Cursed Creatures: Chapter Six

Pearl stared out the window, watching the deluge come down. While the cabin was warm and comfortable, it was boring. At least back home she and her sisters had games and books to read. All Mr. Hero seemed to want to do was sit by the stove and whittle. Every once and awhile he would stand up and go outside. Then he'd come back soaking wet and carrying some wood to keep the stove stoked and hot.

Every so often Pearl felt as if the wolf was watching her and she would move away from the window. At least, when she moved close to Nestor she felt safe. Even if he was boring, and even if all he wanted to do was whittle, he was a comfort. Pearl hadn't felt this safe with someone since her father died. She indulged a bit being close to him, even if he smelled like wet dog after being in the rain.

"How do you make you tea?" Pearl was tired of the silence, she wanted to try and get a few words from him that were a single syllable. "I have a similar blend, but yours tasted better than mine."

"You make something similar?" He asked.

Why wasn't he answering anything about himself? He was driving Pearl batty. "My mother taught me," she wondered if it was safe to tell him. He didn't seem too keen on the magic taking over the woods.

"You're a healer," he looked up from his wood and knife to meet her eyes. "Right?"

Pearl's heart fluttered, his green eyes seemed to see everything. "Ye-yeah," she smirked at him, inching closer. "You're smarter than you let on."

"I've met several healers," she blew on his craft and looked over it at different angles. "None quite as pretty as you though. Most are gnarled old things living off their own potions."

Pearl turned bright red to match her hood. "Well," she moved away again and tried to calm herself down. "If you know so much, tell me."

Nestor arched a thick brow at her. "About?" He urged her to say more.

"Anything," she shrugged. She wracked her brain for anything while cursing herself for being so damn awkward. "How long have you been here?"

He stilled for a moment, his eyes lowering. "Years now." He fidgeted with his large hands. His eyes averted from Pearl's as they melted.

She understood now why he didn't want to talk. Why he moved about the cabin in silence. "Alone?" Pearl's voice went soft.

"Yes," he glanced at Pearl, studying her face. Her soft hair, dark eyes. His laugh was all nerves and anxiety. "I'll admit, I'm nervous around you Pearl." He seemed strained in saying that. "It has been so long since-"

Pearl smirked. He had pointed out a crack in his armor and she could wiggle her finger underneath it. "Since you've had a woman?"

The tips of his ears bloomed bright red again. "To be frank, yes." He huffed. "But that wasn't what I was meaning," he growled in embarrassment. "I meant since I've had company. But dig up all the dirt why don't you?"

Pearl couldn't help but giggle as she watched him squirm. "A good-looking man like you?" She scoffed and put her hand on his bicep. "Arms like oaks, strong and sturdy."

"Pearl," he growled a warning at her.

She held up her hands and backed away. "Teasing," she sighed and slouched back. "I'm the head of the house. Taking care of my sisters. Taking care of the home. Doing every little thing between." Her shoulders slouch and she sighs. "I rarely have a moment to take care of myself, let alone seek out someone's company."

Nestor seemed confused by this statement, but he let her continue.

"I come from the village near the edge of the forest that the monster took over." She clutched her hands together. "He took my baby sister," she admitted with a pained expression.

He set his knife down and put his hand on her shoulder, the touch felt so good, so welcomed. "And that's why you're here."

"My mother's master lives in these woods," she muttered. "She's a good and powerful witch and she may have ways to save Belle. But now..." she touched her hip.

"How many siblings do you have?" Nestor asked with a gentle voice.

She looked into his eyes and smiled, grateful for his comfort. "Three, all sisters." Her smile is sad and pained. "Well, hopefully, three."

"Six," Nestor grunts.

Pearl glanced up at him in surprise.

"Brothers," Nestor glanced down at her. "I have six brothers. I'm the eldest as well, so we have that in common." He moves back close to her.

Pearl leaned against him, holding onto his arm with both hands. "It gets lonely doesn't it?"

He went stiff as she touched him. She felt so soft and warm, it was a sensation he hadn't felt in so long. "Mnh?"

"Without them," she sighed. "You think they're so bothersome and you'd be better off alone, but once they're gone you don't know what to do."

He opened his hand, letting her hold it. He squeezed as she laced her fingers with his. "You have to hold out hope you'll see them again." He showed her what he was carving. A small figure of a bear. "Because once you lose that hope, you're done for."

Pearl held the small figure in her hand, surprised by how heavy the wood was. "That's why when the storm is gone, I have to go." She took a sharp breath to keep from crying. "No matter bear or lion or wolf, I have to go forward."

Nestor took the small bear back. He set it up on a shelf in a line with several other figures he had carved. His silence spoke volumes. Pearl could read him like a picture book.

"Do you think you can keep me away?" Pearl pushed. "Why not come and join me if you're so worried?"

