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Jack is a monster. At least, that’s what everyone says. His only folly had been an excess of kindness, helping an injured woman who—it turned out—had killed a witch’s child.
He was twenty years old when the witch cursed him. It started out with a little itching. The itching gave way to patches of scales. Next was the little flames that came out when he sneezed… before long, he was a dragon, large and terrifying.
He couldn’t remain in the castle. It wasn’t safe for him. Not to mention, his massive wings hardly fit in the largest of chambers. So he made a little home for himself in some caves, way up on the highest peaks of the mountain overlooking his kingdom.
The truth was kept from the people. Jack was the sole heir to the throne, no siblings or cousins to take over when his parents passed. All they could do was hide the truth and hope the curse was broken before he needed to take the throne.
All the people of the kingdom knew, was that the prince was no longer making public appearances. Focusing on learning diplomacy and other skills he would need to rule one day, they were told.
And all the people of your village know is that there’s a monster in the mountain that towers over the wooden houses and struggling farms. A monster whose wings blot out the sun, whose very presence sends their livestock into a panic, who could destroy you all with one breath if it wanted to…
And so, the sacrifices began. Every year, one person was chosen to be sent to the mountain. They were tied up outside of the monster’s lair, ready to be eaten.
It was always someone… undesirable that was chosen. Someone no one in the village wanted around. The disgraced knight who came back from war injured and took to drinking. The farmhand who seemed to cause more problems than they fixed. And now… you.
You didn’t do anything wrong. But… your parents recently passed away. You’re unwed, you own nothing, and you’re just a little bit strange. At least, that’s what the others in your village say.
You don’t want to go along with it. Of course you don’t! No sacrifice has ever come back from the mountaintop, and it’s silly to think you could possibly be the first. But the villagers have never liked you. The sacrifice and your parents’ passing were just the excuses they needed to get rid of you.
So you’re marched unceremoniously up the mountain, tied to a tree outside the wide mouth of the cave. You can’t help but eye the claw marks that mar the sacrifice tree.
“Oh great monster, we leave you a sacrifice. Take this mortal soul so ours may live and rest easy. Leave our village safe for another year. With this one life, we ask that you spare many more. Come, accept your sacrifice!”
They don’t stick around. As soon as their little ritual is done, they hurry down the mountain, leaving you to your fate. Down in the village below, you know that they’ll be partying long into the night, celebrating another year of safety from the monster.
But not you. No. You’re left to your thoughts, sat up against the tree, the rough bark digging into your back. The rope is tight around you. The wind chills you to the bone. Soon enough, you’re wishing for a quick death to end this awful waiting.
“Are they gone?”
The voice is gravelly and deep, almost like a growl. But there’s a sigh underneath it. Annoyance at the villagers and their ritual and sacrifice.
It takes you a bit to realise the voice is waiting for a response. The monster, you figure. You’d never expected it to be able to speak. But now it’s speaking to you.
“Y-Yes, they’ve returned to the village.” You hate the way your voice trembles as you speak. You wish you could face your death with dignity, with courage. But who can, really?
“Oh. Good.” There’s a deep breath of relief, a hot gust of air rushing from the cave and warming you slightly.
You can hear claws on stone, feel the ground under you rumble. The monster approaches. And soon enough, he stands in the mouth of the cave.
He’s illuminated by the setting sun, scales blazing brilliant reds and yellows and blues. His claws are sharp, his maw jagged with teeth. His wings are folded behind him, but you know how wide they are. You’ve seen him swooping around the mountaintop before. Even from so far away, he’d been impressive. And now, up close, you almost want to reach out and stroke the shimmering scales of his snout.
But he’s still dangerous. You’re still a sacrifice. Your death is still looming over you. There’s nothing you can do but cower, hoping he finds something about you distasteful. Hoping he decides you don’t look good enough to make a meal out of.
“Why did they send you up here?”
There’s no judgement in his voice. Nor any threat. He curls up in front of you, laying his large head down so he can stare at you more easily. He’s curious, appraising you. Perhaps judging whether or not you’re suitable for dinner?
“My parents. They… they passed away.”
You need to keep him talking. If you can keep him talking, maybe he’ll forget to eat you. Or decide he wants to keep you around. You’re desperate, you’ll do anything.
“I, um… I spent most of my childhood taking care of them.”
He settles in to listen to your story, and you feel a little bolder. He’s not going to eat you just yet, if you can only keep him entertained. Perhaps… perhaps even pull at his heartstrings enough to make him take pity on you?
“They were poor, sick. They had to sell the farm. By the time they passed, they’d sold everything. We were renting a room at the inn. We had only enough for me to keep us fed. Even when I came of age, I couldn’t wed or work. I had to care for them, it was a job on its own. And when they passed… well, I had nothing. I was of no use to the village. Except as a sacrifice. They kept me housed and fed until today, and then left me up here.”
There’s another sigh from the dragon. It ruffles your hair, bends the tree you’re tied to, warms your shivering body again. It’s over too soon, and you’re back to feeling the chill of the night air.
“Sacrifices. Why do they think I want sacrifices?” It’s a rhetorical question. He’s lamenting.
You’re not sure what to say. Or what to think. He… doesn’t want sacrifices? Thinking back on it, you couldn’t remember who had suggested sacrificing people to the monster first, but it certainly hadn’t been the monster himself. Just one of the villagers who suggested that it would keep everyone safe.
Not that the monster had ever hurt anyone but the sacrifices. This was taken as a sign that the yearly sacrifice works. That they had to continue. But… really, the monster hadn’t shown any interest in the village at all.
“What’s your name?” His voice is quiet, but it still shakes the earth beneath you.
