Page 92 of A Brat's Tale
And a few thousand years is a long time to save a marriage, but I guess when you have so many other sons and daughters to marry off, it’s possible.
We pass out and it’s the best sleep either of us has ever had.
Chapter 19
Two mornings, later Alrik is a monsoon flooding in our door. By the look of him, he’s still in the heat of battle, his sword out and having already tasted carnage this morning. Blood is slashed across his wide chest; it mars his handsome face. His white hair is matted with it and it drips from the ends.Fresh blood. His massive form competes for space with his anger.
My cock hardens at the sight of him, even half asleep as I am.Not the time, arsehole.
Corrik and I weren’t awake, but we are now,barely. I stumble out of bed, every bone in my body still sore from our journey and Corrik still has some healing to do. We both pull on robes, trying to prepare for whatever news we’re given. Are we going to be living up here for the foreseeable future? Or is it time for me to become an Elf? Will I marry Alrik? Or will my marriage to Corrik be reinstated?
Alrik stares at his brother and I hold my breath. “Corrik. You’re alive.”
Corrik nods.
Alrik gathers him in a hug, soiling Corrik’s white silk robe. Ugh. Royalty. They have no idea how hard it is to get blood out of things. Sometimes it never comes out. Bayaden was mostly shirtless when hetrained but it was his pants that got mucked up, and he expected me to erase the blood stains—‘twas a nightmare.
“You,” Alrik says, turning dark eyes on me, reminding me too much of Elemental Death Wolves. Sure, they had yellow eyes, but they look just the same as he does now before they sink their teeth into your thigh.
I forget all about how I’m a fearsome Warlord and hide behind Corrik. Looks like I’m not getting a welcome hug.
“Do you have any idea the trouble you’ve caused? I’ve had warriors looking up and down the realm for you. I’ve had search parties looking for your body in the water below the castle. You made Mother cry.”
For a moment, I wish I had fallen into the water below the castle. All of that’s horrible. I never meant to impact so many people, I just wanted to get Corrik back. “I’m—I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“Sorry won’t cut it this time, Tristan.” His breathing is heavy, his anger sizzles through the air, the heat of it pinkening my flesh.
I swallow, but it’s like swallowing chalk. I stare. His rabid state affects me in ways it shouldn’t. There’s no way I can speak. I nod and force myself to look away from him.
“Some good news for the pair of you. After a lengthy counsel with Mother and Father, it has been approved for Kathir to travel to the Lady of the Lake, so that he may become Elf, but we all agree Corrik must reach full health before you set out. I have given up my rights to Tristan,” he says using my Markaytian name again and I detect some sadness.
I can’t hide my happiness. I am glad to be rid of the Crown Prince Consort title. It was a kind of responsibility I’ve never wanted.
“There’s only one glitch.” My stomach drops.What now?“Corrik was pronounced dead, which means the marriage ended. You two are no longer married.”
“You’ve got to be fucking, kidding me,” I say.
“Corrik,” Alrik warns, which means control him.
“Kathir,” Corrik scolds pulling me to him. “Okay, so we remarry.That’s not a problem. Bring someone this afternoon. We already had our big wedding; we don’t need another.”
“Mother and Father think it’s better you do. The people will want to see it,” Alrik says.
Corrik sighs. “Fine. We’ll do it as soon as possible.”
“You’ll do it when Tristan is Elf. Not before.” He turns his attention to me and the full force of him swirls around me, like the eye of a storm. “Kathir, you are free of this room. You will be punished for publicly for running off like you did, but you have shown that you have ways of competing with great enemies. You will still have the standard restrictions any member of the royal family must bear, of course, and a few minor additions while you remain human, but they are minor.”
Not looking forward to whatever that public punishment’s going to be, but my freedom is worth it. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Our eyes lock. His features soften the most minute amount they can, but with all the rage funneling through him and at me, my heart doesn’t race any less.
“I want to leave today,” Corrik says. “For the Lady of the Lake.”
“If the healers clear you, by all means.”
Corrik knows the healers won’t heal him just yet. I don’t care about any of it though. All of these things are wins. We’ll be married again soon enough, we’re both as free as we’re ever going to be and most importantly, Corrik and I are together again.
“Brother? Did you talk to Mother and Father like that?” Corrik looks him up and down.
