by Red Phoenix
“There comes a point when the teacher and the student become equals. You are reaching that sooner than you think.”
Everyone turned on hearing the door open. Sir walked back inside and stated, “Gray, I have decided to take you up on your offer.”
Marquis gave a single nod. “Very well.”
Celestia stood up, moving to the baby, who was now awake and opening and closing her hands, wanting to be picked up.
“I’d be happy to watch over her with Shadow,” Celestia offered, looking tenderly at the big black cat.
Brie turned to Sir. “Would you want me to be present, Sir?”
He took her hand and pulled her close. “I need you there, babygirl.”
Brie was deeply touched, remembering there had been a time when Sir would have pushed her away in a moment of weakness.
After the airplane crash, however, all that had changed. She’d seen him at his weakest point, encouraged him through it, and loved him all the more afterward.
It was an honor that he now trusted her in every aspect of his life.
“I see no reason to wait,” Marquis Gray stated, standing up to walk over to Celestia, who was bouncing Hope on her lap.
“This may take a while,” he warned her.
Bowing her head in acknowledgment, Celestia answered, “I understand, Master.” Looking down at the baby she added, “I’m certain Hope and I will have no problem entertaining ourselves.”
Sir took Brie’s hand as they followed Marquis Gray into the master bedroom and shut the doors behind them.
“I think it is best if we do it out here, rather than in your playroom. However, the window may prove a problem for us.”
In answer, Sir picked up a remote resting on the nightstand and pressed a button. Window shades slowly lowered from the ceiling to the floor, adding a darker but transparent shield between them and the rest of the world.
“We can still look out, but no one can see in,” Sir explained.
“Brilliant,” Marquis complimented. “May I choose an instrument from your collection?”
“Certainly.” Sir called out the code, and told him, “The entire selection is at your disposal.”
Marquis Gray nodded and started toward the playroom.
“What should I do to prepare?” Sir asked, his voice sounding uncharacteristically off.
Marquis Gray turned to meet his gaze. “During the session I want you to concentrate on the concept of letting go of the bond that binds you.”
Brie noticed Sir stiffen.
After Marquis disappeared into the playroom to pick out a flogger, Sir immediately stripped off his shirt, handing it to Brie, and instructed her to get a pair of sweatpants.
He stripped down to his boxers and traded Brie his clothes for the black sweats. She could feel his anxiety rolling off him, and asked quietly, “Are you okay?”
He glanced at her with a look of uncertainty. “Hopefully, I will be after this, babygirl.”
Marquis brought out the flogger he’d given Brie as a birthday gift. He’d made it by using a combination of suede and oiled leather tails. “I designed this flogger for longer sessions, so it will do nicely for what I have in mind.”
Sir stared hard at the flogger.
“Are you concerned, Sir Davis?” Marquis asked.
“Not about the instrument itself.”
“Ah, it’s the process itself that concerns you? It’s natural to feel resistant when facing one’s inner demons.”
Sir frowned. “But I thought I was past that.”
Marquis met his gaze. “Some demons are of our own making. They can appear innocuous, yet they have the greatest hold over us.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I trust you will.”
Nodding to Brie, Marquis Gray asked, “Would you select Mozart’s Lacrimosa for me?”
After she selected the piece on their sound system, Brie handed Marquis the remote and stood back. She felt nervous for Sir, even though she had personally experienced the healing power of a flogger under Marquis’ skilled hand.
Marquis Gray directed Sir, “You will kneel, hands outstretched, facing toward the ocean.”
Before he followed Marquis Gray’s orders, Sir walked over to Brie. Cupping her chin, he gave her a kiss and said in a gruff voice, “Do not leave.”
“I won’t, Sir.”
He walked over to stand before Marquis. Nodding to him, he turned around and knelt on the floor, his arms spread wide.
“You must connect with the music before we begin.”
Marquis turned on the music. The instrumental piece started slowly with a sad undertone but quickly began to build in power—the dynamic rhythm of the piece evoking feelings of angst and torment.
A chill washed over Brie.
She was familiar with this music. Marquis had played the same piece when he flogged her after Rytsar’s capture. She remembered the intense pain of that session.
But, in its wake, she had felt free…
While the music played, Marquis warmed up his muscles, swinging the flogger like a knight preparing for battle.
Looking at Sir, her heart bled for him, knowing the pain he was about to endure.
Kneeling on the floor with his arms outstretched, she could see the music was drawing out his raw emotions. But, Sir clenched his hands into fists and then relaxed them several times, fighting against it.
Brie glanced at Marquis and saw that his gaze was intense and unwavering as he quietly observed Sir’s struggle.
When the piece ended, Marquis ordered him to stand.
Sir was slow to get back on his feet but kept his gaze straight ahead, his face stoic.
“You cannot fight against this or this session will have no effect,” Marquis warned.
Sir lowered his head, looking to the side. After several seconds, he lifted his head again, answering hoarsely, “Understood.”
“With each lash, you will dig deeper to find the root of your inner struggle,” Marquis instructed. “Do not resist it. Let the pain of the flogger push you continually forward.”
