and some by virtue fall; Gallows

[Gallows]

“You were a terror.” I say, with an attempt at being stern. My eyes betray me, however. I can never stay mad at Kushiel for long. I half suspect he knows this. Children have a way of wrapping you around their finger. Or tying a noose around your neck. Kushiel and I's relationship is so much different than my mother and I. Epic wasn't a horrible mother, she just wasn't really there. Cade and I half raised ourselves. My father I met once, and it was seven shades of awkward. We didn't really feel like family. Our first visit was our last. My brother was a different story, thank god, or I might have gone insane. We got along famously, and I wasn't a bit jealous when he became King of the Valley. Truthfully, I was relieved. It gave me something to do, following my twin around and helping to keep his kingdom in order. Along the way, of course, I fell in love. No, you idiot, not with a stallion. With the Valley. Don't you know me by now? I know Kushiel thinks I am daft for my utter devotion to this piece of dirt. To him, land is land is land, and one place is as good as another. He needs attention. I need a place of my own. Perhaps Kushiel, knowing that the Valley was his home, cannot understand that. But I don't hold it against him. That would be idiotic. Our childhoods were different. I tried everything in my power to make sure that was true. “Oh, god, are you going to make me tell you I love you? You could burn half a dozen lands and after a sound thrashing, I'd still claim you as mine.” I give him a cross look. “And I suppose if you end up burning down the Chamber I'll have to thank you.” I don't hate the Chamber. That's too strong a word. I've just never been on easy terms with them. Too similar, I suppose, and we have been the target of their raids before. Granted, we return the favor occasionally. The Chamber and the Valley; it's like two men having a fight over whose dick is bigger. “Well, Kushiel, if you find an ass you particular like, I hope you'll let me meet her. Wouldn't you want me to tell you how she really feels? I grin wickedly. Imagine that scene for a moment. Does it amuse you as much as it does me? G A L L O W S We must all hang together or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately.