Hey guys ! Thanks so much again for all the great reviews, questions, and feedback! I really do read every one and appreciate it, even if I can't always answer all of the questions. Sorry. Maybe after the story is done, I will. But in any case, thanks to each and every one of you.

** This chapter is very scary…but not as gory or violent as you think…it's more of a mindfuck than actual…well, you know. **

Love you and thanks for being brave and taking this walk with me in the dark….

Chapter 15

I could hear myself screaming at Edward…the words were unclear like I was underwater far away…but they got louder…and clearer.

"I don't love you anymore Edward, face it!", I shouted, "You hit me ! You hurt me all the time! I can't take this anymore! I WON'T TAKE IT !"

"You…will NOT leave me, Bella Swan.", Edward said, his voice low and dark, his golden eyes smoldering with danger, "You will NEVER leave me."

"I AM LEAVING!", I dared him, "I'm leaving you, this fucking town, and this whole GOD DAMNED SICK vampire LIFE ! I've had it with all this shit ! I want to lay on the beach, actually have FUN for a change!"

"And, just for amusement purposes," Edward sounded like he was humoring a three year old child having a tantrum, "Where do you think you'll go?"

I wanted to stand up to him, I wanted to defy him…I was so stupid to answer him the way I did. This was the reply that sealed Jacob's fate.

"With Jake.", I clenched my jaw tight, staring him down, telling myself to be tough.

"Black?" Edward elegantly raised a brow at me.

"Yes.", I tightened my fists at my sides, "He came to me…he still loves me…he's leaving Forks and I'm going with him."

"Like Hell.", Edward's lips turned up a corner.

"You can't stop me.", I whispered, knowing he could do just that.

"Oh, really?", he crossed his arms, smirking fully at me now.

"AAAAAAAAAAA!", I screamed as I saw Jacob's dead, bloody face.

Across the wall above him were bloody words.

They spelled out: HAVE A NICE TRIP

I yelled out, my eyes opening. My body was laying on my back, and I was staring up at the sheet over my head. Sunlight was glowing beyond the covers but my heart sank to find that I was alone here in bed.

Good Edward would be here with me…if he were still here.

I rubbed my eyes, and a flash of Edward's beautiful face here, beneath the covers, touched my heart. He was smiling, closing his heavenly eyes…God, those perfect lush eyelashes of his…I feel so empty…so…by myself.

Not sure what day or time it was, I looked at my digital alarm clock and saw the red numbers 4:32.

And judging by the deep orange glow from the window, I figured it was twilight.

Sighing, I moved the covers off my body, kicking some of them down with my foot. As I looked down at myself I saw the pajamas Edward picked out for me and I smiled. Then, I raised my sleeve up to my nose and inhaled….and there he was. The ghost of a memory, his scent was unlike anything else in the world. Sweet…gentle…alluring…and a little hint of something exciting mixed in…

What day is this, I asked myself and took a second to think about it. Monday morning was when Edward had taken me out of that grave, Tuesday and Wednesday I had recovered…Thursday was the day that Edward had his way with me…that was last night…so this is Friday and it's the end of the day.

I thought about what I would be doing during the summer now, since leaving town with Jake was not going to happen. Maybe I could take a couple of classes. Edward would like that. Education was very important to him. A deep, anguished part of me told me I could still leave, that Jake's death should be pushing me to go even FASTER out of this. But then, that weak, scared part of me told me no – that Edward was too strong – and he would never let me go.

Like MY Edward said, now that he tasted my blood, he owned me even more. That was his plan all along while he was talking to me about his NEEDS. He figured I'd still try to go, especially after the two days in the grave, and the 24 hour sex marathon. He still doesn't trust me. Maybe he's right not to.

"Get up, Isabella!", HIS voice broke me out of my thoughts and my body jumped at the tone of it. It was calm, not very loud but I could hear the bitterness.

He is mad at me. He said Isabella. That's not good.

He's not in the room but he's close by.

"Clean yourself up and meet me in the kitchen.", his voice was outside the door, then I heard his footsteps moving away.

"Alright.", I called, my voice giving me away. I don't sound tough AT ALL.

I turned and looked at the pillow beside mine…it was caved in a little. Smiling, I thought, this is where his head laid. I placed my jittery hand there, in the sweet valley and closed my eyes.

Good Morning Edward – I greeted him in my heart, hoping he could hear me there. Even though it's late afternoon.

It was so great…being human with you.

But I have to go now. My Master is waiting.

And I felt a fucking anger I can't describe. I hated Edward – the one down in the kitchen – for doing this to my Edward. For dragging him away from me as I slept. For chaining him up and making him watch in helpless torment as he hurt me again and again. Would I ever see my Edward again, after this? Maybe last night was mean Edward letting us have a little chance to say goodbye. Only neither one of us would say that word.

With an attitude, I whipped the covers down more and got out of the bed, yanking open drawers and slamming them shut as I got my clothes for the day. I went to the bathroom down the hall and washed my face, brushed my teeth, got dressed in a pair of jeans and a soft gray t shirt. I tried brushing my hair, too, but it just fell down around my shoulders in a tired cascade.

I didn't want to look at my face too closely in the mirror. I hated me. I was a weak fraud, a joke. I didn't deserve Edward's love…or Jacob's either. I should have just become a nun or something.

Finally, I took a breath…let it go…and went downstairs.

