0 comments/ 102821 views/ 15 favorites Ruby's Gift By: Moyds_jewel Journey into Submission: The Piercing "Oh god, oh god, oh god," Ruby chanted breathlessly. 'Music,' AJ thought. As always, her moans and whimpers filled him with a fierce delight, a deep satisfaction that she made this loving music when they fucked: a music to which AJ had rapidly become addicted. Ruby lay under him, bound face down on a carpeted bench with her luscious ass high and open and ripe. His. Her face, flushed with arousal and heat, was turned partially away and screened by a fall of blonde hair. She moaned long and low in her throat. Sometimes just the thought of her moans, the mere remembrance of her breathy 'oh god, oh god' was enough to make him hard. AJ groaned as he sheathed his cock again and again into the heated clasp of her soft flesh. He leaned forward, pushing himself deeper as he bent to sweep aside her hair to nibble on the back of her neck: kneeling behind her, he savored the feeling of being sheathed in the sizzling embrace of her. "I am home," he said. "Ohhh," Ruby whimpered. "You belong to me," AJ told her, entranced by the way her body clenched around him. "Feel how you cling to me," he whispered, stroking a loving hand over the curve of her ass. "Exquisite." "Hot burning," Ruby panted. "Mmmm," AJ agreed, biting the back of her neck, harder this time. "Feel how perfectly we fit." His body wrapped closely around hers, skin-to-skin, his cock deep in her ass. "You were made for this." Ruby delighted him further by lifting her hips and pressing into him, as though trying to pull more of him in. AJ chuckled and flexed himself inside her. "I dream of taking you like this," he said, thrusting...a long slow retreat and return. "Until you are liquid with heat, until you moan with need, until you beg me never to leave your body." Ruby shuddered beneath him and gasped as his speed increased. "Mine," he said with each thrust, "Mine. Mine. Mine." He had already driven her to climax several times this evening and he knew by the spread of goosebumps up her back that she was close to coming again. "Please," she whimpered, "oh Master, please." AJ reveled in the gathering heat and power in his lower body as his own climax approached. Energy coiled tighter as he thrust, coiled hotter as his balls tightened. "You may cum, baby." He had barely uttered the words and she came with her loudest moan yet. Her body vibrated, locked around him vise-like. He loved it; loved the contractions that rippled outward from her pussy and ass, loved her pulse that raced and thundered there where they were joined. A few more deep thrusts and his cum steamed up from his balls, pulsed hotly along his cock and jetted from him in waves of intense pleasure as his body bucked and shuddered. It was as though the energy had gathered and intensified as they fucked, waiting for its chance; waiting to make the leap, to complete the connection between male and female; waiting to claim this woman. It left AJ feeling spent, gloriously emptied and lighter than air. An hour or so later, AJ glanced over the edge of his book and watched without seeming to as Ruby crossed the living room to kneel at his feet. Fresh from the shower, the short cobalt silk kimono clung faithfully to her damp skin. She stumbled a little as she halted before him, still uncertain on the black high heels. He pretended not to see the stumble or the mortified look she threw him as she knelt. Such imperfections, AJ had learned in their months together, endeared her all the more to him. He reasoned that it was all very well to demand perfection from his submissive; but to expect perfection when he himself was imperfect could only be hubris. He put the book aside and gave Ruby all of his attention. The kimono shimmered with each shiver that racked her lush form, betraying her emotion. She knelt back on her heels in silence, her eyes downcast and her hands palm-down on her thighs. Though she had dried her hair, damp tendrils curled against her neck and temple. His heart thumped once, painfully, at the vulnerable picture of his submissive. She had submitted, given her body and her mind into his care and direction. It was a heavy, enthralling responsibility. AJ curved his hand under her chin and tilted her face. When her lashes lifted he confirmed what he had suspected; her smoky eyes were filled with tears. "I'm sorry for the stumble, Sir." Ruby delighted him as no other submissive, completely - innocently - open in her reactions to him and his domination. She held nothing back and such honesty was in itself an enticement, a seduction. Tenderly, he stroked his thumb along her cheek. "Ruby, love. There is no need for tears. You please me." Her chin wobbled in his hand as her tears spilled over and she caught back a sob. She fought to bring herself under control and meet his gaze and he loved the valiant struggle as well as her refusal to hide it from him. "I