Page 1 of To Love A Monster
Meeting Among the Flowers
"Why are you still here?" I huffed as I slipped from the furs of my wooden framed bed, the human woman still lying naked as if she were in her own home. Taking Viessa to my bed was a mistake, but I had grown so lonely that I took her to my furs in a time of lustful desperation. She was plain to look at, and my cock had slid perfectly inside her, but she was vain and cared only about status. Mating with an orc was a high honor among the humans of the tiny village of Fairhorn, but I was not going to be taking her as my life mate. She was not worthy of my seed.
I did not want to force mating as others had in my clan. Several of my warriors had grown tired of being unmated, so they forced their mating with fake feelings. When the soul truly takes a mate, the bond is forever. The bond is so strong that nothing can break it, even death. I refused to force my feelings on a maiden that was not worthy of me, and some called me foolish and prideful.
"I am sorry, Milord—I was wrong to sleep in your furs." She said in a hurt tone that was meant to be a stab at my heart, but I ignored it, flipping my long raven hair off my shoulders as I looked away from her. She was not a plain-looking maiden, but she did nothing for me other than milking my cock with her mouth and cunt. I was not a vain orc, but I knew that most human females found me desirable. My skin was a soft blueish-green, and my facial features resembled more of my human mother than my father with his overly large brow and large tusks. My ears were pointed and adorned with several bones and gold piercings, and my hair fell down my back, resting just above my waist.
I braided my hair and allowed it to rest over my shoulder, my cuffs going over my wrists as I knew I needed to see the leatherworker, Tarod. They were old and starting to frill, making them almost useless. The cuffs represented my station as Chief of my clan, a position I inherited from my father, Rogon. I was the youngest in the history of my Ironshield clan to be named Chief, and it was an honor that I wore proudly.
I waited until Viessa left to throw on my leather tunic and breeches and loincloth, my boots going on after I strapped my leather harness over my chest that held my small hunting knife. My large silver dagger sat nicely by my side in its decorated leather sheath. I knew the moment I exited my significant stronghold made from the kingdom's finest wood and clay; I would feel the judgmental eyes of the elders. I was supposed to choose a mate, and my mate was supposed to bear my child and give them the next heir, but none of the female suitors appeased me.
All the females that I courted did nothing for my heart or soul. My mother often told me of when she met my father; it was love at first sight. Watching their beautiful mating had given me hope that one day I would find a woman I love deeply and not a woman who only excites my cock. The elder often scoffed at me for my thinking. I knew not why they were against me wanting a true mate and not a poisoned bond.
"Brother." My closest friend Kaig said as he emerged from his small hut with his lifemate Ila behind him as she cradled their small youngling. I was so envious of my friend, but I dared not show him. "The elders are whispering, my friend. You cannot bring a maiden to your bed so freely—the humans they talk, the whispers and rumors are vast among the villagers."
"I know, I can feel the eyes of those who judge, but I will not go into this so lightly. You are lucky you found your lifemate. I feel—cursed to be alone." I did not wait for Kaig to answer as I jumped on the back of my trusted horse Vazan and rode away from the clan, away from their stares and the loneliness. It was a calm summer day, a good day to avoid my minor duties and take a moment for myself, for my peace of mind.
There was not a day that went by that I could avoid the judgmental stares of the Orcs of my clan and the humans of Fairhorn. I did not rule over the humans, but the humble Mayor of the village was a trusted and dear friend. He did not look upon me with criticism but with compassion and understanding.
I rode for hours until the sun was high in the sky, the river rushing as I slipped off Vazan and allowed him to graze along the riverbed. I enjoyed the time when I could sneak away and be alone, but as I removed my tunic and harness and lay in the tall soft grass, my heart ached to have my mate by my side.
When I was still training to be a warrior, I would often daydream about meeting my perfect mate, but when the day came when I was named Chief of my clan, my heart remained silent. It did not race at the sight of any maiden brought before me. I did not feel the strike of love, as my mother would often call it. Each maiden (Orc and human alike) who was before, my heart remained calm. No sudden urge, as my mother called it, no need or want. There was only silence as my soul refused to unite.
I wanted to feel those butterflies, as my mother would say, but each time I would take the maiden in my arms, our eyes would meet—and I felt nothing. It was as if I were staring at the rocks on the ground. I shook those thoughts away as I rested my arm over her eyes, my body growing heavy as I allowed a much-needed sleep to finally take me.
~~~
My eyes shot open as I heard the soft singing in the distance, my heart racing as I knew I was close to the territory of the Nightfrost clan. They hated humans and saw them only as the enemy. At one time, the Nightfrost clan and my clan, Ironshield, were once united until the first half-orc half-human was born. The Chief's brother Kidada cursed the union. He took a handful of followers and formed the Nightfrost clan. They had waged war after war on the humans, wars that I was forced to fight—to kill my orc brothers and sisters when all we wanted was to live in peace with them.
