by Alta Hensley
Donte nodded. "She is firm. She demands perfection."
"Yes, sir. I try my best. I do. I practice for hours every day." Her lip began to quiver again. “But sometimes I don’t feel as if this is the right fit for me. I don’t feel as if I will ever be as talented as the other women in the harem. They have a level of sophistication I don’t have.”
“I disagree,” he stated firmly. “I feel you are the perfect fit. I wouldn’t have allowed you into the palace if I didn’t feel that way.”
Cinder looked down at the ground as his words caused a warmth to run through her.
"I want you to play for me," he commanded softly.
She stood from his lap and made her way to her guitar. Without another word, she launched into the song, her fingers working expertly on the strings. She continued to play, never looking at Donte. She just played, and played, and played, letting the music fill her body and tingle the tips of her fingers.
She played until the room was filled with the harmonious notes of the guitar and for once, it actually sounded good to her. When she reached the end of the song, she stopped and the music echoed against the walls and high ceiling.
When the music faded, all Cinder could hear was the sound of her pulse rushing in her ears. She knew that Donte had watched her every move, but she didn't pay attention to that fact. Nor the fact that she played completely nude.
"That was beautiful," he said quietly. “It’s a shame that our world has very few people who know how to play an instrument anymore. I love seeing your take on the guitar. It’s one of my favorites.”
Cinder snapped her head to the side to look at him and found his eyes and expression soft. "Really?"
"You have never looked more beautiful," he added, making Cinder blush at the compliment.
"I want to hear another song. I want you to approach this piece with fire in your heart and ice on your mind. You need to have passion, but you also need to focus and concentrate. I can see you get lost in the music, but then you lose focus on the skill. No doubt Mistress Tula's frustration."
Cinder nodded as she started to look over the sheet music of a piece she had been practicing relentlessly, fingering each note as she came across it. She couldn't help but feel Donte's burning gaze sear on her skin and her hands grew a little shaky.
Donte rose from his chair, moving behind her. He gently placed his hands over hers and Cinder wanted to jump back. His hands felt like fire burning the backs of her hands. He leaned forward, their faces inches apart, and Cinder did everything to keep from turning her head to look at him.
Carefully, Donte guided her hands over the correct notes and held them steady, plucking out the notes to the rest of the song. When they reached the end, he stood back and returned to his chair, leaving Cinder in a daze. All she could focus on was the thick aroma of his essence.
"Now you try," he prompted, nodding at her.
Cinder chewed on her lower lip, but launched into the song slowly, picking at the notes and fumbling in a few places. As she progressed through the song, making mistake after mistake, she wondered if he would yell at her like Mistress Tula.
Finally, she reached the end of the piece and sat back, the tears already burning the backs of her eyes. She awaited his outburst.
But nothing harsh came from his mouth. All he did was lean forward to rest his elbows on his knees and say, "Very nice. It is rough around the edges, but with polish you’ll have a jewel. You’ve come a long way in a very short time."
Cinder blinked, hoping he wouldn't notice the tears of gratitude in her eyes, and she let out a long breath. "You think so?"
"I see your love," he said with a warm smile. "I can see how the music enters your body and gives you a light in your shadowed eyes. I have wondered what caused such darkness. Maybe you’ll share with me sometime."
Cinder stared at the ground. The intimate softness of his voice unnerved her.
"I’m not going to discipline you today," he declared. "But you would be wise to not speak to Mistress Tula in any way but with respect."
Cinder sighed in relief. "Yes, sir. It won't happen again."
"No, it will not." He stood up and made his way toward where Cinder sat. "From now on, you’ll have your lessons with me. I would hate for Mistress Tula's method of teaching to extinguish any of the love I see." He moved a piece of her hair off her shoulder. "That is enough for today."
Cinder nodded and packed up her instrument, sliding it into the case and grabbing her sheet music. Awkwardly, she rose and nodded to him. "Thank you, sir. I would enjoy that."