want to please you always, Sir, and all ways." "I have no problem with that," he smiled. However, she did not relax and the tension in her puzzled him. "You know that I do not like pain, Sir." It occurred to him then that she had nerved herself up to tell him something important and her entire body strained with the effort. AJ recalled a conversation they'd had near the beginning of their relationship during which Ruby had declared defiantly that she was not a pain slut. Pain had been an early-established limit for her. "Yes," he answered quietly, "I know." "If it pleases you, Sir, I would like to have my nipples pierced." He saw a trust there as he intently searched her face, and fear, and a faith that he would see into her heart; that he would understand she pushed her own limits as a measure of her devotion to him, that she offered piercing as a gift. And because it was a gift unsought, because he understood the depths of her fear of pain and therefore the depths of her need to submit to him, tenderness surged through him. "Come here, baby." He helped her up onto his lap and cradled her in his arms. Possessively, AJ slid his hand inside the kimono and up Ruby's belly until he cupped her breast in his big hand. "Piercing is a personal choice, Ruby." "But you like it, Sir." "Regardless, it must be your decision. I would never command body modification of my submissive. Tell me why you have changed your mind about it." He took pride and delight in her growth as his submissive. That pride washed through him as he watched her strive to put into words how she had come to view nipple piercing - once a hard limit - as something she now wanted done. "I want to...give you..." she spoke slowly, hesitantly, as she puzzled it out in her own mind, "to show you the depths of my...need...my desire...to please you, Sir. To show you the measure of my submission." He caught her nipple in his fingers, tugged it sharply and adored her gasp of pleasure. "Are you absolutely sure you want to have these pretty nipples pierced, lover?" "Yes, Sir," she answered fervently, "but it...scares me." "Of course it does." He cupped her pussy and chuckled in her ear, "It excites you, too, doesn't it? The thought of having pierced nipples...has made you wet." She nodded and pressed her face into his neck. He knew by the heat that she was blushing. She lifted her eyes to his and whispered tremulously, "Will you come with me, Master?" "Baby, this is a wonderful loving gift you have offered me," his voice low, intent, all amusement gone. "Thank you. In return, I promise to hold you in my arms while the piercing is done." She smiled mistily, "Thank you, Master! I can do anything if you are with me." He hugged her again, "You have grown, baby. I am proud of you." "It may be growth, my Master," she whispered as though she could not trust her own voice, "but it is also love that has brought me here...to this request." AJ's heart jerked in his chest as hot satisfaction crashed through him. He kissed her. A week later, after he had asked for and received Ruby's pledge that she had not changed her mind, they stood together in the foyer of a small office. A discreet sign outside called the business "Body Art." Ruby completed the paperwork swiftly then stood close to AJ, shivering. With a smile, he placed his hand against her lower back and pulled her closer. "Where are you, lover?" Her eyes flicked to his face, away, and then back for a longer, considering look. He treasured that look, that window into her psyche. Almost, he could hear her thinking; 'why has Master asked me this when the answer is so obvious?' and 'what am I missing?' The moment she found the answer, her face smoothed, relaxed. "I am at my Master's side, Sir." Nervous tension flowed out of her and as she spoke she quieted beneath his hand. AJ smiled and kissed her on the forehead: a benediction, a reward. "Good girl." "Are you ready?" a new voice, female, spoke behind them. AJ turned and grinned, leaving Ruby's side to cross the room and envelop the newcomer in a hug. "Lisle!" "Put me down, you great oaf!" her laughter belied her words. He laughed and twirled her once before setting her back on her feet. A tiny woman - barely five feet tall - with short curly black hair and snapping dark eyes, she stood glaring at him in mock anger. "It's great to see you, too, Lisle-love." AJ chuckled. "How are you, AJ?" she relented and grinned up at him. "I haven't seen you since I heard about you and Amy splitting...I was sorry to hear that." "I'm fine and it was an amicable split, Lisle. I wish Amy all the best." "So..." Lisle's gaze slid to Ruby, standing nervously in the middle of the room. "So, I want you to meet Ruby. Ruby, this is Lisle. You will refer to her as 'ma'am.'" "Yes, Sir." she answered softly and smiled hesitantly at the smaller woman. "Pleased to meet you, Lisle-ma'am." "Hmmm." Lisle strode to the desk, picked up the clipboard with Ruby's