Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Seraphina
I curled my legs under me on the blanket, my plate long forgotten while Mistress V leaned closer, flipping the quiz back to the questions I’d marked yellow.
“Okay,” she said softly, her finger tracing one line. “Roleplay—teacher and student. You marked yellow. Tell me why.”
My cheeks heated, but I forced myself to look at her. “Because… it sounds fun, but I don’t know if I’d freeze up or if it would feel too forced.”
She nodded, expression calm, thoughtful. “That makes sense. Yellow means maybe, depending on how it’s done. That tells me you’re curious, but you need safety first. Good girl.”
The quiet praise hit me deep, like a spark in my chest. I exhaled shakily.
She turned another page. “Discipline with implements—you marked red for canes, but yellow for paddles. Why the difference?”
“I think… the cane feels too harsh. Too much like punishment. But a paddle—” I chewed my lip. “I don’t know. Maybe it could feel playful? Less… cruel.”
Her smile was approving. “That’s excellent self-awareness. Red means hard limit—absolutely no. Yellow means we talk, negotiate, and proceed with care. You did exactly what you were supposed to.”
We went through more of my responses, with her listening more than talking.
Every so often, she’d ask me to explain, or she’d make sure I understood that a “no” was always respected.
It didn’t feel like an interrogation—it felt like someone finally saw me, and wanted to make space for every corner of who I was.
By the time we’d moved to likes and dislikes, the heavy knot in my chest had unraveled.
“I like structure,” I admitted. “Clear expectations. But… I don’t like humiliation. Not really.”
“That’s good to know,” she said. “Structure we can work with. Humiliation stays off the table.”
Our conversation flowed easily after that, like we’d slipped into something that wasn’t just a negotiation—it was a date.
She made me laugh, she teased me gently, she even handed me the last cookie from the plate with a grin as if she knew she was spoiling me.
I couldn’t ignore the warmth blooming between us, the way my body reacted every time she leaned close or praised me.
But I didn’t dare name it. Not yet. Not until I was sure I could trust her.
When Vasiah finally glanced at her watch, she sighed. “It’s your bedtime.”
My head snapped up. “My—what?”
She chuckled, shaking her head like I was adorable.
“You need rest, Sera. Tonight, you’re going to take a nice bubble bath, get into your comfiest pajamas, and snuggle up in bed with that stuff that I saw you with.
Once you’re done, text me. Then I’ll say goodnight properly.
From here on out, make sure to be in bed by 9:30. ”
I bit my lip, warmth flooding my chest. “Okay…”
“Good girl.” She said it so naturally, like it belonged to me. Then she stood, held out her arms. “Hug?”
I hesitated for half a second before I slid into her embrace.
Her hold was firm but not crushing, safe and warm in a way that nearly undid me.
I held on to her and said a prayer. Tonight had been wonderful, and I wanted more of that.
Please let her follow through. When she let go, she touched my shoulder once more before leaving with her empty picnic basket.
She’d already cleaned up everything else.
The suite felt quiet without her, but instead of the gnawing loneliness I’d grown used to, there was something else—settledness. Hope.
I sat at my desk, pulled up my email, and typed quickly to Master E.
I’ve decided I want to stay.
Then I followed her instructions—bubble bath, soft pajamas, cocooning myself beneath my blankets with my stuffy. The water had soothed me, but it was the ritual she’d set for me that quieted my mind.
When I finally texted her
All done
her reply came almost instantly.
Mistress V
Good girl. Sleep well, Sera.
Tears prickled my eyes, but this time they weren’t born of isolation. They were relief, comfort, something deeper. I clutched the phone against my chest, whispering the words again to myself before drifting into the deepest, most peaceful sleep.