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I straighten the pages in front of me and sigh, considering what my brother had told me, not so long ago.I cannot make you do anything, brother, but please, for the sake of our family, you must uphold our social status.
An Archduke that doesn’t ever socialize is not a proper Archduke at all.
You are an extension of us, and should flaunt our power and influence among the higher caste. There is a city for you to explore. Explore it!
And carry with you our name in pride.
I scoff under my breath, shaking my head. “Explore, huh?”
“What was that?” Carisu asked, leaning forward in his chair. Out of all our family, he always had the keenest of our sharp elven ears. “You admit it, then? You will come out with me?”
“I said nothing of the sort.”
That smile is back as Carisu flashes his sharp canines. “I have just the place in mind for you, cousin. Maybe it will liven you up a bit and bring a healthy flush to your cheeks in the process.” He stands in a sweep of his finely cut surcoat and offers a hand. “The women will fall at your feet—and mine too—if you make an appearance.”
With the utmost consideration, I return the sheaves to their binder. “I have no interest in seeking out trouble with you on the streets of Vhoig. You have friends who would gladly-”
“But they are rats! Son of K’sheng that can’t even vote in parliament! They are nothing in the light of you, oh great Archduke of Vhoig.” He closes the distance between us and grabs my shoulders, nearly shaking me with his frustration. “What can I do to convince you to leave this hovel?”
I push him away. “Go bother someone else. I will hear no more of this nonsense.”
Carisu doesn’t accept my answer, spinning me around by the shoulder. “There is delicious food among the Zagfer that you have never even tried!”
I sweep his hand off my shoulder.
“Great treasures to be bought on the black market,” he insists as I adjourn to my closet. “And women, cousin. Oh, the women!”
“I have no interest in love.”
My cousin scoffs. “Who said anything about love?”
I stall as I reach into my wardrobe. I’d happily leave my study if he were to remain behind. “You speak of the skin market, then. A most deplorable pastime. How many slaves do you own now, Carisu?”
“Ah, but they break so easily. They must be replaced on occasion.”
His little value of human life almost makes me disgusted. Almost. “I have no time for your games,” I say, donning a sleek black cloak, my last resort to lose this philandering cousin of mine. “If your business is done, I really must ask you to leave.”
Carisu troubles himself with fastening the clasp of my cloak like a Zagfer, patting it down until the folds are smoothed out. “Come with me, please. I don’t want to go alone, and I will get a better price if you’re sitting beside me. It will only be for a little while, and then you can return to your study. The King, long may he reign, will be satisfied with your attendance in public. You need only sit there and watch the proceedings.”
I meet his eye and scrutinize his mercurial features. “Who told you?”
He shrugs and withdraws with a dismissive air. “The walls might as well be made of paper, cousin. You should know that by now. And besides, it doesn’t matter who told me. We are all family here.”
“Weare hardly family.”
“Then, let’s change that.” He links his arm in mine like a close friend, though he’s antagonized me for as long as I can recall. “I want to know what you fancy, and what makes you smile. I’ve only ever seen that scowl of yours, hiding much emotion, I’m sure.”
“You know better than that,” I say, though I can feel my will crumbling. I could blast him out of the third story window with just a pulse of my magic, but I don’t have it in me. “Why are you so insistent?”
“Because, I fear you are drifting away from us.” He leans in and lowers his voice. “And so does the King. Soon, the whole of the city will suspect it, too, and your position will not be secure. Even the King cannot guarantee your protection. You know that.
“But if you make the occasional appearance, you’ll show them that you are a dark elf to be reckoned with.” He stares hard into my eyes, searching for something that has long since been locked away. “You don’t even need to flaunt your magic,” he continues, adjusting my cloak again. “You need only attend.”
A long sigh escapes me, and my jaw works in consideration. “Just this once.”
Carisu’s features light up instantly. “I’ll take it.”
I chew on my lower lip in true resignation. My cousin certainly has a way of wearing a soul down. “When did you say you wanted to leave?”
