Path Of The Broken

12. Consequence-1

12

Consequence

Kyle walked down the wide corridor, the cooling breeze flowing around him from the wide windows down at the end of the corridor. It was normally soothing, but on this occasion it barely registered on him as he made his way to what he thought of as Joanna’s day room. Or at least it was the place she tended to be during the day. Kyle took in a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. The conversation he was about to have with her would likely not come out the way he wanted, but he had to try.

He entered the solar and turned towards the windows that looked out over the cliff where his mistress stood. It was one of her favourite places, looking out over the grounds towards the bluff with the ocean beyond. Ragged cliffs were visible to one side towering up and ringing the estate, the tinge of green at the top hinting that a forest sprawled beyond the cliffs.

Kyle smiled as that sparked an idea. If he could convince her he shared her obvious love of the grounds and wanted to explore, even if it was just the immediate surroundings of the estate, it would afford him one small step to freedom. He kept the breathtaking view he could see from the windows in the forefront of his mind as if he were thinking of nothing else.

“Morning, my lady.” A polite greeting to start was always safe.

Kyle watched for a reaction as he approached, trying to judge what her mood was like today. It would have a big impact on how the conversation would go.

“Kyle, you’ve done your exercises this morning?” She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled, holding her hand out to him.

Kyle didn’t allow the relief he felt to show; Joanna was having a good day. He took her hand in his own, bowing to her and brushing his lips against her fingers. After growing up in the palace, courtly graces came as second nature even after all the time he'd been away.

“I’m about to, Mistress. I have not seen you for some time, so I thought I would greet you first.” Kyle kept his tone neutral.

“Good, Kyle, you shouldn’t neglect them. It’s important for your recovery.” Joanna turned her gaze back to stare out the window.

Kyle let the silence settle between them for a moment. He knew he had to take this in small steps if he ever wanted his freedom again.

“It looks beautiful out there. Calming.” Kyle allowed a hint of longing to show in his voice, keeping his gaze on the crashing waves.

He was aware that Joanna turned to look at him, yet resolutely kept his gaze on the water as if that was all he was thinking about. He didn’t want to give her cause to take over and search his mind. She would know what he was up to if she did that. As long as he didn’t arouse her suspicions, she left him to his own devices. He’d been stable the last week, able to ride with the surges in the power without it adversely affecting him.

“It is beautiful. I keep forgetting you haven’t seen the grounds yet.” Joanna looked at him appraisingly.

“No, not yet. Could I go for a walk after my morning exercises?” Kyle again allowed a hint of longing to tinge his tone, turning to look at her. “Please, Mistress?”

Joanna looked at him, considering his request. The silence stretched between them and his face fell in disappointment. Without her approval to go outside, her orders to stay within the walls of the estate constrained him. She was his mistress, and he’d worked out he could not go against her direct orders.

Her hand reached up to stroke the side of his face, and Kyle closed his eyes, having no choice but to relax as a steady calm washed over him. He knew it was Joanna, willing calmness in him. He didn’t fight her; he hadn’t fought her control from the outset. Kyle smiled as a small burst of pleasure washed over him. It showed Joanna was pleased with him, with his acceptance of his status.

“I know you have worked hard to accept your servitude, Kyle. This change has not been easy for you to accept. You will see, it is for the best you belong to me.” Joanna’s voice and gaze were possessive.

“I am your servant, I understand that now, Mistress.” Kyle fell to one knee, head bowed.

He wasn't lying; she owned him in a way he'd never thought possible, although he had no intention of allowing this current state to be permanent and hoped fervently Joanna did not search his mind for signs of rebellion.

“Complete your morning exercises, then you may go for a walk on the grounds. You will not go beyond the borders of the estate, Kyle.” Joanna's eyes narrowed as she reinforced her new orders.

Kyle shuddered in reaction as the last command swirled in his mind and settled on him. She had enforced her words with a compulsion, and there was no way for him to breach her injunction. Still, it was more freedom than he’d had since he’d arrived. Kyle took several deep breaths, allowing her will to settle on him. Like a web settling all over his body and mind, it was disconcerting, her words placing a real binding of power on his body and mind. She didn’t need to use physical restraints or keep him under guard in a cell. Her means of control over him was absolute.

Shaking off the momentary dizziness he felt at her alteration to her compulsions on him, Kyle stood. At her wave of dismissal, he bowed to her and retreated from the room. It was time for his morning exercises. He walked back down the corridor towards his training rooms, a hint of a smile on his lips. He kept the pleasure of the small victory to himself. One step at a time, little by little, he would win his freedom back.