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5 – A contract and a submittal
As their voices died down, Eden began to feel less like an outsider and more like a person. The anger within her simmered down and all that was left was pure acceptance. Hearing Declan say those words were a gift, one that she'd remember in those dark moments of punishment and humiliation.
How she wished to cup his face between her hand to kiss him. She wanted to forget all this and go back to that moment where they were at their closest. But all she could do was stare at him
"Are you ready to discuss the process?" His hands found their way to her knees, his touch was warm against her shilled skin.
She offered him a slight nod and asked, "Why can't I just sign it now and get it over with?"
"In short, you're leading with your genitals and not your heart, rendering it an invalid signature." He paused, "Our small moment, though enjoyable, can lead to a lapse in judgment come tomorrow morning when our deed is done. It's imperative that you understand that once you sign and submit, there is no going back. You are mine as I am yours."
"Sounds more like a marriage."
"Not nearly as complicated."
"How about the first contract I signed?"
"The one you threw in the fireplace?" Declan rose an eyebrow. "You considered it a joke. It would have never held up in a traditional submittal."
Eden's cheeks heated. She had sign out of fear. Not only did she add her two favorite words for him under her signature, she'd chickened out and tossed it into the flames even before he could see it.
"Eden," When he spoke her name, she looked back towards him, "It's important you sign the contract and submit your will in the appropriate manner, as tradition states, and without persuasion or influence."
"I need to sign under my own free will." She mumbled, frowning. "That sounds very-"
"Intimate?" He finished her thought.
"Yeah."
"It's a very intimate affair." His thumbs rubbed light circles on her knees. "When you sign your name, you're accepting our rules, our laws, and our way of life. In essence, you're telling me you want to stay of your own free will. That you want to join our family. That you want to stay with me."
Eden's hands slide over his. Could she ever get to a point where she wanted to remain her and not go back to her normal life where she was free to come and go whenever she pleased.
"Say something." He urged.
She met his gaze. "So, by signing the contract I'm signing my life away."
"When you get to the point of wanting to sign, you'll never feel see it like that." He paused. "It's why I don't wish to rush things. I want you to want to stay. Some houses force signatures and submittals, but not here. You'll have as long as it takes to get you to want to stay. I won't ever force your hand."
"You'll just make life a living hell for me until I do." She challenged him.
"Not at all." He offered her a weak smile. "I'm teaching you our ways. You disobey, you get a punishment. You obey me without question or hesitation, you're rewarded. You may not believe me, but I don't enjoy hurting you. I must break your wild sprite and tame you. Only then will you be ready to see clearly."
"How do I submit my will?" She watched his thumbs slide over her skin and wished he were touch another part of her body. "Do I just give you the contract?"
"It's a grand affair." He laughed when Eden frowned up at him. "We take our submittals seriously. Some do it in private, with only a select few at witnesses. Others want the entire house to witness their devotion. On a rarer, but equally exciting, occasion they're carried out at auctions balls."
"Like the one Diamond and I went to?" Eden hadn't spoken that name in what felt like an eternity. It felt like a lifetime ago.
"Yes." He said, "Everyone attending takes part in their celebration. The founder's heirs, some of the most prominent men and women in our world. Both masters and slaves."
"Which do you expect from me?"
"That's entirely up to you, Eden. I have no say in when or where you submit you will."
"Like a proposal?"
"Do you want me to marry you, Eden? Is that why you're so intent on comparing the two?" His laugh made her blush. "Have I embarrassed you?"
She bit at her lower lip. Everything he described felt like a proposal of sorts. He doesn't know when or where. It's a complete surprise. She wondered if there were rings involved.
"Are there rings?"
He threw his head back, his laugh loud and contagious.
"Stop laughing. I'm serious." She laughed. "I don't know the first thing about submitting."
"No." He still laughed. "There are no rings exchanged. There's a branding ceremony though."
"What?" All the humor was sucked out of her in an instance.
"Upon my acceptance of your submittal, you'll be branded with my houses mark. Then we'll consummate our bond in front of those who've come to witness."
"This is all so much to take in." Eden's head spun with all this new information. She understood to a certain degree but didn't understand at the same time.
Sign the contract. Submit my will. Get branded with his logo and have sex in front of a group of people for the first time.
"Submitting your will doesn't come easy and shouldn't be rushed. By doing this you're allowing me complete and total control over you, your body, and your heart. I will act as governor and executioner. Submitting means, you trust your life in my hands, that I will always choose what's best for you."
Eden rested her head in her hands.
"Okay. Okay." She was one the verge of panic. "I just-"
Declan brushed her hands away from her face and caught her chin. "Stay calm." His tone was gentle. "We can take this as slowly as you need to. You decide when you're ready." He reminded her.
"Branding?" She asked. "You're going to burn me? Why? What's the significance of that?"
"It's tradition."
"Besides tradition. Why?"
It was his turn to frown, as though he never thought she'd ask him. "Consider it our version of a ring you can never take off. People will know who you belong to and who reigns over you."
"How romantic." She rolled her eyes.
"It truly is. As an heir to a founder, people will look at you with envy and awe. You'll be held above the others because of my name."
"Where does it go? If you say my ass, I'm out."
The corner of his mouth flicked up. "You have full reign over placement and the size."
She wondered what it looked like and where she'd get it.
"And the submittal itself. How does it go?"
"When you sign the contract, you'll present it to me with your undying oath of loyalty and obedience." He said, "You'll kneel at my feet, kissing the tops of them before laying your forehead against the floor."
"Then what?"
"I either except your submittal or deny it."
Her heart sank. "You can deny me?"
"If I felt you aren't pure in heart and mind, yes. I can and will deny it. You must convince me that you want this, Eden."
"And if I did all that tonight-"
"I'd deny you." Declan cupped her face with a hand. "I allowed things to go too far tonight and for that I offer you my apologies. My action's clouded both of our judgment. I'll do my best to not lose control like that again."
"I wanted it." She his hand with her to her cheek. "I'm telling you it's okay."
"In my world, I crossed the line. You're consent or lack thereof means nothing. We hold ourselves to a certain standard and I allowed myself to indulge when I had no right."
The disappointment within his eyes made her hurt. "Can I kiss you? I don't want to talk about this anymore."
He pulled her face closer and kissed her instead. This was all she wanted. His lips against her. No more talk of her signing her life over to him.
When they parted, Declan spoke. "I still need to punish you for your outburst." He stood and held his hand out towards her, "Come."
Words: 1,574
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