completed forms and scanned them quickly. After a moment, she glanced up and demanded, "Why do you want your nipples pierced?" Ruby threw a panicked look at AJ but when he merely raised a brow, she stuttered into speech, "B..because I love nipple play, ma'am, and this will allow my Master more...more..." she broke off, rattled. AJ shifted his weight, drawing another glance from his submissive. This time, he caught her gaze and smiled at her. With warm approval, he watched as she visibly steadied, tilted her chin and finished coolly: "Piercing my nipples will allow us more variety in our play, ma'am." "Has your Master requested this piercing?" "No ma'am. I requested it and Master gave his permission." "Do you understand the risks that piercing and possible subsequent infections might pose?" "Yes ma'am. The risks do not change my decision. I wish to be pierced in both nipples." For the first time, Lisle smiled at Ruby and both relaxed a bit. "Do you have the nipple jewelry you want inserted?" "Master has them, ma'am." AJ reached into his pocket and retrieved two fine gold loops. Lisle took them, looked them over closely and nodded. "Let's get started then. Follow me." She turned and disappeared through another door. Ruby followed and halted so abruptly just inside the next room that AJ bumped into her. She stood frozen, staring at the table and the instruments near it. The room smelled of disinfectant, ink, and other -harsher- chemicals. When AJ put his hands on her hips and urged her forward, she caught his left hand in hers and gripped it tightly. "Disrobe completely above the waist and have a seat here," Lisle said, indicating an armchair, her attention on her instruments. Ruby did not move. "You please me well, my own." AJ murmured. She swallowed hard and reluctantly let go of his hand to grasp the bottom of her peach top and draw it off over her head. After a short pause and a deep breath, she then removed her white lace bra and stood in the center of the room, shivering. Affection shot through AJ as he watched Ruby struggle with her fear of pain and her embarrassment at being exposed half-naked to a stranger. This was a conflict she chose in order to display her submission to him. He closed the distance between them, caught her hand in his and led her to the chair. "Good girl." He said warmly, leaning down to plant a kiss on each of her hardening nipples. Then he sat in the chair and drew her down onto his lap, her back to his front. With an affectionate nuzzle against her neck, he soothed and calmed her. Lisle slid over on a wheeled stool and swabbed disinfectant on Ruby's skin. The cold bite of the liquid served to draw her nipples up tight and hard. "Lovely breasts," Lisle commented as she fiddled with something sharp, "36 C?" Ruby nodded and AJ felt shivers of apprehension surge through her. "Oh, but..." she said and then halted when Lisle looked up. "Yes?" "I...I thought you would use a punch...like those for ear piercing." Lisle displayed the long thin needle in her hand and shook her head: "A needle like this is actually much sharper and less painful, little one. Think of it as a razor blade in needle form. A round blade, in fact." AJ tracked another shudder through Ruby's body and urged her to relax against him. "Lean back, baby and give me a kiss," he whispered in her ear. She flattened herself against him almost frantically before turning to offer her mouth. AJ kissed her ardently and long, until he felt her tension ease. "You do not have to do this, lover," he said against her lips. "I know I don't, Sir. I want to." "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart." AJ said and kissed her again, capturing both of her wrists in one hand as he did so. With a sure swift touch, Lisle used the needle to pierce Ruby's left nipple, deftly inserting the gold hoop before moving over and repeating the procedure on the right nipple. Ruby's entire body froze at the first thrust of the needle but she did not move her mouth from AJ's. Her pulse fluttered and sped beneath his fingers and a kick of fear jolted through him at the display of her fragility, at the first whisper of what it might mean to be without this woman. He lifted his head and released her wrists to affectionately stroke the hair from her face. "Thank you for this gift, Ruby-mine. I love you," Tears welled...trembled on the edge of her lashes then overflowed in a slow spill of deep emotion. Her body shook in his arms. "I am yours!" she averred, "Yours always and all ways." Lisle handed AJ printed after-care instructions while Ruby dressed. She started to recite them aloud then broke off and grinned at him. "Alright, you've been through it before. You know the drill. Go. Go on! I can see you are dying to get her home and pamper her as she deserves." AJ smiled and dipped his head. "I hear and obey, Mistress." Then chuckled when she flung a ribald curse and a sponge at him. He took his