5 comments/ 23086 views/ 4 favorites Silence Gathering Pt. 01 By: barbarian queen 2 CHAPTER SIX—THE GATHERING, PART 1 Eileen was sorting through her mail. She could hear the steady THUMP THUMP of Silence pounding away on the treadmill. She smiled as she sorted. He kept himself in shape and she had discovered some time ago that she loved every inch of his massive body. A brief pang gripped her. She had not told him how she felt. She was his Mistress. With a capital M. His Domme. His owner. He obeyed her without question and some of his lessons had been difficult. He had come to her almost damaged beyond hope. And she found that she had truly come to love the warm, sensual man that had almost been destroyed. Eileen sighed and went back to her mail. Bills and junk. And a heavy cream colored envelope addressed in elegant script. An invitation? She heard Silence come into the room. He purposely scuffed a foot against the door so she would know he was there. He moved so quietly that he had learned to make some noise to keep from startling her. She glanced at him with affection then returned to the envelope in her hands. She made a soft sound of surprise, then looked up at Silence. "We have been invited to a Gathering," she said, her tone puzzled. For a brief instant, Silence froze. Then he cocked his head at her. She shrugged. "I've heard of them," she said, "but exactly what is a Gathering?" Silence picked up a note pad and wrote quickly. He handed her the pad. ‘Gatherings are similar to the clubs,' she read, ‘only private. Doms show off their subs. Trades are made. Sales. And it is a big party.' Eileen frowned slightly. She had not enjoyed the club. She looked at him again. "Trades? Sales?" she asked. "Are these requirements?" He shook his head. She tapped the heavy card against her desk, thinking. "Before I reply to this," she said suddenly, "there is something else I need to do." She picked up another paper that was laying on her desk. Silence recognized his contract. She heard the soft hiss of apprehension and almost smiled. "This document needs…amending," she said. She held it out for him to take. Slowly he reached for it. Only a brief quiver of the paper betrayed his uncertainty. She watched as he skimmed through the paragraphs that had defined his life for so long. He read the added paragraphs. Then he read them again. He set the contract carefully on her desk. Then he picked up the pad and wrote. Without meeting her eyes, he handed her the pad. Eileen read his question and sighed softly. This was going to be difficult. "Silence, I am…no longer young," she said slowly. "I have no desire to end our relationship. But I do not want you to ever again be without a safeguard." She hesitated. "I will keep you as long as you wish to stay. I know there is the possibility that you will fall in love with someone and I want you to have the choice and ability to leave." He looked deep into her eyes. Then, reassured, he took the contract and signed below her signature. Then he leaned down and kissed her. Her hand caressed his cheek. Both sighed." "So," she said softly. "What should we do about the invitation." ‘If you wish,' he wrote, ‘we will go.' "We've really not participated in anything, have we?" she said. He shook his head. She studied the invitation again. The Gathering would last three days. "Have you been to a Gathering before?" she asked. Yes, he nodded. "Then you know what to expect." She pushed the pad toward him. "Write," she said with a smile. He settled in a chair by her desk and began writing while she went back to her other mail. By the time she finished, he had several pages of notes for her. She read them over and thought for a while. Then, looking at him, she said, "We'll go, I think, but I will not force you into anything." She smiled suddenly. "I'm selfish. I don't want to share you. With anyone." His answering smile showed his relief. She made a notation on the RSVP card and set it in the pile of envelopes to mail. That evening after dinner, she was sitting on the sofa with him leaning against her legs. She was idly playing with his hair. "Silence," she said softly. He turned his head to look up at her. "Am I a good Mistress?" He looked startled at the question. She waved her hand. "I mean, do I…dominate…I guess…" She gestured again, unsure of how to express what she was trying to ask. He rose up to his knees and put his hands on her hips. Then he took one of her hands in his, kissed her palm, and placed her hand on his collar, holding her hand against his throat. He leaned forward to lay his head in her lap, still holding her hand against his throat. Her free hand again stroked his silky hair. He felt her sigh. "I can't inflict pain," she whispered. "Shouldn't I be able to do that? To mix pain and pleasure?" He raised up off her lap. His hands cupped her face, bringing her eyes to his, and very deliberately shook his head. He touched one of the many scars on his body, his eyes locked on hers. "Pain never merged with pleasure for you, did it?" she said softly. No, said his gestures. He reached for one of the pads of paper she kept scattered around the house for him and wrote quickly. ‘You have been more dominant in your gentleness than any other has been by force. I am yours. First by right of purchase when you bought my contract. Now by other bonds. I can touch you without fear. I can please you. You have given me more than I have given you. I am yours.' She smiled at him, her eyes very bright. "Thank you, Silence," she murmured, caressing his face. He returned to his place, leaning against her leg as her hand caressed his head. They remained like that for awhile longer. When she moved to rise, he was up and lifting her in his strong arms to carry her to her bed. When he set her on her feet, she said, "If you keep doing that, I will forget how to walk." Then I will carry you, said his gestures. She laughed and made shooing gestures. He kissed her gently and went to his room. Eileen took a shower and curled in her bed. An occasional tear slipped down her cheek. She had not expected to fall in love with him and was not looking forward to the day when he would ask to be released. Eventually, she slept. Silence lay on his bed, thinking, remembering. His parents were Dominants, each with their submissives. They had expected him to be Dom as well. When he found Michelle, it seemed perfect. She would be his Domme. She would…. He shuddered as he remembered. She had been everything to him. Until she went deeper into the area of pain as pleasure. He tried. He'd loved her. He had taken everything, done anything for her, until she nearly killed him. The nightmares were less now. SHE had done that for him. He never understood why Michelle needed to hurt him or how she managed to make sure each mistress he had was as sadistic as she was. Somehow, he had gotten free. Eileen was dominant, even if she was unsure. She had taken him through his memories and one by one changed them from horror to merely unpleasant. The