Page 20 of To Love A Monster
“I would take my own life if it meant my daughter could feel a happiness I never could.” Her words caused a loud gasp to fill the large room, my father looking around nervously as he screamed for privacy. The High Court elves left with whispers on their lips, a small victory since I knew that my father’s rule would never be the same after this moment.
“I did curse your womb, Aylin, and I will reverse it, however—if you do this, you must give up your immortality.” I gasped as I looked at my mother, everything now making sense. In my short life, never had I been ill or hurt, and when my mother and I once encountered a large bear, she did not fear for my life as I had feared for hers.
“I do not need to live forever, watching all I love and care for die, knowing I could never join them. Only those as selfish as you truly love living forever. You care nothing for others, only yourself.
“As you wish.” His words were cold and void of emotions, my heart calming as I watched my mother lower the dagger from her neck, the air in the room turning thick as my father waved his hand, the guards motioning for me to follow them. I watched as the guards pulled back a large tapestry behind my father’s throne, revealing a hidden door. I smiled as Ivasaar appeared from behind one of the guards, a kind smile on his face as he took a large stone key from around his neck and unlocked the door, a loud rumble echoing through the halls.
I followed my mother and father down a hidden staircase, the ice slowly disappearing from the walls leaving only smooth yet jagged obsidian rock. “Where are we going?” The guards and Ivasaar had stayed behind, my heart racing as I feared for my life. I saw in Paeris’s eyes that he held no love for me. I was a burden to him, a mere rock in his boot.
“You wish to remove this curse with prying eyes and ears?” My father hissed as I bit my tongue and refused to retort. The stairs ended at the opening of a large warm cave, with a large blue pool at the center, and the water was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was blue but looked as if it held a million stars that, caused a glimmer on the rocks surrounding it.
When my father left my mother’s side, I ran to her, our embrace strong as tears streamed down my cheeks. “My child.” She whispered as she hugged me tighter, my eyes glancing over to see my father mixing a dark liquid into a small cauldron. My mother told me he was very skilled in potions, a memory of bitter tonic coming into my thoughts. The tonic he forced on me cursed my womb, my heart aching as I wished for a kinder father. A father who had a heart that loved instead of hated.
I withdrew from my mother and slowly approached Paeris, his eyes, and hands busy as he did not notice as I stood by his side.
“Did you ever love me, Paeris?” I asked as he turned to look at me strangely, his head nodding slightly as sorrow went over his dark eyes. “What happened to you? Mother has told me that at one time, you were kind and gentle. Even to the Orcs.” His gaze lowered as I saw tears welling in his eyes.
“When your mother was taken from me, I renounced my title and told my father I was leaving this Kingdom. He warned me that if I joined your mother and bore a child with her—all lives would be forfeit. Losing your mother ripped the very soul from my body but being forced to be away from you—caused my heart to stone and hardened.”
“Why did you not leave? Defy him?” I asked as my father undid his dark blue tunic, my eyes wide as I saw his chest was covered in whip-lashing scars. At that moment, my father had been forced to become a cruel and merciless ruler. My heart sank as I felt I had judged him too harshly, but I did not forgive him for trying to kill my mate.
“I did defy him—and I paid dearly for it.” He said as he gently placed his hands on my shoulders. “You were the future of our people Aylin. We are a dying race of Elves. That is why I cursed your womb. I selfishly wanted you to carry an heir, a pureblood Elf, to ensure the life of my people. I was wrong for that, and even though I loathe your mate choice, I will not deny you the child you two want.” His words brought tears to my eyes as I hugged him, his hands patting my shoulders as he wiggled from my embrace.
“Thank you,” Paeris nodded and turned his gaze away from me, my heart healing as I knew he could never be the father I deserved or wanted. His heart and soul died long ago.
I stood by my mother and held her hands as my father prepared his potion, the smell hitting my nose as I feared for my life. What if this was all a trick? What if I was being far too naive coming here? “This will fix what you cursed?”
