Love and the Stubborn

by Xenia Melzer

  “You told the Wolf of War to mind his own business?” Renaldo was aghast. “I can’t remember when somebody dared that last.”

  “He was very sarcastic, which made me angry. I never planned on being so impudent, but he was very offensive.”

  Renaldo gently caressed Casto’s cheek. “My brother’s good at that, I know.” He sighed.

  Casto was still staring at the ground. He hated what he was going to say next, but there was no way around it. “What will be my punishment, Barbarian? I’m sure your brother expects something… lasting.”

  Renaldo lifted his lover’s chin with his forefinger. He wasn’t pleased about the way things had turned out. “I didn’t envision the evening like this, my own.”

  The young man smiled weakly. “Me neither.”

  “For not telling me about the actions of the other slaves, I’ll make you pay at a convenient moment. But I cannot ignore the impudence toward my brother. I’m afraid you won’t be able to ride a horse for the next few days.”

  Casto nodded despondently. He’d anticipated as much. “The glass whip?” he asked, trying to sound casual about it.

  Renaldo’s face contorted in revulsion. “Surely not. You’re my heart, and that protects you at least a little bit. No, I’m going to chain you and then you’ll be beaten with the strap. That should satisfy my brother.”

  With a bland expression, Renaldo watched his beautiful lover undress. He’d definitely had plans for this night other than punishing his heart, but he couldn’t just let slip what Casto had done. They’d been too lenient during the past years—how else could Damon have managed to gather so many traitors around him? It was high time the inhabitants of this world learned once again the meaning of respect.

  But that also meant that nobody went unpunished when opposing the will of the demigods. Not even the heart of one of said demigods.

  Naked, Casto stood in front of his master and awaited his punishment. As much as he resented allowing to be beaten, he also understood why it was necessary. The hatred of the other slaves partly stemmed from the impression that he never had to pay the price for his behavior, a dangerous message that was partly accountable for his journey to the mines.

  It was a tricky situation, one that could be most easily solved by punishing him, although he didn’t like the thought of losing control over his life so quickly. Everything inside Casto revolted against what was going to happen, and it took all his self-control not to fight back when Renaldo seized his wrists and guided him toward one of the walls in the main room where chains were fixed about two ells high.

  HYPNOTIZED LIKE a rabbit in front of a snake, Casto stared at the dangling cuffs that would soon be embracing his wrists.

  A scent assaulted his nostrils, one he had almost forgotten: a mixture of mold, decay, and very old wood rotting away quietly in the darkness and dampness.

  And then he was back in Ummana, on his way to the cellar where the torturer would punish him. The man was holding his wrists in a merciless grip, shoving Casto toward the wall where Casto knew every stone, every bump by heart because he was chained there so often.

  Suddenly defiance bubbled up inside. He was no longer a child but a man, a warrior. He would not allow the torturer to punish him for something he hadn’t done, never again. With a guttural yell, the prince threw his head back. A crunch told him he had broken his captor’s nose.

  Surprised by the sudden pain, the torturer loosened his grip, a chance Casto didn’t let go by. He wriggled out of the arms that held him and ran for the door that promised freedom. He only had to reach Lys, and then he was safe. Then they could escape, as swift as the wind. The door was drawing closer, but the torturer reached him just before he could touch the handle.

  The monster of his childhood tackled him and held him with so much force that Casto was unable to move.

  Terrified, he tried to escape, but the grip of those merciless hands only tightened, and finally he gave up, submitted to the fate he would never be able to escape. Tears streamed down his cheeks. A gentle touch on his head, which he tried to shake off, and then a deep, soothing voice that was a spark of light in the darkness consuming him.

  “It’s okay, my own. I’m here. Don’t be afraid, nothing can happen to you. Shush. I’m here.”

  Slowly reality returned. Casto was cowering on the floor of Renaldo’s chambers, not far from the exit. Renaldo had slung his arms around him and was rocking him like a child. Casto had just had a panic attack. Sobbing, he clung to his lover. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I—I….”

