Chapter 16 #2
“Above head.”
Nala raised her arms and cupped her hands above her head, barely missing her bun. She thought Varen would tie them together, but instead, the first rope went beneath her arm and looped across her shoulder.
The key was to not look at the audience.
Easy, since Nightingale was a submissive mare, tamed and ridden.
It didn’t mean anything if Nala stared at the stage before her knees, waiting for a command to shift in this direction, to turn her head this way, or to lift her chin just so.
Always, however, her eyes remained pointed at the floor.
She did not need to meet Xan Ravenwood’s lecherous gaze as she became more vulnerable before him.
Still, it was not a quick demonstration.
Xan Ravenwood would not be content with that for their debut as a kinky couple in his circle.
He wanted a show. Nala was a passive doll tonight, who barely had a finger placed on her, but she still had to perform.
She sat perfectly still while Varen tied knots, moved her limbs, and gave her the occasional soft touch that made her tremble – quite involuntarily.
Murmurs echoed in the audience. What is she doing? Every so often Nala’s arms were tugged upward until she finally had to get up on her cramped heels. Pulleys squeaked behind her. Her shoulders ached, and her back threatened to become sore for the next few days.
It wasn’t a lot of weight, even with the ropes intricately tied above and behind her. Yet as Nala became more wrapped up in the world of bondage, she experienced that dull curiosity that begged her to look up and see what the hell was going on.
Except she couldn’t look up. A rope was knotted tight beneath her bun, keeping her head pointed straight, chin parallel with the stage. I’m not sure what’s going on. Some of the audience stood, pointing high above her as the squeak of the pulleys recommenced.
Her arms held out straight above her head. Nala wobbled onto her heels as she was forced to stand. By the time Varen was beside her with a look of satisfaction on her face, even Xan took out his glasses to see better.
He pulled his phone out of his front pocket and held it in front of him. A flash blinded Nala. He did not just… He had. He had taken a fucking picture of her up here on this stage, tied up like a jackass.
So had Varen, who hopped off the stage and documented her handiwork.
Nobody else took a picture, however. That would’ve been uncouth.
Instead, they marveled, talking excitedly to one another before erupting in vigorous applause.
Seba came up and clapped a hand on Varen’s shoulder, welcoming her to The Aviary and asking if she was keen on doing a bondage workshop for the group – with Xan’s blessing, of course.
Nala was the only person who wasn’t allowed to see what had happened.
Nobody was sharing a picture, nobody could find the words to describe it and, well, she couldn’t exactly step outside of her body and have a gander.
Besides, I’m fucking tired. Her arms were turning to jelly, her shoulders threatening to pop out of their sockets, and her knees wobbling as she tried to keep her balance in her shoes.
“That is amazing, Lake,” Lucian said from his seat. “But you should probably get your birdie down from there. She’s shaking like a seizure.”
“What a sport, though,” Xan said, as the first rope came undone and alleviated some of the pressure on Nala’s left shoulder. “There’s nothing like a girl who can take whatever we throw at her.”
Oh, vomit.
Slowly, with the care of a woman who knew what she was doing, Varen untied Nala and helped her lower to the throne.
Hey, here I am, sitting in his massive chair.
She slumped over, stretching out her shoulders and arms.
Giving her feet a rest was a top priority as well.
Varen fielded questions and comments about her artistic abilities, someone even going as far as to ask if she considered doing a public show.
“This is Portland,” someone said. “They would love you two at one of the alternative galleries.”
Varen said she would consider it. Nala almost nodded off to sleep before Robin sideswiped her with a friendly hug.
“I’m so jealous of your Mistress’s abilities.”
Her giggles were almost infectious. At the very least, they rejuvenated Nala until she sat up straight again.
“I’ve been trying to get mine to take bondage courses so we could give it a whirl. There’s something so intensely erotic about… well, I don’t have to tell you! I bet your undies are so wet right now.”
Nala stared at her. No, girl, you’re Nightingale. She smiled instead. “Maybe a little.” Nightingale loved getting tied up and fucked. Okay, maybe I do a little too. Not the actual tying-up part. The fucking part.
There were other demonstrations that night.
Robin was spanked for what felt like hours.
Quail took a crop right to the pussy and came with her legs shaking in the air.
Starling demonstrated a mewling submissive who was a queen of dirty talk.
Maggie and Jay also did bondage, but their piece was more about restraint than artistic expression.
Two weeks ago, this would’ve been scandalous.
