Taming the Raven's Son (Galactic Lust) Read Online Free

him. Her lips quivered but she
maintained eye contact. “You need to remain facing away, toward the wall.
You’ll receive five lashes.”
    “Ten!” Sovereign yelled before the men chimed in.
    When their voices faded, Sage appeared to be on the verge of
hysteria, every muscle in her back and legs drawn into tight cords. Jacob
coiled the whip and walked to her side. He crouched down and stroked hair from
her cheek. “I’ll count for you. I’ll say the number before I throw. You’ll know
when to expect the pain. When I say a number, I want you to push all the air
from your lungs. You’ll feel a sting and then I want you to breathe normally.
Understand?”
    He stood, waiting for confirmation. When she didn’t respond,
he said, “Sage, answer me.”
    “Yes.” Her voice shook with fear and anger.
    “You’ll obey?”
    “I haven’t a choice.”
    “Neither of us has. Now do as I’ve said.”
    Her gaze followed him as he backed to where he’d been.
Unshed tears glistened in her eyes before she turned to face the wall.
Disgusted by the anticipation of the men surrounding them, he forced everything
from his mind. What happened between a Master and a newly acquired meek should
be seen to in private. A public display was perversity at its most revolting.
    His forced participation sickened him for a moment before he
swallowed the feeling. No matter how lightly the strikes would land, whipping a
woman for the amusement of others wasn’t his way. Not much of what he’d done
over the last fourteen months represented the man who lived in his soul. This
would be yet another dishonorable event that would blacken his heart. But one
day very soon, the beings of Prevelor would reap the benefits of their patience
and planning.
    Forgive me, Sage.
    The tension in her body distracted him. He could say nothing
more to ease her fear. If he did, Sovereign would take over and the outcome
could be lethal. He hoped she’d listened to what he’d told her. If she hadn’t,
she’d suffer greater pain.
    He let the whip slither across the floor before he flicked
his wrist and jerked his shoulder, getting a feel for this particular device.
The cracking sound made the men jump. Most of all, Sage jerked her bonds and
thumped against the table.
    Forcing himself to relax and concentrate, he said, “I’ll
count, Sage. No surprises. Understand?”
    “Yes,” she whispered.
    He snaked the thin leather toward his feet before extending
his arm back. His gaze never left the target. Everything else in the room faded
from view as he concentrated, concentrated, concentrated.
    “One,” he said, giving her three seconds to release her
breath before he threw the strike.

Chapter Two
     
    Sage McVaughn fought the uncontrollable urge to scream and
thrash from the sting of the whip as it landed time after time on her tender
ass cheeks. Her heartbeat pounded in her throat. Her stomach turned inside out
as every instinct within her rose, demanding she do something to stop the
insane situation.
    Helpless, hopeless and wild sensations pummeled her chest,
each emotion fighting the others for dominance.
    “Six,” Jacob said in a low, unemotional manner.
    His composure reached her brain and she remembered his
instructions. Release your breath . The air rushed from her and her
shoulders relaxed.
    The whistle of the whip sailing through the air signaled the
impending sting from its tip. Before she could draw a breath, the strike
landed. She inhaled and fought the urge to hold the air. She forced it from her
lungs and continued the process of breathing. To her amazement, she tolerated
the discomfort much better that time.
    Live only for this moment. Nothing exists except the next
few seconds. Concentrate! Endure! Survive!
    She repeated the silent mantra as he administered the final
lashes. When he reached under the table to untie the restrains, she permitted
herself to feel the overwhelming exhaustion of having endured another beating,
even if he hadn’t damaged