Page 29 of Tristan
“Everything’s set for you. We reserved the inn for tonight, as you requested. We are honored to have the Elven royalty among us again so soon,” he says with his perfect smile.
“Thank you, Alvin,” Corrik says, his lips tug minutely, which I know is his form of smiling.How dare he smile at this miscreant!I’m an inch away from slicing his lips off with the paring knife I spy beside the limes, when Corrik pulls on my hand and leads me up the stairs. Guards are stationed outside our room, and we go inside. I’m thrust toward the bed.
“Nothing happened between Alvin and I—not like you think it did.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“You know what I’m referring to, you were glaring hard enough to light him on fire.”
“Well, the man was practically slobbering all over you.”
“So, what if he was? Youhateme, remember?” This time his lip ends are tugging harder. It’s almost a half-smile and I can’t help but gloat that his smile for me is bigger than his smile for the barkeep—so there stupid Alvin.
“Or perhaps that’s changed?” His eyes look hopeful.
Have my feelings changed? No. I don’t know why I feel this surge of jealousy except that if I’m stuck with Corrik, he should be stuck with me. “If anything, I hate you more than before—you flirted with him back. I’ll thank you kindly to remember you’re a married man now. Have you Elves no respect for such a contract in addition to having no decency?”
His face brightens like it did the night before and he lets loose the laugh I love. It makes it hard to stay mad at him, but I soldier on with a glare worse than the one I gave Alvin.
“Mark my words, Corrik Cyredanthem. You are my husband now and I say no more flirting with Alvin.”
Corrik moves closer to tower over me, still laughing and nestles his hand into my long, dark hair to grab the nape of my neck. I have no idea how any of the things I’ve just said could make him this happy, but they have. He presses a soft kiss to my lips and pulls away looking at me as if I’m dear to him—for a moment I pretend I am. It’s much better than the truth.
He rubs circles on my cheek with his thumb and then he pulls away. “As you wish, my fierce little dragon. Get ready for bed.”That’s it? Get ready for bed?He hasn’t apologized for what happened downstairs, and we haven’t even begun to talk about earlier today when he dumped me on his mother’s horse and ignored me. Well, if that’s how he wants to be, fine, but this little concubine is closed for the night.
He hands me a bag. Inside are more versions of what I’m already wearing. It’s got some items for washing up, like soap and shampoos, and there is even a kit for shaving. It’s a well-stocked bag only missing one item.
“Corrik, there aren’t any night clothes in here.”
“Don’t worry D’orhai—you won’t need any night clothes,” he tells me with fire in his eyes.
“Arrrgghhh!” I yell and throw the bag at him, which he dodges. This time he only smiles, without the laughter, and it’s just as beautiful. It freezes me for a minute, until I remember how frustrating he is, and continue to the small bathing room. There is no room for a full bath, but it is a nice ensuite, which has partial plumbing—at least there is a toilet—but no sink. Instead, there is a basin with fresh water and towels, a mirror hangs above them. It will do.
Corrik stays away from me while I wash up. I remove my shirt, tuck it into the hem of my travel trousers, and use the towels and soap provided by the Inn to give myself a light wash. The ride wasn’t hard today, and I was a mere passenger, but I got sweaty and dirty, nonetheless.
Out in the bedroom, Corrik removes his shirt and pants. I take a sharp inhale and watch as the curve of his bicep meets the bulge of the head of his shoulder, the muscles of his oblique wall stand out like they’ve been embossed over his ribcage. His round ass juts out from his large thigh with the gold locks of his hair falling to outline the whole picture, making him look like an angel—except I know better.
Corrik is a fallen angel.
My cock appreciates Corrik’s naked form, and I’m forced to remindhim, my penis, that we’re not on tonight, we’re too angry. Except my pants continue to get uncomfortable, and I have to take them off. I focus on my task and jump a mile when I look up to see Corrik in all his naked glory, leaning against the door frame with his arms folded over one another. He smirks arrogantly, his large cock hard, his eyes zone in on my also hardened member. How long has he been watching me?
“Come,” he orders then moves away from the door.
“I’ll bloody well take my time. I don’t care how sexy you are,” I mutter, hoping he can’t hear me. I’ve finished anyway so I hang the towel and return to the bedroom. He’s lying on the bed, his hands pillowed behind his head.
“Don’t you need to wash up?” I’m suddenly nervous. I know what he wants, and I’ve already decided not to give it to him, but the task might prove more than I’m up for at the moment. He did say he’d never force me, but I’m starting to believe he might never have to. He shakes his head.
“Elves don’t sweat?”
“You know we do. You saw evidence of that last night,” he says. “But, not to worry, I won’t smell—not yet—I’ll wash in the morning for you.”
“Do you have built-in air fresheners or something?”
“Or something,” he says. “Now come.”
I join him on the bed but remain as far away from him as I can. “Well, night then,” I say and roll over, away from him. The candle on his nightstand is still lit. It’s obvious he wants to have a conversation; I’m making it obvious I don’t. He doesn’t say goodnight in return, so I know our silent argument isn’t over.
“Why do you dislike your Elvish name?”
