The magnatess glided to my carapace suit in three weightless steps andkicked the husk into the black water of the pool.Bemariq stood up, and I hurried...to my husband. Even if his throat wasn'tas much as bruised, I had to fight back tears as I hugged him."I'm alright." Bemariq patted my back and moved me to his side. In anoverly calm voice, he asked: "What are you trying to achieve, magnatess?"The magnatess sauntered to the edge of the pool. "Your jealousy of theJaan excellence keeps you in. "Emily took the cup and smiled at her father."Daddy, I don't have a problem being at your command."She put the cup to her lips and swallowed the whole cup of water. She then handed the cup back to him."I trust you completely. I know you'd never hurt me." Do you remember me giving you spankings, Emily?"Emily nodded. "Did I hurt you then?"Emily shrugged. "I guess but..." There's a difference, right? You were in trouble. I was doing it for your own good. Well, Emily, you're in trouble now. This. .." Then. Sit. Down." Scowling, Miranda returned to her chaise, gliding her fingers over her crop, clearly frustrated by my defiance.The sharpness of the exchange caught Janine by surprise but my gentle kiss calmed her more than words could. "Don't worry about her,” I whispered. “She and I have an understanding. I am the one person in the world she can't control and she knew that before she called." I can hear you, Marcus. Please don't pretend I’ve left the room." "Of course not, Miranda. Now,. “Fo... Four! Thank you Ma’am.” Miles contemplated getting up and running away. “Five... Six... Thank... You Ma’am” The last two in quick succession took Miles to the half way point. There was a break for a few moments, and Miles felt Mrs. Dupree’s hand rubbing his shoulders as she gently asked if he was okay. With the little bit of moral support Miles now knew he could get through the next six. “Seven! Thank you Ma’am.” Miles could take it. He wanted to take it for Mrs. Dupree. His mouth.