by Cyna Kade
“I know, Dad. I wish you could help but this is something Kate and I need to work out. We’ll get through this together,” Michael said before ending the call. He wished he were as confident as he’d claimed but he still couldn’t feel more than the barest thread of a link between them.
He could send her visions but the channel was one way. Her thoughts and feelings didn’t echo back the way they should. Was she crippled by her upbringing? Without the link—a strong link—he couldn’t bring her all the way and show her everything she was capable of feeling. He poured himself a drink. He swallowed the fiery liquid in one gulp and then shook his head. He wouldn’t accept defeat. He had a few more tricks he hadn’t tried yet. Kate was in for a busy day tomorrow.
* * * * *
Kate felt every muscle in her body. This time after playing with her and inserting his toys, he’d chained her to the cold dungeon floor. She’d spent a miserable day and she felt every nerve ending. She throbbed. She ached. She wanted more of the wonderful things Michael did to her. She napped, dreaming of orgasm. She was amazed she’d slept at all but Michael was right. Her body seemed able to handle things she’d never thought she’d survive. Not only had she survived, she felt exhilarated by her success in coping with everything Michael had done. She longed for him. She wanted his touch. She needed him. As if her thoughts had conjured him, he came in and sat next to her.
He gently raised her face and said, “I want you to tell me your darkest fantasy, the one you’ve barely admitted to yourself.”
Kate struggled to laugh. She hadn’t had much practice laughing lately. “I’m living it now.”
“No…haven’t you realized yet that there is always more?” He lightly moved a hand over her nipple, which immediately hardened. “I love that,” he said softly as he bent his head to lick the tip. “I love the way your body is out of your control, the way it responds to me.”
Kate shuddered, knowing he was right.
He demanded again, “Tell me your darkest fantasy.”
Kate shook her head.
Then he surprised her by gently unchaining her and removing all her jewelry and dildos and restraints.
“You’re free to go,” he said, waving his hand toward the door.
“No…” Kate whimpered, horrified by the thought of ending her torture, of leaving him.
“Yes,” he stated coldly, his rapidly changing moods always catching her off guard. “Unless you tell me your darkest fantasy, the one that’s haunted you the entire time you’ve been here.”
Kate stared at him, horrified, wondering how he’d known that indeed she did have a dark fantasy, one she’d discovered when she met him. Kate looked at the door, knowing she should leave as he silently waited for her decision. She struggled to her feet—weak. She was not sure she could even make it to the door.
He sat still as he watched and waited.
Kate sobbed, cursing her weakness as she felt her way along the wall. There was no way she could walk across the open floor.
Still he sat waiting. Looking at her.
She felt his gaze like a hand caressing her body.
She finally made it to the doorway. Then she slumped to the floor, too weak to continue. They stared at each other across the room. Kate sighed. She didn’t want to tell him. She didn’t really want her fantasy to come true, did she?
Still he waited.
Kate’s sobs quieted though tears silently dripped down her face. She wanted his comfort.
But still he sat, across the room, far from her. Not touching her with anything other than his eyes. Waiting.
“My fantasy would kill me,” she stated softly.
“I won’t let that happen,” he replied. “You know you can count on me. We need to break your barriers without breaking your will, Kate. You have to submit and cooperate for that to happen. I feel our link now but it is a weak and fragile thing.”
Kate shuddered, knowing she was going to give in, but still resisting.
He waited, not threatening her, not encouraging her, not comforting her.
Kate knew she should leave. She should crawl out the doorway if necessary. Hadn’t she been through enough? Why did she want more? Why couldn’t she tell him no? Why was she helping him destroy her? Her body had betrayed her, rejoicing in the mixture of sensations only Michael could create. Now he wanted her mind to do the same.
He waited for her answer, knowing she needed him. She needed his discipline. She needed to submit to him. She needed the training only he could provide.
Kate looked at him helplessly, not wanting to take the final step, yet knowing she must. She told him her dark fantasy.
He rose and came to her. He picked her up and smoothed her hair back. “Tomorrow,” he said, “we’ll start tomorrow, after you’ve had time to think about it more.” He carried her to the table, laid her on the wooden surface and bound her wrists and ankles.
Kate knew it would be a restless night. She was scared. She was aroused. She couldn’t get the image of the next day out of her head.
* * * * *
Kate woke and felt as if she were going to crawl out of her skin. She was aroused to the point of frenzy. Every part of her body was sensitized, waiting for Michael.
Just as she thought she couldn’t stand any more, Michael entered the room.
“Michael,” Kate screamed, “please, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to do this. It’s too much.”
“Oh Kate, that’s what you don’t understand,” he said, shaking his head. “There is no fantasy too dark between us. That’s what being clan means.” He kissed her. A deep, erotic kiss, which left no doubt about his possession.
He moved around the table so she could see him. “Are you afraid of more pain?” He waited while Kate struggled to assess herself.
“I need release, please—”
“That is not what I asked,” he said, interrupting her.
His eyes locked with hers and she lost herself in their golden light. Something snapped deep inside. Kate took a breath and stilled her racing heart. “I’m terrified but before you ask, I don’t want to leave.”
