Chapter 15: Chapter 15

DEFIANCE AND HATE

The click of the lock echoed through the empty corridors as Ben locked Arin's prison. Likewise, a drop echoed, which would kill every nerve Arin had.

Ben wasn't actually looking at Arin, he was looking right through him.

"Did you know?" He couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice. "When you brought me to Avan."

Ben frowned and finally looked at Arin properly. "He was undecided when he spoke to us about it."

Avan must have been secretly sure for a long time how he wanted to proceed. Arin wanted to explode. Again he was in prison. Again because of Avan. And again he needed Avan to allow him to go!

"Nevertheless, I'm on Avan's side. You just overdid it."

"You fooled me." Arin growled.

But not out of anger. He was really hurt. Avan had only summoned him to make amends for his guilt. To be more precise, to underline his goddamn power!

"Like I said. Avan was seriously considering whether he would actually lock you up. He didn't want to decide until today."

"Like Avan would do anything spontaneously and on a whim. He knew it... Even when he beat me up."

Now Arin didn't look at Ben anymore. He felt so stupid. He had actually allowed himself to be shown.

"Avan is not like father." Ben murmured soothingly, turned and disappeared.

His footsteps echoed in the damp corridors for a long time. Before the last guard wanted to leave, Arin stopped him.

"I want to see my wife. If my brother has a problem with that, he should put his ass down with me."

"What?" Kora stood a little apart with a servant. They were on their way to Arin's room when they were stopped.

Kora nodded once angrily and stomped back to us. He glared at Taran, who shook his head knowingly. They understood each other without words.

"Did he throw a tantrum?"

Tantrum. Sounded like Arin.

"No. He was very calm..."

Taran swallowed. "That is even worse."

"My Lord! Are you talking about my husband!?"

I finally signed up. At least I had the right to know something.

The brothers exchanged an identical dark look. Taran sighed. "Arin has been imprisoned..."

My world stopped for two seconds... Then my heart raced. That damn Avan. What was his problem with Arin!?

"Avan orders you to see him immediately... probably to enlighten you."

I made an ironic sound and shook my head angrily. He had now summoned the spirits. Let's see if he would get rid of her again. "No."

Syman took my hand like a little boy.

The two men caught Arin's blank expression perfectly.

"Forgiveness?" murmured Kora.

"No. I'm not going to him."

I almost thought I saw Kora grin, but Taran carefully took my upper arm. "Please Elain, don't start this fight."

"Just because you're all too scared of him doesn't mean it has to apply to me!"

Now I clearly heard Kora laugh. Even Syman chuckled. Taran became slightly irritated. Aha, as proud as Arin then. "Why do you think we obey him!? We started this fight with him anyway, so believe me - don't start this fight!"

"Do you know what the difference between you and me is?"

The three family members stared at me.

"None of you are like I." And I, was fed up. And nobody here would like that! Syman smiled and nodded without saying anything. Taran eyed me as if I wasn't normal, but not the least bit surprised.

"So if Arin gets a wife, she has to be like this."

"How to be?" But he waved it off.

He let go of me and casually shrugged a shoulder. "What does my lady intend to do?"

"My lord, intend to take me to my husband."

Koran and Taran turned white as chalk. "So that I can keep him company? Go alone!"

"What a coward you are..." I mumbled. Yes, I allowed myself the first name! I've had enough of these games.

Kora held her breath and Taran stared at me. His voice rose an octave. "I beg your pardon?"

"Take me to Arin, damn it!"

"No! Do you have any idea what Avan will do to me if I do it?"

"Aren't you his favorite?"

He seemed briefly confused as to where I got that from. "But that rumor has nothing to do with it! It wrings my neck as much as the other two!"

"So the whole castle lets big brother smack you when you make your own decision!?"

Apparently I hit Kora's sore spot with that. The two blushed. "If only it were..." Kora growled, looking down at his shoes.

