Self-Made Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF Page B

the Baron,” Dershik blurted out. As soon as he said the words he wished he could shove them back into his mouth. His father turned his head slowly toward him, his lack of reaction filling Dershik with dread.
    “What did you say?” his father asked. His voice was too quiet. Dershik took a step back and when he did his father rose from the bed, facing him. Dershik noticed his father wasn’t much taller than him now, but he was definitely bigger, stronger. His father’s eyes shone as they looked over his face, waiting for the answer Dershik didn’t want to give.
    “I…I don’t.” He had to give some answer. “I don’t want to do it.” Dershik tried to sound brave but it didn’t matter. The next thing he knew he was on the floor, his head spinning as pain shot through his skull. The sound of footsteps barely registered in his brain as his father approached him, standing over him. Dershik looked up woozily, not able to keep his eyes focused.
    “It’s not about what you want,” his father growled, sounding more animal than man. “You are too young to make decisions like this. You are being stupid and selfish. You are going to do as I say. You are going to study and train, and in two year’s time, you will marry Jerila.” Now he had Dershik’s attention, the boy’s eyes wide as he stared at his father. “I’ve talked to her father. She’s moving into the keep so you can get to know her.”
    “No,” Dershik said, pushing himself up. He brought a hand to his head, still disoriented from the blow but unable to keep quiet. “Not her. Please.” He remembered how Ceric talked about Jerila after her visits and how they looked at each other. He remembered the kiss he had seen them exchange in the hall. “Ceric-”
    “Ceric’s going to become a priest,” his father spat. “He’s leaving in the summer for Whitfield. He’s already chosen.”
    “So Ceric gets a choice as to what he wants but I don’t?” Dershik shouted, too upset to care what happened. It wasn’t fair. “How does that work out?”
    “Ceric made the right decision.” His father started to walk away, heading for the door. “He knows you’ll get the seat. He could go into the clergy or try to find an industry in which to excel. We both know where his strengths lie. He’s an excellent student and having a brother in the Church would be beneficial to you, as you get older.” His father headed to the door and opened it, the light from the hall spilling into the room but leaving Dershik in the dark. “And,” his father added. “It’s about time you had your own room. Tomorrow I expect you to be upstairs.”
    “There’s a room on this floor,” Dershik suggested feebly, feeling he was being punished.
    “I know that. Upstairs.” His father turned to leave but looked at him once more, his eyes moving over the boy. “ Looks like you got something you wanted. Don’t bother coming back to the party.” His father left and let the door close with a thud, leaving Dershik alone in his room.
    He balled his fists and waited before he screamed in frustration, pushing the mattress off of his bed. It flopped to the floor noiselessly and he kicked his wooden box across the room, sending it skittering, splintering across the floor. The dagger fell out and slid across the stones, dull. Dershik stood up and scooped it, feeling the hilt in his hand. Without thinking he drove it into his mattress and stabbed, over and over again, feathers and wool bursting from the lashes. He stopped after a few breaths, seeing what he had done, and felt stupid. What had he done? Nothing. Just taken out his anger on something which wasn’t even alive. He punched the mattress and stood up, wiping the tears which had fallen from his eyes during his outburst.
    His head still ached but he ignored the pain as he went to his trunk and pulled out some clothes. Derk stripped and changed into his riding gear, fastening his cloak about his shoulders and leaving his new