The Cursed Kingdom

ETHAN'S POV

"If you don't go right now that entire family will be dead by dawn!" My father's beta, Griffin, warns in a voice fraught with apprehension, like people dying in our Kingdom is something new.

"My blood isn't enough to save everyone." I snort in annoyance.

Sometimes I feel sick of being the all-time saviour. And even more tired of carrying burdens I didn't invoke. Just because I carry it all so well, doesn't mean it isn't heavy. I would gladly shake it off if it were the kind of burden that can change shoulders. But it's like a load tied to my back, only my death can wipe it away.

I keep wondering how less ominous my life would be if my father's greed for endless land and infinite wealth had not brought an horrendous catastrophe upon the Kingdom and me. While he achieved all that he desired, it came with a tremendous cost, a curse that keeps taking countless lives of our people.

He raided weak packs and murdered innocents to create the vast and wealthy Kingdom he rules now. But he would give it all back if only it would end the curse.

He and his soldiers slayed a teenage boy during a raid on a small, weak pack two decades ago. The boy was the only child of an old woman. She couldn't physically harm them for revenge. So she laid a curse upon our entire Kingdom.

Every fall season has become a nightmare. Too many people fall sick, and none survives no matter how much their families fight to cure them. Hundreds of children and parents die to pay for a sin they played no hand in committing.

As if that isn't punishment enough, something even more terrifying began causing more deaths and fear. People lose their sanity when they shift into their wolf form. They become savage beasts that attack even their own families. We have no medicine to cure them either, unless that medicine is my blood.

The old woman must have wanted my father to feel the same amount of pain she felt while holding the cold body of her son in her arms. So she made me the sacrificial lamb.

While casting her curse, she stated that only my death or that of my mate would lift it. The suffering of our people will only end when I, the strongest crown prince, will willingly sacrifice my own life or that of my fated mate to pay for my father's atrocity.

I was only four when the sin was committed but she chose to cast that appalling burden on my shoulders. Now every soul that dies is a reminder that I should be dead so they can live.

I could have sacrificed my life a long time ago to end their suffering. But my brother is too young and irresponsible to take over the throne. He will probably never be fit to run the Kingdom.

But I wonder how much longer the people can withstand losing their loved ones or the chilling fear of losing their sanity when they shift during any fall season. I discovered that my blood can heal them a few months ago, but I don't have a tonne of it to heal everyone. I will soon be dead if I keep draining myself.

My family keeps reminding me that there is another way. That my life doesn't have to be the one that ends for the suffering to stop. I have the option of finding my fated mate and sacrificing her instead, like she played any part in harming innocents in a greedy quest for more land and wealth.

I am yet to find that special woman that was meant to bring me peace. Truth is I chose not to look for her. I worry that if I found her my family and everyone else would demand that I sacrifice her life instead of mine, after all I am their beloved Prince and she will be an unknown stranger.

While I would love to live just as long as everyone else, sacrificing someone else isn't an option for me, least of all the one person that I am destined to love. I chose not to look for her, because this magnificent palace isn't a happy place for her to be. We have the amount of staggering wealth and land that every King dreams of having. But neither the gold nor the big Kingdom was worth the repercussions.

"I would never ask you for this kind of help if it were not greatly needed, you know that." Griffin insists, seeming too concerned about a stranger's life than usual.

"My blood doesn't flow like a river, Griffin. I can't just cure all your friends because you ask me to."

He lowers his head and stays silent for a long time before speaking again.

"Seven little kids and their mother are going to die unless you find it in your heart to heal them with your blood. I don't mean to pressure you, God knows you have enough to deal with already. But I think our people will have more hope in us and the future of this Kingdom if you save this family." He adds and everyone turns their anxious stares at me.

They all know better than to push, because if I ever get tired decide to pull the rug from under their feet, the people will no longer respect them as royals.

An entire family of seven kids and a mother are however not the kind of thing I would turn my back at. I know so many others are dying, but hopefully no other parent is losing over half a dozen kids and her own life.

"How far are they from here?" I ask.

"Their home is a little far from the northern border. That's why we need to leave now, otherwise those kids won't see tomorrow. I am so glad you're considering helping." He answers in the most beseeching tone.

I snort in disappointment. I had hope it would be close, I wouldn't have to meet too many people that will obviously be pleading for my help. I don't blame them, no one wants to die when there is even the slightest chance they can survive. The fact that I can't heal everyone is disheartening.

"I luckily met Tracy Reynolds on my way here. She offered to go all the way to our northern border with you, just to keep you company. She said she will only be taking a few minutes to prepare. She may already be at the gate as we speak." Griffin informs wearing the brightest of smiles.