amended contract had been a shock. At first he thought she was tiring of him. Then his brain heard what she was saying. A safeguard. She expected him to fall in love again. Suddenly he realized that he had fallen in love. With Eileen. He wondered how he could tell her so she would believe him. He was still considering the question when he fell asleep. He woke early and went to start her coffee. When it was ready, he took a cup to her room. The door was open, so he entered without tapping on it first. She was still asleep, lying on her stomach, her face towards him. Her pillows were scattered and she lay on the mattress. He set the steaming cup on her bedside table and leaned over to kiss her awake. He saw the tear stains on her cheeks. Why had she been weeping? A little troubled, he gently kissed her eyelid. She murmured softly. Another gentle kiss. The eyelid fluttered and opened. Eileen found herself barely awake and staring into a soft gray eye. Groaning softly, she turned over. She hated mornings. She allowed Silence to urge her into sitting up, then accepted the coffee. By the time she finished it, she was mostly awake. She set the cup back on the table. Silence was kneeling again, his hands on her knees. She looked at him in surprise. She rarely asked him to kneel and he usually did so when he wanted to express something important to him. She covered his hands with hers, caressing his strong fingers. She could feel that he wanted to know something yet wasn't sure how to express it. "Silence?" she said softly. His eye met hers, searching. Then he sighed. He laid his head in her lap. That made her smile. A gesture of trust and affection that she appreciated. One more reason she loved him. She stroked his silky black hair. "Wash my back, please?" she said. He immediately stood and pulled her to her feet. The warm water relaxed her. and his hands aroused her. She felt the strength as he cleaned her body. She quivered when he rubbed her breasts. She stood, eyes half closed, letting the pleasure of his touch flow through her. He pulled her close and placed her arms around his waist. Then he tipped her head back so he could wash her hair. He took sensual delight in his task, and when he finished, he wrapped his arms tight around her and kissed her long, lingering, fanning the flames of desire hotter. He leaned her against the wet tiles and then impaled her on his steel hard, rampant penis. She arched, her hips rocking as he penetrated. His movements were slow and deliberate as he took her higher and higher. Her orgasm burst, her body convulsing around him as wave after wave of fire poured through her, igniting his orgasm. His hips pressed hard against her as he pulsed his fiery ejaculate deep into her. He held her tight as their orgasm slowly faded. Then he slowly withdrew from her, cleaned her gently, and helped her from the shower. He wrapped her in a huge towel and slowly dried her. Eileen's eyes were shining as she looked up at him. "I love the way you wash me, Silence," she said softly. He saw, finally, what he had searched for in her eyes earlier. Love. Now, how did he let her know that he loved her as well. If only it weren't so hard for him to speak! He gathered her in his arms, towel and all, and hugged her tightly. He would find a way. Silence Gathering Pt. 02 Eileen worried about Silence. Since she had sent in her acceptance to attend the Gathering, he had become preoccupied. He spent more time in his room. Occasionally, she heard him exercising, but a lot of his time seemed to be spent thinking. She felt a hollow catch in her chest. Was he trying to decide to leave her? She didn't know how to ask. Ending a relationship was supposed to be the Dominant's choice. Yet she know that, practically, either of them could choose to end their relationship. Eileen sighed. She knew she wanted him to stay with her forever. She also knew that she had been praying that he would want to stay. She sighed again and went back to looking at the notes he had made for her. She was deep in thought when she felt him beside her. She smiled up at him. He gazed back at her, unsmiling, his eyes uneasy. Her smile slowly faded. The cold, hollow feeling spread as she watched him sink gracefully to his knees, the powerful muscles in his thighs bunching as he did. Then he handed her a folded note with lowered eyes. Her fingers trembled slightly as she took it. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes briefly and prayed for strength. Then, slowly exhaling, she opened her eyes and unfolded the note. 'Mistress,' she read, 'I have not told you everything you need to know about the Gathering.' She glanced quickly at him. He was statue still, eyes still lowered. She saw a quiver of muscle along his jaw. She went back to the note. 'The location is owned by my parents, Joseph and Kathleen Sheridan. I do not know how they will greet you. They wished me to be Dom. Or to stay with Michelle. I do not want you to be insulted or ignored.' The note ended abruptly. "Silence," she said softy. He twitched. Her voice was unsteady. She took a deep breath. "Silence," she said again, her voice more normal sounding, "look at me." He raised his gray eyes to her hazel ones. "We will go to this Gathering." Her eyes chilled and he blinked suddenly. He had never seen such a hard look in her eyes before. "You are mine, now," she went on. "This Michelle had her chance. She...abused you...sold you." Eileen's voice had gone cold. "You are mine," she repeated. Her eyes warmed slightly. "You are mine until you ask to leave or I can no longer keep you." Silence looked troubled. Eileen shook her head and smiled slightly. "Remember the amendments to your contract," she said. "Your safeguards. If we part and you choose to reman in this lifestyle, I will help you find a good Mistress." Silence sighed softly and settled back on his heels, a bit more relaxed. Eileen put her hands on his face, caressing him. "Silence," she said, "you are very important to me. I want you to stay with me for as long as you wish." His gray eyes met her hazel ones and he nodded. She smiled softly at him. "We will worry about the Gathering when we get there," she said. He returned her smile and nodded again. She sat back on the couch. Silence shifted until he was leaning against her in his accustomed place, her hand caressing his hair. She still felt tension in him. She tugged gently on his hair. He looked up at her, startled. "Something is still bothering you," she said. He nodded slowly. "Tell me." He twitched slightly at the note of command in her voice. He twisted around for a notepad and pencil. Eileen let him write without looking over his shoulder, giving him a bit of privacy to put down his thoughts. Finally, he handed her the pad. 