Michaela

by Tracy St. John

  By the ancestors, she was so small compared to him. So fragile looking. It made the Nobek more determined than ever to keep her safe, forever and always. His Michaela needed him for protection ... even if that meant sometimes protecting her from herself.

  He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her, to kiss her tears away, and to forgive her of all miscalculations, present and future. For a moment Raxstad was tempted to do just that. Yet Michaela’s mistake this morning had done tremendous damage. Had Pwaldur incited other Kalquorians to unrest over the insult to Narpok, Michaela might have found herself in danger. She was the best friend to the woman that a few saw as a usurper to the Crown Prince Clan and the throne.

  The thought of what could have happened had Pwaldur gone too far in his anger made Raxstad feel ill once more. Before he could give in to the urge of comforting her, he had to make sure Michaela knew how precarious her situation could become.

  Staring down at the precious boy-woman standing before him, Raxstad said, “Do you understand what you have done, my Matara?”

  Unfeigned remorse filled her expression. She knew, all right. She knew exactly the consequences of what she’d done, and it was tearing her apart.

  Her usually throaty voice choked, she sobbed, “I’m sorry. If I could undo it, I swear to you I would. Don’t hate me.”

  Raxstad groaned. As if he could ever hate his precious boy-woman. Michaela owned Raxstad, heart and soul. If only she understood that fact, he thought many of her problems would ease. He held his arms out to her. She rushed to him to be held, burying her hot face against his chest.

  In a tone made gruff by his own strong feelings, the Nobek said, “Of course I don’t hate you. How could you say such a thing? You are my lover and lifemate forever.”

  Raxstad thought if he’d strung her up and beaten her bloody, Michaela wouldn’t have broken down any more. She bellowed cries fit to rip his being to pieces.

  Raxstad could have punched holes into the stone walls at the awful sound of her agony. Did she really believe him capable of not loving her? He did not have her trust after all. The frustration of that made him curl his hands into fists. Punching his knuckles bloody against the rock felt like a grand way to vent.

  Before the Nobek could act on that urge, Govi and Korkla walked into the home. Raxstad saw at once that his agony was echoed in their eyes, especially as they saw Michaela bawling so hard.

  Michaela looked up to note their entrance. Raxstad steeled himself for more despair, more awful pleas to not be despised.

  Yet his Matara did not speak of her insecurities. Despite her overwhelming fears of rejection, he was amazed that her first concern lay in another direction.

  Michaela flew at Korkla. Her fingers dug into the fabric of his collar as she hung onto him like a woman drowning. Her voice filled with desperation, Michaela asked, “Did you fix it, Korkla? Can Jessica still be Clan Clajak’s Matara? It’s going to be okay, right? Right?”

  Something in Raxstad’s chest loosened at her pitiful appeal. Michaela did not beg to be loved. She didn’t even beg for forgiveness. Instead, she begged for the well-being of the Crown Prince Clan and her friend. All that mattered to her in this moment was to know things had not been ruined for Jessica and her clanmates.

  Korkla’s jaw, clenched when he’d walked in, relaxed. His whole demeanor eased as he too recognized the unselfish nature of their Matara. There was even pride in his gaze as he looked at Michaela.

  Korkla answered, “That remains to be seen. There is a chance the situation can be salvaged, but we have a big fight on our hands.”

  She hiccupped, battling for control so she could continue speaking. “I am so sorry I never thought of calling you. It was dumb. I was dumb.”

  Govi stroked her curls. “You are not dumb. You didn’t think things through, that’s all. Mistakes happen, my love.”

  “It’s already forgiven,” Korkla assured her. “Our focus must be on what we can do to assure Jessica remains with Clan Clajak.”

  “How can I be forgiven?” Michaela said. “Look at the mess I’ve made!”

  Raxstad could not handle another round of Michaela’s self-hatred. “You did not make this mess. There were plenty of others involved. Korkla told me you tried to stop Jessica.”

  Michaela pulled away, walking to the middle of the room. Raxstad exchanged resigned looks with his male clanmates. Their Matara would tear herself apart yet again.

