Castles & Curses

Castles & Curses

Prologue

The wind picks up lifting my hat from my head and tossing it to the ground but I can't stop now. The trees sway back and forth, the friction from their entangled limbs making their own music. The ground crunches beneath my feet but I keep going. There can be no stopping. The cold rain causes me to hunch down further as it bites at my already chilled skin. Something touches my bare arms and I fight back a scream of fright as I turn to face the threat.

There in the storm stands a man. I can't make out much with my hair thrashing in front of my face as the wind picks up but I make out bright blue eyes. I stare at him another moment before I turn and start to walk forward again. I get two steps before he speaks. 

"Stop!" My head whips around in surprise at the deep masculine voice that sends fire coursing through me. 

"I can't. Have to hurry but thanks for caring." I start forward again, ducking my head. The mud causes me to sink as a hand grabs my arm and turns me around. 

"Wait. I live close by. Get warm. Wait out the storm." I turn again, pulling my arm from his grasp as I fight back a shudder of revulsion. This man has done nothing to me. I know but I can't stop that sick feeling in my stomach from his touch, from any man's touch.  

"No." Without another word I turn my back to him and I run, praying I don't slip on the slick and muddy ground.

...................

Ten minutes later I stop my mad dash through the dark forest. My body is shaking with cold as I fight to catch my breath. Damn that man. It was running from him that caused me to lose my way. I fight back the fear and look around for some kind of shelter. It isn't until my eyes sweep the woods surrounding me a second time that I realize someone is standing to my left.

As if sensing me the man from before steps forward just as the rain stops and the clouds move just enough. They move just enough to see how beautiful and horrific he is all at the same time. Then I pass out.