Kairos the consequences of kissing you

Before the after

The castle of Orpheus was hidden in the shadows, even the highest tower was invisible to the crowd, but even so a ray of light made its way through the darkness to slightly illuminate the cell where little Emma was confined, a minimal space reduced to humidity and darkness, where her only company were two rats the size of a dog that wandered along the walls.

Time in the other world passed in mysterious ways, seconds and minutes were not enough, they were millennia that made the creatures that resided in that world more than 100,000 years old. But what was that world, where was it, the answer was so simple and at the same time so complicated that no mortal was able to understand it. Emma had heard something about other worlds, but she wasn't sure if she was in another world, although she wasn't sure if she was in her world either.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the light of a candle flooded the room, followed by a loud squeak as the door opened.

-Emma didn't move, she just leaned back against the bars of her cell and waited for the door to open.

- You don't listen, damn brat! -shouted that voice, making the little girl's body shudder.

- Enough Gabs, you shouldn't treat our guest like that," said a very familiar voice.

-My lord, I didn't want to be impertinent, but that girl is ungrateful," he answered with a voice of disgust.

-The creature held out the tray he was carrying and stepped back when he saw his master approaching the girl, "go now, give food to the dragons," with a wave of his hand the servant disappeared leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

The man had a beautiful face, as if it had been carved and sculpted by a great artist to receive the greatest sighs of all the creatures that saw him pass by, he was dressed in an elegant suit and had a captivating smile that made Emma feel more confident of that being.

- Oh dear girl, but how did they leave you here," he said with indignation when he saw the condition of his guest, a ragged dress, dirty skin stained with blood, matted hair and nails full of dirt.

Emma did not move, she carefully observed every detail of that man, every movement of his lips, of his eyes, trying to decipher the intention behind his words and before she could blink the man put a dragon-shaped key in the lock and opened the gate.

-No guest of mine shall spend her nights in a cell," the man held out his hand for the little girl to stand up and then covered her with his black fur coat. 

The room outside the cell was even more frightening, bars on each side, shackles hanging on the stone walls, leaks and water seepage in places, followed by a dubious looking orange moss. Through the door was a series of spiral steps leading to a dark corridor which in turn connected to another corridor leading to the rooms. After walking about 200 meters there was the huge balcony that gave a beautiful view of an exquisitely decorated hall, there were stairs on both sides covered by an impeccable red carpet that decorated the center of the white marble steps, which in turn matched the golden railing that might as well be made of gold.

Emma's gaze roamed over every corner, every painting, every step, enraptured by the beauty of the place and her companion.

-It's a little overwhelming when people meet for the first time, they find it strange that a creature like me has such refined taste," smiled the man.

-It's beautiful," Emma uttered in a whisper.

-This way is your room, I was notified this morning of your arrival so they didn't have much time to prepare it -with a wave of his hand he showed her the way to follow, he crossed the huge hallway and stopped in front of a door decorated with small colorful flowers -I hope you like it- he turned the door handle carefully and stepped aside for the little girl to pass.

The room was beautiful, lilac walls decorated with small butterflies, a pink canopy bed, white marble floor and a heart-shaped carpet to match the bed, a small window and a butterfly chandelier. The little girl's eyes lit up at the sight of such beauty, something she had never had at home; and although her past had been traumatic, Emma did not seem to remember anything of what had happened, in her mind what was happening was a dream from which she did not want to wake up yet.

-Mrs. Mells will help you get cleaned up for dinner," the man commented, introducing her to a middle-aged woman with round, pink cheeks, wearing a white apron with a small lace cap, "I'll wait for you in the dining room," the man bowed and left. 

                                                                                      ... 

The table filled with lush delicacies was tempting for any creature, an elongated dining room carefully decorated to be pleasing to the eye as well as to the palate. At one end of the table stood that mysterious and handsome man, his hand holding a glass of red wine that he occasionally brought to his nose to enjoy the fragrance of the substance.

Emma carefully descended the stairs, gracefully holding the skirt of the long blue dress that Mrs. Mells forced her to wear; the man's eyes were fixed on her like two darts on the wall, with agility she stood up and approached the girl, she elegantly held out her hand and sighed when she felt the warmth of his hand on her cold skin.

-I ordered the servants to prepare the most grandiose dishes to celebrate your arrival, please take a seat," the man delicately moved the chair so Emma could sit down, once there, he approached her seat, spread a napkin on his lap and gave a mischievous smile to the little girl.

-It's all very pleasant," Emma pronounced in a breathy voice.

-I'm glad it's to your liking?

-I like being so well taken care of, but there's something that still doesn't stop running through my head," she interrupted him.

-I'm all ears, I'm ready to answer all your questions," said the man in a friendly tone.

- What is your name? -asked the little girl curiously

-By the gods, but how rude, I apologize, my name is Orpheus, the god of the monsters," he smiled, "I know many things about you, miss, but this time I will let myself be carried away by formalities, please," he implored with his eyes, "I am Emmalein, I am Emmalein, I am Emmalein, I am Emmalein, I am Emmalein, I am Emmalein.

-I am Emmalein, although people call me Emma.

-Emma, what a beautiful name, for an even more beautiful creature," exclaimed Orpheus, licking his lips mischievously.