Page 12 of The Pactbound Angel (The Soul Mirror Duet #1)
He lowered the gem, placing it in the palm of his other hand.
“The terms of our arrangement are not shackles, and this doesn't work at all if you feel coerced in any way. We may encounter limits while I am instructing, those you are unaware you have, and that I couldn't know about. We can avoid that conflict by making sure that the encounters aren't pushing past your limits. Learning to please is most effective when those boundaries are understood, and no one is harmed. Though this time we will be using this inn’s room, subsequent lessons will use a classroom of sorts. It is private and well-protected, but it takes time to create based upon the complexity of what’s required.”
He moved to the small pouch sitting on the table and opened it, carefully threading the necklace through the opening.
Closing it again, he looked back at me. “‘No’ is a powerful word, Lady Nathalia.
Never hesitate to use it, especially with me.
You don't need to worry about being tricked or trapped.
I'll hold to both the spirit and letter of the pact, and if you need to stop what we are doing, or renegotiate terms to add conditions, remove them, or redefine, you should have words or phrases in mind to let me know. Please undress."
My back straightened. “Wait, now? ”
His voice was gentle, with no judgment detected, “Is this a bad time? You have every right to say no, as I said, and we can begin when you are ready.”
“It’s not that. I just… you surprised me.” The confusion passed, to be replaced with nervous energy coursing through me on the way to the dresser. Taking one last look at him, and noting he did not have his back turned, I huffed. Might as well get this over with.
After removing my shoes, my gown went up and over my head.
Folding my dress, placing it on top of the dresser, stood before him.
My arms or hands stuck to my sides like glue.
Grateful for my time at the Academy, the women’s barracks had no room for modesty, making my shyness eventually give way.
But Ramiren is not one of my fellow initiates.
His eyes roamed down my body slowly, though it was unclear if in appreciation or to catalogue. Identifying interest in someone’s eyes, especially if they were being overt, was usually not too difficult, but his were hidden behind glasses.
I lifted my chin, hoping it would present the confidence I currently lacked.
“I remarked you being handsome would make this easier. It goes both ways, of course. If I am lovely in your eyes, then that will make your task far more pleasant as well.” Pausing to get my nervousness under control with another deep breath, I opened my mouth again, my words were thankfully stronger.
It is important he understands this, and it is equally important I convey it with firmness.
“There are just three exceptions I must insist on, Master Ramiren. First, you may do whatever you like, whatever you feel would be beneficial for me to know, and you may instruct me to do anything. I will obey whatever command you give when we are in private, within reason . But there’s to be no vaginal intercourse.
That is something I will do with my future husband only. ” O ne down, two to go.
“Secondly, no one, not even our traveling companions, can know of this pact. If it is found out accidentally, that is one thing, but we must do our best to keep it between us. Third, this is an exclusive contract. I will not seek outside advice or training, if you’ll agree to not have sexual relations with anyone else for its duration. Are those terms acceptable to you?”
Ramiren’s smile widened. "Those terms suit me and are well-worded.
We may want to revisit the concept of a phrase for boundaries should lessons get intense enough that I'd want one to be certain I don't risk harm with an instruction. The phrase won’t be needed immediately, or even in the next lesson.
Merely something to keep in mind. If you are amenable, we can begin.
The pact is sealed." His eyes flashed from red to a smoldering orange, like a campfire, as he said these last words.
A wave of sudden fear passed through me, making me take a calming, silent breath. "Very well. I am amenable." Extending my hand, palm up in a Camlite handshake, I waited for him to accept my hand.
He waited for a beat, then spoke as though whispering a stage cue, “You need to repeat the words ‘the pact is sealed’ for it to be finalized.”
“Oh. Apologies. The pact is sealed.”
The lights in the room intensified with a small roar of individual flames as I repeated the words.
It startled me, and my eyes darted around the room.
The floating scroll next to Ramiren rolled up and disappeared with a puff of purple smoke.
He extended his own hand, placing the palm face down upon mine to complete the handshake.
