Using your safeword is not a sign of weakness. After growing up starved for affection, Hildy Klein will take whatever her Dom dishes out, even if it pushes her into dangerous waters. She doesn't want to give him any reason to hold back - the very thought makes her chest hurt. When Wil Kennedy's sub fails to safeword during play, he's alarmed. For both their sakes, he needs to drive home the importance of limits without harming her in the process. Cadenza is a 5,000 word short story that takes place after One Gold Knot (Dominant Cord, Book 2). It can be read on its own or at any point within the Dominant Cord or Dominant Cord Intermezzo series.