Page 58 of Thorns of Deceit: The Beast Within

The Thousand-Year King’s eyes swept over Skylar, and she caught a flicker of confusion passing over his features before settling into an amused grin.

The Princess, seemingly sensing an opportunity, stepped forward with a graceful curtsy. Her earlier anger vanished behind a mask of charm. “Your Majesty,” she purred, her voice honey-sweet. “What a pleasure to meet you at last. I’m Princess Quince Spinewood of Thorncrest, and I’ve heard so much about the traditions of Aequilibrium. Perhaps we could?—”

But the Thousand-Year King’s attention remained fixed on Skylar, effectively ignoring the Princess’s attempts at flattery. “Duke Anathemark,” his voice was deep, resonant with an authority reverberating in Skylar’s very bones. “Would you care to join us? Crown Prince Arye was just about to show me to his study.”

Skylar blinked in surprise, glancing at Arye, who looked equally taken aback. “I… of course, Your Majesty. It would be my honor.”

As they walked away, Skylar could feel Princess Quince’s glare burning into her back. But she couldn’t care less. The overwhelming presence of the Thousand-Year King eclipsed all other concerns in her mind. Until this very moment, Arye had been the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on—but Aequilibrium’s King was different. If gods existed, they would surely be like him. Untouchable, unreachable, not of this world.

Skylar listened as Arye explained the role of her family to the Thousand-Year King as they walked. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the marble floors, punctuated by the occasional rustle of fabric as they passed curious onlookers.

“Our military prowess is unmatched. The Anathemarks and their Divine Beasts serve as a formidable complement to our already considerable forces.”

Skylar couldn’t help but add, with a wry smile, “Though I must say, being cursed and handling a Divine Beast isn’t quite as fun as it sounds.”

She immediately regretted her flippant comment, worried it could offend their esteemed guest. But to her surprise, the Thousand-Year King’s lips twitched in what might have been amusement. He remained silent, however, his golden eyes seeming to look past Skylar rather than at her.

The walk to Arye’s study felt interminable, the stillness growing more oppressive with each step. By the time they finally reached it, Skylar’s nerves were stretched to their breaking point.

As soon as the doors closed behind them, shutting out the bustle of the palace, the Thousand-Year King turned to face Skylar. The sudden silence was almost deafening, broken only by the soft ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner of the room. “I must apologize,” he said, his voice solemn. “I haven’t greeted you properly.”

Before Skylar could respond, Aequilibrium’s King lowered himself to one knee, his hand pressed to his heart in a gesture of deep respect. The sight was so unexpected, so at odds with everything Skylar knew about royal protocol, that for a moment she thought she must be dreaming. The Gryphon within her stirred, a sensation of warmth and recognition spreading through her body.

Skylar gasped, looking to Arye in confusion. But he looked just as bewildered, his eyes wide with shock.

“Your Majesty, please,” Skylar stammered, overwhelmed by the situation. Her heart raced, the bindings across her chest suddenly feeling far too tight. “You must be mistaken. There’s no need for such formality. Please, rise and be seated.”

The Thousand-Year King stood, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. His movements were fluid, graceful in a way thatseemed almost inhuman. “You don’t understand the significance of what you carry within you, do you?” He moved to sit in one of the plush chairs, gesturing for Skylar and Arye to do the same.

“The curse?”

Skylar sank into the offered seat, her mind whirling. She could feel Arye’s presence beside her, a steady warmth that grounded her in the midst of this surreal encounter.

“It is no curse,” the Thousand-Year King said firmly. “And your beast is not divine either. The pact your family bears is far older and far more significant than you realize.”

Skylar leaned forward, her curiosity overriding her apprehension. “What do you mean? Can you tell us more?”

The Thousand-Year King’s gaze seemed to look through her, into some distant past or future. When he answered, his voice carried the weight of millennia. “I can tell you this—were it not for the Anathemarks, none of us would be here today. The pact you bear was born of love and protection, not curse and burden.”

Arye, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. “Is there a way to lift this… pact?”

The Thousand-Year King’s smile widened slightly. “As I said, it is not a curse to be lifted. It is a sacred duty. And perhaps,” he added, his voice lowering, “one nearing its natural end.”

Skylar’s mind reeled with questions, but before she could ask any of them, the Thousand-Year King continued.

“I would very much like to see your Gryphon, Duke Anathemark. But I know the toll it takes on you to summon it.” He extended his hand, long fingers outstretched. The light caught on a ring he wore, an intricate design of a scale appearing to shift and change the longer Skylar looked at it. “Perhaps, if you’re willing, I could simply touch you? It would be enough for me to sense its presence.”

Skylar hesitated, looking to Arye. He nodded almost imperceptibly, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity andconcern. The ticking of the grandfather clock seemed to grow louder in the silence, marking each moment of indecision.

Taking a deep breath, Skylar reached out and placed her hand in the Thousand-Year King’s. The second their skin made contact, a wave of warmth rushed through Skylar’s body, from her fingertips to her toes. The scent of lavender filled the air, stronger than ever before. Within her, the Gryphon stirred. But instead of the usual restless energy, a sense of peace, of rightness, washed over Skylar. The cursed beast seemed… flattered by the attention.

As quickly as it began, the sensation faded. The Thousand-Year King withdrew his hand, a look of profound satisfaction on his face. “Thank you,” he said softly. “I wanted to meet her for a long time.”

Her?

Skylar opened her mouth, endless more questions on the tip of her tongue, but the Thousand-Year King shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s all I can say on the matter. Some truths have to be discovered at their own pace.”

Frustration bubbled up within Skylar, but she forced it down. This ancient being clearly possessed knowledge far beyond what he revealed, but pushing him would likely prove fruitless. She noticed Arye’s tension beside her, knew he must be equally burning with unanswered questions.

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