  She wheeled around to face them. “I didn’t try hard enough. I had a part in this. My thoughtlessness cannot be condoned.”

  Raxstad scowled. “What do you want me to do, Michaela? Beat you for an honest mistake?”

  She swallowed hard. “You’re the clan disciplinarian. Can’t you come up with some punishment more imaginative than that?”

  Raxstad barked disbelieving laughter. “You want me to discipline you?”

  Michaela’s lips thinned with the force of her frown. “I insist on it. I did not consult with my Dramok as I should have. That led to Jessica getting hauled in front of the council to be berated and judged by that awful Pwaldur. Now she could lose her clan. My actions deserve punishment.”

  Korkla held up his hands. “It was a mere oversight on your part, my Matara. You’ll do better from now on.”

  Her lower lip trembled. “I fucked up, Korkla. You know I did. It’s not something that just affects me, either. It affects my best friend’s life and happiness. It affects her unborn child. Hell, it affects this empire. Tell me that doesn’t demand some sort of punishment.”

  Raxstad wanted to console Michaela and tell her she was wrong. However, the words stuck in his throat. She had committed an egregious error, one with implications he didn’t want to think about too much. If it had been anyone else that had done as Michaela had, he’d insist on some kind of redress.

  It was Govi who startled them by saying, “Do you truly wish to be punished, my Matara? Will it help you find forgiveness for not automatically trusting your Dramok?”

  Relief crossed Michaela’s expression. “Yes. I don’t look forward to it, but I won’t feel right until I’ve made this up to you somehow ... especially to Korkla.” She looked at their Dramok with desperate pleading in her eyes. “I do trust you. I never want to forget that again. Discipline – real discipline, not play – will make sure of that.”

  Korkla stared at her, his eyes bright. Raxstad knew the gesture proved to the Dramok how much Michaela adored him. It made his own throat choke with emotion.

  They all looked at Govi. The Imdiko nodded his approval, indicating it was something Michaela needed to get past the latest storm. At the gesture, Korkla turned his attention to Raxstad.

  “Figure out the appropriate discipline for your Matara, my Nobek.”

  * * * *

  Korkla drew a deep, steadying breath when Raxstad and Govi entered the common room an hour later. “Have you determined Michaela’s punishment?”

  The Nobek looked at the tiny Earther sitting on the lounger next to Korkla. At his steady gaze, she sucked her lower lip into her mouth. Damn, she looked as delicious as their Imdiko when she did that.

  Now was not the time to indulge his libido. That would come soon enough, if his plans went well. Raxstad told Korkla, “I have and I went over it with Govi.”

  Their Imdiko nodded when Korkla glanced at him. “It will be a good lesson for someone of Michaela’s age.”

  The young woman looked from one man to the next, concern for herself at last making an appearance. To her credit, she did not demand to know what they had in store for her, nor did she ask to be spared. She desperately wanted to make up for her mistake.

  Raxstad drew a deep breath and released it. Thank the ancestors he had decided on another avenue besides corporeal punishment. He couldn’t bear to spank Michaela when she was so contrite and accepting. The discipline would still be exacting, however. In fact, she might find herself wishing for a good, hard strapping before it was over.

  The kind of t
orment she was about to endure was perfect for someone of her age. Michaela’s hormones and libido were to be the instruments of her penance. It was a lesson she was not likely to soon forget, Raxstad thought.

  He drew himself up. The Book of Life taught that every action, for good or ill, must be answered with like consequences. Only then could justice be satisfied. Raxstad lived by that creed; as a Global Security officer he was an instrument of justice. Yet it was a hard thing to visit such a philosophy on his beloved.

  He gazed into the face of the woman he would die for at a moment’s notice. “Are you sure about this, my Matara? It will not be pleasant for you. You did say you wanted true punishment.”

  Her tiny frame shuddered, but she nodded. “Make it right, my Nobek. Let me show my clan I believe in them with all of my heart.”

