The Truth About Cinder Page 3

  Cinder rushed over to him and sat on his lap. She didn't care that she was completely nude, or barely knew the man on whose lap she sat. Whatever had happened made her desperately want to be held. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back as she nestled her head into his shoulder. His warmth, his whispered praise, his soft touch, made the journey across the unforgiving desert worth it. The Palace of Lazar would be her home. She nuzzled her face deeper into his neck and released a small whimper.

  "Shhh… I could not have asked for more, Cinder. I think we found a gem in you."

  4

  "It’s time we take you to get groomed." He lifted her off his lap, the heat of his body instantly missed.

  She hesitated, wanting to close her heavy eyes and just feel safe in his arms. Safety was something she had never experienced… until now.

  She reached down for her slippers but Donte stopped her. “Leave those here. We don’t want the fur to get wet.”

  Cinder nodded and stood in place, unsure of what to do next. It felt like she needed to receive permission to do anything… even to take the ragged breaths she was taking.

  "Go on, Cinder." He guided her through the door they had entered. "The palace consists of three levels and twenty-two bedrooms. The grounds are extensive, but you are forbidden to walk them unless permitted to do so, and only if escorted by someone. There are three pools and a cluster of five hot springs. You’ll be spending most of your time in the central room with the other women of the harem," Donte explained as they walked down the hallway. "There are other wings of the palace, but you are only allowed to go there by invitation." He guided her to the right with his hand on her lower back. His fingers only mere inches from her naked bottom.

  As Cinder walked down the corridor, her thoughts were overpowered by the grandeur of the ornately decorated hallway. The deep emerald-colored stones covering the tiled floor gave it a regal appearance, as if welcoming the footsteps of royalty. Elegant oil lamps provided light intermittently along both sides of the narrow hallway. At either end were two tall windows that reached from floor to ceiling. Tables flanked the walls of the corridor with statues of naked women and men placed on top.

  He pressed his hand against her with a little more force as her pace had unintentionally slowed as she examined her surroundings. "There are guards patrolling the borders of the premises. I want you to feel comfortable knowing you are safe and well protected."

  She nodded, offering him a brief smile. She didn't need guards. Cinder had never felt so safe in her life. This place was far different from the communes she was used to.

  They continued down the hall. "Here we are." He opened the large double door, revealing a bath the size of a pool. Easily twenty people could bathe at the same time. Three crystal chandeliers hung above, catching the rays of the sun and painting shimmering rainbows along the walls. Cinder scanned the room and noticed several women standing off to the side, appearing to be awaiting their orders.

  Donte led her over to the pool and helped her ease into the warm water. "Sit down." He motioned for one of the girls to approach. "We’ll start by washing your hair."

  Seeing so much water, let alone sitting in it, was a rarity greater than jewels. Engulfed in the magnificent waters, Cinder closed her eyes and released a soft moan. Heavenly.

  The smell of jasmine filled her nose from the steaming water and a rich oil seeped into her skin as she sank as low as she could go, allowing the water to cover her shoulders.

  "I feel like I'm in a dream." Cinder never opened her eyes in fear of waking up. The young girl washed her hair, scrubbing an eternity's worth of sand from her skull.

  Cinder could have stayed in the bath for hours if it weren't for Donte's sharp command. "Stand and allow them to remove you of your body hair."

  She blushed as she quickly followed his command. For some reason the act seemed more invasive than the inspection by Mistress Krin. Maybe it was that the hair displeased Donte, but Cinder couldn't help but feel some shame.

  A dizzying sense of embarrassment assaulted her as another girl guided Cinder to spread her legs and began to shave the curly hairs off her mound. The girl took special care when she spread Cinder's pussy to remove the hair hidden by her silky folds. Cinder felt the need to snap her legs shut, but changed her mind the instant she glanced at Donte. He observed every move the young woman made, guaranteeing the job was performed to his level of satisfaction. One stroke at a time, the girl's delicate fingers fondled Cinder's sex. Once again, arousal rose from within. Cinder struggled to fight the sensation, self-conscious that an act of hygiene could stimulate such a reaction.

