A Marriage of Apathy and Anger

Chapter 3

Vega watched from the bed as the sun slowly rose, just barely breaching the horizon and causing him to sigh heavily. He had to leave even though he really didn't want to. The man lying behind him was hardly a trophy husband, but it wasn't any better than his husband back at home.

He slowly moved about in the arms of the man he had found in a random tavern the night before, they having gone to an inn and bought a room, had wild sex and then fell asleep together. Vega kissed the man gently, a parting gift, before slowly slipping from the other's arms and out of the bed's warmth.

Vega looked back at the man on the bed, hoping he wouldn't waken. He barely knew him, couldn't even remember his name really, Able or something like that. It had been fun while it lasted, a night of pretend love for the both of them but it was over now and Vega had to return home before Altarn woke and expected him at the breakfast table.

Vega began to dress, thinking of how horrible a person he is. This was the second time Vega had ever had sex but only the first time he had ever cheated on his husband. He knew that if Altarn found out, he would more than likely be thrown out of the other's house and never be allowed back within Arian high society again, but honestly he didn't care at this point.

He was tired of being the perfect little fertile, the prisoner of his marriage. He didn't like sitting in the stone walls of his house, leaving only on the rare occasion to attend to the social events of Arian Elites. He was so very lonely, ached for companionship and especially love; even it was only a single night with random men he didn't know.

Vega knew that Altarn was in no better shape, being the potent to someone he does not want, but there wasn't anything they could do about it. They were bond by chains of marriage and the chains were too thick to break.

Vega, when dressed and wrapped and hooded in a cloak, slipped from the inn room, closing the door gently so it wouldn't want the man. Out of the tavern and down the streets of the city, through dark alleys for shortcuts and before long he finds himself staring up at his imposing house with a gentle sigh.

The house was much like his father's. It was beautiful with high walls and fences, large windows, several balconies, giant trees, sprawling gardens of green and sparkling fountains, but it held no feeling. The house was just a house; it could have been covered in vines with dead gardens all about it and it wouldn't have made any difference. The house was cold, held no warmth, no feeling of a family. Oppressing and domineering, the house was a jail.

Vega's disheartened expression said it all as he slipped through the gates and off to the door to the kitchens where he stepped in, finding the servants already awake and beginning their days' toils. Vega passes them without a word, knowing that they have worked long enough for Lords and Ladies not to question the workings of one of the masters of the house. He also knew they wouldn't tell Altarn unless the man specifically asked and Altarn had no clue what Vega had done that night and therefore wouldn't inquire.

Vega passed through the kitchens and up the stairs, heading along the hallways up to his bedroom where he breathes a sigh of relief. Once through that door he was safe, he could go to be, then complain of a stomach ache when they ranged for breakfast and sleep until late in the afternoon.

He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door, slipping in and shutting. He felt calm, as if the burden was off his shoulders, he had gotten away with his adultery. He turned then and gasped gently as he noticed a figure in his favorite chair by the window.

"Out late I see, dear mate," the figure said. It was alright, looking prim and proper, dressed for the day and resting with authority in Vega's chair. He looked angry and Vega feared the man would hit him, nothing that an adulterous mate wouldn't expect.

"Yes…well I was…tending to a friend who is…sick! I fell asleep there tending to hi- I mean her."

"Don't you DARE lie to me, Vega," Altarn said a growl in his throat.

Vega cringed at Altarn's angry tone and stood staring at the floor. He had been found out and he knew what awaited him. He would be cast out of Altarn's home after a sound beating and would more than likely become a whore or simply homeless, never allowed to return to Altarn or his father for being such a disgrace.

"You've been off at a tavern somewhere, getting your jollies from some drunk, haven't you?" Altarn said, his voice quiet but menacing.

Vega could do little but stand there, afraid to speak up, afraid to even dare breathing. Like a child is scolded by a parent he stood there, staring at the floor, his hands grasping his robes as if grasping for some form of control here.

Vega then heard the sound of Altarn sighing heavily, as if weary and old of age. He looked to the man to see his expression had softened as he rested his head in his hand, supported by the arm of the chair.

"I am not angry with you for sleeping around Vega. Honestly, I'm surprised you did not do it much sooner than this….after all, I have."

Vega's eyes grew wide. Altarn? Being just as adulterous as he? It seemed impossible to Vega. Vega felt foolish for having not noticed, after all, they had been married for two years yet he had no clue, having thought that, except for the one time two months after their weddings, Altarn had stayed celibate as he had.

"Then why are you yelling at me? If anything I should be yelling at you!"

"Because!" he exclaimed and then sighed again, calming himself. "Because you didn't plan whatsoever. You could have been hurt, raped or killed. Not to mention you could end up pregnant and you know what would happen then, I'd be forced to kick you out of the house."

That was true; Vega couldn't believe it didn't occur to himself to take an anti-fertility potion. How could he be so very stupid? More than likely he was just blinded by his loneliness. That or because Vega was hoping that he was infertile, after all, when had sex with Altarn, they had not created a child. It actually made both of the sigh with relief.

Vega looked to Altarn, a little touched that the man was so worried about his safety. He had never had any indication before that the man gave a damn what happened to him and yet, here he was, being worried for him.

Altarn reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial of yellow liquid. "Drink this, it should be plenty effect to kill who's ever seed you took."

Vega nodded and took the vial drinking it down and giving a face before standing and waiting for Altarn to continue. The man took his time, leaving Vega feeling very awkward.

"You will not be expected to remain true to me Vega, I obviously couldn't do so, and so I won't force you too. There is nothing true about this relationship or our marriage, so why should we preserve a falsehood?" He said, standing from the chair and moving to the door. "Don't forget though," he said, looking to Vega with his renewed authority, "do not get pregnant, do not bring them here, and do not leave any evidence for me to see."

Vega bowed his head as the other left, a gentle sign of affirmation. Once the door was closed, he locked it up again, removed his cloak, and went to his bed, lying down. He could no longer keep his eyes open anymore and his body ached. It was no surprise that he was asleep within a matter of seconds, but as he closed his eyes, he felt a strange sense of loneliness and coldness.

The man from the inn certainly didn't love him and Vega felt nothing for the man, but to lie in that bed by oneself. It made his heart hurt the worst of all.