Possession

Eventually, you realize that you can’t spend the night naked in the meeting hall. Dislodging a complaining Alex from your lap, you get dressed and start rousing the others. Ferra is up as well, recovering quickly as usual. The others take a bit more time, and Cassie refuses to get up at all, curled up and comfortable. Eventually, you just decide to carry the petite chameleon girl.

The way she smiles and nuzzles your chest tells you this was her plan all along.

Alex, seeing this, complains loudly about wanting the same treatment, until Sarah rolls her eyes and throws Alex onto her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The fire spirit squeals with delight, and Sarah chuckles and pats Alex’s butt. Finally, everyone makes their way out of the building, making the short walk back to your cabin.

Everyone quickly finds a place to collapse, exhausted from the crazy day. You lay Cassie on the bed, laying down beside her. Ferra douses the last of the lights before joining you, the dim glow of her eyes in the darkness illuminating her face just slightly. You give her a kiss, but instead of dropping off to sleep, you quietly ask a question that was burning in your mind.

“So, it’s ‘master’ now? I thought we agreed I wouldn’t make you call me that?”

You see Ferra nod. “We did. Allow me to explain. When we first met, I was barely more than an object. It was your care that made me what I am now. I will love you forever, for that, and for everything since.”

She smiles slightly and continues. “Calling you master when I joined you would mark me as property. You taking ownership of me by your will. Instead, you made the choice to nurture and care, to let me grow into me. And so, calling you master now is my choice. I’m giving myself to you, of my own free will. You are my heart and soul, my master. It is, in my mind, the ultimate expression of my love and trust in you. I pledge myself to you, and I will serve you as best I can.”

You look at her for a while in the dark, unsure what to say. Finally, you decide that the simplest answer is best. You reach out, running your fingers through her short red hair, and pull her into a gentle kiss. Ferra leans against you, snuggling closer happily. Breaking the kiss, you look into her orange glowing eyes.

“I promise to continue to treat you well, Ferra. I love you.”

Ferra smiles. “I know you do, and I know you will. I love you too, master.”

You smile, resting your forehead against hers. “One more thing, then. Sarah?”

Ferra actually giggles. “I promised I would not say. You should talk to her in the morning.”

You chuckle. “Fair enough. Good night, Ferra.”

Ferra kisses you again as you close your eyes. As you drift off, her whispered words make your heart leap once again.