Page 19 of A Brat's Tale
He knows how much I like watching them jump against the moonlight. I nod and let him carry me to the bed.
The Aldrien king is a large, broad Elf like Bayaden, but he has fine features like Andothair and a long, fearsome scar, also like Bayaden, running under his eye, but instead of running across his cheekbone, it runs to his chin. Rather than making him look ugly, it gives him a grand look. All I can think every time I look upon him is what it would be like to fight a man like him. He’s magnificent.
Tom has told me all about the ways he submits to the king. I’ve even seen the beautiful way he kneels for him with his torso tall, that graceful sway at this lower back, his chest puffed, and each toe of his bare feet pressed into the soft stone. I’ve seen the way his eyes look up to the king, and it’s clear he’s been instructed to have his gaze follow him in that way; he doesn’t spare a glance for me or anyone else.
It’s convincing. Anyone would believe their charade, but as I’ve gotten to know them, it just doesn’t feel true. I don’t know why; I have no proof that it’s any other way. The king exudes a dominant energy at times, but at other times I pick up on a different aura. Is there a chance it goes both ways? I have heard some couples switch, which is a foreign idea to me, someone who swings so much one way; it’s hard to fathom someone could be both dominant and submissive at the same time, but I think that’s what the king and Tom might be.
Even if just sometimes. It would explain a lot anyway.
But Andothair is submissive through and through and it’s easy to see now that I’ve embraced who I am. I understand why he and Corrik worked when they were together. I didn’t know at first because Andothair can give a bloody good spanking.
Angry, after the first time Baya and I slept together and after my confinement that I still didn’t understand at the time, I sought him out. He was with the king who thought I was an odd gift for Bayaden, but since the king has a human servant of his own, he understood the attraction and thought I’d make a pretty pet even though that day I was hysterical. I shouted at Andothair, saying things that didn’t makesense. I even complained that I wasn’t given jobs like a proper manservant.
“Calm down, Tristan.” His voice was gentle, not hard and demanding like Bayaden’s.
I was breathing too fast, trying and failing to calm myself down, begging him without words to do something to make me better.
He watched me a long time, and then said, “I know what you are, Tristan. We’ll meet in my chambers tonight after dinner. I’ll have Tom fetch you.”
I was furious. I didn’t get the help I needed, but I was without another option and so I had to wait; I was ready to set the whole place on fire. I went back to Baya’s chambers and slept on my bed. To add insult to injury, I was awoken by boots dumped on my head. “The Gods’ sake!”
Bayaden stood over me, looking like he wanted to set my head on a pike. “You went to my brother,” he accused, his teeth grinding metal. “He says you want jobs to do, so here. Polish all my boots and when you’re finished, polish them again.”
"Perfect. Better than having to suck your cock." I got another boot thrown at me, which I caught seamlessly.
"I thought you didn't like being caged up—dragon blood you said? Keep this up, and I'll put you in a real cage."
I was saved from anymore of Bayaden's wrath when Tom arrived to fetch me. He stared between the two of us, probably wondering if he should call someone to stop the murder that was about to happen. "Um, sire, may I take Tristan?"
"For what?" he said baring his teeth at Tom.
Tom cowed down. "He has an appointment with your brother."
"Why wereyousent to fetch him? You're Father's manservant. If Andothair is in need of a servant, I know just the one for him."
Me, he meant.
"I apologize, Master Bayaden, I don't know why I was the one sent. I'm simply obeying orders."
"Very well, but then I want him back here straight after. You'll return him?"
"Yes, sir."
Taking my cue, I slid past Bayaden—who was shooting eye-daggers at me—cautiously, but I didn't escape unscathed. His hand connected with my still sore backside. I saved myself some embarrassment by not complaining.
“I see you have pants,” Tom said without looking at me. He was smiling.
“Told you I could have pants.”
"Indeed. I am surprised he let you keep them. He must like you."
When we arrived at Andothair’s chambers, he wished me luck. “This is where I leave you. Do yourself a favor and try not to give Bayaden too much trouble tonight, eh?"
“That what you do? Try not to give your master too much trouble?”
He laughed. “Oh, Tristan. I’m not a brat like you; it’s much easier for me to behave.”
That was the time I began to wonder if I had “brat” stamped on my forehead. “Am I that obvious?”
