Chapter 01: Ruby
I notice the dull ache in my calves starting to burn slowly, traveling up my entire leg. I had been strapped to this wall for hours now, my wrists tied so high above my head that my weight rested on my tiptoes. I could see through the small basement window that the afternoon sunlight had turned to an evening dusk. Master would be home soon.
He arrives the same time every evening, only a half hour before Tanya serves dinner. Normally, I would find myself beside His chair at this time, obediently kneeling until He returned to release me from my mental binds. But, my stubborn pride this morning earned me time on the wall today instead.
I like to think Master feels love for me, that I've somehow found my way into His heart. He's never actually told me so, but the look I sometimes catch in His dark eyes tells me I have. Even though He says nothing about it, I know I love Him and that is reason enough for me to crave His happiness.
My green eyes stare out into the near-darkness of the room, my heart heavy with penance. I yearned for His presence, whether it bring happiness or pain to me. I have lately despised every moment He is away.
Suddenly, light floods on the floor as the basement door is opened and I squint in pain. Tanya scurries down the steps and over to me, her face blushing furiously at the sight of my bare skin. I smile to myself as she looks away, fumbling with the fastens on my binds. She quickly frees me and I drop to my hands and knees before her, resting back on my heels immediately. A quick approving smile crosses her face as she grabs the hairbrush from her apron and presses the bristles against my long red hair.
My eyes close as she brushes my hair, pushing all the silk strands to my left shoulder gently, her soft fingertips rubbing across my neck. I sigh softly, instinctively curving my neck back. She is silent as she does her work, silent for she spends her time with me in fear of being seen talking to me. I belong to Master and I say nothing to no one without His permission.
At that moment, Master approaches and snaps His fingers. Tanya jumps up and spins around, scurrying back up the steps with her head bowed. I flip my hair back and my hands immediately lock themselves underneath the heavy mane and lift it obediently. I spread my thighs further apart to expose my hot sex to His appreciative gaze as I look down to the floor.
"Is my little girl hungry?" He questions in His deep voice. My eyes crave to search His face, my mind uncertain of whether that question meant hungry literally or craving sexual release. In either case, I was.
"Yes, Master," I reply softly, shutting my eyes for a moment before opening them again to stare at His feet. His fingers are placed beneath my chin and He lifts my face to Him slowly, permitting me to look into His eyes. We stare at each other for only a minute before He turns and walks to the steps. A quick snap of His fingers has me following Him on my hands and knees, staying exactly three paces behind.
The steps are cold on my bare knees, but I crawl up them anyway. He is my Sir. Cold steps wouldn't hold me back from Him and either would burning coals.
"Tanya, serve dinner now," He orders gently as He enters the dining room and takes His chair at the head of the table. Occasionally, I am told to join Him at the table, but there is only one place setting today and I know it's not mine. He snaps His fingers to the right of His chair and I obediently kneel beside it, my hands beneath my hair again. He is given the newspaper and I kneel silently as His eyes scan the pages while dinner is placed before Him.
"Was she good today?" Master questions Tanya while she sets a plate of food in front of Him.
"Yes, Sir, she was quiet all day," Tanya answers and steps back, waiting for another order. Master is quiet though and sets the paper on the table to concentrate on His food. My eyes are lowered, but I can smell the delicious aroma of Carne Asada Steak, one of Master's favorites. I can sense the movement of Him slicing a piece of the spicy meat and setting it in His mouth. My eyes pick up the low, approving groan of the flavor and He turns to Tanya in gratitude.
"Another delicious meal, Tanya," He compliments her. With a wave of His hand, she scurries off to enjoy her dinner in the kitchen. I sit silently, kneeling beside Him in the direction of His chair. When He is home, I face only Him, unless told to do otherwise. I never argue with that rule, since I enjoy the sight of Him. Whether I am permitted to look only at His strong feet or I am told I may look anywhere on Him, I am content.
A piece of steak is slowly lowered to my lips and I part them immediately. My tongue savors the delicious juices as I accept the food into my mouth with gratitude. I chew softly, quietly, and with my mouth shut and as still as possible. Most of the time I'm around Master, I like to stay quiet and obedient, so He hardly knows I'm there. I like to think my silent obedience is what keeps me around more often, as I've seen many slaves who aren't allowed to be near their Owners for very long. I am rarely sent away.
As I swallow my food, I am handed another piece and I am pleased. I enjoy the moments I'm permitted to sit at the table and eat like Him, but I prefer this. Eating only what He places in my mouth feels natural.
Dinner is quiet, as usual. It is the meal that gives me time to contemplate my position, who I belong to. I enjoy the silence more than I should perhaps, as I am comforted listening to the sounds of Master enjoying His meal. I can hear Him sip His scotch or chew His food. And, if I hold my breath and stay quiet enough, I believe I can even hear Him swallow.
He stands when His plate is empty and turns to head to the living room. My eyes flick to the clock on the wall and I notice it is time for the evening news, something I am not permitted to watch very often. It is too saddening and depressing for me, He says and I don't argue.
Moments later, Tanya is back to clear the dishes. I stay silent, kneeling in my position, waiting for her to finish.
Once she is done, she leads me upstairs to my bathroom. My bathroom is set up perfectly for my grooming. The shower head is hand-held so Emily, my groomer can cleanse me as I kneel. My oils and lotions are set up on the shelves and the cosmetics and creams that are used on me rest on the countertops in front of the mirror. On the wall, hangs a riding crop, the one Emily uses to make sure I obey her commands and the grooming runs smoothly.
Emily had already arrived and was waiting for me as usual. I never see her arrive, but she's always there when Master feels I should be cleaned.
She says nothing to me, as usual for she knows I will not respond without Master's permission. Instead, she helps me into the warm bath water that had been run for me and she pours a bit of vanilla oil into it, knowing that is Master's preferred scent. I stay silent as she washes my hair and scrubs my body with a soft sponge. She grabs her crop and snaps it against my thigh and instinctively, I stand before her and allow her to scrub my legs.
