Mastered By Love

by Tori Minard

  He glowered. “I’ve given you a great deal of leeway because of your background, but I remind you now that I am your master. You will show me the proper respect or suffer the consequences.”

  Didn’t that just sum up the whole of their relationship? She made a dismissive gesture. “Let’s just get the spanking over with, shall we?”

  “Then remove your dress and bend over the table.”

  She grasped the blue wool, stripping it over her head with a defiant gesture. Naked, she threw the lovely gown to the floor as if it were a rag.

  Dario’s eyes lit with dark lust as he surveyed her form. He pointed. “The table.”

  She gave him a level look before turning and placing her hands on the smooth wood of the table top.

  “Good. Stay there.”

  She heard him prowling the room, opening drawers, selecting an item she couldn’t see from her position. A bit of her defiance left her as she wondered what he’d do to her. Whatever it was, it was going to hurt.

  He struck her ass with an open palm. She’d thought it would be a crop or perhaps a switch. Tariza bit her lip as four smacks followed the first in rapid succession. Damn, they stung worse than usual. She straightened her back.

  He caressed the marks he’d made with the tips of his fingers. “Quite decorative.”

  Fuck you.

  The whipping resumed, each blow stinging so sharply her eyes watered. He was using more force than usual, and the strikes came more rapidly. She began to flinch, twisting this way and that beneath the lash of his hand, trying in vain to escape the torment. But there was no escape.

  Then the spanking stopped. She took a deep breath and tried to still her trembling limbs. Dario cupped her left breast and rudely pinched her nipple, forcing it to harden.

  Her heart shrank at the roughness of his touch. He was showing his true Saturnian colors at last.

  “You have disobeyed me,” he said in a hard voice. “Will you disobey me again?”

  “Fuck you.”

  Smack! Five strikes across her butt.

  “You shamed me before my brother and set a bad example for the other slaves.”

  Smack, smack!

  “You will never again behave in such a manner or I will chain you.” Smack! “Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Master,” she growled.

  “Do you want to get hurt, Tariza? Really hurt?”

  You already have. You made me think I loved you.

  Smack! “Answer me.”

  “No, sir.” She choked out the words.

  “Then learn to control your violent impulses.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Now beg my pardon.”

  Tariza bit back a sob. “I beg your pardon, sir. I’m sorry.”

  “Are you?”

  “Yes.” Sorrier than he would ever know.

  He tossed the crop to the side. His big, warm palm clasped one of her ass cheeks and squeezed the burning flesh. “I hope you’re sincere.”

  “I am,” she whispered.

  “I am what?”

  “I am, sir.”

  “That’s better. Much better.” Dario put his arms around her. “I hate punishing you.”

  Then don’t.

  Her eyes stung, but she wouldn’t cry. No more tears for Dario. He would get nothing more from her, except what he took by force.

  He pressed kisses to her shoulders and the back of her neck. Damn him. He wouldn’t make her cry.

  “What we have,” he said softly. “It goes beyond master and slave.”

  He withdrew from her body, turned her to face him. She looked up at him and knew her face was colder than death.

  “Not to me,” she said in a toneless voice.

  Dario’s head jerked back as if she’d slapped him. “Tariza –”

  “Know that from now on, I am your prisoner and your slave. Nothing more.”

  His face went pale, his lips thinned to a flat line, eyes hollow and dead. “Very well. If that’s the way you want it.”

  “It has nothing to do with what I want. It simply is.”

  He nodded, a quick jerk of the head that seemed to pain him. Had she hurt him? It was only fair, after what he’d done to her.

  “We will – we will eat here.” Dario reached for the bell pull to call a servant.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “You must eat.”

  She turned her head away from his gaze. “Are you going to force it down my throat?”

  “Of course not,” he said in an affronted tone.

  “Of course not.”

  Tariza knelt on the floor, not bothering with the cushion. She could sense him watching her, yet she kept her posture. The perfect slave, obedient and humble. It was best this way, best they both remember their true roles so there could be no confusion. No silly fantasies of love.

  Dinner came swiftly. The smell of roasted chicken and fragrant rice turned her stomach. He offered her food from his own hand; she turned her head away. With a sigh, he put the morsel in his own mouth.

  She ought never to have opened her heart to him. If she’d kept herself closed off, she wouldn’t be breaking apart now. It was too late to save herself, of course, but he mustn’t know. He must never know how she felt about him.

  Chapter 16

  Dario woke up in the morning to an empty bed. He threw back the covers and jumped to his feet. She was gone? Had she tried to run after all? If he didn’t catch her in time, she’d be put to death for the crime of running away. He took a desperate step toward his wardrobe, but something on the floor caught his eye.

  Tariza lay in a huddle at the foot of his bed. On the floor. Her hair covered her like a blanket, but she had no other covering at all. She looked like Miri, laying there naked on the cold stone.

  She’s only trying to make you feel guilty. It wasn’t going to work. She’d been unreasonable last evening and she was being unreasonable now.

  He gritted his teeth in irritation and walked past her. She’d have to learn that she couldn’t manipulate him that way.