Nestor frowned as he turned back towards her. "There are things that even I can not fight against out there."

"I don't expect to always be safe." Pearl snapped back, standing up to him. "Even with someone like you."

Nestor then surprised Pearl, he smiled. "You never say what I expect."

Pearl gave him a dirty look, huffing through her nose. "Good," she turned her head to the side, her hair falling from her shoulder. She touched the glittering locks and began fiddling with them.

"Your brothers," she started cautiously, "are they the reason you're stuck out here?" She glanced up at him, watching his expression go blank. "I'm guessing they are in trouble. Something about these woods-" She shut her mouth when he turned towards her.

He furrowed his brow at her. His expression dark and serious. "It's the same for you, isn't it? Protecting those you love?"

"I'm not sitting in wait," she threw back at him. "I'm fighting for them."

Nestor glared down at her, and for a moment Pearl was certain his eyes changed colors. She felt her heart pulse in her throat and she backed down. "As best I can," she muttered.

"You won't tell me anything," she added. "So I have no idea what you're doing. I've told you my story, and if you won't talk then you'll have to do something else to keep me occupied."

"Occupied?" Nestor scoffed.

Pearl rolled her eyes at him. "Like you haven't thought of things." She inched closer, ready to tease him some. "A man and woman alone in a cabin must have crossed your mind." She took his hand, placing it on her sore hip. "You're so handsome, it's crossed mine."

He pulled his hand away and then pinched her ear.

"Hey!" Pearl laughed.

Nestor smirked. "Of course it has crossed my mind," he sat back down. "You're beautiful, Pearl."

Her heart leaped into her throat again.

He held her hand again, rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand. "But I wouldn't feel right about it," he growled.

Pearl frowned at him then huffed. "You remind me of my father."

He glanced at her confused and a little worried.

"He was a good man too," she murmured, her expression softening. "Strong and handsome. When mama did he was never the same again." She pressed her lips together in a tight line. "Do you love someone?"

Nestor sighed, looking at the stove. "I've not been so lucky," he grumbled. "So if I die, it will not be from heartbreak."

Pearl sat down beside him, holding to his arm again. "I'm sorry, it's nice being close."

Nestor was quiet, watching Pearl as she rested her cheek against his arm. Her eyes closed and the firelight made her pale lashes glitter like strands of gold. He smiled, petting a lock of her hair behind her ear. His heart knocking his ribs, fingers wobbling.

Pearl woke up, pushing away the heavy blankets and looking around the cabin. It was dark, the glow from the fire about gone. She cussed, not meaning to have fallen asleep like that and for so long. She stood, looking around for Nestor.

"Nestor?" She whispered. "Nestor, you asleep?" She felt around, searching, but she could not find the giant anywhere in the tiny cabin.

Pearl grumbled, rubbing her eyes as she went to the door. "Did he go to get more wood?" She opened up the door. Outside the rain was still pouring, the air pitch black and icy cold. Her breath came out in white puffs as she stepped out onto the cobblestone path.

"Nestor!" She cried out for him. She listened through the rain, hoping to hear him trudging back towards the door.

But all she heard was rain.

Fear gripped at her chest and she stepped out further. Standing in the rain and searching through the darkness for any sign of him. "Nestor! Come out now!" She cried. She went towards the shed around the back, fumbling and falling.

But she didn't hit earth, she fell face first into something wet and furry.

"Why are you outside, girl?" The wolf growled.

Pearl screamed, pushing back against him and falling into a cold pool of icy water. She slipped and skidded, fighting to get away.

"Girl," the wolf snarled again, his eyes glowing down at her.

Pearl threw the first thing she could get her hands on. It knocked the creature upside the head and shutting those damn eyes. She scrambled, finally finding footing and running back into the house.

She slammed the door shut, holding onto the handle for dear life. She shuddered and trembled, every breath she took was painful. Where was Nestor? Did that awful wolf kill him?

She slipped to the floor, beginning to cry. She was so scared. Why wasn't he there? He was the one who told her the woods were dangerous. He was the one who knew about the monsters within it. Why was he the one who had to-

"Pearl, let me in!"

Pearl leaped up, throwing the door open and pulling him in. She wrapped her arms around him so tight as she sobbed incoherently into his chest.

"Pearl! Pearl," he grabbed ahold of her. "Calm down what's got you so-"

Pearl kissed him, pressing her lips hard against him. "I thought you were gone," she whispered back to him. "I was so scared it got you."

"You freezing cold," Nestor stroked her wet hair away from her face. "Did you fall outside?"

"I was looking for you!" She snapped, clutching onto his bare chest. "You weren't here! I was so scared!"

"Hey, hey, hey," he coaxed her gently, moving her back towards the bed. "Its ok, I promise. I'm here now."

