#monster stories

[just-some-trans-nobody]

(Nsfw)

Orc boyfriend who's really into breeding kink, but his human mate don't want/can't have children, so he just keep filling up his mate anyway

December Christmas Monster stories

December 4.) Orc Breeding

Orc boyfriend x gender neutral reader

Thank you for this request! Hope you and everyone else enjoys. This gave me way to much trouble, for some reason everytime I went to save it, it just wouldn't save.

Warning: NSFW, breeding, cream pie, unprotected sex, no prep before sex, mention of pregnancy, small amount of alcohol

Minors don't interact!

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Wanting to do something romantic for your boyfriend on christmas you kicked him out for a few hours so you can set everything up. He left with friends to go get drinks, promising you he would be back in two hours giving you plenty of time to set everything up. 

Spreading flower petals down on the floor from the front door you made a trail of them to the bedroom you shared with your large hunk of an orc you loved oh so dearly. Next you set up candles here and there letting their sweet aroma fill the air. Turning on the stereo you put on a long playlist of songs to get nasty too, you knew to put on an extra long one, Grogmar loved to take his sweet time having his way with you and you loved that. The last step was to put on sexy Christmas lingerie. It was lacey with fuzzy white trim, leaving nothing to the imagination. 

Picking your phone up you shot him a text to check and see when he would be back. Playing it safe you sent another text telling him to come alone for his surprise, you didn’t want to risk his buddies seeing you like this. You didn’t get a text right away so you set your phone down on the nightstand walking away just as you got a text back from him saying he had just parked. Going to the kitchen you pulled out two glasses and poured some champagne into them.

Hearing the door unlocking you picked the two glasses and stepped out of the kitchen right in time for Grogmar to open the door. His eyes looked to you and widened as he went stiff taking in the sight of you dressed like that. Grinning you struck a pose popping your hip out lightly. “Merry christmas~” You purred while holding up one of the glasses for him. Stepping inside he closed the door not breaking his stride as he approached you. With one hand he took the glass from you, his other hand going to your ass. His hand covered all of your cheek with it’s large size. “Now this is a merry christmas. Might be my favorite gift so far.” He chuckled, leaning in catching your lips with his in a heated kiss. Moaning against his lips you pressed your body against him feeling that he was already growing hard. Pulling away he trailed kisses down to your neck, his tusks rubbing against you as he kissed you like a desperate man. “Let’s take this to the bedroom.” You moaned as he continued to attack your neck in kisses. 

“Can’t wait that long.” He mumbled against your neck before he hosted you up in one arm. Carrying you to the table he set you down on the edge before setting his glass down next to you. Watching him step back you brought your own glass up to your lips taking a long sip as he fumbled with his pants. “So eager to use your gift hmm~?” You teased watching as he finally got it off. “Always eager when it’s with you.” Grogmar said as he stepped in between your legs going back to kissing you neck drawing a moan from your lips. His hands gripped your thighs rubbing them at a rough pace as he gave them a squeeze. Moaning he grinded against you wanting any sort of friction. “Grog please.” You whispered, leaning your head back. “Please fuck me, fill me up with your cum.” You knew how exactly to push his buttons, you knew just how much that would rile him up and it did. Groaning against your next he pulled your legs open wider as he pushed his wide tip into you earning a moan from you. Grabbing onto his shoulders you had to hold onto him for support as he pushed more of his cock into you. No matter how many times he had taken you he was always just so damn big, he had to be careful at the start.

