“Has something been going on that I should know about? I was in the archbishop’s office yesterday. It seems that they had already heard of my proposal, Claire…”

She felt the cold drip of sweat trickle down the inside of her nightgown. This was in sharp contrast to the lovely warmth she usually felt upon opening the early morning notes from her Master. They operated the Manor together for the most part, and Stephen would often leave notes for Claire to open first thing: thoughts, observations, instructions, that sort of thing. She always checked the mail before getting her morning tea.

The thing was she had no idea if he was going to be angry or not, but she knew she was in trouble, right down to the depth of her bones. She could feel it. She thought frantically, trying to remember what he was referring to. She could hardly write, she could hardly think, hardly breathe.

There was really only one thing she could do. She spent her days teaching submissive women about honesty, trust and obedience. She would start with honesty. Not that she had ever deceived her Master, that would have been foolish, but there were many things that happened in the course of the day she didn’t recount to him. It just wasn’t practical to tell him everything, was it?
She remembered as much as she could about the incident last week and e-mailed a quick note back to him. She used her most submissive language. God, if he were here, she would crawl on her belly to him, but he was on a scouting mission this week and would not be back until the evening. She hated the waiting but there was not much else she could do. She went to make her tea.

Her heart was still pounding. She couldn’t eat her breakfast. She needed a shower, badly it seemed. No wonder wolves can smell fear; at this point she could smell it herself! She kept dropping things as she wondered what he would do to her.

The morning progressed. She left the kettle on in the kitchen and when she got back to it, it had boiled dry. She forgot half the things that she needed for the morning sessions and had to send one of the girls for them. She got a bit of her focus back as she fell into her familiar routines, but still the girls knew something was wrong. They started to push her. They got sloppy just to see if she was watching. She noticed but could not respond. She was simply too distracted, there was no way she could muster the authority to discipline them. Eventually she set the girls to practice simple postures and serving protocols under the guidance of Stephanie and Lori. They were the best at the manor so the girls would be well looked after. Thank goodness they did not have a retreat running at the moment.

Claire went to check her e-mail again. Nothing yet. She went to check on the team that was putting up the Christmas decorations. The Manor would be beautiful by the time their important guest arrived this afternoon. There were a few more details about the dinner she needed to see to, and several items on her desk, bills, schedules, a seemingly endless list of unimportant chores. It seemed every time she finished something, she’d remember two other things she had forgotten. Things were not going well.

She tried to console herself. What could he do to her, really? If she had failed him, even unintentionally, she would need to atone, she would need to be punished. He might whip her. Not a big problem, flesh heals, she had been whipped before. If only he would whip her! Then this would be over and done with, but she knew her Master better than that. If he were truly angry, he would not let her off so easily.

She could be sent away.

The thought was like ice in her veins. Her body started to shake again, hot and cold at the same time. She hugged herself closely and told herself firmly not to get carried away.

She managed to choke down some lunch. She really had no idea what she was eating, but she knew she needed food. She was scheduled to work with the horses this afternoon, but that would be a big mistake. Usually she could count on a ride to calm and centre her. Once she stepped foot into the stables, all was right with the world, no matter what was going on in her life. Except today. The only thing that could save her today was her Master. Her world hung on him and all she could do was put in time until his judgement.

Surely Master Stephen would have responded to her by now? She went back to her office and opened the mail. She didn’t know if she wanted to see a note from Master Stephen or not. Her blood raced when she opened her inbox. She was shaking as she clicked on the message.

She read it twice before she reminded herself to breathe.

“I am not yet displeased, but I require some clarification.” There followed a long list of specific questions.

Hope. She wasn’t in deep trouble... yet. Hope was a wonderful thing. Master Stephen was fair. He would not jump to conclusions. He was seeking clarification. But she knew he was concerned, and if he was seeking clarification, it could still go either way. She carefully and fully answered his questions. She knew absolutely she would get only one chance to redeem herself here. She re-read her note three times, checked the spelling again and whispered a quiet prayer before hitting the send button. Closing her eyes she took a deep shuddering breath. She had allowed herself hope; now she would trust.

Shortly afterwards Alexander arrived. She quickly checked herself in the mirror and went to greet him. Alexander was an old friend who would be staying with them over the holidays. Claire usually thoroughly enjoyed Alexander’s visits. He and Stephen would talk shop and stay up late trading stories. Claire liked to see Master Stephen relax and kick back. It didn’t happen often. More than that though, Alexander Waring was Claire’s trainer.

