Be Careful What You Wish For (8 page)

‘Dream Catcher, I had no idea!' It obviously took her breath away. She stood, lips parted, tongue moistening, gazing up to where turrets kissed the sky, as if she was dreaming. She missed the look that passed between Richard and Shadow. And as Richard passed on through the doors Shadow, as per his instructions, took her from that moment fully into his charge, leading her into the Chamber that would become her own.

‘Today is Sunday. You can spend it familiarising yourself with your rooms. There are no inner doors. Everything is open to you. But for now you will remain within this Chamber. There are doors here leading down to the beach, which is completely enclosed and surrounded by rocks that will hide you from any passing boats that may stray outside their waters.'

The girl was obviously disorientated, still trying to come to terms with all that had happened. He took note of her confusion but continued in the same vein. ‘Meals will be brought to you, sometimes eaten alone, at other times shared. You will come when you are called. You will answer to slave. You are here to learn. Tomorrow it will begin.'

He left her then, realising she needed time. She would find her own way. Besides, she would never really be alone. They would watch her on the numerous cameras they had installed. To know her fully they would need to reach into her private thoughts and feelings. To see how she was in private. To enter that inner sanctum that comes with being in your own space, when other people are not privy to your moods. To own her meant to see her in those times she believed she was alone. Nothing would be hidden. She was a part of them and their life now, and would soon be integrated into the whole.

And they would become One.

For the next few hours they watched the girl drift through her rooms, of which there were three - a bedroom, a dining/sitting room, and a bathroom. But such common words did not even begin to describe the plush surroundings and décor.

Still distracted, very much lost in a world of her own, she made a pot of tea, using the kettle and Country Roses tea set. Then holding the cup in her hand she walked around the outer edges of the room. Table and chairs highly polished and ornate were placed strategically in front of large portrait windows, overlooking the beautiful bay. Deep leather sofa and armchairs encircled a leopard-skin rug in front of a fireplace, carved etchings in the wood running down each side. Heavy oak panelling filled walls on every side. Books heaved on a giant bookcase, next to which a computer flickered to life in the corner.

Surprised, she bowed her head as she read the words that appeared as if by magic on the screen, but which in truth Richard sat typing next to where Shadow watched, quiet amusement flickering across his face.

 

Welcome, my Precious. This is the way we will communicate for a while. Your words, your sharings will come to me as gifts of the heart. Be open with me. Trust that I am here for you. Each morning when you wake, take time to use this for your feelings, your thoughts. Tell me your dreams. Your concerns. Your fears. Let me have a special place in your heart as you have in mine.

 

Perching on the chair she put the cup aside, and typed quickly.

 

My heart is full. You are there, with me always. Already I miss your presence. But if this is the way it must be, at least there is a way I can reach you when I have that need. Please, be gentle with me. Tread softly... lest you tread on my dreams?

 

White Lady with the numberless dreams, you will come to me when the time is right. Do well by Shadow. He is your teacher for now. Learn well and he will reward you. But go now, and explore. Use the time you have been given.

 

As the words spooled away from the screen they saw her quicken her pace through the rooms, and they sensed even before she knew where she was heading. The bedroom was filled with white lace. Wardrobes filled the length of the wall, but they were empty. There was also a chest on the floor... locked. Either side of the king-size bed was a locker made of the same heavy oak which adorned the lounge. Moving swiftly on she came to the huge bathroom, a bath sunk into the floor, with deep carpet-piled steps encircling its sides.

A shower cubicle of large cupboard proportions stood to one side. And a deep basin boasting shining gold taps hung below an array of cupboards filled with expensive creams and oils, and all manner of products she would have seen at Hartington Hall, because that was their suppliers.

They sensed her indecision, watched her working through the desire to feel the warmth of the water from a shower, using some of the products she had seen; or sample the waters she could see through the windows glinting in the sunlight beyond. She chose the latter. And washing the crockery she had used carefully in the sink, she hesitated only moments gazing soulfully into the emptiness of the wardrobe, before throwing open the doors and making her way in the morning sun to the beach.

Cameras were hidden in ornaments set seemingly randomly around the grounds. And through the lenses they could see her clearly, sitting on a flat rock, her toes dipped in the cool waters of The Sound. It was the first time they had seen her actually relax since her arrival. She pulled the fur of the coat closer around her, as if a sudden flurry of wind had reached inside to touch her pale skin. Or else she had become fearful of being on show. Her actions seemed to confirm the latter, as she turned back towards the upper windows of Arcana to wave. Did she sense them watching? In any event, Richard couldn't resist the urge to wave back. It was as if she needed to know she wasn't entirely alone.

Later, back in her Chamber, she made good use of the creams and oils, and the shower obviously fulfilled a need. Shadow brought dinner to her on a trolley, and she seemed to delight in the silver platters filled with delicious dishes made to tempt her. Everything had been carefully orchestrated and planned, designed to offer pleasure, comfort, protection, and to help her feel special, loved. They needed it to become familiar to her, to be home.

By early evening she looked tired, drained, as if all the life had gone out of her. The new lifestyle was taking its toll. For the first time she shrugged the comfort of her fur to one side, slipping quickly beneath the ample feathered duvet covering the bed.

It took but minutes for her to fall into a deep and satisfying sleep. She slept so soundly that she remained oblivious to the covered footsteps of Shadow and her Master. They gazed down at their charge, smitten by the childlike pose she adopted, curled up tight as if returning as a foetus to the womb. Then they departed for the night. In their wake they left bowls of red roses as a way of expressing their pleasure, a gift to tell her she was special.

