Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Well…” Lucy began.
But just at that moment, there was a timid rapping at the vast double doors of the Banquet Hall.
Mistress Shin’dara raised one finger.
“Just a moment,” she said to Lucy. Then she raised her voice and demanded, “Yes? Who is it and what do you want?”
The doors swung open to reveal a trembling guard. He was dressed in the same leather straps and speedo outfit they’d seen on the other guard and his cock was on display, held in stiff readiness by the cock-ring around its base, though it was clear he was much more scared than aroused.
“Yes?” Mistress Shin’dara snapped. “What do you want and why are you interrupting my breakfast with my guest?”
“If…if it please you, Mistress—” the guard began in a shaking voice.
“No, don’t talk from there, you idiot! Come here and bow before me. Only then may you speak!” Mistress Shin’dara was sounding more and more irritated and angry and Lucy didn’t blame the man for trembling as he made his way over to her side of the table and bowed low before her.
But apparently the bow didn’t satisfy the Twainer.
“Not good enough,” she barked. “On your knees and press your face to my feet, manslave!”
She had turned in her chair so this was possible and Lucy was just able to see over the table top to the floor below where the guard was pressing his face miserably to his Mistress’s feet.
The Twainer let him grovel for a while and then she reached for a crop much like Lucy’s own and slapped his bare back with it. Immediately, red blood stained his light green skin. Looking closer, Lucy saw that instead of a rectangle of black leather, there were cruel-looking spikes at the end of Mistress Shin’dara’s crop.
The guard let out a muffled gasp and twitched but didn’t move from his groveling position at the Twainer’s feet, even though she slapped him again and then again until his back was a bloody mess.
“Well? What is it?” she demanded at last, apparently bored with whipping him. “What’s so important that you had to interrupt my breakfast?”
“Forgive me, Mistress!” The guard’s voice came out low and miserable. “I only came to tell you that preparations for the Loyalty Ceremony are underway and the branding set that was stored with your other valuables has been found.”
“Excellent!” Mistress Shin’dara actually sounded pleased for once. “It’s still in good working order, I hope?”
“Yes, Mistress—as far as I know.” The guard’s voice was muffled since he still had his face pressed to her booted feet.
“Good! Then you may go. And don’t interrupt me again!” she snapped.
“Yes, Mistress.” The guard scrambled to his feet and Lucy saw a look of abject misery on his face. He was about to go when Mistress Shin’dara beckoned to him with one finger.
“Come here, manslave—I have a parting present for you,” she purred.
Warily, the guard leaned down towards her.
“Yes, Mistress?” he asked uncertainly.
Quick as a snake striking, the Twainer’s pale hand struck him across the cheek. Lucy heard a flat crack and the guard’s eyes began to water from the pain of the violent blow, but it was clear he still didn’t dare to move a muscle. A handprint started to form on his cheek at once.
“Now thank me,” Mistress Shin’dara told him, a cruel smile playing around her lips. “Thank me for disciplining you, you disgusting little maggot!”
“Thank you, Mistress!” the guard said quickly. “Thank you for the discipline.”
“You’re not welcome, you revolting worm of a manslave,” Mistress Shin’dara snapped. “Now get out of here and make certain that branding set is in working order. If it’s not, I’ll have you hung upside down by your balls for the rest of the day!”
The guard bowed again and then exited the Banquet Hall almost at a run. The doors boomed shut behind him and then Mistress Shin’dara turned her attention back to Lucy.
“You must excuse my little display—I’m afraid the guards have all gotten dreadfully lax during my extended absence. I’m having to whip them back into shape and remind them to fear me.”
The Twainer spoke casually, as though abusing and humiliating the guard was all in a day’s work for her, though the display had turned Lucy’s stomach.
“Oh yes—of course.” She nodded, not sure what else to say. What a horrible person the Dark Face of the Twainer was! But there was nothing to do but deal with her and try to keep her composure.
“So, where were we?” Mistress Shin’dara took a sip from her cup of the steaming cinnamon coffee drink. “Ah yes—why are you here?” she asked Lucy.
Lucy did her best to keep her face impassive and businesslike.
“I came because I had a deal with your Other Half—with Lady Twa’linda,” she said. “I was going to buy some of the dimriel you mine from the chasm.”