‎Freed and Forged in Fire  ‎

‎She walked with light, tentative steps, her head bowed low, careful not to draw attention — not from him, not from anyone.

‎Castelle’s breath trembled in her throat.

‎Behind Kane, she followed, quiet as a ghost trailing its captor. Her mind was still reeling from the last outfit — his reaction, the burn of his gaze, the way it had engraved into her skin like fire and smeared into her depths like irrefutable shame.

‎She didn’t see it coming.

‎He stopped abruptly.

‎She crashed into his back.

‎Her heart plummeted into her stomach.

‎The jolt was nothing compared to the cold terror that gripped her.

‎

‎“I—so... so sorry, Sir,” she stammered, stepping back like she'd touched fire. “I'm sorry, I swear, it won’t happen again—please…”

‎The words rushed out in broken fragments, soaked in panic.

‎Kane turned slowly, confusion flickering in his eyes before giving way to something darker — not anger, but realization.

‎Her voice shook.

‎

‎Tears welled fast, hot, unrelenting.

‎She was trembling.

‎Kane stared at her — not like the beast who owned her, but like a man facing a mirror he wasn’t ready to look into.

‎Without a word, he reached for her wrist, guiding her gently to a nearby bench tucked beneath a storefront awning. He sat her down, crouching before her, his hands light on her knees.

‎

‎“Look at me.”

‎

‎She hesitated.

‎He waited.

‎Finally, she lifted her eyes — and he saw it. The terror behind them. The history.

‎

‎“I won’t hit you because you bumped into me, kitten,” he said, his voice lower than usual, stripped of edge. “You don’t have to beg me for mercy over an accident.”

‎

‎Her breath caught.

‎Kane added, “Next time… just say sorry. Once. That’s enough. You are enough.”

‎

‎Her mouth parted, lips trembling.

‎No slap. No cruel name. No backhand.

‎She blinked at him, dazed.

‎And slowly, carefully, nodded.

‎Kane rose to his full height, extending a hand.

‎She took it.

‎He didn’t pull her behind him this time.

‎He placed her at his side.

‎“From now on,” he said, “you walk beside me. Never behind. You’re mine, not my shadow.”

‎

‎Something in her chest cracked. Not painfully — but like a window being opened after years in darkness.

‎

‎The rest of the day spun around them in strange color. Shopping bags filled with soft leather cuffs, silk collars threaded with gold, delicate leashes that made her cheeks burn and her thighs press. Satin undies she would model. Dresses that barely covered, yet made his eyes devour.

‎

‎But through it all, she stayed at his side.

‎Still unsure if she was prey or possession…

‎…or something far more dangerous.

‎------

‎

‎The ride home was suffocating in silence, but the air between them crackled — a storm not yet unleashed.

‎Castelle sat pressed against the door, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Beneath the coat Kareen had draped over her shoulders was Kane’s chosen outfit: black lace and crimson straps that whispered of sin and wickedness.

‎

‎She hadn’t taken it off.

‎Kane hadn’t let her.

‎“Comfortable?” His voice broke the silence — a low hum that made her pulse stutter.

‎She said nothing.

‎

‎He chuckled, cold and dark. “You wear obedience like a second skin.”

‎Her gaze snapped to him. “I’m not obeying. I’m enduring.”

‎That earned her a slow, dangerous smile.

‎“Enduring is the first step to surrender.”

‎She looked away, jaw clenched.

‎They reached the estate. The gates groaned open. The moment the car stopped, Kane stepped out and came around to her door, yanking it open before the chauffeur could.

‎

‎“Inside. Now.”

‎She hesitated.

‎“I won’t ask twice.”

‎Swallowing thickly, she stepped out. The wind kissed her bare thighs. Her cheeks flushed as she realized just how exposed she was underneath the coat.

‎Inside, the mansion felt colder. Darker. A mirror of the man himself.

‎“Upstairs,” Kane ordered, not even glancing at her. “Third room on the left.”

‎She climbed the stairs with shaky legs ignoring the stares from the people left in the mansion. When she entered the room, her breath caught.

‎

‎Mirrors.

‎Floor to ceiling.

‎A chaise lounge in the center.

‎A long, low drawer chest lined the wall — buckles, cuffs, velvet ropes, and silk blindfolds glinting like trophies.

‎

‎Before she could bolt, Kane entered, locking the door behind him with a click.

‎“Take off the coat.”

‎Her fingers froze on the lapels. “No.”

‎“Wrong answer.”

‎

‎He moved toward her, eyes unblinking. “Every second you hesitate earns you a punishment.”

‎“Punishment?” she echoed, heart hammering.

‎“I don’t bluff.”

‎She backed up, but there was nowhere to run. The mirror behind her chilled her skin. She caught her reflection — the crimson corset, her flushed face, wide eyes.

‎

‎A stranger stared back.

‎

‎“You want control?” Kane asked, voice rough. “Then earn it.”

‎He tossed a pair of heels at her feet.

‎“Put them on. Walk across the room. Show me what’s mine.”

‎She stared at the shoes, then at him.

‎“No.”

‎

‎His smile vanished.

‎“Good,” he said, unexpectedly. “We’ll start with resistance.”

‎Before she could respond, he grabbed her wrist — not hard, not gentle — and guided her to the chaise.

‎“Sit.”

‎She sat, trembling.

‎He stood before her, gaze burning into her soul.

‎“You think this is about sex?” he asked quietly. “It’s about power.”

‎He crouched, lifting her foot. Slid the heel on slowly, deliberately. His fingers lingered, tracing her ankle like it was a weapon.

‎

‎“One day,” he murmured, “you’ll beg for these moments.”

‎She looked away, but her skin betrayed her — flushed, heated, longing despite the war raging inside.

‎“I hate you,” she whispered.

‎“No, you don’t,” he said simply. “You fear me. And you’re starting to wonder if fear feels good.”

‎

‎Silence.

‎Explosive.

‎She opened her mouth to protest, to scream—but nothing came out.

‎He stood.

‎“Tomorrow,” he said, brushing a knuckle down her cheek, “we start your training.”

‎

‎And then he left her there — caged in silk, drowned in mirrors, haunted by the terrifying truth:

‎Some cages don’t hold you in.

‎They keep the world out.

‎And sometimes... they feel like home.

‎