Panting you pressed your head against his chest, a soft whine leaving you as he stretched you open wide. “Doing so good for me baby, gonna fill you up so much. Yer gonna look pregnant once I’m done with you.” Grogmar knew that was impossible but the thought always got him hot and bothered. It rubbed a more feral part of his brain so nicely thinking about breeding you. Hearing your loud moan brought him back to reality, he was getting easily lost in the pleasure already. “You take me so well.” He moaned, thrusting into you harder causing you to cry out. “Oh fuck! Grog! Yes fuck just like that.” You screamed out not caring how loud you were getting, you couldn’t care less at that moment. His cock just felt too good, you didn’t think you could hold in any sounds even if you tried to. The wet sounds of his sloppy thrusts were barely covered up by the music playing in the background. “You love it when I pound you like this don’t you? You love when my cock stretches you so well.” Grog moaned, lifting your legs up onto his shoulders. Leaning down he pressed his chest to yours. His cock reaching into you deeper with his new position. Trying to answer him your words came out as moaning gibberish unable to talk as he fucked you stupid. “Gods look at you. The devinines would be jealous of your beauty.” He praised kissing your jaw. “Fuck! Grog!” Was all you were able to say as you let out a choked moan. “F-fill me up… Need it… please please!” You whined as you started to claw at his back. Grogmar groaned feeling your nails on his back, it was a good kind of pain he was more than happy to feel. He would gladly show them off if you managed to leave a scar from it, though it was unlikely to happen. You could feel his cock twitch inside of you as he grew closer to his orgasim, you were close too. “How could I say no when you're asking so nicely?” He asked as he started to thrust faster slamming his hips into in a unrelenting pace. Throwing your head back against the table you let out a scream of pleasure as you tightened around him cumming. Your tightness drove him to the edge causing him to cum inside of you. “Yes of fuck Grog fill me up with your cum!” You moaned encouraging him. Bending over you he grunted and groaned as he kept thrusting, riding out his orgasmism making sure he got every drop of his seed into you. Panting his hips slowed to a stop as he pressed his head against your shoulder. “Haa~ felt so good.” He mumbled gently rubbing your thighs. “You're always so good for me.” Grogmar praised placing gentle kisses all over your shoulder and neck. “Mm you do too Groggy. Now let's get cleaned up and unwrap the other gifts.” You said trying to sit up a little. “Did you forget what I said?” Grogmar whispered tusks grazing against your neck as he spoke. Confused and a little dazed, you looked down at him. Opening your mouth you began to ask what he meant when you let out a sudden moan feeling a harsh thrust. “You're going to look pregnant once I’m done and you don’t look pregnant yet so I ain’t done yet.” He explained, his grip on your thighs tightening again as he continued to thrust into you. Moaning you laid back down on the table more than happy to keep going. This definitely was your best Christmas yet.

#monster #monster fucker #monster boyfriend #monster stories #december christmas monster stories #orc smut #orc man #orc x nonbinary reader #orc x male reader #orc x female reader #orc character #orc x reader #orc x human #orc x you #monster x male #monster x female #monster x human #monster x male reader #monster x fem!reader

[justcallmeanobsessor]

-Puppy Love-

-Trigger Warnings: Dub-Con, Sexual Content, Animalistic Behavior, Slight Gore, Mentions of Blood/Claws, Pouncing on reader, Violence, Monster, knotting

-Pairing: Male Werewolf x gn Vampire!reader

INTRO:

His hot breath fans across my face. His heavy body lays atop me, warming my cold skin. His eyes look at me as if I'm his prey, entirely forgetting about the mangled corpse that lies just a few feet away. This look is one of a man that has been starved for years and has just caught sight of his favorite treat. It runs chills across my spine and I can almost feel my once pumping heart skipping a beat. This is wrong, so very wrong, it wasn't meant to be like this but how hard it is to refuse him when he begs me so earnestly with those puppy dog eyes.

The night was a full moon, the perfect time for a hunt, though the human that had caught my eye seemed to think otherwise. Instead it decided to make this way harder with running from me. ‘Great.’ I cursed with annoyance but before I could even go after the blood bag, a ball of dark brown fur barreled in front of me towards the panicking human. The human could barely get even 10 more feet away till it was caught in the teeth of the fury creature. 