“Yes, and it will take away your immortality. Slowly. Over time you will notice little things like illness and wounds. You will begin to age, and one day you will succumb to death. You will be fully human.” The sadness in his voice pulled at my heart, but the image of Daegon being stabbed kept me distanced from him.
My hands were shaking as I took the small goblet, the fumes foul as I closed my eyes and imagined my belly full of a beautiful child. The liquid burned my throat as I drank it, my stomach churning as I dropped the goblet. My eyes felt heavy as I felt a searing pain in my womb, so sharp that it knocked me to my feet. I heard my mother’s calm voice as everything around me blurred, the darkness soon taking me.
DAEGON
“There! A nice plump rabbit.” Halla whispered as I stayed low in the grass, my dagger in hand as I waited for the chance to kill our dinner. My mind was racing with thoughts of Aylin, but Halla assured me that she would return unharmed. My heart swelled with pride as Halla told me of how Aylin stood up to her father and renounced him as her father.
“Listen!” I whispered as I heard the twig breaking, my hand resting on her shoulder as I was prepared to protect her if needed. “Those footsteps are unlike any beast I have heard,” I whispered as my eyes scanned the dense snow-covered trees for what might be stalking around us.
“I have heard these steps before, Sir Daegon. A man-wolf is stalking us.” She whispered as I noticed her hand gripping the handle of her spear as she stood, my heart racing as I felt a pair of glowing yellow eyes on me. Were her tales of a man-wolf true? A wolf who could transform into a man, a man who was not indeed a man.
I froze in my boots as I watched a prominent figure slowly enter the clearing, a giant wolf with piercing golden yellow eyes and fangs so big its mouth barely closed. It was unlike any beast I had ever seen with my own eyes, the sheer size making me feel weak and fearful.
“Stay here—do not move,” Halla said as she dropped her weapon and slowly stepped from behind the large tree we were using as cover. My hand slapped away from hers as I tried to grab her. I feared that if this wolf struck her, I could not save her, and my life would be forfeit.
“I saw you before—lurking in these dark woods. I have seen the man that you become.” Halla said as she held her hands up, the wolf snarling as it turned to look at her, its eyes seeming to glow as I readied my spear for its head.
My heart stopped as the wolf roared and scratched at the ground, my instincts taking over as I stood and bared my teeth. “DAEGON! NO! Put it down!” Halla yelled as she took my spear and tossed it, my heart racing as I locked eyes with the beast. He snarled and growled at me as I pushed Halla behind me, her strong hands pushing me aside as I feared for her life more than mine.
In the blink of an eye, the beast fled. Halla called after it as I grabbed her cloak and pulled her back. My eyes went wide as she angrily punched my stomach, a part of me was shocked that it hurt. “STOP! Just leave him be, you stubborn female!” I gasped as her punch took the very air from my lungs.
“There is a man in that beast! I saw it with my own two eyes!”
“I believe you, Halla, but you cannot go running off into the wood!” I growled as she huffed and grabbed her spear, her anger short-lived as she spotted a giant rabbit. We traveled back to her home in silence, guilt rising inside me as I knew I was being overprotective since she could defend herself.
“Why did you want to help that beast?” I asked as she slowly stirred the stew, as I peeled some fresh potatoes. She stayed silent for the longest time before finally speaking. Halla was a proud female, and I knew she was angry with me for treating her so frail.
“I care for all the creatures of this world who cannot help themselves, Sir Daegon. Inside that beast lies a man who is afraid but also kind.” Her words were valid, but still, I was not too fond of the idea of her chasing a beast alone. My ears perked as I heard a branch crack loudly outside. I grabbed my dagger and rushed to the doorway, a figure moving by the small shack that held the seeds and tools Halla used to garden.
“WHO IS OUT THERE!” I called as I watched a tall figure emerge from the shack, my fears easing as Krim, a young but fierce warrior, caught my gaze. He was tall and slender, but his body held more muscle and strength than most. Many maidens threw themselves at him, orc and human, but Krim had never felt the pleasure of any female. I knew that other warriors mocked him for it.
