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I nodded, looking down.
“Since you learned the pain of destruction, you must show me your repentance.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s why I’m commanding you to keep guard over the humans.”
I raised my head to protest, but the firm resolve in his eyes told me to keep silent.
I swallowed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He pulled his lips to the side in a teasing scowl.
“You’re allowed to call meFather, you know,” he said. “You did once.”
I bit my lip, nearly ripping the skin off with my teeth. Clearing my throat, I shook my head.
“I haven’t earned it, Your Majesty.”
He stared at me for a long moment. He then cocked his head gently to the side and nodded.
“That’s true,” he replied. “And the fact is, you can’tearn it.”
The truth struck my gut, and I bowed my head further. The king, however, put both his hands on my shoulders and prompted me to look at him.
“And because you can’t earn it,” he continued, “you can’t lose it either. Do you understand my meaning, son?”
I stared back at him, realizing he wasn’t talking about calling himFatheranymore.
It struck me once again in the gut, tearing open my grief. As tears spilled from my eyes he pulled me close, allowing them to stain his pure robes as he comforted me.
ENDING
The sunset wasn’t as glorious as it used to be.
I could see the entire world, it seemed, from the top of the Den of Sirens, and before I had become human, it felt like the greatest power in the world. Now it was only empty colors across the horizon. Perhaps it was because I was here alone—and I didn’t want to be alone.
“So this is where you come to think,” a voice said behind me. “It’s quite beautiful, if I do say so myself.”
I turned to see the king behind me, his eyes scanning the water and sky as the wind tousled his hair and robes. I jumped to my feet.
“Your Majesty,” I said. “How did you get here?”
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “I created the entire spiritual realm and you think I can’t climb a rock?”
I swallowed and chuckled, embarrassed. He came and stood on the edge of the den with me, his hands gently clasped behind his back.
“Also,” he added, "do you really think I would create all this and never come out to look at it?”
I had forgotten how easy it was for him to read my thoughts. I don’t know why it was so hard to remember. After all, he had created all of us with the ability to read souls as well.
“I just didn’t expect you to come to me,” I said honestly. “I didn’t think it would be worth your time.”
It was too honest, perhaps. I wished I could take it back as soon as I said it, but it didn’t matter anyway. The king could already see it.
“I do as I wish,” he replied flatly. “And my wish was to see why your heart was so heavy now that you’re standing on top of the world.”