  He didn’t want to eat with her. He didn’t want to say good-bye. Dressing quickly, Dario left the room in search of breakfast. Even though he knew she was trying to twist him around her finger, twinges of guilt followed him down the grand corridor, down the staircase, and into the informal dining room.

  He hadn’t meant to hurt her. He hadn’t even wanted those women Mateo threw at him. How could she have thought he would? He hadn’t had another woman since the day he’d taken her. He’d spent nearly every free moment he had with her. Couldn’t she see he didn’t want anyone else?

  He sat down next to Mateo, a scowl on his face.

  Mateo glanced at him. “Where’s the lovely Tariza?”

  “She isn’t coming with us.”

  “You’re not bringing a woman?”

  “No. I’m not. Do you have a problem with that?”

  Mateo held up his hands as if in surrender. “I don’t care what you do. Please yourself.”

  “Good. I will.”

  “Holy hell, brother, what’s eating you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Does that Concordian of yours still have you by the balls?”

  Dario glared at him. “No, she does not, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Mateo shook his head. “Right.”

  “I’m hungry, that’s all.” He reached for a dish of spiced scrambled eggs.

  Across the table, Shadow was watching him. Dario gave the Demon Kin a cool glance, then ignored him. They could wonder all they wanted. He wasn’t going to talk about it. No-one needed to know his moods were so much at the mercy of a mere slave.

  “Mateo, will you do something for me?” he said.

  “Certainly. What is it?”

  “Keep an eye on Tariza while I’m gone. Make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble.”

  “I don’t think it’s possible to keep her out of trouble without chaining and muzzling her.”

  “It
is if you keep a close watch on her.” He tried to erase the irritation from his face. “She’s a good companion when she’s not angry. You should have her sing for you.”

  Mateo grinned. “I might be willing to do that, especially if I can use her.”

  Dario swallowed. His fists clenched in his lap. Tariza was his alone; he didn’t want to share her. Yet treating her as his exclusive woman had somehow made her think she had a special claim on him. Perhaps it was time to share, if only with his brother.

  “I expect you to protect her.”

  Mateo clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Dario. She’ll be fine while you’re gone.”

  ***

  Something was poking her, over and over, right where her rib cage ended. Tariza slapped at the offending object. It poked her even harder.

  “Get up. Slave, get up.”

  She raised her head and pried her eyes open. One of the uniformed servants stood over her, a scowl on his face. “Who –where’s Dario?”

  “Your master the prince has left the city. You’ve been summoned. Now get up.”

  “He left?” She sat. Her whole body ached from hours on the cold floor.

  Dario left without her. He must be furious with her. She’d been stupid to argue with him when he had all the power. Yet it had never occurred to her that he’d leave her alone in the palace.

  Tariza forced herself to her feet. “I’ll bathe.”

  “No. You are wanted immediately.” The man grabbed her collar, forcing her head back at an awkward angle. He clipped a plain, brown leather lead to it. “Come.”

  She had nothing on and the rooms were morning cold. The servant tugged on the lead as he spun on his heel and marched toward the door. Where was he taking her?

  Goddess, not to Grasos. Please, let it not be Grasos.

  The trip didn’t take long. The servant brought her to the next chamber down. Mateo’s rooms. Tariza sagged a little in relief. The servant knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.

  Mateo lounged on his bed, a sleeping woman on either side of him, one of them Lola.

  The crown prince grinned as the servant brought her to the center of the room. “Bring her over here.”

  The servant led her to the bed and handed the lead over to Mateo. With a bow, he left the room. Lola lifted her head, blinking sleepily at Tariza.

  “You’re with me until Dario gets back,” Mateo said. “I want to see proper slave posture, immediately.”

  She ducked her head, but not before she saw the incredulous glare Lola sent her.

  Dario had left her with Mateo? Dismay gripped her throat with iron claws. Had he changed his mind about her, decided he didn’t want her anymore?

  “Did you hear me, slave?”

  She kept her gaze fixed on the floor. “Yes, Master.” She forced the words past the lump in her throat. Her eyes began to sting. Dario!

  “I’m a stricter master than my brother. Don’t think you can get away with any attitude while you’re under my authority.”

  “No, Master.”

  “I punish my girls when they misbehave,” Mateo said. “If you defy me in any way, I will punish you. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Good. Come over here and kneel.”

  She glanced at him in alarm. What did he want of her? He knew as well as anyone that Dario didn’t share her.

  Uneasily, Tariza came to him and sank to her knees. Lola sat up in bed, her whole body trembling. Mateo threw back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed to display an impressive erection. The swollen head already glistened with a droplet of pre-come.

  “I’m going to fuck your mouth until I come down your throat and you’re going to swallow every drop.” He caught the back of her head in one big hand.

  “But Master Dario –”

  “Is gone and left me in charge of you. That means I get to use you as my own.”

  “He –”

  “Ah, ah. One more word and I’ll crop you until you can’t sit down.”

  She swallowed audibly, fighting down her rage and resentment. Mateo was a handsome man, attractive to be sure, but he wasn’t Dario. She didn’t want to service him like a – like a slave.

  You are a slave.