I smelled food. I didn't realize it until now, but I had been denied anything to eat during Edward's day of sex. I had only received water now and then. And then I slept after spending my time with Good Edward. I was starving and I moved a little faster, wondering what Edward cooked for me.

It smelled like breakfast. And I definitely identified bacon as the main aroma as I got closer.

As I came into the large kitchen, I saw Edward there, at the stove, sizzling sounds filling the air.

Without turning to me, he knew I was there.

"Go sit down.", he said without any emotion, his hands working on things I couldn't see.

I obeyed, not saying a word, wondering how deep in the shit I really was. If Good Edward could hear and see everything Bad Edward did, I'm sure it works the other way around too. I suspected that when I was with him, but I didn't care.

I will NOT apologize. I will NOT.

I wondered where all my strength had gone from a couple of weeks ago, when I had planned to run away with Jacob. I stood up to Edward then. I was brutal. It felt good. But then, the next day, Jacob was dead.

Could he see me now, too?

I sat at my usual chair at the dining room table, not at the head, at the side, in the center. Edward usually sat right across from me. There was a glass of orange juice sitting at my place, waiting for me. A black placemat. A fork.

I was even afraid to drink the juice before he said it was alright. I really wanted it. Edward made it from squeezing oranges himself. It was better than anything out of the carton. I nearly drooled from how good it looked, the glass looked frosty and cold.

"Drink your juice.", he said, right behind me now, making me start again with a little gasp.

He placed my plate down before me, and the smell and sight of a bacon and cheese omelet made my entire body relax before I could warn it.

I took my glass and drank. Mmmmmm….I don't know what he does to this juice, but it's fucking awesome. There's gotta be something more in it that makes it so sweet.

Edward sat across from me, wearing a black t shirt and jeans. I put my glass down, half of the juice gone as he gave me a little smile.

"Thirsty?", he asked, placing a large book on the table, moving it aside.

I looked down at my plate of food and gave a little nod, my hands in my lap.

"Eat.", he invited me.

I couldn't speak. All I could do was take my fork in hand, trembling…starting to work it into my eggs.

"I know it's nearly evening but I figured you would like breakfast instead of dinner right after waking up.", he made conversation, or tried to.

"Thank you Edward.", I said, trying to sound normal, eating, "It's really good."

"Anything for you.", he said, watching me eat. I couldn't look too closely at his face. My Edward's face, and my Edward not in there…would be too much to take right now. I was still grieving, wanting him. Wondering if he was okay now. Was he resting? Sleeping? Struggling? Screaming? How awful that he could be…and I can't even hear him, eating my eggs with his kidnapper.

I tried to smile but I'm sure it was weak and shallow. And I put another bite into my mouth, concentrating on my chewing.

"So…", Edward put his hands flat on the table in front of himself, and his head tilted a bit as he looked into my face, "What do you have planned today, little girl?"

It sounded like a light question. But, since he knew my plan was to have already been out of this town, starting my life with Jacob, it was a knife in my heart, twisting.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe go online and see what summer classes are going on at school."

And with that, I just told him out loud that I was not planning to leave him. That I was admitting defeat and staying with him. Like I had a choice in that.

"Good idea.", he sounded pleased, "Make good use of your summer."

With a little nod, I ate another bite, hating his fucking God damned rotting inside a pretty package guts.

WHERE IS HE ? I wanted to demand. But I didn't.

"Did you sleep well?", he asked.

He knows how I slept, I'm sure he could hear every breath I took while I was asleep. What is this? Is he trying to be my friend now?

I nodded again.

Then, Edward's face turned into something else. The friendly veneer was melting and there was something sinister happening in him now.

"Quiet today, Isabella.", he observed aloud.

"Thought you wanted me that way.", I said, and my attitude showed through a little bit as I spoke the words.

I took more juice, trying to think of something else…anything else.

His lips drew up in a little pout and then his eyes lifted to mine.

"How was Prince Charming ?", he asked, getting to the point.

I froze but on the outside, I played dumb.

"Who?", I furrowed my brow, looking at him, then away. His eyes scared me.

"The little prince.", he informed, his voice deep, "I'm sure he awakened you. He's selfish that way."

Oh Christ. That's RICH. HE'S selfish.

Now I had two choices. Lie – and be killed for it. Or tell the truth – and be killed for it.

Or worse.

I took a deep breath and tried to think of something to say…but I never got the chance.

"So, what did the two of you talk about?", he folded his hands, making a mockery of my Edward, "Did you cry together and hold hands?"

He snickered…and something in me wanted to tear his fucking head off.

"No.", I smiled brightly, eating another bite, looking him right in the eye, "We made love. Wonderful, amazing, life changing love. For several hours. And you'll be glad to note…I now know the difference between that…and fucking. But at least you make a nice omelet."

My bravery was back, in full force. I felt so strong as his face slowly frowned while I spoke, the cruel smile melting off to expose the rage right below the surface.

I imagined my Edward, shouting NO at me, struggling in his leather bonds, knowing he could not protect me, knowing I had said the wrong things, no matter how tough I thought I was at the moment. I knew I'd get hurt anyway, so I'd rather have gone down swinging.

"We have some business to discuss.", he said, his voice hardly able to control the monster within.

"Do we?", I asked, almost with a roll of my eyes. But I didn't sound scared. And I liked that.

I knew it was coming…any second now.

"Yes.", he said, "At the end of the night, I believe I had six points to your zero."

"I believe that was no game we were playing.", I said back, hard as nails, looking right at him, "I'm not stupid, Edward. I know you know everything and I'm going to be punished, so get on with it. I don't have all day."