  Raxstad checked with Govi one last time. The Imdiko looked at Michaela, searching for any evidence of wavering. Apparently, he saw none because he nodded to the Nobek.

  So be it. In a firm tone, Raxstad told his beloved, “Then we will go to the playroom, Michaela. Now.”

  She made him proud. Her head was down, but Michaela did not hesitate to rise and walk out of the room to make her way through the home. Raxstad followed her, his fierce heart praising her with every step she took.

  I am so very fortunate to have this woman, this amazing creature who does not doubt that I will do all in my power to keep her safe in every way.

  Raxstad knew he would have to reward his Matara later. However, that reward would not be coming until she had performed the atonement she required. As proud as he was right now, Raxstad knew he had to carry out unpleasantness first.

  Strength, my beauty. Be strong for me so that I can help clear your conscience’s slate.

  * * * *

  Michaela walked into the playroom, her head full of the potential punishments she faced. She had no doubt the coming reprimand would be far more extreme than the usual spankings from Raxstad’s hard hand or his strap.

  She could hear Raxstad muttering quietly, telling Korkla what he’d decided to do to her. His voice was too low for her to discern what he said. Michaela wasn’t sure if that was bad or a blessing.

  As much as she dreaded what was about to happen, Michaela welcomed it too. She should have contacted Korkla rather than going with Jessica to the council meeting. Sure, Jessica would have been pissed off. Maybe she never would have forgiven Michaela either, ending their friendship for the crime of disloyalty. But at least Jessica wouldn’t have been worrying about losing her clan either.

  I deserve to have my hide whipped off of me, Michaela thought. Nothing they do in the next few minutes could make up for the mess my stupidity has made.

  And yet some part of her knew none of the men would do lasting damage to her. They were angry, rightfully so, and they would make her very uncomfortable. But to truly hurt her? No. Michaela trusted them with her entire being. Maybe she wasn’t a real woman and maybe she wasn’t good enough for their clan, but they cared about her. Maybe they even loved her despite her many shortcomings. They would not do her harm.

  Michaela took a few steps into the playroom, noting how the stations and toys looked more like torture devices right now. Nothing in here looked playful at all. She turned to face her clanmates.

  Raxstad was right there, with Govi and Korkla slightly behind him on either side. It was the Nobek who Michaela gave her attention to, however. He was in charge of keeping her in line. It was his place to reprimand her. She awaited his pleasure.

  He gazed down at her, this monumental creature that looked as if he could squash her like a fly. All those muscles were fearsome. Raxstad could snap Michaela in half without breaking a sweat. His brutish face belonged to something primal, animalistic. And yet there was tenderness in his expression that called that feral energy a lie; a warmth in his eyes that filled Michaela’s soul.

  I think he really does love me. Maybe almost as much as I love him.

  Even Raxstad’s tone held a note of tender regard despite the words he spoke. “Strip. Then get on the fuck chair.”

  Michaela was surprised to be ordered to the chair equipped with the dildo. She’d expected to be strung up like the last time she’d been punished, or made to bend over one of the benches for a beating. She didn’t let her wonder keep her from immediately obeying the Nobek, however. She began pulling off her loose clothing, what she had been wearing earlier when Jessica had interrupted her meditation.

  As Michaela took her clothes off and handed them to Govi, Raxstad went to the shelves of toys and began to rummage through them. Govi folded Michaela’s clothing and set it on a nearby bench while Korkla accompanied her to the bondage chair. The Dramok was careful as he conscientiously helped Michaela get situated in the chair. His touches were tender.

  “Don’t forget. If you say sholt, it will all end immediately,” he whispered.

  Michaela would not do that. She was determined to see this through.

  That determination was hard pressed as she stared at the big, thick dildo. It waited only inches from her crotch as Korkla strapped her down. He set her legs wide, leaving her pussy open and vulnerable to the fake cock that looked ready to enter her like a battering ram.

  No one spoke, so Michaela kept quiet. Behave and obey whatever they want, she counseled herself. You fucked up big time, and now you have to pay for that. You may not like what’s going to happen, but they care too much to hurt you for real.

