Carnal Rites by Ines Johnson (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

the land agent's offices and made the return to Stallions. When he got to the dark, one story building, he stood outside the door and stared up at it. It was the third place he'd called home. And it had been a home. He'd been accepted inside these walls. No one ever threatened to throw him out —as long as he met his quota when under contract; and later paid his monthly dues and rent.

Jaspir entered the establishment and saw Garren sitting at his concierge desk. Jaspir walked over and handed Garren notice, along with advanced payment, for his rooms until the end of the month.

Garren balked. His olive tone skin turned green as he looked down at the paper work that ended Jaspir's run at the establishment. "So, some old cougar has finally come up with the right price for the fastidious monk?"

That's what happened with most of the stallions who were ready for retirement. They'd move on to be kept by a wealthy woman in a small house or apartment. Garren had never received such a proposal.

"No," said Jaspir. "I'm purchasing my own land with my own money."

Garren scoffed. The men of the establishment rarely saved past a week's salary if they saved at all. Kept men were used to keeping themselves in all of the best luxury and finery.

"You've always thought you were better than all of us," Garren said. "You and your pleasure training. I wasn't coddled and preened. My talents were Goddess given."

"Apparently the Goddess plans to keep you exactly where you are for the rest of your life. She has different plans for me."

"The only woman who has plans with you, my love, is me."

Jaspir hesitated to turn at the sound of Lady Myra's high-pitched voice. He let out a sigh, plastered on the serene smile he'd copied from his former teacher, Elder Gerry, and turned.

Halfway around, Jaspir remembered that he no longer needed to placate anyone or any woman.

"You're late for our appointment, Jas. I expect you to make it up to me."

Jaspir caught her hand before it landed on his chest. "My apologies, my lady." Jaspir released her hand and bowed, stepping back and beyond her reach. "My services are no longer available at this establishment."

Her face crumpled in confusion. "I don't understand. Have you been fired?" Lady Myra cast an evil glare at Garren.

"No, my lady," said Jaspir.

"Have you entered a contract with some other hussy?"

"No, my lady."

"Then what? I don't understand."

"I've quit. I'll be moving on."

"Moving on to where? To what?"

"Away. To a place where I will serve no woman or man, save myself."

Lady Myra looked dumbfounded. "That's preposterous. You're a man, a discard, a whore. You were made to serve."

Jaspir's mouth straightened. "All true. And I'm thrilled that I will no longer have to service you or any other entitled, grand dam who disrespects her bond while trying to cling to her youth."

Jaspir turned and left the establishment. He looked up in the sky and saw birds flying, migrating to a warmer clime as the winter approached. With his schedule clear for longer than a few hours or a single day, Jaspir wasn't quite sure what to do with his own time.

His feet carried him down a familiar path. He'd heard that the temple was near ruins after he left. He'd heard about the scandal with his brother, Jian. Jian had been one of his favorite brothers. His other two brothers, Adom and Emet, who'd also left the temple, he saw on a fairly regular basis. But he hadn't seen Jian in years. He'd missed the company of the male, but outsiders were not allowed to breach the temple gates, and Jaspir was now an outsider.

Jaspir stood at the temple gates, on the outside looking in. The temple didn't look as though it was in dire straits. The roof looked new. A fresh coat of paint adorned the front. The top domes gleamed bright in the sun. Suddenly, a familiar face appeared at the temple doors. As the face walked closer, Jaspir couldn't hide his grin.

"Brother Jian."

Jian looked up and his face lit. "Jaspir?"

Jian covered the remaining distance quickly, his long strides bringing him to Jaspir in no time. And then Jaspir was being embraced.

Jaspir was not an emotional man, but tears threatened his eyes as he clasped the back of one of the only people he considered family.

"By the Goddess, it’s good to see you, my brother." Jian pulled away and beamed down at Jaspir's face.

"I haven't been a Brother for many years."

"You will always be my brother," Jian continued. "Vows or not."

Those words warmed Jaspir's heart. He took in his old friend. There was something different about the male. His head was still shaven clean, as was the way of the monks, but his clothing was different. He wore the linen shirt and slacks of a regular male. "So, it’s true. You're no longer a Brother either?"

"I gave up my vows," Jian answered.

Merlyn had said one of his brothers told her where to find him. So Jian knew about his stay at Stallions.

"But I could never stop doing this work completely," Jian said. "You and I both, it would seem. We are still orchestrators of pleasure."

Jaspir preferred Jian's title of orchestrator to Lady Myra's title of whore. "I am that. I may not have bound myself to the Goddess in words, but her words penetrated me."

"The clever foxes who hear my call will be those who sniff out pleasure like a hound. These loyal steeds are orchestrators of pleasure who will submit their hearts to me and serve my daughters for all of their days."

Jaspir nodded as Jian recited the creed of the Pleasure Hounds. Jaspir was able to agree to all but the last part of the creed. He'd been happy to serve the Goddess' daughters, but he could not submit his heart to the deity. It belonged to someone else. Stallions made no demands on his heart, only his body.

"I've given up that other lifestyle