By Chance Met by Eresse

Author:Eresse [Eresse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-12-11T18:22:51+00:00

* * * *

“Do you wish to imprint me?” Naeth innocently asked.

Reijir stopped in the act of pouring himself a glass of wine. He turned and stared in surprise at Naeth. The youth had not moved from the couch fronting the blazing hearth.

It was their last evening in Althia. The next day would see them back in the capital in time for Naeth and Keiran to return to the State University as student and instructor respectively and where vital business awaited Reijir’s attention. The worst of northern Ylandre’s blizzards had passed, and one could reasonably expect the rest of the season to unfold with little fear from extreme cold and weather conditions.

They had retreated to the main study following dinner, but after a half hour or so of idle conversation, Keiran had taken leave of them and headed for his suite. As usual Ruomi accompanied him, leaving Reijir and Naeth to continue their post-prandial chat about minor amusing matters. That is, until Naeth opened the subject of concubinary binding.

“How do you know about viratha?” Reijir asked with a frown.

Naeth said, “My sire told me about it one time. He said he’d nearly imprinted Adda the year before they bound, soon after they started their affair. And he claimed it was at Adda’s suggestion.”

“Your adda offered to be placed in thrall? Why?”

“To prove his devotion. And also that he was worthy of Aba’s regard.”

“Worthy?”

Naeth shrugged. “That’s what Aba told me. I don’t know what he meant.” Reijir was surprised anew.

The binding of a concubine’s mind so that he was incapable of cheating on his lover was practiced only by True Bloods possessed of more than average mental strength. As mind blindness encroached on the sedyran populace, the majority of Half Bloods had gradually forgotten about viratha and the reasons for its imposition on a leman. Yet it appeared that Naeth’s sire had possessed the ability to do so. Reijir wondered if the Deir was of mixed blood and had retained some if not all of his enyran parent’s mind talents.

And Naeth’s birthing father had broached the matter of his worth. Why had he desired to prove himself worthy of his lover? Perhaps there was more to Naeth’s parents than Naeth knew.

Reijir rejoined Naeth on the couch. Sliding an arm around the youth’s shoulders, he sat back and silently contemplated the fire for several minutes.

Naeth shifted uneasily beside him. “Are you angry?” he anxiously asked. “I won’t mention the matter again if it offends you.”

Reijir shook his head. “You did no wrong.” Looking at Naeth, he slowly said, “And, yes, I have been considering it. As much for my peace of mind as…” He hesitated then sighed and continued. “I’d rather not share you with others, Naeth- min.”

*

Naeth caught his breath at the reluctant admission. He gazed at Reijir, glimpsing wariness and uncharacteristic uncertainty in the Herun’s eyes. Naeth sighed in turn though he took care not to let Reijir hear.

It pained him that Reijir still held back much of himself, neither

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