  I trust them with everything. This is my chance to prove it.

  She couldn’t keep her heart from racing and her breathing from speeding up, however. Despite being the one who had demanded this, Michaela was scared of the punishment that lay ahead.

  Govi joined them and put his hand on her shoulder. He at least gifted her with a smile, and it made Michaela feel better. That fled when Raxstad joined them with his hands full of gadgets and tools.

  He gave her a determined glare. “Keep your legs spread like they are now. You will not resist anything we do to you.”

  Michaela swallowed. “I will obey, my Nobek.”

  Korkla held out his hand. Raxstad squirted a large dollop of lubricant on the Dramok’s palm. Korkla used it to grease the dildo attached to the chair. Michaela bit her lip. It was big, but not Raxstad big, at least. She wished she knew what to expect from the men. Not knowing was as much torture as whatever else they might do to her.

  Once the Dramok had the dildo attachment fairly dripping with gel, Raxstad tapped a few buttons on the bar holding it. With a low hum, it began to move towards Michaela’s vulva. She shuddered to see its approach. Raxstad continued to tap the buttons, adjusting its height and angle.

  The tapered tip of the dildo nudged at Michaela’s folds. Raxstad made a final adjustment, and it found her opening. It crept inside her. He made it stop once the tip had penetrated about an inch.

  Meanwhile, Korkla lubed something else ... a long, thick buttplug. He carefully inserted it into Michaela’s ass. Her breath caught to feel the fullness. The chair’s mechanical dildo would increase that heady sensation.

  Michaela thought she knew what was coming. The men had tormented her with exciting her and then denying her orgasm before. It looked like they were going to do it again.

  Except before, they allowed me to come after some time, after I was hurting from need. Maybe this time, they won’t let me climax.

  It wasn’t a beating. It was much worse. Michaela couldn’t help but whimper.

  Yet they had much more torment in store for her than just that. Michaela’s eyes widened to see the contraption Raxstad showed her next.

  “Um,” she said, not liking the look of the series of metal rings and metal strip holding them together. At one end was a small metal dome. Michaela had never seen such a device, but the shape of it made its function unmistakable.

  Raxstad looked at her. “This is the punishment I have deemed best for you,” he said. “Do you accept the discipline? If not, we will stop.”

>   She heard the question beneath his carefully chosen words. Do you trust me?

  I do. I do. But that damned thing looks scary.

  The three men were all standing perfectly still, watching her. Michaela knew a lot hinged on how she answered. This was more than about atonement. Much more.

  She lowered her eyes. Biting back the urge to ask if it would hurt ... because that would make Raxstad feel as if she didn’t believe in him ... she said, “I accept it.”

  “Good girl,” he murmured. He looked relieved.

  Michaela didn’t want to see him put the rings on her. She watched Govi instead. The Imdiko squirted thick white lotion in the palm of his hand.

  She nearly came up out of the chair when he rubbed the lotion all around the base of her cock and over her scrotum. The straps kept her from doing more than jerking, however. Despite Michaela’s dread of what was to come, she couldn’t bite back the moan as sweet warmth filled her manhood, swelling her prick with excitement.

  Govi released her semi-erection. Before Michaela could pull her head back together, Raxstad began sliding the joined metal rings over her cock.

  The Nobek snugged the first and largest ring at the base of her and carefully slipped it over her balls as well. With an adjustment, the first ring gripped her securely, though not painfully.

  The rest of the rings circled her semi-hard dick. Raxstad adjusted the circumference of each so that her masculine member was held snugly. The metal strip connecting them kept her cock curved. The dome at the end encased her cockhead.

  Michaela stared at what he’d put on her. It wasn’t painful, not really. If she got any harder however, it could turn uncomfortable. Plus it was heavy. The weight felt strange and unwelcome.

  There were flashes of flesh between each ring, but the coils were thick enough that real contact with her cock would be impossible. Michaela’s male sex could not be touched.

  “Is it hurting you?” Raxstad asked. “Does it feel as if your circulation is being cut off at all?”