"It's out there!" She hissed in a quaking breath. "I saw it. It's been watching me," she sobbed."It scares me so much!"

His eyes are sad but he kisses her temple. "Let's get you out of these wet clothes." His hand faltered as it touched the wet fabric that stuck to her skin.

Pearl's teeth chattered and she nodded her head. "It's ok. I can't feel my fingers."

He swallows back the giant lump in his throat and he peels away the wet clothes from her skin. His hands at hot in comparison to her frozen skin.

Her eyes flick up, meeting his. "Nestor," her breath shuddering.

Nestor eased in, kissing Pearl. His touch tender and warm as he pushed away the cold, wet clothes. Pearl's skin was smooth and chilled, she gasped as his warm hands rubbed along her ribs. She reached up and held his face between her palms.

"You're so lovely," Nestor growled as he pushed her back down onto the bed.

"Mnh," she felt embarrassed. "Don't stare," she held onto him fast, afraid if she let go he would disappear and the wolf would come for her.

"I can't help it," his big hands trailed along her body, his fingers cupping between her thighs.

Her back arched, meeting his touch. A strong finger rubbed against her. It parted her lips and found the sensitive bud that made her shake with pleasure.

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he growled into her. "And you drive me crazy, in every sense."

"You've been alone too long," She gripped onto his arm as he pressed one of his thick fingers inside of her. "Mnh, but keep praising me."

He chuckled, his lips hot against her neck as he moved his finger deep inside her. Pearl grasped onto his shoulders, feeling her insides boil. He was simply touching her and yet he was able to coax from her things she had never felt before.

"Nestor-" she writhed against the bed. "I want all of you," she mewled. "Please."

He hushed her, moving his hand and pressing a spot inside that made her almost scream in pleasure. "I'm comforting you."

Pearl raised up, kissing him and biting his jaw as he coaxed from her a wonderful climax. She held onto him, pulling him on top of her. His strong arms around her, his warm lips comforting her. In that moment, she forgot about the wolf.

As she laid beside him, stroking his chest and gazing into his eyes she giggled. She hid her face in his neck and started laughing.

"What?" He kissed the top of her head. "Am I so hilarious to you?"

She shook her head. "No, no," she whispers. "I'm in disbelief. I'm in this situation that's so unbelievable. I'm so stressed and anxious and worried. Then I'm happy and warm here and-" She stopped herself when she realized what she was going to say.

Nestor kissed her temple. "I'll help you," he murmurs.

"Really?" Pearl gasps.

He looks uneasy but nods. "I want to. But-"

"But?" Pearl sat up, looking down at him.

Nestor sat up on his elbows and sighs. "Can I ask you why you're so afraid of that wolf?"

Pearl's lips part and she looked away. "I can't quite explain it." She put her hand on her belly. "It's a gut feeling," she murmured. "A primal instinct. It's just fear."

Nestor looked sad again and Pearl kissed him hoping to wipe the look away. "Why do you ask?"

"You shouldn't be afraid," he murmured as he touched her cheek. "Pearl...fuck." He pulled away and moved to the edge of the bed.

"Nestor," Pearl touched his back. "What's wrong?"

Nestor shook his head and huffed. "Are you afraid of me?" He asked. He turned to look at her.

"Why would I be afraid of you?" She laughs and her mouth hangs open for a moment. "Oh," she gasps.

"Pearl," he turned towards her and she holds her hand up.

She stared him down. Looking into his eyes. For a moment she tells herself that she doesn't see anything. But she can't lie to herself when she realizes she recognizes him.

"How?" She gasped.

Nestor turned his head away from her. "Are you afraid of me?"

"I don't know I..." She sat back and clutched her head. "I can't wrap my head around this, Nestor. This is so much."

"My brothers and I have all been cursed by a witch." He started with a heavy heart. "It's started with my brother, Sylas. He was a doctor and he traveled a lot. One day he came home and he was," she shakes his head. "He was so different. It wasn't my brother. The next time he comes home he brings this strange and awful woman with him. He was so in love, so blinded, he didn't see anything beyond her or about her. My brothers and I we tried so hard to make him see. But our demise was already written. She's been holding Sylas prisoner for so long. The rest of us are all held on a leash being choked to death."

"Your brothers...they're all like you?" Pearl whispered.

"Yes," he turned to look at her again. "The witch is somewhere out here in these woods still. I'm sorry if I scared you, Pearl. I couldn't let you get hurt by her."

Pearl inched close, touching his cheek and kissing him. She pressed her forehead against his. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I threw a rock at you outside. I'm so sorry."

He laughed and pulled her into his arms. "I can forgive. But I'll never forget."

Pearl sniffled and nuzzled to his neck. "I'll keep you safe, Nestor."

He kissed the top of her head, tucking her back into bed. "I know you will. Now go to sleep. I'll tell you more come morning."