Master Wu leaned in with a thin black eyebrow raised. “Have you experienced such a bond with the Propheros while she has been under your protection?”
I paused. “I believe I have.”
Surprised mumbles were exchanged.
“Explain,” Master Violetta said simply.
“In times of extreme emotion, I have felt a shared fear that has allowed me to better aid the Propheros when she has been in danger.”
“And when you first felt this bond,” Master Wu said, “what did you think it was? My understanding was that you thought the long haired mook you brought with you was the Propheros. Did you also form a bond with him?”
“No, Master. It has only been formed with the true Propheros. I cannot say what I interpreted it to mean.”
“You are withholding something from us,” Master Ilsa said sharply. “I won’t stand for this insubordination. Speak it immediately, Chevalier.”
This is what I had feared most. She was right. I was lying by omission and it was a transgression that would further prevent me from regaining my soul. “I have felt the bond to the Propheros through many extreme emotions.”
“Such as?” Master Violetta asked patiently.
“Fear. Fear and lust,” I said it before I could think about it too much.
Master Ylang closed his eyes, disappointment radiating from him. I pressed my hands into the sides of my legs.
“Lust?” Master Ilsa repeated. “Lust for others, or lust for something in particular?”
My heart beat so hard it felt like it would break my chest into a million splinters. “Lust for me.” I couldn’t help the heat that no doubt stained my cheeks with flush.
The collective gasp confirmed my fears. Master Ylang looked at me with pity in his eyes, which was worse than if he’d taken the staff to my palms. I should have told him at our first interview, yet I withheld it.
“Did you redirect the child on how preposterous these feelings were?” Master Ylang asked.
I kept my stare focused on the knot of wood in the chair, just above Master Ylang’s head. “Yes, Master. I have made many attempts to illuminate her on the natural order of the Light, and how I am far from it.”
“There you see,” Master Ylang said, turning back to my other Masters with satisfaction.
Yet I could feel the burn of one of their stares boring a hole into me. My stomach felt like there was a hill brimming with skittering ants in it.
It was Master Violetta who spoke. “And you, Chevalier, ward of Ylang, do you return such… lust to the Propheros?”
My tongue felt heavy. My heart pounded erratically. The words felt thick but they had to be said. “To lie would be to turn away from the Light. Yes, I also share in this feeling of… lust.” The word came out husky where I meant it to ring clear as a bell. Lust was such an underwhelming word for what I truly felt. Emma was so much more than an object of lust. She bore confidence and strength, tempered by compassion and heart.
“This won’t be borne,” Master Wu insisted. His voice reached a near-screech when he addressed me. “We must assign a different Chevalier at once. Have you soiled our Propheros?”
I shook my head and the words came out in a stutter. “I cannot deny there was opportunity to turn away from the Light and give in to the temptation she presented, but the Propheros remains a virgin.”
Thoughts of my tongue lapping between her thighs as she orgasmed on my fingers sprang to my mind and the instant arousal was weighed by guilt and sin.
I should have kept silent but suddenly I couldn’t help myself. “I would never compromise the Propheros. My feelings for her only ensures my dedication to her protection.”
“Oh gods,” Master Violetta sighed with a frown.
Master Wu’s mouth tightened as he glared at me.
Master Ilsa seemed uncomfortable with this progression, and looked away from me as if I could taint her simply by laying her eyes on me.
“Master Ylang tells us you lost your powers temporarily,” Master Wu accused, a bony finger shaking in my direction.
“This is true. For almost two days I could not call on the Light to bring us to the Temple.” My brows furrowed. “I cannot say why, but it did return.”
