was to prevent a flinch from spoiling the design.
Remaining still and with no more than minor sensations of pressure on
his face, though, seemed to be making him more receptive to what had to
be his thakur--the things he was feeling certainly couldn't have had
their origin in a properly-raised warrior!

For one thing, the idea of the Family's sexual activity no longer
bothered him, even with the certainty that it would include man-loving.
His thakur's approval and enjoyment of watching such things meant he
should as well, and he seemed to be making the adjustment. He might
not be able to take part himself just yet, though the men on his
thakur's team were beginning to seem more desirable . . . It was
generous of the gods, he thought, to make even such a drastic change to
his thakur's values and standards so easy for him.

Eventually the artist was finished, and handed Keith a mirror. "What
do you think?"

Keith studied his cheek for a moment, then nodded. "Your skill is
worthy of my thakur. I thank you."

"You're quite welcome." The artist turned, bowed to Cortin. "By Your
Excellency's leave?"

"Granted; Lieutenant Degas will take you to your home or your studio,
as you prefer." She turned to Degas. "Tony, give him his fee--plus a
bonus for the house call and inconvenience. Double should be about
right."

"I'd say so," Degas agreed. "Maybe a little extra since Keith's happy
with it?"

Cortin grinned. "Triple, then. And get back as soon as you can."

"Yes, ma'am." Degas returned the grin, then escorted the artist out of
the common-room.

As soon as they were gone, Keith got his first experience of Family
informality; within minutes, he was the only one in the room with
clothes on, and he seemed to sense his thakur's desire that he also be
nude. That wasn't what she said when she smiled at him, though. "If
you'd rather not join us, Keith, we'll all understand; you're free to
do what you wish. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm not, Thakur." To his gratified surprise, that was true; his only
discomfort was being dressed when she wasn't, and that was easy enough
to correct. When he did so, he could feel her approval--and her
arousal, as she looked at his genitals. "Thakur . . ."

Cortin smiled at him. "Take it easy, Keith. You're a beautiful man,
and I'd like to have sex with you--but I don't want to get you in just
because you feel obligated from having sworn to me. Is that c