“Guess what? I’m going to be published!” She was clearly thrilled.

Alexis pushed herself back from the keyboard. “Congratulations, but why all the excitement? You’ve been published before, loads of times!”

“Ah yes, but not by the Vatican!” Lori grabbed Alexis by the arms and drew her into a hug.

Alexis pulled back and looked at her. “Really? The Vatican?” Lori nodded barely containing her excitement. Alexis shrieked and hugged her friend. Lori howled her laughter and they danced around the room.

Finally, they collapsed on the bed laughing. Alexis had a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she got up.

“Come on, let’s celebrate properly.”

She grabbed her cloak, and taking Lori by the hand. They made a brief stop at Lori’s room to get her cloak and then the two of them ran out to the orchard, still laughing like two kids playing hooky. When they got to their favourite bench, Alexis reached into a pocket in her cloak and brought out her small stash.

“So, tell me everything.” Alexis started to roll a joint.

“OK, you know Master Stephen and I have been working on a paper about the roots of dominance and submission? Well, we got into the really ancient texts and found some very detailed accounts of service and responsibility role definition in some of the old Babylonian law texts. This is pre-Biblical, of course, so I went to the Sumerian archives to find what I could there.”

Alexis’ eyes were starting to glaze over. She took a drag on her joint and passed it to Lori.

“Honey, I love you with all my heart, but I haven’t a clue what you just said. Cut to the chase.”

Lori laughed, a lovely cascade of sound. “Sorry, sometimes I get carried away. The long and short of it is the Vatican is going to publish the paper in twenty-five languages and distribute it worldwide. Master Stephen is very pleased with me right now.” She took a drag from the joint and sat back with her eyes closed, a look of utter peace and contentment on her face.

Alexis understood completely. Pleasing Master Stephen was a potent drug; much more powerful than the weed they were indulging in. It was, in point of fact, the main purpose of their lives here.

Alexis decided it was time to congratulate her friend properly. She took one last drag of the joint and carefully extinguished it. She’d save the rest for later.

Alexis pulled herself up onto her knees on the bench facing Lori and leaning over, kissed her friend squarely on the mouth. Alexis loved the way Lori tasted, clean and spicy with a nice overtone of the joint. Lori relaxed in Alexis’ embrace, opened her mouth and Alexis took over. She thrust her tongue into Lori’s mouth, and then when she had explored all of her, sucked Lori’s tongue into her own mouth, forcing her to open more.

Alexis was overcome with Lori. Her grace and beauty were intoxicating. Alexis had to have her, touch her, claim her. This was the way of things with Alexis. She was joyfully and completely submissive to Master Stephen and obediently served her assigned guests with honour, but with another woman, she felt a surge of dominance. She liked to take control and experience the rush of power Master Stephen was so carefully explaining to the men at the manor.

Keeping hold of her mouth, Alexis pushed Lori until she was lying back on the bench. A quick swipe of her hand freed Lori’s round, soft breasts from their lace blouse covering. Lori’s nipples were very brown and puckered up in to exquisite little raisins as the cold fall air touched them. Alexis took one nipple in her mouth running her teeth quickly and lightly across its tip.

Lori moaned in response, breathing hard, her head fallen back on the bench. Alexis understood this surrender and accepted it. She shoved Lori’s skirt up out of the way, her hands gripping Lori’s body and spreading her thighs. Alexis licked a long slow path up the inside of Lori’s thigh to her neatly trimmed bush, then dipped into her wetness. Lori was a heady mixture of musk, softness and submission. Alexis took Lori’s clit into her mouth, teasing and nibbling while she reached back to Lori’s nipples and held just the tips between her fingernails. Alexis knew just how much pain Lori liked with her pleasure, and fed her exactly that much and perhaps just a bit more. Lori squirmed and shuddered under the onslaught, but Alexis would not let go. She held nipples and clit securely, each in their own little vices of fingernails and teeth. Then she pulled even more of Lori’s clit into her mouth and flicked it with her tongue. Lori’s passion climbed higher and finally burst with a long, shuddering contraction filling Alexis’ mouth with a flood of sweet wetness.

Alexis released her fingernail hold on Lori’s nipples and pushed down on her breasts hard as the orgasm pulled her up off the bench. Finally, Lori relaxed and took the long breath that Alexis recognized as her completion. Alexis let go of her and sat up.

