Free Thorn Boy and Other Dreams of Dark Desire by Storm Constantine Page B

me.
    ‘ I love
you,’ I told him, the first time I had ever uttered those words to
anyone. ‘But so does Alofel. We must be careful and use his
feelings to protect you from Menefer.’
    ‘ Are you
suggesting I give in to Alofel’s need?’
    I shook my
head with passion. ‘No! He would monopolise you, and then I’d have
nothing. All I meant was that it must be made clear to him you
don’t want to leave here.’
    Akaten looked
troubled. ‘I will do as you think best,’ he said, although I could
tell part of him still wondered whether he should return to Mewt
and live a life of isolated grief.
    The next day,
I reported to Alofel that Akaten had no desire to return home,
hardening my heart to the joy this news brought to his face.
    ‘ It may
be,’ I said coolly, ‘that Menefer will have to hear this from
Akaten himself before he believes it.’ Part of me was still bruised
from hearing the Khan’s name on Akaten’s lips in the heat of
passion, and I felt he deserved at least a little
discomfort.
    Alofel nodded.
‘This is true. How does Akaten feel about facing Harakhte’s
brother?’
    I shrugged.
‘I’m sure he can be persuaded.’
    ‘ Then
make sure he is.’
    Akaten was, as
I’d anticipated, far from overjoyed by this development. When I
went to him, later that morning, and informed him what he must do,
he flung himself around the room in a panic. ‘I cannot! No! It must
not be!’
    Sprawled in a
chair, I watched his confusion. ‘Alofel wants this proof from you
and so do I.’
    He paused in
his wild pacing and stared at me with round eyes. ‘You profess to
love me, yet you’d force me to endure this?’
    ‘ See
reason,’ I said casually. ‘It is all a game, and this is merely
another move. Think of your own survival. Alofel has granted you
his protection. There is nothing to fear.’
    Akaten shook
his head. I knew what he feared most: the diluted image of
Harakhte’s face before him, etched onto the younger brother’s
features. He dreaded a resurgence of grief and shame and anguish. I
was unsure why I wanted him to go through it, but I did.
    ‘ There
is nothing left for you in Mewt,’ I said. ‘Your life is here now, a
fresh, new start. You fear Alofel casting you aside? He won’t.
Eventually, he will grant you status, and perhaps a house of your
own. He will give you anything you ask for.’
    ‘ And
will you share this house with me?’ He sneered. ‘I am not a fool,
Darien. We both know our place. My future here is precarious,
unless I give myself to your king. We are owned creatures, without
free will. Our affair is as ephemeral as this summer. How can it
last? And when it is ended for us, what will become of me
then?’
    I was silent
for a moment. ‘You under-estimate your influence with the
king.’
    He raised his
eyebrows. ‘If I speak to Menefer as you desire, then I’ll be at
Alofel’s mercy.’
    ‘ You
believed yourself to be so before Menefer arrived, so what
difference will that make?’
    Akaten shook
his head. ‘Darien, I think you have a cruel streak within you.’
    ‘ It is
the streak which ensures survival. Learn its colour.’
    His eyes
hardened. ‘Very well. But remember you instructed me.’
    Akaten was
presented to Menefer in the Council Chamber. Golden morning
sunlight streamed in through the high windows, dust caught like the
ghosts of thoughts in its rays. Prudently, Alofel was not present,
but three members of the Council and myself were in attendance.
    Menefer was
seated among his entourage, but stood up when Akaten came into the
room. His face - I could hardly bear to look at it. Admiration,
relief, joy.
    ‘ You are
safe,’ Menefer said, as if until that moment, he had believed
Akaten had been killed or else incarcerated in some dungeon
pit.
    Akaten’s face
was pinched, although his frown could not eclipse his natural
beauty. He nodded. ‘Yes.’
    ‘ We have
all been concerned for you.’ Menefer went towards him and Akaten
took a step back.
    ‘ I