'Mistress,' she read, 'I have no wish to leave you. Why would you not keep me?" He had taken many minutes to write those two sentences. She felt his unease. "Silence," she murmured, "you will stay with me as long as you wish. We will manage." She felt him relax further at her words. She sighed softly and continued caressing him, losing herself in the motion of her hand on his head. He was completely relaxed now, leaning against her, his head on her thigh. She stirred finally. He sat up, turning to look up at her. "Bring me your cuffs, Silence." His eyes gleamed as he nodded and rose gracefully to do as she bade him. She watched his nude body as he returned to her, the leather bands and chains across his hands. She felt her own desire ignite as she noticed his large penis begin to swell. He went to one knee, bowed his head, and offered her his restrains. She took them and laid them over her lap. For a moment, she simply ran her hand over them. Silence offered his wrists without hesitation, secure in the knowledge that she would not harm him. She smiled again at his trust and buckled on the wrist cuffs, fastening them together with a short length of chain. She heard his soft sigh as the cuffs were locked. His penis twitched and swelled larger. "Stand." He immediately rose. "Ankle." Balancing carefully, he raised his right leg and lightly rested his toes on her knee. She buckled the cuff in place. "Ankle." He repeated the motion with his left foot, and she buckled that cuff in place. He now stood before her, hands manacled together, ankles adorned with leather. He stood, back straight, elbows slightly bent, legs apart. "Yeesss," she murmured, her finger tips tracing his muscles, feeling him quiver. "Follow." She stood and led the way to her room. He stood beside the bed, waiting for her. He watched as she slowly undressed, his breathing becoming faster as his penis thickened and swelled. She approached him with something in her hands. She caressed his swelling penis, then fastened a ring around it. His breath caught as the sudden constriction at the base of his penis made him swell harder than ever. She caressed him again. He was becoming hot and steel hard. "Mmmm," she murmured. "Lie down." Obediently, he got onto the bed on his back. Her fingers ran along his body, feeling his shivers of desire. She took his wrists and fastened the chain between them to a hook over his head. His eyes never left her, watching her expression as she restrained him. His ankles were next, one to each corner of the bed. His eyes were now silver with desire. She took her time, caressing him, running her hands over his flesh, kissing him here and there. Teasing his nipples with her tongue and teeth. He wanted her to mount him. He wanted to bury himself deep into her hot, wet, tightness. She finally straddled his body. The heat of her sex, the scent of her arousal making him writhe under her, trying to impale her. Her hands caressed his face, her fingers tracing his lips. Then she leaned down to kiss him, her lips just brushing his, her tongue teasing him. Slowly, the kiss deepened until she was devouring him and he, her. She broke the kiss to look deep into his eyes. "Pleasure me," she whispered hoarsely, raising up so he could reach her with his mouth and tongue. She heard a soft growl and felt the vibrations as his tongue flicked her clitoris, then delved deeply into her. She moaned softly as he licked her, then suckled on her clitoris, pulling it into his mouth rhythmically. He alternated between thrusting his tongue into her and suckling her clitoris until she stiffened in orgasm. He did not stop as her body throbbed and convulsed. She stayed over his mouth until he had brought her to orgasm a second time. Then she slowly slid down his body until the head of his massive penis was pushing slowly into her. Then she stopped. His eyes gleamed silver with lust. She kissed him, tasting herself on his lips. She could feel the contraction and relaxing of his muscles as he tried to remain still, fighting his urge to thrust his hot length completely into her. He could feel the quivers as he was barely in her. Then she began sliding down his body again. He was rigid, trying to hold on to his desire to thrust. Slowly, she impaled herself on this massive shaft, taking him deeper and deeper into her quivering body. The tremors of her vagina along his thick penis aroused him further. With a sudden sigh, she finally had him completely sheathed. She sat up, moaning softly as he sank deeper into her. Then she began moving on him, raising and lowering herself, twisting, rocking, eyes closed, hands caressing his muscular chest as she took him. Her body convulsed again and again. He was now focused only on feeling her riding his rampant penis. He had not climaxed and the need was building. She slowed her movements, then stopped. She slowly moved off of him. His hips raised, trying to keep her impaled. Eileen released his ankles, then his wrists. She lay on her back and urged him to mount her. And he did. He had no thought except to plunge into her body. He thrust hard into her as her hips rose to meet him, her legs wrapped over his to hold him, her arms around his body as she writhed against him. He kissed her with fierce hunger as he took her. She convulsed in orgasm again and again as he moved in her, his massive penis filling her. Somehow, she got one hand between their bodies and removed the ring she had placed on his penis. He shuddered and arched. His penis swelled and his long-delayed orgasm exploded. He thrust and thrust, short, sharp jerks as he pulsed a massive orgasm deep into her throbbing body. She held him tight as her own orgasm peaked and merged with his. He collapsed on her, sated. She caressed him, kissing him. He shifted a bit, taking some of his heavy weight off of her. She held him and sighed, content. Silence Gathering Pt. 03 Eileen drove quietly. Occasionally, she would flick a glance at her companion. She could see that he was still tense and worried about this gathering. Suddenly, she pulled over and stopped the car. Silence looked at her in surprise. "Perhaps we should not go to this Gathering, Silence," she said. He knew his tenseness was the cause of her comment. He took out the pad of paper she kept in the car for him and wrote quickly. He handed her the pad. ‘The invitation was a surprise,' she read. None of my previous Mistresses after Michelle were invited. I do not know what to think.' Eileen caressed his head. "You worry for me, Silence?" He sighed and nodded. She caressed his head. She smiled softly at him. "Isn't it my job to worry over you?" she asked. His gestures showed his confusion. "We will do fine, my Silence," she said. He wrote again. ‘May I ask something?' "Of course, Silence." ‘It may be best if you used my name or called me something else.' She studied him briefly. He blushed at the disappointment in her eyes. ‘Please, Mistress,' he wrote, ‘I do not want anyone but you to call me Silence.' His gray eyes begged for understanding. The disappointment in her eyes faded to be replaced with understanding and affection. "Very well, Silence," she said, "when we arrive, I will call you by your name." She caressed his head again. Just