Part 2

Context: To appease a being known as the Horned King, you were offered to become his bride. You were taken to a lovely cabin in the forest, expecting to meet this mythical, inhuman figure now calling himself your husband. But you haven't met him, yet. You...think?

Setting: 'Home'

Tags:[M4F][Arranged Marriage][Yandere Beast King Speaker][Human Bride Listener][Yandere]but[Respectful][Secrets][Shy][Supernatural][Fantasy][Cottage Core?][Enchanted Forest][Don't Look At Me][CW: Mentions of Violence]

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Note: All text is the Horned King, italicized is just when he's thinking internally

***

[Scene opens outside of a cabin surrounded on all sides by forest]

[SFX: Night forest ambiance and steps crunching over grass]

[You work outside of the little cabin provided to you, same as every night. And just like every night, you are alone… Or, at least, you think you are]

There… Quiet. There, she is… My bride…

[Pause]

[An entity lingers at the edge of the clearing, eyes gleaming in the dark]

She’s unharmed… Good. The beings here would never stop knowing my wrath if one of them even dared… Oh, look at her in the moonlight… So pristine as she hangs those little herbs to dry for tomorrow. Gods damn it, all… She looks so lonely. But I’m here, now! I will keep you company as…best a being like myself can…

[Pause]

What form do I take tonight…? To see her again… I’ve already approached her as a wounded tiger, a wounded bear, a spider missing one leg… I need to choose quickly, if I’m going to lie at her side again!

[Pause]

… a wolf, perhaps? A wolf with a bad paw. That will do.

[SFX: Forest magic]

[Though you don’t know this, the Horned King approaches you from the brush]

[SFX: A wolf whining and limping forward]

There she is… My bride. Approaching me so calmly, as if she knows…

[Pause]

[You cautiously approach the wolf and it extends its paw to you before you can even ask]

Careful… Careful, Tevras. If she learns what I am… She may run and never return. I can’t have that. I WON’T have that… She runs her thumb over my paw so sweetly… Always with that gentle assurance that it will all be fine… and I believe her, despite myself. Despite what I am. I believe you, my friend.

[Pause]

[You check the wolf’s paw over while it watches you patiently, just as oddly docile as every other predator that’s meandered your way]

She’s calm… Now! Now, present her with our gift!

[SFX: Flowers rustling and being dropped]

[You pause as the wolf drops something at your feet. It’s a mostly intact bouquet of glimmering sapphire roses]

[Pause!]

She… S-She loves them! I knew the sapphire roses would please her, no matter their price! Yes, finally, I-... wait, what did she ask?

[Pause?]

…Do I know when… her fiance will finally arrive. Don’t respond, she can’t… she mustn’t… Not until my form is ready, not until I… can look more human.

[Pause]

[The wolf appraises you silently, unreadable, as most wolves tend to be]

Oh no, she looks… she looks so sad… Why wouldn’t she be, you fool?! You’ve kept her waiting for months while she’s lived in this little cabin, all alone! Rrgh, Tevras, you blustering oaf! How could you keep your own bride waiting?!

[Pause?]

[The wolf growls under its breath but quickly stops]

…I can’t hide in the shadows any longer… She came here of her own free will and offered to wed the Horned King, the lord of these and all forests. I’m sure she was told tale after tale… and I’m certain none of them were about how much of a coward said King is.

[You watch as the wolf lifts its paw and places it over its eyes]

[Pause?]

Yes… Hide your eyes for me, for a moment. I will come home to you. I won’t make you wait any longer.

[The wolf gives you a meaningful look as it lifts its arm and then lowers it again, hiding its gaze. You cover your eyes and hear a happy huff in response]

[SFX: Wolf huffs]

She’s doing it… Perfect. Alright, Tevras… Time to fully cross over and… find out what I look like as a human. As her husband.

[SFX: More magic transformations]

[You listen to the wolf’s growls turn more human. As its groans turn more human.]

“Nngh! D…Don’t look… Please…”

[Pause]

[He pants under his breath, grunting in pain on occasion]

“Thank you… For respecting my wishes. I am… not ready for you to see me, at present, but… I wanted to come to tell you that I am here, and I am looking after you.”

[Pause]

What is she…? She’s bowing to me?

“...Why do you bow, Maiden?”

[Pause]

“...Yes. I am a King. I rule over this forest and all others on this planet. I am the physical embodiment of all predators, whereas my twin is the embodiment of all prey. That does not mean you need to bow to me. You are my wife.”

[Pause…]

“...I am truly sorry I’ve hidden away these last three months, my bride. Transforming to look and speak like one of your species was more than I anticipated, but I assure you, I want to spend time together as well.”

[Pause?]

…and there is the awkward question.

“Was it I that kept approaching you as different animals? …Yes.”

[Pause?]

“Why did I not simply introduce myself then? I… was not ready. I still am not…”

[...?]

“...What do I look like. My form shifts constantly, to suit my needs… Even trying my hardest to look human, the best I can manage is wolf–like human or spider-like human. I am aware humans are predators, largely, so I am hoping it will just take me some time.”

[...Pause?]

Oh gods

“You wish to put your hand on my palm…? Why?”

[Pause]

“Curious… Yes. One of the trademarks of your kind. And cats, apparently. Mmh… very well. But know this: if you betray me, I will force you from this place, and you will be forced to confront the woods as prey.”

[His voice grows gentle. A little scared]

“Please… don’t make me do that.”

[Pause]

“Thank you… Here, my palm.”

[You rest your palm in his]

[...]

“...How does it feel? My hand?”

[Pause]

“Hmhm… I expected confusion, yes… I am not just the Horned King, I am the visage of all predators, as I said. My form is… something of a mix of whatever makes sense at the time. I suppose, right now, ‘wolf’ and ‘man’ make sense. Regardless, please do not look until I am ready… Can you do that for me?”

[Pause]

[He exhales and withdraws his palm]

“Thank you. I must away, now, I have many hunts to lead tonight. But I swear I will visit each night, to ensure you are fine. No more secrets, no more hiding… well, in the emotional sense. I will continue to bring you fresh kills, from my hunts. You won’t go hungry.”

[Pause?]

[He pauses before he murmurs quietly:]

“...Yes, I… I’d quite enjoy it if you prepared said kill for us to eat together. That is… considerate.”

[Pause]

“...Gods, you’re so beautiful… I can barely keep myself from going completely feral…”

[Oh my]

“Hmhm… I will take my leave, now. Thank you for… a wonderful first talk. Goodnight, my bride, I will see you soon.”

[SFX: A flurry of magic and crows fleeing]

[You hear a flutter of activity and crows cawing briefly before his presence fades. It’s just you again… But, at the same time, it’s not]

[To be continued?]