"Snout." Taran hissed at him. Then he looked back at me. "You have no idea how things work here, so stop being patronizing! Ever heard of the still waters running deep? It's more beneath the surface!"

Syman took my forearm. "Arin hasn't told her anything yet!"

"What you say nothing!" Taran snorted angrily.

"I have to see my husband." My voice was firm and determined. I wanted to go to Arin! And Avan, I would get that too. Taran and Kora both shook their heads, Taran holding my gaze. "You two really don't think Arin wouldn't want to see me, too?"

That was a hit. So Taran's weak point was Arin. Was Arin really the only one who didn't live this family rank?

Taran knew I knew I had won. He looked at me angrily. "You think I'm stupid enough to be tricked?"

"I think you love Arin and don't want him locked up any more than I do. And that you know he needs to see me too. Because that's how he is."

Kora smiled. "I think this will be an interesting time with you, Elain."

Aven shook his head. Eric chuckled, for the thousandth time, softly.

"I'll smack you in the face..." Avan growled.

"Not at all, Avan." Eric reassured him, but only makes fun of him.

"That stupid woman..."

Now Eric roared with laughter. "I don't begrudge you."

Avan gripped the back of his chair tighter. "Choke on it."

"Just leave her alone, Avan." ben Even he laughed at Avan. Such traitors.

"Never."

Eric tried to stop but couldn't. He laughed, tears running down his cheeks. Avan must have looked pretty stupid too. But he gave a damn about his looks! The laughter only pissed him off even more.

"She married my little brother. So, in that sense, she's my little sister... right?"

Eric looked at him silently. "No."

"I guess so."

"No. I meant; No, there's no way this trial of strength will happen again!"

"Yet."

Now Ben laughed out loud. "I love you brothers, I really do. But I just don't understand how you can be related to me."

"Avan, Elain is-"

"Strong and brave enough to humiliate me? Then she can just prove herself." He smiled. "Do you remember Kora?"

"My God, just leave me alone with this story!" Groaned Ben, who almost died every day back then.

Taran led me through some strange corridors, smelling of mold and mildew. We were in the basement of the castle. With no torch, it felt like we were just walking in circles.

Taran didn't say a word. He had been so angry that he had to agree with me that he would probably sulk for a while longer. Syman stayed with Kora.

"Thanks." I murmured, albeit reluctantly.

I guess I really had no idea how things were going at the White Knights' Castle. But I suspected that Taran probably took a big step to help me.

"It's okay..." he mumbled.

After another few minutes of tense silence, I saw a single torch in front of a gated alcove.

Arin leaned against a wall. He was sitting on the floor, legs bent, head leaning against the wall with eyes closed, arms dangling on his knees.

When he heard us, he opened his eyes just enough to see who was coming.

"Go away, Taran. I don't need any of my brothers right now."

The bitterness in Arin's voice broke my heart. He closed his eyes again. Taran looked at me, waiting for me to move forward.

"Go, dammit! Just leave me alone!"

I knelt on the floor next to him and grabbed his hand through the bars. "Arin..."

He immediately lifted his head and returned my handshake.

"Elaine!"

"What happened?"

Something dark happened in Arin's eyes. "Nothing."

I grinned wearily. "You can't go to jail every time I turn my back on you."

He smiled wryly. "What did Avan say to you?"

"Well..." Arin frowned. "I just didn't go."

"Even though he had summoned her." Sneak Taran.

Arin raised his eyebrows and looked over at Taran.

"Indeed?"

"She's pretty nice, but don't she want anything..."

"Why are you betraying me!?"

"He's impressed. That's why." Arin smiled at me proudly.

He pulled me towards him and kissed me. This intensified my feelings. Arin was not well, not at all. His tired expression in his eyes hurt me.

"Don't take anything from the bastards." he whispered.

"She's worse than Syman."

"She has far more class." Arin breathed, pressing his forehead against mine.

"What happened, Arin? When are you allowed out again?"

His jaw clenched before he could answer. "I don't know that."

