The night air was cool as Nyx and Raphael walked side by side.
It had been weeks since she first stepped into his home weeks of slow healing, of unlearning pain and relearning trust.
Tonight was another step forward.
But before they left, Raphael had one more lesson to teach her.
The Lesson of Limits
The living room was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles casting flickering shadows against the walls.
Nyx sat on the couch, her hands resting on her lap, waiting for Raphael to speak.
"You know what a safe word is, little one?" he asked, his voice calm yet firm.
Nyx hesitated before nodding. "Yes… it's a word used to stop everything."
"Correct," Raphael said, leaning forward slightly. "But a safe word isn't just for when things go too far. It's a tool to ensure you are always in control of your limits."
Nyx swallowed, memories of Severin creeping in.
She had been given no such choice before.
No way to say no.
Raphael must have sensed her tension because he continued, his tone gentler now. "In this house, and in any scene we ever share, your voice matters. If you say 'red,' everything stops. If you say 'yellow,' we slow down and assess. If you say 'green,' we continue."
Nyx nodded slowly. "Red. Yellow. Green."
"Good girl."
The praise sent an unexpected warmth through her.
"But what if…" she trailed off, unsure how to phrase the thought.
"What if you're too overwhelmed to speak?" Raphael guessed.
She nodded.
"Then we use nonverbal cues," he explained. "A double tap on my arm, three snaps of your fingers something clear and understood between us. You are never without a voice, Nyx. Ever."
The weight of his words settled deep within her, soothing the old wounds carved by Severin's cruelty.
She had a voice. And Raphael would listen.
Velvet Chains – A New World
Hours later, they arrived at Velvet Chains Oscar's club.
The exterior was sleek and modern, the entrance guarded by two bouncers who gave Raphael a respectful nod. Nyx hesitated at the doorway, nerves clawing at her insides.
Raphael rested a hand on the small of her back. "Breathe, little one."
She exhaled slowly and stepped inside.
The club was elegant rich, deep red lighting accented with gold. Couples and individuals moved gracefully through the space, some engaged in conversation, others in scenes.
The air hummed with a sense of control and consent, vastly different from what she had known before.
"Raphael." A deep, amused voice cut through the noise.
Oscar.
He was lounging near the bar, dressed in a dark button-up, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms.
His sharp eyes assessed Nyx before a slow grin spread across his face.
"And this must be the little one you've been so protective over."
Nyx tensed slightly, but Raphael's hand remained on her back solid, grounding.
"We've met," Nyx said, surprising herself with how steady her voice was.
Oscar's grin widened. "That you have. Glad to see you're still breathing, sweetheart."
Before Nyx could respond, a familiar presence joined them.
"About time you brought her here," Isabella teased, walking up with her usual confident stride.
Her warm brown eyes settled on Nyx, this time filled with familiarity rather than curiosity. "Took you long enough."
Nyx relaxed at the sight of her. Their last meeting had been brief, but Isabella had been nothing but kind to her.
"She needed time," Raphael said simply.
Isabella smiled knowingly before nodding toward the bar. "Come on, sweetheart. I'll show you where you'll be working tonight."
Introductions & Acceptance
As Nyx settled into her temporary role behind the bar, Raphael guided her through introductions.
She met Daniel, a soft-spoken submissive who preferred impact play but only under strict conditions.
Then there was Eve, a switch who thrived on both control and surrender.
Lastly, she was introduced to Malcolm, a seasoned Dom who, despite his imposing presence, had a kind smile and a protective air about him.
Each person was welcoming, respectful, understanding.
Not once did Nyx feel pressured, nor did she feel like an outsider.
For the first time in a long time, she realized
This world wasn't about pain.
It wasn't about cruelty.
It was about choice.
And she had one.