Before Him Comes Me Read Free

holds perfectly still in every position she is placed
in as she is processed for her pending walk down the aisle. As the last button
is secured on her dress, her mother circles around her to get a full visual. Instructed
to get into her presentation position, Zara lowers to her knees, careful to not
catch any portion of her dress. Sitting back on her heels, she rests her hands
in her lap, one crossed over the other. The ladies apply the final layer of
hairspray and insert the last of the hairpins before leaving Zara and her
mother alone in the suite.
    Back on her feet, Zara struggles to regulate her breathing
within the confines of the dress. She gazes into a full-length mirror, alone
with her thoughts. A few hours ago, she woke up in her own bed and now she has been
prepared for a short walk that will change her life forever.
    Her mother steps into the reflection behind her. “You look
lovely, Zara Faith. I am very proud of you today. You have taken everything I
have taught you and made it your own. You are ready for whatever is placed in
front of you.”
    “Thank you, Mother,” Zara replies in a hushed whisper.
    There is a knock at the door as mother and daughter look at each
other one last time. Zara’s gaze returns to her own eyes in the mirror. She
squares her shoulders and takes as deep a shallow breath as she can. Her mother
turns and takes a couple of steps toward the door leading out of the suite.
    “Zara Faith, there is one thing I want you to know before
your ceremony. You may not understand, but I love and cherish your father with
all of my heart. It will be difficult today. The traditions work. Trust in them.”
    Harder knocks at the door end the mother-daughter moment. Zara
reaches the door first, but knows not to open it. Stepping aside, she waits as her
mother opens it and lowers her gaze. Zara’s father stands on the other side
waiting to gather his daughter for the ceremony.
    “It is time!”

Chapter 2 
    The march to the Center Circle is long, each step taking
Zara closer to her unknown future. The weight of the dress presses upon her like
a reminder that her life is not her own and in a very short time, that
ownership will be given to a man who was chosen not just by her father, but by the
council of the Community. Once this man, this stranger, enters the Circle and
places the collar around Zara’s neck, he will become not only her Dom, but her
husband as well.
    One step behind her father, Zara carefully places one foot
in front of the other. She passes children dressed in their very best, always
in training and sitting still under the watchful eyes of her Community. Their
eyes are lowered to the white carpet laid specifically for tonight’s ceremony,
but Zara knows from experience that quick peeks are being sneaked as she
strides by.
    Zara catches a glimpse of Sloane in a pale blue dress sitting
with all of the other single females of the Community. Zara catches her wink
and sees her cross her fingers in a silent signal of solidarity.
    Sloane and Zara had talked about this day for months. With Sloane’s
ceremony only four months after Zara’s, it had been a hot topic. While both were
nervous, Sloane had an air of excitement when she had talked about her
life-changing event while Zara had rued her loss of freedom. Only Sloane knows
Zara would rather be walking down a different path tonight and she would always
keep that secret safe.
    Once inside the center of the ceremonial Circle, Zara’s
father turns and places a kiss on each of her cheeks. He does not see the tears
being held at bay. Years of training allow Zara to maintain her line of vision
straight down to the floor in front of her.
    He gives the command to take her presentation position. Zara
is well-versed in the steps of the Circle Ceremony. Her position as daughter of
a King Council member has required her attendance at all ceremonies since the
age of five.
    Her mother rushes to adjust the gown. There is nothing left
to do but wait