The first thing I registered was the cold metal against my wrist. Not unusual—I had worn these restraints before, many times. But the weight was different. Heavier. Connected to something.
I lifted my arm and heard the chain drag across the silk sheets. The sound was soft but distinctive. Metal links sliding over fabric.
"Eri."
Iori's voice came from beside me. I turned my head and saw her sitting up in bed, her purple eyes fixed on the chain that ran from my left wrist to her right. The morning light filtered through the curtains, catching the steel with a dull gleam.
"He connected us," I said.
Iori lifted her arm. The chain pulled taut between us, and I felt the tug at my wrist. She studied it with that calm, contemplative expression she always wore when processing something unpleasant. Her black-purple hair fell across her shoulders, slightly disheveled from sleep.
"About two meters," she said. "Maybe less."
I sat up and tested the length. She was right. Short enough that we couldn't separate by much. Close enough that every movement would be a negotiation.
"That bastard," I said, but there was no real heat in it. If anything, I felt a small thrill running through my chest. The anticipation of what this day would bring.
Iori swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. The chain pulled at my wrist again, and I had no choice but to follow. We stood together, side by side, connected by steel.
"He wants us to learn coordination," Iori said.
"He wants to watch us struggle," I corrected.
A small smile touched her lips. "Both, I think."
We moved toward the bathroom. The first few steps were awkward. I stepped forward, and the chain snapped taut, jerking Iori's arm. She stumbled, caught herself, and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry," I said.
"We need to synchronize."
Easier said than done. We stood there for a moment, adjusting our positions. Iori counted softly under her breath—one, two, three—and we stepped together. The chain hung loose between us, swinging gently with our movement.
It worked for three steps. Then I paused to look at something, and Iori kept walking, and the chain bit into my wrist.
"Ow."
"Pay attention," she said, but her voice was gentle.
By the time we reached the bathroom, we had developed a rhythm. Step together. Pause together. Turn together. It felt like a dance we hadn't rehearsed, but Iori was a natural leader. She moved with grace, and I followed her cues.
The bathroom was spacious, with marble floors and a large mirror that reflected the two of us standing shoulder to shoulder. I looked at our reflection. Two beautiful women, linked by a chain. My pink hair was wild, tangled from sleep. Iori's purple-black locks were somehow still elegant.
"I look a mess," I said.
"You look like you had a good night."
I laughed. "That's one way to put it."
We managed to brush our teeth and wash our faces with minimal difficulty. The chain made everything take twice as long. Every movement required communication. When I reached for the towel, I had to warn Iori so she could shift her arm to give me slack.
By the time we finished, I was already feeling the frustration setting in. But beneath that frustration was something else. Something warm and eager.
This was what I had come here for. This surrender of control. This dependence on another person for even the smallest tasks.
"Ready?" Iori asked.
"Ready."
We walked out of the bedroom together, our steps synchronized. The hallway stretched before us, leading to the dining room where I knew Lord Double Moon would be waiting.
"He's going to enjoy this," I said.
"He enjoys everything," Iori replied. "That's the problem."
"He has good taste."
She glanced at me. "You're defending him?"
"I'm stating a fact. He has excellent taste. Look at who he chose."
That earned me a genuine laugh from Iori. It was a rare sound, soft and musical. She didn't laugh often, but when she did, it lit up her entire face.
"You're impossible," she said.
"I know. That's why he loves me."
We reached the dining room. The door was open, and I could see Lord Double Moon sitting at the head of the table, a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked up as we entered, and his eyes lit up with that familiar spark of amusement.
"Good morning, my lovely ladies."
He was wearing a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, looking effortlessly handsome. His smile was warm, but I knew what lay beneath it. The sadist's joy. The handler's satisfaction.
"Good morning," I said.
Iori bowed her head slightly. "Good morning, my lord."
He gestured to the chairs. "Sit. Breakfast is ready."
I looked at the table. Two chairs, placed side by side. Close together. Too close. Iori and I exchanged a glance, then moved toward the seats.
We sat down together, but the chain made it awkward. I had to slide my chair in at the same time as Iori, and when we both reached for our napkins, our hands tangled together.
Lord Double Moon watched us with undisguised pleasure.
"Comfortable?" he asked.
"Very," I said through gritted teeth.
He chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. "I thought you might enjoy a little... togetherness today. You two are so close, after all. Why not make it literal?"
Iori picked up her fork with her left hand—her right was linked to me—and began eating her eggs with practiced elegance. I followed her example, but my movements were less graceful. The chain restricted my range, and I had to lean closer to the table to reach my plate.
"Close your mouth when you chew, Eri," Lord Double Moon said.
"I wasn't—"
"You were about to."
I shut my mouth and focused on eating. Iori's presence at my side was constant, a warm pressure against my arm. Every time I moved, I felt her respond. Every time she shifted, I adjusted.
