Carnal Rites Read online

  He might as well be of use while he was here. Liam began tidying up. He picked up a pair of silk pants. He folded them and then placed them back inside Jaspir's chest of drawers. He saw that many garments were unfolded. He emptied the drawer and went to work. Before long each drawer had been visited.

  Once done, he scanned the room. At the window was a plant box with the most unusual flowers. Liam remembered the garden of grafted plants that graced Lady Regyn's backyard. People had come for miles to see the colorful wonders. Liam never understood the draw of foliage or the joining of two plant species that had no business being together. He was glad when the spectacle was mowed down and replanted with edible crops. The field was much more practical afterwards.

  Footsteps sounded out in the hall and the doorknob turned. Jaspir didn't look surprised to see Liam standing in the middle of his rooms. His brow did rise at the flower petal Liam held in his hand.

  Liam released the plant. "I kissed her."

  Jaspir nodded, taking off his over coat. "Tell me about it."

  "I did everything you said. I rubbed her lip lightly, and then I grasped her neck to gain control of her head."

  Jaspir nodded once more. "Did she gasp?"

  Liam thought back to it. "Yes. Yes, she did. It was a breathy gasp. A moan like your first taste of berry pie."

  "Good." Jaspir's voice was a purr. His shirt fell to the floor. Liam couldn't help but look at the man's bare chest.

  Jaspir prowled slowly towards Liam. Liam took a step back, but his heel paused before contacting the ground. In the end, Liam returned his foot to its original place.

  "Then what?" Jaspir's voice was low, making Liam think of a lion toying with his prey.

  "Then—" Liam cleared his throat. Jaspir's hands were at the buttons of his pants. "What are you doing?"

  "As you're teacher," Jaspir popped the first button open, "I'm checking your homework before we move on to the next lesson. Tell me, what did her face look like when she knew you were coming in for the kiss?"

  Liam watched Jaspir's fingers work his pants’ buttons. "She looked surprised, but then her pupils dilated, and..."

  "Continue."

  Liam's gaze went back up to Jaspir's. There was desire in the other man's eyes. But somehow Liam knew it wasn't for him.

  "This is getting you aroused, isn't it? Hearing about my exploits with her."

  Jaspir shrugged. "What do you care? As long as it gets you what you want."

  With all of his buttons undone Jaspir's pants slid off his hips.

  "It looks like it’s getting you off, too," Jaspir smirked.

  Liam's temper raged as hot as his cock. "I don't even like you."

  "I don't care for you either. I only care that you please my lady."

  "She's my lady. I will be her husband."

  Jaspir's hand reached for Liam's pants. He jerked Liam to him using the other man's belt. Jaspir's eyes cleared like clouds moving away to reveal sunshine. When he spoke, it was quiet as the dawn. "I understand that, Liam. I understand that you will have a life with her. You'll hold her at night and see her at dawn. You'll have children with her. You'll grow old with her. But that doesn't mean I will ever stop loving her. It’s who I am. And this," Jaspir motioned between both of their cocks. "This is all that I can give her. So, yes, I get pleasure hearing that she was pleased; that what I taught you pleased her."

  They stared each other down.

  Until finally, Liam said, "She tasted like berries."

  Jaspir grinned. "Yes. She does."

  "Though I don't think she had any at the time."

  "No, it’s just her natural scent. Amazing, isn't it?"

  "Delicious."

  They both grinned in memory.

  "But we have a problem." Liam stepped out of Jaspir's grasp. "We've been studying the reproductive systems, trying to understand gender selection."

  "I know; I've been following her research."

  "You have?"

  "Of course," Jaspir said. "She’s studying dominant genes and how traits are passed from parent to child. Recently she's switched her research to the science of gender selection."

  Liam nodded through his astonishment at Jaspir's grasp of their work. "Well, we've found something. Something big."

  Liam walked over to the bed, and sat down. Jaspir followed.

  "We've been able to identify the difference between female and male spermatozoa," Liam continued.

  "That means triads can now choose the sex of their unborn child," Jaspir said. "This is great news. She'll be heralded for this."