He turned and went outside for a moment, returning with a brazier. He remained silent as he carefully arranged the charcoal and lit it. “It will take a few moments to reach the right temperature.” He moved next to Kate and stroked her abdomen.
Kate watched him. Knowing that her fear excited him, she tried to remain calm. Burning was not erotic, she told herself, even as she felt her excitement rise.
Michael’s hand trailed down to her pussy. He stuck a finger inside her. “You’re wet,” he commented and smiled.
“Please…” Kate struggled to frame a plea.
He caressed her face. “Don’t fight your arousal.”
She looked up at him, struggling with breathless excitement. She couldn’t speak.
“My symbol,” he stated simply as he held up a short rod. The end curved into a small butterfly, less than an inch across, the lines delicate and curved, ready to take flight. “It makes a small, very delicate, beautiful mark. I can’t wait to see it on you.”
Kate was horrified by the excitement she felt at the thought of being branded. She wanted it and she could imagine the burn and pain it would cause.
“The pain will be intense but you’ll heal.”
“The brand will be forever though,” Kate replied.
“Of course, that’s the whole point. That’s why you asked for it, isn’t it? The brand will mark you as mine.” He smiled as he continued lightly caressing her body. “A reminder of me, always present on your body reminding you that you belong to me. You should feel honored that I agreed to mark you.”
Juices dripped from her cunt. “Brand me as yours, Michael.”
The coals were now red, glowing hot, and he moved away from her. He carefully embedded the butterfly into the heat. “A few more moments. You have time to think about it.” He walked back over to her, holding the magic egg. He placed the device in her vagina an
d turned it on. “There,” he said, “that should get you in the proper frame of mind.”
The egg vibrated. Not enough for her to climax, just enough to cause her pussy to clench. Definitely shy of an orgasm. She writhed. She hoped he’d do more when he returned.
She didn’t hear him come back into the room. Despite his size, he was silent as a cat. She was lost, focused on her arousal, the brand forgotten in her desperate need to come, to be satisfied. Waves of lust passed through her, alternately tightening every muscle in her body, more and more until she felt like one giant cramp just waiting to release.
“Open your eyes,” Michael commanded.
Kate struggled to obey, to come back from her internal journey.
“Are you with me, Kate?”
“Please, I want to come,” Kate begged him, still not able to bring her mind back to the brand.
“Soon,” he promised as he removed the vibrator, careful not cause an orgasm.
Kate could still feel its buzz, even though it was gone.
He pulled his wide belt from his pants and snaked it under her chest. Then he pulled it tight across her nipples, binding her breasts close to her chest, so tight that her breathing became shallow, even as her nipples reveled in the rough feel of the leather. “Left or right,” he murmured as he stroked each side and Kate realized he planned on branding her at the upper curve of a breast.
“No! Not there,” she protested.
“Yes there. It is the perfect place.”
“No!”
“Oh yes, exactly there, so if you dare bed another man, he’ll see my mark on you. You belong to me, I’ll brand you wherever I please,” he stated as he walked over to the brazier and removed the glowing brand from the coals.
Kate sobbed with dread and arousal as he moved toward her.
“If you move, the brand will blur. I don’t want that. You will hold still because if the brand is blurred I will continue branding you until I get a perfect impression. Do you understand?”
Kate nodded, knowing she was helpless and in his hands. Calm descended. She wanted to please him. She wanted a perfect brand too.
He laid his arm across her shoulders. She couldn’t see what he was doing so she closed her eyes and waited.
The wait was not long. She felt the glowing, hot brand burn her skin, marking her as his…forever. Kate screamed at the searing agony, which remained even after the brand was gone.
“Excellent,” he whispered as he inspected his work. His eyes glowed with possession. He lightly blew on the burn.
Kate squirmed with pain.
“Tell me how it feels.”
“It hurts!”
“That’s just physical. Tell me how your mind feels.”
Kate stared helplessly at him. “I feel owned.”
“Good girl. You are owned.”
“Yes,” she said, sighing with relief.
“Are you still aroused?” he asked as he began stroking her again.
“Yes, please help me come,” she begged, all pride and resistance gone as she realized the pain from the branding had not decreased her arousal. It had intensified it to the point that she mindlessly needed the satisfaction that only he could give her.
“Soon,” he smiled as he smoothed a cooling gel on her brand. Then he moved between her legs and licked her clit, sliding two fingers into her cunt. He laved and caressed her until all sensation blended into ecstasy. All that mattered were his actions between her legs. Her orgasm was sharp and long as waves of pleasure swept her away.
* * * * *
Kate woke to sunlight streaming into the bedroom. The heavy drapes were gone, as were her bonds. What was going on? She looked at her breast, expecting to see the butterfly brand but her breast was smooth with no trace of a burn. She nearly sobbed with disappointment. Had it all been just another vision? But it had seemed so real.
Where was Michael and why wasn’t she tied up? Did he expect her to stay in bed? What did he want? Kate gasped when she realized she was trying to predict his desires. She felt as if she were waking from a dream. Where was her independence?
