Page 49 of A Brat's Tale
I know they look good. My body is still in supreme shape from all the lessons with Deglan, the time spent teaching the younglings, and sword practice with Baya. I’m bigger than he last saw me, more muscles in my back and shoulders, carved legs and glutes. Plus, my gait has changed into one more like a panther, like Bayaden, which is used for hiding in the brush, so you can sneak up on your opponent easily. “Are you here to eat? You’re early.”
“Yes. I thought we could have dinner together, but it had to be early. We have some things to discuss, your parents will be here next week. They were brought safely into the Realm.”
I suppose we need to discuss that. “I will be on my best behavior, Corrik.”
“Will you?” He’s doubtful, and with good reason. I have been nasty, but that’s because I am still angry. I don’t see an end to my anger anytime soon.
I sit at the table as he glowers at it; there’s a knock on the door. One of the guards for my room announces the food and Corrik allows them to enter. He begins talking as we’re served. “I think we should tell them we plan a child in the next five years. We’ll use your studies as the reason we’re not going ahead with a child sooner. Kathir?” he says when I don’t answer.
“Are you asking my opinion?”
He glares at me, but I don’t apologize. He hasn’t asked my opinion on much. “I am asking your opinion.”
“In that case, yes. My parents will be amenable to that. I’ll even pretend to be excited.”
“Pretend? I thought you’d be excited to have a child. In a few of our conversations through the book, before we wed, you told me you wanted children.”
Corrik left a book for us to communicate through during our engagement period. He often used it to give me instructions, mostlyconcerning my cock, but we did chat too, with him getting to know me as best he could despite my resistance.
Which reminds me, this scenario playing out now, is not the only cause for me to resist Corrik. His overprotectiveness has always been a point of contention for us. It’s now reached massive proportions. “I do want children, but not like this. I want my freedom back, Corrik.”
“Why must you continue to make this so difficult?”
“Because I hate it and feel it unnecessary. Corrik, you can’t protect me from every eventuality.” For a moment I consider telling him how I could fall out the window at any time, but that will only result in him having all the windows barred up and I need fresh air.
“One day you will understand,” he says, something he repeats over and over, because what else can he say? The whole thing is highly irrational and overboard. “Tell me, how are your studies?”
“Long and arduous. I never liked school much.”
“You told me you did well in school.”
“My parents left me no other choice, doesn’t mean I liked it. Once again, just doing my duty. I prefer sword practice, Corrik, if you’ll hear me for once. I’m also good with a bow if you care to know.” I’m not sure I ever told him that.
We eat in silence. He seems to be thinking about something, likely a hard topic he wants to approach likely, and I just want this meal to be done, so he can leave. Finally, he gets it out. “I ... I would provide you with lovers if could, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to do that safely.”
“Great, so that’s something I’m forced to go without too unless I want you, but I do not,” I say and yes, I’m being mean (especially when I do want him), but I don’t care. I’m done with this dinner.
His jaw hardens. “I am not taking lovers either. I will be faithful. Ihave beenfaithful.”
“Which underlines that I have not been. Go on just say it.” I know he knows. We haven’t talked about it, but I don’t doubt Diekin told him for some kind of benevolent reason.
“Yes, I know of your relations with the Aldrien Warlord. But I don’t hold any anger over that,” he’s quick to add.
“How could you not? Your relations with Andothair were some big crime, nearly treason. Isn’t this the same?”
“No. Totally different circumstances. You had little choice. If you need forgiveness, I forgive you.” His eyes plead with me. He knows we have to talk about this. He hopes I’ll go easy on him, but I will not.
“I had plenty of choice Corrik. I chose, and I fell in love. That’s right, I love the Aldrien Warlord,deeply. My heart is still broken.”
Then he surprises me.
Corrik has always been possessive. I expect him to lose his mind about this, but that’s not what happens. “I understand the situation. It’s normal to have more than one love. I can’t say I love it, especially when you’ve withdrawn from me, but I understand it. You thought you were never coming back to me; you wanted a happy life, which is what I would have wanted for you if that had ended up being the case.”
“You’re saying this? You, who almost struck your uncle for suggesting he get a turn with me.”
“You were my shiny new toy,” he says winking. “Besides, I have seen the Aldrien Warlord, as much as I hate to admit it, he is your type.”
He’s trying to be coy. He’s also trying in general and the empath in me wants to give into him. Truly, I know he’s in a position, but he is still wrong, and we are at war. If this is the only battle that I can fight, if it is to be my last battle, I will fight it without mercy. “He is my type. I wish I were back with him. Are we done here?”
