The Vixen Trials

To The Books

"I'm not going to kill another girl,
just to become Queen."

Dakkoul

Tired of the childish way Malek was smacking his feet against the tiles to get his attention, Dakkoul spun around and shoved him into nearest room which happened to be the Bel-Avvim.

The scowl wiped off Malek's face replaced by fear. "I'm sorry, Hattavah," he muttered backing into the wall, away from the Apistola
and the waiting cups.

Dakkoul's gut twisted even as he double-checked the hallway. Empty of listeners. Still he kept his voice quiet. "You don't have to cower like that. You're my brother. You're under my protection now. I won't ever hurt you."

At Malek's disbelieving stare, Dakkoul added with a shrug, "Unless I'm ordered to, of course."

Malek leaned back against the wall with a huff of relief. "Then why am I here?"

Dakkoul stamped his feet a few times on the ground and cocked his eyebrows.

A shaky laugh escaped Malek's lips before he straightened up and moved towards him with some of his old swagger. "You didn't have to announce it was my first time. How'd you know that anyway?"

Dakkoul rolled his eyes. "You told everyone, remember? The night of the Fox-dance after drinking ridiculous amounts of ale. That lady demanded you kiss her and you made some silly, loud speech about kissing being only for men and that you were only a boy." A strange statement to make after such a victory. He wondered what Malek's village had been like. Clearly odd.

Shock danced across Malek's features. "I didn't," he breathed. "I wouldn't announce that."

"You did. Surely anyone that fights like you do is old enough to enjoy kisses?"

Malek ducked his head and rubbed his hand down his tunic. Perhaps he'd failed his village's initiation rights? Why did he still feel bound by them even here?

Malek lifted his head and gave him a hard look. "That wasn't your decision to make."

Dakkoul choked back the obvious responses - that Malek was supposed to be his slave; that he himself was rented out often; that it never even occurred to him that Malek might truly mind - and offered, "Sorry." He couldn't resist adding with a cheeky grin, "Whose then? I'm your brother. Isn't it my job to get you your first kiss?"

Malek shook his head even as his lips twitched upwards. "I couldn't even enjoy sitting with her on the couch, despite that dress. I was terrified Lord Rustavan would storm in."

A cough came from the doorway. Malek started. Coleus stood there, a smear of blood under his nose. He seemed even thinner than usual but his voice echoed Lord Rustavan's authority. "Malek."

Dakkoul hissed into Malek's ear. "Tell him what happened. I don't think he'll mind."

Malek stumbled towards the door, surprising Dakkoul by reaching into his tunic and bringing out a cupcake that he gave to Coleus who gobbled it down.

Approval shone in his voice as Dakkoul ordered, "Meet me at the library afterwards."

Malek nodded, seeming smaller somehow. Dakkoul wished he could go with him and make good his promise of protection. The bitterness that came with his own lack of power assailed him even as he dashed off. Without prying eyes watching him, he could get an update on both his daughter and his father from his trusted messengers. On the way he met Alyssia.

"You feeling better after that?" He couldn't resist asking even as he scowled afterwards. He couldn't add another person to the list of people he cared about.