He huffed. "Oh, Isabella…I think you do.", he responded with an ice cold voice.

And with a swing of his arm, my plate of food and juice flew into the air, the table flipping over as if it were made of cardboard, not marble.

I was on my ass, on my back and he was on top of me, his enraged face right above mine.

"You God damned whore!", he spat the words at me, "You just can't keep those fucking legs of yours closed, CAN YOU ? I'm surprised the fucking MAILMAN hasn't had his turn yet !"

"GET OFF ME !", I screamed, my eyes as angry and hateful as his.

I saw his hand draw back and then lash out, the back of his open hand slapped across my face…and everything went black.

I was laying face down on something cool.

The room was dark now, it was night. Only there was the light coming from above me…shining down on my back. I was on the dining room table again.

"Aww, she's waking up.", I heard Edward's voice a few feet away, some strange noises I didn't recognize right afterwards. I couldn't see him yet. My head was dizzy and my eyes were hardly open.

I felt something slick and sticky over my mouth and realized after a moment it was thick duct tape.

"MMMMM", I tested my voice to see how tight the tape held my mouth. It was very strong. I couldn't move my lips at all.

"Ohhh relax, little girl.", he answered me from afar, "You'll be getting all the attention very soon, I promise."

A smaller MMM came out without me even meaning it to as I slowly came to…more alert and aware with each passing second. My hands were tied with rope, I could see that and feel it. My arms were stretched up and out, very tight, separately. One hand bound to a leg of the table, the other hand on the opposite leg. My hands turned into fists as I yanked defiantly, and it hurt to do so.

I yelped out, hurting as my hands tingled. They felt cold and numb.

Then I felt my legs, spread like my hands, pulled as far down as they would go, no slack in the rope in the slightest. I felt rope biting into my ankles, several times around, and gave them a little tug, knowing they'd be the same as my hands.

I could feel my waist, bound with ropes too. They held me down on the hard table so I couldn't even raise myself off a half inch. I gave a little growl and tried to lift my head up more, to see where he was and what he was doing. But as I did, I felt a chain tighten around my neck.

"I wouldn't move much if I were you, my dear.", he said, "The more you struggle, the more everything tightens."

He sounded so relaxed, so cool.

And lastly, I realized now I was naked and I could now feel a tight, thin rope between my legs, and it pulled tight up into my clit, making it very sore.

I could hear myself muffled inside the tape, and it seemed to make a cross over my mouth, completely covering my lips, almost touching my nose. I was making noises against my own will as my body panicked a little, trying to move and free itself.

I held my head still, letting the chain loosen so I could breathe more.

More feelings began to arise now…my cheekbone throbbed and felt wet. My head hurt like a bitch, stinging with a dull ache that wouldn't go away.

"I just don't understand you anymore, Bella.", his voice said gently, sadly, from wherever he was.

"I laid my heart out and placed it in your hands.", he continued, "I tell you how much you mean to me…how you are my forever…and you return my feelings."

My eyes felt so out of whack…I got dizzy again.

"And then, hours later, you're bouncing on the cock of someone else.", he let that edge come into his voice, the dangerous one.

I heard him walking…towards me. I stiffened up and heard a whimper come out of my mouth as he stroked my hair, then tightened and pulled it hard as I screamed.

"You have no loyalty.", he sneered, "You don't know what love is. You're a bitch in heat, spreading your legs for any penis that hardens in your presence. I thought my love would be enough to keep you mine. But I see there's no heart in you. So tonight, we'll take a different approach. Pain is a great teacher."

He let me go and my head thudded against the table before I got a little control over it.

I could hear noises again, off behind me, away from the foot of the table. Metal banged against metal. A hiss.

"This is as much a lesson for the little prince as it is for you, Bella.", his voice was moving around me.

"He suffers when you suffer.", he said wickedly, "And then there's the guilt. I may not be able to get rid of him completely, but I kill him everyday. He's screaming now, groveling to me for your sake."

His fingers suddenly tore the tape off my mouth in one yank and I yelled out loud, seeing stars for a moment.

"So this time,", he informed, "I will let him hear you beg, and scream…and cry. And if he ever gets another minute with you, he'll hear that in his head. And his dick will shrivel up like a raisin. A vampire never forgets a thing…ever. This will be my little gift to him."

I shook all over, unable to stop it or hide it.

"But I'll make a deal with you, Bella.", he said, "You say now that you regret being with Lord Fauntleroy, you say that you hated it and you wish you'd never been with HIM…and I will lighten your sentence. I won't believe you, God knows you're a slut and a liar, but he will hear it. You'll still be punished for your mouth and your loose legs…but I won't collect on my six points."

I quivered, afraid. I wasn't sure what he'd do about these points but less pain always sounded better. But I saw Edward, struggling and almost heard him screaming and begging on his knees to spare me the pain, to let him have it instead…and I just could not force myself to say the words, even if it was an obvious lie.

A long pause filled the air and I clamped my mouth shut, my teeth holding it in place.

"You make me sad, Bella.", his voice was so low and lost sounding.

"I don't enjoy this, you know.", he said, "Hurting you brings me no happiness. I would much rather spend my time pleasing you. But you never let me. You always force my hand."

"You were being so good.", he sounded regretful, sorrowful, "I really thought you were improving. I ask for so little. I hate that it has come to this. But you must learn. You belong to me alone. Well, I hope you enjoyed your time with HIM. You'll never see him again."

