Chapter 13: Contract Renewal

Zoe wakes before her alarm, the attic room still dim with early morning light. The house is quiet, the kind of quiet that feels intentional ... as if Le Gîte itself observes the same rigid discipline that its owner demands of its occupants. She lies still for a moment, listening to the faint hum of the heating pipes and the distant creak of the old beams. It has been months since she first arrived, but the room still feels like a privilege she hasn’t fully earned.

Today is contract day. Decision day for both her and Mistress Brigitte. The second season of ice skating lessons will begin soon ... but Zoe will only be involved if her contract is renewed. The first season was successful, albeit with relatively small numbers compared to the registrations for the second season.

Zoe sits up, stretches, and feels the familiar mix of anticipation and nerves settle into her chest. Her current contract, which Brigitte du Frêsne acquired from Heather Hopkins, expires at the end of this week. Zoe and Mistress Brigitte had agreed to a temporary extension to complete the first season of lessons. That extension is about to expire. Zoe knows she wants to remain at Le Gîte. However, she also knows that wanting something doesn’t guarantee she’ll be deemed worthy of it.

She dresses quickly and neatly, as expected, and heads downstairs. Diana is already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast with her usual quiet efficiency. Vicky hums softly as she chops fruit. Both women greet Zoe with warm nods, the metal eyelets around the leather collars the three of them wear glinting faintly in the overhead light.

The collars are their symbol of submission to Mistress Brigitte’s dominion. In practise, their submission takes many other forms as well. The manner in which they must address their mistress in public and in private. The acceptance of punishments that can be both humiliating and painful. Zoe still feels awkward if she’s required to wear a chastity belt, so she does her best to avoid incurring that particular punishment. Even the small clear plastic belt Mistress Brigitte makes Zoe wear under her skating outfit isn’t entirely invisible. The alternative steel belt is even worse. Fortunately Zoe rarely gets punished that severely, although the threat is ever present. One small error in following Mistress Brigitte’s commands can make the difference between reward and punishment.

Despite these impositions, Zoe loves the life she is living at Le Gîte, and being in Mistress Brigitte’s thrall. Physical sex doesn’t play a huge part in their relationship, but Zoe isn’t deprived of sexual pleasure. Their fortnightly visits to a private club in Stonewell more than make up for the absence of sex at Le Gîte.

“Morning,” Zoe says, keeping her voice soft so as not to disturb the calm rhythm of the kitchen.

“Morning,” Diana replies.

Zoe pours herself a drink, hands steady despite the tension coiling inside her. Moments later Mistress Brigitte enters the kitchen, and the atmosphere shifts instantly. She doesn’t raise her voice or demand attention ... her mere presence is enough. She is composed, elegant, and unmistakably authoritative.

“Zoe,” she says. “With me.”

Zoe leaves the remains of her breakfast and follows her mistress down the hallway to the office, a room Zoe rarely enters. Mistress Brigitte closes the door behind them with a soft click. She moves to her desk and sits down. Zoe automatically kneels on the floor in front of her desk and places her hands on her head. It’s one of the numerous rules that those in Mistress Brigitte’s thrall must follow.