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Isaut wasn't worried when Kassandra summoned her. The High Priestess still reminded her of her mother, even though she was the daughter of an Immortal of Darkness. She should have looked more like Jasmine, but apparently her colors were more albino than anything else, and because she looked so special, her mother had bathed her in the infernal lake that had given her immortality.
Kassandra wore her High Priestess robe and had pulled up her hood when she signaled Isaut to sit across from her desk.
"Foulque and Waltrand tell me you're ready," Kassandra said. "You will be knighted as a Teeth of the Dragon, along with Rohan."
Isaut's happiness was wiped away by the end of the sentence.
"But he just got here!" she protested. "Why is he going to be knighted after only a week, when I had to wait over a month? Is it because he's a man?"
"Mostly, yes, but not for the reason you think," Kassandra answered, amused. "Did you get your period?"
Isaut blushed. "Yes, why?"
"Good, then you can join the Teeth." Kassandra smiled. "You see, the Teeth need to dedicate at least ten years to the service, therefore the women can't get pregnant during those ten years. I know you were a virgin when you reached here, but I also know you threw away your virginity without concern for the consequences. Thus I had to wait until you got your period to make sure you weren't pregnant, and would be able to join the elite warriors and take your father's place."
Isaut felt her face on fire, and no snarky reply came out. The Fighting Nuns didn't need to take herbs to avoid pregnancies, since they lived in chastity, therefore she had completely forgotten about a possible pregnancy.
She understood now why Waltrand hadn't allowed her in his room again, and wondered if he'd let her in again if she used some kind of protection.
"I see you understand," Kassandra said. "I will tell you how your female teammates avoid pregnancies during service, and it's a commitment for at least ten years, are you up for it?"
"The Fighting Nuns don't get pregnant, ever," Isaut muttered, looking away.
"Of course, they take a vow of chastity, and I'm not asking you to recommit to that vow, but I am asking you to refrain from having sex without protection."
Isaut sighed. "Fine, I'll follow the rules."
"I know Waltrand is the most gorgeous man you've ever met, your crush on him is obvious, but be aware that women flock to him, so you'll never be the only one. Yes, you can get in his bed, but never in his heart."
Isaut gulped and glared at Kassandra, who leaned forward, looking her in the eye.
"Trust me, I've known Waltrand for centuries. I have even considered breeding with him, but ended up not. I guess we consider each other siblings by now. He has his life, I have mine. The temple divides us now and forever."
Kassandra lay back in her chair and sighed.
"I know how you feel, you're not the first and won't be the last."
"Was he ever in love with someone?" Isaut asked, still frowning.
Kassandra pondered and smiled.
"I think so, but he never admitted it to me, so I can't be sure," she answered. "There were a few women he loved in his long existence. Unfortunately he was cursed and the ones he really like can't return the feeling and don't allow him to touch them."
"Who did this to him?" Isaut asked, outraged.
"His nemesis, a sorcerer named Beauregard de Beaurepaire." Kassandra shrugged. "They haven't met in ages, though, so I guess the sorcerer isn't immortal."
"And there's nothing any of you can do to lift the curse?" Isaut insisted.
"Clearly not, or he and Jasmine would have lived happily ever after." Kassandra scoffed. "She was his latest flame, and entrusted her son to him."
"So he will favor Rohan because he's the son of his beloved," Isaut muttered, unhappy.
"Maybe, maybe not." Again, Kassandra shrugged. "You will have to pass a final exam, both of you, and nobody will be able to help you anyway."
"What kind of exam?" Isaut asked, worried.
"Something that will test your magic. In a week, when both of you are ready. Now, shall we talk about protection when having sex?"