Her gaze shot to his in surprised disbelief. "You are... You are going to bequeath me to Master Mephisto? Is that even legal?"
She shut her mouth, her face flaming red. To burst out at him in that disrespectful tone... She bowed her head in the face of his silent displeasure. "I am so sorry, Master."
"I understand this discussion has you on edge. But of course, you'll be whipped for that."
"Yes, Master. I should be."
"It is not your decision, but mine," he snapped, all humor fled.
She bowed and pressed her lips to his fine leather shoes, carefully, so as not to smudge them with lipstick, then rested her forehead on the floor.
"Please, Master," she sighed against the carpet. Her shoulders shook with emotion. Tonight of all nights, she couldn't bear his anger. She stayed still for long moments, and tried not to cry and further anger him. After a couple tense minutes, he took her hair hard in his hands and pulled her head up. She gazed up at him, ignoring the burn in her scalp, relieved to see patience and indulgence in his eyes.
"Now. Will you let me finish?"
"Yes, Master," she said in her most abject whisper.
"I was going to tell you that Master Mephisto agreed to help you seek a new Master in the event I predecease you or become too infirm to handle you as you're accustomed. I asked him to do me the honor some time ago. He is very intelligent and possesses great integrity. He takes good measure of people and knows the quality Masters in the community. If you'll remember, it was Mephisto who put you in my way not so many years ago, when you were a young, curious submissive."
She blinked, digesting this information. It was true that Mephisto had his fingers on the very pulse of the thriving local BDSM community, and that he understood her deeply, especially after all they'd shared the past week. For just a moment she lifted her hands from their designated position in her lap to touch her heart.
"Master, your forethought and care is so appreciated. I love you so much."
He stroked her hair gently. "There now. My well-mannered slave is back. And so you see, there was a greater reason for your week with Master Mephisto. The better he knows you, your ins and outs, the better he can assist you in the unfortunate event of my demise."
A horrible, soul-rending thought occurred to her then. She drew in a heavy breath, her eyes wide in sudden alarm.
"Master—you are not sick—are you? Your trip—"
He smiled and shook his head. "I didn't lie to you about my trip, girl. It was just business. And do I look sick to you? I am not leaving this life anytime soon, I hope. But if I did, would you trust Mephisto to help select another Master for you?" He did not ask "If you wished it," because he knew she would wish for another Master, need another Master to truly live happily. She considered a moment, thought back over their weekend together, and Mephisto's strange, candid questioning the last day.
"I—yes—I suppose I would trust him, Master."
"And remember, he is only to assist you. It will be your choice, of course. The initial choice is always yours, and the decision to cede more and more power is, ultimately, also your choice. We spoke about this in the beginning of our relationship, you remember."
"Yes, Master." She did remember their long talks and negotiations. Promises were made on both sides.
Her Master regarded her thoughtfully. "Perhaps he might make an offer to you himself. Would you like to belong to Mephisto?"
Tears gathered behind her eyes. "I do not want to belong to anyone but you, Master. Please do not make me think of these things. I'm growing upset, I can't help it. Oh—Master—"
The tears flowed, the floodgates breached. He reached for her and pulled her into his lap. She sobbed quietly in his arms, soaking his silk shirt, listening to his heart beat against her ear. He stroked her hair and held her, massaging her back until the small storm passed. She raised her head, wrung out and ashamed.
"I'm sorry for losing control, Master. Thank you for soothing me. I'm so sorry."
"It has been a difficult week for you, I know, my pet. And there is no need to worry about these things right now. Of course the idea of a new Master is distressing to you. But you are mine as much as any of the other valuables I own, and I refuse to leave you unprotected should the worst occur."
"Thank you, Master," she said. "You are so kind to me. I love you."
"I love you too." He shifted, putting her back on the floor beside him. "You know, if you were to go to him, he would be a fine owner. He is a good, conscientious man. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, Master." She looked up at him, asking permission to speak openly, which he granted with a subtle nod. "It is only that he scares me a little. Actually, a lot. I think he would be a difficult Master to serve."
"Ah, well." He made a dismissive gesture with one well-manicured hand. "I am not precisely easy. You were scared with me too at first. You were terrified. Don't you remember?"
She looked sheepish. It was true. There were many months in the beginning that she had struggled and shaken with confusion and fear, and now, just a few years later, she was so happy and content in her service.
"It's true, Master. You know what's best for me. Please forgive me for these silly fears and my outburst. I'm better now."
He patted her head with a sigh. "That's a good girl. Now go and get the whip."
"Yes, Master."
She crawled to get it from behind the ottoman near the fireplace, and returned to him with the whip in her mouth. He took it from her and ran a gentle hand down the side of her damp cheek. She kissed his fingers and turned with a sigh, lowering herself into position, her hands in fists beside her head, her ass high in the air.
THE END