The Pleasure Hound: Part One

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Chanyn peaked into the mirror, and a stranger gaped back at her. The stranger had the same dark hair, but hers was full of lustrous black shadows and deep brown highlights. The skin coloring was similar, but the stranger's glowed healthily; kissed by the sun instead of being burnt. The lips, full of awe, were a deep red and no longer cracked. Eyes, the same shifting liquid gold and brown, watched as those lips spread into a delighted smile at the reflection.

"Do you like, my lady?"

Three males stood behind her. Last night, Clent drew her a bath of the most sweet smelling scents. Then the large manservant, who resembled one of the wrestlers of Chanyn's sports books, led her to the softest, largest bed she'd ever seen. Chanyn climbed on board and fell asleep at once. Meaning only to nap before dinner, Chanyn missed the entire affair, awakening an hour ago when Tem roused her.

Tem, thin and wiry with large eyes like an owl, brought her to the sitting room adjoining her quarters, and tackled her hair. He painstakingly brushed each kink out, never once pulling or yanking. Hurting a woman in any way was grounds for imprisonment.

And finally, Rianald, a shorter man with a slight pudge to his belly, dressed her in the most exquisite gown she'd ever seen. It was Rianald who asked for her approval.

The green material skated over her shoulders, drawing down into a V to highlight her full breasts. The wiring in the bodice supported and lifted her breasts. The material flared over her hips and backside before falling to the floor. High slits at each side revealed both her legs.

"The female form is living art," Rianald told her. "Art is meant to be displayed and enjoyed, not hidden and ignored."

Chanyn was definitely on display. She felt like a piece of art, the way the three man gazed at her. There was not a single leer in any of their eyes. They looked at her with a sense of pride in their work, mixed with reverence at her gender. Chanyn stood straighter, chin tilted higher.

"Do you think Dain will like it?" she asked.

Tem and Clent exchanged a glance, both of their lips lifted in smug grins.

"All men will fall at your feet, Lady Chanyn," Rianald answered.

Chanyn learned from the male servants that all females were given the title of Lady.

"In truth, my lady, we don't know what Lord Dain prefers in a female," said Tem.

Clent dabbed at Chanyn's cheek with a small brush. "He's never courted a lady in all the time that I've been here. And I've been here since before his mother's passing."

Chanyn's face fell. "So, he doesn't like women."

Clent paused in his brushing, brows drawn in. "Every man worships women. They are sacred."

"That's not what I mean," said Chanyn.

Now, Tem and Rianald mirrored Clent's look of incomprehension.

"I mean... well..." Chanyn decided to just come out with it. "He's gay. Isn't he?"

The men took their glances off Chanyn and looked at each other to see if one of them understood this strange, wild creature who remained an uncultured, ignorant thing, even after they painted over her rough canvas.

"Dain and Khial... they're... together." She felt her face heating.

"Right," Tem nodded, appearing glad they were speaking the same language again. "Lord Dain and Lord Khial are a bonded pair."