Page 90 of A Brat's Tale
Corrik is defeated. Losing those halfling children is weighing on him. Jagar must sense it too, he changes the subject. “Highness, why don’t you tell him who guided you here?”
I’ve noticed Jagar has switched back to Highness, exclusively, not daring to call me Tristan in front of Corrik. Even referring to me as Kathir would be informal; Tristan is damn near intimate.
“A dragon appeared and showed us the way to go. We were headed in the wrong direction. If not for him, we wouldn’t have …” I get choked up and my vision is watery. We were within days, maybe even hours of saving Corrik and Salamir. I get it now, why Corrik wanted to lock me away. I want to do the same with him. At minimum, demand he takes full guard with him wherever he goes.
“Come here, my love.” He pulls me to him, and I relish in the feel of him. “So, a dragon you say?”
“A very tiny one,” I explain.
“I was a little boy the last time I saw any kind of dragon Tristan. They don’t come around often, even to the Elven realms.”
“It was quite special, Prince Corrik,” Jagar says. “You’ve got an extraordinary mate there.”
“I agree,” Corrik says.
I lean into his thigh. I want to attach myself to him, so fucking grateful I came when I did. There’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep yet, so I insist on taking first watch. Corrik’s still too weak to argue with me about it, but he does tell me he’s staying with me, even if it’s only to lay near me. There isn’t a bone in my body that can tell him no, both because I’m not ready to have him away from me and weak or not, he’s still my dominant husband.
Aldagir and Jagar set up so they can keep Salamir warm and Corrik and I stay by the fire. I lean up against a tree with my bow nearby and Corrik lays his head in my lap. I enjoy running my fingers through is his hair, and over his skin, all things I took for granted. I’m never taking them for granted again.
“Corrik, I’m sorry. I get it now, why you were so protective. I’ll be better about it from now on.”
“No. I’ve had a long time alone with my thoughts, scared I was never going to see you again. I’m not keeping you locked away anymore, you will be by my side. I almost fell into old habits back there. I can’t help wanting to protect you and you’re going to have to deal with a bit of it I’m afraid but watching you today with the witch wyrm reminded me of my silent pact. You fight with me from now on. You were brilliant, my love.”
I smile. “You’re not worried about the prophecy, or Rogue Elves?”
“I’ll never stop worrying about the prophecy, or Rogue Elves, but I can’t allow whatcouldhappen destroy another moment with you. When my mind was going mad with the pain of heartbreak—because it felt like I was losing you even if I was the one dying—I hated knowing how much I hurt you. It’s one thing to protect you, which I will continue to do, but I stripped you of everything important to you. That’s why you were so angry with me, even before, when I took you from your home.”
“Yes,” I admit.
“I don’t have the power to make you Warlord, that belongs to my brother.”
“I doubt he’s planning on giving me such an honor.”
“There are other roles for you that require a sword.”
I shake my head. “No. I couldn’t do that knowing your anxiety over the prophecy. It’s important to me that you feel safe and comfortable too, Cor.”
He takes my hand and kisses it. “We’ll figure something out. A compromise.”
“I was unaware you knew the meaning of that word.”
He smirks. “My husband is a wise teacher, besides, perhaps another vision will come to bring clarity to my first. Tristan, I’m feeling an immense amount of faith in the future unlike any I’ve felt before; an amount that makes it easier to surrender.”
“It will be bright, Husband.”
“So long as Alrik is relieved he won’t have to marry you and reinstate me as before.”
That’s worrisome. I hadn’t even thought of that. “Why wouldn’t he?”
“I never would.” There’s the arrogant Corrik I know; it’s comforting. “If I won you any which way, I’d keep you forever.”
I laugh. “I doubt Alrik wants to keep me,” I say, but I remember how he was the night before I left. I had no choice but to serve him. Through that, I found out he has some softness to him and I daresay he has some amount of care for me. But enough to go through with a marriage? No. He said so himself, marrying me would be a waste—he could forge a whole new treaty with a kingdom more important than Markaytia.
“I suppose I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to keep you.”
Corrik shivers, he’s still healing, the fire isn’t enough. I lean away from him so I can remove my fur. “Tristan.”
“We’ll share it. I will be okay in the fire for a bit and then when we sleep, we’ll warm each other with body heat under it. Please, Cor. For me?”
