49 Swallow (2/2)
”Now,” he says. ”The question of what is to be done with you rises again.”
The tears begin to dry on my cheeks as I sneak a nervous glance up at him. I have never felt so very many emotions before. Sad, glad, relieved, joyful, nervous, scared.
”You are handsome like this,” I mumble.
”Thank you,” he laughs, a smile breaking over his face. ”But flattery will not save you.”
”Will it save me a little?”
His eyes darken and he leans in, his lips just inches from mine. I hold my breath as he gives me his answer.
”Not at all.”
There is a bench nearby, positioned so people can look out at the once-tamed wilds. Mattias sits down on it and my heart starts to pound. I know what is coming, even before he says it.
”Come here, wild little thing.”
He lifts his big hand and crooks a finger at me.
I swallow. I don't want this—but I need this. I have missed him so much. I have craved what was lost.
”I am so glad you're alive,” I whisper.
”Mhm. No stalling.”
”But I am.”
”Over my knee.”
He takes me over his lap, his big arms cradling me in the submissive position as I give myself to him. It is as it always was—nobody spanks like Mattias. He has a fatherly gravitas that makes me feel small and reminds me what it's like to not have any cares in the world. I used to feel like this all the time, like nothing bad could happen to me.
”How did you become king?”