The Beast Within

Agreement

"ℑ'𝔩𝔩 𝔩𝔢𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔰𝔴𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴 𝔪𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔢."

I must've cried myself asleep, for I was startled when someone nudged my shoulder. For the briefest moment, I thought it was Annika waking me for breakfast at the little cottage by the sea we'd always imagined ourselves living in. But as soon as I met a pair of beastly black eyes, I found I'd returned to my nightmare. 

"Get dressed," said the Goblin King. "I'll show you to your room."

He gestured the pail of water and neatly folded clothes in front of me. I tilted my head, surprised at this sudden turn of events. "My room? But I thought —"

"You prefer to stay in this cell?"

"No."

"Well then, dearie, get up and get dressed before I change my mind."

Hesitantly, I did as I was told, first scrubbing my naked body clean of the filth clinging to my skin like an angry itch. The Goblin King's onyx gaze never left me, and I suddenly felt very aware of my naked vulnerability. But he kept his distance, surprising me once again. Surely if he wanted to do that, he would've just bound and taken me against the rocks? 
His lips suddenly pressed into a thin snarl. Too late did I remember he could read minds. I shrank further away from him as I dressed, wary he might still change his mind. With every piece of clothing I put on, though, that wariness changed to... perhaps not comfort, but ease. The clothes were made of the richest fabric I'd ever touched — soft, warm, almost velvety. The brown trousers hung loose around my bare ankles but hugged my thighs and waist, slipping smoothly over the undergarments. The ivory shirt would've fitted if I hadn't been so skinny, but it was what it was. 

"Better," said the Goblin King approvingly. "You almost look presentable for civilised company."

I couldn't help but glare at that comment. Was I supposed to be grateful I was given clothes? Given just a shred of dignity? Given freedom in moderation? 

"A simple thank you would indeed suffice, but considering your current state of mind, I'll let it slide just this once. Come along now." But I stayed put. When the beast noticed I didn't follow, he turned around to answer the most urgent question I had, but didn't dare voice. "I freed Annika, as per our agreement. She's perfectly safe and receiving medical care, I assure you."

"What of me?" I demanded. "Am I safe?"

"That entirely depends on you."

I didn't fail to notice the lingering threat echoing in his words. Again, the Goblin King beckoned. Yet at the door of the cell, he snatched my glasses off. I opened my mouth to object, but he promptly placed them right back, sparkly clean and scratch free. I'd never seen my surroundings this clearly before... regrettably, as the cave was even more dismal than I'd first surmised. 

"Thank you," I mumbled. 

"Of course." The Goblin King smiled down at me. "Wouldn't want you to bump into anything. Now, enough dawdling. Let's go, dearie."

I took one step out of the cell and suddenly walked a red carpeted hallway. Torches lit our way, illuminating the bare wooden walls. When I looked overhead, I noticed the ornate carvings at the top of the granite pillars and in the arched ceiling. I recognised some of the ceiling's symbols as runes and wondered if this was more than an artistic choice. 
We climbed a winding staircase next. Still barefoot, I was careful in my ascent, not wanting to scratch open my foot on the stone steps. I couldn't remember the last time I hadn't bled, and I wasn't too keen on adding yet another scar to the collection.