Chapter 18: Preparing for Regionals

The morning air is crisp enough to sting as Zoe unlocks the rink. As Mistress Brigitte had demanded, Zoe is wearing a chastity belt today. Not the lightweight clear plastic one Zoe sometimes wears in public, but the more restrictive steel chastity belt that makes her choice of clothing important. Hopefully Samantha and Brit won’t think it odd that Zoe is wearing a thick linen dress today rather than her usual T-shirt and jeans.

The belt isn’t too uncomfortable, and Zoe is able to skate basic moves. However, performing jumps or anything fancy is risky. Zoe steps inside, flicks on the lights, and watches the ice bloom into brightness. Today marks the start of a new phase in Samantha’s training ... the transition from foundational training to competition preparation. Zoe feels the shift in her bones.

Samantha arrives moments later, breathless from jogging the last stretch of the path. Her cheeks are flushed, her hair slightly wind?tossed, but her eyes are bright with determination.

“Good morning,” she says, almost too eagerly.

“Morning,” Zoe replies. “Ready to begin Stage Two?”

Samantha nods, posture straightening. “I’ve been waiting.”

Brit enters behind her. She looks amused, but there’s a sharpness in her eyes ... the kind she gets when she knows something important is about to happen.

“Stage Two,” she says. “Sounds dramatic.”

“It is,” Zoe replies.

Brit raises an eyebrow. “Oh? Should I be taking notes?”

“You should be keeping out of the way,” Zoe says.

Brit grins. “Always do.”

The session begins with stamina drills ... longer laps, deeper edges, faster transitions. Samantha pushes herself hard, breath coming in controlled bursts. Zoe watches her closely, adjusting her form with quiet precision.

“Lower your centre,” Zoe says. “Trust your balance.”

Samantha adjusts instantly. Brit watches from the boards, arms folded, expression shifting between pride and concern. “She’s going to burn a hole in the ice at this rate.”

“She needs the conditioning,” Zoe says.

“And you?” Brit asks. “You holding up?”

Zoe doesn’t answer. She focuses on Samantha instead. After the warm?up, they move to jump sequences. Samantha’s consistency has improved, but competition requires more than consistency ... it requires confidence under pressure.

“Again,” Zoe says.

Samantha lands the first jump cleanly, the second with a slight wobble, the third with a tight but controlled landing.

Brit whistles. “She’s getting sharper.”

Samantha beams. “Really?”

“Really,” Zoe says. “But we’re not done.”

Samantha nods, determination hardening. “Again.”

They repeat the sequence. And again. And again. By the fifth repetition, Samantha’s breathing is ragged, but her form is stronger.

Zoe steps closer. “Good. Take a break.”

Samantha skates to the boards, leaning on them as she catches her breath. Brit hands her a water bottle.

“You’re doing brilliantly,” she says.

Samantha blushes. “Thank you.”

Brit glances at Zoe. “You’re pushing her harder.”

“She can handle it,” Zoe says.

“And you?” Brit asks again, quieter this time.

Zoe again evades the question.

Mistress Brigitte arrives mid?session, her presence shifting the atmosphere instantly. She watches from the viewing area, arms folded, expression unreadable. Samantha straightens the moment she notices her. Zoe skates over to see if her mistress has any instructions. “Madame?”

Mistress Brigitte simply nods. “I’m only here to observe. Continue.”

Zoe returns to Samantha. “Let’s run the full program.”