obedient, sexy submissive home and pampered her so well that he was rewarded with her own particular music. Journey Into Submission: The Offering After dinner at the Laguna Spa bistro, while they relaxed over coffee and dessert, AJ said, "I want us to step outside our roles for the moment and simply be AJ and Ruby." Ruby paled so drastically that AJ actually thought she might faint. He added hastily, "You have done nothing wrong, sweetheart." Her eyes locked onto his face. Liquid smoke, he thought, and treasured the glimpse into her thoughts and emotions. Catching up her hands from their shredding of her napkin, he threaded the fingers of one hand through hers. "I want to have a discussion with you while we are outside our roles. I don't want there to be any dominance or submission to overlay your response. Please, just listen and answer honestly, ok?" She nodded and tightened her grip on him as though nerving herself to hear bad news. With his free hand, AJ caught up the fine silver chain he wore around his neck, removed it and lay it on the table between them. A tiny gold key was the only ornament. "This," he said, "is the key to my heart." Ruby blinked at him, color flooding her face as she looked from him to the key. The play of emotion across her face was exquisite: shock, joy, excitement, and uncertainty. "It is also," he continued, "the key to a collar I've had made. Before you say anything, let me explain about collars." He waited until she gave a sharp nod before he went on, "Old guard BDSMers will tell you that there are 3 kinds of collars: consideration, training, and formal. "Typically, a consideration collar may be given at the beginning of a D/s relationship when a Dom/me and sub agree to explore D/s together, to see if they "fit" with one another. While it is called a "collar" in reality a bracelet or anklet may represent it. A collar of consideration is blue, to distinguish it from the others. The intent is to demonstrate that both the Dom/me and sub view their relationship as more than casual. "As the relationship ripens, a consideration collar may be replaced with a training collar. In other words, there is a step up in the level of commitment. Usually red or black leather, the training collar lets others know that the Dom/me and submissive are serious, that they are entering what they hope to be a life long commitment, that they are deeply connected to one another. In offering a training collar, and in accepting it, both the Dom/me and submissive agree to seek a deeper relationship that will involve strong emotion, commitment, and responsibilities. In BDSM, this collar has the weight of an engagement ring. "With me so far?" Ruby nodded, "It's fascinating, AJ. I had no idea." He smiled and continued, "The formal collar is a recognition of devotion, respect, and commitment between a Dom/me and submissive; acknowledgement that they share ideals, interests outside of D/s, and the desire to be together. In offering such a collar, the Dom/me avows a deep bond and commitment to the submissive. In receiving a formal collar the submissive demonstrates a voluntary offering of complete submission to the Dom/me from that day forward. It is black, of leather or metal, with brass or silver accents. In the BDSM community, a formal collar has the weight of a wedding ring. "Ruby, with this key I offer you a formal collar." Ruby drew a ragged breath as she stared at him and her fingers spasmed in his. AJ watched her brain tick over as thought and emotion tumbled upon each other - his affection for her swelled within him. She reached out with her free hand to stroke a careful finger over the key between them. When her gaze flickered uncertainly to his face, AJ smiled. "Ask," he said. "Does this...is this because of Amy?" "No. Amy and I knew it was not going to work long before you came into my life. Even though I have released her, it was a mutual decision and she promises to return to town now and then to play with us." He sat quietly while she searched his face, weighing his words. "If I r..refuse the collar, is it over between us?" "No, love." AJ stroked his thumb over her pulse as he searched for the words he needed, "I will continue to be your Dominant unless you ask to be released." Hoping that his emotion, his apprehension, had not leaked through he added, "I crave you, Ruby. Dominating you is a delight, a completion, as easy as breathing and as satisfying as hot sex." Slowly, almost as though she expected him to take it back at the last minute, Ruby extended her free hand and picked up the key then clutched it hard to her breast. "Mine," she said, "I accept." AJ exhaled slowly. A tingling shivering wave of intense emotion that he could not describe rushed through him, setting his heart racing and stretching his mouth into a wide grin. Ruby's Gift "Let's go home." Once in the car, he said, "Baby, there's something in the glovebox for you." Ruby opened the slim package