Page 105 of Bride By Initiation

Valentina twists Zara's hair into a tight bun, ensuring no strays. She adds, "Piece of cake, darling."

The crowd doesn't make the same chant as when I got branded. They resume their eroticohsandahs.

My cock hardens further.

The man with the incense jumps on the bed, waving the censer over our bodies. When the air is thick with the scent, and I can barely breathe, Kirill steps forward. He nods at me.

I add more body weight to Zara and press my palms against her head so she can't move. I lean down, kiss the spot on her neck that'll soon be burned, and murmur in her ear, "Just breathe, my pulse."

As soon as I lean away, Kirill pushes the skull against her flesh.

I cringe, watching her skin singe.

She whimpers, her body trying to jerk up, but I weigh too much.

I order, "Get the balm on her now!"

But the man already has it scooped out of the jar and ready to apply. He reaches over and layers it on her.

Her body relaxes.

I pet her hair, careful not to touch the burnt area, as plastic gets wrapped around her entire neck.

When it's secure, I slowly get up, tug her off the bed, and pull her into my arms. I kiss the top of her head, praising, "You did great."

She glances up. A few tears stain her cheeks. She asserts, "It wasn't that bad."

"No?" I question, shocked.

She shakes her head.

I confess, "I thought it hurt like a motherfucker."

She giggles.

I give her a chaste kiss, then say, "You were really brave."

"Thanks." She smiles.

The crowd breaks out in loud applause.

I spin us to face them, then freeze.

Their masks are all off. The sun has risen, and the torches no longer burn.

Valentina holds out our robes to us.

We take them and put them on.

She removes her mask, beaming as bright as Zara.

"I knew you were gorgeous," Zara blurts.

The look Valentina gives her is as nice as the one you'd give a best friend. She claims, "We have good genes."

"We?" Zara questions.

Something passes over Valentina's expression. It quickly fades, and she smiles brighter. "Yes. Us Italian women."

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