Donte barely smiled, and it was enough to send the heat rushing to her face. "I will see you in a few days, Cinder."
With that, Cinder practically ran out of the large room. As soon as the door shut behind her, she allowed herself to take a few gasping breaths. Setting her case and music down, she held her hands up in front of her to see them shaking a bit, and she clasped them firmly together to ease the tremble. Finally, she leaned against the wall, grinning in pure happiness.
Donte captured her breath, her heart, her soul. There was something about his dark eyes that sent her swooning, and his voice was deep and methodical.
"Cinder…"
She whipped around to see Donte standing in the doorway with his hand out. "You forgot your silk."
Her eyes widened, embarrassed. She rushed to meet him and took her clothing from his hand. "Thank you."
"I’ll see you soon," he said as he retreated toward the room.
For a moment, all Cinder could do was nod.
"Yes, of course," she finally said. A small smile pulled at the corner of his lips as he shut the door.
She quickly dressed, took a calming breath to steady her nerves, and grabbing her belongings, stumbled down the hallway to join the harem, grateful she didn’t have a sore backside and the blush of shame as she did so.
8
The culture, the friendship, and the bonds became her new way of life. As much as her life had become a dream, she still longed for the sexual touch of a man. Her curiosity to meet with the prince consumed her thoughts. She couldn't help but wish to please, to submit, to succumb to the sexual pleasures. But more than anything, her thoughts always found their way back to Donte and her next lesson. Anything to be near him. It didn't help that her body remained in a constant sexual haze from all the training. Anal plugs became a way of life. Masturbation wasn't allowed, but many snuck the release regardless. Cinder still feared the carved paddle enough to keep her hands away from her heated flesh.
She had been on her best behavior until Elbi came up with an idea after the sun had set. She, and a few other women, had decided to sneak out to the nearby hot springs and wanted Cinder to come. She hadn't seen the hot springs since she had arrived, and the idea tempted her. She knew it was forbidden without permission, but the lure overtook any reason.
"What if someone finds out?" she asked in a whisper. Many of the other women were already asleep for the night.
"We take that risk. The worst thing that can happen is a punishment, and it will be worth it." Elbi giggled. "Who knows? Maybe we’ll never be caught."
"I seriously doubt we won’t get into trouble for this. The idea of doing this terrifies me."
Elbi shrugged. "If someone sees us, the punishment won’t be so bad." She reached for Cinder's hand. "Come on, we won't get caught if we keep the noise down. Others in the harem are doing it, and you don’t want to be left out."
Cinder almost refused, but the peer pressure was actually working on her. All reason screamed for her to remain in the palace, but she really wanted to see the hot springs and feel the night’s fresh air against her skin. What was the worst thing that could happen? The springs were within the palace walls, so she'd still be safe. She wasn’t putting her life at risk, and Elbi said the worst thing that could happen was a punishment… but what kind of punishment? Would Donte beat her if she were found? Would it be Mistress Krin, Mistress Tula, or Mistress Lana doing the beating
s? She had yet to meet Mistress Lana and had only seen her in passing, but had heard stories that she was just as strict as the other two women when provoked. Cinder had hoped to never see that side of the woman, and yet here she was… provoking.
With a heavy heart, but also excitement sizzling through her core, Cinder nodded and stood with Elbi's hand intertwined with her own clammy palm. "I do want to go… I just hope I don’t regret this."
“We’ll be back before midnight,” Elbi promised.
Hours were spent swimming and laughing. The sulphuric water, the warm air, and the starry sky made the risk worth whatever punishment lay in store. It was still hard for Cinder to believe at times that this was her new reality. No more struggle in the desert bouncing from commune to commune. The harem life was everything she imagined so far. Even more so.
Elbi swam up and spiritedly tried to dunk Cinder beneath the water. "I told you that you would have fun,” she said.
