Maybe that’s what he gave me, too.She heaved in a breath.And that’s why I saw him appear from nothing.
“Yes, you will.”
The tension in his voice eased with the reply, and raising one hand, he motioned toward the head of the bed.
Chapter Twelve
Kronos
The lace snaked around her wrists succumbed to Kronos’ will, and directing it away from her skin with only the power of his intentions, he discarded the binds to the floor.Kristina’s fingers splayed, her head tipping back momentarily to confirm her tethers had vanished.
“May I move?”
Her question hung in the atmosphere between them, her hesitation pleasing.Better that the little one remained wary and malleable.The less he needed to use his energetic influence, the faster their relationship could begin in earnest, and that was an outcome he was impatient for.
“Yes.”
He flicked the fingers of the elevated hands toward her feet, ordering her outstretched arms to lower to her sides.She gasped as they moved, watching her limbs shift without her consent and slowly falling into place at either side of her body.
“How did you…” Her attention shot to him again.
“Careful.”Firing her a warning look, he shook his head.“Remember how you address me, little one.”
Opening her mouth, she pulled in a deliberate breath.One day, he would tell her there was no oxygen in his realm, and that her needs were met only by his magic, but that lesson would have to wait.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
That same emotion glimmered in her ocean eyes, though staring into them, he couldn’t read its meaning.That frustrated him.Kronos was used to knowing anything and everything he wanted, whenever he wanted.He’d known who’d sent him that first crude message, and he’d discovered where she lived and who she’d been lusting after with ease.It was disconcerting not to know what she was feeling.
Was she afraid to refer to him as her master and acknowledge the obvious truth; that he was more powerful than she, or was it only the perturbing reality of having to say the word aloud?He held her attention, pondering the thought as a third, more enticing option sprang to his mind.Maybe the feeling he saw wavering in her expression was related to the desire the address inspired.Perhaps she liked the sense of submission it demanded.His cock throbbed eagerly for the third outcome.He hoped that was the reason for her overwhelmed performance.
“Forgiven.”His hand fell to her chin, his fingers grazing over the smooth skin of her jaw as he released control of her arms.“The next time you forget, there will be consequences.”
She pulled in a shaky breath.“Consequences, Master?”
He enjoyed the flicker in her voice that time.That tremor was definitely fear.
“Hmmm.”Hooking his index finger under her chin, he crouched beside the bed and pinned her with the weight of his attention.“Rules and repercussions are important to me, Kristina.”
Her brow rose at the news, but wisely, she said nothing.
“What is important to me isnowimportant to you.”His finger trailed an invisible line along her shoulder, admiring her pale skin.He was willing to wager she’d bruise wonderfully when she yielded to his palm, and yield she would.“You are mine now.”
His tone softened, his attention flitting to her face.He had seen many reactions to captivity over the years.Shock collided with insolence and denial as the owner of the news struggled to understand its full meaning.But with the right conditioning, she would understand.
“In time, you will learn to accept this,” he went on.“Until then, you shall follow my directions and remember your manners.”
“I…” She paused as if trying to find the right words.“Master,I think there has been some mistake.I’m not yours… I’m just a student trying to make her way in the world.”
“Youwerea student,” he corrected.
He didn’t love her contradictory tone, but at least she had used his title.That alone had saved her from a more severe spanking than the one she was already in line for.
“Now, you are mine,” he reiterated.“You will stay here with me; worship me, serve me, and learn to surrender.”
He was doing his best to be considerate of her bewildered emotions, but in truth, his patience was running thin.Kronos was not known to be a merciful master, and even Shelley, who had learned well enough how to please, often took the brunt of his palm against her upturned ass as a consequence.
“But I don’t understand…” Kristina’s voice trembled.You can’t justtakeme.I’m a person, with a life, and—”
