Page 32 of Tristan
I was awoken too many times during the night by a sex-crazed Elf with a cock I can’t seem to say no to.
“I forget you’re only human,” he says as he watches me rub sleep from my eyes and gingerly move from our bed to wash up. It’s barely past dawn and we must be on our way.
“I’m fine.” I’m not a porcelain doll.
We make it downstairs to a full pub-style breakfast of eggs, sausage, stewed tomatoes, fresh bread, and ale. Alvin is serving our crowd of course, but an older man who looks like him with the same dark hair peppered with grey and two women, one younger and one older, assist him.
I don’t know Corrik near well enough yet, but since last night I see differences in the way he is with Alvin and me. To Alvin, heoffers the same polite smirk he did last night, with me, there is a warm comfort that doesn’t exist between the two of them. It’s not enough to appease me—I only feel a little less like I want to slit Alvin’s throat—and I wonder where this strange jealousy comes from? It’s not like I should care, but I do. Maybe him being my husband creates an innate sense of possessiveness?
“Desist your glaring at once,” Corrik scolds me.
“Fine,” I snap in no mood to argue. I’m sitting on my sore arse and I’m grouchy because I’m tired. I plaster on a fake smile. I almost get through breakfast, but that Alvin bastard decides to touchmyCorrik. Without thinking about it, I grab his wrist and twist it behind his back. The plates he’s holding crash to the ground, loud, drawing unwanted attention my way. None of the Elven eyes staring on deter me from my mission of putting this guy in his place.
“Do not touch my husband again,” I hiss in his ear.
It’s as far as I get before Corrik grabs me by both my arms and pulls me off Alvin, tossing me backward. I’m only just able to get my footing when he scolds and demands. “That’s no way to treat our hosts. Apologize.”
“Never.”
Father and Papa would be appalled at my behavior, and I’d never have spoken to Father that way. I’d have apologized immediately.
Alvin looks at me with a sneer on his face. “I thought Elves had better restraint over their spouses, your highness?”
Asshole. This man knows more about Elves than he ought to.
“Yes, an oversight on my part, which I plan to rectify this instant. Come.” He grabs me roughly and drags me through a silent pub. The rest of the guard has returned to eating, but I know they are aware of their new prince being dragged up the stairs like a misbehaved five-year-old. We return to our room from last night. The bed is still disheveled, but our things have been removed and packed with our horses. Corrik throws me against the wall, my back hits it hard and he slams the door shut.
I seethe with anger at him, at Alvin, at the situation I find myselfin.What will he do to me?I may be a formidable fighter, but I know I’m no match for an Elf, especially not Corrik.
“I’ve been lenient with you. I should’ve punished you from the start, on our wedding night. Now, you dare disobey me in front of others? I cannot let this go. My leniency was a mistake.”
“He had his hands on you. What would you have done if it were the other way ‘round?”
“I would not have been pleased.”
“Then you are a hypocrite if you punish me for the same thing.”
“I am not punishing you for that—I felt it prudent you apologize considering the circumstances, and you chose to disobey me—thatis why you will be punished. Pull your trousers down,now.”
My cheeks heat as I realize what he intends to do. “You can’t spank me like a child. I won’t let you.”
“I’ll spank you however I see fit—you’re mine. Besides, who’s here to stop me?” His eyes are pure challenge, and he has a point—no one could stop him, and no one would dare try.Damn Elves would probably agree I deserve it.
“Me. I say you can’t—you said you would never touch me unless I gave you permission, I don’t give you permission. I don’t deserve it—not like before.”
“That was in reference to sex, and I will keep my promise in that regard. The same does not apply for punishment—that doesn’t make any sense—whodesirespunishment? How often does the person being punished agree they should be punished? Did you agree with every law and consequence in Markaytia?”
“Well, no.”
“Yet you agreed to live there and thus obey all laws set by Markaytian rule. Now you have agreed to become an Elf, thus you will obey our laws or suffer the consequences. Peopleneedpunishment; they seldom want it. I am your husband so I will decide when, where and what your punishments will be. You will accept them whether you want them or not. You will eventually come to trust myjudgment in this matter, but for now, you’re just not going to like me very much.”
Fuck. I really can’t stop him—he’s going to go through with this, and he’s right: I did agree to follow Elvish law when I married Corrik, hell, I vowed toobeyhim on our wedding day. There’s only one thing left I can do—I’m not above begging. “Corrik, please. I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I won’t disobey you again—don’t do this. It’s undignified.”
“Ah, your Markaytian sensibilities again,” he says. “No matter. They will dissipate too in time. I dare say some already have. I guarantee that after this experience, you will have learned to listen when I give an order. Enough of this nonsense and do as I have instructed you. If I have to do it for you, it will be worse.”
With as much pride as I have left, I pull down my trousers.
“You’re an intelligent man. I think you’ve gathered enough from what I’ve said that I don’t need to lecture you further—why must I spank you?”