Cinder smiled and nodded. "I am. I’m not used to… just relaxing and having a good time. I’ve also never had friends."
“You do now,” Elbi said with a smile. “You fit in here perfectly. The other women adore you. I know it’s hard to read them sometimes, but I know they do.”
As Cinder watched the naked beauty float in the water before her, she decided to ask a question that had been plaguing her mind for awhile. "Elbi, have you ever met the prince?"
Elbi smiled, and her eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "Alone? Yes."
"What's he like? What did you do with him?"
"We aren't supposed to discuss our time with the prince. It's secret." Elbi glanced around and leaned in to whisper, "It’s best you don’t ask questions about him."
"Have you only met once?" A tinge of jealousy hit Cinder. She wondered why she hadn't met him yet.
Elbi looked at Cinder confused. "Privately? Just once but nothing happened other than discipline. I think he felt I wasn’t ready for him yet, but I’m not sure because he never said. I’m waiting for the day he feels I’ve been trained enough for him." Elbi must have seen the envy on Cinder's face. "I'd been here a year before I was beckoned to his chambers alone. I thought it would never happen."
“What about the other women?” Cinder asked. “Do they go to the prince’s chambers often?”
Elbi glanced around to make sure none of the other women were eavesdropping on their conversation. “We aren’t allowed to speak of our time with the prince ever, so I don’t know the answer to that and it is a rule that must not be broken.”
Rolling her eyes, Cinder scoffed. “Isn’t that what we’re doing right now? Breaking the rules?”
Nodding, Elbi’s expression became serious. “Yes, but while breaking some rules will only earn you a punishment, this rule is not one of those. Behind the door gossip is not allowed and being caught doing so would see you expelled from the harem.” The air seemed thicker for a moment, as if her statement were a heavy weight hanging over them. But then Elbi grinned and splashed water at Cinder to lighten the mood. “But don’t worry, you’ll see for yourself soon enough. They’ll know when you’re ready.”
Cinder watched Elbi swim off, taking in her voluptuous body as she floated above the surface of the water. She tried to allow Elbi's reassuring words to put her mind at ease, but she couldn't help but wonder why it took so long for the prince to summon her.
Soaking in the warm water, staring up into the sky, Cinder heard twigs breaking as someone approached. The sound of more heavy feet followed.
The shadowed figures on the bank signaled one thing—they had been caught. She had never seen the three mistresses lined up together before this moment, and their fearsome presence alone was frightening by itself… but nothing was more terrifying than Donte standing in front of them.
Donte's dark gaze darted to Cinder's, and she took a step back to the furthest bank of the spring due to the intensity on his firm features. She considered sinking into the water and never coming out. His glare alone was like a strike against her face. However, the severity of it quickly allayed as he scanned her nude body somewhat concealed by the water of the spring. Did he like what he saw, or could he see just how much Cinder trembled?
"Everyone exit the water immediately." He pointed at the ground in front of him and the mistresses. "I want complete silence." He scanned the distressed faces of each woman scampering out of the water, as he waited with his arms across his chest. "I see you all have dared to break the rules tonight. Apparently the Mistresses and I have been far too lenient with the harem."
Cinder exited the spring as quickly as everyone else and stood before him. Her eyes cast down to the puddle of water caused by her soaking wet body. As horrified and ashamed as she was to have been caught doing something she knew she shouldn’t have, she couldn't help but feel exhilaration in the fact she got to breathe the same air as Donte again. It embarrassed her to admit how much she’d missed him in such a short time. Her guitar lessons didn’t happen frequent enough in her opinion, and if acting out like an errant child kept him in her presence… then maybe she would have to be far less obedient.
When everyone stood before him, he paced back and forth. His expression did not change. "There are rules for safety. There are guidelines for submission. The harem has directives for order. These rules are to be respected. Have we not trained you all properly? Have we taught you nothing?"
“They need to be taught a lesson so they won’t ever make this mistake again,” Mistress Tula said in an even tone.
