Yes, this comment is so accurate. Ilya would never harm misha if misha didn't consent. And Ilya taught him everything he knows about dom/sub relationships and that's why misha is such a success at being a dom in the future. I think you are correct in saying that Ilya is the only dom that misha will accept and that's why he is no longer submissive. It just goes to show how much they loved each other
EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT! misha' actually the one with power here. even outside the bdsm stuff. He's smart and decisive, actually a very alpha male admirable trait.

nothing wrong with it... I really like Ilya and Misha's relationship, it's a classic Dom/Sub one.
In Dom/Sub realtionships the Sub is actually the one with all the power even though the Dom is the one who decides what to do to him. it's a cycle: Ilya asks, Misha accepts, Ilya does... if Misha doesn't accept something I bet you all the money in the world Ilya would never do it!
However, after Ilya's death, Misha becomes the Dom right? he was the one initiating things with Gian (was that his name?)
Therefore, the question that comes to my mind is, Was Misha really of a submissive nature but refuses any other master after Ilya? or was he of a dominant nature all along but submitted to Ilya out of gratefulness? I tend to think it's the first theory that's true, I think Misha not only truly loved Ilya, but kinda "imprinted" on him too... like those baby ducks who imprent on the first creature they see when they open their eyes.. Or like a traumatized victim can imprint on the first person who truly helps her... It's a psychological fact!