The longer she sat in the sitting room, the worse she felt. Not only had she had spoken out of turn in front of Cortés and the king, but she had run from Eiotan after he had specifically told her not to leave his side. Now she was alone, and had no idea how to make it back to the grand hall, let alone figure out how to fix the damage she had just caused.
Tears rolled down her face, and she curled her knees up under her chin. Misery filled her soul. There was no way Lord Eiotan would forgive her after this. He might force her back to the fields, sell her, or even worse, execute her.
A laugh filled the room and Ayala jumped. Cortés stood at the doorway, watching her.
“Even in tears, you are a ravishing site.” He sauntered into the room, making his way toward her. Fear of the unknown filled her. What would he do? Beat her? Kiss her? Force his body on her? She gulped her fear and tried to keep a neutral look on her face. When he reached her, his hand stroked the side of her face, and drifted down her neck to the low collar of her dress. Ayala held her breath and kept quiet.
“If you were mine, you would be naked on my bed right now. And I would take off my belt and whip your pretty little backside for your behavior tonight.”
“I think it’s time to take my wife home tonight. It seems the wine has gone to her head,” a voice boomed over her loudly beating heart. Lord Eiotan had found her!
Cortés turned back toward him and smiled. “Until next time, Lord Eiotan,” he said, bowing his head. Lord Eiotan bowed to Cortés and made his way back to Ayala.
Ayala watched Lord Eiotan from underneath her long lashes as he strode to her. Anger was still slightly etched
into his features when he took her hand.
“It’s time to go, Ayala.”
She swallowed hard. Angry as she knew he was, he was gentle as he guided her out of the palace. A nervous tingle passed through her.
Before she knew it, they had returned to his home. He guided her through the door and shut it softly behind her.
She expected him to yell, to immediately strike out at her, but he stood silently behind her. She waited, not facing him. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he spoke.
“Go to your room, Ayala, and wait for me there.”
Ayala didn’t look back at him as she slowly made her way back to her bedroom. She sat down on the bed and stared at her hands.
Her mind was ablaze. What would happen? Would he use the hairbrush? His hand? His belt? Her foot started to twitch nervously.
She heard him enter the doorway. His footsteps fell softly but surely, heading to her. He first walked over to the nightstand, then picked up the hairbrush and placed it on the bed.
He sat down beside her.
“Ayala, I don’t think you understand the danger you have put yourself in today.”
She didn’t answer, but kept staring at her hands.
“Cortés watched you. I have seen men hunger after women before. You did not heed my instructions to keep your eyes down. You boldly met his gaze, offering him a challenge. You spoke out of turn, daring to defy the king, Cortés, and most important, myself. You left my side after I specifically gave you instructions to stay with me at all times. If I hadn’t found you, things could have turned out very differently tonight, and I don’t doubt you would have been hurt very badly, both physically and emotionally. At this point, if he does not place you on a list of demands, I would be surprised. You are the one thing he can’t have, and that is an extremely dangerous position to be in.”
He was silent for a moment.
“I want you to understand why I am going to punish you today. By not following my instructions, you have put yourself in a dangerous position, one that we are going to have to work together to get out of. I can tell you are strong-willed and independent. You are going to need a strong hand to learn to heed my every instruction.” He paused. “Look at me, Ayala.”
Ayala looked up at him, sadness filling her at his disappointment and what she had done. She knew her actions had been dangerous. She had allowed her anger at her servitude to overtake her, clouding her discretion and allowing herself to ignore his wishes.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the full gravity of her actions finally coming to her. She was in serious danger, something that could have probably been avoided had she just listened to Lord Eiotan. Guilt washed over her. There was little to do now but accept her punishment. She stood up. For a moment she hesitated, but she slowly lowered herself over his knee. His strong hands gripped her waist.
“Do you understand why I must do this?” Lord Eiotan said softly, his grip offering her a sense of safety.
“Yes, sir. I do. Please, I am so sorry. I should have listened to you. If you hadn’t found me, I don’t know what would have happened.” Ayala felt the hem of her dress raise, chilly air ruffling against her panty-clad backside. A tiny quiver ran through her.
When the first slap fell onto her left cheek, Ayala yelped. She squeezed her eyes shut, determined she would take this well, since she knew she deserved it. The second spank fell in the same spot. She gritted her teeth. After that, Lord Eiotan began to spank Ayala in earnest. Each one came harder and faster, much more punishing than last night’s warning. His hand seemed harder, carrying an emanating heavy sting with each spank.
Ayala hollered as the spanking grew in intensity. Pitiful cries began to emerge unwittingly from her throat. This really hurt. The only thing she could concentrate on was the spanking, how much it hurt and how embarrassing it was that she had to be taught a lesson by being given a spanking over Lord Eiotan’s knee.
Each spank lit a new fire into her backside. He spanked her upper and lower cheeks, not even leaving her upper thighs untouched. Ayala was whimpering when the spanking paused.