in the center of the gold band was a stunning pink jewel in the shape of a heart and the back had a delicate golden lock.
Hunter told Lea, “The vines represent the two of us, and the heart represents the love that binds us.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Oh, Hunter…the meaning behind it is as beautiful as the collar itself.”
He nodded, looking pleased. “Take the key as well, sprite.”
Lea picked up the golden key on a chain from the velvet box. Brie noticed that the key was etched with the same vine pattern as the collar.
Shutting the box, Hunter handed it back to Sir.
Master Nosh then commanded in an official tone, “Ms. Taylor, present your collar.”
Lea gracefully knelt before Hunter and bowed her head while she held up the collar and key to him.
Hunter looked down at her proudly as he took both the collar and the key. “I accept this collar as a symbol of the offering of yourself to me and promise to thoughtfully guide and lead you.”
Brie felt butterflies, recalling the joy and relief that flooded through her when Sir had said those exact words.
A chime rang through the salty ocean air, marking the beginning of the formal ceremony. Glancing back, Brie saw it was the captain who had rung it.
Hunter went down on one knee. “You belong to me from this day onward. I will do all within my power to protect and keep you as you join me on this journey.”
Brie trembled as she watched Hunter fasten the collar around Lea’s neck and then clicked the lock into place.
Grazing her fingers over her own collar, Brie appreciated the weight of it around her throat because of the way it acted as a constant and beloved reminder of their dynamic.
Standing up, Hunter gazed down at Lea possessively. “You will wear this symbol of my ownership as a sign of our commitment to one another.”
With her head still lowered, Lea vowed, “I accept this symbol of your ownership and will wear it proudly for all to see, Hunter.”
“And I will wear this key as a symbol of our commitment,” Hunter replied in turn, taking the gold chain from her and placing the key around his neck.
In a commanding voice, he then announced for all to hear, “You now belong to me.”
