Free Hallowed Bond (Chronicles of Ylandre Book 2) by Eresse Page B

me.”
    “But you do give me as much pleasure, Rio,” Dylen protested. “I take joy in the way you offer yourself so willingly.”
    “Oh? Then perhaps I should ask that you do the same!”
    Silence fell abruptly, and the smile slowly faded from Dylen’s mouth. Riodan frowned.
    “What is it?” he asked. “What did I say wrong?”
    Dylen bit his lip. “I’m sorry if I have failed to content you,” he murmured.
    Riodan stared at him. “What do you mean?”
    “I know you wish to take things further and that it irks you that I can’t accommodate your wish just yet.”
    “Oh, that .” Riodan shrugged. “Well, yes, I am surprised at your reluctance to couple with me. One would think with all your experience you would have no inhibitions about it left. I mean, it’s natural for me to hesitate when you teach me something new; I’m no seasoned lover. But you are and more besides.”
    “All the experience in Aisen can’t make certain acts more palatable,” Dylen countered. “I’m so sorry, Rio, but I can’t grant your wish just yet.”
    Riodan huffed. “What is it about buggering me that you dislike?” he blurted, his frustration overtaking his usual aversion to crude language. “Do I have to pay for the privilege as well?”
    It was Dylen’s turn to stare. “You want me to take y ou ?”
    His reaction was initially lost on Riodan. “Wasn’t that what I asked you to do that night at the Seralye?” he pointed out a little tartly. An instant later, however, he started and asked, “You thought I wanted to take you?”
    “Don’t you?”
    “Well, eventually, of course,” Riodan admitted. “But my first time, I would much prefer to be led.” He regarded Dylen curiously. “Is it because I’m inexperienced that you don’t wish to yield? Do you fear that I’ll hurt you?”
    The hethar shook his head. “It has naught to do with your lack of skill. I could guide you well enough to ensure that you don’t hurt me overmuch.”
    “Then what stops you?”
    Dylen sighed and lay back. Riodan watched him, wondering at his uncharacteristic lack of assurance.
    “Most of my patrons prefer that I take them,” Dylen suddenly said. “Many are the heads of their families or business holdings and, more oft than not, it is they who sire their heirs and hold the purse strings. Allowing another Deir to dominate them sexually is a means of letting go.”
    “It relaxes them?” Riodan ventured half incredulously.
    Dylen faintly smiled. “Strange as that might sound, yes. However, there are Deira who want the opposite. Who wish to control and dominate. Some possess that privilege and seldom give it up even for the space of a tumble. But more do not and thus seek it elsewhere. Such patrons never yield, only take, and they make it very clear that they are in control.”
    Riodan’s eyes widened in sudden comprehension. “You associate yielding yourself with subjugation.”
    Dylen hesitated then nodded. “I am constrained to do so if it is what a patron desires,” he haltingly explained. “And my pride is much salved by the considerable fee I can command for it. But, outside of my profession, I have never consented to play the mare. It isn’t that I think it demeaning, mind you. It’s just that I prefer not to. What I mean is I have little choice when I’m at work. So I’d rather not bring home that sense of-of having no say in the matter. Away from the Seralye, I am my own person, and none can demand of me what I have ever surrendered only for the highest of prices. Oh plague take my tongue! That sounded horrible! Forgive me if I offended you, Rio. Please believe me, it has naught to do with you and—”
    Riodan lifted his hand to cover Dylen’s mouth and halt the flow of explanations and apologies. He smoothed a finger over Dylen’s lower lip.
    “I’m glad you told me this. I don’t wish to make you do anything that would discomfort you.” He followed the stroke of his finger with the caress of his lips.