I would appreciate Tracy's help anytime, she is the most supportive and loyal person I know. She is a friend that is always offering to help even when not asked to. Everyone trusts her including the majority of our people. My own family thinks that I should make her my chosen mate so that she can take over the throne after my death.

I have no doubt she would make a passionate Queen. But I am not ready to make anyone my chosen mate, yet. Tracy may be totally qualified to run the Kingdom as long as the curse is lifted. I am however afraid that I wouldn't be able to give her the love she deserves if I make her my mate now. I hate letting her close because with the burden I have I will definitely not make the best company.

"Tell her that I appreciate her eagerness to help. But I will not be traveling with an escort, so it's not safe for her to come." I say just as an excuse to reject the offer to have her company.

Griffin grudgingly nods his head, my father shrugs his shoulders in disappointment. He however doesn't say a word to verbally express his discontent and I feel relieved.

"You and Tracy would make a legendary royal couple. Our Kingdom would thrive so well that the out-turn would be worth your mate's life." Mother boldly comments.

Unlike father who is always hesitant to ask me to let my mate pay for his sins, mother keeps openly pushing me to find her and let her be the sacrificial lamb. I love her for the sole reason that she is my mother, but otherwise she is a self-centered, vile human just like her husband.

"No innocent stranger is going to pay for a sin she didn't commit nor enjoy it's fruits." I state firmly.

"Hundreds of innocent strangers have already died to pay for that sin. Your mate will be the heroine whose life will end the suffering of an entire Kingdom. I am sure she will feel special." She wickedly argues and I shoot her a glare.

"How I wish your head was considered worthy of lifting the curse. Perhaps then you would know why no one desire to have their life unfairly taken." I say and her mouth falls open in shock.

"Your mother is simply fighting to have her amazing son live a long, well-lived life that he deserved. I am sorry that she had to point out that it will cost you your fated mate." Father apologizes on her behalf in a cautious tone.

"At least I grew up surrounded by the wealth you gathered from those brutal raids, my mate will probably be a kind girl from a poor background who has never enjoyed a thing she didn't rightful earn. She doesn't deserve the pain, not even on my behalf." I reply and he simply shrugs his shoulders again.

"If going back in time was possible I would go back to that fateful moment and cut that woman's head before she utters a single word to curse us." He mutters, suddenly looking lost in thought.

"Would it be more prudent to spare her son's life instead?" I question.

"Yes . . . of course." He nods his head vigorously. "It was definitely the right thing to do. Sorry I sounded like the old me. But surely you understand that we cannot be as good as you, you've a connection with the Goddess of life, you're like perfection personified." He defends.

"What you choose to do has nothing to do with which Goddess you have a connection with." I correct standing up from my seat. Wish I had enough time to prepare myself for this long journey but it came as a surprise just like everything else I have had to deal with since I took over the throne from my father.

"Wait for me at the gate." I say to Griffin and see a smile finally break through his glim expression.

I stride out of the room and close the door behind me. I immediately hear them start a serious discussion about me, doesn't even wait to make sure I am gone.

"He acts incredibly calm for a king that plans to sacrifice his life to save those of his people." Mother comments, trying to sound proud but her voice comes out strained with emotional pain.

"Sometimes true heroes are the ones that smile through silent pain, cry behind closed doors and fight battles no one knows about." I hear Griffin reply, sounding honestly proud.

"Yes, our son is inhumanly perfect, he is unlike me in every way." My father painfully mutters.

I walk away to spare my ears from his raving. He kind of loves ranting about his mistakes and I am tired of listening.

I walk to my room and put on a pair of boots before making my way out of the palace. 

Tracy's tall frame is the first thing I see the moment I swing the front door open. I huff in annoyance as she is the last person I wanted to meet right now. Her eyebrows shoot up and as soon as she notices my expression.

"You don't look happy to see me." She observes in a sad tone looking down at her short dress and boots. "I came to escort you to the northern border. Do you want me to change the dress?"

I am well aware that she dresses the best she can to impress me. It's a stupid act because I am not going to be alive long enough to be a husband. That's the reason I push her away even when I know she is the best candidate for the throne I will leave behind. She is the kind of woman I would want as my mate if my life was normal. She is just a loyal friend, but I trust that she will take good care of both my family and the Kingdom once I am gone.

"It's too late for you to change, we are in a hurry. But you're welcome to watch over the place while I am gone. My parents will definitely be thrilled to have you around." I say walking past her.

"I will wait here until you come back. Please be careful for me!" She yells, sounding genuinely worried, like there is anything out there that can hurt me.

"Sure." I answer without looking back.