Sir glanced at Brie briefly, then nodded. He stared straight ahead to indicate he was ready.
When the music started up again, the intensity of it was so powerful that Sir instantly tensed the muscles in his back.
“Relax,” Marquis called out above the music.
Sir nodded, visibly relaxing his muscles.
Marquis moved into position, lifting the flogger to deliver the first lash.
Brie held her breath as she watched the multiple tails hit Sir’s back with such force that his muscles rippled from the impact.
Sir let out a grunt but remained still as Marquis delivered the next stroke.
Brie’s heart ached as she watched Sir take lash after lash. His silence scared her. She knew he was struggling to let go as Marquis continued, each stroke matching the intensity of the emotional music.
Finally, Sir let out a cry of anguish so primal and raw it sent shivers down Brie’s spine. She longed to run and comfort him, but she knew this was a journey he must take on his own.
Glancing at Marquis, she had to swallow the lump in her throat. The great Master had tears in his eyes as he responded to Sir’s inner torment, connecting with him through it, while he delivered stroke after stroke.
Marquis Gray was well known for using the flogger to heal the broken, but seeing him tonight, she realized that his power came at a cost. In order to help Sir, Marquis Gray took on the role of an empath, absorbing that pain. The two men bound were by it.
Swinging the flogger like a sword, sweat pouring off him, Marquis relentlessly pushed Sir toward the precipice.
Brie sank to her knees. She found it heart wrenching to watch.
Let go… she begged Sir silently.
A rumble from deep within his chest burst forth as Sir raised his arms, his fists clenched.
“Do not resist!” Marquis demanded.
The lashes suddenly became even mo
re fierce and unforgiving.
Sir shook his head, tears running down his face as he continued to fight it. Finally, a tortured scream erupted from his lips, causing Brie’s blood to run cold.
When Marquis turned off the music, Sir slowly sank to the floor as an unsettling silence filled the room.
“Good,” Marquis said, panting heavily as he lowered the flogger and walked to Sir.
Sir’s eyes were closed but tears streamed down his face.
Marquis placed his hand on Sir’s shoulder and said nothing. They stayed in that position for several minutes until Sir opened his eyes.
“What did you learn?” Marquis asked.
“I have fought for so long to protect my brother.” He said it with such sorrow it pricked at Brie’s heart.
“I would do anything for him.”
“And what will you do now?
“Take a step back, so I can see things clearly.”
“Clear sight will prove invaluable as you move forward with Durov.”
Sir’s head dropped. “But I couldn’t bear it if I lost him.” Sir swallowed hard. “Ever since college, I have been afraid… And, time after time, fate has tested those fears.”
Marquis squeezed Sir’s shoulder. “The time to fear is over.”
His pronouncement sent a shiver through Brie. She felt as if those words were meant for her, as well.
“Brie…” Sir called out, his voice raw.
When she ran into his arms, Sir pulled her to him. She could feel his entire body trembling.
Brie kissed Sir’s sweaty skin all over, grateful Marquis had walked him through to the other side intact.
“What can I do for you, Sir?”
He whispered in her ear, “Be with me.”
That night, after his flogging session with Marquis, Brie felt a distinct change in Sir.
Once again, he was in control, trusting his ability to support his friend in whatever capacity he was needed.
It gave Brie the confidence that she could do the same.
Spa Day
Wanting to lose herself in her film, Brie was hunched over her computer as she worked on film edits. But, having been at it for hours, things were starting to blur. Banging repeatedly on the same key, she cussed at her computer in exasperation.
Sir surprised her by coming up from behind and placing his hands on her shoulders.
As soon as she felt the welcomed electricity of his touch, she sat back in her chair and purred. “Ah…that feels wonderful.”
“You seem awfully tense,” he stated as he massaged her shoulders.
“I’m just trying to edit this piece but my computer is being a butt.”
“A butt?” he chuckled. “Is that your way of saying you need a new computer?”
She stared at the screen, frowning. “No. It’s really a case of user error. I’ve been editing this same scene for three days now and it’s still not quite right.”
“Maybe you need time away.”
“Yes…but even if I work on another segment, Lea and Tono’s scene will keep eating at me until it’s right, and it’s wearing me thin.”
Sir turned the chair around so that she was facing him. “When I said time away, I meant away from the computer. Why don’t you enjoy a spa day and invite whomever you want to join you? It’s been a while since you’ve had time alone with your friends.”
It sounded like the perfect distraction.
Brie stood up and then went on tiptoe to wrap her arms around the back of his neck. “How did I get so lucky?” she asked, kissing him on the lips.
“It had nothing to do with you, my dear, and everything to do with your butt.” He smirked as he slapped her hard on the ass before grabbing a fleshy handful.
Brie invited Lea and Mary to meet her at a fancy spa in Santa Monica. She really craved spending some time with the two of them, especially after having edited both of their scenes for her documentary recently.
Lea waltzed into the spa first, and let out a high-pitched squeal when she saw Brie. “Hey, girlfriend!”
Brie noticed the other women in the waiting room were giving Lea a condescending stare. That was one thing about LA that Brie didn’t like. A lot of people tended to think too highly of themselves and were unfriendly.