  He pulled her head forward. “You may begin by licking me.”

  “Yes, Master,” she whispered.

  ***

  Dario was miserable. They’d only been at the country house for three days, and he’d already brought the Demon Kin prince to four separate parties flush with lovely slaves available to serve every erotic whim a man could conceive, yet he felt no desire for any of them. At this very moment he reclined on embroidered cushions while two naked dancers, jewels dangling from their nipples, gyrated over him in time to the insistent beat of a drum.

  He smiled and reached up to fondle one of the girls, but it was all show. His cock didn’t give the slightest response. That wasn’t even natural. When was the last time he’d failed to respond to a naked female? He couldn’t remember a single such incident.

  The girl he’d touched undulated downward until she crouched next to him. She leaned over and draped herself across him, her hand heading for his crotch. Dario caught her wrist, keeping it tight against his belly.

  “Sorry, pet. I’m not interested.”

  Her eyes went wide and her lower lip trembled. “I fail to please you?”

  “No, you’re fine. I’m just not feeling well tonight.” He patted her on her back. “Don’t worry. You’re not in trouble.”

  The girl nodded, looking downcast. Maybe she’d been looking forward to serving him. He almost wished he could oblige her, but she wasn’t Tariza. The Concordian was the only woman he wanted.

  Dario glanced to his right. Shadow was already inside a woman, his narrow hips pumping rhythmically. The woman beneath him tilted her head back, her mouth open in ecstasy. Demon Kin were said to be exceptional lovers; he’d have to keep Tariza far away from the foreign prince, just to avoid temptation on either part.

  Tariza wants only you.

  He snorted. That might have been true once, but it seemed she’d changed her mind about him.

  Later, Dario and Shadow rode back to Dario’s house, their breath and that of their mounts making frosty clouds in the night air. Dario wore a fur hat, but Shadow had to wrap scarves around his head because of the interference of his horns. The headgear made him look even more exotic, especially with the tips of his horns peeking out from among the wrappings.

  The Demon Kin prince turned to him with a quizzical smile. “I don’t mean to be rude, Dario, but you seem unhappy.”

  Dario shrugged. “The country makes me restless.” Untrue, but his thoughts were none of the Demon Kin’s business.

  “Hmmm,” Shadow said noncommittally. “There were some stunning dancers on display tonight.”

  “Yes.”

  “Yet you practically ignored them.”

  Dario turned in the saddle and glared at Shadow. “What are you getting at?”

  Shadow smiled. “I’m only wondering if you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You left Tariza in the city.”

  “We fought.” Damn. He hadn’t meant to say that.

  “I thought Saturnian men beat slaves who disagreed or talked back.”

  “Not all of us.” Did he think they were nothing but barbarians? “Anyway, Tariza is different.”

  “That she is.”

  Dario gave a heavy sigh. “I thought I knew how to handle her. She seems to think I belong to her instead of the other way around.”

  The Demon Kin gave him a considering look. “Maybe she just sees the belonging as mutual.”

  “Is that how you Demon Kin do it?”

  “Generally. Although our women have been lost for so long and young men like me don’t have a lot of experience with that kind of relationship.”

  “So how do you know what it’s supposed to be like?”

>   “Stories. Our elders.” Shadow turned his dark gaze on Dario. “You should treasure your women. You never know when they might be stolen from you.”

  He tried to picture an Argelia devoid of women. What a bleak and comfortless place it would be – no graceful female forms, no soft feminine voices, no petting, no sex.

  “Why did you leave Miri at my house tonight?” he said.

  Shadow stared off across the frozen landscape. “She frightens easily. I thought she’d feel safer at home.”

  “You aren’t exclusive with her.”

  The Demon Kin shrugged. “She isn’t ready for sex.”

  “You mean you haven’t taken her?” A Saturnian male would have fucked her immediately.

  “She’s been traumatized. She’s terrified of men. She needs time.”

  Dario stared at him. “Most Saturnians would say you’re spoiling her. If you give her that much choice now, you’ll have trouble mastering her later.”

  “I’m not a Saturnian. If she’s to be my partner, she must be willing.” The Demon Kin glanced at him. “I have no intention of mastering her.”

  “Then why did you take her?”

  “Someone had to get her out of that situation. Why not me? I have enough power to protect her.”

  Dario frowned. “You said you liked the way the king had marked her.”

  “I lied.”

  A wave of relief passed through him. “Good. I’m glad you’re going to take care of her.”

  “Even though she’s a Concordian bitch?” Shadow said dryly.

  “Nobody deserves that kind of treatment.”

  “Not even Tariza.”

  “I don’t beat or starve her,” Dario said hotly. He flushed at the memory of that last punishment. Maybe he did beat her.

  “I didn’t mean to imply you did. However, she is a collared slave. She has no control over her life.”

  “She’s happy with me.”

  “Is she?” Shadow raised a skeptical brow.

  His shoulders slumped. “I thought she was, until last night.”

  “She’s accustomed to making her own decisions, to being in charge. I doubt she’ll ever really adapt to slavery.”

  “I can’t let her go. My uncle would kill her.”