The Night Prince

This is the only life I’ve ever known. I was brought to this place neither here nor there as an infant. A newborn, actually. My mother spurned a man’s love for her and I’m paying the price.

I’ve been here for quite a while now. A few centuries if you must know. Whatever this place is, it won’t allow me to die- naturally or otherwise. At some point, I stopped aging. At least I’ll be young for my unending life.

A few years ago, I met the sorceress that sent me here. After explaining the events which caused my predicament, she apologized to me, said death would have been kinder. I have to agree. Then she gave me a way out.

She granted me the ability to lure others here through their dreams. The only way for me to leave is to convince another to take my place.

Now, as I wander through the trees, their leaves of silver and gold impossibly soft and caressing, I contemplate. Every comfort is provided here, even companionship though I know it is false. There are no other humans here, only demons. They look human enough, but I crave for a true human connection, a sense of camaraderie. The natural denizens of this realm care only for themselves. They feed off my emotions. Any human’s emotions, really.

All the kingdoms gathered to resolve how they might spare their subjects from the demons. It was decided the greatest sorcerers would call into being an inescapable land. The sorcerers were able to create a pocket land separate from their world but the demons could tear a hole and return. They would need something to pacify the demons. They pondered what might keep the demons at bay before coming to a difficult conclusion, but likely the only thing that would suffice.

A human sacrifice. They would have constant access to one unfortunate soul who would remain in their domain for eternity. It was the sorceress, originally. I don’t know how the man found this place, but somehow he made his way here, and implored that she help him. At first she turned him away- she did not wish to condemn another to this hell- but he threatened to release the demons unto the world. He claimed to have knowledge of how this realm was created and how it could be undone. Killing him was impossible, as nothing can die here. She was forced to acquiesce or doom the entire world to a flood of demons that, without the limitation of having only one human to feed on, would not limit themselves to emotions as their main source of sustenance. One soul for the safety of the planet.

I admit I’ve called several maidens here, but never for anything untoward and I wouldn’t dream of making any of them take my place. I summon them here for one night, we dance, converse, and they return to their homes. The demons sometimes converse with me, but only to manipulate my emotions so they can feed.

Plucking a silver pear from a tree and biting into it, I contemplate my existence. Perhaps it’s time I invite a guest. Juice drips down my chin and I wipe it on my sleeve. The pears here have a flavor of freshly fallen snow and something else. I imagine the “something else” is the taste of a true pear. I wait for night to fall, when I can infiltrate another’s dreams, wondering how long it will be before this one answers my summons.

When at last the time comes and I enter the world of dreams, I find myself waltzing across a ballroom. I find her in the center of the room, her unruly chestnut curls bouncing with each step. For her dream to contain such detail, she must truly love to dance. This should be easy enough. Her current partner bows out at my approach.

I offer a bow and she curtsies in return. I twirl her around the room. When sufficient time has passed, I speak.

“I know of a truly magical realm where balls are held almost nightly, if you’d be interested?”

Her eyes light up. “Truly?” Her voice is that of a sweet violin. “Do you suppose they would allow my sisters to attend as well?”

“Absolutely. I happen to know the host.”

“They wouldn’t mind, say, twelve additional guests?”

This shocks me. Twelve? Does she intend to bring their fiancés as well? Regaining my composure, I say “Twelve more are easily accommodated. Is tomorrow well for you?”

She gives an enthusiastic nod, an ecstatic smile pasted across her delicate features. “How do we get there?”

I smile. “I’ll arrange transportation.”

The following day, I make certain everything is in order. I ensure there is plenty of food. I make sure to pick several silver pears and golden pomegranates, enough for all of my human guests. I don’t need to tell the kitchens to prepare extra food. Each time I have guests from outside, there is more than enough.

Once the preparations are complete, I retreat to my dwelling, a castle from the exterior but a mere shell within, to dress the part of host. I don a tail suit with the appearance and texture of the night sky, comb my hair into place, and await my guests’ arrival. One of the perks of “ruling” this land is the ability to create hidden passages into this realm.

Night has fallen. I wait a while longer, though any lacking an invitation would be unable to find this place regardless- a precaution to prevent an event such as that which forced me into this role. At midnight, a stairway appears in the girl’s chambers. I can sense her hesitation. She likely thinks I’m one of the demons I keep at bay, a fair assumption and she wouldn’t be the first to come to that conclusion. I wait patiently. Curiosity usually wins over caution.

Eventually my stairway vanishes from her room and I know she’ll arrive soon. To ensure the demons don’t escape, the entrance to this realm also vanishes until I choose to open it. It may be cruel to remove the option for my guests to retreat at will, but the alternative would be a disservice to the whole of humanity. Even one escaped demon could wreak havoc upon the world.

When the girl walks into the courtyard, I see the awe in her eyes. I suppose the trees in her world aren’t made of living metal. I welcome her and eleven other girls ranging from a small child to a young woman. The one whose dream I entered blushes.

“It was real, then. Oh! I didn’t introduce myself! I’m Rose, 3rd daughter of King Rowan of the kingdom of Aster. These are my sisters.”

“A pleasure to meet you all. I’m the ruler of this realm. You may call me Sieren.”

As her sisters make their way to the center of the courtyard to join the dance, Rose studies me. “Was it real? Is this real? It feels like I’m dreaming.”

I smile, though sadness is evident in my voice. “Unfortunately, it is.” She looks confused. Well, I’m not going to ruin the evening with my melancholy tale. “Would you care to dance?” I lead her into the crowd and we spend several hours dancing. She’s as graceful as she was in her dream, her hair equally as unruly, her voice somehow sweeter. At the end of the night, I send them home. Usually, I would wish her well and never see her again but something about her is different.

“Can I see you again?” I blurt as she takes the first step onto the stairs.

She looks surprised for a moment and I fear she’ll say no. Then she smiles at me. “I’d like that.”

Over the next few months, Rose comes to see me several times a week. The stairwell appears in her room each night for just a few minutes. I won’t risk some poor soul descending the stairs and being trapped between worlds. The stairs will only descend into this realm if someone on the other end with my approval takes that first step.

I’ve told Rose the truth of this place. She didn’t believe me, so I showed her. I took a pear and a pomegranate and cut them open. They’re as metallic on the inside as they are on the outside. I encouraged her to taste them. She was hesitant at first, talking about someone named Persephone. I assured her it was just ordinary fruit and this place doesn’t have any such rules, and she tasted them. The pomegranates are warm as though someone set them on a hot stone for hours no matter the time of day. She was most surprised by the icy temperature and flavor of the pear.

She’s asked me why I don’t leave this place and I told her the truth. Without a human to feed on, the denizens of this realm would find a way to her world and everyone would be endangered. I can escape but only if someone takes my place. She’s tried to convince me to leave a few times. For her, she says, but that’s why I stay. Just a few hours, she pleads. It’s not worth the risk. She didn’t know about sorcerers until I told her. They’re gone from the world. Without them, I’m the only thing preventing the demons from returning to the world and tearing people limb from limb.

I've considered asking her to stay, but I don’t want to put the weight of that decision on her shoulders. I can’t ask her to leave her family and I won’t guilt her into staying.

Rose visits me once a month. It’s been about a decade. I see the slow signs of aging. Meanwhile, I remain my youthful self, forever unchanging. There are times I wish I could exchange places with some random person and live in her world but I can’t trust that they would stay. It’s only a strong desire to protect others that has kept me here all this time. In my weaker moments, I think of her. Of how I’m protecting her. Of what might befall her if I were to fail.