Now Nala could hardly care. She was still disgusted with Xan’s presence, but that would never go away.
Not with him being in control, and all. I hope nobody else tries to sleep with me.
She scooted closer to Varen on their bench, attempting to look 100% her possession.
Her hand slipped between Varen’s legs and lightly stroked her thigh when Quail started screaming in ecstasy from the crop.
Varen caught Nala’s glance. Why, yes, I am doing this, ma’am.
I am the Nightingale, after all. I am here to serve your every sexual whim.
Why, did Varen not care for playtime in this situation?
She was probably as grossed out being around Xan, but last week proved she didn’t mind a rough quickie as far away as possible.
Neither did Nala. It might be good for someone to catch us fucking. Word will spread. We’ll be more legit.
After the demonstrations, Robin and Lucian departed, saying they had to leave for a trip early in the morning. Starling and Josephine thanked everyone for a wonderful evening and expressed how tired they were. After seeing them off, Xan took the opportunity to approach Varen and bring up the NDAs.
As full members of The Aviary, they were expected to sign some suspiciously illegal documents that passed as NDAs. Except Nala was supposed to use her code name. Worked for her, but it only served to remind that she and Nightingale were different entities.
“Come up to my office. I have one upstairs.”
They couldn’t say no even if they wanted to.
One of the fishnet-clad women led the way, weaving upstairs through The Raven, and up another set of stairs pointing out a regional office.
One side of the room belonged to the on-site lounge manager, who had stepped out for this private meeting, and the other was the tidy property of Xan Ravenwood.
“Are you all right?” Varen asked as they sat in the chairs in front of Xan’s desk. “We haven’t had much time to talk tonight.”
Nala looked around, noting a camera in the corner – and mics only God knew where. “I’m fine, ma’am,” she said. “Why? Are you not pleased with me?”
Varen sat back, frowning. “You’re more than pleasant. I’m… worried about you.”
Nala cocked her head with a reassuring smile. “We can discuss your worries later, yes?”
“Sure.”
They were their usual silent until Xan arrived ten more minutes later, swinging his jacket onto a coat rack and letting out a hearty sigh as he sat behind his desk.
“Varen. Nightingale.” His smile would’ve been friendly if they both didn’t know the truth behind it.
“That was a wonderful demonstration you put on earlier. I had no idea you were so handy with a set of ropes, Lake.”
Varen nodded. “I’ve dabbled in it over the years. Was practically an Eagle Scout with my knowledge of knots growing up.” She chuckled. “Except for, you know, being a girl. But I had great aspirations of joining the Scouts like my cousins.”
“I’m sure.” That leering smile turned to Nala, who managed to retain her poise even under this much scrutiny. I’m getting good at this. “You remained so docile during that trying experience. You two must have a lot of history to know one another so well.”
Nala pulled her cheeks into a smile. “You could say that. My Mistress and I are very in tune with one another.” She turned in Varen’s direction. “Wouldn’t you say so, ma’am?”
Varen didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to.
“At any rate, there are a few boring formalities we have to go through before you can fully enjoy the privileges of The Aviary.”
Xan opened a drawer and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
Nala was too far away to see the words on it, but she knew it was the sketchy NDA.
Where do I sign, fucker? Then give me the keys to your house so I can go through your shit.
Finally, a real smile. Except she had to hide this one.
“Varen, I will need your statement when you can get it to me over the next week. Both of you need to sign the non-disclosure agreement saying that you will not talk about The Aviary or its members to others, especially anyone who could compromise these people’s careers. I take that very seriously.”
Nala nearly swallowed her tongue. I bet you do. That’s why Tasha was dead. That’s probably why Desirée was dead.
Varen picked up a pen, perused the paper before them, and signed her name at the bottom. When it was Nala’s turn, she saw the name “Nightingale” beneath the solid line.
I am a different person now. The name rolled from her fingers without contest. The longer she stayed in the headspace of Nightingale, the more she felt at home.
Xan took the paper and pen back with a happy sigh. His eyes lingered on Nala, staring uncomfortably at her face. “You know, dear Nightingale, you look strangely familiar. I can’t quite place it. Do we know each other from elsewhere?”
Nala politely shook her head. “Until two weeks ago, sir, I had never met you before.” A new thought sparked in her mind. “I have a distant cousin who is a model. Perhaps it’s her I look like. Everyone in that part of the family looks the same.”
“I don’t cavort much with models.”