"No, that's nice. My two little brothers and Florence Bastard. But that's enough playing, dear children."

Avan... not that... not now!

Arin stood up, still holding my hand.

"What did you call her?"

Avan smiled slyly. Without looking, he grabbed Taran by the collar. "You too, Judas?"

Taran shrugged nonchalantly. Avan pushed him towards the exit. Then he turned to us. Taran walked silently.

Arin snorted angrily. "Take that back. Take that word back!"

"Shut up, Arin. I was just doing research." Avan eyed me appraisingly. His tone went from amused to dominating. "You didn't want to come to me?"

"I don't think much of you."

Avan grinned slyly. He looked good. His eyes sparkled and his teeth seemed to gleam in the dim light. "That's a shame. Because so many people Love me from the bottom of their hearts."

"It's your own fault..." Arin growled and leaned his shoulder against his cell wall. Still with my hand in his.

Avan now grinned at Arin and cocked his head. "Is the baby offended because he can't go out?" Arin ignored it, smiling just as slyly as Avan.

"Now be glad that I and not the judge made a decision. He would have had you whipped, put in the pillory and then thrown in the dungeon. For heaven's sake."

"Avan, my Pious Dear Brother." Arin said the words like a curse.

"You are a man, Arin. Bear the punishment like one." Ava rolled his eyes.

"Like you care." Arin growled. "You just want to prove what happens when people don't obey you anyway. You only need one victim."

Avan's expression changed. It was the only expression I hadn't seen on any of the brothers. "You mean like father?"

Arin held his breath. Avan laughed out loud and nodded.

"As you wish. You know, your wife made it pretty clear earlier that she does what she wants. You said yourself how important obedience is to me."

Arin stood up. "Avan!"

"What do you want to tell me?" I wouldn't let myself be passed over again.

Avan looked down at me. "My father threw people out of the castle if someone disobeyed his orders."

"Please don't take your anger out on her!" Arin yelled so loud that I jumped.

Avan roared at least as loudly. "You know very well that this isn't about you!"

Naturally. I presented Avan. He couldn't let that rest.

Avan glared at me. "That was the final warning, Elain. You may have a mind of your own, but I run this castle."

As Avan stood before me, with his imposing height, broad shoulders and that cold gaze, I saw something in his eyes. Something deeply sad.

Arin had just had that expression. He had just covered it with kindness, not anger.

Ava frowned. He had noticed that I had seen behind his facade. "Whatever you think, that's the rules around here." Then he looked at Arin again. "I will not allow anyone to defile our mother's castle."

Arin backed away as if Avan had hit him.

As he turned to disappear into the darkness, his voice echoed back to us. "I'll expect you for breakfast tomorrow, Elain."

Threat and arrogance dripped from his every word.

When I looked back at Arin, he looked even more dejected. "Did I trigger something there?"

"However." He didn't even try to encourage me.

"Should I be afraid?"

Now he genuinely smiled. "Pure family ritual. Come to the White Knight, challenge Avan Campbell, make a fool of yourself and be welcome."

I will not embarrass myself.

Arin chuckled and kissed the back of my hand. Was I thinking out loud...?

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, love."

I talked to Arin all night. About everything and nothing and about everyone and nobody. But I couldn't go to sleep. Not when I saw his bruised eyes and knew he would be alone. Asleep on cold stone. So we sat in front of each other like crazy people in love with Ulrike's novel and held hands.

"The morning has arrived." Arin growled, his voice hoarse. Behind him, through a barely existent window, was the orange light of the rising sun.

"However."

Arin gave me a mischievous smile. "Don't you want to see him again?"

"And if it were?"

"Then you would miss a delicious egg dish."

"It wouldn't taste good if you weren't there anyway."

"Don't worry me like that, Elain. Don't starve because of me. Go to Avan or not, but I don't want to worry about you."

"In order." Even if it wouldn't be easy for me. How? I had to be nice to someone because I couldn't judge at all.

"Then go now. I will sleep now." He kissed me one last time and stood up.

