Nothing but fire.
Once again I wake up alone in my own bedroom. Goddamn Gabriel, giving me an epic night and leaving me in the morning. I’m still naked but my body is refreshed. The bath did its good. My hands look a lot better because of that balm.
There’s a lingering tightness in my chest. I try, but can’t remember my dreams. Too bad. I could use another powwow with the dragon.
Judging by the light streaming in from the windows, I slept a lot. Yesterday was something else. My escape, meeting the dragon, the cage. Gabriel’s delicious way of punishing me.
My stomach gurgles. Dinner filled me up, but I could eat a full English after last night’s exertion. When I swing my legs over the side of the bed, there’s a twinge in my core. I’m a little sore in the best way.
Unlike yesterday, there’s no outfit laid out for me. There is a note in exquisite handwriting that looks like it was inked with a quill pen.
Good morning, my treasure. I hope you slept well. You will rest today and remain in your room. Meals will be delivered to you. Tonight I will come to you. Signed simply Gabriel.
Typically Gabriel bossiness. I would toss the note in the fire, but the penmanship is a work of art.
I head to the bathroom to do my business and examine myself carefully in a floor-to-ceiling gilt-framed mirror. My pussy is a little puffy but there is a disappointing lack of hickies. Too bad. It’d be nice to see a few red marks from a tight grip or sexy spanking. I’ve always craved rough sex, and Gabriel is just the one I’d want to get wild with. What would it take for him to lose control?
My second stop is the closet for clothes. The lights flicker on, but instead of the gorgeous fashion display, there are empty cubbies, empty racks, and empty shelves.
What the fuck? I rap my fist on an empty shelf and double-check the built-in closets. There’s nothing. Not even a stray hanger.
Out in the bedroom, a bright ringing sound blares. I dash out, grabbing a sheet to wrap around me in case a bunch of servants are about to burst in with my breakfast. But the ringing sound comes from an old-fashioned rotary phone sitting on my bedside table.
I pick it up. “Hello?”
“Good morning, my treasure,” Gabriel purrs. “How did you sleep?”
“Great, I snarl. “Where the hell are my clothes?”
“I had them removed.”
“What?” I screech. “Bring them back.”
He chuckles. My toes curl at the dark and throaty sound.
“I’m serious, Gabriel. What am I supposed to wear?”
“You will earn the right to wear clothing when you obey me.”
“Excuse me?” My voice is low and calm. Gabriel will learn that when I get mad, I get quiet because I'm internally plotting on how to destroy him.
“You will remain naked by my whim or as long as you wish. I will have you submit to me, my bride.”
I stuff down a growl. “This is not the way to make me happy, Gabriel.”
“You were content enough last night,” he says smugly.
I strangle my whimper. My pussy throbs between my legs. Apparently, nothing fazes my libido. The angrier I get, the more my attraction to Gabriel grows.
“You can earn your clothing with good behavior.”
“You will regret this.”
“I'm looking forward to it. I love to play games.” Before I think of a reply he continues in a brisk tone, “Your breakfast will be delivered shortly. I have duties today, but you will dine with me this evening.”
“That's what you think,” I mutter. Not exactly an epic rejoinder, but it’s the best I can do. I’m already thinking of what dinner will be like, with me naked and him clothed. Maybe I should give myself some orgasms before then, to take the edge off.
No!
“Oh Tabitha,” he says in a perfectly pleasant, even tone. “We will be dining together. Whether you sit with me at my table. Or whether I tie you down to the bed and eat your sweet pussy until you scream. One way or another, you will be dining with me. Tonight.”
Before I can pick myself up from where I’ve melted on the floor, he hangs up.
“Whatever, dragon daddy,” I tell the ringtone and slam the ringer down.
I gather up the sheet I draped around me. Gabriel thinks he’s got the upper hand, but this is just another obstacle to scale.
I eye the bed curtains. I’ve spent the last few years using my seamstress skills to upcycle clothes for a living. I could do a Sound of Music “How do you solve a problem like Maria” montage, but it would be a shame to slice up these beautiful drapes.
I drape the bed sheet around me like a toga, using hair ties and some pins Gabriel forgot to remove from the bathroom drawers.