she found there and threw him a flushed, excited grin. "Nipple jewelry! Thank you, Sir." "Put it on." Her cheeky grin froze and AJ realized that what he loved best about this woman was the quality of her submission. She did not blindly obey him. She did not always obey him. She gave him an intelligent woman's thinking obedience that, to his mind, was the most powerful and seductive kind of submission. Her hand trembled as she lay the golden chain on the seat beside her and reached to unbutton her pale green blouse. When she pulled the blouse apart and out of the clutch of her seatbelt, he confirmed what he had suspected throughout dinner. Ruby wore no bra. Gold loops glittered and flashed in each pert nipple, lit by the periodic strobe of passing street lamps. His lower body tightened. "God! You have the prettiest nipples!" "Yours," she whispered, shivering a little. "Mine," he acknowledged with a jolt of satisfaction. She hooked the nipple chain through each loop and sat with her eyes closed, her fingers curled into the edge of her shirt. She wanted desperately to pull the edges together, he knew. Essentially a very private person, Ruby found it extremely difficult to expose herself to strange eyes. AJ's gaze flicked to the road as he assessed traffic, "You may close your shirt when we arrive home and not before." The chain glittered, stretched between her breasts as she inhaled deeply and acquiesced, "Yes, Master." And then...softly she whispered, "I love being yours." His. All his. His blood heated and sparked as though full of champagne bubbles and, of a sudden, he could not get her home soon enough. At the curb, he helped her out of the car and then pinned her against it, sliding his hands inside her shirt along the satin heat of her skin and curving his fingers over her ribs just below her breasts. Her heart thumped heavily beneath his thumbs as he kissed her. His. The word beat powerfully through him, in time with his own pulse. They never made it to the bedroom. AJ pushed her shirt off her shoulders and dropped it in the foyer as they cleared the front door. He hooked his finger on the nipple chain and tugged Ruby up to her toes, kissed her hard; kissed her long; kissed her so thoroughly they both gasped for air. "Mine," he said against her lips. "Yours," she breathed. He kissed her again and drew her down onto the carpet with him as he opened his trousers. The cool air against the enfleshed flame of his cock seemed a taunt, a tease. He didn't want cool, he wanted ignition. He wanted the sizzling humid clasp of his submissive's body. AJ pulled inexorably on the nipple chain so that she had no choice but to straddle him, bending low over his chest obedient to the chain. Ruby moaned softly as he slid his hands under her skirt. "Ruby-mine," he whispered with affectionate humor, cupping her smooth petal-soft sex, "no underwear at all! Good girl." AJ pressed upward and nearly moaned aloud as her body unfurled over the head of his cock. He pushed deep in one thrust and she shivered as she settled on him. Need of her drove him: the need to claim her, the need to possess her. "Where am I?" he asked, as he lifted his hips and pulled up on the nipple chain, stretching her nipples taut. "Home," she gasped out, whimpering and trembling, "in your submissive who loves you-" "Look into my eyes, don't look away. Cum for me, lover." Her hair tumbled forward as she locked her eyes on his and rode him. He varied his thrusts, entranced by the effect on her: the way her breath whooshed out of her and the way her face flushed. The nipple chain swayed and glittered until he hooked his finger around it and jerked down sharply. Ruby whimpered, and responded by holding her body down against his as he pushed up. Pleasure and passion, lust and love, bright intelligence and wanton joy, all flashed in her eyes as he impaled her again and again. Her breath locked hard in her throat when the first wave of her orgasm overtook her and then she moaned. Eyes on his, surrendering to the pleasure, surrendering to him, Ruby came and shook and flushed with release. AJ curled his fingers in the soft flesh of her hips and altered his rhythm, driving for his own release. He praised her. At least, he meant to. But hot rapture overtook him in a glorious kind of amnesia; there was only her clinging heat, the liquid sound of them, the music of her whimpers and moans. And then. Then there was that lustrous expulsion, that bone-melting release, that sweet floating emptiness. His eyes never left hers. "Mine," he said. Journey Into Submission: The Collaring The day of the collaring ceremony dawned overcast and with sultry blossom-scented air. While AJ had seen to most of the details, each of them had written the vows they intended to speak and Ruby had secretly chosen the clothes she would wear. Kayte, Chrissy, Amy and a host of others descended upon the orchard at the home of AJ's younger brother, Donnal, with