then, a police car pulled up behind them. The police officer approached her window. "Is there a problem, ma'am?" he asked. Eileen felt Silence stiffen. She spared him a glance then looked at the officer. "No, officer," she replied. "We had something to discuss, and I felt it better to stop while we did." The officer bent down for a better look into the car. Silence sat stiffly, looking straight ahead. "Jonah?" asked the police officer, "Jonah Sheridan?" With a sigh, Silence looked at the officer and nodded. The officer grinned. "Hey, man! We haven't seen you for a long time!" Silence shrugged and nodded. The officer's face clouded. "Still got that problem, huh?" Again, Silence shrugged and nodded. The officer looked at Eileen. "Have I met you before, ma'am?" he asked. "No, officer," she replied, "Jonah and I have been together only about a year and a half." Her tone was calm and her gaze steady. The officer found himself wanting to apologize for questioning her. He nodded and stepped back to return to his car. Then he leaned down again. "Good to see you again, Jonah." He nodded again to Eileen. "Ma'am." She smiled slightly in reply. The police officer returned to his car and left. Eileen felt Silence tense, waiting for the questions. She simply caressed his dark head. "We shall go on, then, Silence," was all she said. He sighed and leaned into her caress. Eileen started the car and resumed their journey. As Silence had told her, the Gathering was at his parents' home. Eileen was impressed at the huge estate but tried not to show it. Silence was tense. She was met by a pair of valet, one to take her car and one to carry her luggage. She waved away the one valet. She would allow only Silence the duty of caring for her. She presented her invitation at the door. "Mistress Eileen," acknowledged the butler. He ignored Silence, although his glance did rest on him briefly. "Your rooms are this way, Ma'am," he continued. "Master Joseph and Mistress Kathleen will be greeting all guests at dinner." Eileen merely nodded and waited for him to proceed. The butler led them to a suite with a sitting room, bedroom, and lavish bath. Silence immediately began to put her things away. The butler hesitated and cleared his throat softly. "Was there something else?" asked Eileen cooly. "Ah, yes, Ma'am," said the butler. "Ah…submissives and slaves have their own dormitories, and..ah…" Eileen looked at him cooly. "Wait, Jonah," she said. Silence immediately stopped putting things away. "I explained my wishes when I accepted the invitation," she continued in the same cool tone. "I was not told those wishes would not be granted." The butler lowered his eyes. "Ah…yes, Ma'am…but…" Eileen's voice turned cold. "Jonah stays with me," she said, "or we decline the invitation and leave." "Ah…yes, Ma'am," the butler murmured, "but…Mistress Michelle thought your…um…that he should be in the dormitory." Eileen's cold gaze made the butler swallow convulsively. "Mistress Michelle may do as she wishes," said Eileen, her voice velvet ice, "but Jonah stays with me. Or we leave." The butler blanched and bowed. "As you wish, Ma'am," he said as he backed out of the room. Eileen turned to Silence with a soft sigh. He was applauding silently, his gray eyes gleaming. "A test?" she asked quietly. He nodded. Her smile was wry, "We seem to have passed." Silence nodded agreement and finished putting things away. He helped Eileen bathe as he usually did, and she held with close, kissing him with gentle promise. Eileen allowed him to help her dress. She knew he had more experience in what was expected here. He seemed prepared to stay in their rooms, but she indicated the black leather pants, boots, and silk shirt. "You will come with me," she said. He looked faintly troubled but did as she required. Eileen noted with satisfaction that others had their submissives with them. As they entered the room, the butler announced them, "Mistress Eileen!" A man and woman stepped forward to greet her. The man extended his hand. "I am Joseph Sheridan," he said, "and my wife, Kathleen." Eileen allowed him to take her hand. "Joseph, Kathleen," she said. She saw that Silence's raven hair came from his mother and his height from his father, although he was taller. "Thank you for the invitation. I am honored." She noticed that neither acknowledged their son, although Eileen noticed Kathleen sneaking glances at him. She suddenly seem to relax and her manner became more friendly. Joseph took his cue from his wife and also seemed to relax with her. Eileen was introduced to those she did not know and greeted those she knew. Silence was a constant, comforting presence behind her. Suddenly, she came face to face with a petite, stunning blonde with ice blue eyes. She felt Silence stiffen behind her. "Weeeellll," drawled the young woman. Eileen raised one eyebrow. It was a mannerism that she knew was annoying. "You must be Michelle," said Eileen politely as she extended her hand. "I am Eileen." Michelle frowned slightly. At first it seemed that she would ignore the offered hand. Then she took Eileen's hand and squeezed hard, trying to make her flinch or pull away. Eileen simply tensed her hand and waited for Michelle to tire of the contest, which she did very quickly. Dinner was served, and somehow, Eileen managed to keep her temper. She was beginning to wonder why no one tried to curb Michelle's acid tongue. It seemed that most ignored her rudeness. When they finally got back to their rooms, Eileen began pacing, trying to work off her temper. She turned and bumped into Silence. He simply wrapped his arms around her and held her. With a sigh, she finally relaxed and leaned against his comforting strength. "Has that child always been so…so…" Eileen shrugged. She felt him nod his head. "I need you," she said softly. Silence began massaging her shoulders as she leaned against him. Eventually, she found herself nude. He had managed to undress them both while he soothed her. She began caressing him, losing herself in the feel of his skin, the heat of his massive erection. When he finally entered her, she arched in orgasm. Her kiss was full of hungry passion, which he answered by giving himself to her, filling her, thrusting hard and deep, taking her higher and higher until she could only writhe and spasm in orgasm. Then he climaxed, filling her with his essence. They lay entwined, relaxing in the glow of their passion when a scream of agony cut through the night. Eileen felt Silence tense. "Michelle?" she asked softly. He nodded. Her arms tightened around him. "Never," she promised, "never as long as I live." He sighed and nuzzled against her breast. She held him, caressing him softly, until they both slept. The next day and a half passed fairly easily. She was approached several times with offers of trades. She always declined. Each time she did, Silence relaxed more. Late in the afternoon of the last day, Kathleen asked to speak to her privately. Eileen asked Silence to pack their things