Tributes

Chapter Twelve

They all moved into place, tears staining the twins' cheeks. Abel still sniffling, wiping his eyes, trying to stop them leaking. Paul just looked stoic but there was some emotion in his eyes. Still cautious but at the same time... Relief, perhaps? Tyreol wasn't sure at this point.

"What are the rules?" Tyreol asked seriously, crossing his arms and looking stern.

"Don't run," Paul said quietly, his voice revealing some unhappiness but he was not terrified like after the bite. He was calm and composed. The boy was still afraid but he wasn't going to try to escape again. He had reacted on instinct, doing what he knew his father would want him to do. But now Paul knew he could stay and he would be safe, he wouldn't try to leave again.

"Don't leave the room," Silas said quietly. A boy who had lost his desire to explore. He was too scared to now. Handy for Tyreol, but the fear probably wouldn't last too long. Young boys were always looking for adventure and once Silas felt safe again, Tyreol was sure he would have to be on the look out for antics again. But if this incident did nothing else, it would give him time to ensure the castle was safe for him to run around in.

"Obey orders," Abel finished, looking down at the floor. His powers surrounding him in a veil of comfort. Someone who still needed to control his powers.

"Good boys," Tyreol grinned, patting them all on the head individually before pressing a kiss as well. "I would be very sad and angry if anything happens to you. Any of you," He added, shooting Paul a look. "You should be the youngest of my harem and I look forward to seeing you all grow up big and strong." His eyes drifted from Silas and Paul to Abel, "To seeing you be able to wield those powers of yours with control and without fear. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Sir," They nodded, blushing slightly. Tyreol half smiled, looking at them through old eyes. All much too young for him at the moment, but they had potential. From Abel's powers to Paul's beauty. Under his name, they had the chance to live entirely different lives than what they originally had been fated. But then again. His eyes drifted on Silas's soul. A soul which was wild and not easily tamed. Not everyone needed a helping hand out of their old lives.

"Sir?" Silas asked, seeing Tyreol looking at him intensely, his hands fiddling behind his back.

"Just thinking that if you had been older, Paul's age even, Heilan would have left you behind and just taken Abel. It was your age which kept you together. But somehow, I doubt you would have just let that happen," Tyreol smirked. He could already envision it. Silas questing to the castle to find the brother who had been taken. It had happened before.

A loved one taken to be tribute. A brother, as sister. A close friend or lover. And you occasionally got some idiot who would risk all to save them. It was why the whores were never people with attachments. Last thing he wanted was someone who hated him. A bad seed could spoil the lot and Tyreol hated culling his flock. He would and had done in the past. But not for a long time.

Silas seemed to think for a moment before nodding. "He's my brother. I'd follow him anywhere," he said boldly. Both Paul and Abel giving him looks of horror for having spoken to him so brashly after a punishment. It only made Tyreol laugh, the god reaching down and sweeping the boy up in a tight hug. Joy filled his heart at Silas's words and actions. Scared of the castle but not of him, not of the wolf god.

"I'm sure," Tyreol smiled into Silas's hair, enjoying the scent. Wood fires and candied apples. Silas' scent was young yet. "You were always going to be mine," Tyreol declared in much the same manner Silas had made his declaration. He could feel it in his bones. This one would have made his way to him, at one point or another. He looked back at Abel before tugging him into the hug as well. Kissing both on the foreheads. "Go to your room please boys and behave. Got it?" He checked, looking at them each in the eyes.