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Chapter 17: No Love, Only Hate

Marik smirked at his brother, amazed at the amount of rage he had brought forth. "Dear Malik, whatever is the problem?"

"You know what the problem is," Malik responded angrily. "I told you to stay away from that girl! I own her, and you are not to go near her. Did I not make that clear the first time?! Touch her again, and I will go to Father with this matter! Is that understood?!"

Marik tossed his head. "What do you care, anyway? She's just a slave girl. Why are you so obsessed with keeping her from me? You were never like this before."

"Before? Yes, Marik, I wasn't like this before. But then, yesterday, I found out how sick you really are. I always knew you were twisted when it came to women, but I had no idea you would hit them in your bed! I won't let you hurt anyone else, if I can help it. I will keep little Kaze and her female friends away from the likes of you! I swear it."

"Oh please, Malik," Marik's lip curled, "you are no better than me! Don't pretend to be so noble! So moralistic! That is a lie in itself! What happened to you, brother? I see you've mellowed out. It wasn't that long ago when you were a man like me. You used to go to those court parties with me all the time, picking out a woman and wooing her into a nice rutting…"

"Yes," Malik interrupted, "but I never hit a girl. And I never used any slaves for my pleasures. I also never forced a girl into anything against her will. And, that, my brother, is where you and I differ."

"Well, then, Malik, answer me this. What do you intend to do with your dear Lady Kazejin? I would hate to see such an attractive girl go to waste."

Malik smiled. "Oh, I will sleep with her eventually. I intend to seduce her. After all, she is so stubborn. Getting her to be with me won't be an easy task. You know how much I adore challenges."

Marik smiled back frostily. "I think you adore more than the challenge, brother. If I didn't know any better, I would say you adore her. A weakness you may want to keep to yourself, lest some enemy of yours use it to bring you down."

Malik glared, his gaze smoldering. "And what are you implying, Marik?" he asked, seemingly calmly. Marik, however, knew better, and could hear the slight edge in his voice. "Are you saying I love her? That little brat is nothing to me! She is merely a way to keep myself occupied at court. That way, I won't have to waste time flirting, and I will have a girl to play with anytime I like. She is just for my pleasures."



"I didn't say love," his sibling answered. "You said love. I merely said be careful, or someone may perceive your little room whore as a potential vulnerability to you."

"And who in Ra's name would do that?" Malik hissed. "You, perhaps?"

"Maybe." Marik chuckled evilly. "Maybe I would."

"Father would pick up on it, then," Malik boasted, waiting for his brother's reaction. "He would notice if anything was amiss, though I can't say the same for you."

Marik smiled. He stood, just smiling, watching Malik. Malik looked at his brother, surprised. With Marik's uncontrollable temper, a statement such as the one Malik had just made would instantly send him into a fit a rage, making it impossible to calm him down. "Don't be surprised if Father seems more disposed to me. He is very pleased with me. He has told me so."

"Pleased?" Malik asked slowly. "What are you talking about? Did you not go to his chambers last night? I thought you were to receive another sanction for your behavior."

"I received no punishment," Marik said mysteriously. "Just praise."

"Bullshit." Malik snorted. "Father disapproves of you. He would bestow more favor upon you if you didn't spend all your time loafing off."

"Loafing? Who's loafing, Malik? Did you forget what I did for you in Kamen? I was one of your soldiers! I carried out every one of your commands! How dare you tell me that it is I who is loafing when you do nothing but sit on your horse, watching the attacks!" Marik cried.

"Well," Malik replied smugly, "You wouldn't have to be the soldier and answer to your younger brother if you would hone your skills. Or, no, maybe not. Perhaps I was born with natural gifts you don't possess."

"You had best watch what you say to me, little brother. Father will not have you disrespecting me so."

"What is all this talk about Father anyway, Marik? He'll never defend you until you prove that you are the oldest son. Until you are able to hold a higher position than me in Egypt, you shall never command his respect."

"You don't know anything about the nature of my relationship with Father. It has changed of late. Father is well-disposed toward me, and you will not overshadow me again."

"I always overshadow you, my foolish older brother. You are nothing but shit in the Pharaoh's eyes, let alone Father's. The Pharaoh makes his dislike of you quite apparent."

Marik's head snapped up. "You will stop these insults immediately, little brother, if you know what is good for you." Marik's mouth was turned down, and his violet eyes held a burning intensity, blackened with a quiet rage. Malik knew his brother's temper well enough. He was quick to anger, and 

would have attacked Malik by now. Malik always pushed him to his limits, for his brother was easy to subdue once he was fighting with anger and brutality, instead of his brains. Things were different today, though. It seemed as though Marik was holding all his hate deep inside, letting it fester, not releasing it. Malik wondered briefly what the cause of this change could be, but he quickly dropped the thought.

"And if I don't?" Malik asked, amused. "What are you going to do?"

Marik laughed, and then stopped abruptly. "I'll kill you," he said, his eyes serious. "And that bitch of yours, too."

Malik was shocked. "Brother, you don't mean that. You can't…" Normally, Malik would brush aside such a statement. Marik's tone of voice, as well as his eyes, indicated that he meant what he was saying.

"I told you before. No love, only rivalry. Just because you're my flesh and blood doesn't mean I'll back down. I hate you."

The last words hit Malik deeply, wounding his heart. Images flashed through Malik's head. He remembered how his brother had once been, so long ago. They had been the best of friends once. Malik couldn't understand when his brother had become so different. First hitting the women, and now…I hate you. The words were heavy and dense, weighing on Malik's chest. Suddenly, he no longer wanted to be anywhere near his brother. He had once adored and idolized his brother, and now, they barely spoke, unless it was to bicker about something. He met Marik's eyes sadly.

"Fine. Then I shall take my leave now." Malik turned, but was stopped by Marik's hard grip on his shoulder. Marik's hand squeezed hard, his fingernails digging into Malik's exposed flesh. Malik gritted his teeth in pain.

"We are not done yet, Malik," Marik threatened. "I said I won't back down. You and your bitch better be careful."

Malik whirled around. "Leave her alone," he commanded. "She is just a pathetic little girl. What could you possibly want with her?"

"Everything," Marik answered. "I want her because you want her. I will hurt her because I know it will hurt you. I am your brother Malik. I have known you all my life. And, whether you know it yourself or not yet, you like her. She is more than just a girl to you. I can see your eyes shine when you are with her. The way you banter with her. So playful. It makes me sick. Tell me, brother, didn't you learn anything from mother? Women are all the same. Good for nothing but sex."

Marik lost control. "I know this, Marik! But I will not let you hurt her, nor will I let myself be threatened by the likes of you! You are filth, and everyone knows it. I have long protected your reputation and defended you, but no more. I had reservations about your behavior, but I always stood up for you! Enough! Now I will make my feelings known, and I will tell the Pharaoh about yesterday. I will make sure you are banished from court for good, not just this time around!"



"This time around?" Marik feigned puzzlement. "Whatever do you mean? Didn't Father tell you that he has revoked his decision? I am coming with you."

Malik stared at him, hard. "No," he said firmly. "I know you are banished."

"I am not. Take it up with Father, if you don't believe me. Now, I believe you were leaving?" Marik stood smugly, arms folded.

Malik took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. His brother's words today, all of them, had disturbed him greatly. "Yes. I was."

"Good." Marik leaned in. "Remember what I said about the girl. One slander uttered against me to the Pharaoh, and I will make sure I leave her body somewhere where you will find it."