Dark Night of the soul

Chapter-1

Obedience

Draconisa

"Down Draconisa." He commands me. I don't dare to look into his eyes. He is throwing a party today. It's at six PM in the evening. He says that he will be inviting some of his old friends. I know who his friends are. They leer at me and I am not allowed to do anything but keep my head lowered. I dare not even think anything against him or his friends for he might already be in my mind. I am not allowed to stop him. It doesn't really hurt when he does so it doesn't really matter. Initially, it had been a bit uncomfortable but I have got used to it now. It seems natural. He can enter and leave as he wants. Sometimes, I don't even know that he is there.

I kneel on my knees in front of him, my hands folded behind me, dressed in my uniform. It's a Monday morning and I am supposed to wear a Grey shirt and a knee-length white skirt today. I have to wear my hair in a bun on my head. He is sitting on his throne in front of me. I am not supposed to eat anything today. I can drink water though. I don't know why he has summoned me. He only does it when he needs to check whether I am following the instructions or not. I remember them by heart.

He hadn't let me eat anything for a complete week the last time I had forgotten to wear my hair in a bun. I had an omelet yesterday evening and it was at five. My tummy is hurting. I try to shove the thought to the back of my mind. I can't let him know that I am starving. He will be angry at me. 

I place my hands palm-down on the floor and bow until my forehead is touching the floor before murmuring, "Yes Master." With very gentle hands, he strokes the back of my shoulder. I close my eyes in sheer relief. A week has passed since he did this. I have been good this week. I have followed all the rules. I have not stepped out of the line at all. I have eaten only six meals although I was starving and my tummy hurt badly. His thumb strokes the nape of neck and that's when I start getting uncomfortable and he pulls his hand as if I have burned him. I don't understand why this happens although I am really very relieved.

"Stand up and wear your collar." He commands and I stand up. I keep my face lowered and wear my collar around my neck. It's a black leather band. My name 'Draconisa' is written on the front. 

"On all fours." He commands and I oblige. When I am done, he attaches the leash to the back of my collar and pulls it. I have to ensure that I keep my face lowered, no matter how much my neck aches. I feel a sense of shame wash over me and try very desperately to keep it away as he walks ahead of me pulling the leash. My knees hurt and my palms ache. As he pulls me towards the door, I hear snickers and snorts. It's windy today and due to the wind that is coming through the several windows of the manor, my skirt rides up and down again and again. I can feel eyes on me but I can't do anything to prevent it.

'Don't you want this Draconisa.' I hear him murmur in my mind and shiver. I must not feel anything. I am so hungry and every part of my body is tired.

'I do, master.' I reply mentally. Soon we are out of the manor and in the garden. He pulls the leash and I go along with him. My neck is hurting and he pulls harder.

"Say Draconisa, what are you to me?"

"I am your pet." I reply politely.

"You make such a nice pet Draconisa. You are so well trained." He continues softly and I nod before murmuring, "I am honored to be trained by you master. I am your pet. I am a good pet ain't I master?" My response is automatic. I don't even think before replying to him. It won't bode well if I hesitate at all. 

"Yes yes you are." He replies and pulls the leash harder. My tongue lolls out of my mouth. Once again, I hear snickers and chuckles around me. 

Only a few minutes have passed but it seems that it has been hours when finally he turns back towards the manor.

"The party is at six today. You will serve the dishes to everyone on all fours. Ensure that you are wearing your collar. If you are good, I might let you have a proper meal tonight. After all it's your birthday today." He murmurs. I swallow, elated that I will be allowed to eat tonight because I might faint from starvation otherwise and I must not do so. I won't be allowed out of my room for at least a week if it happens.

"Yes Master." I reply obediently and he pulls me inside the manor. As the door closes, I hear a click. But I don't dare to look at him. I know that he is clicking a picture. He told me that does that sometimes. 

"These muggle contraptions are called cameras. Quite useful they are you know." He murmurs and takes out the leash from my collar before continuing, "Continue pet. Go to your room. Don't stand up until you are inside and don't remove the collar. You will read the book on unforgivables I gave yesterday to you. I want you to learn the curses and incantations on page number 465 and 466 before the party today."

"Yes Master." I reply and comply with his words, crawling slowly towards my room. My knees are bleeding and I am leaving trails of blood behind me. In the garden, a stone had scratched my palm rather painfully and so my left palm is bleeding too. Maybe Binky will apply something on the wounds. It doesn't matter though. I am used to the pain. Only after I have reached my room and closed the door, do I crawl upon my bed and take out the book. I must learn the curses. I can't disappoint him. But my eyes are drooping and I am so tired that I can't stay awake any longer. the moment I settle on my small bed, my eyes close and I fall asleep.

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