Page 19 of Viparious

He’s bouncing back too quickly. There should be some form of reaction to killing someone. But he’s blocked it out or rationalized it, making it a bigger problem for the future. I hope he turns into a whiny teenager as payback for his dad’s insufferable outbursts.But he makes patterns in the horse’s coat and spills his secrets.

“I think Dani was more scared than me, she was crying, and she wouldn’t let go of my hand.”

He’s hypnotizing himself with each swirl and I soften my voice as I ask, “What else happened?”

His hand drops from his horse, and he looks up smiling, the same smile he had prior to being taken, but there’s an eeriness to it.

“Nothing. I told my dad everything, and he said I did the right thing. I’m a Vartanov, remember, and you’re the biggest monster there is, so nothing can happen to me.”

I nod and ruffle his hair. He looks more like his dad now, and he has a better childhood than anyone else in our bloodline, meaning there’s hope.

“Do you want to go in the paddock?”

I’m already reaching for his helmet, anticipating his answer when he stops me.

“No, I don’t feel like it. You want to help me feed them?”

I let him guide me through each stall and greet each animal. He’s happier once they’ve been fed and starts his demands.

“I want a dog.”

There are guard dogs on the property, but he acts like they don’t exist and rattles off the different breeds he’s decided on as we walk back to the house. Copying my walk, he puts his hands in his pockets and straightens his shoulders while talking about his preferred dog.

“Nessa helped me look for one with Dani, and I want a Maltese. You have to buy me one.”

Am I fuck getting a Maltese, I’ll be like a bad movie villain with a fluffy little shit yipping at my ankles. Inessa would add it to their pampering sessions, and it would have bows in its fur, for fuck’s sake.But he tries to make me agree and looks up at me with more strength than grown men.

“Or you have to get me a cat.”

“You’re allergic.”

He smiles, the same smile he gives Dima when he’s bested him in something and says, “Exactly. You can’t say no twice. So, get me my dog. Tali will walk it.”

Viktor runs off to harass Dani and practice his Portuguese with someone who’s fluent as soon as we’re through the doors. Inessa is still in the kitchen, but she’s alone, and I’d rather see my brother annoying her than the sadness on her face. Looking up at my steps, she tries to smile, but it’s off, and there’s a slice of cake in front of her.Lead drops in my stomach at the sight of ptichye moloko and bile burns the back of my throat at the smell. I take the seat next to her and she leans into me while I lean my head back away from the disgusting plate. She stiffens and tries to move incorrectly, thinking my reaction is due to her.

I hold her hip to keep her at my side as I press my lips to her temple. She relaxes slightly, and I need her to be a brat.

“Is your tongue tired from all your constant talking?”

It works and she glares up at me.

“No, I cut it for you, but everyone said you won’t eat it.”

Oh fuck, she’s upset because of something I can’t do. The longer I stare into her sad eyes, the more I can feel my stomach turn, knowing I’m going to be throwing up all night.

My hand moves while my brain screams no. My throat is closing up as I pull the plate closer. I try to delay it and ask, “Have you poisoned it?”

I hope she has; it might stop it fucking with my head. But she shatters that hope and lightly taps her hand on my chest as she turns further into me.

“Not yet.”

It’s only random ingredients, for fuck’s sake, inanimate and incapable of having a hold on me. I won’t be weak and have something as stupid as cake defeat me. Taking the spoon, my jaw tenses as it comes closer to my lips, but I manage to push it in.

Every muscle in my body is revolting, wanting to get it away. There’s no chocolate taste or light mousse, it’s like drinking acid. She’s unaware of my thoughts and leans her head against my shoulder as the sadness comes back.

“It’s okay if you don’t like it. Viktor said he’d never had it before and it’s the only thing I’d help Dariya make,” she says weakly.

I can’t get my hand to stop with the knowledge my queen made it and her smile slowly lifting it. I’d prefer to eat shit, but Inessa can’t see it on my face and relaxes further into my side. Her eyes slowly close and she drops her hand from my chest to hold my waist.

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