Chapter 5 The Blessings of the Cursed.

Prince Daevir's POV

Zephyr must have scared her with all those silly talks. I'm so embarrassed that she had to hear all of that.

"I'm sorry you had to…"

"I can't go back!" She screeched, her shoulder shaking as she burst out crying.

Wait what?

"I can't! I just can't!" She trembled, her body shaking frantically.

Quickly, I grabbed her shoulder, making her fall limp into my hands. Her ocean eyes streamed with tears.

"I know I must fulfill my duty to the emperor. Bu_but I just can't. I'm scared. I've never…" She cupped her hands over her face like she was ashamed. "They say the first night is the hardest, but you'll get through it from there. I think I'm going to go crazy on the first night!" She sobbed.

My eyes lowered to the floor. She didn't have to explain further. My father, the emperor, is a man I'm deeply ashamed of. Right before I left for the war, I would see girls my age flood the palaces, waiting to meet his needs.

The sight of it all made me sick. I wanted nothing to do with marriage or palace politics. But seeing this girl cry about it right now was crushing.

My fingers trailed her face, and I wiped her tears. I tilted her chin up so she met my eyes. Our lips so was close we could kiss. But I wouldn't want to hurt her.

"Don't cry." I said

She nodded like I had given her a command.

She's so tender. So soft to touch, so delicate she could break. I carried her out of the water, resting her on my chest.

We sat there, solemn, silent. Our bodies shivered slightly as the water cooled on us.

"I will be visiting the imperial courts early tomorrow. I'll keep the meeting as long as I can so the king will be too tired to visit you afterwards."

She looked up at me, her wide eyes streaming with gratitude. I looked away, my eyes streaming with unshed tears.

My thoughts flooded with the obvious.

I've become the thing I hate. I'm a monster.

"I don't deserve to live," I muttered. I had no idea I was speaking out loud.

"Why will you say that?" She slowly pulled away, matching my eyes.

Why isn't she terrified of me? I almost killed her!

"I could have killed you." My gaze settled on her. Exhaustion washed over me at that moment, and I could barely keep my eyes open. She noticed and ran her hands over my chin to my neck.

"How did you know your charm could bring me back?"

She hesitated, her lips trembling. This girl has been forged to understand court life. One wrong move and she could be dead. I understand her hesitation with me; I just wish she weren't so scared.

"My grandmother taught me the Alpachipa rose tempers angry spirits. I thought it would save me from bullying in the palace, so I wore it more often. I guess it helps to tamper werewolves too"

She paused as if in deep thought.

"Grandma MiMi said werewolves usually multiply through breeding. It's very strange that you just…became one."

"I'm as confused as you are…" I heaved, exhausted.

I saw her gaze fixed on me for a moment. I wish she weren't so sympathetic to me. Werewolves don't deserve sympathy.

And then my eyes lowered to her watching her pull her dress up, revealing her thigh where the charm was tightened. She began loosening it.

"What are you doing?" My hands fell on her thigh, stopping her, but she looked up at me, smiling

"It's okay, your highness." She brought it out and tightened it around my wrists. "You'll need this in your meeting with the king tomorrow."

"You'll need it against your bullies. I can't take it," I coughed.

"You need it more than I do. No one would know you're a werewolf."

Silence.

How could such a pure soul be rumoured to be cursed?

"I promise to return it after the meeting." I pressed her little palm in mine.

Quickly, she rose to her feet. "I have to go." She announced, rushing to the curtains.

"Wait!" I wish she could stay a little longer. But given the circumstances, she'd be in more danger being around me than I would be around her.

"Your name. I don't know your name."

She clutched the skirt of her wet dress in her hands, her eyes rheumy, and her shoulder still trembling from the cool of the water. She looked like a wet kitten just taken out of the rain.

"Amarien." She finally said, she turned to leave, but stopped. "I won't tell anyone what I saw tonight. I promise." With this, she darted out of the room, the door slamming behind her.

Amarien

You saved me.