"I wouldn't say that it's not working on me," Ted confessed. "I just don't want to act on it. You're formidable and beautiful, but I don't want you to get any closer than this. I'm not built for true affection."
"Understandable," Eknie said with a slight nod. "It would be against your nature to be with me in that way. I don't know if it's because you don't like human warmth or...or…"
"Keep your speculations to yourself." Ted wiped the corners of his mouth. Out here, with no other high cors present, he did not have the need to act all high and mighty about the simple joys, like eating greasy pork with his fingers.
Besides, with such a large amount of cultists aboard, having enough silverware and plates for everyone would have been an impossibility.
"I don't want to know what you think of me," he continued. "I do have a heart that pumps blood into my body. I just don't light up in flames when you call my name. I prefer an anonymous connection with no strings attached."
"I see."
