Chapter 10: A Storm in a Teacup

My enslavement at Waitstill Manor began to be an impossible itch. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the discomfort, so much so that my body started to become accustomed to the degradation and carnal way of living.

It had been two whole weeks of repetition in my schedule, two weeks since I was fucked by my Master's knife and two weeks since he had said or done anything to me. I stared blankly at the wall of the bath house as Brinley soaped my back. He never questioned the healing scarred letters that marked my body, and I never questioned why he never had marks or bruises on his.

It became an unspoken routine between us. Not talking about the things we needed to, always talking about home. I still spoke about my sister, told stories about my mother and recited different ways to make butter cake. Slowly, I started disassociating further into myself. My mind never letting itself own up to what happened those two weeks ago.

Embarrassment flushed my cheeks and I railed my thoughts away from that spark of attraction that I felt. That small inkling of desire when he kissed my neck. Instead, I told Brinley about the tea party that was being held in the courtyard in front of the Château tonight. He informed me that his Master Finn had already given him something soft to wear.

I turned around and softly grabbed Brinley's wrist, looking at her eyes with a slight frown. "How do you it, Brin?" I whispered

He didn't need to ask, he already knew what was on my mind. He was the only saving grace I had in this hell, my anchor that home was still a possible sanctuary after my escape.

"Make him fall in love with you," he said with a grim smile on his lips and stark sincerity in his eyes. "Make him fall so hard that he can't bear to live without you. So that it kills him when you leave. Make him burn, Cinesra."

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The clock gave away that it struck half past five

The clock gave away that it struck half past five. They would let us out to the courtyard soon, to join our masters. I saw Adelyn on her toes peaking out through the circular window on the door. Belly had been whispering flirty remarks casually in Lincoln's (whom I know knew to be the butler) ear. Brinley adjusted the sleeves of his silks and tapped his feet restlessly. The petite pet to the head of the house, Blythe was tapping her mouth with her fingers ensuring the berry stain sunk to color her lips.

I observed silently, not moving an inch - wondering when everyone got so adjusted to their servitude and forced bondage.

The gates opened and Lincoln told us to move, while Egerton forewarned us that he wanted nothing but positive remarks. I blinked, not letting the words sink and took a step forward before someone grabbed my elbow and I wrenched into a hard chest. Without turning, I heard Egerton's voice heat the back of my neck, "Behave. Or I'll see to it that your daily bread be sedated to earn your submission."

A biting chill ran up my back and I was pushed forward to the door. I swallowed back tears and moved forward. Once I moved out the doors, a canopy raised above the entrance - I felt the first true touch of sun on my skin and I let out a sigh of amenity. The gratification of my body eased my muscles and I soaked up the warmth before scanning the courtyard for my Master.

Micah sat on a velvet chair near his brothers, sister and father. His family and company were at the front of the courtyard on a dais platform that made them above everyone on the grass. Man servants and near-naked pets at their knees issuing pleasure to all but Micah and Finn. I saw Brinley reach Finn's side and immediately blushed at the look they exchanged, feeling like I intruded on an intimate moment. I frowned seeing Finn watch as Brinley went to his lap and straddled him on the chair, with longing in both their eyes. Starting to softly move his hips on Finn's, I saw the dance that he began showing - the one they usually did at the Molly Houses. The act performed as a lover rather than a slave. Was this all part of Brin's performance?

As I finally detached my eyes and looked to the side back to my Master, I saw him looking straight at me with a look of contemplation in his eyes. I flushed and looked down, walking toward him. When I reached his side, I knelt down into the practiced position. With my palms on my thighs and my legs folded underneath me. I saw him shift in his seat before returning to the conversation he was having with another man across from him.

The tea-party assumed the rest of the evening the same way, my master no longer giving me the same attention he paid me the first dinner party. Every time I snuck a look up at him, he was engrossed in heavy discussion. Isn't this what I wanted? I thought, To not be forced to endure his demands

My knees began to hurt against the wood of the platform and I shifted so I was sitting on the carpeted floor, which gave me better view of the company that constituted the table. Blythe had her arms around her master's neck and she was kissing his beard, but he was heavy in debate with another woman. One who had another girl pet rubbing her naked breasts on hers. I shifted my sight to the middle brother of Micah. Theodore was his name, him and his younger sister Elle shared an intimate relationship. Yet, he was not who her eyes sought after. When Radella, the cook servant of the manor came to replenish the middle dish with berries and seed; Elle looked at her eyes and they shared a look that was akin to the one Brinley gave to Finn.

Remembering he was still on the table, my eyes moved to Brinley's. Only, his were closed and his cheeks were flushed a beetroot red as Finn was sucking on his neck, biting on the flesh ravenously. Master Finn looked to be in a heat too, holding Brin's hips down on his lap. A wave of arousal shot through my core when I remembered the memory of Micah's mouth on my neck and when I looked up at him, I saw that he had been trailing my eyes' as they moved around the table.

A shot of confidence burst through my veins as I heard Brinley's earlier advice ring through my mind. I recalled what she told me and I rose from my knees to my to my feet and walked to the back of my master's chair. He turned his head in confusion and parted his lips, knowing he was going to scold me for rising without his permission - I swallowed the lump of disgust laced with arousal and lowered my lips to his ear.

"May I, Master?" my voice came out coarser and rougher than I intended it on being. I saw him squint and realization dawned on his face. My heartbeat rose thinking he understood my plan of seduction but didn't let that stop me. I lowered my mouth, not waiting for his grant of access and touched my lips to his neck. Softly, I kissed the vein that ran up. I pressed harder wanting to feel his blood thrum against my lips and felt him groan from under me.

I closed my eyes and let myself go. Picturing the bakery and home and salvation and Locky and freedom. The thought drove me to kiss and lick further down. Until my hands were going down his chest and I saw his member twitch in earnest underneath his pants.

"What are you doing, Kitten?" he asked his voice slightly broken. I moaned slightly to the better of myself, hearing him call me his name for me after a fortnight of silence felt like honey down my throat.

"Letting go," I said softly between kisses. Repeating the same words he demanded of me when he had me against the wall. Slowly pictures of home altered and transformed into images of him taking me physically. I bit down on his shoulder cap and felt the taste of his skin against my tongue.I shuddered at the thought of him being the first man to break my barrier and enter me. The idea repulsed me yet I couldn't help but feel the trickle of wet that roused in between my legs.