Chapter 1

Mia shivered as a gust of wintery air washed over her, ruffling her nightgown. The flagstones were cold against her bare feet. She stood, as instructed, in the bare stone corridor that led to the palace dungeons.

She heard the heavy wooden door that had admitted the cold wind slam shut. At the end of the corridor, the Beastkin servant that kept the dungeon records looked up from her ledger and gave Mia a sympathetic glance. Approaching footsteps echoed and the girl returned to her work.

Mia turned her head to watch the stairs, though she knew who was approaching. It was well known, and a source of some scandal, that princess Liana disciplined her servants personally. Sure enough the princess came into view, stepping down the stairs with her usual leisurely pace. She was flanked, as always, by her bodyguard Anya and her beastkin attendant Lucy. Princess Liana was not tall, and her frame was slight, but there was an imposing manner to her that could cow even the hulking menfolk of her mother’s icy homeland. Mia’s heart fluttered, as it always did, at the sight of the pale, beautiful, princess with her striking red hair.

The trio appraoched Mia and stopped. Silence followed. Mia felt her heart beating fast as Liana turned and slowly looked her up and down, a slight smile on her perfect face.

Mia had loved Liana from the first time she had seen her. The princess was ever the source of gossip among the place staff. It was whispered that she had no eyes for the many princes and lords who coveted her hand, and Liana for her part was happy enough to confirm the rumors, laughing at the scandalised talk. Other whispers spoke of the enjoyment she took from punishing her servants, though it was also said that she was a fair, even a kind, mistress. Certainly she was never so cruel as the palace overseer. For many the most damning of the rumors was her fair treatment of the subservient and oft despised beastkin. The gossip was as sweet music to Mia, even the parts that her fellow servants thought sinister. She was glad to hear that one so powerful could share her fondness for her own gender, and the thought of punishment at the lithe princess’ hands touched upon her deepest fantasies. She had been assigned to Lianas staff a few months ago, cleaning her chambers and washing her clothes.

Since then she had often asked her fellow maids about the rumors, and heard accounts of Lianas discipline. Mia was a diligent and well behaved servant, never requiring correction, but the tales of her less perfect fellows entered her dreams. She thought longingly of Liana, thought of bending down to receive punishment at her hands.

It had taken weeks to build up the courage to knock the vase to the floor. She might never have found that courage had she not heard the princess remark on the ugliness of the thing and lament that her father would be offended to see it, a gift from a powerful ally, removed. She had admitted her apparent careless mistake to Liana’s attendant Lucy. It was the same Lucy who broke the moment of silence in the cold stone corridor.

“This is Mia M’lady.”

Mia, lost for a moment in recollections, started at the sound of the attendant voice. Liana chuckled, and then assumed a serious expression as she spoke. “That vase was worth more than you will earn in several years.” The princess’s tone was severe, but there seemed to be no real anger in it as she continued. “I cannot have my maids destroying such treasures and so you will be taught a lesson.”

Mia did her best to look ashamed as Liana scolded her. “It was a hideous vase, but my father valued it. You should count yourself lucky I am dealing with this Mia, the king would have you flogged and branded as a common vandal for such a thing were he to hear you went unpunished.” The princess paused, and looked Mia over once again “It would be a shame to see scars on such a pretty one as you.”

Mia had begun to shake as the reality of the risk she had taken sunk in, it was true that the king was wrothful, and there was nothing appealing in the ministrations of the overseers whip and iron. Lianas last comment cleared these thoughts from her head though, replacing them with a fuzzy warmth at the compliment. She had to stop herself from grinning.

The bodyguard, Anya, ordered Mia to follow, and she was led down the corridor, past the servant girl at her desk. After descending another flight of smooth stone stairs they stopped. The attendant, Lucy, stepped up to the wall where she pressed upon a small stone. With a shimmer of magic a section of wall transformed into a door of iron, engraved with runes. Liana stepped forward and opened the door. Mia was momentarily too amazed to move for magic was no common sight, even in the palace. The other maids had not told her about this miraculous door. Lucy guided her through with a firm hand. Beyond was darkness, it seemed the light did not pass through the opening. Behind her, Mia heard the door close, then someone clicked their fingers and light filled the chamber.