  Liam sighed.

  "Why aren't you elated for her?"

  "Her Mother wants to use our research to begin artificial insemination."

  "I don't know what that is?"

  "It’s implanting the sperm directly into the uterus. No male needed. Or rather, no penis needed."

  Jaspir's mouth rounded in an O of understanding. He was a penis for hire after all.

  "They're bringing the matter before the Sisterhood in a matter of days," Liam continued. "They'll likely debate it for a few months before bringing it to the full chamber. Trials could begin as early as next season."

  "That gives us plenty of time."

  "For Merlyn and I, maybe. But what about the rest of mankind?"

  "Your job is to worry about Merlyn and her pleasure."

  Liam opened his mouth to protest, but Jaspir cut him off.

  "Now, on to today's lesson."

  Jaspir reached once more for Liam's pants, unbuckled the belt, and pulled them down. Liam let out a moan as his cock sprang free, its attention pointed straight at Jaspir.

  "The first thing we learn in the temple is the similarities between men and women."

  Jaspir grasped Liam's cock just below the head. Liam let out a sharp exhale.

  "Both men and women share this bit of anatomy." Jaspir's finger rolled over Liam's cock head. His fingers came away sticky with moisture. "The only difference is that a woman's is smaller and it’s tucked at the apex of her labia. It’s called the clitoris."

  Jaspir released Liam's cock and got right in his face. Liam groaned at the loss of contact. Jaspir waited until he had Liam's full attention.

  "You do not ever enter Lady Merlyn without first worshiping at her clitoris. Do you understand?"

  Liam immediately nodded his head. He was certain he would agree to anything to feel Jaspir's hands on him again.

  "It's truly not hard to please a woman. She enjoys the same pleasure as you do."

  Jaspir made firm circles around Liam's cock head. It wasn't long before Liam began to pant. His eyes rolled in his head.

  "Most often women need a lighter touch."

  Jaspir's thumb barely grazed Liam's cock head, forcing Liam to lift his hips for more pressure.

  "A light touch makes them yearn for you, just like with the light kisses that I taught you."

  Liam thrust to get to Jaspir's thumb. Finally, Jaspir gave Liam the pressure he sought.

  "In Merlyn's case I would advise you to be firmer. Otherwise she'll be in her head, thinking about what you're doing instead of feeling it."

  Liam felt his balls grow heavy, heavier actually. His release was imminent.

  "The same way that you know when you're close to orgasm, is the same way that you can tell she's close. Her breathing will change. She'll begin to move involuntarily. You can slow her release down by changing speed."

  Jaspir continued the pressure, but his thumb moved in slow strokes around Liam's cock head. The building pressure didn't burst forward, but neither did it recede. It collected like the waters of a dam, crashing against a barrier, near ready to burst, but unable to move forward.

  "Or you could speed up," Jaspir said. But he didn't. "Do you see how good this pressure feels, Liam? This is what you do to her clitoris. Every time."

  Jaspir's fingers stopped moving. His thumb simply kept the pressure at the divot of his cock head. Liam's eyes flew open. Jaspir smiled. It wasn't a smirk. It
was knowing, prideful even. Liam had the urge to lean down and kiss the man.

  "Do you understand?"

  Liam nodded once more.

  "You've done well, Liam. I can see you're clear on this lesson. And for that you get a reward."

  Jaspir added his other hand to Liam's cock. With that hand he began to stroke up and down. With the other hand he made quick circles of Liam's cock head. The pleasure was nearly unbearable. Liam came almost instantly. He came and came. His orgasm seeming to last forever. He pumped his hips higher, faster, harder. Jaspir met him stroke for stroke, wringing every bit of pleasure from him until all Liam saw was blackness.

  The last thing Liam remembered before falling back onto the soft mattress and being covered in warm sheets was Jaspir's voice.

  "You will tell me about it next time, won't you Liam?"

  13

  Merlyn stared at the test results on her handheld. She should feel elated. This was what she'd always dreamed of; making a groundbreaking discovery that would please her Mother and Grand Mother, gaining notoriety in the world for her work.

