Kissed by the Wolf's Curse

monster-become-man who had also once been prince. The room now seemed cramped, its air heavy and stifling, r

ow. He hadn't said anything since his last outburst, and Lyra wasn't sure whether she should be furious with him or feel for him. He had told her the truth-told

now soft but firm. She drew closer to him,

ite, ice-weathered nothingness outside, but she felt the stiffness of his jaw,

y, his voice a growl.

him now, it seemed so much heavier. She stood stock-still a few steps away, her chest rising

" she whispered. "I just... I c

nce that sent hairs rising on her arms. He turned to her at last and

eat to you. To all of those around me. The curse, the monster inside me-it'

then, and they wouldn't succeed now. "Maybe I can't fix it. But I can help you. I

h the words he couldn't manage to say. He moved a step forward, his

a beast, Lyra. You don't see the evil that is inside of me, how close I am to losing all

ck, her voice unbreakable, firm.

he flames and the roar of the wind outside. At last, Kael inhaled a long, slow breat

," he spoke, barely audibly, "th

er brow, perple

our home, until I am healed. I won't leave until the curse weakens so that I c

ly, her chest racing

try to fight the curse. That you won't try to fix it, change it, turn it ar

se the weight of it-the weight of his fear, his doubt, and the raw, unspoken truth

ill desperation, the fear that had led

e firm. "I will let you heal, Kael.

deep within him that he was too afraid to show. It broke her heart thinking about the c

stern again. "You'll keep me hidden until

m both. She had always believed in healing, the magic of nature. But this was different. This wasn't potions

he whispere

eep breath, his shoulders relaxing for the first time since he had stepped into her h

low and sincere. "You have no

lied, her voice gentle bu

was only the beginning. The road ahead would be fraught with dange

now. Not after she had alread

bed against the flames. "I'll depart here, then, and let you

d, her hear

re, his eyes flashing with i

l watch over you, Kae

rm howled outside, but inside, a delica