Charm Of Sensuality

Chapter 21

Eden's heart was pounding in her chest as she stood in the front of the gathering crowd. Kane stood without his shirt on, his upper body on full display.

Several men stood on either side of him, ready to hold him down.

Behind him stood a large man holding a hot branding iron. The shape was similar to a peace sign, though there were more lines interwoven within.

Kane looked in her direction before giving her a small smirk, as if being branded was nothing to him. The men all grabbed Kane and bent him forward, holding him in place. In his mouth they placed a thick leather strip.

Eden instinctively took a step forward, everything in her was shouting that this wasn't right. Suddenly strong hands were on her shoulders.

"Don't. This may seem severe to you but this is actually a light punishment. If you interfere anymore than you already have he may get something much worse. Look away if you must but do nothing else." Abril mumbled into her ear quietly, his hold on her gentle but firm.

Eden's heart dropped but she stayed still.

The man let go of her shoulder and walked forward, the crowd parting as he stood before the men. "Begin. 5 marks, all in succession."

Kane closed his eyes, bit down on the leather teeth guard and willed himself to withstand what was coming.

Abril leaned down to whisper to Kane, "No weakness. Not here, not in front of them. Not in front her, especially not in front her right now."

He stood up straight and nodded his head.

Eden's eyes widened as she watched the man behind Kane lift the brand and then plunge it forward, pressing it against Kane's skin.

Eden couldn't move, couldn't blink, couldn't even think. The world seemed to be moving in slow motion as the man grinded the brand iron against Kane's skin. Kane immediately bucked, the muscles of his arms and back contorting as he let out a painfilled hiss that quickly turned into silence. The teeth guard in his mouth was held stiff. And so too was Kane as the iron came down again, then again.

The branding seemed to go on forever and then, just as quickly as it had begun, it was over. The man stepped away, taking the branding iron with him. The men holding Kane let him go and he staggered a bit before standing up straight.

The wound on his back was large, and due to the constant plunging of the iron, the wound wasn't clean. There were marks on every inch of his back. Blood and obvious scarring were visible. Patches of skin was gone and blood dribbled down his back in all directions. Eden felt weak kneed at the sight.

Kane was breathing hard, sweat cascading down every inch of his deep brown skin. A few men returned with wound wrapping. Kane stood still as the men wrapped the wound packaging around his torso and up over his shoulders, covering the entirety of the branding.

Eden moved forward but again she was stopped.

"No, you shall see him when your day is done. As of right now your training is to start." Abril said quietly before handing Eden off.

"Wait!" Eden protested as Kane was escorted away. "No! I need to make sure that he's okay. Please."

Abril shook his head, "You'll see him when your day is done."

She went to protest once more but he stopped her, "He'll be fine, Eden. I can assure you that no more harm will be done to him today. He may be your mate but he has been my brother for far longer."

He looked her in the eyes, "His punishment has been given. There is nothing more that you can do for him right now. Now go, the sooner you begin, the sooner you may see him."