flowers, lights, rented chairs, laughter and excitement. Diane had agreed to be Ruby's attendant and she arrived just after noon for a ceremony walk-through. After the brief rehearsal, she spent the afternoon helping wherever she could. The ceremony started promptly at dusk. Folding chairs had been arranged in a large circle among the flowering apple trees. Blossom petals drifted like scented snow across the grass. Tiny white lights twinkled around a dozen tree trunks. Tall vases here and there held bouquets of rose stems. Rose petals intermingled with apple petals on every horizontal surface. "Attention, please." Lisle stepped into the center of the circle as she spoke. "We are invited here this evening to witness a formal collaring between AJ and his submissive, Ruby. After the ceremony, Donnal and I will play hosts at the dungeon. Private play only, I remind you." Lisle glanced briefly at AJ and at his nod, said: "Let the ceremony commence." The soft lovely music of Loreena McKennitt's "The Mummer's Dance" began to play from hidden speakers as AJ moved to the center of the circle with Donnal at his side. Both men were dressed in black. AJ wore a loose silk shirt, open at the throat and tucked into black leather pants. He wore black leather boots that came half way up his calves; the silver buckles winked in the softening light. A light breeze ruffled his dark hair as he waited, facing the way she would come. Donnal stood next to him, similarly attired, with one hand clasped in the other behind his back. A dark collar danced 'round and 'round through his fingers. His silver-tipped sable hair curled in a careless riot as though he had not thought to comb it. He watched the guests with a lively, amused interest. When Diane appeared between the trees, walking slowly with a candle cupped in her hands, AJ felt his brother stiffen alertly. She was dressed in a long soft sheath of deep scarlet. There was just enough breeze to mold the material playfully against her; first twining it 'round her legs then molding it lovingly over her breasts. AJ admired the effect as she approached and wondered idly if she knew - had planned for - the teasing combination of material and wind. Her dark hair hid her face as she watched her candle. Diane looked up and smiled at AJ as she reached his side. With calm concentration she lit the candles in a tall candelabra next to him before placing hers in the last open spot. Though Donnal's interest was plain enough to AJ, she seemed oblivious as she took her place opposite him at AJ's side. The music changed, slid into McKennitt's "The Dark Night of the Soul" as a flicker of light drew AJ's attention. His heart jumped. Ruby. She wore a diaphanous cloak of silver-edged, multi-layered indigo silk. The filmy stuff caught and reflected the light. It was just opaque enough to hide what she wore underneath as she walked into the circle. She had left her hair loose and it spilled over her shoulders to her breasts in a fall of golden light. The breeze toyed with the glittering strands: lifting them, twining 'round them, dancing them into pseudo-life. She clasped her hands in front of her as though in prayer. The silver chain was wound 'round them, binding them loosely palm to palm. The tiny golden key dangled just below. As they had rehearsed, Diane took the chain while Ruby removed her cloak then handed it back in exchange for the silk. As she retrieved the chain and key, Ruby knelt at AJ's feet. She was dressed in a black and silver corset that pushed her breasts up and barely covered her nipples. Her black silk skirt was so short that the lace tops of her thigh-high stockings were visible. Black, thinly-strapped high heels showed off the feminine, sexy arch of her feet. AJ understood with a swell of hot emotion that she had chosen to wear these clothes - to expose so much of her delectable self - as yet another measure of her devoted submission to him. With the key resting on her open palms, Ruby looked up and spoke her vows in a clear steady voice, her eyes locked to his. "AJ, my Master, I kneel before you, full of love and adoration. "I offer myself to you: all that I am, all that I can be, all that I will be. And I make you this pledge: I will submit to you now and always, for only in complete submission to you will I realize the depths of my love for you. I will be in submission to you, my beloved Master, whether or not you are physically present, for I am yours in all that I do. "I vow to learn all that you wish to teach me to the best of my ability for I know that it is only through your loving direction, firm discipline, and appropriate punishment that I will reach my highest potential as your submissive. "I shall have faith in your decisions to take me past my limits when you feel that I am ready, for therein will lie my greatest growth as both a submissive and a human being. "I shall communicate with complete honesty my