as they would be leaving after dinner. He bowed and left her alone with his mother. Kathleen watched him leave. "He still does not speak?" "No," replied Eileen, "but we understand each other. Kathleen nodded. "Do you know why he doesn't speak?" "Yes," said Eileen. Kathleen sighed. "We never knew what happened. We only knew that Michelle had sold his contract to another." Eileen looked at Kathleen curiously. "Have you ever seen his contract?" Kathleen shook her head. Eileen pulled a copy from her purse and handed it to the other woman. Kathleen read silently, her expression tightening until she came to the amendments. She looked at Eileen. "Thank you." She did not say for what, but Eileen understood. "May I ask a favor, Kathleen?" Kathleen nodded. She had not expected to like Jonah's new mistress but was pleased to find that she did. "If Jonah asks to be released," said Eileen softly, "may he come here until he finds another?" "I think, yes," said Kathleen. "Joseph may be a bit prickly about it at first, but Jonah may stay here if he needs to." "Thank you." Kathleen looked closely at Eileen. "You said nothing about your releasing him." "I have no wish to release him at all," said Eileen quietly. "I see," said Kathleen, smiling suddenly. They spoke quietly for a few more minutes. Then Eileen excused herself to dress for dinner. Silence was not in their rooms. Her things had been laid out and his. Curious, Eileen went through the suite. There was no sign of Silence and no indication where he had gone. Finally, she found a scrap of paper in a wastebasket. A note telling him to come to her in the west wing. Puzzled and a little angry that someone had sent him a note in her name, she went out to look for him. She saw Kathleen and Joseph. "Someone summoned Jonah to the west wing in my name," Eileen said with cool anger. "Will you guide me there, please." Joseph and Kathleen led her to another suite. An angry feminine voice could be heard punctuated by the sounds of blows. Eileen did not hesitate or knock. She threw open the door and entered. Silence was nude and blindfolded. He had been chained and stretched. Michelle was beating him with a viciously barbed cat o' nine tails. That Silence was not aroused seemed to drive the blonde woman insane with anger. The blood on his body pushed Eileen's anger into rage. She saw Michelle draw back to strike at his genitals. Without thought, Eileen interposed her body between Silence and the whip. The two blows on her back were intense fire. Somehow she did not scream in pain. She felt the blood begin to flow on her back. When she could again focus, she turned to Joseph. "Take him down!" she commanded. Silence was lowered into her arms. She barely noticed that Kathleen had taken the whip from Michelle. Joseph was unshackling his son. Eileen removed the blindfold. "I'm so sorry!" she whispered, "I did not keep my promise." Someone handed her a wet cloth. Gently, she cleaned his wounds, noting that they were bloody but light. This time. When she looked into his eyes, she nearly wept. Her Silence was gone. The flat, cool expression was back in his eyes. "Can you walk, Jonah," she asked. He nodded and slowly stood. Eileen looked at Joseph and Kathleen. "We will see you at dinner," she said. She completely ignored the still ranting Michelle. Eileen and Silence went to their suite. He was remote, tensing if she touched him. Eileen sighed. "Please shower and dress, Silence," she said softly. "We will be leaving after dinner." He nodded and went to do as she told him. Eileen took a cloth and carefully tried to care for her lacerated back. The pain made her nauseous. Trembling, she managed to dress before Silence finished and reappeared. He came and knelt before her. Then he handed her a slip of paper. His eyes were cast down so he did not see the tremor in her hand when she took it. ‘I wish to be released,' he had written, ‘I cannot do this anymore.' Eileen waited until she was certain her voice was steady. "As we agreed in your contract, Silence," she said. "I will release you this evening at dinner. I want everyone to know that this is in accordance with an accepted contract. You may stay here for awhile if you wish." He glanced at her in surprise, then looked down. "Your parents have agreed," she continued. "You may come for the rest of your things when you wish. You have your key." He bowed his head. Eileen was hollow. Everything she wanted was leaving her. Even the pain in her back had no meaning anymore. "Come," she said. He rose gracefully and followed in his accustomed place to the dining room. Suddenly, Eileen had no desire to stay. The others were already seated when she and Silence entered. When she did not take her seat, the buzz of conversation slowly died. "Master Joseph, Mistress Kathleen," she began, "I wish to thank you for your hospitality. I apologize for not remaining for the rest of the evening." She looked around. Michelle's petulant expression fueled her resolve. "However, before I leave, I have one task that I wished to perform before witnesses." Eileen turned slightly, hiding the wince of pain. "Jonah." He stepped to her side. Slowly she reached up to his collar. "You have served me well. As you have requested, I release you. I wish you the best of everything. I hope you find your heart's desire." As she unfastened his collar, he looked into her eyes. The pain and loss he saw there briefly pierced his own anger and pain. As the collar slipped from his neck, Michelle stood. "No!" she said. "You can't release him! He has to be sold! It's in his contract and I want him!" With the silver chain heavy in her hands, Eileen turned to Michelle. Her cold smile made the younger woman pause. "Jonah's contract was amended months ago," said Eileen. "He is free of you. He is free to choose." Kathleen stood then. "I have seen the amendments," she said. "They are in accord with our practices. Jonah has bee released according to our custom." Michelle dropped back into her chair, sullen and defeated. Eileen nodded her thanks to Kathleen. She looked up into the gray eyes she could no longer see through her tears. "Goodbye, my Silence," she whispered for him alone to hear. "Be happy." Then she left the dining room. The butler had her car brought and her suitcase put in it. Eyes filled with tears of pain and sorrow, Eileen drove home, leaving her heart behind. Silence Gathering Pt. 04 Conclusion It took Jonah several days before he could bring himself to return to Eileen's house for the rest of his things. He kept fingering the key. He also found himself touching his bare neck. He no longer had a Mistress or a collar. The empty place in his heart surprised him. His rage at how Michelle had tricked him had spilled over onto Eileen. His parents said nothing of the incident. Michelle had been effectively ostracized and left soon after. She had finally gone too far, even for the most tolerant of the group. His nightmare had also returned. Kathleen finally told Jonah that there were