A Hunter’s Folly: A Short Story

A Hunter’s Folly by Mato C. Lawrence

What a shame we became such fragile broken things. The long darkness crept through our hearts and played the chords like a cello. The melody, so beautiful it brought tears to the eyes of angels. Do you remember the way the water lapped at our toes? The trickle of rain kissing our cheeks? Stars flickered in your ocean blue eyes. The waves triumphed only by the curl of your hair.

Our hearts beat in tandem that night. The salt in the air peppered our skin. Hours. That’s all it took. Enough to destroy everything we ever built. Enough to devour my soul.

Nali’s complexion. So deep. So golden. So distracting. When Teagan first laid eyes on Nali, her heart set fire and melted away. Her eyes. Oh, Nali’s eyes, like the ferocious ocean, twinkling with stardust.

The tide nips at their toes as they lie upon the sand, and Teagan watches the moon glimmer on Nali’s lips, an apple so delicious. Seemingly pure. Forbidden. A poison. Teagan licks her own lips and curls her toes in the sand. Her fingers trace Nali’s silken arms, brushing cascading waves of rich hickory locks over her shoulder.

“You’re so gorgeous,” Nali says. Her satin words drift through the air.

Teagan pulls her closer and buries her face in Nali’s hair.

“What a shame,” Teagan breathes, “we have become such fragile broken things.” She kisses Nali’s neck. Heat surges through her as their skin meets.

“Such a shame,” Nali whispers. Crisp waves roll onto the dark beach, and a sprinkle of mist caresses their cheeks.

Teagan knew what she had done. Stolen a princess from under Charming’s absent-minded gaze. Not without sacrifice. Not without ripping a piece of her soul from her chest.

Her orders were clear. Return with Nali’s heart in the wooden box. The queen refused to live under the shadow of this beautiful creature. Refused to have any more beautiful than she breathing. Innocent Nali. Banished out of sight in her lonely tower, yet still growing fairer with each passing hour.

Teagan rolls on top of Nali and kisses her throat, holding the skin tight with the graze of her teeth. She stares into her eyes as she releases. Pulsing. Vibrating. Flowing like a raging river, Teagan’s blood roars to life as Nali’s nails hunt their way across her back. A trickle of pleasure escapes her lips, and Teagan’s hand grasps the Queen’s knife buried in the sand.

“I love you.” Nali draws her nearer, their bodies melding as one.

“I know.” Teagan kisses raindrops from her beauty’s cheeks. Her calling as a hunter hangs heavy within her chest locked shut at the tender taste of Nali’s everything. The box tucked under a billowing tree. Too long they waited. Too long indeed.

She releases the knife and allows Nali to pull Teagan fast against her. The sand sticking to their bareness. To their vulnerabilities.

Nothing stays forever. Not words. Not emotions. But this memory would remain captured inside her for all eternity.

Teagan’s body swims within the tangle of hope, lust, and fears. Night air freezes sweat to their chests, and they only stop their tumble for a breath, no more.

Love. Such a dangerous thing. Teagan knew how bad it would be. The smell of death wafts over the salt of the ocean, stretching over her. For a flicker of a second. Nali vanishes. Leaving Teagan naked and alone on the icy beach.

The pearly sky glints with cat-like yellow eyes. Teagan bites back tears.

How many times would she relive this day? When would the Queen take mercy and bring her death?

Blood spills from her hands. The knife and a beating heart in her lap.

She blinks.

Gone.

The memory lingers as it spins and begins again. Doomed to repeat for eternity, the folly of her trust. The folly of her love. Teagan breathes in the sweet scent of ocean breeze and honey.

Nali’s smile is a kiss her lips don’t have to give. The princess’ complexion is a deepened gold. Teagan’s heart burns with hunger. The crystal blue waters of the ocean lap at their feet. She pulls Nali close, tears cresting her cheeks.

What a shame we became such fragile broken things. If only you knew how much more I would give away for another night with you. What is a piece of my soul in the grand scheme of love? My freedom for yours. Do you remember saying you would come for me? That together we could escape. Together we could transcend our roles. No hunter. No princess. Love. Nothing else.

Everything has an end. Even your words. Isn’t that what you told me? I guess I should have listened.