Page 12 of To Love A Monster
"Never? No woman ever took the time to love you?" I whispered against his lips as I rested my hand against his cheek. My back arched as he curled his fingers, the pleasure becoming too much as I cried out, his lips instantly muffling my cries.
"No."
"Hm?" I asked, confused as he pulled the large leather and wool blanket over our half-naked bodies.
"No maiden I brought to my furs was ever so sweet. I feel ashamed that I tainted my furs with them, ashamed that I ever gave them pleasure, ashamed that I gave in to my desires when I should have waited for you as you waited for me."
"Were as gentle with them?"
"No. I was rough and uncaring, but I will never be so aloof with you, my love. You are my mate, my life—my sweet Aylin. The moment I first saw you—I knew you were my life mate." His words comforted me as he pulled me close to him as we lay on the furs, my face buried into his chest as my fingers untied the cords of his tunic.
He chuckled as he pulled the tunic over his head, my eyes taking him in as I noticed many scars on his toned chest. I knew there was time to ask about their origin, but part of me knew it was from the old war of the clans. "You are so warm." My body relaxed into his, his arms holding me tight against him as I allowed a restful sleep to take me.
DAEGON
“You have been quiet this morning—are you feeling ill?” I asked as Aylin turned her head towards me, her smile not reassuring that everything was okay. “What is wrong, my love.”
“I am worried that your clan will not accept me. My father is evil for what he did to the Orcs and the Dwarves of the villages that used to lay against the mountain. I do not wish for them to see me in that light.”
“They will adore you, my sweet. Some elders will be hesitant, but I will speak to them. I must warn you; I am not as kind or gentle around others as I am with you. I have a temper, and sometimes my mouth will run away with me, so if I am too harsh with you, please forgive me.” My words troubled her as I watched her smile fade. “I am chief, my love; at times, I must rule and be firm yet fair. There are times when I will frighten you, but when I am with you, my mind and body will be at ease. I swear I will spend the rest of my life earning your forgiveness if I ever hurt you with my words.”
“What of the village maidens you took to your bed, will they not loath that I am with you? Will they be envious?
“I care not what they think, my love, and you should not. Those maidens meant nothing to me.” I was angry for not heeding my dear friend Kaig’s warning. Taking maidens to my furs for selfish pleasure was a mistake. My bed was tainted, and I dared not allow my precious mate to lie her head where others had.
“I am sorry, Aylin. Before I found you, I was a selfish orc, but I swear in my life that I will never hurt you.”
My heart eased as she rested her head on my chest, her hand covering mine as I rested it against her torso. My thoughts were filled with visions of the future—images of our mating and her belly growing with our child. My heart soared as I secretly wished for a son, but I would be equally happy if she blessed us with a daughter. I still worried if she could carry my seed, my father’s warning weighing heavy on my thoughts.
“There, the tiny village rests at the edge of my clan’s territory. We are home, my love.” I said as I pulled the horse to a stop atop the large hill overlooking Fairhorn and my village.
I felt Daegon tense as we were approached by several older orcs, my heart racing as he jumped down from our horse. His brow was stern and his posture tall, the tone of his voice deep and commanding as he spoke. My face flushed as his gruff voice affected me, which I was not expecting.
“Could this not wait?”
“You have been gone longer than expected, Chief Daegon. We come bearing no ill will but only offer our kindest greetings—to your mate.” An old orc with a long white beard and very stern brow spoke, his words filling me with the hope that my father’s reputation had not soiled their impressions of me.
“Your manner does not comfort me? For was it not all of you that expressed concern to my mother behind my back!” He growled, my heart racing as I saw a new side to him, a side that made my skin feel hot and my core ache deeply. “Did you not gossip like maidens about my stubbornness not to force a mating?”
“Forgive us, Chief—we feared your line would die with you.”
“You are all forgiven, however---if I hear of you conspiring behind my back or talking to my mother about matters that are not her doing—you will meet your end faster than fated.” Daegon climbed back onto the horse and kissed me passionately as if to show dominance to the elders.
“Do you still worry what others will think of you, my love?” His smirk earned a smile to move over my lips, my heart racing as he leaned over to kiss me lovingly.
“No, but I worry that after we mate—I will never be able to keep my hands off you again.”
A LONG-AWAITED MATING
AYLIN
I felt overwhelmed when we entered the village, my face hidden under my dark blue cloak as I could feel everyone’s prying eyes. Daegon told me about his clan and his family, my heart racing as I wanted to feel welcomed. “I know you are scared, my love, but there is no need—this is your family now.” His words did not comfort me as I wanted them to, but I knew he would never allow anyone to hurt me.
“DAEGON!” A loud, sweet voice called out as I noticed an older human woman approaching with a large brooding older orc. A smile went over my face as I pulled the hood of the cloak from my face. Daegon helped me down from the horse and embraced the couple, the woman jumping to kiss his cheeks as the orc noticed his torn tunic and a large scar on his abdomen. When Daegon had revealed his healed scar, I burst into tears and hugged Halla tight, even though she protested wildly.
“There is much to tell. Mother—father, this is Aylin, Daughter Paeris. My mate.” He said proudly as I smiled meekly, the butterflies in my stomach dancing as I nervously stepped forward.
“She is even more beautiful than you described, my son.” The woman smiled as she stepped forward and embraced me, her hug warm and inviting. “I am Daerla, and this is my mate—Rogon,” The tall, regal orc approached; his tusks were long and thick and sharp at the ends, and his brow made him look menacing, but his eyes were kind and gentle. Daegon was a perfect mix of his mother and father, my heart soaring as they accepted me with open hearts and arms.
