This chapter was frelling awesome! My favorite chapter of the Gold Book so far, bar none. I loved that Tano and Remin spoke so candidly with each other about celibacy and how to manage it. I speculated before that they would become close friends and kind of accidentally fall in love with each other while Remin was dating and I can see more than ever how likely that is.
I laughed out loud at Kudorin's reaction to Xio Voe introducing Remin and Naritano. So giddy, so excited, so quintessentially
Kudorin to act that way. And I felt like it was him reacting as both Remin's brother and his god. I wonder how the other gods felt about it. Probably the same as Kudorin did.
Aside from Remin and Tano's conversation at the end, my favorite part was Remin eating the sandwich and muffin.
Still reliving the sandwich, Remin wanted to go back to the kitchens to get another one. It had to be the creation of Xio Voe’s chef; Remin had found it in the middle kitchen along with…
…the muffin.
Eyeing it, Remin wondered. Who’d made that muffin? Had it been Xio Voe’s cook? Or just someone who worked in that kitchen? Would it live up to the sandwich, or would it be, in comparison, sawdust?
Picking it up carefully, he brought it to his nose. Mmm, it smelled sweet and nutty. Slowly, he broke it open. It looked soft, moist, and it was crammed full of berries and nuts. Salivating as if he were contemplating putting a dick in his mouth, Remin nibbled a corner.
Oh, sweet fuck. Moaning, Remin shoved a good third of the muffin into his mouth. It practically melted on his tongue, buttery and sweet and rich. What was this, a muffin or a sign from the gods? He wanted to savor it, but it was so good, he scarfed it up in seconds, nothing left but bliss in his mouth.
Groaning, he tipped his head back, letting his eyes fall shut. Had he actually questioned whether he should masturbate with food? And had the answer ever been more plain? As far as Xio Voe’s chef was concerned, it seemed, that was what food was for. That fucking sandwich had been more satisfying and pleasing than some of the actual sex Remin’d had. And that muffin was like a sweet, early morning blowjob, just enough to take the edge off and leave a smile on his face.
I love that of all the awesome Remin has had over the years, the first time that he felt inclined to masturbate solely to celebrate his meal was caused by Tano's cooking. Sign from the gods, indeed!
But the best was this:
“How have you lasted this long? This is the longest it’s ever been for me and I’m only managing it because I spend as much time as possible in here, away from everyone.”
“I pray a lot,” Remin said dryly. “And I can’t say that self-indulgence is remotely as satisfying as sharing the moment with a partner or two, but it has its uses.”
“Sometimes I think that it only makes things worse. It seems like complete self-denial, just never even attempting satisfaction, is the best way.”
“No, no, that’s even worse,” Remin insisted. “It’s best to have some kind of release, even if it’s just occasional. Never indulging in any activity, at all, not even alone, will only make you all the more likely to break. I’ve learned that it helps me to abstain if I know that there’s some relief in my future, lonely as it may be.”
“But once I’ve felt that good, I just want to do it again and again and again,” Naritano said. “It keeps feeling good every time, and I just want more and more of it.”
Gods above, Remin wanted him. “Enough of that. Stop talking and make me something to eat.”
A sweet, sexy smile of pure happiness, tinged with recognition and understanding. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Insatiable and obedient? The only thing better was insatiable and disobedient, because then there could be all kinds of teasing and punishing. And Remin really needed to think about something else.
And then they talk about decorating and Jacacean art and Tano asks Remin to talk for him. They are SO going to be best friends. They'll confide in each other and laugh together and walk festivals with each other and support each other in their celibate states until one day they'll realize that they're totally, completely, passionately, irrevocably in love with each other. Then they'll both panic. LOL
As far as Naritano's problem with sex and cooking, I have a feeling that only applies to lustsex. I don't think the gods would let lovesex ruin his ability to do his job. If anything, I can see Ilanosa blessing him with increased inspiration after lovesex.
