Page 72 of Reign

Hard No. I have spent enough of my life afraid. I don’t want masks, I don’t want to be chased, and I’m certainly not running through the woods for anyone. I don’t even run voluntarily.

Consensual non-consent.

I stare at that one. Does no mean harder? Is the resistance scripted? Is there another word that still means stop?

Curious, but I need details. A lot of them. There has to be a separate word that stops everything immediately. Nothing improvised.

Ownership elements.

Does that mean being called his? Wearing something? Following rules? Does it mean he can touch me whenever he wants?

My mind supplies Luciano’s voice saying mine, and heat slips down my spine.

Curious. Resentfully.

Obedience.

Eyes on me.

Yes.

I stare at the answer. That was disgustingly fast.

Service.

Do they mean kneeling, or am I expected to wait on a grown man with functioning hands? Because I’m not becoming anybody’s maid.

Then I picture myself between Luciano’s knees, his hand settling into my hair.

I nearly fling the phone across the cabin.

Curious. No domestic service.

Public scenes.

Hard No. I don’t want group projects. Ever.

By the time I reach aftercare, my hands are cold.

I remember smoothing my dress with shaking fingers. Walking out before Luciano could see how badly I wanted him to stop me. Returning to the reception with unsteady knees and nowhere to put everything I was feeling.

Strong Yes. Non-negotiable. I need reassurance and physical contact. Especially if I’m scared or overwhelmed. Please.

I reach the final open text box, fingers trembling.

In your own words, what are you hoping to explore and what would make you feel safe?

I bite my lip hard and type quickly, honestly, before I can delete everything:

I want to feel seen without feeling exposed. I’m inexperienced, not fragile. I want someone patient enough to explain things without making me feel stupid, confident enough not to be scared off when I argue, and careful enough to know when I genuinely mean no. I want direction without shame. I guess I like being told what to do, which is irritating, but I need the choice to obey to remain mine. I want to be pushed, not frightened. If I stop, I need to know everything stops—and that I’ll still be safe with the person afterward.

I read it once. It sounds too vulnerable.

Ugh.

I hit submit before I can spiral any harder.

The confirmation appears immediately: Thank you, Lena. Your responses have been received. A member of our team will contact you within 24 hours.