Iris woke mid-morning with a dull headache. She pushed herself upright and rubbed at her eyes before checking her phone.

  Ten-thirty.

  She was honestly surprised Lilith had let her sleep in so late. A wave of nausea rolled through her, forcing her back against the mattress. She took a slow breath, willing the hangover away. She couldn’t face Lilith like this. Let alone the party later tonight.

  After a moment, the nausea passed, and she managed to sit up again. Her gaze drifted to the nightstand and stopped.

  A glass of water. Two aspirin.

  She didn’t hesitate to swallow the pills and polished off the glass of water. As she set the glass aside, she noticed a folded note was tucked beneath it. Iris sighed before picking it up.

  Iris,

  Get dressed and come join me for breakfast.

  I’ve left something for your headache

  -- Lilith

  P.S. Try not to sleep in your dresses in the future.

  Iris glanced down.

  She was wearing a nightshirt.

  Someone had changed her while she was sleeping. Her cheeks flushed. It was obvious who that someone was. She shivered at the thought of Lilith eying her body. With a sharp exhale, she crumpled the note and tossed it into the trash.

  She rubbed her eyes, stalling, thinking up excuses not to go to breakfast. As if on cue, the bruise on her stomach pulsed dully, a quiet reminder of what avoiding Lilith had earned her.

  Iris threw the blanket aside and forced herself out of bed before making her way to the bathroom.

  She splashed cold water over her face, welcoming the cold sting on her tired skin.

  The water shocked her eyes open, but it wasn’t enough to drive away the hangover. She should have known better than to drink so much, but it was the only thing that kept her nerves at bay during dinner.

  She dried her face with a hand towel and went to get dressed. Her clothes for the day were laid out on the dresser, as usual. She pulled them on and made her way to the dining room.

  If she was lucky, Lilith would have already eaten and be gone. It was late for breakfast after all.

  Iris had no such luck.

  Lilith sat at the head of the dining table, coffee in one hand, a stack of papers in the other. She didn’t look up as the door shut behind Iris, finishing the page she was reading before finally lifting her gaze and smiling.

  “Good morning,” she said lightly. “I was beginning to think you’d sleep the day away.”

  She set the papers down and looked Iris over. “You should have some coffee.”

  Iris sank into the chair beside her, rubbing her temples. “Please.” She mumbled.

  Lilith rang a bell.

  Within seconds, a maid appeared with a hot pot of coffee, filling both of their mugs before retreating just as quietly. Iris pulled her cup closer to herself, letting the warmth seep into her hands. She closed her eyes and took a big drink, aware of Lilith’s gaze on her all the while.

  “I don’t want you hiding in your room all day,” Lilith said.

  A maid entered with a plate of food, distracting Iris from what Lilith was saying. She looked over the meal. A generous stack of bacon, two eggs, and toast. Just greasy and heavy enough to help cure her hangover. She began eating a piece of bacon.

  Lilith watched her for a moment, the faintest curve to her mouth, before returning her attention to the papers.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “That being said,” she continued calmly. “I have some work to finish, and I’m aware that you have some homework.”

  She lifted the papers and flipped through them. “You’ll do it in my office until lunch. Afterward, we’ll prepare for the evening.”

  Lilith glanced at her once more. “I expect you to be on your best behavior tonight.”

  Iris nodded, mouth still full. The food was helping the hangover, but Lilith’s words made her anxiety spike. She wasn’t ready to be presented as a pet in a room full of strangers.

  Lilith noticed the tension.

  “When we’re at the party,” she said evenly, “you’ll address me as mistress Lilith.”

  She didn’t look up from the papers. “At home, I’m indulgent, lenient even. In public, among my peers, I expect respect.”

  Lilith’s gaze flicked to Iris, sharp despite the calm in her voice. “I am well regarded among the courts. Don’t give anyone a reason to question that.”

  The courts.

  Iris chewed her food thoughtfully. She wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. None of her books had ever talked about gods being divided into courts. She wanted to ask but didn’t know if it was smart to get herself more involved in Lilith’s world.

  Instead, she swallowed and nodded.

  Lilith studied her for a long moment. Iris has not proven herself to be obedient. She had ignored orders. Avoided her. Taking her to this party could be risky.

  But the thought of presenting Iris as her pet was...tempting. Who else could say they’ve captured a witch?

  “Promise me you’ll behave.” She said at last.