Syman rubbed his bruised areas. Taran and he had teased each other, then at some point things got serious and Syman had to take it, willy-nilly.

He hadn't seen Elain since she'd left for Arin. He retreated to the kitchen with Kora and watched Kora drink and flirt with the kitchen maids.

He would have loved to go to Arin to check on him. It had been a shock when they heard yesterday that Arin was imprisoned. If he hadn't grabbed Elain's hand, he might have fallen over.

He knocked on the big heavy doors before they were opened.

Eric turned at his vanity. "What are you doing here?"

"Sorry to interrupt. May I come in?"

Eric gestured to the chair next to his desk. Syman sat down and looked innocently at Eric.

"Arin stays in the dungeon." The older cousin grinned.

"When can he go out again?"

Eric smiled and started shaving his beard. The razor-sharp blade scratched softly. "I don't know."

"You're lying." Syman pouted and stared at the floor. "Have you heard from Elain?"

Now a deep laugh came out of Eric's throat. "His face was priceless!"

Syman was uncomfortable asking the next question. But he couldn't help it. He was so lonely and lost. "May I have breakfast with you?"

Eric was silent for a moment. Then Syman felt his big heavy hand in his hair before he heard the warm Fraternal voice say, "Tell the kitchen."

Avan didn't say a word, just tore a piece of bread in half.

I had washed first, combed my hair and changed in Arin's room. After that, I walked as slowly as I could into the Knights' Hall, where Avan was waiting for me. However, he also just came into the room.

Since then he hasn't said anything, just asked for butter. On the table were two steaming loaves of bread, a bowl of fried eggs, and a platter of bacon.

"Why don't you grab it?" Avan muttered, shoving a spoonful of eggs to his mouth.

In order not to appear completely impolite, I buttered myself a sandwich, which immediately melted the butter.

"So you don't like me?"

I actually said that, didn't I? But after seeing that sad glow yesterday, I wasn't so sure anymore.

"You didn't leave me much choice."

Avan nodded and sat back. "What have I done wrong?"

It didn't sound like he was keenly interested. It was fun for Avan. I was sure of that.

"They imprisoned Arin, beat him up, imprisoned him again and played with his pride. As you well know, Arin is a very proud man."

Ava nodded. "Do you know why I was looking for Arin?"

"Because you wanted to clarify a matter."

"No." Avan leaned forward. I suddenly felt destitute under his gaze. "Five judges, an ambassador and three villages searched for Arin."

What? I really hoped I had somehow copied Arin's expressionless expression...

"It was a race against time. Whoever found Arin first had to punish him. That's why I went looking for him."

"They mean..."

"I mean, I had to bring Arin back here. I know how much he hates us, but what other option did he have?"

Well, I could now believe Avan and try to enlighten Arin. Or remained skeptical. But why should he lie to me? I couldn't really care about him.

"I can see that you don't trust me. I don't care either." he murmured, the goblet to his lips.

"Then why am I here?"

Now he smiled so slyly that he reminded me of a wolf. "I wanted to see if you would come."

Naturally. "Anyway, I have a reason why I'm here."

"Indeed?"

"I don't come out of obedience. But because I wanted to see who I was dealing with."

Ava laughed. "Is that why you appear?"

"Indeed. I wanted to know which man treats his little brother like that."

"I already mentioned it." He looked so amused I wanted to jump over the table.

"They beat up Arin. So bad that Syman had to help him ride."

"There's been worse."

I beg your pardon!? A dangerous heat rose up in me. My mouth went dry and I was willing to go for Avan's throat.

"He's your brother! How can you say such a thing!"

His eyes were calm, his lips a sneer. Damned...

Avan nodded and drained his goblet. Then he got up to leave. he had me I let myself be tempted... I felt like I had flunked a test.

"That was an amusing breakfast! See you at lunchtime."

Then he smiled and left. And left me looking pretty stupid.

A point for Avan. Zero for Elain.