Page 23 of Bound in Sacrifice

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“I can’t do this, Paige.”

I’m standing in the mirror staring at my completely smooth body as if it’s the first time I've ever looked at myself naked. I feel like a child! Paige supervised while I learned how to shave my ‘pussy’, as she put it. She wouldn’t let me use the words pubic hair; apparently, it’s a turn-off. She also told me that ‘pussy’ should never be considered a bad word.

“It’s female empowerment, Rosabelle! Embrace it!”

“Come sit,” she says to me, patting the space next to her on the tufted ottoman against the wall.

“You are a very smart girl. I can see it, Master Luca can see it, andMaster B can see it. You know what goes on in La Tour. You knew, when you traded your life for your father’s, that your world was going to change, right?”

Tears form in my eyes at her words. Everything she’s saying is true and no matter how badly I don’t want to accept it, I know it’s not going away.

“I know this sounds ridiculous, but I didn’t realizethisis what he meant when he said I would behis.This lifestyle, it’s not like anything I’ve ever experienced before. The riches are overwhelming enough, but when I think about what else is going to be expected of me… it paralyzes me with fear.”

“I understand your apprehension. It’s not easy and no one is going to throw you into a situation that you aren’t ready for. Something that people who are on the outside don’t understand, is that with submission comes freedom. It sounds backward, but to have someone to entrust with your choices, knowing that they have your best interests at heart, is one of the most intoxicating feelings I’ve ever experienced.”

I want to believe what she’s saying, but I can’t wrap my head around it.

“The idea that I can finally relax and not have to worry about my father, my job, money, bills, everything, does sound incredible. But I can’t wrap my head around what I will have to sacrifice in order to experience that.”

“Who says you’re going to sacrifice anything?”

I stare at her, confused.

“When you’re with your Dom, you’ll never feel like you're sacrificing part of yourself to him. Trust me. I was nervous coming here, too. I was out of options; I didn’t have a home, a family, and I was nothing. Master Luca took me in as an esclave de maison about three years ago. I was terrified of being someone’stoy, a thing for them to use, but I quickly realized that’s not what being a submissive is about.”

I look at her in disbelief.

“Well, that’s notallthat it’s about. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, that part is fun, too. You just need to open your mind a little.”

She takes in my skeptical expression and continues.

“When I met Master Luca, he showed me what desire truly meant. Yes, he desired me sexually. But I learned that he also had a strong desire to care for me, to protect me, to ensure my happiness. It didn’t take long for me to see that he cherished me. I can tell that you are a strong and independent person, Rosabelle. Becoming a submissive doesn’t mean you have to give up those qualities.”

“I can understand that, to an extent, but I can’t get over the idea that The Beast expects to snap his fingers and make me perform.”

“That’s not what it’s going to be like. It will be much easier to show you than to tell you. Let’s finish getting dressed. Lunch will be ready soon and we have to be downstairs in less than an hour.”

* * *

“This would bea lot easier if I looked like you in this outfit, Paige. I can’t pull this off. I feel like a fraud!”

“Rosabelle, you look stunning! Believe me when I tell you that. Just wait until Master B sees you.”

“That’s the problem, he’s thelastperson I want to see me like this.”

“You really ought to try and give him a chance. He’s not the horrible monster you’re imagining.”

I roll my eyes, but find myself considering what she said. She’s got me thinking about when The Beast was washing my hair. He was tender. His gentle touch was as unexpected as the craving my body had for him.

He could have shaved me himself, as Paige explained. He could have done alotof things to me, but he didn’t. Does he feel the same connection that I do when his eyes meet mine? If not, why would he be so adamant about making me his submissive? Maybe he thinks that Idon’tfeel the connection.

“Earth to Rosabelle.”

Paige breaks through my train of thought as she links her arm with mine like she did this morning. I smile at her and let her lead me from my bedroom. I can feel the hem of my skirt tickling my thighs just under the curve of my ass. I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am strong and can make it through anything life throws at me. I replay Paige’s words in my head, ‘With submission comes freedom.’

The walk to La Tour doesn’t take as long as I hoped it would. Yes, it’s only located on the other side of Le Château, but I could have used a few more minutes to mentally prepare myself.

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