Love Not Destined: Part 1

We arrived in Casterlan beneath an orange evening sky.

We all headed towards the closest inn. It was a quaint establishment. A sign hung outside with a charming illustration of a badger sleeping on a bed much too small for it, its limbs spilling off the sides. Right below was the name, 'The Cozy Badger.'

We walked in and many folks greeted us, as the establishment owner finished serving a couple.

The portly man wiped his hands on his apron, and smiled. “Welcome to the Cozy Badger!”

“We’d like two rooms for one night.”

After getting the bill settled, the man called for his son. “If you need anything, just say so. My name is Hannush and the boy is Erhart.”

A tall handsome youth with a patch of beard growing on his chin nodded to us. Then looking at Poppy, he shot her a grin.

Pangs of jealousy I hadn’t felt since the Ember Estate rose in me. Except this time the girl in question wasn’t already promised to another.

“Thank you, we’ll be back down for food.”

“It’ll be my pleasure to feed you fine folk.” Hannush nodded to Ehart. “Son, help our guests settle in.”

After settling in and eating, we went to call it a night.

“Victor, can’t we stay for another day or two?”

“It’s Poppy, isn’t it?” Victor sighed. “I’m sorry Enderan, but we were already held up in Galebrook long enough.”

I knew he was right, but I was desperate to spend more time with Poppy. “Please just one more day Victor.” Finally I spoke my mind. “I think I’m in love with her.”

For a second I thought I saw anger rise in Victor, but he took a deep breath and looked at me in sympathy. “Oh, Enderan. I know it must feel like she is the one, but she is only one of the many girls you will meet and save throughout your life.”

“I doubt it. It’s not going to be a very long one to begin with.”

“This love isn’t going to last Enderan. Once you two are apart for long enough, she will move on from you. I saw how the inkeeper’s son made her blush.”

“He did?!” I felt like my heart was going to burst apart. Or that I would set the Inn ablaze in my agony.

“Look, all I’m saying is that you shouldn’t pursue this feeling Enderan. You have just gotten a taste of life outside of your home. You’ll see, this is just a passing fancy.”

I knew he spoke sense but I didn’t want to hear it. Had Victor ever fallen in love? I was about to ask but thought against it. The last thing I wanted was to give more credence to his sentiments.

“If we fail to break my curse. I might not mind spending the rest of my life with her.” I laid down, with my back towards Victor. I couldn’t see his expression and didn’t want to. I clutched at the amulet beneath my shirt, and I felt Yoki press up against my back.

- - -

The next morning, Poppy and Kegan left to visit the local church. Kegan had to request a new station elsewhere. His incident with the mayor might be excused, considering the circumstances. While it was unlikely they would overlook it, he had some friends with a higher position in the clergy.

Victor and I were eating lunch in the dining area. We were going to leave once we heard they were settled in.

Poppy walked in and greeted the innkeeper and his son. The tall young man said something which caused Poppy to laugh, and I felt jealousy and anger rise up.

Erhart was handsome and was much more manly despite him and Enderan being around the same age. It made me ashamed of my scrawny and disfigured body.

How could I compete with Erhart?

“How are things with the church?”

“From what Kegan told me, they would have to investigate the murder of Mayor Windsor, but in the meantime, we can just reside in the church while things are put in order.

“Glad to hear it.”

Poppy turned to me. “Enderan, may I speak with you outside?”

My heart leapt. “Of course.” I got up and followed after Poppy. As we passed Erhart, I gave him a glare before parting. He just looked at me confusedly.

We walked a bit until we were standing by a fountain. Kids were playing, and the townsolk moved around, the town bustled with life.

“I wanted to say thank you for sticking up for me in front of the town. You were really gallant.”

“You’re bringing this up now?” I was anticipating it, but late was better than never. “It was nothing.”

“No, it’s not. I also wanted to apologize for reacting the way I did when your appearance changed.”

“It’s alright. It was a normal reaction. But it makes me happy to hear that.”

She smiled sadly at him. “Listen, you have to keep going.”

“Where is this coming from?” Then I realized. “Did Victor tell you about last night?”

Victor had gone with them to the church while telling me to stay back with our belongings. I was upset, but he convinced me that he would be back soon, and just needed to speak with Kegan.

“He did. I know you’re leaving today, but you should prioritize breaking the curse. Never entertain any other ideas.”

I looked aside and scoffed. “You guys don’t get to decide how to live my life.”

“But I don’t want to be the reason in your choice to throw it away,” she said. “Enderan. If you decide to give up on breaking the curse, and come back here, I doubt I would still like you.”

I forgot about everything else she had said before that point. “Wait you like me?”

“A little.” She blushed. Before I could say more she interrupted me. “But it’s only a brief infatuation! When we part, I’ll get over you.”

“But I-

“Enderan. You barely know how the world and people work. You might feel like you’re in love with me, but really I’m the first of many girls you will meet, just like how you are just one of the many boys I’ll meet.”

This broke my heart. “I guess I’m still just a child. I want to tell you that you’re wrong and that I won’t regret spending the rest of my life with you.” I tried to keep calm but my head was swirling. “But I also know that both you and Victor are right.” I clenched my fist. “But why can’t we promise to wait for each other?”

“That’s what I mean Enderan. Time and distance will break this spell between us. And I don’t think I can wait that long.”

I recalled the way the innkeeper’s son looked at her, and my heart ached. For a second he empathized with the Mayor of Galebrook in how heartbroken he must have felt seeing Alyssa with Kegan.

But I quickly realized that I was empathizing with a monster like Windsor, and how heartbreak could distort the image of the one he loved.

So I took a shaky breath and we sat in silence.

“We’ll still be friends, right?” I asked.

“Of course! I’ll forever be grateful for what you did for me and our time together.” I smiled at her before turning away.