Muse of Art by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers Anthony [Anthony, Piers]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science fiction, Fantasy, Epic, General, Fiction, Fantasy - General, Fiction - Fantasy, Historical, Prehistoric peoples, Arts, Fantasy - Historical
ISBN: 9780812574715
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2010-01-21T15:35:57+00:00

Θ

"I can't stand it!" Honoria cried, literally tearing at her hair. "I don't know which is worse, the prayers or the fasting or the virginity. At least the old gods have human feelings and failings. I've got to get out of here."

Melee well understood. The saintly regimen was deadly for red-blooded women. She was almost ready to ask Dillon to take the woman to bed, just to stave off the disastrous explosion that was building. It wasn't that she was open-minded about sex; it was that she was afraid that Honoria would throw a fit that brought an investigation of all of them, and possible death to Dillon. It would be better to free him to ease the problem, than to suffer the alternative.

The situation was serious. Honoria had already let slip some remarks that had caused some Damsels to blush and made Pulcheria stare thoughtfully at Melee. It was up to Melee to curb the trend, lest she pay the price of failure.

When she got out to meet Dillon, while Honoria covered for her, she brought the matter up before they made love. "That woman is going to be the death of us. I love her like a sister, but she is going to bring Pulcheria down on our heads. I can't abate the prayers, but I have been sneaking food in during the fasting. But it isn't enough. She needs a man—and the only one we can trust isn't a man, it's that eunuch Hyacinth. He'd do anything for Honoria, but he can't do that."

"There just isn't any man she might like who can be trusted," he agreed.

"Isn't there?"

"You know of one?"

She set herself and said it. "How about you?"

He laughed. "I'm taken. You ought to know."

"I'm serious. She likes you. She gives no sign, because she is honoring her pact with me. But she would enjoy sex with you. Would you like it with her?"

"Melee, you don't need to test me! I never desired anyone but you, since I met you."

"You are evading the question."

"Are you determined to pick a quarrel with me? I love you, Melee!"

"You are still not answering."

He sighed. "She is a beautiful woman. Not as lovely or young as you, but a fine piece of flesh withal. Yes, I could enjoy her. But you know I would never—"

"I know you are faithful, Dillon. But I fear for your life. If I don't settle Honoria down somehow, Pulcheria may have you arrested and killed, just to punish me. I can't stand the thought. I would rather share you than lose you." There, she had said it all. There were tears in her eyes.

He stared at her. "You're serious."

"I am serious. Let me take you in to her, and I will stand guard while you do it."

"Let me have you first."

"No! You're trying to get out of it. You know you couldn't do it with her right after me. Not so you would satisfy her. She's not naive about sex."

"I know," he confessed. "Melee, there must be some other way!"

"I wish there were.

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