Donte nodded. “What time is it?”
“Nearly midnight,” Mistress Krin answered.
“Very well. As punishment, I feel twelve lashes is fair. Twelve lashes, twelve times,” Donte said as small gasps escaped the lips of the women standing at attention.
Cinder swallowed against the dryness in her throat, confused by her growing desire with each of Donte’s firm words. His voice, his dominance, his stare. She stood before Donte completely nude and at his mercy. The need for his discipline overwhelmed her, though twelve lashes twelve times sounded far harsher than she felt she could handle. Cinder looked up from the ground and made eye contact with him. His eyes darkened before he averted them from hers. He remained still for a moment, silent, as he scanned the beautiful bodies before him.
"You will all be punished for your disobedience." Cinder looked down at the ground again. "Follow Mistress Krin, Mistress Tula and Mistress Lana to the main room. They’ll deliver your punishment… severely."
Cinder couldn't help but feel disappointment as well as extreme fear. She didn't want discipline by the hand of one of the mistresses. She wanted Donte. She would prefer a far worst beating from Donte if it meant the punishment came from him rather than one of the three sisters.
"Except for Cinder,” he quickly added. “Since I have yet to issue a true punishment to you, I will handle your correction myself.” Cinder didn't have to look up to know he was watching her. She could feel the intensity of his scrutiny.
She remained in the blackness of her own shame as the other women followed the mistresses back to the palace. She saw pity in Elbi's eyes as her friend mouthed the words, "Stay strong."
Donte placed his hand on her lower back, reminding her of when they first met, and led her to the palace as well.
"We will go to my quarters to deal with your behavior alone."
Mortification limited her to answer with nothing more than, "Yes, sir."
"You have been naughty, Cinder. You give me no choice but to punish you. You understand that, correct?" he asked as his eyes traveled to her exposed breasts, only inches from his body.
"I understand." Her voice cracked as they headed up the steps to the palace.
As soon as she arrived, he gestured for her to close the door, but he didn't turn to face her. She stopped a few feet away after doing as she was bid. Hesitation tangled at her feet before she finally knelt before him.
"Good girl." He finally turned to face her, but his expression was somber, ver
ging on grim. "I’m pleased to see fear in your eyes."
"My apologies, sir. It will not happen again." Cinder ducked her head repentantly and stared at her hands, folded as they were in her lap.
"I will see that it does not."
"Yes, sir."
The silence that hung after her words was painful, and she fought the urge to lift her head and look upon his face. It was only when he closed the distance between them and touched her chin with his fingers that she was permitted to look.
She tried to look down at the ground so she wouldn't have to see the disapproval in his eyes, but he held her chin in place, glaring into hers.
"You will be punished for your behavior tonight harsher than you have ever been before. Disobedience is not to be tolerated. Is that understood?"
He didn't so much as smile. His fingers released her chin and, without the support, her head simply dropped forward again. Her breath caught in her chest and everything went dim around her. Cinder felt terribly faint and her fingers tightened in her sweaty palms, desperate to clutch something, anything at all, for support.
"Of course, sir. I-I understand.” The words barely squeaked out, breathless and aching. She looked up into his stern face, and the tears that had built in her eyes finally dared to stream forth. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"
"Go kneel in the corner."
The command shook her nerves, and Cinder uttered a small moan of fear, mixed with aroused anticipation.
"Now."
She shuddered, rushing to the corner as he demanded. She could smell the dust mingling with her tears. She could feel her breath bounce off the wall against her face and hear the quivering of it all the more keenly.
It felt like an eternity before his hand came to rest on the back of her head. He stroked his fingers through her hair and whispered in her ear, "You are a good girl, Cinder. I will be much easier on you than I had intended because of your obvious submission. You will not receive the same punishment as the rest of the harem. But from this moment on, I expect you to obey the rules of the harem for there will be no more exceptions or special treatment.”