sign, Rona.
Time to jump into the party spirit and stop stalling. She smiled at the man beside her. Maybe she’d start with him.
“Doms.” Master Simon’s voice filled the room, making her breath hitch. “If you are not occupied, I need assistance judging the first contest. Any uncollared elves who are not busy, please line up here.”
A contest? Great. Unless he planned something intellectual, she’d surely lose. She hesitated.
A hand closed on her arm, and she looked up at the gray-haired dom beside her.
Michael frowned at her. “Simon might have said ‘please,’ but it wasn’t a request, sub; it was an order.” He pulled her across the room to Master Simon.
“She wanted to think it over before obeying,” Michael said and let her go.
“Really.” Master Simon’s eyes darkened with displeasure.
Oh Crom . “I don’t like contests. I lose,” she said hurriedly. Why did his disapproval make her chest tighten and her stomach sink? She looked down.
“I see.” He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Unfortunately, your opinion doesn’t count, does it.”
He hadn’t really asked a question, but she answered anyway. “No.”
His fingers flexed on her chin just enough to remind her of her manners.
“No, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir.”
“Much better.” He released her. “Join the others.”
As she took her place at the end of the line, he said, “This submissive contest is for general friendliness and service.” He grasped the first sub by her nape and asked the crowd, “If this pretty elf either gave you her name or served you in any way, please raise your hand.”
Seven hands lifted, mostly dommes’.
Rona bit her lip as uneasiness twisted her insides. Concentrated on getting her bearings, she’d spoken casually with a few doms but hadn’t introduced herself.
Soon she realized the other elves had stayed very busy, serving drinks and food, giving back rubs, foot rubs, or playing with a dom as requested. Very few hadn’t done much; unfortunately, she was one of them.
Master Simon gripped the back of her neck firmly, pulling her a step closer to him. She shivered as his hard chest brushed against her shoulder and his warm, rich scent surrounded her. He asked the crowd, “And this sub?”
Only Michael lifted his hand.
“Ah. Well, she is just in training, after all. Please help her out and put her to work, gentlemen.” His hand dropped away. “All elves who earned more than five raised hands, you’ve done well. You’re dismissed. The rest of you slackers, remove one article of clothing and leave it on the table there.”
When three-quarters of the subs dispersed, Rona sighed in relief. At least she wasn’t the only slacker. Remove something . Well, she hated wearing hats anyway. Her hand had just touched the fuzzy cap when Master Simon added casually, “I should mention that if I find an elf without an elf cap, I will toss her out on the street…naked.”
Rona snatched her hand away and heard him chuckle. Crom, she didn’t have much to choose from. Maybe she could remove her bra in the powder room?
“You have ten seconds, and then we’ll all help.”
Maybe she didn’t like Master Simon after all.
“Ten. Nine—”
Jaw clenched, Rona unbuckled and pulled her belt off.
“One.”
She tossed the belt on the table. Lacking buttons, her Santa coat fell open, displaying her very skimpy bra and thong. She’d have to hold it shut all night. That jerk.
Looking around, she saw one elf must have waited too long. Three doms had surrounded her and were stripping her of clothing. Rona bit her lip, trying to decide if she’d find that exciting or frightening. She rubbed her chilled hands on her coat.
“Rona,” Master Simon said.
“Sir?”
“Please take a filled tray from the kitchen and serve drinks until it’s empty.”
Cool. Something active to do. “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
He grinned.
In the kitchen, when she picked up the tray, she understood his
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