Page 67 of Enthrall Shadows
But dating was the last thing I needed. I’d grown restless, unsure of what lay ahead, and this inner voice was warning me that change loomed.
Henry’s arrogance repelled anyone who got close. He had reminded me why I remained single. We were playing a game of cat and mouse with our differences. Our chemistry wasn’t an issue—unless you counted that near kiss.
Men don’t realize they are just as much as a trap for us.
I’m too fiercely independent to become someone’s trophy.
There was no capturing a woman this erotically inclined and profoundly aware of her worth.
Henry had always been a mythical character we’d heard stories about from Cameron. I couldn’t remember ever having such a visceral response to someone.
Time to forget him.
Time to dive right back into the luscious world of Chrysalis.
I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that ten minutes had already passed. I shouldn’t be wearing this TAG Heuer. It had been a gift from Austin. I promised myself I’d never wear it again.
The submissives waiting for me had just been caught spying at the Imperial restaurant’s doorway.
They’d broken the rules.
Elite submissives like these usually excelled within the walls of Chrysalis. Though clearly there was room for improvement.
Usually, I’d have given them over to Richard Booth or other senior Doms such as Greyson Grantchester or Atticus Sinclair—or even de Sade if he promised to go easy on them.
My testy mood came back around more frequently than it should.
Opening the door to the vast room, I ordered the submissives to rise and told them to follow me. I led them back down the hallway and through the grand foyer, where we strode beneath its remarkable chandelier.
Cameron had once told me he considered “the human psyche to be much like a chandelier, the splintering of the mind also reflecting shards of light and mysterious shadows.”
To me, the chandeliers bathed us in their light as a blessing.
They were a symbol of our freedom.
Our work here was enthralling—the reason Cameron had named our sister manor Enthrall. As for Chrysalis, its meaning was easy to decipher. Each one of us had experienced what it felt like to break free of our societal husk to transform into a brilliant version of ourselves.
I pivoted to make sure my subs were obediently following in silence with their heads down.
We only allowed the best at our world-renowned center. We only accepted one application in ten thousand.
These trainees were undergoing emersion. For them, I gave extra time and attention.
I had a treat in store for my beauties.
Our destination for today’s lesson was the exclusive pony club, where young men underwent strict fetish training. The most beautiful were often chosen.
Usually, Master Dominic lorded over this specialty.
As an elite mistress, I had authority to outrank him.
Just outside the stables, I ordered the three subs to place their hands against the wall and to push their buttocks out.
I slapped their ass cheeks, one sub at time. They each whimpered with an equal measure of discomfort and pleasure, their rounded flesh reddening as my palm heated from the strikes.
Already I could see that tell-tale sign of their arousal glistening.
I used the whip to take them further into a trance—spiking their dopamine.
