'Hmmmmmmph, still smartass, eh?' He turned to Reid.
'There you are, you've got 'em. You'd better get to that damn plane of yours. They're nicely attached, so they shouldn't give you any static.' 'I'm not going.' Corey said firmly.
'That handcuff says you have to, love.'
'Take it off, then.'
It was a silent quartette, each of them aware. Audrey broke it. 'She's in love with her Slave Trader, Reid. He actually does own her.'
Seth held up the tiny key, his eyes steel grey upon his love. 'You know what will happen to you if I use this?'
'Yes, Master. I want it to happen.' Seth used the key on Audrey, clipping the freed cuff on the opposite elbow of his slave so that her arms were constrained behind her back. 'You two go to the plane. Our little masochist and I'll meet you there in a couple of hours.'
After awhile, alone together in the hired car, Corey ventured: 'Thank you for taking me back, Master.'
'You're nuts, love. No home, no security, just the coffle and a whipping every Friday.'
'Thank you, Master. It's all I want.'
Burdett sighed. 'I know that's true. You wouldn't be sitting there if I didn't.'
Corey sat in bliss. The iron on her ankles felt gorgeous: she would wear them always. The bite of chrome above her elbows became the loving clasp of her Master's hands. The blacksmith came as no surprise.
'Please don't have him strike off my anklets, Master?' 'Too right I won't! I like 'em. Damn practical.'
Corey gasped at the collars the smith placed in line for her approval. 'Pick your own, love. You'll wear it forever. Rings front and back for the coffle.'
The slave made her choice: heavy iron to match her anklets. She knelt and bent her neck within the opened circle on the anvil. It closed. When the rivets were inserted her sensations were so intense she became fearful of orgasm… The hammer blows mashed metal to form a weld. When she rose, suddenly shy and flushed, her owner kissed her properly for the first time. The snug weight on her neck sent her pulse soaring. 'Shouldn't I have one on each wrist, Master?' She asked demurely.
'Damn right! But another time, love.' His hand on her cuffed arm propelled her to the car. 'You picked the right collar, love. I'm damn proud of you.' Corey was proud too. She was a bride with something better than a ring. Reid Hunter inspected her collar with awe, Audrey with adoration. There was much kissing…
Corey would have liked her elbows back, but after all, she was only a slave! Reid Hunter winked as he handed Seth the Slaver an envelope.
'Money.' Burdett said laconically. 'I can afford to get married if I ever find the right girl.' They were back in the car, the plane a dot in the sky. 'I couldn't care less.' Corey said haughtily. 'What are you going to do with me?'
'The trucks are taking the long way round. We'll meet 'em at the usual rendezvous for the coffle. I'm doing it that way to keep the girls out of sight. By the time the trek's ended they'll be in good physical shape and we can slip 'em into the auction cages without a snag. Maybe their boyfriends will buy 'em back.'
'Please whip wardress Tamure a little for me, Master?'
'Hell, do it yourself, girl. You'll be free night and morning for the chores. I'll lend you the whip I use on you.'
'Thank you, Master. It's a lovely whip.' She paused, then asked, shyly: 'The coffle's going to be my home, isn't it? You'll keep me chained on it?'
'Always. You'll be my Judas goat.'
'Please, never let me free, Master.'
'You've had it, love! For sure! Where d'you want to be on the chain? First girl, or on the tail end?'
Corey Gibson glowed. It would be a pleasant option to consider on the journey.
