Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 61: Weeping Willow

The mess hall was nearly empty, but Pollyanna, Them, Eliita, and Terran remained. They were all enthralled by the waif's tale of his first meetings with Taylor.

Terran interjected. "She sounds like a hussy; the type of girl that only a man like you would be attracted to—the type of girl who would end up at a whore house--there's nothing special about a woman like that."

Pollyanna lowered her head in shame.

She had been sold once, the same as a whore, to Klein.

Eliita glared at Terran. "Terran, neither you nor I understand how horrible it is in a whore house, we shouldn't judge. Besides, I can't imagine she is a hussy... Maybe a flirt, but not a hussy."

"You're too kind, my sweet. Don't you remember the names she called you?" Terran reminded her.

"She's clearly insecure and immature, but that doesn't make her a whore." Eliita replied.

"Taylor is not a hussy..." Them agreed, feeling guilt weigh heavily upon his shoulders. "My mistake was not realizing that sooner."

"You don't think she's a hussy...?" Pollyanna interjected, surprised.

Lately, she didn't know what to make of Eory or Taylor; she knew that Eory must have been a virgin when he emerged from the tower, but she didn't know whether he was or not now since Maruka had come into the picture. She knew that he desperately wanted to be loved, and like any eighteen-year-old, he wasn't picky about who he found to love him.

Because Them was so experienced in the ways of love, it gave her hope that perhaps Eory had not slept with Maruka.

Them shook his head with a soft smile. "No... She's all talk. She's more likely to slap someone in the face than she is to sleep with them. I can't say for sure, but I don't get that impression from her."

Them was regretful. "To think I accused her of sleeping with Maruka... I knew she had done no such thing. The way she kissed me those two times—they were deep and passionate, but terrified."

Pollyanna understood that well. Eory's reaction when she kissed him was much the same.

Them sighed. "I should have told her..."

"Told her what?" Eliita asked.

Them grinned awkwardly. "Nothing."

Pete crossed his short arms. Annoyance at his friend's obsession with the fairy was turning into resentment. You say you don't have feelings for her—that you could never see her again and you would be completely fine—and yet you are unable to stop praising her, thinking about her, and worrying about her.

Them turned to his wisp friend and winked. "Are you jealous or something, Pete?"

Pete narrowed his eyes and kept his arms crossed. No, but I'm supposed to guide you to the right path. Taylor doesn't belong on the right path. She's hurt you before, she'll keep on hurting you.

Them was silent as he let his friend's words sink in.

Pollyanna exchanged glances with Terran and Eliita, wondering what the wisp had said to Them.

"Yes, Taylor hurts me." Them agreed. "But I can take care of myself; I can cut her out of my life if need be. I just don't want to. I'll continue my story, and then you'll know why."

__

Them groveled at Taylor's feet on the dream plains, keeping his eyes low. "I apologize again for keeping you waiting."