I felt tears come to my eyes, knowing he meant that. He had made those threats come true with Jacob, and Charlie, Renee and Phil…the Cullens. And now Edward.

"In olden days", Edward said, his voice now more like the teacher he was during my study sessions, "The penalties for a woman who insults her husband's honor, or her own, was not a public spectacle, like a man's punishment would be. Her Hell would be private. She might be tortured by the husband himself, or her father, to teach her manners. Something your father obviously NEVER did with YOU."

I felt myself frown as he moved around the table, his hands behind his back as he continued.

"She might be locked up for a time, in her home or in a convent, everything taken away from her.", he said, "As a general rule, a woman's closest male figure is expected to keep her under control or to punish her if she misbehaves socially or otherwise."

"Husbands didn't usually kill their wives for adultery,", he said, "But it was within his rights to do so. No one would have thought less of him for it. But if he caught her in the very act of cheating on him, he is considered to be NOTHING if he doesn't kill not only the wife but also her lover."

"Kill me then.", I heard myself say, gritting my teeth, "You took care of half that with Jacob. So finish your duty and DO IT ALREADY !"

"Oh, but, wait, Bella!", Edward sounded a little excited, "I didn't tell you about the punishments a cheating bitch would receive if she is allowed to live after her…lack of discretion."

I closed my eyes and laid my hurt cheek to the cold table, wishing he would just get on with it and crush my head in his hands.

"There were such horrible tortures back then.", he shared, "Cutting off fingers, toes…burning out the clit with a red hot poker, gouging out eyes, slicing the breasts off..."

I shuddered, wanting to wet myself.

"They wanted to ruin the woman so no other man would ever want her again.", he told me, "Very brutal, that time."

"I really don't want to do that to YOU, Bella.", his voice was tender, "You are so lovely…so perfect…it would be like shattering a stain glass window…you would be a freak…an ugly thing that makes children scream and cry by just the sight of you. The rest of your life, you would have to live with that. Death is too quick, too easy. What do you think, Bella?"

He waited for me to say I was sorry. But I didn't. I wouldn't.

"So be it.", he said after a long silent minute…and he went to a table behind me where I couldn't see.

He sighed hard as I clenched my eyes and started to cry quietly.

Would he really do those things to me? Would I be able to stand it or would I say anything he wanted, hurting my Edward so I would be spared all that pain?

I heard a hiss again and I turned my head, the chain grabbing my throat as I grunted. I couldn't see anything. Bright light over my head, shining and blinding me to all the darkness around the table, kept me unaware.

"Men used to mark their property, such as cattle, with a brand.", he said, "And then with slaves, who were considered livestock and more likely to run away, it was very common. Some tribes called it a rite of passage, a sign that they were a man and no longer a child. Today, some submissives allow their Masters to mark them, as a token of love and devotion. Gang members…pledging their lives to their street family. And lastly, it is a very effective punishment. It is excruciatingly painful."

He let me think about that for a minute.

"I think this will be important for us.", he said, as if discussing the weather, "You need to know who you belong to…and so does HE. He will feel it even more than you will, and the pain for him will be forever. You are luckier. For you, the pain will fade over a few days time."

I shivered more and heard myself sob…but no words came out.

"I did some extensive research.", he said, "You should see some of the images floating around on the internet. Ghastly. Especially the ones done incorrectly. Black, burnt flesh…skin tearing off as it stuck to the iron…."

I prayed…to God then to my Edward….my voice only shivering in terror with panting and tears.

"It will be a third degree burn.", he lectured on, still a few feet away, behind me, "Once the burn heals, a design of scar tissue is left behind on the skin surface. Now…branding can be done either by striking…or with a medical cautery unit."

I love you, Edward…I said in my heart to my vampire love. I love you. Our time together…was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll never wish it away.

"Strike branding is done with carbon steel sheet metal.", Edward said, "The metal is cut into strips and bent into pieces of the desired design. The design is laid out onto the skin and the edge of the steel is heated with a propane torch until it is hot enough. With a calm hand, the hot edge is struck against the skin for a split second."

I was losing control of my breathing, just hearing about it. Tears of horror were all over my face already.

"Then the next piece is heated for the next strike. The pieces are small so just making one letter could mean four or five strikes in a row.", he said while I cried, my body starting to struggle in vein.

"I know exactly what I want.", he moved his fingers over my bare back, tracing letters I couldn't see, "The word MINE, large as life, right here."

"It will take some time…and many many strikes.", he said darkly, "But I'm very patient…and I have all eternity…and so do you."

I cried and yanked at my restraints as he sat on the table next to my body, making little circles on my spine with his cool finger.

"The other kind of branding…", he went on, "Is called Cautery Branding. This form is much more like cutting. A hot surgical cautery pen is drawn across the skin along the design. When done properly, the design can be slightly more detailed than a strike brand. There are no visible seams in the alignment like with the strike method."

No one will save me. He's going to do this to me. He's serious !

"Both heal pretty seamlessly, but the cautery enables the lines to flow more like a brush stroke than an edge of steel. This elegance in branding has been said to take out some of the carnal elements you get with strike branding.", he was making brush strokes over my back with all his fingers now, as if imagining what it would look like on my flesh.

"I should prepare things now…unless there's something you want to say first.", he took a handful of my hair, yanking my head back, the chain tightening and digging into my throat.

