Page 78 of Tristan
“I never said any such things,” he denies as I knew he would. “I know my brother holds more power than I do with the Elven courts and while it must be terribly exciting for a meager human such as yourself, I will be seen as weak in front of my warriors if you continue to submit to him.”
A likely story. “I thought Elves were promiscuous? Isn’t it natural for them to have many partners before they mate?”
“Has my brother entered you?” He ignores my questions, hisgood humor flares to anger.
“No, Bayaden, calm. I only go to Andothair for discipline. I promise.” I can’t believe I have to defend myself in this manner. Honestly, what’s gotten into him tonight?
“For a moment I thought he had lied to me, thoughyouhave no reason not to lie to me.”
“I’m not lying about that—swear on my aunt’s grave. Why should you care anyway? I’m a disgusting human.”
“I told you already. I care about how it looks to my warriors. I’ll not have you embarrass me.”
“I shall endeavor not to embarrass you then, Highness.” I can only look at my dry piece of bread. Bayaden is as caught up in these games Ando begins as I am, tied to it by his moral duty to his people and his family.Bayaden and I have much in common.
“If you’re not going to eat, at least leave me to eat in peace.”
“I thought you wanted a bath?”
“I did, but I can no longer stand to look at you. I’ll go down to the bathing hall to take my bath. Someone far more competent will help me there.”
I pretend that I’m insulted by that, when in truth, I’m relieved. One less duty for me to worry about and he’s right; the men and women servants in the bathing hall are far more competent than I.
I leave and it’s when I’m halfway down the hall I remember I left the bread he gave me on the table.
It’s late when I knock on Andothair’s chamber doors. “Enter.”
He’s standing over his desk looking at a large map. “Ahhh, Tristan. I’ve been expecting you. Sit.”
I’m not a fool. I know he isn’t inviting me to sit in a chair. I take my place by his feet and kneel properly as Corrik taught me. Sometimes I pretend he’s Corrik. “What have you done this time?”
“Do you really want to keep hearing about the things yourbrother has me do to him?”
“You still feel guilt over that?”
“I shall always. I’m a married man, Andothair, whether you believe it or not—whether Corrik is alive or not.” I’ve given up asking him what was done with my Corrik. My ring is gone. It’s been gone since I arrived and I assumed Andothair took it and disposed of it before he woke me from my magic-induced slumber once we arrived at the border of Aldrien, in Hemkilli. I never asked because I knew he wouldn’t tell me anyway—there were still some ways to save my pride.
He considers me a long time and for a moment I’m stupid enough to believe he’s thinking about what I’ve said. “You are quite beautiful, for a human. I can almost find what he sees in you when I look hard enough.”
“You were intent on killing me, now you hold me captive—why?” I’ve asked him this every other night and every other night he evades my question, but I have a feeling about tonight—tonight he’ll give me a truth.
“Corrik has something I want.”
My heart skips a beat. He saidhasas inCorrik’s still alive.At least I dare to hope it; I must make sure. “You think by holding me ransom you will get what you want? You don’t know Corrik very well, do you?”
“I know Corrik better than you think,” he says, grabbing my chin hard. “Get out. I cannot look at you tonight.”
No one wants to look at me tonight, but Corrik is alive. Corrik is alive.He wouldn’t talk like that otherwise. The knowledge does strange things to me; the shame is suffocating. “Andothair, please. I need you.”
“I do not care what you need. You are lucky I do not give you to the dungeon guards.”
“Ando, I beg you.Please.”
“Out.”
Istorm back to Bayaden’s room in a mood that boils my dragon blood. I’ll kill him;killhim. How dare he reject me like that? The only counter to my shame has always been rage.
“Problem, Tristan?” Bayaden is naked as usual and sits on his bed reading. He’s the most unusual Warlord I’ve ever encountered. Judging by his relaxed demeanor, his anger has cooled from before.