His hand felt rougher than I would have thought, and almost feverish.
I wondered what other surprises lay in store.
Gods, why is it so damned warm in here?
His voice took an instructive tone again, and my skin caught fire.
"To give pleasure, I need you to understand what it is.
If you want to please, we'll want something for you to focus on, and at first, that'll be your own pleasure.
We'll be starting from the beginning, and focusing on the physical sensations with the most basic tools for both pleasure and communication: hands and mouth.
I want you to focus on what I do and how it makes you feel.
Each touch, caress, or lick. Hold the most pleasurable of those feelings in your mind as long as you can, remember them if you're able.
You'll find them useful for what comes next. "
Listening and watching Ramiren as he talked, so matter-of-factly, my head tilted as I watched his mouth move.
His forked tongue flicked between his teeth as he spoke, and a warmth pooled between my legs as my head began to spin.
It took me a few seconds to realize he’d finished speaking.
"Alright. I will try. Please-" but I was interrupted.
The broodling stepped close, and his extremely warm hands reached out to tentatively caress my bare shoulders. I automatically stiffened and had to force myself to relax in his hands.
“Is this alright?” he asked quietly.
My firm nod was the only confirmation I could manage, not trusting myself to open my mouth.
“First, there are specific areas of the body which are particularly sensitive to touch and elicit arousal. Some are quite obvious, some not. They can vary from person to person, but the most common are here…” His fingertips brushed the shell of my ear with featherlike pressure. My skin broke out in goosebumps.
“Here…” His fingers moved to the sides and back of my neck. My breath hitched with a sharp inhale, and my eyes sealed shut. He’d barely touched me, and I already wanted to burst out of my skin.
“Here…” He moved down to my breasts, grazing the hardening nipples. A sound, not unlike a whimper, left my throat. My face and chest felt like it was burning, but not from embarrassment.
“Here...” His hands reached around to my back, running a gentle touch from my neck to my tailbone.
My back bowed as I gasped, pleasure streaking up and down my spine and lighting each vertebrae.
I had been touched there before, but not like this.
This was not a healer’s touch, at least not the kind I was used to.
Fuck!
It was absolute torture that I never wanted to stop.
Phantom fingers lingered long after he had moved on to another area, and an unfamiliar ache began to reside in my belly.
It was deep, insistent want. I wanted his hands to splay themselves across every inch of me, and I wanted his mouth to follow.
He spoke softly, like he didn’t want to intrude on the moment, “I’m going to move lower now. Stop me if it gets to be too much.”
At my non-verbal acceptance, his hands traced down my body. “Here…” He reached my inner thighs. The tremble I’d developed wouldn’t stop. I felt cold and hot all at once. And so very dizzy.
“And now, for the most obvious area.”
His hand rose higher, making me jump when he brushed against my labia. A shaky moan escaped as he explored me with slow fingers. The cold earlier evaporated, leaving only the heat behind. I wanted his mouth there, too.
But what would he do there?
Mentally, I viciously cursed my lack of creativity.
"Now, I want you to touch yourself and focus on how it feels. It's completely fine and normal if you don't bring yourself to orgasm just yet. This is what practice is for."
“Hm?” Dimly aware of him moving me to the bed, I automatically sat down after the velvet cover hit the back of my knees.
“Lounge back,” he instructed. I did so, adjusting the pillows behind my head.
He hovered over me and gently took my wrist to turn my hand, adjusting my fingers over the soft mound between my thighs and pushing them through the damp curls. My face flamed.
The last time I’d touched myself this way, I was fifteen.
My governess had walked in on me doing so, and she screamed at me for my vulgarity so loudly everyone in the villa could likely hear my shame.
Begging her not to tell my parents, swearing I’d never do it again, barely convinced her.
But she’s agreed. I kept my word and didn’t touch myself again, even though I wanted to. Many many times.
But here… here, it was actively encouraged. Looking into his eyes, expecting admonishment, I saw only patience. No judgment. My fingers flexed in the warm wetness.