Chapter 4 #2
“Sit. Down.” Her chair moved out of its place at his insistence, her focus flitting to it as it slid along the marble floor. “Remember my rules, little one, and what happens when you defy me.”
She scowled in his direction, but her expression quickly vanished when she clocked his stern countenance. He was fast learning that Kristina liked to push her luck, but the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other conveyed she hadn’t forgotten what happened when she tipped the balance.
“Okay, I’m going.” Her hands rose into the air when he released her fingers, and he watched as she dragged the chair closer to the table and sat down. “But being treated like a child is getting really tired, Master.”
“You’re being treated as my guest,” he corrected as he came to stand behind her.
Once again, he considered using the appropriate term for what she was, and again, he held back.
They were already lovers by her consent, and calling her his concubine downgraded the honor.
The term was often used to describe one who had no say in what proceedings transpired to her, whereas Kristina’s passion for him had already been demonstrated.
He wouldn’t let her leave, but that didn’t mean he needed to force himself on her.
She had wanted him to claim her.
“Some guest,” she muttered under her breath as he moved to take his place at the head of the table.
“Excuse me?” He spun at her provocation, his focus drilling into her. “Do you have something to say, little one?”
She exhaled slowly, fidgeting on her chair. The furniture hadn’t been designed with the naked body in mind, and he contemplated how comfortable the hard, wooden seat would be, especially on her punished ass.
“Nothing, Master.” Based on the way she’d forced the words out between gritted teeth, it had killed her to reply with respect.
Evidently, there was a lot she had to say, which was a shame because he wasn’t in the mood to hear it.
“Good.” Sitting down, he chose to let the matter go and focused instead on collecting his napkin from the place in front of him. “Are you cold?”
The dining hall was such a massive space; it was notoriously difficult to keep warm.
“A little.” She glanced down at her white mat, apparently unable to meet his eyes.
“Excuse me?” he repeated, straightening as he waited for her response.
He’d been lenient with her so far, but watching her performance, he questioned whether that had been the right plan.
She’d yielded to his palm once he’d demanded she accept the punishment, and in doing so, she’d been keen to ride him.
Perhaps he would see better results if he played the hard taskmaster rather than the gentle lover.
He was Kronos, after all, known by mortals all over the world as Karma itself. Why was he permitting one little mortal to manipulate him? However lovely she was, she was his subordinate, and that wasn’t going to change.
“I’m a little cold, Master.”
Her chin rose as she answered him, her cheeks coloring when their eyes met. It seemed as though she realized how close she was to crossing a line. Likely, she was wondering whether there would be repercussions, which was interesting, because he still hadn’t decided.
“That’s better,” he snapped, keeping his tone intentionally terse. “If you’re cold, then I shall warm you.”
He held out his hand and willed the black blanket he saw in his mind’s eye into being, smiling as the soft, folded fabric appeared on his palm.
“Here.” He thrust the cover in her direction. “Take this.”
A crease appeared in her brow as she reached for the blanket. “Thank you, Master.”
“Cover yourself with it.”
It pained him to instruct such a heinous outcome, but there would be plenty of time to relish the look of her naked body after they’d eaten.
She unfolded the fabric warily, sliding it down between her legs and the table and tugging it north to cover her delectable breasts.
“Do you need another blanket around your shoulders?” He eyed her exposed flesh, knowing that her skin would still be cold despite the first cover.
“I’m okay.” Her tone was far humbler then. “Thank you, Master.”
“All right.”
A gentle nod of his head was all that was required to create the second blanket, which unfurled itself slowly before draping itself over his lap. He would have a second cover if she suddenly required one, and in the meantime, it could protect his lap.
“Maybe one day you’ll tell me how you do that, Master.” Her gaze flitted from his face to the candelabra and floral tributes that served as centerpieces.
“One day, I shall.” However much he enjoyed her defiant streak, he much preferred the latest version of her for mealtimes.
A wave of his hand revealed the large jug of iced water on the table between them.
“You must be thirsty by now.” He reached for the nearest crystal goblet and commanded the jug to tilt, pouring the liquid into the vessel without so much as moving another finger.
Her eyes were like saucers as she acknowledged what was taking place, and watching the goblet hover in the air toward her, she shook her head.
“This is insane, Master.”
“Just thank me,” he instructed, landing the goblet by her right hand.
Laughing gently, she reached for the delicate stem of the glass before she glanced his way. “I have no idea how you’re doing this, but thank you.”