I wanted to beg, to plead like a dog so he wouldn't do it. But then I kept seeing flashes of my Edward…his nose touching mine while he made love to me…his face when I was on top, driving…his laughing eyes under the covers…and damn it all to hell, even his knock knock joke.

And I didn't say anything. I just panted and choked.

"The strike method is harder on the canvas.", Edward said with an evil tone, letting my hair go, "And it takes longer. I like the strike method."

He stood up and went behind me, and a minute later I heard metallic sounds, metal instruments hitting the table. I heard something hiss….then a sound…PPPHHHHHSSSSSTTTTTTTT….I knew it was fire…shooshing up and down, from side to side…

I knew it had to be the propane torch he spoke of…heating the piece of metal that would make its first mark on me.

"A pretty blue flame.", Edward commented, almost to himself as he worked.

"Perhaps I'll use the other method right between your legs.", Edward thought aloud, "Something along the lines of - Property of Edward Cullen. I can make it look pretty, with calligraphy type letters. It will take hours, probably, but, I know you'll be good and hold still for me, won't you Bella?"

"UUUhhhhh…", I sounded, terrified and sobbing harder.

"Poor little Edward…", he said as the flames kept sounding behind me, "He's losing his mind, you know. Thrashing about with all his might. Crying like a girl. I'll bet he's sorry he fucked you now."

"Is it all worth this, Bella?", he asked, "I mean, it IS only body parts slapping together, right?"

He DID hear me last night! He saw and knew everything and yet he acted like he didn't know…just to see what I would say…or if I would lie. He let Edward free, just to test me…and to punish me if I failed his test.

I screamed and fought harder now, my hands light purple, my ankles pinching in the ropes while I yanked my feet.

It had been a few minutes since the flame torch sounded, and now it stopped with a click.

"Ooooh.", Edward said, "The metal is RED it's so hot!"

"Let's test it out, shall we?", he asked calmly, and came up around where my head was. I raised my face and looked at him.

He stood in front of one of Esme's paintings on the wall. It was a portrait of Esme's little son, the one she lost before throwing herself off a cliff.

With a cruel smile, Edward moved the little thin metal edge in a long line across the baby's face…the thick canvas burned black and melted, hissing and slicing in half as I shouted out loud, imagining my skin doing that.

He looked at me and showed no emotion at all, except maybe a hint of sorrow.

"Poor baby.", he said morosely.

Then, standing right in front of me, he clicked on the little propane torch, and began to heat up the piece of metal in his marble fingers again, his wrist moving up and down…side to side….slowly…letting me see the silver metal gradually turn to a red color….smoke gently arising from it as he worked.

I could feel the heat coming off it and he didn't even have it near me yet. My body was going wild in their bonds, only hurting myself more.

"SAY IT!", I almost heard my Edward screeching, "ARE YOU CRAZY BELLA? SAY WHATEVER HE WANTS, I DON'T CARE!"

"No.", I said, almost in a haze, my eyes feeling heavier.

"PLEASE BELLA !", I imagined him screaming, his eyes wild and bright, full of tears he couldn't really cry, "PLEASE ! DO IT FOR ME, I'M BEGGING YOU, DON'T LET HIM DO THIS!"

"No…", I whimpered, tears falling out of both eyes as I closed them for a second.

The clicker sounded and the torch stopped shooting its neon blue flame. The piece of metal was smoking and it smelled like charcoal and steel mixed together.

"I think it's hot enough now.", he announced, looking at it, both sides of the long thin edge.

He cupped my chin in his free hand and raised my eyes to his.

And I saw pain there in his face. Almost fear.

"Please don't make me do this, Bella.", he said, in all seriousness, "I really don't want to. I want to make you happy, not scream. But you must prove to me that you know your place. You must be mine…ONLY! Please say it, Bella. Say you are. Say you wish you never stabbed me in the back and let that FAGGOT inside you."

I wanted to say so much. I wanted to say, "That FAGGOT gave me more pleasure in three hours than I could get from HIM in three hundred years!"

I wanted to say that. And then I knew I would feel that burn…and many many more after that.

But I said nothing. I didn't beg…and I didn't tell him off…I just waited…refusing to give him one word.

I put my head down on the table, clenching everywhere, my fists so numb I didn't feel them at all.

"Fine.", he spat the word, "Enjoy."

He pulled my hair out of the way, off my back, and I felt a cold swab rubbing against my flesh…I guess, preparing it so there'd be no infections.

"Here we go, Bella.", he shoved my back down hard, pinning me so forcefully that my breasts flattened underneath me, temporarily shutting off my air.

The seconds passed like years. I cried, the anticipation killing me as I tried to picture Edward…all the wonderful smiles he could do…his hair…his mouth…those eyes…

"I can't read your mind…", I heard my Edward say…it was from long ago…in a meadow.

"You HAVE to tell me what you're thinking.", he almost begged, like he would go crazy if he didn't know.

And he was so close to me…his mouth almost touching mine.

"Now I'm afraid.", I admitted.

His eyes were hurt…but then, he slowly pulled away, only saying, "Good.", in a sad hardly audible voice.

I huffed. "I'm not afraid OF you.", I pointed out, "I'm only afraid of losing you. I feel like you're gonna disappear."

He almost laughed at me while I said this to him, he thought I was nuts. He expected me to run away. But I wasn't.

He looked at me, like he couldn't figure me out…almost asking himself what was wrong with me…but then his eyes looked deeper into mine and saw my love there. And he looked honored…surprised…afraid…but most of all…he loved me too. I saw that reflected back at me, plain as day.

