reveal abottle. Dylen stopped short when he saw the color of the bottlescontentsa deep blue akin to a midsummer sky. The color of thepotent Deiran conception suppressor.Whyin Aisen did you buy mirash?he said. A moment later, he stared at Riodan in dismay. Nay, youdont expect me to... Rio!Whynot? Riodan countered, his cheeks coloring. Youve had mealready. What difference would this make?Awhole world, Dylen replied. Youre no ordinary commoner. Itsbarely permissible as it is for you to yield your arse outside ofmarriage. But the only Deir you may sheathe genitally is your lawfulspouse. You know this, Rio. He took the bottle and rewrapped it.He heaved a rueful sigh. You dont know how hard it is to refuseyour offer. I count it a great honor that you should want to give methis privilege. But I wont compromise you any further than Ialready have.Compromiseme? Riodan frowned. Are you saying this is all you want? heunhappily asked. A mere affair?Dylenpulled him into his arms and held him fast, their foreheads touching.Ifit were only up to me, we would always be together, he murmured.But your life is not mine to direct, and we cant tell wherefate will take us. Nay, listen to me, ariad,he pleaded when Riodan stiffened and tried to pull away. As Veresis mywitness,I love you with all my heart and soul. But I dare not hope overmuchabout the future. We cannot indulge in foolhardy ventures. Not whileour circumstances remain as they are. Were we to partand thechances are great that we will, we cant pretend otherwiseyouwill probably make a good match with a Deir of equal if not betterstanding. How think you would he respond were he to discover that youhad alreadygivenall of yourself to another? He would likely take offense, and thatcould affect your marriage adversely from the very start.Dylenwaited while Riodan digested his words. Finally, Riodan relaxed andleaned into his lovers embrace.Whydo you have to be so practical? he muttered.Dylensadly smiled. He released Riodan and slipped an arm around his waistto draw him close as they resumed their stroll.Iremember you said you have never serviced a patron thusly either,Riodan said after a while.Ihave never yielded myself thusly, Dylen corrected. But some ofmy patrons have.Riodanlooked at him in some surprise. Truly? There are Deira who takethe chance?Onlya very few. And none of them bachelors with marital prospects.Indeed, the Deira I have bedded that way are all wed. They say thepleasure is different, and one they greatly enjoy.Butwhy not just turn to their spouses for that purpose?Skilland experience matter. And also societal strictures. Particularly ifthe Deir in question requires his spouse to only play the mare. Achildbearer is also expected to come to the marriage bed completelyuntouched save if he has been initiated by his intended beforehand.AtRiodans wide-eyed gape, Dylen laughed mirthlessly. Youd besurprised how many amongst your class adhere almost obsessively tothe roles they have been assigned by their families. Take our Ardansown father. Dyrael was forbidden sexual encounters with anyone beforehe wed Keldon Essendri. For all that he was of the same line ofdescent and as royal of blood, the mere fact