Page 28 of Tavarr's Mate
Luckily, the shopkeeper placed the box and the lubricant in a discreet fabric bag. I clutch the handle of it and continue following my mate through the streets, taking in all the sights.
I try not to show my surprise when I glimpse a naked or scantily clad Kleaxian female being led around by a leash, with her bottom bright red from a recent punishment, or angry looking welts across her back. Zell explained to me that Kleaxian females desire the harsh hand of their mates when they have been disobedient, and that it’s normal and part of their penance to walk around naked or almost naked with the evidence of their chastisement on display.
I think back to the spanking Tavarr gave me in the bathtub, only about an hour ago, and relief rushes through me that he’s promised to never use any kind of implement. Not even his belt. I realize I’m stuck in a culture much different than my own for the rest of my life, and as a result I will be forced to make concessions, but I’m glad the Kleaxian males have started to realize human women don’t require the harsh punishments their native females desire.
Zell says the prince’s decree that human females not be beaten too severely has made a tremendous difference in the lives of the women captured in Capital Acres and taken from theStargazer.
Tavarr gives my leash a gentle tug and we turn down a new street, this one near the busy docks. Dozens of huge red Kleaxians are hauling nets filled with fish and crablike creatures out of their boats. We approach the lake and my mate leads me to a small boat that’s similar to a canoe, though longer and sleeker. I don’t spot any oars, but there’s a control panel next to one of the seats. He helps me into the far seat and then glides into the one next to the controls, releasing my leash as he sits down.
“I hope the sight of some of the Kleaxian females didn’t frighten you,” he says as he drives us away from the docks. His face is drawn with concern. He must have noticed the change in my mood.
“I feel sorry for them.” I sigh. “And I don’t understand how they can willingly display the markings from their punishments. I couldn’t imagine admitting to anyone that you spanked me today, let alone walk around with my skirts lifted high to reveal my red ass.”
“It’s considered honorable for a female to publicly admit her mistakes. That is why most Kleaxian females walk around with their bruises and markings on display,” he explains in a gentle tone.
“Zell told me that, but I still can’t understand it.”
“To a traditional Kleaxian female, human women who try to escape punishments and then don’t show the evidence of their chastisements in public are the strange ones.” He drives the boat beyond a small green island and past several large fishing vessels, waving at the males aboard before hitting the controls to increase our speed.
The wind blows my hair about my face as I consider Tavarr’s words. As difficult as it is to admit, given the seriousness of the topic, he is probably right. To a Kleaxian female, I am the strange one for not desiring my mate to punish me harshly for disobedience.
“Tavarr,” I say hesitantly, “What, um, are the rules I must follow?” My face heats, wondering if he’ll forbid me from touching myself without permission, as Zandek had with Helena. I’m also worried he’ll forbid me from conversing with Zell.
He glides us into a beautiful secluded cove and stops the boat. He points at the spot between his spread legs. “Come here, Katrina, and kneel.”
Nerves curl in my stomach, but I obey and crawl toward Tavarr and kneel between his legs. I tuck my trembling hands in front of me and keep my gaze low, unsure of where I should be looking. He reaches for me and I immediately flinch, ducking my head down as if expecting a slap, panicked memories rushing back despite my efforts to keep all thoughts of Vonn at bay.
“Fuck,” he says. He speaks harshly in his own tongue next, and I suspect he’s cursing more. “Look at me.”
I lift my eyes to his, hoping I haven’t displeased him. I hadn’t meant to cower, and I pray he understands. Sorrow pangs in my heart at the thought of hurting him. He’s already proven he’s not like his brother.
He touches my cheek. “What usually happened when he made you kneel, Katrina?”
“Please, Tavarr.” I don’t want to relive the horror. I want to hide the memories and forget. I want to pretend my time with Vonn was nothing but a nightmare.
“Tell me.” He strokes my hair, petting me gently as I continue kneeling before him.
I take a deep breath and stare into my mate’s kind dark eyes. Even though I would be disobeying him by refusing to answer, I don’t think he will punish me if I chose to remain silent, but his gaze is so urgent and imploring that I find I cannot deny his request, even if it pains me to revisit the memories.
“As soon as he opened the cage, I had to crawl out and kneel at his feet. If I looked at him without permission, he would slap me in the face. Once I completed any task he demanded, I also had to kneel at his feet and await further instruction. If I didn’t obey…” My throat becomes clogged and my lip quivers.
“You don’t have to say any more, Katrina. I understand, and I am sorry.” He keeps petting my hair and I find myself melting under his comforting touches. “You needn’t flinch from me, sweet human. I will not slap you in the face, and unless I give you a specific order to lower your gaze first, you may look me in the eye without fear.”
“Thank you, Tavarr.” I lean into his touch. “This is nice,” I murmur. “Will you, um, tell me about your rules now? I truly wish to please you and want to escape further punishment.” He’d commented that he was only giving me ten quick smacks to my bottom the first time, and I suspect any future spankings I receive will be longer and harder. He had mentioned taking me over his knee and turning my bottom bright red. If I ever disobey an important rule and make him angry, will he spank me to tears?
He rests one hand on my shoulder and keeps stroking my hair with the other, and my scalp prickles cold and hot with pleasure. “You belong to me, Katrina. That means I will claim you whenever I wish. If you try to refuse me access to your body, you can expect a punishment. That also means no touching yourself or bringing yourself to pleasure in my absence, or without my permission.”
I nod in understanding. He continues.
“You will never lie to me, run from me, or show me disrespect. You will also obey me in all things, even if you don’t concur with or understand the reason for my orders. If we have a disagreement, you will keep a civil tongue while we discuss it. You must also ask permission before you leave the house. In most cases, I will accompany you and you’ll be required to wear the leash in public, until you birth our first child, that is. In our culture, once a female has a child, she no longer wears a leash, but she must still walk behind her mate in public.”
“Will Zell be staying with us, and will he be allowed to accompany me places? Am-am I allowed to converse with him by touch?”
Tavarr combs his fingers through the back of my hair, untangling the small knots caused by the wind. “Yes, I inherited Zell as my slave, and he will remain in our service. He has already proven himself a trustworthy Ghessan, and you may communicate with him by touch in our home, but not in public, as it would appear unseemly. As long as you have my permission, he may join you on short trips, like to a friend’s house in the village, but you are not to take the main streets during the trips without me. You must walk on the narrow stone paths that twist behind the houses. It is considered a great show of disrespect for a mated female to appear in the market or on any of the well-traveled streets in town without her mate. You must abide this rule, Katrina.”
I sigh inwardly, hoping I remember all his rules. “Is there anything else?”
“No, Katrina, I believe that covers it.” He shifts closer and his masculine scent waves over me, filling my senses and making me crave his intimate touch. He gives a knowing chuckle and tips my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I can detect the sweetness of your arousal on the breeze, my human.”