  “Shh, my own. Be calm. Everything’s fine. Everything’s good.”

  When Casto had calmed down a little bit, Renaldo helped him up. Startled, Casto put his hand in front of his mouth when he saw that Renaldo was covered in blood. “My lord, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that, please, I—”

  “Casto, first, it’s not as bad as it looks.” Again the demigod had interrupted him. His voice was dry, and he tried desperately to hide his worry. “You broke the nose cleanly and it’s already almost healed. Second, if I thought you had done this on purpose, by now you’d be back at the wall.

  “Can you tell me what just happened? One moment, I was contemplating how to get this over with quickly, the next you had smashed your head into my face.”

  Ashamed and agitated, Casto looked down. “I’m not entirely sure myself. I was suddenly back in Ummana, in the cellar where I used to be punished. It was so overwhelming I panicked and tried to escape.”

  “You called me Voltara. My Ummanian is not worth mentioning, but I remember that word. You used it toward the man from your dream, the one I decapitated.”

  “I thought you were him, the torturer. He is my father’s right hand and the one who always beat me.”

  Renaldo sensed that Casto was hiding more from him than he was telling. Involuntarily, he tensed. “What else, Casto? How often did that despicable pig hurt you?”

  “Since the day I was officially given to my father till the moment of my escape, at least once every day. Depending on his mood, he did it more often.”

  Casto shuddered in his arms, his voice was the lost whisper of a small child. Seeing him so helpless stoked to a blaze Renaldo’s fury toward those who had done that to his precious lover. Renaldo felt the vein in his forehead thumping. Heat flared around him like a coat of pure wrath. “Ten years?” he screamed. “For ten years you were beaten up daily?”

  “Yes, for ten years. Most of the time he used the strap, but sometimes it was a cane. He had to be careful, since he wasn’t allowed to leave any visible or lasting traces.”

  “My own!” Renaldo hugged Casto closely. “What have they done to you?”

  The pain in Renaldo’s voice snapped Casto out of his shock. “It’s fine. It’s in the past. I guess I overreacted because of the combination of wall, chains, and strap. It made the memories vivid. I don’t think I’m going to lose my composure like that again.”

  “After all this, I surely won’t beat you, my heart. I’m going to explain the situation to my brother. He’ll understand.”

  Casto shook his head. As much as he resented feeling the bite of the strap, as much did he know that this punishment was necessary to restore balance in the Valley. If he really wanted to build a future with the Barbarian, he had to learn how to bow to Pack rules. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it really is all right, Barbarian. I made a grave mistake. I deserve punishment, and I don’t want you to fight with your brother because of me.”

  Casto smiled darkly. “It’s enough when I do it. I’m ready.”

  Renaldo regarded his heart for a long time, then kissed him on the forehead. Witnessing even this tiny glimpse of the hardships Casto had gone through had hardened his resolve. No matter how much he deserved to be punished, Renaldo simply couldn’t do it. He couldn’t hurt this proud, brave man anymore. He slung his arms around his lover and carried him to bed.

  “You better lie down and rest. I’ll go wash off that blood. The
n I’ll join you.”

  The azure eyes pinned him. “Are you sure about this? Defying your brother?”

  “I know I’m going to regret it, but I’d regret it even more if I hurt you.”

  Casto sighed. “I can’t say I’m not relieved. As of late, there have been too many beatings.”

  Renaldo smiled gently. He always enjoyed it when Casto allowed him to come close. “Don’t worry. I can promise you, there won’t be any more of those—unless you wish it.”

  “Get your mind out of the gutter, you fiend! It’s still too early for that.”

  Renaldo gave him a sad smile. “And here I thought you liked me being suggestive. How disappointing.”

  Casto returned the grin. He may not be there yet, but he was on his way. “Go and wash yourself, Barbarian. I want to sleep.”

  With crackling laughter, Renaldo went into the bathroom. He was immensely relieved that Casto had regained his composure so quickly. After everything that had happened, Renaldo still worried about his heart’s mental well-being.

