Bride of Alvar (Redemption Saga, Book 1)

Chapter 24

His arrow flew true into the chest of jungle cat. Quite a feat, considering the creature was rushing at their hunting perch in a large jungle tree. The large creature fell, taking its last breath not soon after its collapse.

"Very good, my boy!" Saul cheered, slapping Alvar on the back. "Your aim is steadier than any I've met. Not many can kill a jungle cat on their first shot."

"Thank you, sir," Alvar beamed. Never had his father spoken to him in this way. Even when he'd done things right or brought home a hunting kill to feed the family there hadn't been a praising word said. After six weeks of staying in Saul's estate, Alvar had found that Saul and his wife, Ysta, treated him more as family than anyone he'd known. He didn't dare admit to Saul the only reason he could accomplish such aim was because of his unparalleled senses. Senses he possessed from the thing that had driven him away from his past life.

"No more 'sir', Alvar, I'm Saul," Saul corrected him with a wink. "You know, my wife has been watching you... She says you are not like other humans."

Alvar stiffened and held his breath, waiting for what Saul would say next. 

Does he know what I am?  If he does, he will surely drive me away!

"You have faster reflexes and your senses are more acute than a normal human being."

"You flatter me," Alvar hurriedly said, he jumped from their spot in the tree to pretend as if he were inspecting his kill. 

"Your eyes turned red, son," Saul said simply. No fear inflected his tone.

Alvar's skin crawled and he closed his eyes to hide the shameful give-away of his affliction. He would shift into his beast form from the stress if he wasn't careful. 

Not this man whom has grown to treat me as his own. I can't abide anymore shame.

"You're Cursed," Saul stated gently, but his words cut to Alvar's heart. 

Alvar stifled an animal growl of pain. 

Never will be home. Never will be accepted.

"Alvar, look at me, son," Saul said.

Alvar couldn't. His eyes were red, his beast was so close to the surface he could practically sense his muscles vibrating with the beginning of a transformation.

"Alvar, you're a good lad who would never use it for evil," Saul's words were incredible to hear. "I think I can help you or at least my wife can."

"What?" Alvar opened his eyes and turned his gaze up at Saul. 

Is he suggesting that the curse can be removed?

"My wife is a sorceress," Saul began. "She is very knowledgable about magical ailments, yours is no different."

"A sorceress?" Alvar furrowed his brow. Sorceresses drew their power from the darkness of the world. Their power was sourced from pain, anger, hatred, and chaos. At least that is what he'd been told by his parents as a child. But his parents weren't perfect examples of human beings either... so he wasn't sure if their views on sorceresses were even true. "Does she know I'm a Cursed?"

"Yes," Saul admitted. "She's sensed it on you for awhile now, but didn't tell me until earlier today."

"I can't believe it," Alvar shook his head, trying not to hope that there was a chance he'd lose his Cursed blood.

"She can walk you through a spell, she told me about it, we need to source all of the Curse into an artifact of silver you wear," Saul began. "It will keep your Cursed form from manifesting itself."