  She stood near the window in her lab. Another cloudless day allowed the sun to shine brightly on her handheld. The results were conclusive. Curie 144 was two days pregnant. Two days was enough to detect the gender hormones. The mouse was pregnant with four babies. All girls. Merlyn should run and tell her Mother the good news.

  She looked down at Curie 144 who was separated from her mate, Hawking 193. The two cages sat side by side, only glass separating them. The two kept clawing at the cage, not understanding the barrier between them.

  Merlyn turned and looked behind her at the empty desk. Where was Liam? He was always there. She couldn't remember a day when he wasn't sitting behind her, handing her a culture, or providing her with the calculations necessary for her work.

  Merlyn turned back, reaching for the petals of her plant. The sun's rays had moved from the plant's usual spot and Merlyn wanted to be sure it got its share of attention. But the plant wasn't there. Her plant was in the closet, wallowing alone in the darkness.

  Merlyn got up and went to the closet. When she opened the doors she was first hit with an array of colors from Alyss' discarded paintings. Then she saw her plant. Its petals drooped, it was nearly gone. Merlyn's hands stuttered for only one moment before grabbing it and cradling it in her arms.

  She stepped out of the closet and came face to face with Liam.

  The two stared at each other. Liam, who normally looked so put together and unruffled, looked disheveled. His shirt was wrinkled, as though he'd picked it up off the floor and put it on. His pants were without a belt. His red hair was ruffled as though he'd only swept his hand through it instead of brushing it into its normal style. His face had a glow about it. His lips looked swollen.

  "Where have you been?" Merlyn asked.

  Liam opened his mouth to speak, but then his eyes traveled to the plant in her arms.

  Merlyn had the instinct to hide it behind her back. "It's dying."

  "Do you want to save it?"

  "I..."

  Liam sighed. He put his hands out.

  Merlyn hesitated, but finally she gave him the plant.

  Liam took it and walked into Alyss' closet. He ruffled around in there for a moment before emerging with a bag of crystals and an empty paint can. He went over to his workstation. Merlyn followed behind.

  Liam emptied the crystals into the can and then carefully, gingerly, put the wilted plant into the mixture. "Crystals are good conductors of moisture. They'll keep the plant going for a while, but it needs to be planted somewhere permanent, somewhere its roots can reach out without obstruction and grow freely."

  "I know."

  "So, why did you put it in the closet?" Liam didn't look at her. He tucked the roots of the plant into the can. His fingers worked gently even though she saw the tension in his shoulders and jaw.

  "I knew I couldn't keep it contained. I thought it was time to let it go."

  Liam chanced a look at her. "I don't mind if you keep it."

  Merlyn frowned. "I thought you hated it."

  Liam reached for a paper towel and wiped his hands of the dirt from the plants roots. "I thought I hated it, too."

  He reached out his hand. Merlyn noted the dirt that remained under his fingertips. Debris under the nails was always hard to clear. They both wore gloves when handling materials. But Liam hadn't reached for the gloves before handling the plant. The dark specs reminded Merlyn of Jaspir's hands from when he was a child.

  Liam reached up and rubbed a thumb over her lower lip. His soft touch lulled her into the warm depths of her dreams.

  "I thought I hated it, too," he repeated. "But if it makes you happy, then I'll accept its presence in our lives."

  Liam's hand snaked around Merlyn's neck. He leaned in close. Merlyn didn't hesitate to allow him complete control of her head.

  "We'll be bonded in less than a month. When we have our own home, we can plant it in our gardens. Would you like that, Merlyn?"

  Merlyn took a deep breath to satisfy her panting lungs and racing heart. Liam didn't wait for an answer. He nibbled at her bottom lip. It all felt so familiar.

  Merlyn closed her eyes.

  Soft.

  Warm.

  Merlyn inhaled and caught the scent of earth on Liam's tongue. Her brain sparked. Liam smelled of Jaspir.

  But —no. He'd just had his hands on her plant.

  Right. His hands. Not his mouth.

  "Liam?"

  "Mmmmh?"