  Painstaking moments passed by until Cinder stood, her body clean and completely bare, in front of Donte for inspection. Her long brown hair had been combed and lay like a curtain down to the middle of her back.

  "Perfectly smooth," he said as he rubbed his fingertip over her hairless pussy. "This is what is required to be part of the harem. Any man would want to be able to observe your arousal. Men would want to see your juices, your engorged clit."

  Cinder nodded, making direct eye contact. "Yes, sir." She couldn't keep the connection long and looked down at her feet.

  He lifted her chin with a gentle nudge of his finger. "There’s something different about you, Cinder. I’ve trained many women in this harem, but there is something that stands out with you. You are no ordinary woman."

  She held his gaze, almost forgetting she stood before him nude until the breeze from the open window brushed across her damp skin.

  "I think you’ll fit into the harem seamlessly. But are you positive this is something you truly wish for?"

  "Yes," she replied, captured by his sensual eyes. They were like a drug to her. “I’ve traveled a long way and for an even longer time to fulfill my dream of finding this fairytale.”

  He nodded as he pulled her hair forward with both of his hands, allowing it to tumble over her shoulders. The hair barely touched her nipples. Such a simple act, yet it sent an intense rush of emotion through her body. Nerves swept over her as Cinder wondered what was next. Would the training begin?

  His hand slid over her hardened nipple, resting just beneath the curve of her breast. His movements were so controlled, so entitled, so powerful. "You don’t flinch at my touch. You don’t struggle with my command. All I see is arousal. Why is that, Cinder?"

  "I don't kn… know," she stammered. Filled with desire, Cinder struggled for air. If he could read her thoughts, she wondered if his hands would work their way down to her hungry sex like she craved. She was greedy for another orgasm like Mistress Krin had given her.

  "I see that today has awakened your sexual appetite," he said, reading her thoughts as his hand cupped the searing flesh between her legs. Cinder remained still, even though she wanted to rub against his hand, fueling another orgasm from her ravenous body.

  "I think I've always had the appetite. I just had no way to feed it," Cinder whispered, hoarse.

  She sighed as his thumb brushed across her clit and then pulled away completely. He teased her to the point of begging. What would he think if she did?

  "You truly are a gem, my dear Cinder. I’m pleased." He moved a wayward hair from Cinder's forehead and examined her eyes. "You look tired."

  Cinder nodded. Exhaustion caused her legs to feel weak and unstable, not to mention the sexual heat pulsating through her veins.

  "I can see you’re not fully recovered from your desert crossing."

  Cinder nodded again. She didn't want to appear fragile or even lazy, but lying would be futile.

  "I’m going to take you back to a private room for the night. Tomorrow you can meet the rest of the harem. Tonight you rest."

  Cinder wasn't going to argue. Sleeping in a bed with pillows and blankets sounded almost as heavenly as the bath she’d just enjoyed.

  In a lust-filled fog, she walked with Donte down another hallway. The need for sexual fulfillment titillated her very core, yet she wanted nothing more th
an to lie on the luxurious bed and dream of her future.

  Donte opened the bedroom door and waited for her to walk past him. "Rest now. Be sure to eat all your meals. You’ll need your strength. I’ll be back in the morning."

  Cinder barely had enough strength to nod. "Yes, sir."

  "You did well today. I’m glad you chose to make the journey." He closed the door behind him quietly.

  5

  Cinder stood staring out the window, the breeze causing the sheer-white curtain to dance around her body. She had been up for over an hour waiting for Donte's return. Breakfast had already been brought to her, and now she had nothing to do but anxiously wait. She decided to remain nude since that was how he wanted her yesterday.

  Looking through the glass, it amazed her how it was impossible to see any signs of desert from where she stood. The groundskeepers did an impeccable job of creating a lush and green landscape. Most communes were lucky for a few trees, let alone manicured grass. An array of birds chirping fascinated her. Some were low in pitch, others called out in a rapid staccato—songs of love, whistles that beckoned one mate to the other. How many varieties existed here? From just listening, it sounded like hundreds. Birds were merely a food source in all the communes of her past. They were not signs of beauty as they were in the Palace of Lazar. What an extraordinary and delightful sound.

