Tithe

Tithe listened to the words the older knight spoke and rolled them over in his mind. If there was anything he desired it was for the mountains to have peace and fairness roll over them like the clouds above their heads. This is your home. Never would I want you to be away from it. Nor would I dream of asking you to step away from your promise. Thank you, Sleekwing.

The small grin that tugged at Sleekwing’s face sent a wave of foolishness through Tithe. He ducked his head just so. He felt like a boy caught in a crush, or talking about fantasies that Taika often rattled on about. This feeling was one that if he had admitted to years ago he would have been bitten and scolded until he had turned into a huddle of quivering fur. To have the older male smile at him was both comforting and embarrassing. Still, Tithe pressed his own feelings aside and listened intently to what Sleekwing had to say. Every word was important to him to know what was happening and what to do. The list of mates alarmed him and made his heart skip a beat. He thought of such a desire towards the golden woman that had captured his soul. It felt so wrong, but it also felt right. Simply sitting beside her brought him all the joy in the world. His desire to be by her side, or to have her at his, was surpassed only by his need to ensure that she had what she wanted from him. At that thought he heart fell again.

She had wanted to break it.

It is not so simple, no. Tithe agreed softly. To fulfill Pandora’s wishes would it mean the destruction of his soul? Of his life? He felt cold and empty at the mere thought of being severed from her. Is there a way to break it? Or to lessen it? He asked on behalf of the woman he was bound to. His eyes stared at the ground, dreading the answer whatever it may be.