  She felt the vibration more than heard the sound. "Where were you all morning?"

  Liam's hand loosened on her neck. "It doesn't matter."

  Merlyn jerked her head back. "Did you even come home last night?"

  Liam sighed, hanging his head. He looked as though he were about to answer her, but then his eyes caught on something on her desk.

  "Are those the results from Curie 144?"

  Merlyn turned her head to peer down. Their bodies were still pressed together. "Yes," she answered.

  "All girls?"

  "All girls."

  "So it worked," he said. "The gender selection and the insemination?"

  Merlyn nodded.

  Liam took a step back, but didn't release her. "How do you feel about that?"

  "It's what we've been working towards all these years. Understanding gene dominance, and now gender selection. We couldn't have done it without your math."

  "That's not what I meant, my lady. What do you think about the artificial insemination procedure?"

  "It will certainly make my Mother and Grand Mother happy."

  Liam nodded. "And it will get you the notoriety that you deserve."

  Merlyn mimicked Liam's nod.

  "Are you interested in having the insemination procedure... between us?" Liam asked. "Or..." He let his sentence trail off, but Merlyn understood its direction.

  She felt her skin heat. She knew Liam couldn't see her thoughts but she felt exposed. She'd never considered whether Liam might want her in that way. She'd never thought of Liam in that way.

  Before.

  "Because I'd rather not have the procedure... between us." Liam's thumb was on her lip again.

  "Oh?"

  "Did you like it when I kissed you, Merlyn?"

  "Yes. Yes, I liked it very much."

  Liam's hand was around her nape now. This time firm. She could barely move it on her own, but she didn't struggle. The idea of resistance never entered her mind. Liam having control of her head was the most natural thing in the world.

  Liam tilted her nape back so she looked directly into his eyes. "Would you like me to do it again?"

  His words gave her a choice, but his eyes and his hand did not. His lips were on her before she could answer. Still soft, but hotter than before. His tongue touched every corner of her mouth, turning her knees into the consistency of berry jam. Merlyn fell into him. Sparks ignited across her brain. She was sure a brain scan would show
fireworks. But still, something niggled at her that she was missing the point.

  Liam's hands traveled down her sides. He pressed her back to the desk. Heat pooled between Merlyn's legs. She was aching for more and it seemed Liam could tell. His hand went to the apex of her thighs, to the center of her need. He pressed his thumb there. Hard.

  "Ouch."

  "Sorry." Liam said against her mouth. He adjusted the angle of his finger and tried again.

  "Ouch." This time Merlyn pulled away.

  Liam backed up, looking utterly confused. "I don't know what I did wrong. I did everything he said."

  "Everything who said?"

  Liam froze.

  The synapses of Merlyn's brain fired one last shot. This time Merlyn was paying attention. She knew exactly where Liam had been the previous night.

  14

  The storefront looked unassuming, just as the men inside wanted it to. The sign above the board read Adom's Leaf. In the store windows were an array of female mannequins in colorful, artfully draped dresses. As always, there were no customers in sight. Women paid no attention or coin to males' designs on their clothing.

  Jaspir spied the store's namesake through the glass door. His dark head bent over parchment. Adom looked up when he heard the bell over the door ring.

  "If it isn't the prodigal, himself." Adom came around the counter and embraced Jaspir.

  "Hello, my brother." Jaspir returned the embrace.

  "I didn't realize it was your day off," Adom said.

  "I'll be having many more days off," said Jaspir. "I've terminated my contract."

  "I thought you were a year off from saving enough."

  "I'll have enough funds by the end of the week. I've already signed the land contract."

  "This is great news, Jaspir."

  Jaspir and Adom had trained in the pleasure temple as youths, along with Jian and Adom's bondmate, Emet.

  Adom had an artistic nature. He didn't see the world the same as his other three brothers. He was often caught drawing depictions of the Goddess in his prayer books. When Adom learned of Jaspir's gardening and grafting abilities, the two developed an even closer friendship. Adom felt the agricultural endeavor was an art form; joining together two things that did not originally exist that way.