Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I press a kiss to her forehead. “You good?”
She cuddles the blanket more firmly around her shoulders and beams at me. “I’m good.”
I take a deep breath and turn to face Hades. I don’t allow myself to look at Hercules, though I can feel his eyes on me. Hades raises an eyebrow, and I sink to my knees, my body obeying before my mind has a chance to catch up. I press my palms to my thighs and spread my legs the way he likes, keeping my gaze down.
He shifts out from behind Hercules and stands. Anyone else would struggle to their feet after sitting like that so long, but Hades is perpetually graceful. One of the many things that used to fill me with awe, but now is simply part of Hades. He circles me slowly, building anticipation. Building the smallest bit of fear. I know he’ll never harm me, not on purpose, and I have absolutely no doubts that he’ll respect my safe word. Hades might bend and manipulate and make deals with the worst people in existence, but he won’t cross this line. Not with me. Not with anyone.
He finally stops in front of me. “I think the cane.”
Even though I know better, shock has me raising my gaze. “What?”
“The cane, love.” He takes my chin in a gentle grip, his expression contemplative. “I think we both know you’ve earned it.”
I suck in a harsh breath. He means I’ve earned my punishment, though I honestly don’t know if he’s punishing me or Hercules. Canes are no joke. “Hades—”
He lifts a single brow, and I swallow my words back. I hate this. I hate that he’s using me as a way to bring Hercules down…
But a part of me unfurls in sheer joy at what comes next. I’m not a true masochist, but pain brings something extra to fucking that’s always delighted me. Canes are different, yes, but in my heart, I don’t think for a second that Hades will simply beat me and leave it at that, no matter what else he has going on in that wicked brain of his. First the pain, then the pleasure. Sometimes the two intermingle, but maybe this is as much test as punishment. How far can he push me while we’re both dancing on the edge of something truly devastating?
Only one way to find out.
I lick my lips. “I would love the cane, Sir.”
“Good girl.” His soft touch urges me to my feet. I already know our destination. There’s a stylized St. Andrew’s Cross tucked in the corner, the dark wood shiny and smooth. Hades waits for me to step up to it and then cuffs my wrists so my arms are extended on either side of my head. He gives my ankles the same treatment. I don’t have to look over my shoulder to know that both Aurora and Hercules have an excellent view. The room was arranged this way on purpose, after all.
Hades moves away, and I have to fight the urge to try and twist to follow his movement. It won’t work, and it will only drive my fear and anticipation higher. I press my lips together and focus on breathing.
Hades moves to the same chest I got the paddle from and takes his time going through the options. Drawing out the moment. “There are a thousand ways to beat a submissive, little Hercules. You saw one with Meg and our lovely Aurora. A paddle gives that nice meaty smack, that delightful shock of pain. Floggers are a personal favorite of mine as you’ll find out soon.” His voice drifts behind me, and I know he’s pacing, probably fondling that fucking cane while he does. “Canes are something special. I’m going to stripe our Meg’s ass, and you’re going to sit there without moving, no matter how lovely her cries are. Do you understand?”
“But—” Hercules sounds hoarse and worried.
“Do you understand?”
Silence for a beat, two. Finally, Hercules grinds out, “I understand.”
“Good.”
I jump as he smooths a hand down my spine. “Your safe word, love.”
“Cerberus.” Always, always reminding me that this is my choice, that I have an emergency exit if I need it. Some days I relish that power, of knowing I can put a stop to our play whenever I damn well want to. Some days, today, I wish he wouldn’t remind me that this is as much my choice as it is his. I choose this. I choose him. I helped damn Hercules to a lifetime deal, whether I meant to or not. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t ask questions. I was too intent on playing the game, of taking my pleasure out of it, to worry about consequences.
Maybe Hades is right. Maybe I do deserve the cane tonight.
I resent him more than a little in that moment, for knowing what I need even before I do.