some things of Eileen's that had been left behind and that he should return them. With mixed feelings, Jonah allowed his mother to drive him back to Eileen's house. He let himself in with the key Eileen had left him. The house felt empty and closed. Jonah took a quick look in the garage. Eileen's car was there, her suitcase still in the back seat. Uneasy now, Jonah went through the house. He became more uneasy with each empty room he checked. He finally went into the room that had been his. Eileen's crumpled form lay just inside the door. Jonah knelt beside her and touched her face. Hot. Dry. She seemed to be barely breathing. Jonah's nose twitched. The air was heavy with the copper scent of blood and the sour tang of infection. Hands trembling, Jonah moved her body. The slick wetness on her back surprised him. In sudden fear, he ripped open her shirt. The bloody stripes on her back shocked him. A sudden keening sound wavered in the air. The sound brought Kathleen hurrying into the house. She found her son holding Eileen's limp body in his arms, blood on his hands. She knelt beside her grieving son and touched Eileen. "Jonah!" she said. "We have to clean these wounds and get her cooled down!" Controlling himself, Jonah pointed to her room. Kathleen found the large tub and filled it with cool water. She turned to find Jonah, nude, carrying Eileen's nude body in his arms. He stepped into the tub and lowered them both into the cool water. Kathleen found a cloth and was about to start cleaning the wounds when Jonah took it from her. Carefully positioning Eileen, he began to clean her wounds and her body. Even unconscious, she whimpered softly when he cleaned the bloody wounds. "We must take her back with us, Jonah," said Kathleen softly, "we can care for her better at home." Jonah nodded and rose from the water, cradling Eileen in his arms. Kathleen began to dry her gently. The stripes on her back still oozed slightly and were an angry red color. Jonah laid Eileen gently on her bed. He dried himself quickly and pulled on a pair of slacks, slipping his feet into loafers. He did not bother with a shirt or socks. He gently wrapped Eileen in the sheet and lifted her in his arms. He settled into the car, Eileen across his lap. Kathleen drove home as quickly as she dared. Entering the house, she called for Joseph. Jonah carried Eileen to the rooms they had shared. He laid her on the bed on her stomach so they could treat her lacerated back. Joseph applied antiseptic to the open wounds. Jonah hovered, anxious, uncertain. His mind was finally replaying the incident with Michelle, how she had tricked him into coming into the west wing. It had take four others to bind him and suspend him for her. The blindfold was to keep him from anticipating the blows. He could tell when she became enraged. Her beating had not aroused him like she expected it to. He remembered hearing two more blows. He remembered hearing the grunts when they landed. But he did not remember feeling them. Then he remembered the angry voices and being released. He remembered Eileen's arms around him. He had heard her apology, but the shock of seeing her when the blindfold was removed confused him. The rage at Michelle focused on Eileen. With a start, Jonah realized that his father had finished and covered Eileen. "I know she is no longer your Mistress, Jonah," said Joseph, "but she took those wounds for you. You will stay with her until she is better." Jonah nodded. There was a basin of cool water and a cloth. He took it and began to soothe Eileen, trying to reduce her fever. Kathleen place an envelope on the table near the basin. The left him to care for her. Jonah sat on the edge of the bed, trying to keep her as cool as possible. His father checked on the wounds several times. At one point, Joseph had Jonah ease Eileen into a sitting position in his arms and was able to get her to drink a little. Jonah was suddenly reluctant to lay her down. He managed to shed his slacks and get into bed with her, holding her in his arms. He held her, cooled her. For the first time, her nude body did not arouse him. He kept playing the incident with Michelle over and over in his mind until the memory of those last two blows became thunderous in his mind. The envelope caught his eye. He saw his name on it in Eileen's hand. Careful not to disturb her, he reached for it. ‘Jonah,' he read, ‘please read this when you can. E.' He looked down at her, her head against his shoulder, her breath warm on his skin. Sorrow filled him. She had been so good to him. And, he had to admit, so good for him. Now, by his own request, he was released. No longer hers. His hands trembled slightly as he opened the envelope. ‘My Silence,' he read, ‘this will be the last time I can call you that. There are things I wish I had told you, but I am not good with words. You were my first submissive in this lifestyle. You spoiled me. And I fell in love with you. I did not expect that. I should have expected that Michelle would try to get you back. You do not know that she made several offers to buy your contract through others. I could not give you up. And never back to her. It is my shame and sorrow that I did not keep you out of her hands at the Gathering. It was my duty to protect you. I understand why you asked to be released. Please, my Silence, forgive me. Be well.' Jonah could hardly see the final words of the note through the tears in his eyes. The awful stripes on Eileen's back were supposed to have fallen on his genitals. He remembered Michelle's angry voice screaming, "If you won't get hard for me, I'll fix you so you won't get hard for her either." He cradled Eileen closer, hoping to give her some of his strength. He pulled the covers up to protect her and eventually fell asleep. His nightmare returned but did not progress as it usually did. Instead of the harsh beatings, he was dreaming about the first punishment she had given him. When she took the pain away. He woke suddenly. Eileen was trembling in his arms. He touched his lips to her forehead. Burning with fever. He threw off the covers and carried her to the shower. Cold water ran over them. It was the only thing he could think of to cool her raging fever and her heat kept him from becoming too cold. She groaned and moved in his arms. He stepped out of the cold spray. He kissed her again, tasting the salty sweat as her fever finally broke. He warmed the water and washed her carefully, one handed, as he held her against his body. "Silence…" she murmured. He carefully dried her and carried her back to the bed. For a brief moment, he considered lying down with her. But she was waking up. With a sharp pang of sorrow, he laid her down and covered her. He sat beside the bed and waited for her to come around. He had dozed off when she spoke again. "Jonah?" Her voice was thin and weak. He roused instantly. He leaned over so she could see him. Her eyes were sad, yet she smiled. With a sigh, her eyes closed and she slept. Jonah went to get