Beasts of a Little Land

by Juhea Kim

It was the opposite of standing high in the mountains, which had been the most intense happiness he’d known until then. Whereas that was an ecstasy of height, coolness, and solitude, this was an ecstasy of depth, warmth, and union. He wrapped an arm around her and she nestled her head on the nook between his shoulder and chest. Are you happy? he’d asked. I wish we could be like this forever, she’d whispered. But I’m also so happy that I wouldn’t have any regrets if I died right now. Like I wouldn’t even be mad.

But life had to be kept in balance: she had to do what actually felt like a sacrifice. She would gladly trade her life itself for the safety of the people she loved—the general, Luna, and Lotus. If those three were trapped in a burning house, she would pour a bucket of water over her head and jump into the fire to carry them out. That was the meaning of her love, she declared in her head.