“Congratulations on your publication.”

Lori opened one lovely almond eye. “Thanks.” She took another deep breath. “Thank you... very much.”

Lori pulled herself upright then slid onto the grass. Her cloak was pushed back from her shoulders, falling like wings behind her; a lovely, dark angel kneeling at Alexis’ feet.

“Now, may this girl be permitted to serve you?”

It was play, of course, for Lori to use the third person speech with Alexis. Nevertheless her submission invoked a rush of sweet power within Alexis. As exhilarating as the feeling was, she knew it was only a pale shadow of what was felt by the masters.

In answer, Alexis opened her thighs and pulled up her skirt inviting Lori in. Lori shuffled closer to her and Alexis took her face in her hands. Kissing Lori languorously, Alexis ran her hands down Lori’s arms and pulled her hands behind her back. They were not wearing any cuffs and Alexis had nothing available she could use to bind her treasure, but they were both well trained. Alexis simply crossed Lori’s wrists behind her back and gave them a firm squeeze. Lori bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment. She would be bound to Alexis’ will.

Lori’s nipples were still exposed to the cool air and Alexis pinched them again, revelling in the gasp that escaped from Lori’s mouth. Then, with her hands in Lori’s hair, Alexis pulled the girl into her cunt. Lori’s tongue was like a cat in the cream, little licks and laps. Delightful to be sure, but Alexis wanted more so she tightened her grip in Lori’s hair and pulled her in closer, pushing her hips forward into Lori’s mouth. Lori used all her talent and training to eat her way into Alexis’ folds and further into the depths of her wetness. Alexis shuddered and pulled her legs apart until the muscles were shaking with the effort. Her whole body tensed and shook and finally released. Alexis was suddenly hypersensitive and thrust Lori away, falling back on the bench to catch her breath.

Lori sat back on her heals with her hands still obediently behind her back. Alexis looked at her. Lori had the most infuriating look of self satisfaction, even with her face covered in Alexis’ juices. Alexis leaned forward and gripped Lori’s face tightly as she licked the juices from her face then pushed her back until she fell on the grass. Lori’s arms reached out breaking her posture and her fall at the same time.

Alexis straddled Lori in triumph. “So you can’t hold your hands in the simplest of postures?” Alexis’ tone mimicked the one Master Stephen used when he gave his reprimands. A look of stricken panic passed Lori’s face until Alexis grinned at her and they both burst out laughing.

“Measures will be taken so this does not happen again!” Alexis went on; this time she was imitating Lady Claire while she pinned Lori to the grass, tickling her playfully.

“Alexis stop, you shouldn’t,” Lori cautioned between giggles.

“Auch, Lass. Dinna fass yeself. Let it flow.”

None of the Masters of the manor were exempt from Alexis’ impromptu satire. Suddenly, Lori froze and Alexis followed her gaze over her shoulder to see two of the valets from the manor watching Alexis’ performance.

Alexis and Lori quickly set their clothing to rights and pulled their cloaks tight shut. The pleasure slaves were not required to provide sexual service for anyone other than their assigned guests and the masters of the manor. It had become somewhat of a competition among the stable hands and the valets to see who could have sex with each of the girls. Alexis and Lori knew this, of course. Lori held herself quite separate from these games and as first girl she was rarely approached. Alexis, on the other hand, simply would not submit to any man unless they had the power to invoke her submissive response, and these boys did not. Besides she still felt the glow of dominance and stood protectively over Lori.

“Yes? Are you lost? The House is that way.” Alexis said trying to dismiss them.

The valets came closer. “Aw, come on Alexis. A beautiful girl like you should have a man between your legs. One who can pin you to the ground.”

“Ha! That would not be you, Matt. Go find someone who wants you. Emily’s around somewhere. We’re celebrating and we don’t need any help from you … boys.” Alexis put all the derision she could muster into the word.

“How ‘bout you, Lori? You don’t need to hide under her skirts. We’ll celebrate with you, won’t we John? A fine offer, two for one.”

Alexis felt a bloom of anger flood through her as Lori moved closer. How dare they? Lori was first girl! Alexis put her hands on her hips and tossed back her hair.

“You would have to get through me first and neither of you would survive it. Now piss off before I get really mad.”

