Page 169 of Bound By Her

CHAPTER 39

NORTH CAROLINA

The doorway seemed smaller than before.

Adria stood at the threshold, her hand hovering near the frame. Three weeks. It had been three weeks since Eric carried her into this room, broken and raw. She hadn’t stepped beyond these walls since.

And now, here she was.

Thigh-high boots. Stockings. A red corset laced so tight she could barely breathe. Gloves pulled smooth over her fingers.

She hoped looking the part would make her feel it.

So far, it wasn’t working.

Get a hold of yourself.

Her bruises were hidden beneath layers of expertly applied makeup. Her house—her sanctuary—was filled with rival family members.

And Bryson’s words still clung to her soul.

“Don’t pull away now.”

They were beyond falling.

But what he didn’t understand was that she was moonlight. Beautiful and mysterious, she was just a reflection of something real. No matter what her submissives thought, she was always just a shadow of the sun.

Whatever had happened between them—whatever was still happening—had to stop.

She would train them.

She would do it because they would be safer trained. Because Bryson had asked her to. Because it was the right thing to do.

But she would not fall.

She had to find a way to finish what she started without spiraling further down their rabbit hole.

She closed her eyes. Took a breath.

When she opened them, she was Mistress Adria.

The mask was on.

She stepped forward, then again, and again, stringing each step together until she was walking.

Down the hall.

Back into the world.

Back into control.

The boys were in the dining room having breakfast. Her heart pumped faster as the three of them looked up. Their gaze felt warm and welcoming. She felt her resolve waning. This wasn’t going to work, but just as she was about to bolt back upstairs, when Bryson stood from the table.

With more grace than she would have thought possible, he knelt onto the floor. Eyes cast down, he spoke clearly. “What does my Mistress require?”

Kayden coughed into his breakfast, but Seth followed suit, moving onto the floor.

Licking his fingers clean, Kaydon got up from the table. With a crooked smile, Kaydon knelt next to Bryson, but his eyes didn’t waver from her face.

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