Page 118 of A Brat's Tale
Bayaden inhales a sharp breath. “You can’t cage a dragon.”
I shake my head. “No. But then when I lost him, I saw from a new perspective, I discovered I’m not so different, also wanting to lock my loved ones up to keep them safe. I have forgiven him. I am happy, Baya.”
He smiles. “Then he may keep you.”
“Arse. You like knowing it’s because of your generosity.”
“Of course, wouldn’t be me if it were otherwise.”
“I’m an Elf now. Maybe that’s not up to you anymore.”
He’s gentle, raking a hand through my long hair, rubbing my new Elven ear between his thumb and index finger. “You and I both know that will never be true.”
I press myself against his solid torso, nuzzling into his neck. An overwhelming urge to mark him rises up. Is this what it feels like? I knew of this urge in Elves, but this is the first time I’m experiencing it. It’s the same discomfort as needing to move a limb after being immobile for some time and stretch away the stiffness. I refrain. I don’t know how much his new husband would appreciate that. Him kissing me is one thing, markings are a much bigger deal. “It’ll never be true.”
He nuzzles me back—marking when you can’t mark. He presses a meaty hand over my heart. “Truthfully it’s not up to me either. I have been tasked with this and you know I always look after what I am responsible for.”
I can’t help the thought that he’s like Alrik that way. “You do.” I blink tears.
“Please, stay safe.” He kisses the back of my hand and I have to say goodbye to him again.
“Be safe too and know, I’m going to stop this war.”
“If anyone will do it, it will be you, little human.”
I’m no longer human, but I still like the nickname and it holds meaning for me. My eyes fill with tears and I lean in for a last kiss to his soft lips, inhaling his scent of blood and dirt and musk, taking all of him I can with me.
When it gets light enough, I rouse Diekin, but it’s hard. No wonder he slept through all the racket Baya and I must have caused last night, he’s still recovering. “Is it time already, Tristan?”
“Afraid so.”
We only get to packing when thick hooves sound against the dirt floor of the forest, echoing against the trees. Both Diekin and I pull swords, standing back-to-back, taking up a fighting stance. We relax when we see it’s Corrik, Alrik, Jagar, Aldagir, Zelphar, Brylee, and what’s left of our warriors.
Corrik hops off his horse.
The large Elf is speechless, eyes wide, breathing carefully. He walks over slowly, drinking me in; I get shy again—this is going to happen a lot isn’t it? “Tristan?”
“It’s me.”
His smile glows and something else, his body relaxes. I see now how much me being human worried him. This doesn’t get me out of danger, but it helps. A lot. He runs one of his large hands up my bare arm, to my neck, and up my long ear. I wiggle it and bites his lip. He spends so long not saying anything, I get self-conscious even though I have no reason to be. I know Corrik, I know he’s pleased, but I need him to say something. “Is this okay?”
“Tahsen. It’s more than okay. I’m just trying to convince myself that what my eyes are seeing is real. You’re too beautiful to be real and I can’t believe the Gods made you for me.” He yanks me to him. “My cock aches for you, my darling. I need to get you home and to our bed. I’d take you here, but this deserves the time for worshipping.” His lips ghost over mine and then we kiss deeply.
Alrik clears his throat. “We need to be on our way, we don’t have enough protection against Rogue Elves to lollygag. Put your pretty wife-to-be over your horse Corrik and let’s go.”
It’s hard not to openly scowl at him.
Unfortunately, Corrik does put me on his horse, but it’s because we’re low on horses and his happens to be one of the larger ones that can fit two. Plus, he wants to be near me. “Don’t pay him any mind Tristan. I told you, he’s grown affectionate for you.”
I might finally believe Corrik on that one. “He has a funny way of showing it.”
We ride for a long while before he says more, but I practically feel him ruminating on something. “Out with it Corrik.”
“You won’t like it.”
“I have to deal with many a thing I don’t like.”
“Even your voice has changed, it’s sexy,” he says beginning to nibble on my neck.
