“You mean have sex?”
Simon’s flush reached the tips of his ears. The lock of brown hair that flopped over his forehead bounced as he fidgeted with his glasses. “Well, obviously not in the sense that the other three are having a fine time with…with ‘wenching.’ I mean, procreate. Since you’re the last of your kind, wouldn’t it be in your best interest to…um, make more?”
The laughter that had animated Tybalt’s face mere seconds ago drained completely, as his somber visage now stared determinedly at the bubbles in his drink.
Simon swung his head, nervously bobbing it once again. “I’m sorry, for-forget I asked.”
“No, it’s quite alright.” Tybalt’s voice was thick. “You are right to ask, it is in keeping with the great care you have shown us.” TheVixartook a huge gulp of his ale, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before setting the glass down with a loudthunk.
“Our kind has only been known to reproduce with a specific type of female, aDestine.” Col said. “They are female mates, and eachWaryeoris said to have oneDestine, one who is meant to bond with him for life. Although in her times of fertility, she may lay with anyWaryeorand conceive.”
Simon looked as baffled as if Col were trying to teach him the words of his thousand-year-old language. Col waited respectfully for Tybalt to join in, but theVixarremained silent, studying the wood grain of the table. So Col continued, “When there is aDestinearound who is not mate-bonded, her time of fertility may rile up full-grown males so they will fight over her. Their instincts will be overpowering. The most affected will be the intended mate, so he will be a danger to the other males.”
Simon was finally able to speak. “What happens if…if aDestineloses her mate? I’m sure that happened a lot during times of war.”
Col glanced at Tybalt again, but no answer was forthcoming. “TheDestinewhose mate was lost in the glory of battle would be quickly mate-bonded to anotherWaryeorif she was still able to bear young. There were not manyDestines,and they are the only ones who can bear us young who will becomeWaryeors.”
Simon was thoughtful. “It seems that we should be looking for yourDestines, then. We should make it a priority. There are so few of you, ”
Tybalt finally spoke. His voice was flat, but firm. “There are no moreDestines. They are no longer. We have outlived them all; we are the last of our kind.” He lowered his voice.
“That is why we must find and defeat The Dark Warlord soon, because there will be none to replace us, and against mere mortals, he will be unstoppable.”
Simon opened his mouth, and shut it again without making a sound. He caught Col’s eyes, and then had the good grace to say no more.
Col had to accept what hisVixarsaid was the truth. That woman he saw earlier could not be aDestine,let alonehisDestine.It was but the momentary flare-up of his senses again. That was all.
He thought again of the lightning bolt that traversed the distance between their eyes, and the strange, brief sense of absolute rightness. HisDestine? No, she couldn’t be. There was no room in his life, no part of his mission, no reason she could be hisDestine.
Another of Barric’s favorite phrases came to mind.
No. Fucking. Way.
