Hermes.
Caspian, Adonis, and I were out for a hunt, a hobby we periodically indulged in to break the monotony of lounging around in the Play Pen. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating, and I reveled in the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest. Adonis and I sprinted forward on our horses, the wind rushing through our hair, while Caspian trailed behind us at a more leisurely pace. He never joined us in the hunt, but he never failed to be present as well.
As I rode, I glanced over at Adonis, noticing the pensive look on his face. His lips were set in a grim line, and his eyes seemed lost in thought. That had been his expression ever since he summoned the slave girl into the Play Pen and received that unexpected reaction from her. The Adonis I knew since the war could care less if others thought his actions were cruel or out of line, but now… now he seemed uncertain, almost troubled.
Hesitating for a moment, I finally asked the question that had been bugging me since that night. “Adonis?” I called out his name, glancing at him. He hummed a response, not looking at me. I slowed down, and Adonis did the same, a fair indication that he was listening to me.
“Why didn’t you go all the way with the slave girl?” I asked him, noticing the subtle tensing of his shoulders, the scowl on his face deepening. The silence that followed was oppressive, and for a moment, I wondered if I had overstepped.
Adonis’s gaze remained fixed on some point ahead, his jaw clenched. “I don’t know, Hermes,” he said finally, his voice low and rough. “I didn’t want to kill her.” He shook his head, his expression a mixture of frustration and confusion.
I studied him, intrigued by this sudden change in Adonis. “That’s it? You didn’t want to kill her? What about Veronica? She wouldn’t have minded. She never minded in all those years she’d been with us.” I pressed, trying to understand.
Adonis’s expression darkened, a shadow crossing his eyes. “She didn’t feel good,” he growled, his grip on the rein tightening. “Something about her just didn’t feel right. I don’t know why.”
I was taken aback by his response. “She didn’t feel good? But she’s been our mistress for decades now. All of a sudden, she didn’t feel good? Not enough for you?” I found myself pressing, trying to make sense of his words.
Adonis turned his head to face me, his expression inscrutable. With a sigh, he continued to speak. “I can’t explain what I felt. All I know is my wolf didn’t agree with her. It became agitated, wanting out. Wanting to attack.”
He peered at me, his eyes narrowing. “You didn’t feel it too?”
I shook my head, unable to relate. “Everything felt normal to me.”
Adonis gazed at me for a moment before shrugging and looking forward, the pensive expression back on his face. I pushed the thoughts in my head aside, focusing on the present. “Let’s talk about it later,” I said, nodding towards Caspian, who was approaching us. “We don’t want to spoil the hunt.”
Adonis barely acknowledged my words, but he dismounted from his steed, his steps featherlight, a sharp contrast to his huge frame. I followed suit, pulling off my outer robes before taking on a half shift, allowing my tiger to crawl to the surface. My senses heightened, and my claws extended, eager to kill.
Adonis did the same, his wolf emerging as he shifted. Together, we ran through the forest, our paws pounding the earth in unison. We hunted, our movements fluid and practiced, taking down our prey with precision and deadly force. The thrill of the hunt coursed through my veins, and for a moment, I forgot about the strange encounter with the slave girl and Adonis’s unsettling behavior.
Adonis also seemed to be enjoying the hunt, if the brutal massacre of the forest animals was anything to go by. His half shifted form was a blur of teeth and claws, taking down prey with ease and precision. For a brief moment, I was reminded of the past, back when all three of us were still young princes, without the weight of the world on our shoulders.
We used to go on hunts like this, killing animals and sharing the spoils amongst ourselves. Adonis used to be the most jovial out of us three, always smiling, ever happy. His laughter would echo through the forest, infectious and carefree. Actually, back then, we used to be four. My smile dampened when I remembered the brutal betrayal of our fourth friend, Oberon, and how we had to let him go.
The memory still stung, even after all these years. I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present. The hunt was a welcome distraction, a chance to let our primal instincts take over.
As we ran, the forest became a blur of trees and blood, the scent of death hanging heavy in the air. Adonis and I moved in perfect sync, our movements honed from years of hunting together. Caspian watched from a distance, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of fascination and concern.
I would never admit it out loud, but I couldn’t bear the thought of losing either of them, whether it’s Adonis or Caspian. The mere idea sent a shiver down my spine. I won’t be able to mask my pain if it happened. It’s only through them that I was able to get this far and I couldn’t imagine my world without them.
Which is why I let them get away with taking rash decisions, even if it was to the detriment of others. I knew they didn’t always think things through, but I also knew they always had my back. They had grown to become more than just kings to rule side by side with; they were my family.