"You have no idea…how long I've waited for you.", he said mysteriously, not breaking his eyes from mine.

He put his palm over my heart and kept staring into my wide eyes.

"So the lion fell in love with the lamb…", he said, seriously, deeply.

"What a stupid lamb.", I heard myself reply, knowing how dumb this was for me…but not caring…not having a choice when his every gesture or glance captivated me.

And then his mouth turned up at one side, the crooked smile…making a heavenly crease in his white skin there…

"What a sick, masochistic lion.", he came back, without losing a second.

And now, I could feel the heat so close to my skin…but the metal had not made contact yet. I tried to go to my happy place, that day at the meadow….when he kissed me for the first time.

This was taking forever! I wanted to scream, just do it already ! DO IT!

I felt heat…hot raw heat so close to my skin…I waited, every muscle in my body rigid and straining.

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!", I suddenly heard him roar, like a furious lion.

I heard something small hit the wall, like a bullet cutting through the drywall.

And I didn't feel the hot metal near me anymore.

"YOU FUCKER !", he was screaming at the air, not at me, "YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE ME ON? COME ON THEN!"

I just tried to watch and listen…was my Edward in there, stopping him somehow? Fighting him? What if Bad Edward won and came at me again with the torch?

Then there was nothing. I tried to stop crying, wondering what was going on.

He rushed over to me and clamped his hand over my nose and mouth at once, shutting off air.

And he whispered into my ear.

"Let this little scene be a lesson to you, little Bella.", he said seductively, "If I wished, I could wreak unspeakable pain and harm upon your little paper body. I could just keep holding your face, like this, and end you in minutes."

Now I needed air and was kicking and struggling, my muffled scream only delighting him.

"There are 206 bones in the human body. And I know them all.", he informed, "I know which hurt the most and I could break so many without doing permanent damage to you. With a little poke of my finger…I could crush any of the fourteen facial bones…"

His other hand moved gently over my cheek and nose, then danced over my closed eyes.

"Or I could go for one of the vertebrae…", he moved his hand over my spine, "Maybe even cripple you so you could never walk again."

I kept trying to beg for air and jerk in my ropes, but he paid no attention.

"Arms and legs…", he touched them next…"Did you know there are 30 bones in EACH arm and leg? That's 120. All painful and very slow to heal."

"MMMMMM!", I growled, unable to even move my head at all.

"Then there's my personal favorite…the pelvic bones.", he gripped there under my bound body as I screamed louder.

"My point is…", he whispered, "I don't need fancy tools to hurt you. I don't need to burn your flesh to make my point. Don't fuck with me again, Bella. I don't think your witty remarks are cute…or funny. I could remove that tongue in two seconds with my fingers. And I will, if you ever talk to me that way again. Next time…I will have no mercy on you…you WILL get the torch. This is your last warning. I suggest you heed it."

I started to feel dizzy…like I was getting tired, my air still out of reach.

"You will go to sleep now.", he said, "And when you wake up, I will punish you in a less Medieval fashion. But, Bella, don't mistake my mercy for weakness. This is the final time that I spare you what you deserve."

"That's right…close your eyes.", he cooed, petting my hair as everything began to darken, "I'll see you very soon, my love."

And right before I blacked out, I felt his lips kissing mine, laying my head down gently onto the table.

"WAKE UP BITCH!", I heard Edward shout and a hard shower of ice cold water sprayed all over my body, up then down…in my face as I jerked and choked…spitting some water out, swallowing some accidentally.

"Nap time is over, baby girl.", he cooed, turning the hose on again as it smacked against my body, making me open my eyes and scream out loud, shocked to be jarred awake like this.

The hose went off and I heard Edward chuckle.

"There she is.", he said to himself, and when I focused, I saw him there a few feet away, wearing no shirt, only jeans…no shoes. I saw we were back inside the square concrete room, the same light bulb above me, ruining my vision.

"Hey sweetheart.", he walked up to me and had his fingers in my clit, rubbing with a little pressure.

My wet hair fell over my face as he slicked it back with his other hand.

"How do you like your new table, girl?", he asked me like I was a dog.

I wasn't gagged at all but was afraid to speak yet. I didn't like how cold I was, and being wet also…didn't help. I was sitting on a metal rectangle table, turned sideways, and there was a metal piece behind me, with black bars and posts everywhere. This piece served like the back of a chair, and I was leaned slightly back against it. My arms were behind me, tied tightly with what felt like leather at my elbows and then again at my wrists…and then they were also secured to something solid in the back of the piece.

The position arched my back up, shoving my breasts up and out, almost inviting attention. My breasts were bound with thin leather straps as well, painfully cutting into the skin a bit, around the bases of both breasts, then around my waist.

Then there was my legs. My legs were open so wide, they were almost in a split. And there were metal clamps pressing over my thighs, then right above my knees, and then again at my ankles…and those clamps secured me firmly to the table I sat upon. My vagina was thrust outward, hanging off the end of the table, and I still felt those thin ropes in between my ass cheeks, then up my clit, yanking it up painfully, and tied into my waist ropes.

I yelped as he roughly moved my clit up and down, burning a little against the rope there.

"Get wet you little slut.", he demanded as my head spun a little, the room almost tipping over as I fully began to come around.

He fingered me more violently than before and I cried out, "OWWW!"

He huffed out a little laugh, still working the sore tissue there, his dark eyes seething into mine.