his mother. When Eileen woke again, Kathleen was sitting beside the bed, Jonah standing behind her. Kathleen smiled. "Welcome back." "How did I get back here?" Eileen's voice was still weak. "We had gone to your house to return a few things you had forgotten and for Jonah to get his things. We found you unconscious on the floor and I felt it would be easier to care for you here," explained Kathleen. "I see," said Eileen. "Thank you." Her eyes were on Jonah. Kathleen gestured. "Jonah." He bowed and left the room only to return in a few moments with a tray. Kathleen stood. "We will see you again later," she said. "Thank you again," said Eileen. Kathleen smiled at her and left. Jonah helped Eileen sit up. He carefully placed the tray across her knees. Eat, said his gestures. He hovered while she ate what he had brought her. When she finished what she could, he removed the tray. Eileen was quiet for a few more moments. "Are you angry with me?" she asked softly. No, he gestured. Eileen's head bowed briefly and he heard her soft sigh. With a pang, Eileen saw him reach for a pad and a pencil. He wrote briefly. ‘Will you take another submissive?' She looked up at him, then away. "I…don't know," she said, "probably not for a long time. If ever." Jonah sighed and took the tray out. Eileen lay back against the pillows, tired and confused. The pain in her back was now a dull ache. The pain in her heart was far worse. She slipped into sleep. Jonah returned to find her sleeping. He sat on the floor near the bed, resting his arms on the mattress. Even though the position was awkward, he, too dozed off. The touch of her hand on his head woke him. He kept still, listening to her sleepy murmurs as her hand lay on his head. Then she moved and her touch left him. His mind kept going back to their time together. He remembered the night she had given him the gift of her submission. It had begun badly, but before dawn he truly understood her gift and her power. She took his fears and eased them. She had taken him with joy and passion. She accepted him, giving him pleasure. He sighed softly and left her to sleep. For the next several days, Eileen rested and healed. Kathleen and Joseph had finally learned the story of the scars on Jonah's body. Gradually, they learned how he had been abused and why he did not speak. Then one morning, Jonah entered the room with a breakfast tray to find the bed empty. He heard the sound of running water from the bath. Then a splash and a soft curse. Stripping quickly, he went into the bath. Eileen was leaning against the shower wall, trying to maintain her balance. He slipped into the shower with her, supporting her against his body. She sighed and let him wash her. Touching her began to arouse him. How many times had they begun this way? His hands slowed, the touch becoming more and more sensuous. He felt her shudder. Then she wept. Great, heaving sobs that left her weak and trembling. Jonah held her close, rocking her as the water poured over them. And he wept with her. Eventually, their emotions eased. Jonah carried her back to the bed, her arms around his neck. He felt her reluctance to let him go when he laid her down. Her arms slid so slowly from him. He brushed her hair and set her tray across her knees. Then he left her to eat. Jonah went to his mother. He took a pad and wrote, ‘I have made a terrible mistake.' Kathleen looked up at her massive son. "You love her," she said. Jonah nodded. ‘I don't know how to go back to her,' he wrote. Kathleen sighed. "If you were dominant, it would be easier." Jonah's sudden smile surprised her, although it quickly faded. ‘She gave me that gift one night,' he wrote. ‘I have been a master. I would rather be her slave.' "Not just her submissive?" asked Kathleen. ‘However she would have me,' he wrote, ‘as long as she would take me back.' He sighed. "Let me think on this," said Kathleen. Later that day, Eileen ventured out of her room to the garden. "May we join you?" Joseph and Kathleen stood near. "Of course," said Eileen. "I'm glad to see you up," said Joseph. "Those stripes were nasty. Why didn't you say anything?" A faint blush and a gesture were the only answer Eileen could give. "Will you take another submissive?" asked Kathleen. "Jonah asked me that," said Eileen. "Right now, I doubt I will ever have another." "Would you take Jonah back?" asked Joseph. "Yes," replied Eileen without hesitation, "but he asked to be released. He doesn't want this life anymore." "Hmm," was all Kathleen said. Eileen began seeing less and less of Jonah as the next few days passed. It hurt, but she understood. Finally, she was able to go home. She insisted on taking a cab. She did not see Jonah when she left. She was not sure if that was best or not. She missed him. About two weeks after she got home, Kathleen called. "I have found a slave you might like," she told Eileen. "A slave!" Eileen was surprised. "How could I handle a slave!" "Just come over tomorrow night and check him out," said Kathleen. Eileen sighed. Kathleen and Joseph had done so much for her that she could not refuse. "Very well, Kathleen," she said, "I will come." The next evening, Eileen drove to the Sheridan's. The same butler met her at the door. He bowed slightly. "Master Joseph and Mistress Kathleen are in the salon." He led her to what was obviously a private room. A robed and hooded figure knelt in the center of the room. Kathleen and Joseph greeted her. Kathleen smiled slightly. "I know you said you wouldn't want another submissive," Kathleen said, "however, this one has good slave potential." "Kathleen, Joseph," protested Eileen, "I appreciate the thought, but…" Joseph raised his hand to interrupt her. "Just look him over," he said. Eileen sighed and agreed. "We will leave you alone for awhile," said Kathleen as she and Joseph left the room. Eileen stood looking at the silent, kneeling figure. "You are a submissive?" she asked suddenly. The covered head bowed, yes. "And you wish to be a slave?" Again the head bowed, yes. A funny feeling began in Eileen's stomach. "Stand," she said. The figure rose gracefully. Tall. Very tall. Easily as tall as Jonah. The robe and hood obscured his face and form. Eileen pulled off the hooded robe. Soft gray eyes met hers and then lowered. For a long moment, she could not speak. Then, "Why?" He sighed softly. He touched his chest with both hands and them held them out to her. As clearly as if he had spoken, he told her, ‘You have my heart.' "But," she said slowly, "as a slave?" He nodded and slowly knelt in a slave's position, displaying himself for her, his knees wide, his penis and testicles exposed for her. Eileen dropped into a chair, her mind in turmoil. There was an envelope on the table by her chair. His glance flicked to it, to her, then lowered. She picked up the envelope. ‘Mistress,' began the note, ‘this one has erred greatly. this one had forgotten how You cared for him and cherished him. this one is so very sorry to have cause You such pain. this one begs