Page 79 of Tristan
“Your brother, he wouldn’t, uh, do the thing.” I can’t say it.
“Discipline you?”
“Yeah, that.”
“What did you do? He isn’t easily angered.”
“I think it was something I said about Corrik.”
“Ah.”
“What do you mean, ah?”
I don’t expect an answer, but I get one and I suspect it has to do with whatever his issue was earlier. “He and Corrik used to be a thing, didn’t you know?”
“You’re lying.”
“What reason would I have to lie to you?”
“How is that possible?”
“Before you, it was very possible.”
“Like, together—together?”
“Is there another kind?”
“But Mortouge and Aldrien hate each other.”
“Corrik and Andothair dreamed of forging an alliance one day. They met in secret. I doubt King Vilsarion knew, but our father knew and encouraged it.”
“What happened? Why did they split up?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Corrik had his vision of you and abandoned all thought of my brother—it broke his heart.”
“That’s why he wanted me killed.”
“Yes.”
“But that wouldn’t have won Corrik back. Corrik would have hated him.”
“You’d be surprised what time can heal and the time of an Elf is long. We are immortal, Tristan,” he reminds me.
“So why didn’t he kill me then?”
“That has me as puzzled as you. He gave you to me though so you’re mine now. Whatever his reasons before, he won’t kill you. I won’t let him.”
“I don’t care about him killing me, I care about him killing my friend.”
“He won’t. I won’t let him do that either if that is your wish. Will that make you happy?”
“It will.” I don’t know why he suddenly wants to make me happy, but if he will protect Diekin, I’ll take it.
“I shall see to it then, now, come. I’m in need of my manservant—you’ve been missing longer than you were meant to be.”