"I don't blame it for being sore.", he said pleasantly, "You fucked and fucked all night last night, didn't you? You little fucking pig!"

I whimpered, unable to move a muscle to protect myself. Only my head could move now…and I let it fall back a bit, it felt so heavy.

"I think another trip to the stove is in your future.", he said wickedly, "And there'll be no playing around with the fucking STEAM knob!"

"NO!", I cried out as his fingers penetrated me.

"YES!", he shouted back, "I think that ass needs some color!"

"Edward…", I panted weakly as he yanked his fingers out.

"Shut up.", he stuck his fingers deep into my mouth, almost to the back of my throat as he held me by the hair, securing my head backwards.

"Suck.", he ordered as I gagged, trying to writhe in my impossible chair.

I sucked his fingers and he withdrew a little, not gagging my throat anymore.

"Good girl.", he cooed sweetly, as if he admired me, "Lick it all clean."

I did what he said, a salty thick taste on my tongue.

He took his fingers out and went over to the side of the room, darkness shrouding the area like the last time we were here.

My body was so sore and uncomfortable already but I didn't dare say a word. I merely gave a little whimper, knowing my legs would cramp up soon spread out this tight and far apart.

"You like sucking cock.", he said, coming up to me, standing right in front of my crotch as he held my chin up.

"Suck this…get it nice and wet.", he ordered calmly, and shoved something plastic and hard into my mouth before I got a look at it. It tasted like rubber and the rounded tip of it slid down, hitting the back of my throat.

I choked and struggled with my head but Edward held me still.

"Yes, swallow.", he shoved it a little more and I gasped, my air supply cut off for a second. He moved it up and down in my mouth, not bothering to hear my cries and growls of protest. It was getting very wet and sloppy as he continually shoved it up and down, in and out of my mouth, moving it more and more roughly as time went on.

He had me lick it and kiss it a few times then he would make me start again, my throat gagging and choking as he went deeper and deeper with its thrusts.

I was not enjoying this and that was the point. Edward liked watching me do this and the humiliation was a bonus. He was denying me his own cock. I was being punished.

When the cock was near the back of my throat for the last time, and it filled my whole mouth with its thickness, I heard a clipping sound. My head was pinned back so I was staring straight up at that bright light bulb.

"That's a good girl.", he purred, and took his hands away. Now I felt the cock was trapped in my mouth, a gag on the end of it that sealed over my lips, holding it inside.

"You keep sucking on that.", he stroked my wet hair and moved his hands over my soaking wet breasts.

"I love your tits tied up like this.", he shared, slapping them a couple times, the wetness making the slap sound more sharp.

"And this.", he yanked the rope between my legs upwards and it dug mercilessly into my skin. I screamed out loud and he gave a little laugh.

"Very nice.", he smiled, letting it go for now.

"I had to deal with your little boyfriend.", he moved his fingers along my inner thighs, "But he's also buckled down now."

I let out a hard moan, closing my eyes against the harsh light.

"Yes, you both misbehaved.", he said, "Frankly, I didn't think the little prince had it in him. I guess you just work your charms on everyone, don't you?"

"RRRR", I tried to argue back, hardly able to move my head, my throat gagging a little.

"Hush, my sweet.", he walked over to the side wall, "You have my full attention now."

I tried to move my eyes to see what he was doing now but it was impossible to make him out from this angle. I worried about my Edward…was he in pain?

"Kiss your Master's whip.", he put a flogger to my gag and he chuckled as I made a scared little sound. I felt thin long strands of leather on my face as he had me 'kiss' the whip he had selected. I hated the whip, I had felt some of Edward's floggers before and it was always hellish. But he had usually whipped my back, my ass…and since they were both leaning back against the metal piece behind me…I had a pretty good idea where I'd be whipped tonight.

I heard him testing his arm and the whip out before striking me with it. The air cut and wooshed right past my face as I awaited my punishment.

I heard myself make muffled noises of fear and anxiety, my body trying to move and wiggle in their steel prisons.

"Time to teach this hungry little pussy who's boss.", he stroked it again.

"No…no!", I tried to plead…not even wanting to know what this would feel like.

"Talking again.", he pressed a little button on the gag that was in my mouth and the cock near my throat began to vibrate noisily and painfully as I choked more, coughing and near gagging.

"There you go.", he said sweetly, "Now Master can work."

And he stepped back, gracefully swinging his arm back and in a circular motion, up high….then WHOOSH ! DOWN! And an inch to the right of my clit.

The pain was fucking unreal. Because the strands were so thin and hard, it felt like it had cut into the flesh as it landed. I howled loudly, my whole body arching up as much as it could while my scream shook the room.

Before I had time to process it, another stroke, an inch to the left of my clit, placed exactly where he wanted it. He would take his time, covering every inch of my lips until I was raw…and then he would strike right between – dead center.

I was crying and shrieking with all my might, the agony unbearable. He bought the whip down again, not saying anything, not giving me a moment between blows. He would not feel sorry for me, or negotiate, or hear me and ease up. I would feel the bite of his whips, many of them, in this spot, where the crime had occurred. And I would not want to have sex or make love…for a very long time after he was through.

Deep into the night, he worked on me. My crotch was swollen, red, and throbbing as I sobbed out loud. The cock gag had been out for some time now. I couldn't form words anyway. I just howled and wept, howled and cried some more. I begged and begged but that just made Edward angrier, so I learned to shut up and take my beating.

