Authors Note: Hello to all the faithful followers of this story. I hope this chapter eases some of the tension left after the last chapter. I can't tell you how much appreciate the feedback and comments I receive both good and bad as it make me remember that I write for an audience who can't always see where the story is heading as I do. Thank you all for your continued support and I hope that you enjoy this chapter.
My apologies it is a little later than expected. Thank you to a friend who has volunteered to help with the editing. J. you are awesome *smooch* Please bear in mind that I am Australian and as such I spell some words differently to American English. Thank you to those readers that have offered helpful tips on my spelling but perhaps this explanation will help you to overlook some cultural differences.
~ellie
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After the plane had taken off, Mel walked back and unlocked the cage that held Bella and led her back out to kneel before his seat. "Display," he commanded, pushing her thighs wide with his boot. Her new tattoo had been covered with a clear dressing. While sealing the area and keeping it sterile, it allowed the reddened swelling around the tattoo to be seen through the clear film. He continued to watch as Bella lifted her hands to her neck and arched her back gently. He could see the mark clearly which made him smile.
Bella looked up at Mel as she knelt on display, his gaze firmly fixed on the point of discomfort between her legs. Whenever she moved it stung like she had severe razor burn, but it was bearable and reminded her of the punishment to come. She gazed up at the man she had chosen to be with, her lover and tormentor, watching as he took a cloth from a small bowl beside him. She closed her eyes as he gently washed her face.
"I have obviously been too lenient since collaring you and I think you have forgotten who is the Master and who is the slave," Mel said without emotion. The softness of his hands as they cleaned her face showed his care even if his voice didn't. "You took this collar knowing what type of relationship you were entering into. I gave it to you above all others that have begged for it because you are the girl I want, the girl I need and the girl I deserve." Placing the cloth back in the bowl of water and sending it away, he sat back in his chair considering her.
Bella said nothing as she gazed at him. She could not tell his mood by his words or voice. The anger he displayed at his home seemed to have dissipated, and she held her breath as he considered her, not knowing what to expect.
"Did you forget the whole week of training you had?" Mel stared at her hard.
"No, Master," her voice quivered.
"Oh good, you do remember that I am the Master then," Mel said, finding it hard to keep his voice even. He had to, once and for all, make sure she understood that she was not just as good as the other girls, she was better because she was his. All the advice and interfering of others had made them both question their roles in each other's life. He would put an end to that once and for all. He had gone almost from one extreme to another since her accident, and he realised now that was not what this girl needed, or what he needed, but he also admitted to himself that some explanation would forestall any further self-doubt and anxiety she had about being anything other than exactly what he wanted.
Bella knew now that she was in trouble, and she squirmed slightly on her heels making her cunt ache even more. She wasn't sure of the right thing to say, of course she knew he was the Master, the thing she doubted was that she was able to be the slave he wanted, and she guessed running away had shown that she wasn't.
"There will be no more of this disobedience, do you understand? There is no more room for doubt about your place with me. Should that collar ever come off, everyone will still know whom you belong to because I have marked you as mine. I want you as I have always wanted you." Mel looked into her eyes. "I need you to accept your place, my Ellie," he continued to study her face intently, "and your punishment for running away." Mel murmured deeply making sure she realised the full meaning of his words. "I have told you time and time again, I don't care what anyone else says or thinks, the only person you have to worry about pleasing is me." His eyes scoured her face.
Mel spoke sternly, "This is the last time I will repeat this to you. None of the drama at the club has been your doing. If anyone is to blame it is me." He leaned forward in his chair, "I want you at my feet, just as you are now, I want to dominate and control every aspect of your life. I expected you would just give it to me and to give nothing of myself in return. That is the way it has always been for me, I make demands and people do it without question, at work, at the club, women in general." He took a deep breath and reached out to stroke her cheek softly, "The first week of the trial would have been enough for any of the girls at the club because they knew me and what they were getting into. I realise now that you did not, and that I may have placed some unrealistic expectations on you."
Bella listened passively until he stopped talking momentarily, "You expected me to accept your collar after only a week and be like all the other girls?"
"All I knew is that I wanted you as mine," he said. "That hasn't changed. I am not a man to bend to another's will or compromise easily. I had not truly considered the amount of time it would take you to adjust to your new way of life." Mel took a breath, "We will take this time away from home and work to build up our relationship as we should have been able to this week, if there had not been so much interference. It will help to build your trust in me again and give me the obedience I expect."
"I will try much harder to meet those expectations, Master," Bella finally stopped chewing her lip and replied to him.
"Yes, you will," he stated, "We will have no more of these little girl tantrums where you run away. You are mine. My most precious treasure, it is true, but you will understand that you belong to me!" Mel said the last forcefully and Bella jumped.
"Yes, Master," she squeaked feeling the force of his words as he ended the conversation.
Mel nodded to the steward who had hovered just out of Bella's line of sight. The steward stepped forward with a tray, offered Mel a drink and placed a bowl of water in front of Bella before stepping quietly away again.
"Drink," Mel smirked as he lifted his own glass to his lips. Bella lowered her head to the bowl and lapped at the cold water realising just how thirsty she was, and wishing she could tip the bowl up and drink properly. "This plane belongs to a friend of mine, who is known as Binatang Tuan, which roughly translates as the Beast Master," Mel said conversationally. "It's like a flying hotel suite really, it was nice of him to lend it to us on such short notice don't you think?"
Bella sat back before replying, "Yes, Master, it is lovely." She took a moment to look around the main cabin they were in, noticing for the first time the doorways leading from it.
"While we are on this plane you will remain collared and leashed, as would be expected of any bitch that came aboard. You will have to stay in the cage for take off and landing though, or if we hit severe turbulence, for safety of course," he said, keeping his voice even, though he enjoyed having her in the position she was during this flight and felt the pull the corners of his mouth in a half smile he managed to keep the pleasure from his voice. He called the steward over and murmured softly as Bella knelt in position at his feet. The steward walked to the back of the room, returned with a large, soft cushion and placed it beside her.
"Rest for a little, my Ellie, when we land it will be morning, and you are still recovering," he said, gesturing to the cushion at his feet. "Sleep for a little and I will wake you when we need to prepare for landing." He smiled gently as she crawled onto the large cushion and curled up.
Before closing her eyes, Bella looked up at Mel and smiled softly, whispering, "Happy birthday, Master."
"Thank you, my precious pet." Mel returned her smile and placed a well-shined boot upon the pillow beside her head, softly stroking her hair with the toe as he leaned back in his own chair to relax. It had been some time since he had allowed himself sleep and he signalled to the steward for a wake-up call an hour before landing and allowed his own eyes to close.
Bella slept better than she had in days. She woke only once and smiled as she felt the stretched out boot still resting near her head. She gazed up at her Master, a small smile on her face as she closed her eyes contentedly again. She had been surrounded, it seemed, by everybody but him lately and it was nice to have him so close and to see him sleep which he seemed to do so seldom. The second time she woke it was a soft hand petting her head that roused her from sleep, and she blinked up into Mel's face as he hovered above her.