Chapter 16 : Low-Born

*Calix*

“You slept with her?!” Dex shouted, his palms smacking against the table.

“Sit down,” I told him. He did so but begrudgingly.

“Why the hell did you sleep with her?” he seethed. I could tell he wasn’t in the mood to argue about it, so I didn’t try.

“Why does it matter?” I asked, hoping he would just drop it, but I knew better than that. My brother was many things, but his patience wouldn’t be hitting the history books anytime soon.

He scoffed and rubbed a calloused hand through his short-cropped hair. “Why does it matter?! You’re asking me why does it matter?! Have the past couple of days taught you nothing? The Council is meeting tomorrow. If they find out you’ve slept with a…wait.” He looked at me with urgency. “Did you….did you mark her?”

I laughed. “No. Of course not. I’m not an idiot.”