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1
VALKUS
“This might be the best thing I’ve ever done. Or the worst.” I cock my head to the side as I consider my latest painting.
A low purring roils through the air from below me as Nexus, my pet likar, nuzzles my foot.
I took Nexus in some time ago – I found him half-starved, wandering around the edges of my parents’ large estate. He was completely feral at first. He still is, to be quite honest, but he has certainly warmed up to me. He isn’t fully domesticated yet, and I would never expect him to give up the basest parts of his nature for me.
But having him around has been good for me, I think.
I continue examining the painting as Nexus stretches underneath the table before rolling onto his belly.
The painting is darker than my typical work. As one of Pyrthos’ artists in residence, I usually spend my days painting commissions for the royal family. But I am taking a slight break in between commissions. The darkness of this painting has been calling to me for months now.
I cannot get it out of my head, no matter how I try.
“I just wish I knew what this is about,” I murmur, frustrated.
I stiffen when I hear her coming, her footsteps grating on me long before my mother finally makes her way up the stairs to my studio.
I sigh and stand, walking over to the table to grab the cloth that I use to cover my paintings. This is nowhere near complete, and I cannot let anyone, even my mother, see it yet.
Not that it’s any good, I think almost miserably to myself. I glance at the canvas. I have never worked harder on anything than I have on this painting. This painting and the concept behind it have bewildered and angered me in equal measure.
It has been a lot of effort. I’m not sure that it’s paying off.
My mother has finally made it up to the landing outside the turret, one of the highest parts of my family’s mansion. Her heels click on the floor as she struts towards the door.
Nexus, curled up on the floor at my feet, yawns and lets out a questioning chirrup. When he hears my mother’s footsteps just outside the door, he lets out a more frantic chirrup before he stands and scurries away.
My mother despises Nexus with every fiber of her being, and Nexus knows it as well as anyone else. Hiding for a while, even among the most pungent of my paint mixtures, is better than getting an ‘accidental’ kick in the ribs.
“My darling boy!” My mother throws the door open without knocking and sweeps into the room, her eyes glistening and her arms outstretched.
Burning hatred – the kind of hatred that you can only feel for family members – washes over me as she pulls me into a hug. I lean reluctantly into the hug as my mother’s perfume engulfs me, and she pats my back in the least maternal way that she can manage.
“So.” I brace myself for the inevitable storm that is coming. “I came here to tell you that Aerius Quinlin just found his mate!” My mother smiles enthusiastically as if she expects me to be excited about the news.
I don't even know who Aerius Quinlin is.
Her bright smile falters slightly at the expression on my face, but she continues on. My mother, Meriana Elenil, is nothing if not determined. She has to be, to maintain her social standing.
“She’s a beautiful dark elf woman. She comes from a very good family, and she will be a great mother.”
“That’s great for Aerius,” I say, my voice devoid of emotion. I walk away from my mother, to my desk where I do all my correspondence.
“I’m sure his family is very happy.”
My mother cracks then, and when I turn back to her, her expression has changed completely. Her mouth is set into a hard line, and her eyes are glittering angrily.
“You’re an absolute disgrace!” She hisses the words. I do not flinch away from her like I once would have. And she doesn’t seem happy that I’m not cowering in front of her. “Do you know how negatively your bachelorhood is impacting this family? Do you know how embarrassing you are?”
“No,” I reply, my voice casual. “But I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
Nexus creeps out from his hiding place then and comes to stand at my side. He growls slightly, his hackles raised, as my mother’s voice becomes more and more shrill with every word that she speaks.
“And look! You’ve got a bloody wild animal in here! No wonder you cannot find a mate! You’re a spoiled little bastard!”