She stood up and purposely gave Lea a long hug in the middle of the room, not caring what the other women thought. “So glad you could make it, woman. We haven’t had girl time in ages.”
“I know! Crazy to think how long it’s been.”
When they sat down, Lea immediately bumped shoulders with her. In a voice loud enough that the other women would hear, she said, “They say going to the spa is all about loving yourself—but I say the magic wand does a better job.”
Brie’s eyes widened, caught off guard by the joke, and she burst out laughing.
One of the other women huffed in disgust, noisily snapping open a magazine to make sure they noticed.
It didn’t deter Brie and she shoulder-bumped Lea back. “I have to agree, and you don’t have to deal with a bunch of stick-in-the-muds.”
“Unless you like that kind of kink,” Lea added, giggling.
Mary strode into the spa looking like she had a chip on her shoulder. Suddenly, all eyes were on her. Even the woman with the magazine put it down to stare at Mary.
After hooking up with Mr. Holloway, Mary had made a definite mark in the acting world. The rude woman stood up and walked straight over to her. “Oh, my God. Can I have your autograph, Miss Wilson?”
Mary frowned. “Do I look like I’m in the mood to sign a fucking autograph?” Shaking her head, she brushed past the woman and walked over to Brie.
“Hey, Stinks.”
Brie had to laugh. Mary fit in perfectly with this kind of crowd.
“How’s life treating you?” Brie asked, scooting over so Mary could sit in between them, protected from any other autograph seekers.
“I’m in a surly mood. Don’t ask.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” Lea muttered.
Mary turned to her. “So, how’s single life treating you?”
Brie sucked in her breath. Typical Mary, going straight for the jugular.
Lea answered the question with a joke. “Hey, Mary, how are relationships like algebra?”
“I don’t have a fucking clue.”
“Sometimes you look at your X and wonder Y.”
Mary’s lips actually twitched.
Lea looked at her knowingly. “Deep down in that dark soul of yours, I know you appreciate the brilliance of my jokes.”
Mary laughed. “Tolerate on occasion, maybe, but I mostly just loathe them.”
Without missing a beat, Lea turned to Brie. “Did you know Mary uses lemon juice for her complexion? It’s the reason she always looks so sour.”
One of the other patrons let out a stifled laugh.
Mary wasn’t fazed and egged Lea on. “Seriously, that’s the best you’ve got?”
Lea shrugged. “I figured I’d spare you since I owe you after Liam.”
“Don’t be doing me any favors. I’m used to you being a mosquito, constantly buzzing around and annoying as heck.”
Turning her attention to Brie, Mary asked, “So Stinks, any thoughts on if you’ll be releasing that documentary anytime soon?”
Brie noticed the woman with the magazine lowering it again to look at them.
“Mrs. Davis, we’re ready for you now.” A masseuse from the spa gestured to them to follow her.
“Wait…you’re Brie from that movie about the sex school, aren’t you?” The woman set her magazine down and stood up. “Can I get your autograph?”
Brie turned and walked away without acknowledging the woman, but Mary shot back, “Stop being such a pest and get some class, why don’t ya?”
The woman huffed in indignation, but Brie smiled. Good old Mary never was someone to hold back.
The room the masseuse led them to was set with low lighting and had a gentle waterfall trickling into a pool
lit by neon blue lights. Inside the pool of blue water swam several bright orange koi. Brie found the beautiful color contrast charming.
All three of them threw off their clothes, having been used to undressing in front of others during their training at the Center, and laid down on their respective tables.
Brie moaned in pleasure as the masseuse poured warm oil on her skin and began easing the tension out of her muscles. “This is the life…”
Lea was struggling to get comfortable on her massage table, complaining, “These damn boobs…as much as I love them, they can be such a pain sometimes.”
Brie looked over to see her masseuse discreetly handing Lea a pillow to place strategically under her chest so she was fully supported.
Mary snorted in amusement, resting her face in the padded hole.
Lea sat up on her forearms, momentarily interrupting her massage. “So, a man has to decide which of three women he plans to marry. So, he tests them by giving each of them five thousand dollars to see what each will do with the money.
“The first woman gets a complete spa treatment and makeover to make herself look good for the man.”
“Smart choice,” Mary agreed lazily.
“The second woman takes her five thousand and buys the man gifts and gadgets he’d like to make him happy.”
“Dumb bitch…” Mary responds, sounding bored.
“And the third woman invests the money, making a hefty return on it, and pays back the man his five thousand.”
“Brilliant,” Brie pipes up, enjoying Lea’s little story.
“So, the man is finally ready to decide, and marries the woman with the biggest boobs.”
Brie started giggling while Mary grumbled.
“That’s just like a man. Fuckers…”
Brie laughed at Mary. “So says the woman who uses her good looks to manipulate men all the time.”
“Shut up, you,” Mary told her, but Brie heard a soft chuckle coming from her table.
Lea winked at Brie before lying back down on the table, a huge grin on her face.
The three of them lay there in bliss for several minutes before Mary muttered, “It’s nice when the three of us assholes get together.”
Both Lea and Brie lifted their heads to look at each other in disbelief.