A KING OF KINGS

"We shouldn't be here." Mae groaned as we crouched lower under the bush just outside the soldier's eyesight.

"Shush." I hissed under my breath and shot her a glare before turning my gaze back on the small squadron jogging pass. They were the border patrol, and with how heightened and trained their sense were- I was surprised they hadn't caught us.

"Do you want to see him or not?" I grumbled when the patrol was far enough out of hearing range.

"Yes, but not at this risk-!"

"This is the only way, Mae. It's not like he's going to pay a peaceful visit to the village anytime soon."

I could feel her nervous, crouched figure

shuffling behind me, but I tried not to take my attention too far away from our situation. I could lie to her all I wanted, but there was no hiding the truth from myself. This was a bad idea. And we were too far into his territory to turn and make a run for it now.

It was almost mid-day, and we would have to wait at least six more hours until nightfall. That was the only chance we had at making it back down the mountain without getting caught.

"We shouldn't have done this." She groaned as I slowly rose from my crouched position behind the leafy bush, the heavy skirts of my dress catching on the sharp twigs. Perhaps I should have stolen some of Leikos's pants for this little adventure.

I glanced carefully over the leafy bush that had provided our much-needed hiding spot, and could just barely make out the tops of his castle over the tree tops.

"Maybe we should just head back, Emrie." The grip Mae had on my sleeve tightened, by I ignored the frightened and stressed tone in her voice. She was right, but that didn't mean I wanted to leave.

"We are so close. I can see his castle." I whispered in something close to awe as I double checked the tiny dirt path before crawling out from under the bush- Mae reluctantly followed behind me.

"We'll head back as soon as the sun sets. I promise." I gave her a small smile that she tried to return, but I could see the fear and worry in her eyes.

"He'll eat the raw flesh from our bones Em!" Mae's tone trembled as she voiced the very thing I was thinking- but hearing it out loud just made me laugh. Out in the air, that idea sounded ridiculous. Not even wolf-bornes could do that, right?

"Yes, and he will also make soup with our blood and liver." I snickered at the horrified look that crossed her face and shook my head. She was too easy sometimes. "Relax Mae, those are just stories. I highly doubt that they're true."

She didn't look convinced, and if anything- she only seemed to be turning greener by the minute. I rolled my eyes and turned back towards the path. She was such a worry wart sometimes.

And yet, even I was beyond nervous.

The King of the North.

That's what they called him. No one knew his true name, but his title alone was enough to make most shiver. Even me, though I tried to hide that fact from the trembling girl a few feet behind me.

I had no doubt that the rumors circling around the King of the North were true, and none of them were pleasant. I honestly didn't know what drove me to suggest our little adventure up the mountain and into his territory- I really didn't. The stories of what he did to simple travelers that stumbled across his land were horrifying enough. I didn't want to think about what he would do to us.

The King and a few of his soldiers had visited the Lower Kingdom a few months ago, and word of his awe-inspiring beauty had reached even the darkest corners of the far North that made up our home. This little trip wasn't an attempt to meet him, or even fawn over him like many of the southern women were said to have done.

We just wanted a glimpse of him. One teeny, tiny, little glimpse of that other-worldly beauty the villagers and townspeople seemed consumed by.

But no one was ever dumb enough to venture into his castle- much less his territory- to find out. Except, you know, for me. And I dragged poor, dear, sweet Mae along with me. I wouldn't let her fool me though- I knew she wanted to see him too. I just could not get that rambling nagging out of my head.

One look. Just one look.

It repeated over and over again in my mind like a dark mantra until it was the only thought taking over my subconscious. I needed to see him, even if it was only one quick glimpse. That should have been enough to satisfy the persistent voice pounding away in my skull.

Mae's death grip held onto the long lapel of my rather thin cloak as her frightened hazel eyes glanced frantically around the forest. I tried to shake off that same fear coursing through her gaze as it crept slowly into my chest.

Just one look, just one.

The small squad of soldiers were nowhere in sight, and I let the soft sounds of the forest slowly calm my racing nerves. I was never one to do something so- so dangerous. Usually Mae and I were in the same boat when it came to keeping our noses out of trouble, but I could not stop this desire inside of me. That inner abyss that made me yearn, tremble, and disregard everything to come here.

One look, just one.