Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

Perla’s Perspective

He flashed a smile from across the room, revealing fangs that were far more pronounced than I had ever encountered in this bizarre world. A spider-beastkin—just my luck to encounter one of those!

"Welcome to my lair. Few have managed to step inside without being wrapped in a web first, so consider yourself fortunate," he said, his voice smooth and dripping with confidence.

"What happened to the others? How did I end up here, and where exactly is this place?" My voice came out a bit squeakier than normal, a clear sign of just how frightened I truly felt.

"The others? Do we really need to discuss them now? I’ve decided to grant you a reprieve, but in return, you will serve a different purpose—bringing forth a new generation of spider eggs."

Spider eggs? He wants to fill my womb with spider eggs?! No way, that’s not happening!

"Why don’t you seek out a female you truly love to share that experience with? Why would you want to have eggs with someone you barely know? You have no idea who I am—what if I turn out to be a dreadful mother and you end up regretting it? It’s not like you can just swap partners whenever you feel like it."

"Listen closely, little one. You’re oblivious to the ways of the spider beastkin, aren’t you? That’s no surprise; few truly understand. My indifference towards you serves a purpose—ensuring you bear me a clutch of eggs. I wouldn’t want my spider offspring to feast on you if they lack the mana they need while developing in your womb. You see, these little monsters consume most of their mana from their mother, and if they’re short, they’ll turn on her. Love has no place in this; a female with spider eggs is a mere vessel, not a cherished companion. You’ll be just fine, even if you find yourself birthing multiple clutches, for your aura and mana are abundant."

Is he really saying that the only way to avoid becoming a host for spider eggs is for him to fall head over heels for me? So, I need to win the heart of a spider beastkin?

"I should make it clear that the chances of me acquiring high-quality spider eggs from you are significantly increased if I take on my spider form during our union. Typically, males shy away from this due to the discomfort it may cause the female, and they usually have nothing against the offspring being of her kind. But I’m different. I have no concern for your comfort or what kind of beastkin you are; all I desire are those spider eggs." freēnovelkiss.com

My eyes nearly popped out of my head, and I felt a tightness in my chest as a wave of nausea washed over me at the horrifying thought of not just spider eggs nestled in my womb, but also a massive spider making its home there.

"Where are the others?" I managed to whisper, my voice barely above a murmur.

He exhaled sharply, frustration evident in his voice. "Since you refuse to let this go, know that the males who accompanied you are now victims of my poison gas. I carried you here after sampling your blood, ensuring you remained unconscious and assessing the mana content to determine if you could serve as a suitable host for my spider eggs. Had your blood proven inadequate, I would have ended your life right then and there, a fitting punishment for invading my pregnant sister’s domain and contributing to her demise."

I couldn’t shake the memory of that enormous spider that had pursued me through the woods when I first arrived in this world. It dawned on me that it was a spider beastkin—of course it was! I mean, what other explanation could there be for a creature of that size? It also made perfect sense that her beastkin form was larger than his; after all, female spiders are typically the more formidable ones.

"I truly regret that your sister met such a tragic end, but I had no way of knowing why she was after me or that she was a female beastkin. She was the very first spider beastkin I had ever encountered! She didn’t communicate anything to me about being in her territory; she just chased me through the woods until I was hurt and needed saving."

"I understand now... it wasn’t you who took my sister’s life. Her body carried the unmistakable aroma of water, mingled with your own. I thought you had wielded water magic to catch her off guard and bring her down before the final blow. I’ve been tracking your scent for some time, and now I know exactly who you are. My sister’s life was snuffed out too soon, denying her the chance to bring forth a new lineage of spider beastkin. You will bear that burden in her place."

"I believe that only female spiders are truly equipped to nurture spider eggs. Honestly, how could I ever be a suitable mother to spiderlings without any knowledge of their kind? It would be wise for you to seek out another female spider who can provide the proper care they deserve. However, if you’re not keen on that idea, I’d be more than willing to chat with you and learn about spider beastkin in the meantime. I find your species to be so elegant, and your silk is simply mesmerizing. The way you’ve covered the walls of your lair with webbing is nothing short of impressive; I even mistook the stone around us for white at first because your webbing is so flawlessly applied. It’s truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship and...an art piece!"

He narrowed his eyes in disbelief, then flashed me a grin that held a flicker of warmth. "I guess it wouldn’t hurt to enlighten you about spider beastkin before you take on the task of raising a brood of eggs. I’m rather proud of my webbing, you know. How about I show you around your new home?"

I flashed him the warmest smile I had perfected over the years, a little gem I saved for those awkward introductions my parents always insisted on. "A tour sounds wonderful! I’ve been fascinated by spider beastkin for quite a while, and I must say, what I’ve seen so far is truly impressive."

Who would have thought those tedious meet-and-greets would actually pay off in a moment like this?

Beth’s Perspective

I found myself sitting next to His Majesty, and honestly, it was a bit nerve-wracking because I still had no idea what his name was. But that was probably for the best. I overheard one of the maids saying that you really shouldn’t call him by his name unless he considers you part of his family, and even then, it’s only allowed in private. So, not knowing his name kind of saved me from accidentally saying it out loud, which is a relief, honestly.

I heard this really chilling story about one of the concubine’s maids who had a crush on him. She tried to flirt with him and, in a moment of boldness, actually said his name to him. As a result, the concubine she served had her tongue cut out right in front of him, and he just watched, completely unfazed. It was such a horrifying scene, and the strange part was that no one around seemed particularly shocked by it.

Then there was another maid who was openly gazing at him with her striking dark purple eyes, clearly hoping to catch his attention. I heard that he even complimented her on her eyes, but then, in a twist that sent chills down my spine, he ordered that they be cut out so he could keep them in a jar in his office. How could anyone be so cruel? It’s all just so terrifying, and I can’t help but feel a little scared just being near him. Though I have no proof that either of those stories are true.

He seems to have two concubines, one from a deal made when he was still a prince and the other from a later arrangement after he ascended to the throne. Interestingly, there are whispers that he hasn’t fathered any children with either of them, leading to some speculation about his virility, though I doubt anyone would ever bring that up directly to him.

I found myself in the same room where I had first encountered him, but this time I was positioned on the opposite side of the curtain, allowing me a clear view of him from the side. He was perched on a plush throne, while I sat on a large, fluffy cushion on the floor next to him. There were two other women present; one was behind him, gently massaging his shoulders, while the other was fanning him with a sizable tan fan from the opposite side. I was quite thankful that the fan was also catching me, as it was much warmer than I would have liked to endure while hidden behind this veil. Flanking the entrance to this little nook were four guards, each holding large spears, standing watch.

He looked really handsome from the side, in a strong, masculine way. He had this big frame, a strong jawline, and these intense dark blue eyes that seemed to draw you in. His long dark brown hair was tied up in this really complicated knot on top of his head, and he wore a golden crown that wrapped around his hair. There was also a veil made of tiny blue sapphires hanging down in front of his face. Honestly, I can’t imagine how he manages having that in front of his eyes; I would probably just tuck everything behind my ears if I had to wear it. It seems so overwhelming! I couldn’t even tell what kind of beastkin he was, since he only had slightly pointed ears and didn’t show any other signs of his heritage.

In my hand, I had a quill made from long brown feathers, and on the little desk in front of me was a clear bottle filled with a dark red substance that I really didn’t want to think about too much. I was trying to write down the minutes of His Majesty’s meeting with his officials, who were all men, of course. Figures.

Coming Next Time: Snatching Ritual