The Prince And The Pagan

Chapter 8: Awake

-Cole-

My body felt like a firework of pain, but there was this voice. It wasn’t soft like other women’s voices, like my mother’s, which she had used many times to sing me to sleep as a child. No, this voice was rougher, with a sharp edge, yet it was not unpleasant. In fact, it had a calming steadiness that made the pain seem... less intense. I had never heard a woman’s voice like this before.

Her tone had a sassy quality to it, unlike the polished, refined voices of the women I grew up with. Even my sister, who was more stubborn than most and was fiercely protected by my father and me, never spoke with such an edge. For some reason, I didn’t hate it. In fact, I found myself wondering what it would be like to hear her talk to me that way, to see her strength and attitude up close.

Then I noticed a second voice, one I certainly didn’t like. As the voices grew clearer, I could make out their conversation.

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have. Now, the exit is that way.”

So strong. So sassy.

“Please, I’m really sorry,” the other voice said.

I wanted to tell him, even without knowing the whole story, to shove that apology right up his ass. Maybe it was because I recognized that tone. I had used it many times myself, and heard Sebastian use it too.

We didn’t apologize like he was trying to now, but we employed similar tones when former conquests saw us with new ones. It was a trick to warm them up again, to show that we had not fully committed to them. It was all a game.

“Good for you.”

I wanted to smile at the way she spoke to him. I liked hearing that she wasn’t falling for his trick.

“Come on, Raven...”

Raven. So that is her name. It suits her well, I thought. Just repeating her name in my head made my heart beat a little faster. Was this normal, or was it just a side effect of the pain?

“What did you expect when you came here?” she asked. “That everything would be forgiven with a single apology? You were really mean to me.”

Mean to her?

“I know, and that’s all my fault.”

I hoped she didn’t fall for that. He definitely wasn’t sorry. It was just a ploy to win her back.

“You’re right...”

“It’s just...”

“Just what?” she inquired tiredly.

She clearly didn’t want to continue this conversation. So why was she?

“My father... he really wants me to be like him.”

“What?”

“He wants me to take over. He wants me to stop being a hunter and join the council. He wants me to put down my bow and start training.”

“Your dad... already wants you to take over?”

I had no idea what they were talking about—taking over? Taking over what? But I stayed still with my eyes closed, continuing to listen to the two... lovers? Were they lovers? I wasn’t sure.

“I can’t believe this...” she whispered.

“Yes, I was frustrated that day in the woods, and I... I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.”

He did what to her in what woods? Anger surged within me. Had he hurt her somehow? Why did that make me so angry? I hadn’t even seen her yet, but the sound of her voice had already enchanted me. How was that possible?

“My father doesn’t even want me to take over. He keeps secrets from me. And yours already wants you in the council. It’s unbelievable, and to think that this is supposed to excuse what you did—”

“But it doesn’t,” the man cut in. “Raven, please. I lost my head. It won’t happen again. I promise! I will never hurt you again!”

“I...”

Her hesitation was clear, and I knew he was winning her over. This wasn’t good. He couldn’t just win her back like this. I opened my eyes, finally seeing them. The man had dark brown hair and green eyes like the forest. He was big and broad, someone you wouldn’t want to cross. Except, perhaps, a prince might not have to fear him.

He sat in front of the woman who had spoken. Her face was turned away, but I could see her long, red curly hair cascading down her back. It was stunning, unlike any I had seen before. I wanted to reach out and touch it, but then I noticed their hands connected and realized I had to intervene.

“Don’t listen to him,” I croaked out.

Suddenly, the she turned around, her eyes widening in shock as they met mine. Her eyes were a mesmerizing mix of green with golden flecks, almost glowing in the candlelight from the table. They were captivating. Her face was heart-shaped, adorned with a small nose and a scattering of freckles, while her lips were invitingly sweet and slightly plump, tempting one to kiss them. Yet, I had to stay focused.

“It’s just a way to win you back,” I said hoarsely. “Don’t fall for it.”

She continued to look at me in astonishment, but then her eyes then shifted to the man beside her, and I looked at him as well. His gaze narrowed as it locked onto me before he looked back at Raven. Despite this, she focused on me again. I turned back to her as well, our eyes meeting once more. Like me, she seemed unable to tear her gaze away.

“Y-You’re awake...” she whispered.

It was clear it was a shock for her. I understood why. I still felt terrible, which suggested I had been close to death. She probably hadn’t expected me to wake up so suddenly.

It took her a moment before she looked away, and she turned to the man beside her, pulling her hand away—a move I was more than happy about.

“Micah, go get Dimar!” she ordered.

Micah. So that was his name. I certainly didn’t like him, and it seemed the feeling was mutual. Perhaps he was annoyed that I had called out his little trick. He cast a brief glance at Raven, clearly understanding her command, and then walked out of the tent. Slowly, the red-haired goddess turned back to me. Her yellow-green eyes locked onto mine, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

My mother had always loved recounting how she and my father had met and fought for their love. Mom had always said that denying love was impossible and that we should embrace it without fear. But what was this sensation I felt when I looked at Raven? Was this what my mother would call love?

It seemed absurd. I understood familial love. I cared deeply for my family, but falling in love with someone I had only just met? It felt insane. Yet, I couldn’t deny this strange attraction and the almost irresistible urge to explore it further. Was this normal?

“You should be careful with him,” I rasped.

Speaking was painful, and I had to swallow repeatedly after each sentence, but I seemed to have captured her full attention. She stared at me with wide eyes, her breathing quickening slightly. Perhaps she felt it too? Maybe she sensed the same attraction.

“It’s a trick,” I told her.

“Trick...” she echoed softly.

She looked almost entranced, her gaze fixed on me, and I nodded in confirmation.

“Yes, he isn’t truly sorry. Trust me. He’s just trying to win you back.”

“Trust you...”

I understood that this might sound strange given our lack of familiarity, but I needed her to understand.

“Yes, you need to trust me on this.”

Her expression shifted—was she angry? But why? I was trying to ensure she didn’t return to him and risk having her heart crushed, just as I had once crushed many women’s hearts with tricks I hadn’t recognized as cruel at the time. I couldn’t bear the thought of Raven being treated that way.

“I will never trust you and—” Suddenly, I saw her reach behind her to where a table stood, grabbing for a knife while keeping her eyes locked on mine. But her hand barely touched the knife’s handle when an elderly man entered the room. He had long white hair, a wrinkled face, and tattoos...

Wait... Tattoos... I thought.

I shifted my gaze from the older man to Raven, who was also looking at him. Slowly, she released her grip on the knife she had barely grasped. The elderly man gave her a look that clearly said, I know what you were about to do, and I strongly advise against it.

She withdrew her hand, and I turned my attention back to the older man. This couldn’t be... but the faded tattoos spoke volumes. He was a pagan, and so was she.