And that’s why I was concerned for Adonis right now. Something was bothering him, something he wasn’t revealing. After our hunt ended and our kills had been piled up as high as a mountain, I walked back to Adonis to continue our discussion.
“But, to be honest, Adonis, how do you really feel?” I asked, my voice low and serious. “There has to be something more than you’re revealing right now.”
Adonis looked away, his eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for answers. Finally, he opened his mouth and began to speak, his voice devoid of emotions, but his words sending a chill down my spine. “To be honest, I’ve been getting more disconnected from my wolf. It’s becoming harder to keep my murderous impulses in check.” He revealed, his voice tight.
I felt my concern for him double, my mind racing with the implications. “That’s bad news,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. “It means you could go rogue any moment from now.”
Adonis nodded, his jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with a hint of anger. I knew he was trying to keep his emotions in check, but I could sense the turmoil brewing inside him.
Unable to hide my worry, I pleaded with him. “Please, fight it. I’m sure there would be a way out soon.”
Adonis chuckled, but it was a hollow sound, devoid of humor. When he turned to look at me, his eyes were just pools of darkness, frightening me for a moment. “Like what?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “You know, like the moon goddess returning and finally returning balance to the world,” I said, hoping that he would cling to that glimmer of hope.
But Adonis just scoffed, his expression dismissive. “Do you know how long we’ve waited for the moon goddess to return? Let’s face it, she’s not coming back anymore. No need crying over spilt milk.”
“You of all people shouldn’t say that,” I said, trying to reason with him. “You know you were the only one who believed in the prophecy out of all of us.”
Adonis’s expression turned bitter, his eyes flashing with anger. “And now I don’t,” he snapped, his voice growing louder with each passing second. “I’ve lost faith, Hermes. I’ve lost faith in everything.”
I took a step back, trying to calm him down. “Just be careful, Adonis. Try to control it if you can. You’re still very much needed here. You cannot give in.”
But Adonis didn’t respond, just kept looking forward, tension radiating off him in waves. I knew I had to do something, but I didn’t know what. All I could do was stand there, helpless, as my friend and brother struggled with his inner demons.
We returned back to the fortress, each of us lost in our thoughts, the atmosphere much more bleaker than the one we’d set out with. The hunt had been a distraction, but now reality was setting back in. Our soldiers immediately came to us, forming a formidable circle around us as we entered into the castle grounds. Their faces were somber, reflecting the mood of their kings.
As we walked, the courtyard came alive with activity. Some people stood from a distance, watching us in awe, while others bowed to their knees, showing respect. The sound of clanging steel and shouts of training sessions filled the air, but it was muted, as if everyone sensed the darkness that had settled over us.
Other squires, knee-deep in their training sessions, paused to watch us, their eyes gleaming with adoration. Maids scurried about, going about their daily chores, but only one person out of all of them caught my eyes. It was the slave girl, Lienna. She was standing close to the well, about to fetch some water, her long hair scattered in the afternoon breeze. With the sunlight shining against her skin, she looked abundantly radiant, a bright smile on her face as she discussed with the maid beside her.
I heard a growl and I turned to see where it was coming from. It was Adonis, and his gaze was fixed on Lienna with an unnerving intensity. I stiffened, wondering why the mere presence of the girl would elicit such a reaction from him. I don’t even think he was aware that he was growling, his eyes seemed to be in a trance-like state.
Lienna finally turned and noticed us, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of the three of us on horseback, surrounded by our soldiers. Even from a distance, I watched as the smile on her face froze, her face blanching with fear. She only bowed when she saw the people around her bowing, breaking eye contact with us. She was still terrified of us. And who could blame her? We were the kings of the land, feared by many.
But Adonis’s reaction was uncalled for. He was still growling, his eyes fixed on Lienna with a mixture of anger and… something else. I couldn’t quite place it.
“Adonis, what’s wrong?” I asked, trying to break the spell that seemed to have taken hold of him.
But he didn’t respond. Instead, the growling intensified, and I had to call his attention to it. “Adonis, stop! Why are you acting that way? Is it because of the girl? Do you want to kill her?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
Adonis didn’t say anything, just pulled at the reins of his horse and galloped away, leaving me and Caspian staring after him in confusion. I watched him go, utterly perplexed. What was going on with him? Why was he reacting like this to Lienna?
Caspian turned to me, his eyes filled with concern. “What’s gotten into him?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know, but I think it has something to do with Lienna.”
Caspian followed my gaze to the girl, who was still standing by the well, her eyes fixed on the ground. “I don’t understand,” he said. “He’s been acting strange ever since he met her.”
I nodded. “I know. And I think it’s time we found out why.”