4: The Evil One

~Laith~

The prince's deep purple eyes stared at me intensely. He wasn't calling my blush, that much was evident.

'I'm doomed,' the thought crisscrossed my mind.

"Your tears have fallen for a man today. Not the nation or the goddess," Prince Zephirin uttered striding forward and walking toward me. My feet instinctively backed away from him. "That is the sin you've committed, Incirion Laith," he pointed out.

My mind raced back to the moment the second prince proposed to Princess Zakishi. My heart bled deeply from watching him put the ring on her finger.

The moment my adoration for a mortal exceeded that which I felt for the goddess. When I lost all control of my mind, heart, soul, and body. The moment that caused the corruption in my heart.

It made sense. I had fallen in love with Prince Caelan a long time ago. Yet the holy pool had never detected anything wrong with me. Today, however, it tainted the color of my robes to show me that I was with sin.

"That is my problem to worry about. Get out!" I insisted. Prince Zephirin unfazed by my words kept prancing forward. I backed away until my back hit the foot of the statue of the goddess. I swallowed hard.

He stalks towards me with long strides. I can't help but step back, sensing the terrifying anger hidden behind his mask.

Prince Zephirin bridged the gap between us. He placed his hands on each of my sides caging me between him and the statue. He glanced at me, locking eyes with me.

There was a dangerous glint that played in his eyes. It was hard to pinpoint the meaning of the look in his eyes.

"Do you know, you are the person I've feared the most since I was a child," he put in words. I gulped. He was standing too close to me for comfort. His hot breath ghosted over my face as he spoke. It was disturbing. "The mere mention of your name sent shivers down my spine. The sight of you would render me utterly and downright powerless," he added.

His words confused me. I don't believe our paths have ever crossed in a way that would make him fear me. The deposed crown prince and I rarely cross paths.

This was a rare encounter and the longest I've ever been in a room with him. And the first conversation the two of us have ever exchanged despite living in the same place since we both were children.

"Why?" I dared to ask.

"I have lived my life avoiding your every step. Making certain we don't chance upon each other. Afraid of what would happen when we did," he divulged. That explained why the two of us never met, he made sure of it.

It didn't make sense to me. If he has spent his whole life avoiding me, why come to the one place he knew for certain I would be in? What changed that made him dare to push past his fear to approach me?

"Tales of the miracles you performed over the years gave me nightmares. You haven't a clue of the number of sleepless nights I've had because of you," he articulated.

I stared up at him. Puzzled as to why he was telling me all this. I had no use for such information and any other day I would wish to find out more and try to help him. However, when I was sinking myself I was in no position to offer aid to any soul other than my own.

"I suggest to sought out the Saint to he..."

"I don't need help," he interrupted me. His firm stance forced me to keep quiet. "I'm not scared of you anymore, in fact, I think you are the one who will fear me," he arrogantly added.

His words aroused my fury. I raised my hand to his chest, "Do not cross the line with me, Zephirin." I concentrated my light on him, I am capable of giving blessings and curses as well. "Do not forget who you are talking to. Having a stain on my cloth doesn't mean that I have lost my power," I declared ready to lay a curse on him if he doesn't back off.

The prince smiled at my threat. He brought out his right hand and reached over to his chest. Zephirin softly placed his hand over mine. His cold touch made me freeze.

"Look into my eyes and tell me what you see," he instructed. Like a compulsion, I muster up the courage and gazed into his eyes. His purple eyes were devoid of any emotion. Almost empty.

"A void," I uttered.

He smiled. A smile that makes everyone love him, but one that I find terrifying. Prince Zephirin leans in closer and trails a finger down my bare arm. I swallow hard, not allowing him to see how scared I was of him.

"C'mon Laith, you can do better than that," he vocalized. His utterances made me take a second look. My throat thickens, and I avert my eyes from his. My breath hitched.

From the sides of my eyed, I spotted Prince Zephirin's lips lift up. He moves to lean against the statue. His biceps flexes as he braces himself there. Prince Zephirin throws an arm over my shoulder.

"What did you see?" he inquired.

Every puzzling piece in my mind fell into place. The one I've been searching for and why I could never find him. It all made sense.

I've never been able to find him since he was avoiding me. Keeping his distance and watching me while I was oblivious to their presence.

I could feel my heart racing. Beating so loudly I feared the deposed crown prince could hear it. Of all the people to find me at my weakest it had to be the one individual with whom I can't afford to be weak.

"What's my name?" the prince inquired.

"Prince Zephir...."

"Not that," he cut me short. I tensed under his touch. My mind tried to deny the truth right before my eyes. "What's my name, Laith?"

"The Evil one," I replied.