Another hard blow rose up from beneath me, Edward had struck from underhand this time, and the whip lashed against the wet center of my clit.

I panted, out of breath, the tears all over my face as I screamed again, my voice becoming hoarse.

"Now.", he placed the whip down and eyed me darkly, "Tell me what you've learned."

I gasped and tried to stop sobbing, speaking quickly.

"My pussy belongs to you, ONLY YOU!" I blubbered, not even caring what the words meant, just that this was what Edward wanted me to learn.

"And?", he sounded bored.

"And whatever you want to do to it, you can!", I heaved in hard breaths, "You can bring it pleasure or pain. Please don't whip me anymore, Master, please !"

"Silence, slut!", he closed his eyes, annoyed at my inserted plea.

"Tell me about the little prince.", he said, waiting.

This had been the part that I had trouble with. This was the reason my pussy whipping had taken hours.

I sobbed and looked down at my beet red pussy, angry purple lines criss-crossed over every inch of it…and the thighs too. Horrible lines seemed to be laughing at me, puffy and swollen.

"Bella.", his voice warned.

I cried harder and made myself say the words.

"I was a cheap slut to sleep with him.", I said it fast while I wept, "I was bad. I never should have done it. I hated it. I love YOU Master. ONLY YOU. I swear, I'll never be with anyone else again. I don't want anyone but YOU. Master…."

"Say it Bella.", he growled, waiting for the rest.

"I hate him.", I gave in, saying the final line, completely broken, "I hate him."

Edward came over to me and began to examine what he'd done. The second he touched his fingers to my skin, I roared out, a wild animal in agony.

"Easy, girl…easy.", he spoke like I was a horse.

"Shhh….", he soothed, gently moving flesh to make sure I hadn't torn, "Shhhh sweetie."

"You're a good girl.", he kissed my mouth, gently, "Such a good girl. Your Master loves you."

He had something over his shoulder. It looked like a leather bridle but I couldn't focus on it right now.

Taking it from his shoulder, he began to arrange it over my vagina.

I looked down, not sure what he was doing now.

"No, you said no more !", I jerked my trapped legs as he looked at me sternly.

"You said NO MORE !", I shouted out in his face, "I said what you wanted! NOOO!"

"This is for your own good, now quiet, slave!", he ignored me and I saw a black plastic dildo piece in the leather thing he had over me.

I had no way to prevent it. He inserted the piece deep inside me as I shrieked out again, my crotch like raw hamburger and in so much pain I thought I would throw up.

"Please NO!", I begged, "Please take it OUT ! PLEASE ! GOD IT HURTS! I CAN'T STAND IT, MASTER !"

"You can and you will.", he said coldly, and buckled the straps around my waist. I saw a little padlock and he closed it at the center, right between my legs.

"This is your chastity belt, Bella.", he explained, "It's nice and tight, secure, and when you're good, and I allow you, you can urinate. It can be unlocked if I wish. Your ass is free for the moment. (he groped my ass cheeks as he said this) but if that proves to be a problem, then I can get you one that fills BOTH holes securely."

"When I like, I can do this…", he pressed a little controller in his palm and the cock piece inside me vibrated gently…giving off a nice buzz of pleasure.

"Or I can do this.", he hit another button and I received a white hot shock, like a needle shooting up inside me as I screamed.

"So I suggest you behave in the future for me, Bella.", he said, starting to unclasp the metal binds from my thigh.

I cried out again as my muscles hurt, locked in place, not responding when I wanted them to move.

"Here…lay down.", he lifted me in his arms then placed me down carefully on a bare mattress in the corner.

"That feels good, doesn't it?", he petted my hair, wiping the tears from the right side of my face.

I gave a slow nod, my eyes dazed and my body shivering, in shock.

"Alright, Bella, pay attention.", he tapped the sides of my face gently, to make me open my eyes.

I did and he smiled at me.

"Here is the hose if you're thirsty.", he laid it in a coil next to the mattress, "But I would drink it sparingly. I won't be around to undo your belt so you can relieve yourself."

"What?", I woke up a little more, "Where are you going?"

"I have to go hunting.", he smirked, "I need to eat, too, you know."

"I know, but…"

"You'll be perfectly safe here. I will be locking the door from the outside. And I'll leave the light on for you."

"Master…" I began, feeling so terrified that he was leaving me alone…especially in here.

"Bella.", he raised a brow sternly, holding my arms as he laid me onto my back, "A punishment is not supposed to be pleasant. Right?"

"I know…"

"And every punishment teaches you something important.", he lectured, "I don't like disciplining you, but it's necessary. If I didn't care, I'd let you do anything you pleased, wouldn't I?"

"Please don't leave me here…", I felt tears come to my eyes.

"You must learn isolation if you're going to try and get away with cheating on your Master.", he said firmly, "See what life would be without me for a couple days."

"Days!", I tried to sit up again but he already saw that coming and held me down.

"When I come back, I'll bring you a wonderful dinner.", he promised, kissing my lips with passion, his tongue caressing mine.

"Stay.", he said, his eyes black as they looked down at mine. Then he took his hands off my arms and stood up.

He smiled that I remained in place as he moved to the door.

I watched him go in silence as the door closed, the padlock sound clicking down hard from outside.

I trembled, looking up and around this dreadful place. I started to rock, taking a cue from my Edward. It seemed to make him feel better. I prayed it would work for me as tears began to well up in my eyes.

** See next chapter soon!

Love Winnd