I loved her, even if she never knew my name. She was my Ariel, and I know I am her Eric.
No matter what she says.
#1 in short story on 02/07/18
This beautiful cover was a gift from @Kmbell92! If you somehow haven't yet, please check her out!
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Black and blue. They swirled in my vision as I focused on what lay before me.
Someone had laid a hand on Ariel.
Red hot anger tinted my vision.
"E-Eric?" A soft voice interrupted me.
No one interrupts me. I was their prince, and all should respect royalty. I walked forward and grasped the shoulder of my jewel, my fingers tightening as if she were a lifeline.
I paid no attention to the gasp that graced my ears - be it pain or surprise, it doesn't matter - my focus was solely on that spot around her eye.
"Who the fuck would lay a hand on you?!" I growled, using my free hand to tilt her head up.
"P-please..." She trailed off.
Wait.
Fear.
It laced her tone. Usually, I'd savor it, but I'd have as long as she survived to taste that flavor. If I devoured it all now, she would never come back.
I can't have that.
Ten years of desiring one thing - her - were not about to go to waste.
So, I took my hands off her and backed away.
"I'm truly sorry about that. I just get so angry when someone dares lay a hand upon someone as kind as yourself. May I please make you some tea, and perhaps right my wrongs?"
She looked a little wary, but finally, she nodded and allowed me to lead her to my kitchen.
Looking back, it was an incredibly smooth recovery.
