a Pleasure Rites, #1 by Ines Johnson (reader novel .TXT) 📕

not struck out at him again, but he knew from experience that she was a patient woman. Khial maintained a vigilant watch over the only person he cared for. Dain was weaker, but he was still here. Chanyn proved herself an ally. He would protect her from any harm. He owed her that much. If not his love, maybe his care and protection.

When Khial looked up, Dain was dosing off. He pulled the sheets over his lover. Not yet tired, Khial decided to grab a bite from the kitchens. When he entered the hall, he stopped short.

The first thing he recognized was blood. Blood on her hands. Blood on her dress. Blood on the floor.

"Chanyn!" He rushed to where she slumped on the floor.

19

"It's very common with a first pregnancy; especially when you carry a female child."

Chanyn kept her eyes closed tight. The nausea she had been missing the first few days of her pregnancy roiled through her entire body now. Her forearms clasped about her middle over her empty belly.

"There's nothing to do but try again." Aunt Angyla's voice was methodical, without feeling, unless she imagined the smugness. Angyla ticked off items on her handheld, cocking her head to the right and left like a bird.

The movement made Chanyn think of the first time she'd stolen bird eggs from a nest. She'd felt guilty, but her hunger pangs sent the emotion away quickly enough. Now she was the mother whose nest had been robbed.

A cool hand came to rest on Chanyn's shoulder. The hand trembled in uncertainty as it landed. Chanyn wanted to smile up at Merlyn in encouragement of her awkward attempt at comfort. Though Chanyn was empty, everything felt heavy. She could barely lift her head off the pillow, her body curved into a ball around her barren womb. Chanyn marveled that though she and her cousin had grown up in entirely different environments, Chanyn in solitude, Merlyn surrounded, both had little to no experience with affection and physical contact.

Aunt Angyla lifted her head from her tablet and focused on someone off to the side, in the recesses of Chanyn's room. "I'd like to have you tested," she said.

Khial slowly raised his head to her. He'd been focused on Chanyn, worry warring across his face. His hands clenched and unclenched in impotent helplessness. His hands balled into fists now. The look of worry dissolved into a scowl the likes Chanyn had never seen.

"Tested?" he said.

"Yes," Angyla nodded looking the man up and down like a specimen. "You don't expect me to believe this Hound nonsense."

Chanyn's body jerked at the mention of the hounds. Khial's eyes flicked to her.

"Either you or the other one have the genes to produce girls," Angyla continued. "I'm beginning a trial to harvest male spermatoza and inseminate breeding women. It’s a technique from the twentieth century, if you can believe those barbarians did something so forward thinking and civilized. All the records and research were lost in the Great Destruction, but Merlyn, here, is working on a way to isolate the genetic materials that determine the female code."

Merlyn looked down, pride and guilt at odds on her face.

"Soon, there will be no need for copulation," Angyla continued. "Eventually there will be no need for men at all."

Aunt Angyla continued to tap on her tablet, unaware of the three sets of eyes that gaped at her.

"I'll expect you in tomorrow, then."

It was a command, as though Khial were one of her manservants. Chanyn waited for the blow up, but Khial didn't even bristle. His face was entirely unexpressive.

"Tomorrow's no good for me," he said evenly.

"When, then?" Aunt Angyla looked up, her annoyance plain that her schedule of male eradication would not be met on her timetable.

"Let's see," Khial tapped his lower lip. "I'm free on the fifth of never."

Angyla frowned as she searched for the offered date on her tablet. Finally, she looked up. And blanched. Khial's face was thunderous.

"Out," he ordered quietly, but the sound resonated.

Aunt Angyla swallowed. And then squared her shoulders. "So, you are your mother's child, after all."

"Would you like to stay and find out?"

Angyla made for the door. "Come along, Merlyn. We don't cavort with this kind."

Merlyn gave Chanyn's shoulder a squeeze. "I'll come by later in the week," she whispered. Then she paused and looked up at Khial. "If that's all right?"

Khial looked her over, and then nodded once.

Merlyn rose and followed her mother out, giving Khial a wide berth as she did so.

Khial looked over at Chanyn. He studied her prone form, indecision on his face. Then he left without a word.

Chanyn closed her eyes. She'd never felt so alone in all her life. Her ache was deep. She hadn't even realized she'd wanted the baby so much, until it was gone. She'd done it for Dain, to help him preserve his legacy. Now, all was lost. Dain's health wasn't improving. The tentative camaraderie with Khial was over, as told by his quick departure a moment ago. After Dain went to the Goddess, Khial would have no responsibility towards her, now that the baby was gone.

A wave of pain went through Chanyn as her body continued to purge the life that had barely begun within her. When that ache went dull, another rose to take its place. This time in her heart.

Jian had said he'd leave his heart behind, but right now, all she wanted was his arms around her, his body behind her. Holding her tight, telling her that he had her. That he would take care of it all. That she need only lie back and relax.

The sweetest sound brought Chanyn's eyes open.

Khial sat before her, strumming a beautiful tune on his violin. She hadn't even heard him return. His eyes were closed as he played. Chanyn stared, fascinated, at the array of emotions that crossed his unguarded face as he played for her.

It was like looking through a portal in time. The notes he played told her the story of his life.