Page 108 of A Brat's Tale
“I won’t,” I say. “I can’t change that I want to, but I won’t. I worry that no one will care enough, because they’re halfling children.” Which was the problem in the first place. They’d been going missing long before anyone did anything about it. If they’d been Elven children, I know the calvary would have been sent immediately.
“I care, my love.”
“A lot of good that does. You’re banned as much as I am.” The king and queen are still not over his “death.”
He smacks my arse a lot harder than any of the spanks from earlier. “Watch yourself. That’s a mighty attitude, my darling.”
I hide from his darkening eyes by burying my head in his chest. I like him put out with me less and less. I’m finding my brat energy isn’t as strong with Corrik as it was Bayaden. I’m still submissive with him, with a shade of brat, but I want to be good for him more than not. “I’m sorry, Cor. I’m just frustrated.”
“Me too. I might not have permission to go yet, but I am on many councils. I will push and I will watch over this problem.”
“Maybe we should wait then, to go. Otherwise, who will oversee this while we’re gone?”
“Ditira. She’s as invested as you are. Alrik respects her more than he does me.”
“Alrik respects you more than you think.” From the way he’s had nothing to do with me, other than to terrorize me in the Hall, I suspect giving me up to Corrik was not something he wanted to do and because of how much he adores his baby brother, he’s stayed away.
Corrik’s eyes begin to close, but I’ve got my second wind and there’s something I need to do. “I’m not ready for bed yet, Cor. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“You were nearly asleep moments ago,” he mumbles. Thankfully my stomach has good timing. I can always rely on it as an excuse; it makes itself known. “Your stomach, I swear. I spend more time feeding it than anything else. Come back soon.”
I kiss his lips, dress, and head out of the room.
Ihave free run of the palace now. I don’t require guards for inside, or across the grounds, but the moment I leave that boundary, it’s a full guard, and that is non-negotiable. Hence, I don’t leave much. I’ve never liked that requirement—it wasn’t different at home—and sometimes, I think about running off like I used to, but I’ve grown up some and I think about others now. Especially when I’m starting to see the wisdom in it.
And the punishment I got from the king and queen for taking off.
I’ll never regret it. I got Corrik back, but the look in the eyes of my Elven parents, well, it’s not the first time they’ve ‘lost’ me and they’re getting pretty tired of losing me, even though they were just as happy to have Corrik back. They’ve both come to care for me deeply.
I gather my courage. Talking to Alrik’s never been easy. It has a lot to do with his energy. He’s a Dominant supreme and while I’m still not submissive enough to be with him, my energy does react in kind. It’s hard to be anything but compliant.
But I have to ask him a favor.
I know he likes to hang out in the armory this time of night. It’s well past my curfew for leaving the palace, even to head over that way, but it’s not enforced by a guard. I’m expected to keep it. I usually do, and I know I’ll be reprimanded for this, but I also know I won’t catch Alrik at any other time.
Sneaking up on him isn’t an option, so I don’t bother. He knows it’s me without turning around. “Tristan,” his low voice says. “You are not supposed to be out at this time. You might not be mine, but I still have leave to spank you if need be.”
I carry on over to him. He’s polishing his sword like he does mostnights. Alrik is rough around the edges. If Bayden was the sandpaper that made things come out smooth, Alrik is the jagged rock breaking your skin, so you are forced to heal over—you’re stronger, but healing over never leaves a clean canvas behind. I understand why people fear him, but I tend to think if you get to know someone’s motivations for things, most people can be reasoned with. I didn’t like him at first either when I was judging him. But when he got vulnerable with me, I saw that he did have a heart and I can’t forget that.
I watch him for a little while, admiring how meticulous he is. He doesn’t send me away, so I sit and continue to watch him. I’m not kneeling, but it feels much the same as kneeling makes me feel. “Are you going to tell me why you’re here at some point? It must be something important if you’re risking a spanking from me.”
“It is.” I take a breath. “I need to make sure you’ll look in on the halflings case while we’re gone.”
He doesn’t speak for some time, continuing to polish, but finally he asks, “What makes you think I’ll be here?”
“Won’t you?”
“No. My place is looking after you.”
“Alrik—”
“—do not take that the wrong way. I have a responsibility to you. Nothing more.”
Horseshit, at least if Corrik’s suspicions about him sweet on me are anything to go by. Gods I hope not. “Corrik and an entire army will look after me. I also imagine Zelphar will be there to my dismay. You will be of more use here, Your Highness.”
When he doesn’t answer, I move to leave because clearly, he’s not going to listen to me, and I really am hungry. I plan my route to account for stopping for a meat pie on the way back. “You’re impossible,” I add.
“Sit there,” he says.