  CASTO WOKE because a stinging pain assaulted his nerves. In his sleep he had rolled onto the book he’d been reading the day before, and the sharp, hard corner had left a bruise on his back. With a whimper he turned onto his stomach and tried to ignore the painful throbbing. He had to be grateful that it was only the small spot where the book had pressed into his flesh that was hurting and not his entire body, as would have been the case after a thorough beating.

  When the Barbarian had come back from the bath, he had hugged Casto tightly until he’d fallen asleep, still confused and agitated, but at least reassured about Renaldo’s feelings.

  Casto closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep but then gave up. Thinking about what had happened the other day had woken his whirling thoughts and he was unable to stop the torrent. A little awkwardly he climbed off the bed, searching for Renaldo, but he couldn’t find him.

  When Casto entered the main room, Renaldo was awaiting him. He looked pale, and his gray eyes were full of worry as Casto sauntered toward him.

  “My own, how are you feeling? Did you get enough sleep?”

  Casto smiled. Renaldo’s concern touched him more than he wanted to admit. “Good morning, Barbarian. It’s fine. I’m just feeling emotionally challenged at the moment. I’m still not sure whether it was a wise decision to let me go unpunished—not that I’m inviting you, but well…. Your brother can be scary sometimes.”

  Renaldo pulled his heart close. “I did it because I love you. And because I like your temperament—most of the time. After everything I’ve done to you, I just couldn’t bring myself to hurt you yet again.”

  Casto’s smile broadened. “I’m with you on that one. You do have a heavy hand, and I’m grateful that you’ve usually been lenient during the past five years. I mean, you could have punished me pretty badly for some of the things I did, but except for when I escaped from the Valley, you always held back. Even when you thought I had betrayed you, it was your chambers that bore the brunt of your wrath, not me.”

  A grim smile appeared on Renaldo’s face when he thought about the damage he’d done to his own rooms. It had been so bad that the traces were still there, a reminder of the worst mistake in his life. Renaldo stroked Casto’s cheek gently. “It was my pleasure. Fighting with you beats every other pastime I know. Speaking of which, how did you manage to convince Noran? I’d have bet a fortune that the sun would sooner rise in the west.”

  Casto’s face hardened. “He said something similar. But luckily I was able to get my way.”

  “Are you going to tell me how you managed to do that?”

  Casto shrugged. “Is that so important? He agreed to my wish. There’s nothing more to it.”

  Tactfully, Renaldo refrained from prying further, but he did make a mental note to talk to Noran about it. Because of Casto’s explosive temper, Renaldo sometimes forgot that Casto also had a sharp mind. A mind, as he knew now, that had been trained to think in the crooked strokes of high politics at a very young age. Renaldo would have to be very careful what his heart was up to in the future and which concessions he made to him.

  Casto might be young, but he was dangerous in more ways than one.

  To get rid of the unpleasant thoughts, Renaldo pulled him closer and kissed him fervently. Casto snuggled up, groaning and ready to get down to business. On this field, at least, they were in perfect harmony. But before Renaldo could repay himself for the past night, a knock interrupted their games.

  With a sigh, Renaldo went to the door. “It seems as if we won’t be granted any intimacy today either.” He opened and stared into Canubis’s smiling face. “Brother! What a nice surprise! Have you come to see how I punished Casto? If so, I’m afraid I have to disappoint you.”

  The smile vanished from Canubis’s predatory features. “Why should you punish him?” He furrowed his brow. “Is this about the incident at the stables? That’s already settled.”

  Both men looked at Casto, who was glaring at them. “If this is meant as a joke, I fail to see the punch line.” Casto’s voice was tense, a sure sign that he was about to explode. “I did what you wanted and told the Barbarian everything.”

  Canubis looked questioningly at his brother, slightly taken aback by the sudden change in temperature. “To be honest, I don’t see the problem. You obviously haven’t punished him, so why are you both so tense? I mean, it wasn’t too bright what he did, but there’s no need to grow gray hair about it either.”