  A firm knock, followed by Donte entering the room, snapped Cinder out of her thoughts. She turned, greeting him with a welcoming smile.

  "Good morning. I trust you slept well," he said as he walked to where she stood.

  "I did. I'll forever be grateful for your hospitality." Surprised that she had no embarrassment standing nude before him, she stiffened her spine a little more in pride.

  "I apologize for being late. I had some security issues I had to address." He stood beside her and looked out the window. He remained there a moment, silent, as he stared out. "Do you have any questions now that you have had a night's rest and time to think?"

  "When will I be part of the harem. To serve the prince?"

  Donte merely glanced over his shoulder. "When you’re ready. When you’re invited. There are many women in the harem who have yet to put their skills to service. In the meantime, you’ll be trained and prepared so if called, you’ll be ready."

  Donte seemed different than yesterday. His thoughts seemed far off. As he stared out the window, it appeared as if worry washed over his face.

  After a long moment of silence, Cinder whispered, "Donte? Is everything all right?"

  He snapped out of his lost thoughts instantly. "Yes." He blinked clarity back into his eyes and asked, "Did you eat all of your breakfast?"

  Cinder nodded. "Yes, sir."

  Donte glanced over her shoulder to the unfinished plate of food. "How is that? I still see half of your meal on the plate." His distant glare soon replaced with authority.

  Cinder followed his gaze to the breakfast dish and clarified. "I meant that I was finished eating breakfast. I guess I'm not used to the large amount of food."

  Donte gave a quick nod. "I understand that. But when I told you to eat all your meals, I was not asking. I was telling." He walked over to the table, pulled out the chair, and sat.

  Cinder wrung her hands in front of her nude body. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure not to waste again."

  Donte gave another quick nod. "Yes, you will." He glared at her firmly. "Come over here and lay across my knee."

  Cinder almost gasped but didn’t want Donte questioning if she was right for the harem. Her heart beat so hard it actually hurt. She didn't hesitate, but every step seemed as if she were walking through quicksand. She had a pretty good idea what he intended to do. Discipline? Was he actually going to punish her as he had threatened he would do? Had she displeased him so much?

  She stood before him and did as he asked without being told again. She would never question Donte, for he held her future in his hands. The cotton of his pants, the firmness of his thighs, the short distance from her nose to the ground, all reminded her of the precarious position she was in.

  "Once again, you surprise me, Cinder. You did not resist my order. Because of that, I’ll not spank you for as long, or as hard, as I was intending to."

  Before she could reply, a stinging swat to her behind took her by surprise. She couldn't help but gasp. Another swat, then another, and another.

  "The three mistresses and I are strict with the harem, or they will rule us instead of us ruling them. When I tell you to do something, whether it is a command or a request, you are to do exactly as I say. Regardless of how simple or minor that request is."

  Her whole body jumped when his palm cracked across her bottom. She could feel the breadth of his palm, the stretch of his fingers—his hand was so large it nearly covered both her cheeks entirely and imparted such a sting that try though she did to hold herself obedient and still, there was just no way.

  "You traveled a great distance to get here."

  His spanking as ruthless as his scolding, he slapped her bottom again and her legs kicked, an involuntary jerk that snapped her feet up off the floor and sent shockwaves radiating through her flanks.

  "You almost died on your journey here."

  As the spanking continued, heat bloomed under her skin, inflaming everywhere his hard and capable hand met her flesh. "I don’t want you spending your first few days in the infirmary. It’s important that you take your health seriously."

  He continued to pepper her backside rapidly. Cinder did her best to squeeze her eyes shut, clench her teeth, and take the punishment like a good harem girl would do… or what she would assume a harem girl would do. But after the tenth spank, she couldn't help but yelp and wiggle with each continued slap. Her backside reminded her of the hot sands of the desert she had just crossed.

