“You mayhaltme at any time,” I said to remind him that he still had the power, even while being punished.
“I understand,” he said bravely and handed me the whip.
“Undress please,” I said, then waited while he tugged down his pants and kicked them aside. “Fold your trousers nicely and set them on the chair over there,” I instructed. The brat was probably used to servants cleaning up after him.
He huffed and did as he was told, making my palm itch around the leather grip where I held it. “Now lift your arms,” I commanded and quickly spelled two chains to connect the metal bands around his wrists to my rigging. I tugged on the chain to raise his arms high enough that they wouldn’t get in my way. Also a good reminder that he was at my mercy.
“You may cry,” I said, dragging the rawhide falls over his grooved abdomen and lower, along the artfully carved lines of his groin, the vein that flowed like a river from his lower abdomen to the head of his amply sized cock. Goddess, he was stunning.
“Not likely,” he said with a scowl, and it took effort to keep my expression neutral.
“Punishment is about repenting for your misbehavior, but ultimately it is to bring us closer together. I’m disciplining you because I care.” I dragged the whip over the curve of his buttocks where his skin was soft and pale. “Can you keep these tucked?” I asked, regarding his brilliant green wings which were tightly folded but buzzing with anticipation.
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good. I’m not doing this out of anger, and while I may find it arousing, that’s not its purpose. I want you to trust me, even as I’m hurting you.”
“Do you hurt a lot of people?”
“Only if they ask for it”
“Not as punishment?” he asked.
“I don’t typically punish my bedmates, Cedrych. To punish a submissive speaks to a longer-term investment.”
“I see,” he said as his cheeks flushed a lovely pink.
“Remember when you stole my vanadium rod?” I asked. The memory always invited a warm sort of nostalgia.
He swallowed. “Yes.”
“That spanking was spontaneous but also very satisfying to me. When you cried…” I shook my head, wistful at the memory. “It awakened something in me.”
“In me too, my lord,” he said, voice dropping an octave.
“I’ve thought a lot about this punishment, Cedrych. You are willful and stubborn, and you must learn to obey me. In matters of safety, it’s non-negotiable. Do you understand?”
He shivered and dropped his head, sinking into a more receptive state. “Yes, sir.”
“Now, be still while I look you over.” I dragged a hand over his strong shoulder, mapping his broad back and buttocks while avoiding his tucked wings. I’d build up a nice burn, then flog his ass until his whole backside was tender, so that even the softest stroke became intolerable.
“You may tell me toslow downif you need a break. Are you ready?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then let’s begin.”
I warmed him up with light lashings that had him bucking and stomping on the stone floor like a frustrated horse. The first real strike had him hissing through his teeth. The second made him go up on his toes. The next several he bore with stiff obstinance, as if attempting to make an unfeeling wall of himself, but eventually the flesh gave way. It always did.
“How are you doing?” I asked during a pause where I made him drink water mixed with honey.
“I can barely feel it,” he said, surely bluffing.
“Your skin says otherwise.” I stood back and admired my work. His shoulders and back were red, and an even brighterscarlet colored his normally pale buttocks. Faint marks from the falls were interspersed throughout like a hatchwork drawing.
“Ready to go again?” I asked.
“Yes, sir,” he said sullenly.