John got the hint first. “Come on Matt, let’s go play some pool.” He took his friend by the arm and tried to lead him away.

Matt shook him off. “You’ll regret this Alexis. You’ll wish you’d not been so much of a bitch.”

Alexis stood her ground. “Yeah? You and what army? You’re all bluff and blunder, Matt. You know we don’t have to put out for the likes of you and you can’t force us. You’d be tossed out on your can so fast your head would spin. Now go away.”

John tugged on Matt again and finally convinced him to move off.

“You okay?” Alexis asked, kneeling down beside Lori.

“Yeah, just fine. But I think it’s time we go in.”

Alexis helped her friend to her feet. “You’re right, I’m freezing my ass off! Besides, I have to go extricate Madelyn from Mr. Standish’s room. I really am very proud of you, Lori. Congratulations again.”

“Thanks, it is pretty magnificent!”

The girls hugged their cloaks tightly around themselves as they returned to the manor and their duties.

Back in the Manor, Alexis fixed her hair and makeup then went to fetch Madelyn Standish from her husband’s room.

She knew from experience the couples at this point in the retreat would happily spend the whole afternoon in bed. But too much contact would not be good. Neither of them had received enough training as yet, and they may be prone to revert to the old patterns they were here to break.

Alexis knocked on the door and waited. It was always interesting to watch the change in the dynamic between husbands and wives on retreat. Madelyn opened the door. She was clutching a bathrobe around herself.

“Good afternoon, Madelyn. If your husband will permit, it’s time to return to your lessons.”

Alexis stayed in the hall. It was absolutely intentional to cede power to Ian at this point. If the dynamic had shifted enough, then the husband might refuse to release his wife. It had happened once or twice, though Alexis didn’t think these two were ready to do that yet. She was correct. Madelyn didn’t even ask Ian’s permission. She obviously still had work to do.

“I’ll be right with you, Alexis.” Madelyn closed the door.

When the door opened again, Ian was wearing the robe and Madelyn had her dress back on.

“Good luck darling.” Ian kissed his wife then turned to Alexis. “When do I have to be ready?”

“Yes, Sir. The gentlemen are requested to gather in the library this afternoon. Master Stephen will expect Sir in about forty-five minutes. Does Sir require anything from this girl before that time?”

“No thanks, Alexis, I can make my way down. Bye sweetheart. I love you.” Ian kissed his wife one last time.

“I love you too, Ian. See you later.”

Alexis escorted Madelyn back to the carriage house then disappeared. The women were gathered in the now familiar sitting room. There was a pitcher of ice water on the table with lemon slices floating in it. Madelyn helped herself to a glass and took another good look at the tapestry. The two dragons were locked in their perpetual dance, white and black glistening and flowing one into the other. Madelyn looked even closer and noticed almost every stitch was made up of two or more different colours. It was only the composite of all the colours taken together that gave the black and white dragons their shimmering effect. Susan and Elaine came in and headed for the water.

Madelyn met them at the table as they helped themselves to a glass. Maddie leaned over to her friends, “So, how did it go?”

Susan broke out into a broad smile. “My God, Maddie. It was magnificent! I never knew Andrew could be so… powerful! He had me completely overwhelmed. Oh, I can still feel it. I’m a happy camper. How about you?”

Maddie’s body remembered with a shudder. “Oh yes. You know what he said to me? ‘You are mine, Madelyn Joan Standish. All mine. I will take you and use you and keep you.’ Can you imagine?” She poured herself more water.

Elaine joined them. “Me too, girl friends. Wow! Quite a difference, isn’t it? There is nothing like kneeling at Justin’s feet and feeling his smile, his hands stroking my hair. Well, at least at the start!”

The women shared stories until Lady Claire called for their attention.

“Good afternoon. I trust you had a pleasant interlude with your husbands. Now, there are two things we need to accomplish this afternoon. Later you will receive more drills on service protocols and gestures. But first off, we will discuss honesty and opening of the mind.

“We all think we know what honesty means and I am going to assume you are all fairly honest and honourable women.”

Madelyn felt a twinge of guilt over this. She remembered back to her afternoon with Judy. She had been unfaithful even if it had been with a woman not a man. Lady Claire continued.