forgiveness. Please take this one as Your slave, to keep as You will.' Eileen swallowed suddenly and blinked to keep the tears from falling. "I…" she swallowed again, "I need some time to consider this." He lowered his head to the floor. "I will come back at the end of the week with my decision," she said softly. Jonah sighed and prostrated himself before her. Eileen's breath caught. The last time he had done that was when she collared him. Jonah heard her soft sound of distress as she left him. He trembled slightly, fearing that she would not take him back. Eileen literally fled. In her home, she huddled in a corner of her sofa, her mind in turmoil. She was unaware of how long she huddled there. The room darkened and she did not move. The phone rang. She did not answer it. Sometime later, a light snapped on. Eileen blinked in surprise. "Kathleen?" "I'm sorry, Eileen," said the other woman, gently, "we didn't mean to alarm you." "Oh, Kathleen! What am I to do with a slave! I barely know what to do with a submissive!" "You did very well with Jonah," reminded Kathleen. "But a slave!" Eileen trembled. "Michelle…" "Hush, Eileen," said Kathleen, "you are not Michelle and could never be like her." "But…" "Jonah was effectively your slave before you amended his contract," interrupted Kathleen. Eileen looked lost. Kathleen took her hands. "Follow your heart, Eileen," she said softly. Then she left. The next few days were long and anxious for Jonah and equally long and nerve wracking for Eileen. But she had made a decision. At her request, only Jonah was present, kneeling in a slave's position, when she returned. Eileen walked around him. "So you want to be my slave," she said, her voice cool. His head bowed. Kathleen had given him precise instructions, not telling him that they came from Eileen. "There will be no contract," Eileen said from behind him. She saw the tremor that rippled through his body. "There will be no safe words for you," she continued, "IF I take you as my slave." She knew her words hurt him, yet she had to say them. "Stand." He rose gracefully. "Come with me." She turned and left the salon. She walked along the hallway to the living room. Kathleen and Joseph were waiting for her along with all of their submissives. Jonah was the only one nude. The urge to hesitate, to not enter his parents' presence like this, briefly flashed through him. He ignored the feeling, knowing if he hesitated, she would leave him. He focused only on Eileen. "Mistress Kathleen, Master Joseph," she said, "Jonah has expressed a desire to be my slave." Both nodded. "I have made my decision." Jonah focused more closely on her. "Kneel slave," said Eileen. Jonah immediately sank to his knees, head lowered. "Head up, slave." Jonah's chin came up, his spine straightened. "As a slave," continued Eileen, "you will have nothing unless I give it to you." Jonah's gray eyes began to gleam. Eileen took a box that had been on a table and took out a collar. It was an inch wide, thick band of silver. There was engraving on the inside. "This collar has no lock and does not fasten," she said. "If you truly wish to be my slave and wear this collar, you must wear it as I instruct you. And you must be willing." She held it on her palms. "Choose." With no hesitation, Jonah took the silver band and placed it around his neck, the flat designs on each end resting against his throat. Eileen indicated a small bag. "The clothing I wish you to wear is in that bag. Dress." Jonah still heard only coolness in her voice as he did as she commanded. He was deeply afraid that he had destroyed any affection she once felt for him. Yet she was becoming his mistress again. Whatever she offered, he would take. And he would hope. The small bag contained boots and leather pants. And his wrist restraints. He dressed quickly, and, again on his knees, he offered the restraints to her. Did her fingers tremble as she fastened them? He could not be sure. "Stand." He flowed to he feet, looming over her. She gazed at his body. One finger traced a new scar. He trembled, then stilled. "Kathleen, Joseph," said Eileen softly, "I thank you for your help." Both again nodded. The butler reappeared. Eileen turned and left, Jonah silent behind her. She gestured to her car. He opened her door and waited until she settled. Then he got in. Eileen said nothing as she drove home. Jonah followed her silently inside. He made a move toward the room that had been his. "No slave," she said quietly, "you have no private room." He bowed slightly. "Come with me." He followed her to her room. "The bottom drawer of the dresser is for whatever I give you to wear," she said. "You may put your clothes in there. The boots go next to the dresser." Immediately, he stripped off the boots and set them neatly beside the dresser. The leather pants were removed and carefully folded before he knelt to put them in the drawer. His ankle restraints were in the drawer. He touched them gently. "Leave them." Silence Gathering Pt. 04 He immediately closed the drawer. He heard her moving behind him. "Remove the collar." Jonah went cold. Had she changed her mind? "Read the inscription." Her voice had softened. Jonah removed the collar and turned the metal so he could see the inscription that had hidden against his skin. ‘Silence is Strength. Silence is Beauty. Silence is Love.' He was trembling. "Replace it if you still wish to be my slave." With trembling hands, he put the collar around his neck. He felt her hands in his hair, caressing, stroking. His eyes closed and he leaned into her touch. "Will you be my Silence?" she whispered. Cat quick, he turned on his knees, swept her into his arms and crushed her against his chest. When had she undressed? Her skin burned against his. She buried her hands in his silky dark hair. "Is this proper behavior for a slave?" she whispered. His arms loosened briefly then tightened as her hands fisted in his hair and her lips touched his in a soft kiss. Her tongue touched his lips and she began to tease him. She felt his heat and hardness against her body. Moaning softly deep in her throat, she pulled him closer, kissing him with hungry passion. Holding her tight, he rose and moved to the bed. He laid her down and covered her with his heavy body. He kissed her face, her lips. When he moved to her throat, her head went back, offering him the soft skin. He cupped her breasts in hands, kneeling over her. "Mmmmmmm," she arched to his touch. He leaned down to her breasts, kissing the heavy softness in his hands, tonguing her nipples. Her breathing was faster and her hands stroked his body, caressing, tracing his muscles. He stayed with her breasts, teasing, tasting, gently biting her nipples until she was writhing, gasping and moaning. When he entered her, she cried out and convulsed in orgasm. His control snapped. He thrust hard into her and she met his movements with her own. There was neither slave nor mistress, only lovers taking and giving pleasure until there was only ecstasy.