Many years ago, Claire had been in service with Master Trainer Alexander, when Stephen had entered the household to learn what it meant to be dominant. They had fallen in love and eventually left together to set up the Manor. Now Stephen and Claire carried on Alexander’s work by training couples with faltering marriages in how to express their natural inclinations towards dominance and submission. They owed Alexander a great debt both professionally and personally.

Claire met her old Master on the front steps, sinking gracefully to her knees.

“Good afternoon, Claire. You are looking lovely as usual.”

“Thank you, Sir. This one is happy to see her trainer. Sir’s usual suite is ready. Would Sir care for some refreshment after his drive?”

Alexander gave the familiar signal and Claire floated to her feet. She kept her eyes lowered, but she knew she could not fool Alexander. He would know something was wrong. He stepped in close to her. His breath whispered across her face. She felt the heat rise within her. Only years of practice stopped her from falling to her knees again.

“Stephen’s hospitality has not diminished I see. I brought him some manuscripts so I will need to see Lori in the library briefly. Go to my suite and prepare yourself. I will be up momentarily.” He did not wait for the acknowledgment, but walked past Claire and into the manor. She swayed slightly where she stood as his power washed through her. If it were any other guest she would have sent one of the other girls to him. But not Alexander. Stephen would expect Claire to see to him personally and she was not going to refuse anything today.

Alexander’s suite was in the North wing. It had a particularly lovely view in the winter. The snow on the orchard made everything sparkle. Claire lit the fire. It was a bit chill and she knew she would want the warmth. The bar in the room was well stocked with Alexander’s favourite scotch. She poured a glass and set it on the table then fetched the crop and her restraints. She had no idea what Alexander might want today, but likely the crop would be required. She stripped naked and carefully folded her clothes out of view. Ankle cuffs are easy to put on by yourself, wrist cuffs are a bit more of a trick, but Claire managed. She scented her nipples and her groin with the perfume Master Stephen had chosen for her and spread a thick blue blanket on the floor in front of the fire. There. Almost ready, she fetched two more items.

Alexander would expect her to wait for him kneeling on the floor, so she positioned herself on the blanket facing the door, kneeling with her thighs spread and head held high. She had brought her old training collar and she placed it on the blanket in front of her. Then she put on the blindfold, corrected her posture and settled in to wait, hands resting on her knees.

Claire reflected on the events so far today. She was still very much afraid of Stephen’s anger, but calm was finally descending upon her. Kneeling in wait can be very centring. She could hear the fire crackle as the room warmed up. hen, in what seemed to be no time at all, she heard someone enter the room. Footsteps came closer, she felt her collar being buckled around her neck and then a hand on the back of her head pushed her to the floor. She waited. She could hear him move around the room; she heard objects being moved, and the gentle clink of the glass as it was put down on the table. She tried to relax and open herself.

“You are not yourself today, Claire. Perhaps this will help.” The sharp sting of the crop across her lifted ass sucked the breath from her lungs. She held still and waited. Three more strikes in quick succession did actually help to focus her attention.

Alexander is not gentle with his girls and today was no exception. But Claire did not like to be treated like porcelain either, so they were well suited. Alexander started hard and fast coming from behind her. She was hardly ready, but submitted instantly, opening her body and her soul. His hand in the middle of her back pushed her flat on her belly. His thighs pinned her legs together around his shaft. He grabbed her hands and held them in the small of her back, the cuffs made it easy for him to immobilize both her hands with only one of his. He used the flat of his hand to spank her hard in between vicious thrusts, forcing her to cry out.

Alexander used her and Claire relished being used. She felt completely taken, overwhelmed. He tossed her over onto her back like a rag doll, forcing her legs wide apart and impaling her hard and deeply. His weight on her belly pushed the breath from her lungs. He pinned her arms above her head, as he took possession of her mouth. He fucked her harder and harder; she felt her cunt bruising with the force of him. The violence of it was a balm to her slave spirit.

Then he changed the pace. He rolled over and pulled her on top of him. She rubbed her aching clit hard against his pelvic bone.

“Stop. With finesse, Claire. Continue.”

She knew what he wanted. She lifted her legs carefully until she could put both feet flat on the floor and lowered her cunt onto his cock without touching any other part of him. This was a tricky move, especially blindfolded. It required great strength in the legs and flexibility in the hips. She supported her upper body with her hands on her knees as she squatted deeply and slowly down onto his cock. Grabbing tightly with her vaginal muscles, she lifted slowly back up. When she felt she was just at the tip, she tightened her grip and moved back and forth just slightly, then loosened her muscles and dropped quickly and hard back down. She needed to concentrate. She could not lift too far up, or she would loose hold of his cock. The drop had to be angled correctly, if she was off, his cock would bend and the impact of her weight would not be a welcome thing! But she was good at this. She kept the rhythm, feeling her passion grow.

