Page 34 of To Love A Monster
I put my hand up as I did not want to know more, for I felt that knowing too much about fate was dangerous. “Thank you, Necromancer. I will forever be grateful for all that you have done.” They tilted their head slightly bowed, my mind calming as I suddenly felt foolish, forever fearing them.
“Why did you curse Soryn?” Halla blurted out as the Necromancer slowly turned to face us, my mouth drying as I feared they were now offended.
“Soryn came to me a cruel and merciless beast. I simply made his outside reflect what was in his heart, so when enraged he becomes the monster that he is.”
“Will you ever lift the curse? If he learns to love?”
“The curse will lift when Soryn loves and cares for someone, more than he loves and cares for himself. Soryn has been cursed for over a century and in that time, has remained selfish and uncaring of others. Soryn was once fated to be King of all that you see, but his pride and hatred of those unlike him are why I cursed him.” Halla nodded as she understood, the Necromancer fading away as they walked into the trees away from the clearing.
“Why do others fear the necromancer?” I asked after several moments of silence as I helped Halla pack up everything for our journey home.
“If you are pure of heart in your intentions, the Necromancer can be kind and almost gentle. If you are like Soryn or those that come with darkness in their hearts, they are cruel and merciless. Do not fret about such things, Aylin. We must hurry back to the village; I am sure that chaos and confusion ensued. If Daerla now lives, the others will no doubt be frightened.
DAEGON
My cheeks felt cold and sticky from my tears as I held my mother’s cold, lifeless hand in mine. I was worried for Aylin, but I knew that if Halla was by her side, no danger would meet them. My heart ached for my fallen mother and for my mate. I knew my words pierced her heart like a dagger, and I was a terrible brute for getting so angry. It had been over a day since my mother’s death, and it still did not feel real. It felt like a nightmare.
A shiver ran down my spine as my eyes turned toward the embers in the firepit. As my father’s hut shook from falling snow again, my breath showed in the wind. My father had barely uttered a word. I could not fault him for that. If I had truly lost Aylin, my body would shrivel, and I would refuse to live without her.
Without warning, a loud gasp filled the air, followed by my father stumbling up from his chair and into me. His face was contorted in shock, and my eyes widened as I saw my mother slowly sit up from the bed, her eyes full of confusion as she looked over her body as if it was strange to her.
“Mo—mother?” I stumbled to say as my father stood frozen entirely in confusion and fear. “Mother?” I took her hand in mine; the warmth returned to her body and the life to her eyes.
“My son.” She whispered as she hugged me tight, tears flooding my eyes as I held her. My father wasted no time in pushing me aside to hold his mate. I slipped from their hut and ran my hand over my face, smiling as I called everyone to join me. Their eyes were confused, and the rumors had begun to swarm once they learned of Halla and Aylin’s intentions of seeking out this Necromancer.
“My mother, Daerla, was once again given life. The Necromancer has given her a second chance.” The gasps filled the cold air around me as the whispers began, whispers that needed to be stopped before they became lies and rumors. “Speak your thoughts,” I commanded as I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for others to quiet.
“This magic, it is dark, Chief Daegon. Is that truly your mother? Or is it a dark creature from the depths?” I bared my teeth at such a comment, especially from a young warrior barely out of his mother’s hut.
“Have you not listened to the stories that Halla has told? This is no dark magic! This is a gift given to my mother by my mate! Do you think Aylin or Halla would risk dark magic in this village on my mother? How dare any of you question their loyalty.”
“Forgive me, my Chief. I meant no harm in my words.” Umakk, the young warrior said as he bowed his head out of respect. I nodded my head just as my mother and father appeared behind me, my arm going around my mother’s shoulders as onlookers gazed at her in awe and wonder.
“Chief Daegon, may I speak with you?” A voice said beside me as I turned to see Soryn standing by my father, my anger returning as I tilted my chin up and motioned for him to meet me by the central fire in the middle of the village. I stood tall and crossed my arms, my brow low as I wanted him to see how angry I was with him.
“I know that what I did was wrong, but it was also right.”
“Right? What was right about telling my mate while she was carrying my unborn child where to find the Necromancer? Do you not see the snow as it falls? What if Halla could not find her, or what if—some other beasts were to kill her?” I bared my teeth as he stepped back in fear, my heart racing as I knew not to tempt him.
“Aylin came to me in such desperation. I do not know what you said to her, but when I saw the look in her eyes.” He trailed off as his voice cracked, his reaction surprising to me. I was uneasy about Soryn, but Halla was right. I was being far too unfair to him.
“There was a time, Daegon, when I would cut down Orcs like you simply because it brought me joy. I slaughtered every orc that I saw, including children. The blood of your ancestors is on my hands, and every single one of them had that look of desperation in their eyes before I killed them. I had to help her, I had to give her mercy for all of those whom I refused it. I have lived in anger for hundreds of years, and now I have a chance to atone for each life that I have taken. I watched as his eyes wandered back to the crowd, his eyes falling on a young maiden with long golden curls fell about her shoulders.
“Oriana, why has she caught your eye?”
“She knows what I am, and she did not run from me or look at me any different.” I glanced over once again as I saw Oriana glancing in our direction, her head swiftly turnings as she saw my gaze. “Of all the maidens who have come to me seeking a friendship, she was the only one who caught my eye. I remembered your words about not seeking out a mate, so I would simply work and stay silent as she talked. Five days ago, she came to my door to give me some bread and mutton but was met with a monster.” I motioned for him to walk with me as others started to join them, and Daegon hated prying ears and eyes.
“How did she know it was you, did you transform in front of her?” I asked as we neared his small home.
“Over the centuries, I have been able to control my animal urges when I am the wolf, so I knew it was her even transformed. Oriana said that it was my eyes that gave me away.” He smiled as he remembered a part of me wanting to keep Oriana far away from Soryn for fear he would hurt her. “She did not run; she did not scream but she reached out her hand and touched me. A gentle caress that made me remember the warmth of a woman. I ran off into the night and when I returned, she had laid out clothes for me and warmed some stew.”
“How do you know she will keep your secret? How do you know, Soryn?” I did not know Oriana well, but I knew that her father was held in high regard by Fairhorn. If anyone got wind of what Soryn was hiding, I knew they would want him dead.
“She came to see me before the village awoke, and I confessed who I was and why I was cursed. Oriana is like no maiden I have ever met before, Daegon but I fear her. What if I am not worthy of a mate, of love, or any kindness? What if I can never truly love another, and break this curse?”
“If Oriana were in danger right now, and her life was about to be forfeit, what would you do?” I asked, knowing his answer would give me more insight into how he truly felt about Oriana. I wanted to trust Soryn. I wanted to have him as a trusted friend and not see him as a burden.
“I would throw myself on my sword if it meant she would be safe.”
