Royla’s expression softened. She shook her head back at him. “I will not run.”
Thanred nodded. “Then let us walk together.”
Chapter Seven
Royla’s mind reeled as she walked next to him through the forest. She still couldn’t believe what had just happened. The realization of what Barnisha had done, what they’dalldone to her was still raw. But his reaction, his embrace had been such a soothing balm.
She’d never felt the way she had sitting in his arms. It had dulled the hurt and pushed it far away.
And now, walking beside him, she couldn’t help but steal glances out of the corner of her eye. He no longer seemed like a creature. Now she saw him as just another being. One that had reached out in empathy at seeing her pain.
They walked and walked into the thickening forest. Until the sun was shining sideways through the trees, ready to set. The whole time Royla could not stop thinking about the strange turn events had taken.
Every so often her anger would swell at the way she’d been betrayed. But a glance at... Master, for she knew him by no other name, would quell that feeling. It made her feel whole again, being there with him.
Nor could she help the way her eyes fell to his midriff at the end of each glance. His cock had hardened again, and it bounced between his legs as he walked. She wondered if hewould take her again. The idea made her insides tighten in a delicious way.
As the earth began to swallow the sun, Royla heard the babbling of water somewhere in the distance. Having had no water the whole day, she was so thirsty her throat ached. Her eyes lit up and she broke into a jog, running toward the source of the sound.
It was too late by the time she’d realized what she’d done.
He was on her quickly, pulling her down over his knee, his hand falling on her rear with sharp smacks that cracked through the forest like breaking branches.
Royla tensed on his knee, digging her fingers into the cool earth and closing her eyes. The correction hurt but it excited her all the same. Her pussy began to drip with her arousal even as her rear cheeks heated from the spanking.
It was longer than the others had been. Perhaps twenty swats on each cheek, though she lost count somewhere in the middle. His discipline was stern, but it wasn’t angry or overly aggressive. By the time he’d finished, Royla was panting on his knee, exhausted but excited.
“You told me you would not run,” he growled. Was that a note of disappointment in his voice?
It pained Royla that he thought she had betrayed him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, still trying to catch her breath. “I didn’t mind myself. I heard the water and...”
She felt the tension leave his body.
He lifted her and stood himself, looming over her and staring into her eyes. His shoulders looked heavier, slumped forward so that he looked smaller than usual. “You... you thirst for water?” he asked.
She nodded and let her eyes fall to the forest floor. “I do. I should have asked before I started running. I didn’t mean to upset you, Master.”
A long silence passed between them.
Royla felt his eyes wandering over her body. She stole a glance at his hard muscle bouncing between his legs. Itmade her wonder if it ached the way her womb did for him.
“Go then.”
She looked up, her mouth slightly open in surprise at his permission. “Thank you,” she said. Turning, she followed the sound of the water until she came to the stream. She fell to her knees, cupped a hand, and scooped a palm full of water then brought it to her mouth.
The cool, clear liquid was a soothing balm on her dry throat. She closed her eyes, savoring how good it tasted after a full day of walking. She paddled more water into her mouth until her belly was full.
His footsteps came up behind her.
It made her aware of the position she was in. On her knees, bent over the stream, her bottom in the air for him to see. She bit her lip and swayed her hips ever so slightly from side to side.
“Are you finished?” he asked her.
Royla’s heart sank. A part of her had wished that he would drop to his knees and take her there by the creek, pressing his hard flesh into her flower and filling it with seed. But she did as he asked. Her backside was far too sore to endure another spanking. She stood before him.
Thanred stepped toward her and put a hand on her cheek. “Royla, you mustneverleave my side in these forests,” he said. “Danger might lurk anywhere and... I cannot fathom what I’d do if...” The muscles in his jaw clenched. He pressed a finger to her chin, raising her eyes to his. “Promise me you will not stray from me again,” he said, his voice a low growl, gaze boring into her.
Royla trembled at the intensity of his stare. “I promise,” she whispered.
