Adrino

Adrino was once a mysterious, charming Coatl. One who would invite young maidens – any kind of maiden – to the night of their lives, often in a field of roses not far from a gentle river. One who would give all the romance and passion they would wish… Until he’d ghost them, the next morning, without even a word. Like a shadow.

Due to the reputation he gained as a heartbreaker, he had to desert his hometown to arrive to a next new clan, repeating the cycle over and over again. But could you blame him? He was obviously a hopeless romantic! He just wanted to find his heart… Just like his mother did. But he knew, after the first night with each gal, that he would never find that in them. He never knew why…

It just didn’t feel right.

But one day, he came across the most beautiful female he’d ever seen. She was… Confident. Poised. Regal. Exactly the type for a gentleman like him, he thought, settling next to her and asking her if she’d like a drink. She seemed standoffish and distant at first, but as she heard his name, her apprehension seemed to dissipate. Finally, after a long conversation, she proposed to take him somewhere more private. Adrino accepted, pleasantly surprised that a love interest would take the initiative this time. And so he let her guide him to a small, but cozy cottage.

Just before the break of dawn, he attempted to escape, as he usually does, but as he opened his eyes, the world seemed much bigger than before. He tried to claw out of where he slept, but small, flailing arms clutched the sheets. Confused, he tried to figure out how they appeared. And why, suddenly, every Fae partner he had popped into his mind.

The cottage’s host entered the room and contemplated her guest with eyes devoid of pity.

- What… happened? He asked, his voice tainted with monotony. A Fae’s monotony.

She stepped closer, towering over him. He never realized, until now, how vulnerable he was. Every time he brought a girl out of a bar, he put himself at risk for potentially unimaginable things. Like being cursed to live as a different species, for example!

- You made my daughter cry. For days… for weeks, months, even… So I took revenge.

- So you put a curse on me? Without even asking why I did all of this?

- You are a selfish jerk who uses dragons, then throws them out like garbage as soon as their presence started to become too inconvenient for you, she stated, raising and harshening her voice. I think it’s pretty clear why you did all of this, don’t you think?

Adrino paused, eyes wide as if a thunderbolt stroke near him. He wanted to protest, explain his heart search, but he couldn’t. He saw the truth claw out of her statements, so he gave up justifying.

He then laid out a sigh, disappointed in himself.

- You’re right, he answered, trying to hide his fear while looking up at her. What are you going to do with me now?

She pointed to a small bag in the room.

- I left you a few supplies in here. Take them and leave.

Without hesitation, the Fae grabs the bag and leaves as fast as he could, trying not to dare to look back at her teary, furious stare. Or in that mirror next to the door.