"Because you sought to take what you could have simply asked for and been given freely," Samandriel said, aching for those lips again as soon as Carrick withdrew them.
"Thank you, Erastes," he replied, just as softly, arching and hissing as his skin warmed beneath the paddle. The gift of mercy that Carrick was allowing was met with a still responsive slave, one who was willing to take his punishment instead of shutting himself off for it. He might have gone into this with plans for revenge as soon as it was over, plans to dispose of his means to an end via his sister, but he didn't think he could now. Actually getting to know Carrick, spending time with him might not have endeared him completely to the vampire, but it did soften him some to his general presence.