Page 147 of Chandelier Sin
Scouring the large hall for Atticus, I studied every person behind their mask, every glimmer of movement that might reveal his presence.
But I didn’t see him.Thank God.
His arrogance back in the Welcome Suite had left me with a bad taste. A part of me, naive perhaps, wanted to believe those last few seconds together were a ruse. That he did care for me, and his sudden change was him believing that attitude would sway me.
Hopefully, he’d returned to the ground floor.
If we were in Italy, those of us in the great hall would fit right in to one of their Venetian masquerade balls. Another reason I loved the pomp and circumstance. It reminded me of those exquisite nights when I’d roamed the city of Venice alone while Aemon conducted private business back at the hotel.
I’d leisurely wander from one charming coffee shop to another, meandering along enchanting canals and historic walkways, immersing myself in the allure of the mesmerizing atmosphere. Back when I’d been allowed more freedom.
Leaving here would be easy. I didn’t crave elaborate ceremony, decadence and debauchery. I preferred to curl up with a good book.
And staying away from all this uncertainty in this place of privilege.
In the center of the vast hall, a naked male submissive knelt in front of the dais.
Before him, the three rulers of Pendulum were holding court. They were all masked, but I knew who hid behind that show of power.
Aemon sat in the center on his high-backed throne, rulingover the ceremony. Jewel sat to his left, with her steely eyes peering through her mask. She thrived on these scenes, drawing a stark pleasure from showcasing her submissives.
The male dominant to her left was a man I hardly knew. He’d been promoted after proving his worth as a senior force in their security. Made me wonder what he’d done to earn the title of Master of Ceremonies.
Strange how a remarkable setting can bore you eventually. Or maybe my heart and mind were just consumed with what was more important.
Her.
Every second away from my daughter felt like a crime against my humanity. My right to be with her was being violated.
My thoughts found refuge with Atticus, or they had for a while.
A few masked guests sensed me behind them and turned to look at me.
I ignored them.
Even though I was shielded behind a tall pillar, Aemon’s critical gaze found me, silently punishing me for not being present before.
I gave him a nod and he gave one back, and then focused his attention on the kneeling submissive before him.
My gaze fell on the man, too. He was naked except for those crisscrossed leather straps over his muscular body. I saw reddened flesh from where they’d whipped him.
It made me wonder if this was what Aemon had in mind for me, that threat to throw me into a dungeon with the highest bidder. A feeling of dread caused a shiver of uncertainty to run over me. It would be futile to run.
Aemon knew I couldn’t leave.
As he’d aged, Aemon’s brand of evil had become more refined. He’d discovered new and interesting ways to hurt me.
He knew I didn’t love him. So, he punished me for it.
I tried to ascertain if the male sub before him wanted to be here. If this washischoice. Or if he’d been coerced.
The young man swooned on his knees and his throbbing erection rose high, proving his arousal. The man showed no fear, only desire.
He was beautiful and buff. Could have been a model, with his pretty face and perfect high cheekbones, full mouth, and impressive stature.
Jewel’s critical glare landed on me, making me shiver. Her frown deepened as she stared, as though somehow, someway, she knew about Atticus.
Our last few seconds together had proven his feelings were based on his selfish needs.
