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“She seems like a good woman,” Etta said. “That’s what you deserve most of all.”

“A good woman who knows how to spank me.”

“I’ll take your word on that one.”

They smiled at each other in the mirror. Etta patted Monique’s shoulder and turned away, hands going into her pockets.

“Her father owes Jacqueline nearly fifty million dollars.”

Etta turned enough to show that she was listening. “She told you this?”

“Yes. She had to. I saw Jacqueline here one time. I needed an explanation.”

“Damn. The woman has a lot of loan payments coming in, but I never heard about Gerome Warner being one of them.”

“I hear it’s very hush-hush. You can’t tell anyone, I guess.”

“You’re okay with that?”

“Ever hear that you shouldn’t blame the daughter for the sins of her father? It’s like that. She’s been honest and open with me about it. I don’t care. I… Jacqueline did terrible things. She’s stalked me since then. She wants to make me uncomfortable… what if I don’t let her?”

“There’s nothing wrong with reacting the way you have. Nobody should go through…”

“I know that.” Monique wouldn’t feel bad for the times she felt like a victim.Like a runaway.Like someone who was so stupid to fall into a trap like Jacqueline’s. For ten years! Even if the first several were fine, the last year ruined the good ones. “But I can’t shut down every time our paths cross. I can’t give her a reaction when she mails me out of the blue. I need to face her and know that I can. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not committing to Helen to prove a point about Jacqueline. Except let’s be real, Etta. No matter what I do or where I go in this insular world of ours, I will see her. And it will scare me.”

“If you believe that Helen will take care of you during those times, then I’ll support you.”

“Thank you.” Satisfied with how she looked in the mirror, Monique stepped away from the vanity and motioned for Etta to accompany her. “Let’s see how long it takes me to cry.”

They hooked their arms together, Etta escorting her down the main hallway of the East Wing and to the grand staircase connecting to the Premier House. At the bottom of the stairsstood Evelyn, her slick look rivaling Etta’s as she pointed out where to go.Using her sister as her witness.What a strange family. Monique hadn’t even met the parents yet.

The servants were cleared out for the evening. The only people Monique saw between the East Wing and an open, marble-laden room overlooking the gardens were Evelyn and Etta. It suited her fine. She liked being paraded around, but not necessarily in front of staff.

Evelyn disappeared into the marble room. Monique stopped near the entryway, Etta halting one step ahead and turning to see if she was all right.

“Second thoughts?” she asked.

“No.” Monique squeezed Etta hand. “I merely want to savor this moment.”

No woman got married intending to divorce – not the ones in love. It was the same for a sub entering a permanent union with her Domme.No sub enters a collaring ceremony expecting to break up later.For some, this held greater meaning than marriage. Maybe she and Helen would officially wed one day. With their families present, and everyone in the rich, wide world coming to celebrate their love. Monique didn’t care about that. She cared aboutthis. The rush she felt thinking of her Mistress putting that collar around her neck… for now… forever…I never want this moment to end.God willing, it wouldn’t.

Etta helped her move, but it was Monique who took the first step across the threshold.

Everything was as she and Helen planned it. Tea candles burned in an alcove, emitting a potent but lovely rose fragrance as well as a soft, warm light that cast Helen’s shadow on the wall behind her.

She stood in front of the alcove, dressed in a silvery dress that evoked the same bride-groom imagery but without being soobvious. Her dark blond hair was brushed and styled over her shoulders, and her heels glittered in the candlelight.

She held out her hand to Monique as she approached.

A few silent moments passed, in which Monique shared a look with Etta. She nodded to Helen, unwrapping her arm from Monique’s and giving a gentle push.You barely know this woman.Etta never mentioned having a chat with Helen. Had they formally met before this day?

Did it matter?

Monique took Helen’s hand. She left Etta’s protection and entered a new universe.

“You are…” Helen gaze traveled Monique’s body, taking in the glitter in her hair, the eyeliner winged toward her bangs, the light brush of blush pinking her cheeks, and the ensemble she had chosen for her beloved to wear that day. “Radiant.”

Evelyn cleared her throat and tried to pass it off as a cough. Etta glanced at her.