needs, desires, thoughts, reactions, and limits even when it may be difficult for me to do so. "I shall give you my trust, secure in the knowledge that you will always protect me and keep me safe. "I shall constantly seek opportunities to please you, for my greatest joy and delight is in knowing I have done so. I promise to do my best to fulfill your wishes and desires. "I pledge to love and adore you, for we are opposite sides of the same coin: you are the warp to my weft, the earth to my moon, the reason to my emotion, the tree to my vine. You complete me. "Beloved Master, I will accept your collar as a symbol of my submission to you and the pledge I have made you this day. I shall wear it with pride, always." AJ smiled warmly down at Ruby for a long moment and then spoke his vows: "As I gaze at your kneeling form I am filled with compassion, affection, and pride. "You offer yourself to me - all that you are, all that you will be, all that you can be - and in return for this precious gift I make this pledge: I will love and cherish you for the woman you are: strong, loving, intelligent, and submissive. "I will help and support you, guide and teach you, as you struggle to reach your full potential as my submissive. "I will never belittle you, as a submissive or as a woman. I shall praise and encourage you always. I will take the trust you give me and build upon it, being open and patient with you as you grow. "If you fall, I shall catch you, comfort and hold you, before placing you back on your path. "I will protect you always, for I understand your fragile submissive heart and honor the gift you have made of it to me. "I will act responsibly in all things, taking care never to harm you. I pledge to control my temper and to step back when it is necessary to cool down. You need never fear that I will take my anger out on you. "If I make a mistake, I will accept the consequences and correct it to the best of my ability. I promise never to blame you for my own failures. "I shall always communicate with you, even when it may be personally difficult. "We complete each other. Dominant and submissive, two sides of the same coin, whole at last. "Ruby, you are, and will always be, my joy, my love, my life, my jewel." To the guests, Ruby's gasp and visible shiver seemed simply an emotional reaction to the moment. Only Ruby and AJ knew that she'd had an orgasm when he spoke her trigger word. Her eyes flashed to his and he let her see the confirmation she sought: that he was truly her Master and it pleased him to demonstrate in this way and at this time that she was truly his. AJ put out his hand and drew her to her feet before turning to his brother to retrieve the collar. "Beloved," AJ continued smoothly, "this collar is a symbol of our pledge to one another; that from this day you are mine. I am no less yours." He placed the collar - black anodized metal in a vaguely Celtic pattern - around Ruby's neck before taking the tiny key from her and locking it closed. After he placed the chain and key around his own neck, he met her eyes and smiled lovingly at her. "My own." Ruby smiled back with transcendent joy. "Yours." Lisle stepped forward again, "Let all here present know that this woman has offered her submission and it has been accepted. She is claimed. "Let all here present know that this man has accepted into his care this woman to guide, to treasure, and to Master to the best of his abilities. "Let us wish them joy." Epilogue: As AJ drew a glowing Ruby close to his side to accept the well wishes of their friends when they crowded 'round, Diane turned away to swipe at her tears; profoundly moved by the vows and the moment, her throat tight with emotion and longing. She was surprised to meet Donnal's gaze and expected him to look away, to give her the illusion of privacy. He didn't. He held her gaze, looked down into her for...an eon? Five seconds? While she stood there weeping both in joy for her friend and heartsick longing for herself: he continued to look, to see, to know. He stared back at her with his dark discerning gaze and Diane could feel the moment stretch. She had the physical sensation of falling as the sound, sight, and scent of the world around her faded. He captured her in that moment and would not let her look away until awareness of it flooded her eyes. Only then did he give her a slow smile. "Here," he said. Dumbly, Diane looked down and realized that he offered her his handkerchief. But even as she took it from him, she knew she had accepted something else. (This is NOT the end of Ruby and AJ’s story - Be assured that positive feedback will see the continuation. This IS the beginning of Diane’s story. To all of you who have encouraged and supported me, deepest thanks. And most of all, to the wonderful loving Master who has pushed and guided me so far…Moyd, Sir, it is my deepest honor and brightest joy to be your submissive. May we continue to grow together. jewel)