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"That's crap," a guy grumbled. "What about male submissives, then?"
"Like any sexual fetish," Oryll explained, "there are those who cross boundaries. The Temple of Temptation is filled with plenty of us. Men who lie with men, as an example. Women who prefer women. The natural pairing is a strong male with a breedable female, but that's not what Temptation is about."
"What does any of that have to do with submission?" Tishlie demanded. "You can't just make things up and then be pissed when we didn't automatically know it. You'remaking it up!"
Oryll glared at her. "I expect you to use common sense, but it seems that's too hard for you."
The girl before me huffed under her breath and leaned to the woman beside her. "He's a fucking idiot."
"It's almost like everything that comes out of his mouth is designed to impress the baron or something. Like he's trying to make the temple bend to the rules of high society instead of the other way around. Speaking of that, I heard Lady Ranndor's sleeping with Nariana. Think it's why? He's worried he's being outdone?"
So I leaned closer. "She's not. Lady Ranndor comes to visit herbrother-in-lawand his ward because she feels as if we're family. That's my guardian, if you didn't know."
"We know," the first girl assured me. "Talin was in our year during primary."
So I leaned back, but Oryll was once again watching me. "Something else you wanted to share, Nariana?"
"Nope," I said, reaching over to rest my palm on Ela's knee. "But I do want to know about this new session we're supposed to be having."
"Good," he almost purred, moving to pace the open area between the first row and his desk. "You will be performing in a trio this time," he announced, his voice pitched to the entire class. "For those of you who have already declared your specialty, we will take that into consideration. There are a limited number of slots for each style, though. The class will be divided equally into all five of the specializations. Not all of you will get what you want, but second-year initiates will be given priority." Then he smiled. "Except Eladehl, of course. Since he is making so many rumors, I want to find out just how exceptional he is. Tishlie, you will be the submissive in their group. I would like to see how Nariana fits into that dynamic."
"What?!" Tishlie snapped. "No!"
"Yes," Oryll said. "You see, Priestess, this class isn't about what you want. It's about learning. Since your Choosing, you've had problems with the idea of sex with someone you don't care about. The entire room knows that you aren't fond of those two, so think of this as your chance to impress me."
"Do you plan to be in the room with us?" I asked Oryll, since he seemed a little too invested in pairing the three of us together.
"No, I plan to get a report from each Priest and Priestess in a session. You will all be assigned one partner from your trio to grade. As an example, Tishlie will grade Nariana. Nariana will grade Eladehl, and Eladehl will grade Tishlie." He picked up a stack of papers and began walking to the end of the first row. "This has the areas where you will be judged. It's broken down into the five specialties: Sensuality, Control, Subjugation, Entertainment, and Exotics. This will help us guide you toward the proper method for you to become useful to the temple."
"Another attempt to force us onto a Path," Ela grumbled under his breath.
"And to define me," I agreed. "Yeah, but at least we got two good weeks of peace before this, right?"
"Nari," he breathed, "he's trying to push me. You know what I do to Faylie. With Tishlie?"
"Then we'll do it together," I told him.
"No," he breathed. "Listen to me. That man knows I'm having private lessons for a reason. He's trying to turn me loose on you because he wants to break us."
"He can't," I insisted.
Ela's dark eyes searched my face. "He can breakme,and hurting you would do that. I'm not a typical dominant."
"I know," I assured him. "We'll get through this. Ela, it'll be fine. One way or another, we'll figure out something that you can handle."
He nodded just as Oryll reached our row. The man looked over with a rather smug smile as he counted out pages and passed them to us. "The rest of you can start finding trios. Tomorrow, we'll go over the objective, but I want to give you as much time as possible to find someone you feel safe with."
"And Tishlie?" Ela asked. "Do you care if she's safe with me?"
"She's a submissive," Oryll said as if that was enough of an answer. "You also need to learn how to control yourself enough to match your patron. You're not a guardian, Eladehl. It is not your duty to keep people safe. Or are you intending to follow multiple Paths as well?"
Ela turned slowly until he held the man in his gaze. "Is that your way of asking to see the marks on my body? Because Iwillshow you, Oryll. If you beg enough, I will let you enjoy all of this, but Zeal didn't mark me for more than Body."
"Then the only other thing you'll need to worry about is pleasing two women," Oryll told him. "Good luck with that, Eladehl. It's not as easy as you think." Then he lifted his voice again. "Once you have your papers, you can go."
Yeah, we went.
Chapter 32