Suddenly the room blossomed into light as her blindfold was ripped off, and she found herself caught in Alexander’s gaze. Oh God, his eyes were so beautiful! The passion ripped through her and her eyes rolled back.

“Look at me, Claire!” The command impaled her and she snapped her eyes back into his. He held her tightly, hands on her collar. She was still, frozen, impaled, his cock buried to its full length in her. His eyes focused the full impact of his power on her.

“Now, Claire. Release for me.” His command was the spark that lit her like a torch. Great waves of light and heat rolled through her, her screams filled the room. She shuddered and writhed. Just as her orgasm was letting up a bit, he grabbed her nipples hard. The pain pushed her over the top again, prolonging her agony and joy.

When he finally allowed her to calm, she collapsed onto his chest, spent and happy. “Thank you, Sir. Oh God! Thank you.”

“Very nice, Claire. Now clean me off.”

She carefully lifted off his cock and repositioned herself beside him. She gently licked his cock clean, tasting her own sweet juices. She opened her throat and took in as much of his well-remembered cock as she could. Her tongue massaging him even as her lips squeezed tighter. She established a new rhythm; tongue, lips and throat all working together. Then his hands grabbed her hair and she yielded her rhythm to his need. She was being used again. Opening herself to him as fully as she could, she surrendered to him, accepted his power as he allowed his release. When he had stilled, she again licked him clean then sat back on her heals and waited.

“Good girl. Get dressed.” Alexander got up and went to the bathroom.

Claire let the residue of her orgasm ripple through her as she gingerly stood up. She folded the blanket, gathered her clothes and left.

Back in her own room, she showered, relaxing in the warm water. It felt good to be able to please Alexander, but she was still waiting for Stephen’s judgement. She dressed and went back to her office.

She stood looking at the computer for a moment, arms tightly wrapped around her body. It looked so innocent sitting on her desk with the swirling patterns of colour decorating the screen. This device held her doom. She knew it. She opened her inbox and there was the note from Stephen. Well, there was nothing for it. She had been honest and told him what he required. She had trusted and waited. Now she would obey. Whatever his judgement, she would comply. She clicked on the message.

“The issue is resolved. I am satisfied with your answers. Breathe, Claire. All is well. – Stephen”

Forgiveness. Redemption. Claire obeyed. She breathed; a great shuddering breath that filled and soothed her. Those magic words, “All is well.”

She typed in a response.

“Thank you, Master. Thank you. – Claire”

She was still shaking as she went to prepare for her Master’s return. It was now late in the afternoon. The decorations sparkled cheerfully in the early winter darkness. She could smell dinner being prepared. The girls had sharpened up with the arrival of Alexander, and now with Master Stephen almost home, their behaviour was impeccable. They knew that if they failed to please, not only would they be punished, but Claire would as well.

Claire dressed in her new evening gown. Red satin flowed over her naked form to the floor. She fixed her makeup and her hair and went to the hall to wait for Master Stephen.

The hall was beautiful, fragrant with cedar and sage. Claire could not be still. She paced. Finally, the valet gave her the signal. Stephen’s car had passed the gates and he would be here momentarily. Claire’s hands were wet and hot. She gripped the back of one of the chairs briefly and went to the door.

She stood in the chill on the well-swept entrance as she watched Stephen’s car pull up to the steps. The valet opened the door for him. Her nipples hardened painfully when she saw him. They exchanged a few words Claire could not hear then Stephen laughed and gave the valet a slap on the back as he turned to the Manor. Their eyes caught for a second and Claire dropped to her knees, her dress an elegant puddle of red around her.

She saw Master Stephen approach and stop in front of her.

“Rise, Claire.”

Claire rose to her feet, brought her hands together in front of her and performed the ritual gesture of acknowledgement for her Master, opening herself for him. She felt power blossom within her as he reached for her and took her by the hair. She relaxed into his hands and he pulled her head back, opening her throat, his lips just brushing her cheek as he reached down to kiss the nape of her neck. Her energy reached for his and was answered; she was filled with gratitude, love and joy. Her Master was pleased with her. All was well.

“Merry Christmas, Claire,” he whispered. “Let’s go in to our guest.”