Kate gingerly sat up and fought off a wave of dizziness. She eased her legs off the bed and slowly stood. It had been so long since she’d walked unaided. Where was Michael?
Chapter Fourteen
Kate showered. Proud of herself for remembering rule number three—no clothes—she ignored the pants and shirt on the chair. She slowly made her way downstairs. Her mind raced, amazed that the scene had been yet another vision. She could still feel the burn and the arousal it had given her and the satisfaction Michael had given her. How could it be not real?
She entered the kitchen to see Michael’s head slumped on the kitchen table.
“What’s wrong?”
Michael straightened. “We’re through,” he said.
“What?”
“We can’t have intercourse until you embrace your heritage! If we just have sex, your mind won’t be able to handle the confusion and intense sensations. I won’t do that to you, much as I’d like to. Whether you believe it or not, I’m protecting you! Now get out while you still can.”
Kate stared at him, hearing the words but not understanding. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve never brought any woman as far as I’ve brought you,” Michael murmured as he lightly touched her body.
Kate moaned, a simple touch from Michael more arousing than any intercourse she’d had with other men. She ignored his words and his worried glance.
“Kate, look at me.”
She struggled back from that place in her mind—the place he’d created. A place where sense was everything and thought held no sway. She had trouble focusing on his eyes. She struggled to understand his words. Words were such a poor substitute for touch and sensation.
Michael looked serious. “I can’t make you connect, Kate.”
“What…?” She struggled to form a coherent sentence.
“Kate, you have too many barriers. I was certain the vision of your branding would break through to you.” He shook his head before running a hand through his hair. “We’re just not connecting the way mates should.”
“But…you wanted me to…to crave…to beg for pain.” She stumbled over the words.
“And so you did.” He smiled. “Far beyond anything I’d dreamt of before. No woman has ever caused me to reach my limits before.”
“I don’t…understand.”
“We’re done, Kate. I can’t do more without risking your safety. Your heart nearly stopped during the vision. I’m sure you don’t remember it but you nearly died. That’s too far for me.”
“But I don’t want to stop!” Kate yelled at him. “You did this to me. You made me crave the pain. You made me crave you. You can’t just walk away. No other man will ever be able to satisfy me the way you do, Michael. No other man will ever be able to turn off my mind,” Kate argued.
Michael stood. He walked to her and grabbed her face between his hands. “Kate, if you still want to explore your ancestry, I can take you to Sanctuary. Maybe another man will be able to do what I haven’t.”
“I don’t want another man! I want you!”
“Then damn you, open your mind to me! Send a thought to me! Anything so we can create a channel between us!”
Kate’s eyes filled. “I don’t know how.”
He let her go and stepped back. “I’m sorry, Kate. I never really thought I’d find a woman who could accept everything I dish out. I’ve always had to stop before I was done because the woman couldn’t take any more. I never thought of what would happen if I found a clan woman who couldn’t touch her heritage. It would be physically dangerous for you if we were to stay together any longer.” He paused then said, “I want to push but I’m afraid I’ll damage you beyond repair, permanently. I like your helplessness. I like giving you pain. I like your dependency. It makes me feel good,” he calmly stated as he moved close and gently brushed her hair.
“Then why stop?”
“Haven’t you noticed how things are escalating?” he asked. “No, maybe you haven’t.” He chuckled. “You’ve been fairly out of it at times.” He shook his head. “I’ve noticed. I’ve noticed how each time the pain has to be just a little greater so the pleasure remains the same for you,” he whispered proudly. “But still you deny your natural inclinations. It is time to stop before you get hurt.”
“I can take more!” Kate insisted. Then she paused, realizing what she was asking of Michael.
“Yes,” he said, “now you’re beginning to understand.” He shrugged. “That’s why we need to stop.”
“Damn you!” Kate screamed, knowing he’d made up his mind and they were done. “No! I won’t let you do this to me. I won’t let you toss me out like you’ve done with every other woman!” Kate felt something explode in her head. She gasped as she felt Michael’s torment, so great that it forced her to her knees at the same time that Michael cried out.
“Kate!”
He grabbed her head and forced her to look deeply into his eyes. They glowed golden and warm. Kate felt as though she were falling into a deep abyss of hurt and longing. She reached an imaginary hand to stroke the knot of pain she found in Michael’s head, soothing it into a smooth line as she projected her need for him.
His eyes narrowed and he smiled, that little half grin that Kate knew meant he was planning something she might not like. She felt him stroke her clit. In return, she stroked his cock. All the while they knelt on the floor facing each other.
Kate lost track of time as they mentally explored each other. The pain and the pleasure mixed in a part of her mind she’d never felt before. They communicated in ways beyond Kate’s wildest fantasies. No wonder Michael had insisted upon breaking her free. She felt Michael’s longing and dark needs as if they were hers. At the same time, he echoed her need to submit. Their lust mingled into one overwhelming ache that took her breath away.
Michael slowly pulled back.
Kate stared at him and whispered, “What’s happening?”
“You’ve done it!”