Mia gasped. The room was of the same bare stone as the corridor, but around the walls were engraved runes. Chains ending in shackles hung from each wall, and from a bar that crossed the ceiling. In the centre of the room was a wooden table, with leather cuffs mounted upon it.

“You are impressed by my new room?” asked Liana “It was once used to imprison mages, but it was forgotten. Lucy sniffed it out and I had it refitted.” Mia turned to look at the princess, who stood next to a rack on the wall behind her, from which hung an array of leather straps, wooden paddles, canes and other things Mia could not name. “Well, are you impressed?”

Mia struggled for an answer, she was impressed. She felt like her fantasies had come to life, and faced with the reality she was dumbstruck, terrified that she would not react as a maid awaiting punishment should. After a moment of head spinning confusion she managed to mumble breathlessly “Yes ma’am”. A curious look crossed Lianas face, and Mia was afraid she had caught on that she was not properly intimidated by the prospect of her punishment, but Liana assumed her serious expression once again.

“What you broke was of great value, and were I not merciful you would be screaming under the overseers lash. Though you will spared that, I will see that you are properly punished. Now, remove your gown.” Mia felt her cheeks burn as the Princess ordered her to undress. He heart pounded as she reached down, gripped her nightgown and lifted it off over her head. She stood now in her cotton undergarments, suddenly awkward and unsure what to do with the gown. Lucy stepped forward and took it from her. Liana gave Mia another long look then reached up, unclasped her cloak and handed it to Lucy, who had placed the gown on top of a small cupboard and now stood beside her mistress. The bodyguard Anya had remained outside. Beneath the cloak Liana wore a fine white button up blouse. She reached up and undid the top button. Mia, head spinning at the sight, wondered if she might faint and her cheeks burned with new heat. Seeing her blush, Liana gave Mia another curious glance.

“Turn around and bend over the table” Ordered the princess with, Mia thought, a hint of amusement in her voice. Mia complied, tearing her eyes reluctantly away from the sight of Liana, who was now undoing the buttons at her cuffs. As she stepped towards the table, heart pounding, Lucy approached. The attendant placed a warm, but firm, hand on Mia’s back and pushed her down so her breasts pressed against the wood, cool through her cotton bra. “Place your arms out in front of you” Instructed the feline girl. Mia did as she was told and Lucy, gently pulling one arm then the other into position, placed a leather cuff around each of her wrists. She then adjusted the straps so that Mia’s arms where held in place, extended infront of her. Lucy stepped back then, and walked around out of Mia’s now limited field of view. “Spread your legs apart” ordered the attendant. Mia blushed anew as she complied. Once again she felt Lucy’s warm hand, now upon her calf, gently guiding her leg into the desired position, where she secured it with a leather cuff at the ankle, the other leg followed. There was a long silence. Mia thought that her breathing must be very loud, and her heart still pounded in her chest. She couldn’t quite believe that she was really here. She knew she should be afraid, and perhaps she was a little, but mostly she felt a giddy anticipation. This was a fantasy come to life. Though she was diligent in her work, she had been disciplined in the past, and even then, at the hands of masters for whom she had no fondness she had found pleasure in the experience. She felt a warmth between her legs as she lay there, chest against the cold wood in that chilly stone chamber.

Liana broke the silence. “Tell me why you are to be punished Mia.” As Liana spoke she paced around into Mia’s view. She had rolled up the sleeves of her blouse, and the top two buttons we now undone, revealing the smooth skin of her chest. She had also let down her hair, which now flowed over her shoulders, deep red against the white blouse. Mia gazed up at her. “Tell me why you are to be punished” repeated the princess, assuming a serious expression once more.

“Because I broke your vase.” Mia replied.

“Yes” answered Liana “You were clumsy and broke the vase. Do you know how you will be punished Mia?”. Mia had a very clear idea, but, wanting to seem apprehensive she answered “No Ma’am.”

