Page 31 of Infala: The Priest's Temptation
She glanced down and noted that the beast always slumbering between his legs had finally seemed to be awakened, growing faintly harder within the loose fabric of his trousers, much to his apparent distress. Draikis moved back, an uncharacteristic look of confusion in his eyes. He was actually flustered, and it was fucking adorable.
“I, uh, I have things I need to attend to,” he said, moving to the door. “I-I’ll send someone to gather the dishes shortly. You can reach the rest of the spots that might need ointment.”
Without another word he stepped out, leaving Ella alone. Alone, amused, and ponderous as to what this might mean.
“I couldsmellhim,” she marveled, fascinated by her new sensitivity. “And he smelledgood.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Elder Soparo was nestled away in a cozy reading cubby in one of the peripheral chambers of the vast archives of the Norvalian Sect. He sat alone, quietly studying the difficult language of one of the ancient Dotharian texts, as he did on so many days.
When he was a young man, he was known to travel far and wide in his duties, but now as the elder of the order, most of his time was spent here, overseeing the younger brothers and helping them interpret and understand precisely the laws and rules they’d sworn their lives to uphold. And a large part of that required scholarly study of the many, many volumes that had been expanded upon over the millennia.
It was in this secluded nook that Draikis found him late that evening, approaching the elder with an uncharacteristic hesitation in his step.
Soparo looked up, a brow slightly raised. “Brother Draikis. What seems to be amiss?”
“Amiss, Elder?”
“I’ve known you a great many years, Draikis. Something troubles you, clearly, and I would assume you have come to me for guidance.”
Draikis took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly with the man’s words. “You assume correctly.”
“And you knew where to find me how, exactly? These are not my normal counseling hours.”
The priest chuckled. “I’ve knownyoua great many years as well, Elder Soparo. Always with the ancient texts, eh?”
“We learn from the teachings and mistakes of the past.”
“But the Dotharians do not make mistakes.”
Soparo grinned, a gleam in his eyes. “Perhaps not now, but how do you think that came to be?”
“By careful study of things that went wrong.”
“So, youdidpay attention to my lectures.”
“One would be foolish not to.”
“Just as it would be foolish to not learn from the past. To study objectively and with no judgment, but always an open mind and willingness to admit when errors were made.”
“You are a wise man, Soparo.”
“Some say. But with age comes the realization that we are not as wise as we may think. The more one learns, the more one must also accept that we know far less than we believe.
“As you’ve said. The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.”
“Precisely.” He leaned back, gesturing to the nearby seat. “Join me, Draikis. Make yourself comfortable and tell me what it is you wish to discuss.”
Draikis did as he was bidden and slid into the welcoming embrace of the soft cushions, gathering his thoughts a long moment.
“The thing is,” he began, a little flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “I was wondering about the extent of our order’s rules.”
“Specifically?”
“Uh, specifically about reacting to the charms of the opposite sex.”
A little grin creased the older man’s lips. “Ah, I see. Our guest, I assume.”
