Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
As I played, I forgot about my nervousness, about the impending punishment, about everything except the music that came from my fingertips. It was as if I had discovered a new language, one that spoke directly to my soul. The notes seemed to weave together in the air, telling a story of hope and sadness, of beauty found in unexpected places.
When I finished, I opened my eyes to find Mrs. Porter beaming at me. “My dear,” she said, her voice warm with approval, “you have a natural talent. With practice, you could become quite accomplished.”
I felt a flush of pride at her words, a warmth spreading through my chest. For the first time since arriving at the academy, I felt a sense of true achievement, of having discovered something uniquely my own.
“That’s not fair.” Lydia’s voice cut through my reverie, a note of envy in her tone. “I’ve been practicing for years, and she just sits down and plays like that?”
Elara nodded, her eyes wide with amazement. “It’s true,” she said. “Tessara, you picked that up so quickly. I’m a bit jealous, I must admit.”
Their words made me blush, a mixture of embarrassment and pride swirling within me. I opened my mouth to respond, to downplay my small achievement, when suddenly I heard applause.
Turning toward the doorway, I saw that four tall, masculine figures had entered the music room—Dr. Porter, and two men I didn’t recognize… and…
“Gamma! Sir!” I gasped. So tall, and so blue. He smiled briefly at me, and then his face returned to the serious expression it had worn the moment before. My heart raced, because I understood suddenly why my… my… master—for I couldn’t think of him any other way, at this moment—had come.
My master has come to see me punished.
CHAPTER 30
Tessara
“Well done, Miss Tessara,” Dr. Porter said, still applauding lightly. “Girls, please come stand in the center of the room, if you would, facing your guardians. Because of our new addition, in the person of Miss Tessara, introductions are necessary.”
I dropped my eyes in mortification as Dr. Porter continued. My cheeks burned hot with shame, knowing that these men were here to witness our punishment.
“Mr. Gamma, as you know, is the guardian of Miss Tessara,” Dr. Porter said, his voice carrying easily through the room. “Mr. Blackwood is Miss Lydia’s guardian, and Mr. Thornton oversees Miss Elara.”
I kept my gaze fixed on the intricate pattern of the Persian rug beneath my feet, unable to meet the eyes of the men before us. The air in the room felt thick and heavy, charged with an energy that made the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“Gentlemen,” Dr. Porter continued, his tone grave, “I’m afraid it’s time for the girls’ whipping. They were caught engaging in forbidden self-pleasure last night, and such behavior cannot go uncorrected.”
At his words, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. My legs trembled, and I feared for a moment that I might faint. Beside me, I heard Elara’s sharp intake of breath and Lydia’s barely audible whimper.
“Miss Tessara,” Dr. Porter said, causing me to lift my gaze slightly. “As you’re new to our ways, I’d like you to note our procedures carefully, so that next time I must punish you we may proceed expeditiously. This is how we correct willful behavior and instill proper discipline in young ladies at this academy.”
With that, he strode purposefully to the far side of the music room. I hadn’t paid much attention to that area before, focused as I had been on the grand piano. Now, I watched with growing trepidation as Dr. Porter approached a large object draped in dark velvet.
With a flourish, he pulled away the cover, revealing a piece of furniture that made my breath catch in my throat. It was a whipping horse—a sturdy, padded bench with straps attached at various points. I recognized it instantly, memories of similar devices used by the Vionians flooding back in a rush of fear and confused arousal.
This horse, however, was far more refined than anything I’d seen before. The wood was polished to a high sheen, the deep mahogany gleaming in the afternoon light. The padding was covered in rich, butter-soft leather dyed a deep burgundy. The straps were made of the same leather, each one fitted with a gleaming brass buckle.
It was, I realized with a start, a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. The care and attention to detail that had gone into its construction spoke volumes about Prosperian attitudes toward discipline. This wasn’t just a tool for punishment—it was an instrument for molding young women into proper ladies, crafted with the same level of artistry as the piano I had just played.
Dr. Porter cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to him. His stern gaze swept over us, lingering on each girl in turn. “Given the seriousness of this offense,” he said, his voice low and grave, “and the need to impart a deep sense of shame, the girls will be whipped in the nude.”