For many months, there was a feeling of peace between the clans, but I knew the war was upon us. The Nightfrost was not understanding, and they took no mercy on the humans. The Orcs of my clan were recognizable by our bluish-green skin and often raven-colored hair, but the Night frost clan lived close to the Ice mountains of Oryndaas. Their skin was a dark blue, and their eyes were usually white, along with their hair.
My eyes went wide as I realized the voice was not coming from a member of the Nightfrost clan it was coming from a magnificent human with hair the color of deep deep-tanned leather. Her skin looked softer than any maidens I had ever seen, and her voice was more beautiful than a siren's. I removed my dagger and hunting knife, allowing them to fall next to me on the soft grass since I feared that my stature alone was already intimidating. I stood almost four feet taller than most human men and towered over any maiden.
I quickly pulled my tunic over my head, leaving my harness on the ground, my heart racing in such a way that I was sure I was dying. I couldn't breathe, and my entire body began to shake as if I was alone on the battlefield facing a legion of men. A maiden had never made my heart race, and I knew at that moment that she was mine.
Slowly approaching her, I noticed how perfectly her garments hugged her curves, her breasts so full and big that my thoughts caused my cock to twitch under my loincloth. She was not frail-looking like other maidens I had taken to my bed. She looked solid yet fragile with her delicate features and small button nose. Her corset and dress looked old and tattered, and I was more than confident I had never seen her in the markets of Fairhorn. For if I had, she would already be claimed as my mate.
“Hello,” My voice frightened her causing her to toss her small basket of flowers at me. I couldn’t help but smile when the flowers covered my hair and shoulders, a kind smile going over her soft subtle lips as my eyes slowly connected with hers. I shook the flowers from my hair and watched them fall along our feet.
“You are not of those –other orcs, are you? The ones that burn the villages and kill without reason.” Her words were full of fear, and I knew she was speaking of the Nightfrost clan, a fit of anger growing inside me as I wished in vain for their newly appointed Chief to stop this carnage.
“I am not. I am Daegon, son of Rogon, Chief of the Ironshield clan. I would never harm you, Maiden.” I assured her as I held my hand out for hers, a custom I hoped she was familiar with. I knew of most maidens who lived in small farming villages close to the Nightfrost clan, but I had never seen the beauty that stood before me. Her features were not typical for a human maiden. She was almost Elf-like with her piercing blue eyes and high cheekbones.
“Forgive me, Milord.” She said as I watched her drop to her knees, my heart racing as I knelt and offered my hand to her once again. Her hand slipped into mine with ease, my stature towering over hers as I stood tall, allowing her eyes to gaze over me. In those moments of silence between us, I realized my heart and soul were singing. This beautiful woman was my mate and mine alone.
“What is your name?” My voice was low as my eyes burned into hers, my heart still racing as I reminded myself to take a breath. She was more beautiful than any other maiden I had ever seen, my lips aching to taste hers and my cock ready to claim her; however, I knew if I were too ferocious, she would fear me. Some of my clan chose to be more dominant around their mates, but that was not my way. As Chief, I had to be strong and almost thick-headed to ensure the survival of my people, but when it came to my mate, I forced myself to be soft and gentle.
“Aylin, Milord.
“Please, call me Daegon. I am not your lord. Why have I not seen you, Aylin? I would remember a beauty such as yours.” My words caused her to blush as she pulled her hand from mine and rested it against her smiling lips. I wanted to make her smile more, and I wanted to hear her laugh and see her eyes brighten. “I am sorry; I never meant to embarrass you. I am so curious, Aylin; you are unlike any maiden of Fairhorn or the surrounding farms.”
“My mother had a forbidden relationship with the high Elf King Paeris of Oryndaas. I am the product of their love. My mother feared that he would steal me away from her, so she hid me away in the Bloodhill forest.” She pointed towards the thick forest of the ancient worlds. The forest was old and full of tormented memories of those who had wandered in and never returned. I gently pushed her long wavy hair from her face, my eyes wide as I saw her lovely, pointed ears, the ears of the high elves.
“What is the Chief of the Ironshield clan doing so far away from his people?” I opened my mouth to answer when I heard her name being called on the wind by a soft motherly voice. “Oh no! If my mother sees me speaking to you, she will keep never letting me venture out alone again.”
“Are you not old enough to venture out alone?”
“I have seen almost twenty winters, but my mother fears I will be stolen from her. My father tried when I was just an infant, but she managed to hide me away from his sight and the sight of his watchers.” She began to rush back towards the forest, and my eyes locked on her as I quickly followed. I felt anger as I found my perfect mate; she was running for fear of being seen with me.