“But it takes a certain kind of courage to be able to face your deepest self and offer it to your husband. Each of you came here with a marriage in trouble, and by the contented and satisfied looks on your faces I would imagine things are different now. You have five more days here. Five days to learn how to maintain this euphoric feeling through the day-to-day drudgeries of living. The first step is honesty, starting with yourself. Now get yourselves comfortable, I am going to guide you through a meditation.”

Claire put on some soft music and they arranged themselves on cushions around the fire.

“Close your eyes and let your breathing deepen.” Claire paused for a moment allowing the ladies to relax.

Maddie had done some meditation a few years ago so knew what to expect. She quietened her mind and let her body sink into the cushions, the warmth of the fire soothing her muscles and calming her spirit. Lady Claire had them imagine being in a beautiful field surrounded by a forest on all sides. From there, she guided them on a tour through the woods. Maddie’s imagination filled in the gaps in Lady Claire’s suggestions. Maddie imagined herself walking slowly through a dense wood. A soft moss on the path tickled her bare toes and there was a smell of clean growing things in the air. Soft sunlight filtered down through the branches of the trees making a mottled pattern of shadows and light on the ferns and flowers under the trees. Maddie could see small animals skittering about just out of reach. The path continued deeper into the woods. Soon larger animals were following her. There was a fox, a coon and then to Maddie’s delight, a Stag. She continued along the path.

By the time the path opened up into a clearing, only the Stag was still with her. In the centre of the clearing was a huge stump and on the stump was a box. She hesitated and the Stag came up behind her and gave her a gentle shove with his nose. She turned to look into his impossibly dark brown eyes. Her hand lifted of its own volition and she stroked his soft fur. The Stag lowered his massive head and gave her another gentle shove towards the centre of the clearing.

Maddie did not want to open that box. She knew absolutely all her life was in that box, all her successes and achievements and all her failures and betrayals. When she got to the box her hands were sweating. She wiped them on her dress. The Stag was still with her, a comforting presence but insistent too. She took a deep breath, considered walking away, but instead she drew strength from the Stag and opened the box.

A rush of light and power exploded from the box. In the space of a few seconds Maddie saw her whole life. She fell to her knees under the onslaught of emotions. The betrayals of her life stood out like malevolent black holes. She collapsed and cried. How could she live with this? All the terrible things she had done; the little cruelties, the lies. Then the things she had left undone; the comfort she had withheld, the forgiveness she had denied. All of her sins and failures berated her until she felt she simply could not exist. She became the darkness and despair. Then, in the depths of the darkness, she was aware of the tiniest light and a blossom of hope opened in her belly. She reached for the light and found the Stag was there. He held her and helped her wipe the despair from her mind.

Maddie accepted the comfort and consolation of the Stag and finally all her failures and betrayals were brought back into her. She knew no atonement would purge these from her soul, but she could live with them and continue on. When she looked up, the light and energy contained her strengths and successes floating like little dandelion seeds around the clearing. She got up and ran around gathering each of these into her being, growing brighter and stronger with each one. When the last of her strengths had been absorbed, she turned around to look at the Stag. He had transformed into a powerful and beautiful man with a face so radiant she couldn’t look at it. Maddie was in awe. He was incredible. Her belly burned and some part of her mind remembered Lady Claire’s lecture on the submissive response. This may not be love, but it could not be denied either. She dropped to her knees and offered to him her naked self; her strengths and her failures, her whole being. Madelyn was filled with gratitude as his hands gently stroked her hair. He accepted her and lifted her to her feet.

He kissed her softly and deeply; a kiss that dipped into her being and tasted all of her. His hands were on her body, healing her and claiming her. Maddie felt she could melt into him. His strength would keep her safe; his power would keep her good. His arms tightened around her, his mouth crushed hers. Then she was on her back, spreading her thighs for him. He took her slowly at first, his huge cock filling her completely. She could lose herself in him. She would burn up and that would be it. But that was as it should be. She was at peace and filled with passion at the same time.

He started to fuck her hard, diving her into the ground. She cried out as the pain and pleasure mingled and drove her passion higher. His hands pinned hers above her head. She couldn’t move under the onslaught of his need. She opened herself further for his use and ownership. He took her, claimed her, and when her climax exploded in a spectrum of colour and light, she knew absolutely that this was who she was, what she was…

His.