  Canubis gestured at the prince’s naked, unmarred body that was proof of Renaldo’s lenience.

  Renaldo didn’t seem happy. “Casto told me everything. I thought you left his punishment to me.”

  Canubis turned toward Casto. He still had no clue what was going on, but now he was determined to shed some light on the situation. “What did you tell my brother?”

  “Everything that happened. The punishment of Sindal and Elwan, my impudence, how you explained everything to me and left me the choice to tell the Barbarian myself.” Casto was calmer, but a spark of suspicion remained in his eyes.

  Canubis shook his head. “And you forgot to mention that I’ve forgiven you?”

  Renaldo’s eyes shot daggers between his brother and Casto. “You’ve what?”

  “What do you think, brother? It’s been a long time since a human dared to oppose me. To be frank, I found it a refreshing experience. Anyway, Casto apologized very nicely. For me, the matter was done.”

  Like an avalanche, Renaldo came down on his lover. “Why didn’t you tell me? We could have avoided a lot of trouble if you’d been a little more aware!”

  Casto’s blue eyes were now almost black with anger. “I apologize for not seeing through your brother’s intentions and thus preventing you from the inconvenience of making a decision on your own. I’m sure it was a traumatic event for you!”

  “Shut your mouth, Casto. Between the two of us, I was the one who bled!”

  “My heart’s breaking,” Casto sneered. “It must have been a couple of terrible minutes until everything was healed again.”

  “Hold it!” Canubis intervened in the fight that was gaining momentum by the minute. “Casto beat you up?”

  Annoyed, Renaldo glared at his brother. “He had a panic attack. I realized too late, and by that time he’d already broken my nose with his unbelievably thick head.”

  Canubis started to cackle. “Let me get this straight. A human, your lover, broke your nose? How could such a thing happen? The mighty Angel of Death, the master fighter, knocked out by his own lover! That’s too good. Noemi’s going to split her sides when she hears this!”

  Renaldo regarded his brother with a menacing look. It was obvious to everyone how pissed he was. “Let it go, brother. It was an accident, bad luck. You wouldn’t have fared any better if you’d been in my place.”

  Canubis turned to Casto, who was still standing with his fists clenched. The mood in the room was so overheated he felt like doing some damage control.
“I’m sorry, Casto, that I wasn’t clear yesterday. I thought you knew that I hadn’t asked for punishment.”

  Slowly the night-dark eyes returned to their usual color. The transformation was so extraordinary that Canubis couldn’t help but stare.

  Casto inhaled deeply before he bowed his head. “No, I didn’t realize that. You were so angry, I thought you’d left the punishment to the Barbarian because you’d have killed me otherwise.”

  Canubis shook his head. “Casto, you’re my brother’s heart. Your life is as precious to me as his. You’re a part of me, as much as Noemi is a part of Renaldo. We’re a very close-knit family, the four of us. I could hurt you just as little as Renaldo can since the spell dropped. It’s virtually impossible for us.”

  Renaldo stepped toward Casto and slung his arm around his neck. “I’m sorry. If I’d known that my brother had forgiven you….”

  He didn’t finish the sentence. Casto slumped his shoulders. “This is truly embarrassing. It seems I’m unable to understand the finer parts of your barbarian society.”

  Renaldo blew him a kiss. “It’s not as complicated as you think. And wasn’t it you who always looked down on me because of my primitive ways? Evolution is not necessarily desirable. Let’s forget about the whole thing and consider it a cultural misunderstanding.”

  When Canubis saw Casto’s disgustedly high brows, he couldn’t suppress a grin. It was the first time he’d directly witnessed a fight between his brother and his wayward lover. The speed with which they returned from raging fury to casual banter took his breath away.

  Absentmindedly Renaldo stroked his heart’s cheek. “Why are you really here, brother? Surely not just to ruin my morning, am I right?”

  Canubis shook himself for a moment to get his thoughts back on track. “We need to talk about the execution. I want it to be tomorrow, and there are some details we haven’t discussed yet.”