The Cursed King

Three

It is his suffering.

As soon as the thought flitted through my mind, I pushed it away just as swiftly. It was absurd, utterly implausible.

But everything you see right now is just as absurd, a voice murmured.

Indeed, it is. But while sharing thoughts is one thing, experiencing someone else's pain? That’s beyond comprehension, I countered.

Thoughts are the most intimate secrets, yet he can hear ours, my inner voice remarked.

I don’t know, alright? It’s all so strange to me. I can’t even explain why that thought crossed my mind.

"Well, now that you've addressed some of my uncertainties," not all were resolved, but I grasped the more crucial point. "Can you please tell me how to escape this place?"

The man turned to face me, his trance disrupted by my inquiry.

"There is no escape from here," he replied, "just as there’s no way to arrive here. Especially not for humans. They can’t enter this realm unless they are spirits."

"I can sense your mother’s essence within you. Perhaps that’s why you found yourself in this desolate place," he remarked, noticing my puzzled expression.

"You mentioned sensing my mother’s essence in you, right? If I crossed over here, surely I could return the same way," I proposed.

"I can indeed sense your mother’s essence in you, but it’s faint. It won’t aid your return, and if we were to use that essence for anything else, you’d perish before taking a single step. Her essence is the only thing keeping you alive here," he warned, sending a chill down my spine.

"Does that mean I’m trapped here? For eternity?" I asked, dread creeping in.

"Yes, unless you choose to end your own life to liberate your spirit," he replied.

"Why would I take my own life?" I exclaimed. "I want to return, but that doesn’t mean I’ll die to do so. What would I accomplish as a ghost? Terrify my coworkers?"

"I’ll remain here," I resolved.

The wolf-man fixed his gaze on me for a moment before turning away and beginning to walk off.

Just like that? No greeting or farewell?

I sprang to my feet and hurried after him, tossing out random questions as we strolled toward the crumbling castle.

My mind buzzed with inquiries about the castle and the vibrant flowers, yet for some reason, my voice failed me. Each time I tried to speak, my lips sealed shut.

"You live here by yourself, don’t you ever feel lonely?" I ventured. The creature halted in his tracks, and I collided with his back, my nose jabbing into his spine.

"Ouch," I muttered, cradling my nose. A warm trickle ran down, and the metallic scent of blood filled the air.

How could he be so solid?

"I'm fine," I assured him as he turned to check on my condition, likely out of concern.

I ripped a strip from the hem of my shirt and pressed it against my nose. The pain was minimal, so I figured nothing was broken.

What a relief!

Seeing that I was alright, the beast resumed his path.

"It feels less lonely now than it did all those years ago," he replied.

"Oh. How old are you, anyway?" I inquired.

"I lost track after seven thousand years," he answered. Seven thousand years? The cloth slipped from my fingers as I stood there, utterly stunned.

"Seven thousand years!" I exclaimed, "You’re older than the antiques and fossils in the museum!"

"I existed before the earth was formed," he stated, shattering everything I thought I knew about science.

So, the earth was formed, huh?

By whom?

"By the essence and powers of various Gods. Each played their part in laying the groundwork, and then Moirai breathed life into the barren land," he elaborated.

I had a multitude of doubts and questions swirling in my mind, but I realized I needed time to digest all this new information before diving into further inquiries.

Is that how life on Earth began? It's truly captivating, I remarked.

"You're rather quiet, aren't you? I feel like I'm rambling on endlessly. If my chatter makes you uneasy, just let me know, and I'll stop," I said, noticing his lack of response.

"No," he paused in his tracks. "I mean, I haven't heard anyone speak in ages. It's nice."

"How long have you been here all by yourself?" I asked, intrigued.

"I was seventy when my pack fell apart," he sighed, and the loneliness in his posture tugged at my heartstrings.

He had spent countless years in solitude on this desolate planet. The thought of his isolation, with no one to share his thoughts or alleviate his suffering, was heartbreaking.

An overwhelming desire to comfort him surged within me, and I couldn't hold back. I wrapped my arms around him, hoping to ease some of his sorrow, even if just a little.

The beast froze, and I quickly pulled away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

What made me do that? Why did I hug him?

He turned to look at me. I expected anger for my boldness, but instead, he seemed… intrigued?

Could it be that he had never experienced a hug before?

"Do that again," he requested, his eyes fixed on me. I blinked in surprise.

Do what?

"Hug me again," he insisted.

Could it be that this beast, whom I thought was fierce, was actually innocent? I took a step back, prompting a sigh from him.

"I mean no harm. I just want to see something," he said, his sincerity making it hard to doubt him.

"Alright, come here," I said, opening my arms for him. He stepped closer and enveloped me in his strong embrace.

My face pressed against his abdomen; he was a giant compared to me. Standing at 5'11", I considered myself tall for a woman, yet next to him, I felt like a mere child.

As my skin brushed against his, a jolt of electricity surged through my body. The tingling sensation sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and the rhythm of his heartbeat quickened my own.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Our heartbeats synchronized, and with them, the sparks intensified, becoming even more exhilarating.

I pulled back abruptly, my cheeks burning brighter than the boldest shade of red lipstick I own. My heart raced uncontrollably.

Am I seriously having inappropriate thoughts about a creature that isn’t fully human?

Have I lost my sanity, Aelia? You can’t be attracted to a beast. That’s just wrong! And I’m definitely not one of those people who finds animals appealing. As I scolded myself, another realization hit me.

Oh no. He can hear every single thought!

~•~