The Golden Tether

Chapter 30: Heart to Heart

As the door clicked shut behind them, the cabin enveloped Freen in a familiar warmth, but the weight of the evening lingered like an unwelcome guest. The soft glow of the lantern cast flickering shadows on the wooden walls, illuminating the small space that felt both like a sanctuary and a battleground. Freen set her belongings down with a heavy sigh, her fingers lingering on the fabric of Becky’s shirt, a reminder of their shared closeness.

Becky entered behind her, pausing as she took in the tension radiating from Freen. “Hey, lighten up a bit,” she said, attempting a playful tone as she tossed her damp towel onto a chair. The salty air from outside lingered in the cabin, a reminder of the ocean's embrace.

Freen turned, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “You scared us all, you know. A little gratitude wouldn’t hurt, Becky.”

The flicker of the lantern danced in Becky’s eyes, and for a moment, she seemed caught between her usual defiance and a hint of guilt. “I didn’t ask for a babysitter. I’m not made of glass, Freen.”

“Maybe not, but your actions have consequences, and they affect us both. Can’t you see that?” Freen’s voice was edged with frustration, echoing off the cabin walls.

A silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken words. Becky’s gaze dropped to the floor, and she rubbed the back of her neck, her defensiveness faltering. “Fine, maybe I was a little too flippant. But I’m just trying to figure out how to be me in all of this. It’s hard when everything’s changing.”

Freen stepped closer, her presence commanding. “You need to remember that this isn’t just about you. It’s about us. Do you even realize how it feels to watch you brush me off when Friend is around? It makes me question everything we have.”

Becky’s expression shifted, her brows furrowing. “What do you mean? I don’t get it.”

“You need to stand up for me, for us, when Friend tries to rile me up. It’s like you don’t care how it makes me feel. I’m over here risking everything to be with you, and I need to know you’re on my side, too.”

“Look, Freen,” Becky said, frustration bubbling beneath her calm facade. “I don’t want to cause a scene. Friend thrives on that chaos. I thought if I kept it light, I could diffuse the tension.”

“It’s not about causing chaos; it’s about showing me that you care. You’ve willingly submitted to me, and that means honoring our bond in front of others. You say you love me, but I need to see it. I need to hear you say it when you’re with others. You can’t let Friend undermine our relationship like that.”

Becky’s face fell, the weight of Freen’s words settling heavily between them. “I… I didn’t realize that’s how it came across. I thought I was being supportive by not escalating things. I didn’t want to make you feel worse.”

“That’s the point, though. It feels worse when I feel dismissed. I thought we were a team, Becky. I’m trying to let my guard down, but it’s hard when you act like my feelings don’t matter.”

Becky took a deep breath, her defiance waning as Freen’s intensity washed over her. “I swear I care, Freen. I’m just terrified of losing you, and I thought keeping things easy would help. But maybe that’s just me being scared.”

The air between them crackled with tension, and Freen felt a lump in her throat as she searched Becky’s face for understanding. “When you laughed along with her, it felt like you were siding with her. It makes me feel small, like you don’t value what we have. You need to remember that I am your mistress, and with that comes a responsibility to uphold the bond we’ve chosen.”

“I’m sorry,” Becky whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t think about how my actions could affect you as my mistress. I’ve always struggled with how to balance my independence with my submission. I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful for what you’ve done for me.”