Page 22 of To Love A Monster
“I do not want it. I refuse.”
“You may refuse, My Queen—however, you must choose someone to reign in your place—or the Kingdom will fall.” His words were full of worry, and my heart sank as I felt overwhelmed by the moment. “You must not decide right away. We must first lay to rest our former King—and before the sun sets on that day, you will announce the new ruler.
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My heart leaped as I saw Daegon and Halla walk into the throne room, my hands gripping the fabric of my heavy black ceremonial gown as I rushed toward him. The moment I embraced him, I began to cry, the image of my mother’s lifeless body not leaving my thoughts even for an instant.
It had been an entire day since she had taken her and my father’s life, a day full of sadness and planning their burials. Daegon and Halla had tried to enter Oryndaas, but my father’s loyal guards refused to open the doors until I threatened their lives with certain death.
“I was so worried when I heard that horn—I thought I had lost you, my love.” He whispered as he kissed me gently, his strong hand cupping my cheek as we paid no mind to the stares we were receiving. I held the title but was not their Queen and never would be. Ruling over a Kingdom that I loathed, over a people that hated me, was never something I chose. I shared his blood, but my father was a stranger to me, a story of caution that my mother made sure I knew.
“I never meant to make you worry, my mate. Everything happened so fast. I opened my eyes to see my mother, and moments later—she was gone.” I whispered as I buried my head into his chest and sobbed, a firm hand touching my back as I turned to see Halla, my arms going around her as I was grateful to see her.
“My heart is weeping for your mother, Aylin. My deepest sympathies.” She said as a warm smile moved over her lips, our bond growing as she hugged me tightly. I slipped back into Daegons embrace as Ivasaar explained the complicated funeral ritual, a ritual that was going to last four days, ending a grand feast and turning over of the crown.
“Can this humble chief accompany the Queen back to her chambers?” He whispered as a soft smile went over my lips as my cunt dripped with my wetness for him, my eyes darting around as I knew it was inappropriate to think such things in a time of sadness.
“We are forbidden from making love during this time, my mate---will your cock be able to wait until we are home in our bed?” I whispered, making sure Halla was far enough away to not hear our sinful words.
“I can wait, but know I will bury my cock deep inside you when I get you alone.”
“The curse is lifted, my love. I do not want your cock leaving me until my belly is full of your seed.” My words moved him as he growled deep in his chest, his kiss deep and passionate.
“My Queen---if you may pry your lips away from your mate long enough to help me with your mother’s arrangements.” Ivasaar teased as Daegon scoffed in his direction. I patted his chest and joined him at the sizeable wood-carved table, tears filling my eyes as I looked over the beautiful dress for my mother. It was a lovely shade of lavender made of the finest silks.
“Will it burn?”
“It will—and as you requested, her ashes will be scattered in the flower fields by the Ironshield village.” He said as I felt a kindness radiating from him. Ivasaar was not like the other Elves. He was kind and did not look at my mate with hatred. He was a noble leader of the Kings guard and was revered in every way. He was a regal elf with the same pale skin as the others, but his eyes were a lighter shade of blue as if the darkness of this Kingdom had not yet corrupted him.
“Ivasaar, may I ask you something?”
“My Queen, you may ask anything of me—my sword and my service are yours until another wears the crown.” He said as we walked from the large room onto the balcony, a shiver going up my spine as I missed the warmth of my bed.
“You do not share a hatred of Orcs as my father did. Why is that?” My question made his regular stern expression soften as he clasped his hands in front of him, his long raven hair blowing in the wind as the cold air barely affected him.
“I do not hate those who are different from me. I find the notion rather meaningless. Your father was a dear friend of mine, and we spent most of our lives training together and sharing a friendship, but your father’s hatred for Orcs never leeched onto me. I could never see them as evil, monsters, or cursed; I saw them as kind and gentle people. I never understood why we could not make peace with them and become allies. Our armies would be unstoppable.” His words touched my heart and gave me hope that one day the Elves of the Mountains and the Orcs of the Ironshield clan could be allies.
Our conversation was halted by shouting from Halla and the healers, my heart racing as Halla drew her dagger, Daegon moving in front of her as they screamed, she was cursed.
“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS SHOUTING!” I yelled as Halla sheathed her dagger. The healers looked frightened as I demanded they calm their words and stop the useless shouting.
“The dwarf has brought darkness to this mountain! The fruit’s seeds that give endless healing come from the Necromancer!” My mouth went dry with the mention of the Necromancer, the horror stories my mother told me as a child renewed as I turned to Halla. I knew only the legend of the one they called the Necromancer. The name was forbidden to say when I was a child.
“What is she saying, Halla? Is that true? Do those seeds come from that cursed being?”
“They asked where I came by the seeds, and I told them! They were gifted to me by the one they call the Necromancer.” A gasp filled the room as I raised my hands to quiet everyone since I knew there was a good reason for Halla to do such a thing.
“Gifted? I do not understand?”
“When the former King killed my mate—I was filled with a deep ache and a sadness that would not go away. My heart would not let him go. In my desperate need for him to live again, I took his body into the forbidden beyond the boundaries of Bloodhill forest and searched out the Necromancer.” Her voice shook as she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. “After days and days of crying out –he finally appeared to me. The air around me froze, and the earth rotted and turned ash at his presence, but I was determined to have my mate back. His eyes were not dark or full of hate and sin but gentle and almost kind. I begged him to give my mate his life essence, to bring him back to me and allow us to love again.”
“Did he grant your wish?”
“Nay. He said that only life can give life; however—he took pity on my grief for my mate and gave me his life essence. With the wave of his hands and the speaking of a tongue that I will not utter here, I watched as my mate rotted away, his life essence left in these magical seeds that heal and give life. Do you see why I will not part with the few I have left? I was forced by fear of death to plant these for the King, and I WILL NOT GIVE UP WHAT IS LEFT! If you desire these seeds—take your King to him and beg for them.” She hissed as she stormed out, my heart aching for her as she cursed at Daegon when he tried to follow her.
“Halla is right—if you wish to continue to use these seeds, you will need to seek out the Necromancer—for I will not allow you to take any more from her!” I said sternly as the healers bowed and left the throne room, their anger clear in their steps.