One full bloom was placed beside her on the pillow to greet her when she awoke... a prelude to the specialness which would follow. Shadow had lovingly nurtured the rose from a small cutting he'd found dying by the wayside. He called the rose simply, Angel.

 

 

It was a house of secrets. She knew it as soon as she woke - an awakening such as she had never experienced before.

The sweet smell of roses fragranced the air. Rich and red, immediately they held her attention, offering a stark profile against the backdrop of the otherwise cream décor of the room. A trolley filled with a freshly prepared breakfast selection awaited her pleasure, while Shadow stood silently watching at the foot of the bed.

‘Good morning. You slept well?' He waited for her nod, acknowledging the hint of a smile playing on her lips. ‘We will share a light breakfast together and this will become ‘Our Time', a time when we might get to know one another as soulmates and share. Today it will also give us the chance for you to familiarise yourself with your routine. Then your instruction will begin.'

His voice, not unkindly, held her attention. She listened, matching his gaze. But suddenly self-conscious, pulled the cover demurely up over her chin, aware of the eyes watching her every move.

‘Shadow, can I ask: there aren't clothes in the wardrobe. What shall I wear?' She noticed with a touch of concern the fur coat she had placed the night before at the foot of the bed was removed.

‘Part of your training is that you begin to accept the way you are. To be comfortable with yourself. To learn to love your body and everything that makes up the essential you.'

He pushed the trolley to the table beyond the arch, unloading its trays of fruit juice, cereals and wholemeal toast.

‘Come. Eat. We will talk. And I will explain.'

Abi's arms automatically folded about her body as she covered herself as best she could.

‘Come. Sit. Breakfast is waiting, and we have much to do.'

Shadow was eager to begin. A quiet mannered man, his eyes darted this way and that about the room, as if taking in a whole lot more than they saw. And yet at the same time he had a quietness about him. He paid attention. He listened. He observed. She knew there would be no concealing anything in his presence. There were times he seemed to look right through her, reaching through the tangle of confusion to the hidden black box deep within her mind where lay her secret fantasies, thoughts, desires, but also those things she feared most.

In the morning light his skin was the palest she had ever seen, smooth as silk, and yet there was nothing delicate or fragile about him. His short, stocky figure suggested power, strength, and his eyes at times were scary, even cruel? While his hair was cut so short that it was almost non-existent. He was dressed in a black pair of joggers and a clean freshly ironed T-shirt. It seemed unfair when she had to remain naked. Her hands hovered uncertainly around her ample bosom, fluttering like restless butterflies with no place to land. As she caught him watching her she lowered them hurriedly to clasp demurely in front of her pussy. It was obvious she was already in a high state of arousal. She couldn't hide the fact. The dampness covering her pubic hairs making them glisten like early morning dew on grass was plain to see.

He patted a chair, and she sat opposite him while he poured tea, slipping food onto her plate according to a nod or shake of her head.

‘Now, let's begin by clearing your head of questions. This is the way it will be. These are the rules you will follow. We will add to them as we need.

‘You will remain within this Chamber for the time being, unless accompanied by myself or Master. But you are free to explore the bay.

‘There will be no outside influences of any kind.

‘At all times you will be naked.

‘You will refrain from masturbation.

‘You will come when called and obey immediately, or else risk punishment.

‘You will offer yourself freely as slave.

‘Is that understood?'

Abi sipped her freshly squeezed orange juice, trying to act as if she were having an ordinary breakfast in the company of one she knew well. But it was hard, especially being naked. Her nipples peeped just above the table, and it felt strange with nothing between herself and the chair. ‘Yes, Shadow. I understand. Does that mean no clothes at all, even when I go outside?'

‘As I said, you will remain naked, for the time being. Special clothing will come later. In the meantime you will be taught how to hold yourself, and be in a state of nakedness without shame.'

She nodded, slowly.

‘There are other things you should know. From this moment on you will be on a strict diet. There will be no food other than that you are given. And there will be exercise daily. You will be set tasks to work on when alone. And you will receive daily instruction on slavehood. The routine we start today will be the pattern for the foreseeable future. Discipline and structure are an important part of training.'

She completed the contents of her plate, accepting another cup of tea, aware she didn't know when she might eat again.

‘Shadow, can I just say that I have put myself into yours and Master's care. I have been happy with everything that I have felt and seen. I feel so... special. Thank you.'

Shadow smiled, seeming genuinely touched. He placed his hand briefly on hers. ‘It won't be easy for you, especially in the beginning. But remember, always we have your best interests at heart. We ask from you that you trust and obey.'

A sigh passed her lips. But before she had time to dwell further on his words, he continued. ‘Let us begin. Follow me.'

She was led through the arch of her Chamber, across a thick piled carpet, and into a large gymnasium at the other end of the corridor.

‘This is the way it will be every morning following breakfast. We will work out together, and for a while you will feel sore and tired as you discover muscles you never knew you had. But as the shape of your body changes you will find moves become easier. You will grow supple, more agile in time.'

For the next two hours she was taken through a comprehensive programme, including cycling, stretches, bar work, lifting, bending, and the treadmill. He was a hard taskmaster, always needing the extra lift, the extra pull, when she felt she had no more to give. Then reluctantly, almost, he offered her a breather.

‘Okay, you may rest for five minutes. You've done well for your first day.'

She was so exhausted she had no breath for words. She nodded wearily. But then, a few moments later, they were once more on the move.