The Virgin's Weakness

Chapter 15

"What's taking so long?" Tyler mumbled as he paced the moonlit balcony, one hand fisted in his hair. He was on edge and itching for a fight. He glanced down over the terrace to the glowing swimming pool. He needed to calm down, right now. But the pool wouldn't cut it. He placed unsteady hands on the rail and peered over the horizon, over the distant mountains and zeroed in on the faint wavering of the ocean. He sighed and then shook his head, now wasn't the time.

He looked up at the moon and glared. If his guilt hadn't been so overwhelming he might have passed some of the blame over to it. But this was his fault. And damn, it felt like his soul was freezing over.

He looked over his shoulder toward the glass door, what the hell was taking so long? As if on cue, the door slid open and a hooded figure stepped onto the balcony. Its radiance was obscured by a billowy black robe, though a faint light trickled onto the stones below. The door slid shut. "Well?" Tyler approached in a frantic rush, "Is she gonna be okay?" The figure straightened and the glow that seeped from beneath its hood was almost blinding. Tyler fought the urge to look away even though his corneas burned.

The Light shook her head and tittered. She spoke in the language of the Gods, "Have you forgotten, Tylorian son of Svor, with whom you speak?" Her voice, usually chiming like bells, now held the sound of a cracking whip. Tyler immediately lowered his eyes. These past hours had been hectic and in his agitated state he'd forgotten to address The Light aptly. He cursed under his breath for forgetting one of their most common laws; do not speak to The Elite unless prompted to do so.

He knelt before her and replied in the same language, "Forgive me, your grace, for I meant no disrespect." She nodded nonchalantly and Tyler winced hoping that she wasn't too peeved; he needed her.

He focused on the odd glow at her feet as she slowly circled him, "Tell me, warrior, have you forgotten the laws of the separation process?" Tyler frowned, "No." She stopped in her stride and a cold chill raced up his spine. "Hmm..." she mused casually then continued her slow trek. Minutes that felt like hours passed by in silence and he tried to be patient, he really did, but he was in no state for common pleasantries; if she didn't say something soon he was going to lose his mind.

More minutes passed and he could take it no longer, "Forgive me, your grace, but I must know about the girl's health. How does she fare?" The Light paused then chuckled, "I wonder, do you know why my brother did not accompany me upon your request?"

Tyler hesitated, "I do not, your grace."

"Based upon your past... exploits, he believes you ungrateful for the honour we have bestowed upon you." What the hell is she talking about? He was not in the mood for this shit. Tyler bit his tongue, fearing his temper would get the best of him. If this was a test he wasn't falling for it.

The Light chuckled as if she read his mind and Tyler hid his annoyance. "You are a fine warrior, healthy, charismatic, and you possess great stamina. You are prince to your people," she paused before adding, "We The Elite have even blessed you with the sanctity of the Tanahya." When Tyler remained silent she cocked her head to the side, "What say you, young prince?"

How the hell does one respond to that? "I uh..." he cleared his throat, "I am aware of my rebellious past, and I make no excuses for my behaviour, but I did not choose to be born unto my father's blood, nor did I choose to be enthralled by the Tanahya."

"Hmm..." The Light continued to circle him, "It seems as though my brother was not entirely wrong. Tell me, do you wish to be free from the girl?"

"I have not kissed her—"