A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Chapter 152: Chapter 152 - Erik's love*

Before Erik could answer, Emma quickly continued, now a little more embarrassed, "J- Just for tonight, though. I don't want to walk around with this thing all day…" Having given the disclaimer, her confidence came back, as she looked up at Erik with unwavering eyes.

Despite the disclaimer, Erik understood this was symbolic of something more. He felt like this was something akin to a second marriage ceremony, where Emma was not only binding herself to him in marriage like before but also determining the theme of their relationship for the rest of their lives.

He looked down at Emma and realized how far she had come since that dark little room in London. She may be kneeling, but the confidence, surety, and happiness in her eyes were a far cry from the tear-stained girl who had all but given up on life that he encountered back then.

Thinking about her progress, he realized something. If Emma could show this much commitment to him, surely he should be able to give at least a little in return?

He knew he cared deeply for Emma, and it had nothing to do with her willingness to serve him. No, it was her bright spirit in the face of all she had suffered, and her willingness to act on what made her happy, no matter what anyone else might think.

So why couldn't he commit to her fully?

He searched his mind when suddenly, a certain fairy sounded in his head. "It's because you still have some kind of hangup about loving more than one woman. Even now, some of the old, more romantically inclined Erik is still clinging to the remnants of who you used to be."

This wasn't information that Elora had known all along, she only just realized when Erik was searching his mind. "So stop being an idiot," she continued, with a teasing grin. "You have my permission to love her, so just kick old Erik to the curb, and accept who you are now. A man who loves three women. Yes, I'm counting Astrid."

'And there'll be far more to come if I have anything to say about it,' Elora chuckled to herself. A possessive glint passed through her eyes, 'But you'll always love me the most.'

And with those words, a dam broke through in Erik's mind, and realization flooded through him. He blinked, and thought, 'Did I really feel this way before?'

Feeling Erik's emotions through their link, Emma suddenly widened her eyes and trembled, 'I- Is that…' she thought, not daring to believe it.

Under Emma's quivering gaze, Erik went on one knee, gently grasped her chin, and looked into her eyes. "Before you start associating the wrong things here," he began, with a teasing grin, "It's not because of your willingness to serve me, although I do enjoy that part."

He sighed, before continuing with a warm smile, "The feelings were always there, I guess I just…" he trailed off as he glanced backward at Elora, doing a thumbs up with a teasing smile, before turning back to Emma with a chuckle. "It seems I still had a little hang-up about loving more than one woman."

With wet eyes, a bright, silly smile on her face, and the hands holding up the leash trembling, Emma stammered, "R- Really?"

As a response, Erik leaned in and softly kissed Emma's lips. When he pulled back, he whispered, "I love you, Emma."

Tears appeared in Emma's eyes and began to fall down, even as she continued to keep her position. "I- I love you too, Master," she stammered, the happiness practically dripping from her face.

They looked into each other's eyes for another moment, before a perverted glint passed through Emma's eyes, and, grinning, she held up the leash again. "So… will you leash me?"

Erik chuckled but then frowned, as another realization came to him. "Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, with a raised eyebrow. "I'm not doubting your desires or your conviction, but with the collar and leash, this comes awfully close to the way I found you in London."

Despite Erik bringing up her past trauma, Emma kept smiling and shook her head. "That was forced upon me," she began. "But this time, I am willingly offering myself, and everything I am, or ever will be. The two things aren't even comparable to me."

She chuckled softly, "Though I will admit that, before yesterday, I likely would have had more trouble with this." She shot a grateful look towards Elora before she continued, "But Elora's test actually helped me work through some of that."

She turned back to Erik with a bright, confident smile, "This is what I want, Master." She grabbed Erik's hand, brought it up to her face, and nuzzled herself into it. "Just with your presence, you always make me feel so good. Better than I ever thought possible."

Then, she lifted her face again and looked at his hand for a moment, unknown thoughts filling her mind.

Erik just let her be, surrendering his hand to her, and wondering what she wanted to do with it.

"I- I want to be yours, Master." Slowly, gently, Emma put his hand around her neck, just above the collar as her gaze melted into Erik's. "I only want to belong to you. Yours is the only collar I ever want to wear."

She pressed Erik's hand a little firmer around her neck, and Erik felt the calm beating of her heart. She had no doubts in this moment. Her gesture was a symbol of her trust and the knowledge Erik would never hurt her, even if she made herself completely vulnerable.

Lightly, Erik tightened his grip a little, and Emma gasped. But instead of fear or panic, her gaze only showed absolute trust, as a slightly silly smile appeared on her face. "We're already bonded, but I want you to have my everything," she squeezed out. "Will you accept me?"

Erik chuckled inwardly. What could he say at this point?

So he released her neck, grabbed the leash, and stared into Emma's eyes with equal parts possessiveness, love, protectiveness, and desire. "Alright, Emma." He said as he hooked the metal ring on the leash around the similar ring protruding from the collar around her neck. "From today forward, you are mine. Body and soul. Forever."

Hearing his words, combined with the soft click of the rings sliding around each other, caused Emma to shiver with lust and happiness. "I would love nothing more, Master," she grinned, happily.

From now on, a collar would no longer remind her of the last seven years in London, but of her willing submission to Erik. Instead of fear towards Emily, she would feel love, and devotion towards her Master, the one who saved both her and her sister from that life.