You have nothing to lose. You share your name. He tests it on his tongue, savouring it for a moment. It sends a shiver through you, the way his growling voice speaks your name so reverently. Like you’re not a sacrifice, but royalty.
“What’s yours?” You’re not sure what compelled you to ask. You’re not even sure monsters have names.
“Jack.” The word is loaded with nostalgia, loss, gratitude. Like it’s a name he hasn’t said in a long time.
Jack. Such a… normal name. Like he’s a man, not a monster. And with the way he talks, so eloquent and well-spoken… you can almost imagine that he is.
“If I cut you loose, do you promise not to run?”
His eyes are blue and gold as he stares at you. You can see warmth in them. A softness you never expected from such a huge beast. He won’t hurt you, you feel certain of it. You nod.
His claws are careful, gentle. Following those well-worn claw marks in the tree’s bark. They’re about as far from where you’re sitting as he can get them, slicing through the ropes that bind you.
You keep your word. You don’t run when the ropes fall limp around you. Instead, you stand slowly. You work the stiffness from your muscles and try to warm yourself up.
“You’re cold. Come inside.”
His massive form turns and retreats into his cave. And despite everything you’ve been told about the monster in the mountain, you follow him.
It’s… nicer than you’d expected. The cave is homely. There’s plush pillows and piles of blankets that look almost like they were taken straight from the castle in the heart of the kingdom. There’s a cauldron of stew bubbling away over the fire, both larger than any house you’ve ever seen.
“There are bowls in the corner. And spoons. Make yourself comfortable.”
Jack curls up by the fire, breathing on it a little to brighten it up. The cave is so warm, so cosy… You follow his instructions and grab yourself a bowl and a spoon. You’re not entirely sure how to serve from the cauldron that is so many times bigger than you. But Jack simply takes your bowl in one giant clawed hand and serves you himself.
“It’s lamb. With vegetables. And some spices, I think.” He seems almost uncertain about what’s in it, like he didn’t make it himself.
“Lamb…” You repeat the word, fishing a chunk of meat from the bowl and inspecting it, as though you might be able to tell if it’s from a lamb or a person.
“Yes. Aria made it. She always makes my dinners for me.”
Aria… the name is familiar. After a moment, you remember that she was the first ever sacrifice. A young woman who’d had a child out of wedlock. She and the child had both been sent up the mountain.
He’s still watching you closely. He doesn’t miss the recognition in your eyes.
“Yes. She’s very kind. When she was first brought here, she explained everything to me. About the sacrifices. I got her a job in the palace, and in return she keeps my secret and cooks me food.”
The palace? His secret? The decadence of the cave isn’t lost on you. And slowly the dots begin to connect. The elusive prince Jack. The monster showing up at the same time he retreated from the public eye. Alleged sightings of past sacrifices in the city, wearing the robes of the royal staff.
“You don’t eat people.” He’s still watching you, but he visibly relaxes at the softness of your voice. “You let them go. You give them new lives in the palace.”
“I do.” Jack breathes life into the fire again, trying to make sure you’re comfortable and no longer cold. “Sit, eat. You’ve had a long day. You need to keep your strength up.”
You hesitate for just a moment before moving to sit right beside him. Sure, you could curl up in any other cosy spot farther away from him, but it feels important to show him you’re not afraid.
“It’s good, thank you.” You try not to eat too quickly, but the stew is more flavourful and delicious than anything you’ve ever eaten before.
“Eat as much as you’d like. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need. And then, if you’d like a job in the palace… as long as you’re willing to keep my secret, my parents will allow you a spot on staff.”
You consider this for a moment. To work in the palace would be a huge change. You’d heard stories. The servants ate foods nightly that you could never have even dreamed of buying once on your meagre budget. They slept in beds of clean linens, soft and scented. They were clothed in finery to match the rest of the palace.
But… you don’t have many skills. You’ve spent so long caring for your parents, that caring is all you feel you can do. But perhaps…
“Could I stay?” Your voice is quiet, nervous as you peek up at him.
“I told you, you’re welcome to stay as long as you need.” Jack smiles at you, and even his jagged teeth seem soft and kind.
“I mean… for good? Or, for as long as you need me, at least. I’d like to take care of you.” You suddenly feel the need to justify yourself. Asking to personally care for the prince, no matter how monstrous his form, was quite presumptuous… “I can cook, I can clean, I can sing and tell stories. I can keep you company, so you don’t get lonely. And if you get sick, I know how to tend to injuries and illnesses.”
Jack is silent, and for a moment you wonder if he’s fallen asleep. Or perhaps he’s simply ignoring you. The insolent peasant who thinks they’re good enough to care for him.
When he does speak, his voice is pained. “Wouldn’t you get bored up here, all alone with me? You couldn’t go back to the village, you know.”
“They don’t want me there.” You sigh. “And how could I possibly get bored when you’re here?”
It’s true. This is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to you. Your world has been so small and sheltered until now. How could you ever get bored with a kindly dragon prince by your side?
“Oh.” Jack seems at a loss for words.
Hesitantly, slowly, he curls around you. You’ve finished your stew and are getting sleepy, and the warmth of his scales doesn’t help. His claws are gentle as he pulls a blanket over you.
“We can try it. If you’re certain.” He’s nervous. It’s almost funny, a nervous dragon. Your eyes are heavy as you laugh to yourself, cosying into his side.
“Some company would be nice.” He continues, his voice low and deep, rumbling soothingly through your body. “Your company.”
It’s the last thing you hear before you fall into a deep sleep. The day’s events have caught up to you. The warmth of the fire and of Jack, the comfort and safety you feel, all of it brings you pleasant dreams.
Jack watches you sleep with soft eyes. Perhaps… perhaps he’s finally found the person who will break his curse.