Page 6 of Mastering their Maiden

“Because he, Quade, and Viggo took your sister from you.”

“They took everything from me. Your tribe took everything from me. My sister, my parents…” Her voice trembled, but she pulled back whatever emotion had bubbled to the surface and thrashed again. “Let me go. Let me go, you beast.”

I held tight as she squirmed, my eyes flicking to Zander and Umber, who were watching with curious expressions. I hadn’t told them of my plan, mostly because it had only formed just now as Aria spoke. I’d planned on spanking her some more, and perhaps I would.

But when I finished, she was going to apologize.

“We’re not finished disciplining you yet, Princess, and before we get to it, I want to offer you a deal.”

“You want to see my breasts? Fine. Let me go and I’ll take them out. Look your fill. But stay away—”

“If I see your pretty tits again, there’s no way I’m leaving you alone,” Umber said darkly, licking his lips as he stared down at Aria’s heaving breasts in her dress. “No, Kaiden has other things in mind. Enlighten the girl. Don’t keep her in suspense.”

I smiled, putting my mouth against Aria’s ear, speaking low as I held her still with one hand and began to ruck up her skirts with the other.

“Stop sneaking out of the fence. There are other dangers than the Skepna out in those woods. And if you lure them back to us, everyone you’re trying to protect would be in peril because our troops—”

“Are weak,” she interjected with a menacing snarl. “At least the new ones are. And they don’t respect you. The little squabbles you’ve had since they arrived give the Elders time to hoard more of the supplies you bring.”

She laughed wickedly when my arms loosened around her for half a heartbeat, and she was so overjoyed in her triumph she didn’t move to stand. I glanced at Umber and Zander, who wore stoic expressions I was sure matched my own.

Was that what they were doing? Was that why the women looked thinner and more tired while the Elders were healthy and satisfied?

“You have no idea, do you?” Aria asked, and her laugh made me squeeze her tighter again. “You spend all your time fighting with one another and don’t notice the plots they’re making right under your nose. Some saviors you—”

I released her hair, reaching up to cup her throat and keep her gaze locked with mine, suppressing my fury for later so I could tend to her now. “I will deal with your Elders, and with my troops, and you will behave. No more sneaking out. No more late-night escapades. Do this and I will give you the things you crave.”

“What things do I crave?”

“Safety for your fellow maidens and the other women and children in the village, and word on your sister. Letters from her. Assurances that she is safe and thriving with her Kavari masters, and someday you will be too.”

“I’ll die before that happens.”

I chuckled softly and kissed her cheek. “No, Aria. You’re not going to die. But you are going to be punished.” I lifted her strong but slight body and threw her over the table, pinning her in place by holding the back of her neck. “And when I’m finished, you’re going to apologize.”

CHAPTER 3

Aria

Kaiden’s hand was large, his fingers wrapped nearly around my neck as he held me against the table and pulled up my skirts. This wasn’t going to be like the whippings with the belt, or the times they’d hit me with a paddle. He’d use his hands, and I wasn’t sure why that horrified me. It wasn’t like it would hurt any more than the other tools they used.

But they’d never seen what the spankings had done to me. I’d been allowed to walk away from that stage with my head high and my pride intact, happy to have taken the punishment without weeping because I knew what I’d done was just and right. I’d spoken out against their brutish tribe, the lecherous Elders, and the conditions of the village.

Then I’d walked to the other side of the village and hid in the baths, roughly washing away the slickness between my legs and trying not to touch myself too much. Sometimes I dreamed of their hands on me, holding me down or just caressing my skin. Kaiden’s smug grin, Zander’s wicked gaze, Umber’s dark and lustful eyes. When I woke the hollow space inside me was pulsing softly, and I vowed after that I’d never let such a thing happen again.

And now, with his bare hands, Kaiden would be able to feel it if my body responded. He’d be able to see what the spankings did to me. What their touch did to me. The horrible, hideous truth I’d worked so hard to hide.

Because I hated them. I hated them, and the thought of experiencing any sort of pleasure at their hands made me sick.

I tried to push up from the table, but it was no use. Umber didn’t have to hold my hands down. Kaiden’s grip was enough. But this wasn’t just about subduing and punishing me. They wanted to steal my strength, my power, and let me know there was no way I could fight them. I bit the inside of my cheek, breathing slowly and steadily as I waited for the blows to come.

“Well, well.” Zander’s voice came from behind me. Close behind me. His palm slid up the back of one thigh, and I kicked at him when he yanked my panties down, bearing my ass that was already sore from the few belt strikes I’d gotten. He cupped between my legs, and the noise he made when he did was borderline obscene.

“Kaiden, you haven’t even started, and she’s soaked,” Zander groaned, fingers sliding softly along the seam of my body. I gasped, but his touch disappeared a second later when Kaiden shoved his hand away.

“I imagined she was. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how she arches toward the belt. How those hips push back craving more. So desperate for attention. Always acting like a brat to get it.”

“I’m not desperate for anything you—”

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