Each House of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers derives its canon from an interpretation of Naamah’s experience with the King of Persis, whom she lay with to secure Blessed Elua’s freedom. House Alyssum believes that she trembled to lay aside her modesty. From this, Alyssum takes modesty as its canon, something very different from the other twelve Houses. How does modesty play into the act of love? Is modesty a bad thing?
We are told that patrons who enter Alyssum whisper their desires to the Second and are led to a room of adepts from which they may choose for their assignation. When Imriel and Mavros visit House Alyssum on their quest to experience every House in the Night Court in Kushiel’s Justice, Imriel chooses an adept and she whispers to him all of her desires.
In Terre d’Ange, sexuality in all its myriad forms is not only accepted openly, but celebrated. The religion of the d’Angelines is based on the precept of loving who and how one chooses. Our world does not share these same ideals. Sex and sexuality are complicated, often controversial matters in our society. So we close our doors and pull our curtains as we seek to “love as thou wilt.”
And while we would seek to live in a society where love and pleasure in every form and act were celebrated, this does not mean we should reject the beauty and allure of Alyssum’s modesty.
Modesty can often come with one’s first sexual experience: two people, fumbling in the dark, embarrassed by their lack of knowledge. A person who will only undress with the lights off, ashamed of and fearing the rejection of their physical self. With time and experience, that modesty can be the doorway to bolder, more adventurous and open sexual experiences. With trust and love, fear can give way to confidence and self-acceptance. But not everyone chooses to give up their modesty. Some prefer to keep the lights off, sharing their desires and physical selves quietly and secretly with only their partner in the privacy of the bedroom.
The lack of open, flaunted sexuality and lovemaking can create a special bond between two lovers – different from the loyalty of House Heliotrope – revealing one’s intimate desires and physical self indicates trust. You are trusting your partner to accept you in whatever manner you desire, be it tender or sharp; you are safe with this person. In the darkness, behind our closed doors and drawn curtains, we can reveal our secrets to someone we trust. Lit only by the afterglow of our lovemaking, we are able to share our true selves. The trust and sharing between two lovers is truly sacred.