She didn’t understand in the slightest.Why should she have to call him her fucking master when, so far, all she knew was that he’d snatched her and taken away her clothing?
But she knew that giving him that answer would only anger Kronos, and that his wrath was the last thing she needed.
“I will try harder, Master.”
“Yes, you will.”The hand that clutched at her ass withdrew, and she tensed, expecting another sharp swat to her poor bottom.“You will try until you get it right.”
She bit down on the frustration swirling inside her.Part of her wanted to get up and push him away.If that was even feasible.That facet needed her to get out of there and never set eyes on Kronos again, yet she doubted there was any chance of overpowering him.
“We shall continue.”His hard tone recaptured her attention.“You shall thank me after each spankandrefer to me correctly.”
His hand brushed over her ass, and she winced as the deed reignited the hurt.“Do you understand, little mortal?”
Mortal.
It wasn’t the first time he’d referred to her that way, but the word still jarred.What else would she be if she wasn’t mortal?Or perhaps, the most intriguing query of all, if he wasn’t human, as his abilities appeared to suggest, then what the hell was he?
Her fingers grasped at the floor, battling with the disturbing question.What did she mean, ‘if he wasn’t human?’Of coursehe was human.The scientist in her refused to truly accept any other option.
“Yes, Master.”She gave the reply unthinkingly, hoping that the remaining swats would be minimal and she’d be up and out of there in no time.
“Then let us begin.”His hand collided with her vulnerable ass again, pressing onto her skin as he, presumably, waited for her reply.
Her eyes widened at the strike.If she’d thought the prior round of smacks was hard to bear, then it seemed Kronos was hellbent on teaching her yet another lesson.
“Thank you, Master.”
The words slipped from her like a reflex, and her brow furrowed at the perturbing reality.She hadn’t been conscious for that long, yet already, he’d been able to control her, guiding her into position over his body and instructing her to refer to him as though he had any right to the authority.
Why was she giving in so easily?Especially since she knew just how much the damn spanking hurt.
“Better.”He tapped her cheeks gently.“Much better, little mortal.”
She sighed, knowing his praise should have riled her, and she was certain that deep down, a part of her was incensed at his audacity.At the same time, though, she couldn’t ignore the low thrum of contentment that stirred at his approval.
It was senseless, but no less tangible.
“When you reply next time,” he tapped her sore ass a little harder, “make me believe you really mean it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Kronos
She was an inspiration, and running his palm over her hot skin, he was truly alive for the first time in what seemed like decades.Yes, there was Shelley, and those kneeling women who came before her, but none of them had whipped up the visceral electricity he sensed swirling through his body and hardening his arousal.
None of them had been Kristina.
He wanted her.Not just to claim her sublime body, although he was impatient for that exquisite pleasure, but to guide and protect her.Having her there seemed as though it was meant to be.
Running his hand over Kristina’s shoulder blade, he struggled to recall if things had felt so easy when Shelley had arrived.It took a long time for her to be ready for any interaction.The first time she roused, she had defied his enchantment, becoming hysterical.He remembered the ear-splitting screams and her inconsolable panic.Days bled into weeks before she was calm enough for Kronos to spend time with her, and he had no choice but to intensify his spell, sending her back to her dreams until her mind was ready to accept her situation.
Kristina, however, had already defied that trend.Yes, he’d sensed her panic when he’d manifested from the ether, but he’d only needed small tweaks to his magic in order to soothe her.Not only that, but she’d coped well when he demanded she come for her first punishment.
That was progress Kronos had never seen before.
A seed of something akin to hope bloomed in his chest, but when he landed the next strike, he pushed the thought aside.It was unhelpful to make assumptions about Kristina’s growth.She was human and could easily falter.Their propensity for mistakes was the only surety about the species.
“Master, thank you.”