  Just as she thought she couldn't take it any longer, and was about to scream for mercy, he stopped the spanking.

  "Stand up. The punishment is done."

  She quickly stood, feeling a little dizzy at first. She wanted to rub her bottom, but thought better of it. He hadn’t give her permission or a directive to do anything but stand up. Donte's expression made it clear he meant business.

  He stood up and gently placed a fingertip between the folds of her pussy. Removing his moist finger, he smiled in satisfaction. "Your arousal pleases me."

  The heat burning Cinder's face almost matched the heat on her ass. She couldn't resist looking down at her feet. She could hear him walk over to one of the ornately carved dressers. She glanced up in curiosity. He pulled out a long piece of silk fabric the color of the sunset.

  "Go ahead and put this sarong on. At times you will be expected to be nude, and at times you will not. For now, you may get dressed."

  Cinder reached for the fabric, unsure what to do with it. There were no holes or buttons. Feeling Donte's stare, she quickly decided to wrap it around her like a bath towel and tucked it in at the top.

  Donte chuckled. "Here, let me help you." He twisted the material a few times, and expertly draped it around her body. "The girls of the harem will help you with the different ways you can wear this, but for now, I think this will do."

  She turned so she was looking in the mirror. Donte had somehow made her look like she was wearing an exceptional custom tailored gown. "I can't believe you did this. It's so beautiful."

  He placed his hand on her lower back, as he had yesterday, and ushered her toward the door. "It is time we introduce you to the harem."

  6

  Dressed in silks and satins of lovely shades, the women of the harem stood as Cinder and Donte walked into the room. Intricate hanging lanterns casting prisms of light in all directions were strewn along the twelve-foot-arched ceilings. Crystals hung between each, creating an illusion of enchantment and mysticism. Colors, beauty, grandeur, and luxury were only a few words Cinder could think of to describe this room. Lush pillows scattered about the floor. Tapestries meshed with the woven rugs that blanketed the white marble fl
ooring. Gold glitter danced in the air, resting on the delicate skin of the women. A metallic chime near the open window tinkled a captivating melody.

  "Ladies, I would like to introduce our newest member of the harem, Cinder. I have no doubt that you’ll welcome her and make her feel at home." The end of Donte's statement came out as a warning rather than a statement.

  Cinder wanted to hide behind Donte. She didn't want to be stared at by everyone. What would they think? Would they welcome her? She scanned the beautiful women and noticed that all seemed interested. A young woman, with beautiful blonde hair, stared at Cinder with huge blue eyes. She smiled and nodded the minute Cinder made eye contact. The reassurance wasn't something Cinder thought she needed until now.

  "Perfect timing, we were just about to begin today's anal training," Mistress Krin stated flatly. Cinder watched the pretty blonde wince at the statement, and wondered if she herself should be concerned. All she could remember was how Mistress Krin issued her first orgasm. The idea of anal training sounded exciting if it meant having another one.

  "Then I’ll leave you be," Donte said. Cinder glanced over her shoulder and met Donte's steely gaze. "It’s expected that you follow every command any of the Mistresses give you."

  Cinder nodded. "Yes, sir." She went and stood beside the pretty blonde when Donte motioned for her to do so.

  "You're really pretty," the blonde girl whispered. "My name's Elbi."

  From behind, Mistress Krin issued a warning with a steady, quiet tone. "Silence, Elbi."

  "Sorry, Mistress Krin," the girl stammered.

  "Perhaps I should show Cinder what happens when rules are broken," Mistress Krin suggested.

  "That won't be—" Cinder began, but Donte's hand touched her lower back with a firm warning. There was something about Elbi that made Cinder want to stand up for her.

  "I expect you to behave, Cinder. I hope I’m not called to address any behavioral issues." He pressed her lower back a little firmer and turned to walk out of the room. He paused and looked over his shoulder. "Cinder is not familiar with the rules of the harem. I expect you ladies to offer your advice and guidance. For the first week she’s here, if she gets in trouble, you all get in trouble." Cinder felt the weight of the world on her shoulders as she watched him exit and close the door.