Page 10 of To Love A Monster
“Aylin?”
“What have you done with the guards?” I whispered nervously as I saw them lying unconscious outside my chambers, my mouth dropping open as I watched her grab the guards by a leg and effortlessly pull them inside and out of sight.
“There is not much time, but I am here baring news about your mate; Daegon is alive. If you wish to be united with him again, you must come with me quickly.”
“Alive? Are you the dwarf that Ivasaar spoke of?” My heart raced as the woman took my hand in hers, my legs weak as she pulled me from the chambers. She raised the thick red wool blanket that covered her large cart, her hands motioning for me to slip into the open space underneath.
“We will have time for formalities later. Now please get inside my cart and stay silent. The guards will awaken soon.” Her words filled me with hope and put me at ease as I carefully slipped under her cart, ensuring my gown and legs were entirely hidden before the cloth was replaced, blocking me from sight. “Stay silent now; if we are caught, it will be both of our heads.” Her words caused my stomach to knot as I held tight to the feather in my hands, my heart racing as I allowed myself to feel the excitement.
Was Daegon truly alive after all these long troublesome days of fearing that he was dead? My rescuer was unlike any woman I had ever seen. Something deep within my heart told me that she meant no harm. I knew this had to be Halla and that Ivasaar had kept his word. My father had forbidden Ivasaar from giving me any council, and there was no time to thank him for helping Daegon.
“Berries, bread, or fish, my Queen?” She asked as the cart stopped, and my mouth went dry. I noticed it was my mother’s feet by the cart, my heart racing as I pulled my knees closer to my chest and covered my mouth with my hands.
“No, thank you, dear.” She said as I watched a berry drop to the floor, my eyes wide as my mother slowly bent down to retrieve it. Tears welled up in my eyes as I pressed my hands to my mouth, worried that my mother could hear the very beating of my heart. “I will keep your father at bay, my dear child. Please never return to this Kingdom, and please forgive me. This Fortress is my imprisonment, but I am bound to your father and him to me. Do not ever forget my love for you, Aylin. Tell Daegon I am sorry for betraying him, but your father threatened your life.” Her hand slipped under the sheet, my fingers hesitantly taking hers as I could feel her anguish and a hint of relief.
“I love you, mother,” I whispered as her hand yanked from mine and the cart began moving again. My entire body shook with fear as we stopped several more times before I heard the heavy footsteps of my father’s guards.
My heart lept from my chest as I heard the loud rumble of the gates opening, her whistling easing my mind as we crossed the ice bridge that led away from the Palace. I could hear the low rumble of the cave beasts, but Halla’s stern yells kept them at a safe distance. The beasts reminded me of the foxes that used to roam the forests, but these beasts were covered in thick black fur and had dark yellow eyes and large dripping fangs. My heart began to ache as I realized that my mother would forever be trapped behind the walls of the Palace. Her bond with my father was far too strong and far too poisoned for her to risk escaping.
“We are free from the view of the guards, Aylin. You may step out.” The cloth lifted, my eyes hurting as the bright light hit my face. “Daegon is waiting for us just over this hill. Can you walk? If not, I can toss you over my shoulder.” She teased as my legs felt shaky, my fingers caressing my still-swollen cheek.
“You are very pale here—eat this.” She said as she handed me a handful of strange-looking berries, my hands shaking as I slowly devoured each of them. Moments later, I ran my hand over my cheek, the swelling disappearing almost instantly, and my body and mind felt instantly refreshed. They tasted sweet and glowed about them as if they were touched by magic.
“Those berries, what are they?”
“An alchemist’s secret deary, nothing for you to fret over. We must hurry. I can assure you that your absence will be noticed.” I did not press the matter of the berries, my heart racing as I needed to be back in the arms of Daegon, my mate.
“Wait—You are Halla, yes? There are not enough words for me to thank you in this world.” I grabbed her arm and welcomed her warm smile. I envied her strength and bravery; her bravery was something I wanted for myself. I always felt scared and shy in the ways of the world, but I wanted to be brave and strong and able to fight back when needed.
“Halla is my name, and you have no debt to me. If I save others from suffering my pain, I can rest my head easily.” I hugged her tight as she protested, her muscular arms pushing me away. I could not help but smile at her vigor. “Come now, Aylin—a very eager Orc is waiting for you.”
DAEGON
My heart raced as I looked at the top of the hill, fear slipping into my thoughts as I feared that Halla had been discovered. The plan was foolish, but she assured me they would never suspect her. It had been over three long days and nights since I had seen Aylin, my heart and soul aching to be near her. I had been away from my village and my people for far too long, but I knew there would be a grand celebration upon my return. My clan knew that if I was away for longer than ten days, that signaled to call for war on Oryndaas.
Aylin would be celebrated upon our return and treated to the finest furs, meats, and dressings that she deserved, and I would take comfort knowing she was safe with me again. I was ready for my clan and the villagers of Fairhorn to meet Aylin, for I knew they would adore her as I do. I feared that some of my past lovers would show jealousy toward Aylin, but everyone respected the purity of true mating. When mating was forced and faked, it was not uncommon for either to take a secret lover, but I highly frowned upon it in my clan.
My heart jumped as I heard Halla’s whistle, my heart racing as I finally saw them walking over the hill. I jumped to my feet and ran as fast as my legs could carry me, Aylin picking up the mud-stained gown as she ran down the hill.
I dropped to my knees as tears stained my cheeks, my arms open as Aylin embraced me, our cries and happy laughter filling the air as I hugged her tight against me. “My beloved,” I whispered as I kissed her lips, all my worries fading away as I kissed her over and over.
“I thought you were lost to me forever when they—”
“Shh, my sweet. We do not have to speak of such things. You are in my arms again; that is all I care about.” Tears stained her cheeks as I kissed her, my hand cupping her face as she allowed my tongue to slip into my mouth.
“Stop it.” Halla teased as she walked past us with her cart, Aylin blushing as she buried her head into the nape of my neck, her hands gripping my ripped tunic as she placed small kisses along my shoulder.
“As much as I would enjoy making love to you, now is not the time, my sweet.”
“I thought you were dead, Daegon, when they took you away—in those moments, I wanted to die too.” Her words broke my heart as I carefully wiped away her tears with my thumbs, her lips crashing to mine as I kissed her fervently.
“I will never again let anyone take you from me, Aylin, never again.”
We huddled in Halla’s small cabin until late into the night, the moon high in the sky by the time we felt it safe to sneak away under cover of darkness. “There is no possible way I can thank you, Halla, for everything.”
“There is no need to thank me, Sir Daegon. I am sorry I am forcing you and Aylin out of my home, but the guards will look at me first.” She said as she whistled a unique tune, a regal brown and white spotted horse trotting over almost instantly. My heart sank when I remembered that the guards had killed my precious horse Vazan, a steed that I had been by my side since I was a young warrior.
“You are welcome among my people. I will tell my entire clan and others about your bravery and selfless act of courage. You will forever be a friend to the Ironshield clan.”