It was maddening. And exhilarating.
Halfway through breakfast, Lord Double Moon stood up and walked around the table. He stopped behind us, and I felt his hands on our shoulders. He pressed down gently, pushing us closer together until our arms were touching from shoulder to elbow.
"Middle of the table," he said. "Eat from the middle."
Iori and I both reached for the plate of toast at the same time. The chain tightened, and I felt the metal bite into my wrist. Iori's hand brushed against mine as we both grabbed for the same slice.
"Careful," Lord Double Moon said. "No fighting."
"We're not fighting," I said.
"Your wrists might disagree."
I looked down. The chain had pulled taut, and my skin was red where the metal had pressed against it. I loosened my grip, and Iori did the same. The chain slackened.
"Better," he said. "Now, feed each other."
I stared at him. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Iori, take a piece of toast. Feed it to Eri."
Iori's cheeks flushed pink, but she didn't argue. She picked up a slice of toast, broke off a piece, and held it up to my lips. Her fingers were trembling slightly.
I opened my mouth and let her place the bread on my tongue. Her fingers brushed against my lower lip, and I shivered.
"Good," Lord Double Moon said. "Now you, Eri. Feed Iori."
I took a piece of toast and held it out to Iori. She leaned forward, her lips parting. I saw her eyes flutter closed as she accepted the food, and I felt a strange tenderness wash over me.
When the piece was gone, she opened her eyes and looked at me. Her face was still pink, but there was a softness in her gaze that hadn't been there before.
Lord Double Moon returned to his seat. "That's much better. See? Cooperation."
"You're a terrible person," I said.
"I know." He smiled. "Now finish your breakfast. We have a busy day ahead."
After breakfast, he led us through the factory. The chain clinked with every step, and I could feel the eyes of the female livestock on us as we passed.
They were in the main training hall, going through their morning routines. Some were on leashes, being led by handlers. Others were suspended from the ceiling in complex rope harnesses. The sound of moans and whimpers filled the air.
Lord Double Moon walked ahead of us, hands clasped behind his back. He moved with the confidence of a man who owned everything he surveyed. Which, I suppose, he did.
Iori and I followed, our steps synchronized. The chain between us was a constant reminder of our connection.
"Good morning, my lord," one of the handlers called out.
"Good morning," Lord Double Moon replied. "How are our trainees today?"
"Eager, my lord. Very eager."
He nodded and continued walking. I saw the female livestock watching us as we passed. Their eyes flicked to the chain, then to our faces, and I saw the amusement in their expressions.
I felt my cheeks heat up.
"Is there something funny?" Lord Double Moon asked, stopping in front of a row of women who were kneeling on the floor.
"No, my lord," they said in unison.
He smiled. "Good. Because I would hate to think you were mocking my lovely ladies."
"We wouldn't dream of it, my lord."
He walked on, and I heard one of them whisper something to her neighbor. A soft giggle followed.
The tour continued. We saw the training rooms, the equipment bays, the medical wing. Everywhere we went, the female livestock bowed their heads and murmured greetings. But I could see the smiles they tried to hide.
By the time we returned to the main hall, I was exhausted. Not from walking—the distance wasn't that great. But from the constant awareness of Iori at my side. From the chain that never let me forget I was bound.
Lord Double Moon led us to a raised platform in the center of the hall. He climbed the steps and turned to face the room.
"Ladies," he said, his voice carrying across the space. "I want to introduce you to two very special women."
The female livestock looked up. Their eyes fixed on Iori and me.
"This is Eri," he said, gesturing to me. "And this is Iori. They are my most precious possessions."
I felt a shiver run through me. His most precious possessions. The words should have been degrading. Instead, they made my heart race.
"They are connected by this chain," he continued. "And they will remain connected until I decide otherwise. If you see them struggling, I encourage you to help. If you see them laughing, I encourage you to join. And if you see them failing..."
He paused, letting the silence stretch.
"Then you may learn from their mistakes."
The female livestock bowed their heads. A murmur of assent rippled through the room.
Iori's hand found mine. Her fingers were warm, and they squeezed gently.
"He's showing us off," she whispered.
"I know."
"Is it working?"
I looked at her. At her beautiful face, her calm eyes, her steady presence beside me.
"Yes," I said. "It's working."
Lord Double Moon descended from the platform and walked over to us. He took my free hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.
"You look beautiful today, Eri."
"Even with the chain?"
"Especially with the chain."
He turned to Iori and did the same, kissing her hand with equal reverence.
"And you, Iori. Radiant as always."
"Thank you, my lord," she said.
He smiled and released her hand. "Now. Let's see how well you two can navigate the rest of the day. There's a lot to do, and I want to watch you do it together."
He started walking, and Iori and I had no choice but to follow. The chain clinked between us, a song of steel and submission.
I looked at Iori. She looked at me.
And we stepped forward, together.