Liana laughed. “I think you must have some idea Mia, take a guess.”

“I will be spanked” Mia replied, cheeks burning at her use of the word, which seemed childish as she spoke it.

“Yes you will Mia, you are correct.” Liana took a step forward and crouched down so her eyes were level with Mia’s. “First I will spank you with my hand, and then we shall move on to some implements. As I told you the vase was very valuable, and my father will be angry at its loss. Your punishment will be painful, but be glad you shall keep the skin of your back, my father would not be so merciful.” As the princess spoke Mia tried very hard to play the part of the frightened maid, and she did feel some fear at the reference to the flogging she might have received. Liana stood once more and paced around out of Mia’s view. After a moment Mia felt her rest her hand on the small of her back and she shuddered under the warm touch.

“Are you ready for your punishment Mia?” Asked Liana, in a soft voice. Her hand gently rubbing the girls back.

Mia paused for a moment, heart beating like a drum, enjoying the touch she had so often dreamed of. “Yes Ma’am” She replied.

The first slap was not hard, but the Mia jumped with surprise and let out a gasp. The second was firmer, finding the other cheek of Mia’s raised bottom. She wanted to moan as the sting dissipated into warmth, but she held back, afraid to show her pleasure. Another slap followed, sharp sting then warmth. The fourth was harder and began a rhythm of slaps, one cheek then the other. The sound of the blows rang in Mia’s ears as she wriggled under them. The sting of each blow adding to the growing heat in her rear. She fought to stay silent biting back moans of pleasure and cries of pain alike.

The rhythm broke and Mia felt herself flop against the table. A sudden slap, harder than before caught her by surprise and broke her silence, her gasp seemed very loud to her. Then the rhythm began once more, and once again she wriggled under the blows. The pain was sharper now, and the warmth growing into a delightful burn. It was hard to be silent, but she fought back her gasps. The rhythm continued. Mia thought that she would soon lose her control, allow herself to cry out at as the pain of the slaps and the lingering heat increased, but then the rhythm broke once again and she flopped against the table. She denied herself the contented smile that would have spread across her face. Her breathing was heavy as she lay there, and warmth between her legs joined the pleasurable burning in her bottom.

“You are very stoic Mia.” Lianas voice was slightly breathless. “We will have to remove these undergarments.”

Mia’s mind suddenly raced. Liana liked women, was a woman, she would recognise Mia’s arousal. This thought, and the thought that beautiful Liana was about to remove her undergarments brought the blush back to her cheeks. She felt delicate fingers undo the knot on one side of her cotton pants. She felt the thin cloth fall away from her and blushed all the harder at her exposure. The second knot was undone and Leah heard Lucy’s footsteps as she came forward and took the cotton garment from her mistress. Liana laughed gently, then Mia felt her warm hand once more, this time gently running over her behind. Liana stroked Mia, bringing her hand up from the top of her thigh to the small of her back.

Forgetting for a moment her silence, Mia let out a moan. Liana laughed gently once again, as did Lucy, and Mia blushed once more, the heat in her face matching that in her rear. Liana stroked the other cheek and then removed her hand.

“Perhaps now we will have some noise out of you.” Remarked Liana in an amused tone, then she continued, voice adopting a serious edge. “Are you ready for your punishment to continue Mia? It will be harsher now.”

Mia tried to resume her scared maid act as she replied “Yes Ma’am.”

The next slap was harder, and without the protection of the cotton undergarment the pain was sharp against her burning skin. It sent a thrill of pleasure through Mia, but determined not to slip up again she kept quiet. Another slap, stinging and loud as Lianas hand struck her skin. Mia stay quiet. Her determination lasted for five more ringing slaps before the sting of the sixth brought a little involuntary yelp from her. The rhythm of blows continued and Mia could no longer contain herself. She gasped and cried out softly as she squirmed under the slaps. Each brought a sharp, thrilling, pain and added to the fiery burning.