Page 4 of To Love A Monster
I couldn’t help but smile as I walked into the large blacksmith fort, the air hot and filled with the smell of fire and ash. I grabbed a large hammer and slammed it down on the anvil, causing my father to yell and drop the sword he was repairing.
“DAEGON! Must you be such a child!” He teased as he picked up the sword and placed it on the large table, his brow stern as I leaned in to embrace him. My father is a full-blooded orc, a large former warrior that stood at my height. Even at his age, my father was one of the most giant orcs in our village, but he had a kind and gentle soul. Like me, he had long black hair that fell down his back but always kept it in a tight braid, but unlike me, his tusks were long, sharp, and brutal. My mother would often tease that kissing him was dangerous since his tusks would repeatedly stab her cheek.
“What brings you to me, my son, your mother tells me you have finally met a young maiden that captured your heart.” He said with enthusiasm. I knew that once I told my mother of my secret, it would not be long before it reached my father’s ears, but it was other ears I feared. I feared that if the great Elven King found out I was planning to take his daughter as my mate, he would bring a ruthless war to the clans.
“I have. A beautiful maiden with long dark hair and eyes that my soul gets lost in.” My father smiled and invited me to sit while he worked, my mind racing with many questions. “Father—when you met mother, was it like your soul was shaken? When I first laid eyes on Aylin, it was as if the very world had disappeared around us, as if we were the only two left. I cannot stop thinking of her, and all I want is to be by her side every moment.”
“I know all too well that feeling, my son. Have you forgotten the story of how I met your mother?”
“Yes, you were stealing her horse.”
“I was not! I was—borrowing it. She tracked me to my hunting sight and held a knife to my throat as I slept. The moment I opened my eyes was the moment I fell in love with your mother. She was mate. I knew in those first few moments she was to be the mother of my child and the only woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my days.” I loved hearing the story of how my mother and father met, my heart soaring as I hoped one day to tell my children of the day I met their magnificent mother.
“How long did you court her before you took her as yours?” The topic of sex was not a forbidden discussion among my people as it was with humans; it was often celebrated among the clans. I knew I wanted to take Aylin to my bed and claim her as my mate, but she was not ready. Her gaze upon me still held a slight fear.
I knew she feared my size, for when she slipped her hand into mine, my thumb was the size of her palm. I had bedded many maidens but had never taken a virgin into my furs. I knew that my mother’s words would one day ring true. She warned me that taking so many women to my bed furs would taint them.
“Your mother was very shy of me at first. It took so long for her to kiss me, so taking her to my furs took almost four moons. But as you know, you were conceived that very night.” Your mother loved carrying you in her belly, and she would often make me rest my head against it so I could feel your kicks.”
“Mother is often sad when I ask her about such things.” I knew why since she almost died of a horrible fever after giving birth to me. After that, my mother could carry no more children, leaving me as their only child and only heir.
“I am worried that Aylin will not be able to carry my seed, father. Her father is a great Elven King, Paeris, and her mother is a simple human. What if my child takes her life?” I asked fearfully as I stood; my father placed his hammer down as he motioned for us to go outside. We walked to the edge of the village till there were no more prying ears. My thoughts were unable to still as all I could think of was Aylin. I was craving to be by her side, even for a moment. I took in the sight of the plains and the mountains in the distance; the beauty of this world was something to be admired.
“I understand your concerns, my son, but even a great King cannot deny the love I know you feel for your mate. It’s a love that cannot be explained, and it will not be denied. You know that our customs would have you asking for her father’s blessing and her mother’s. Daegon, this is not a simple matter as it was with your mother and me, for the father of your mate loathes our very existence.
“I know, father, and I know that the King will not take kindly to an orc mating with his child, but she was conceived against the former King’s wishes and hidden from Paeris. What if asking for her hand causes her to be taken from me, Father? I could not live without her, and I will not.” My heart raced at the thought of Aylin being taken from me, but I knew I had to ask for her mother and father’s blessing, despite how it endangered my and my people’s lives.
~~~
THE NEXT DAY
My heart nearly lept from my chest as I looked up from the many flowers to see Aylin and another woman walking from the forest. I wanted to rush and embrace her, but I stood tall and pushed my thick braid over my shoulder, letting it rest on my back. I wanted her mother to know that Aylin would be well taken care of by my people and me. I also wanted to reassure her that she was welcome as well. I had worn my new dark green tunic and black breeches, my mother assuring me that my old ones were far too tattered to gain Aylin’s mother’s approval.
“I am so happy to see you, Aylin.” I took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles, a gesture I hoped would be seen as worthy.
“And I am happy to see you, Daegon. This is my mother, Valaris.” I bowed my head towards her and offered her my hand, a small hope rising in my heart as her hand took mine.
“It is an honor. As I am sure Aylin has told you, my intentions with her are pure and void of regret. I wish to court your daughter until she is ready to be with me, but if it is your wish for her to be with another, I will respect it.”
“I have kept my daughter hidden for too long and will not deny her to you, Chief Daegon. She has my blessing if it is her wish to live among you and your people.” Aylin smiled and hugged her mother tight, my heart racing as I knew that now we had to make the short journey to the Oryndaas. It was a two-day ride towards the great ice Kingdom, but my worry was not the caves’ beast but the King on the throne.
WICKED WORDS
AYLIN
"What troubles you, Daegon?" I asked as I looked up at him, my body tucked nicely against his as we shared his lovely horse for the journey to the mountains. We had been traveling for a full day and rested for a night, my mother growing quiet as I could feel her reluctance to see the King.
"I fear that you will be taken from me, Aylin. If that were to happen, I would call for war to bring you back home to me."
"You would court war for a simple peasant?" Daegon pulled on the reins of his horse and looked down at me with a stern expression, a smile moving over his full lips as he leaned over and kissed my head.
"You were never a peasant, my sweet. You have always been mine, as I have truly always been yours. When two souls mate, the bond is stronger than any union. The women I have taken to my furs were peasants and meant nothing to me, but a means to satisfy my lust. I would die for you, Aylin." His words were blunt and honest, and I knew the bond that Daegon spoke of since I, too, knew that I would give my life to save his.
