Tithe

Her instant and obvious mistrust of him had Tithe’s mind spinning in panic. Being in her presence started to slowly chip at his hard armor exterior. Pain lingered on his face and he whimpered softly at her, trying desperately to find the words that would explain what he was feeling, though he knew there were not words that could describe it. “You are beautiful.” But so was Taika. “There is something more though.” He insisted without a pause in his words, his voice uncertain and searching. “It was not what you look like… There was something deeper.”

The dark face still bore the expression of confusion and the more Pandora spoke the more withdrawn and frightened Tithe started to become. He did not know if she would actually ask these things of him. Nor did he know to what extent he would be able to walk the line between his sworn loyalty to his pack and his friends and the soul loyalty she had come to capture. His ears went back, trying to keep in his confusion, and as if their movement would somehow help him think. He was a servant of Spirane, brother-protector of Taika, and somehow completely entranced by Pandora. His roles in life had been clear to him, now they were suddenly hazy…again.

“No…” He finally breathed carefully, hoping that he found solid ground within himself. “I would protect my pack and my queen with my life.” His eyes looked over Pandora, hopefully. “I would protect you the same. If you were from a rival pack, I would not betray what you did, or where you slept, if I knew. Your secrets would be safe with me.” He did not know how far this would extend, how thin he could be stretched. All he knew was that he would bend himself as much as he could for those who came to call on him. Taking a deep breath he eyed the stranger not-stranger before him. He could not tell if he was being tested or if she was seriously considering breaking his bonds to his pack. In his chest his heart pounded and his mind raced, but he knew he needed to stand strong in front of this woman.

Until she said her final words. They hit him harder than he had expected. His expression went blank and hard in an instant, darkening as his true nature retreated into himself. ‘I will only give birth to kings.’ ‘You must raise to greatness.’ ‘No son of mine will be nothing.’ No son of her’s would be common. He had given up that purpose the moment he stepped foot in the mountains of his own volition. Any life of greatness he had sacrificed for a life he had chosen for himself. It was the life he desired. Now it did not seem good enough and he did not feel strong enough.

“I am afraid you are mistaken, My Lady Pandora.” His tones were smooth once again, though a hint of hurt and pain lingered underneath the cordial respect. “Your first impression was correct. I am common. It is you, who are special.” A brief smile flickered on his face at an afterthought. “Not just because you are ‘aesthetically pleasing’.” He blinked to himself, realizing he suddenly had the intense desire to attack anyone who looked at her purely because she was beautiful.