  Iris hesitated, fork hovering over her eggs before she dropped it on her plate. Her appetite was gone, and nausea was creeping back in.

  “I will.” She murmured, eyes fixed on her coffee. She wanted this conversation to end.

  Lilith wasn’t happy with just that.

  “You’ll stay near me throughout the evening.” She said, setting the papers aside. “You won’t speak or act without my permission. Do you understand?”

  Iris’s fingers curled around her mug. “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?” Lilith pushed.

  Silence followed.

  Iris stared into the dark surface of her coffee, jaw clenched. She knew how Lilith wanted her to reply, but the words were stubbornly lodged in her throat.

  “Yes…” she began, sharper this time.

  “Iris.”

  Lilith’s voice was cold. A warning.

  Iris exhaled slowly

  “Yes,” She said at last, barely above a whisper. “Mistress Lilith.”

  The words tasted bitter.

  Lilith tapped the table once. The answer didn’t quite satisfy her.

  “We’ll practice today.” She said after a moment, as if settling the matter.

  She stood. “If you’re done eating, we’ll go to my office.”

  It wasn’t a question.

  Iris pushed away from the table as Lilith turned toward the door. She followed a few paces behind. The only thought echoing through her mind was that today was going to be a long one.

  And it was.

  The morning passed, mostly in silence as Iris studied and Lilith worked. Iris sat on the opposite side of the desk, though the distance felt meaningless. Lilith’s presence pressed heavily on her shoulders, her attention drifting to Iris again and again. When she asked a question, she stared expectantly.

  “Yes, Mistress Lilith.” That was the answer she expected.

  When Iris slipped, hesitated, answered too casually, forgot the title, she was corrected.

  Quietly. Efficiently. Painfully.

  The punishments were calculated. Bruises left where they wouldn’t be soon. It was enough to remind Iris who was in charge. Enough to ensure she didn’t forget again.

  By the time lunch rolled around, Iris’s body ached for reasons that had nothing to do with the hangover.

  With lunch came more lessons. Sit up straight. Elbows off the table. No speaking with a mouth full of food. Lilith had no intention of being embarrassed by poor manners.

  Afterward, preparations for the evening began.

  The dress Lilith chose was too tight, pressing uncomfortably against Iris’s bruises. Another aching reminder to obey. The heels were narrow, tall, and almost impossible to walk in. Her hair took hours. Lilith curled and pinned it until Iris’s scalp throbbed, adjusting each strand into the perfect position

  By the time Lilith stepped back, Iris didn’t recognize the girl in the mirror.

  She looked like a doll meant to be put on display. Elegant.

  Lilith’s reflection appeared behind her. “Beautiful.” She said, admiring her work.

  The word didn’t comfort Iris or spark any joy. Instead, she felt cold.

  Moments later, they were walking out the front door. Iris’s arm was hooked through Lilith’s. The close contact was unwelcome, but she knew better than to pull away. If she let go, she’d fall on her face in seconds.

  A long black Limo waited at the curb.

  Iris’s pace slowed as the driver opened the door without speaking. He bowed slightly, and the gesture Iris feel like royalty.

  Inside the seats were soft leather. The air smelled faintly sweet, and the windows were tinted enough to block out the outside world. Iris lowered herself into the seat, breath catching. Her eyes drifted to an iced bottle of champagne and the crystal glasses beside it.

  She had never been in a limo before. Never even dreamed of it.

  The luxury was dizzying. Exciting even. Her fingers brushed over the smooth upholstery as she settled into the soft seat.

  The feeling died almost immediately.

  Lilith sat beside her, close enough that her knee pressed firmly against Iris’s. The door shut with a quiet click. Sealing them inside. The limo didn’t feel luxurious anymore.

  It felt like a cage.

  Iris folded her hands in her lap and stared down at them, wishing that Lilith would have chosen anywhere else to sit but right next to her. The Limo was big enough for more distance.

  “Don’t forget to stay where I can see you, Iris,” Lilith said softly. “I can’t protect you if you wander off.”

  Iris glanced at Lilith in time to catch a flicker of something.

  Concern.

  This wasn’t a warning, nor was it a command.

  Iris blinked, and it was gone.

  A smirk curved Lilith’s mouth. “Don’t worry,” she added lightly. “There aren’t many who would dare cross me.”

  The words almost sounded confident. But the way she said them—too quickly—made Iris’s stomach twist.

  It sounded less like a promise and more like something Lilith needed to believe herself