Short Stories

Even Gods Die

I let my head slump against his shoulder with a yawn.  He lets out a soft laugh, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Tired?"

"Mhm."  I say softly, letting my eyes flutter closed.  He takes off his cloak, throwing it over my shoulders and wrapping it around me.  I breathe in his scent as I start to drift to sleep, so grateful that I have him by my side.

Day 366 of Exile
It's been more than a year now and I don't know what to think.  I haven't spoken to anyone.  Who would I talk to?  This island is far from the kingdom I once called home.  Bitter thoughts fill my mind as I stare at the flames of the campfire.  I sift sand through my fingers idly as I try to push away the thoughts of betrayal and hatred. 

Day 433 of Exile
I hate him.  I hate the kingdom.  All of them should just die.  I grit my teeth as I bandage up the wound in my arm, trying to keep myself from passing out because of the pain. 

Day 546 of Exile
I got a house built.  It isn't pretty, but it'll keep me alive. I stare up at it blankly, unwilling to let the tears brewing in my eyes fall.

Day 600 of Exile

The potatoes I planted on day 30 are doing well, actually. I think I might be better at farming than I originally thought. Potatoes are getting a bit bland but I don't know what to do to make them taste better. It's still food too, I guess.

Day 730 of exile

Two years.

Day 770

Happy birthday to myself, I guess. I put a stick in a potato instead of eating a cake. Kinda pathetic tbh.

Day 800

I make myself laugh. I thought I heard someone talking to me but it was just a rabbit in the bushes. I've tried to keep my voice strong by talking to myself but its starting to feel unnecessary. Who am I practicing to talk to? Not him.

900 days

The wildcat I tamed is starting to get sick. I'm worried.

1000 days

I am... officially alone.

2000 days

I'm writing this just in case I don't survive the next few hours. I saw the sails of a bandit ship in the distance. I might be desperate for rescue but handing myself off to the bandits means years of torture and a painful death. I think I'd rather be alone.

Present day

The bandit ship passed yesterday. They stopped briefly on the island before continuing on.

I hear a noise from the woods.

"Would you forget me?"

"No. Never."

Slowly I creep forward, certain it is a wild animal but no. What I see is much, much worse. Him.

"If I ever hurt you I would never forgive myself."

I take a step back and I'm sure the disgust is evident on my face. He's bloody and bruised, likely dropped off by the bandits. He stumbles forward, trying to reach for me but I move away before he can touch me.

"Where's your crown, your majesty? Your guards?" I ask, my voice is hoarse but still sharp.

"One day you will rule alongside me. And we will hold the weight of the crown together."

He stands shakily. I can see the pain in his eyes and I am surprised that I do not care. "Lacy?" His voice cracks somewhere in there. "I-Is that you, my love?"

"You have no right to call me that." I snarl, and he flinches at my harsh words but I can see the resolve in his expression.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to take back five fucking years, Rowan. I should kill you for what you did." He expects me to glare at him but the only thing in my eyes is an icy hatred. Perhaps that is worse.

He scoffs with a smirk. "You can't kill me. I'm a god." He leans against a tree for support, his grin laced with malice.

Little does he know, I've been preparing for this. I pull a silver plant out of my pocket, pulling the leaves off of the stem. "You are a fool for thinking that." I muse, taking a few easy steps towards him. I enjoy the fear that creeps into his gaze.

"You wouldn't." He mumbles. Like he even knows me anymore. "You missed me. You love me, Lacy. Just admit that you want me and I'll figure something out for you."

I sigh. A sigh of surrender and tuck the petals back in my pocket. I drop my head into my hands, my shoulders shaky slightly. I feel his arms wrap around me and he lifts my chin. I hate the way he looks at me. As if I'm a prize. But I do not pull away.

I lean into his touch, looking up at him as if I still trust him. As if I'm still as in love with him as before.

He takes the bait, pressing his lips against mine and when his tongue flicks against mine, all he tastes is Trelpess. The only plant that can kill a god. He pulls away immediately, trying to spit the plant out but its far too late. He collapses onto his hands and knees, coughing up blood.

"Together always?"

"Until death."