Tithe

Relief flooded him at her touch. All at once he felt like he belonged somewhere and he knew he had made the right choice. This was where he was going to belong and this was the home he would take up arms for. She pressed her body against his and he returned the gesture, his posture and movements always respectful to his superior and new queen. Her openly expressed happiness at his choice made the young man in a place he had never been. His grin could not be wiped from his face, though he stood there sheepishly, caught between trying to maintain some semblance of reserve, while still starting to feel comfortable with showing his feelings. The shy knight looked down from his ruler’s gaze, but his smile lingered.

He considered for a moment her words. Having rarely been given the opportunity to chose his fate he did not want to step down a path that trapped him, not when he had already taken such steps to build himself into who he wanted to be. Being a member of a pack to be proud of was one thing, but being able to chose where he stood in that pack was another honor he had never dreamed possible. For his life thus far he had been told where to reach and what he needed to reach for. A crown that was not to be his, or a mask he wished not to wear. Life had shaped him into a warrior, and his body was built for it. It was his belief that weapons were to be drawn at the last possible moment. There were other ways to protect yourself and those around you, though there were also times that fangs were necessary.

”My lady, I will be more than willing to fight if need be and use my strength in hunt or battle. But I would much rather be a member or your Emissary.” His eyes clouded for a moment before he spoke his next words. “Wars can be fought and won without ever having to bare a fang. I wish to avoid bloodshed if I can. Pray tell how I can most benefit you in that role.” He could not deny a hunger for rank and growth. For a chance to prove himself to his queen and to himself that he could be something more than what he had been.