To say I was pissed is an understatement. This mangy mutt just stole my meal right from under me. “Hey! That was my catch!” He didn't even bother to look up from what was supposed to be my drink for the night, instead he just kept ripping apart pieces of flesh and eating with no care for cleanliness, like some damn rabid animal.

I couldn't hold back my anger any longer from this insolent bastard. I walked up to him and with all my strength I ripped him off the mangled flesh, pinning him to a tree so we are chest to chest or more like my face to his chest. He was tall to say the least, I had to crank my neck back to meet his eyes.

I bared my fangs at him, hissing in a warning as he snarled a low grumble. “Get. Off. Me.”

His growled words did not faze me in my blinded rage. “That was MY catch, you damned fleabag!” I shouted at him, unable to comprehend my own anger and annoyance,  “You were too slow.” He smirked, baring his canines at me “That's your excuse!” This guy was pushing my patience.

“Food is food, I don't need an excuse to eat, angel.” I paused, the word of endearment he had called me caught me off guard as I stared wide eyed at him in silence, a warmth spreading across my face, most of me disgusted at what he had called me and the other half kinda lik- I quickly shook my head as I noticed him still staring at me with that stupid ass smirk. “Just! stay out of my way you mangy mutt!” “Anything for you angle” He winked at me as I let him go, shoving him a bit as I did so. He then left, without even another glance at neither the once living prey nor me.

—----------------------------------------------------

A month had passed since that annoying encounter and instead of staying out of my way, he seemed to be popping up even more. Always to intercept or disturbed my meals and always with that. Same. Stupid. Smirk. “Having a nice meal angle?” “To slow, again angle” “Fancy seeing you hear angle.” He's a pest that's what he is, a pest that I can't get rid of. 

I was once again back on another hunt that had turned successful. As I stood in the midst of the dark forest with my fangs deep in the neck of an unsuspecting human girl. Drops of blood ran down my chin as I drank my fill, humming with delight of finally getting something to drink after days without anything because of that pesky mutt. 

Sadly my peace was quickly cut short at the sound of rapid footsteps approaching and the heavy scent of musk filling my sense of smell to a point that it made my head spin and my mind turn foggy. I was brought out of my haze by the feeling of my back hitting the cold forest ground. A large frame was above me, laying all its wait on my body, pinning me between the ground and its warm body. Its pants brushed over my face with a scent of iron on its breath. 

As I looked up I was pissed to see the one and only smug ass fleabag laying on top of me. Though It took me a bit to notice that instead of having his usual smirk, he looked at me with a flushed face and begging eyes. It was disgusting how that cocky bastard could revert to such a state with no shame, has he no self respect? 

That thought was further solidified as he started to grind against me and to my horror, his length was already hard and prodding at my clothed entrance. He whined and whimpered into my ear. “Please, please, Please~” He begged over and over again. A blush now starting to arise on my cheeks without my wanting. The scent of him started to make ressisting become even harder as it clouded my mind. This was wrong, this was SO wrong. Our kinds are enemies, we would become outcasts if anyone ever found out but no matter how wrong it was, it just felt. So. Very. Right. So in my foggy state my resistance faltered and I said “Yes.” 

He wasted no time in ripping off every piece of clothing that was separating our bodies from each other. After throwing the tattered pisces somewhere behind him, he put his body flush against mine once again. His fur was softer than I had imagined and the scent of him seemed to be embedded into every strand of brown fur. He rubbed himself against me, scenting my body and providing stimulation to his weeping cock that hung between us, hard and much larger than anything I could imagine. “That's not going to fit!” I cried to him, he responded with licks to my face, cleaning off the blood from my chin. If this was his way of trying to comfort me it definitely was not working.My mind panicked, knowing that this was going to hurt. 

He positioned himself between my legs and with his clawed hands, pulled my feet to rest on his shoulders, bending me to better angle his head to my quivering hole. I had thought maybe some side of him was still rational and he would at least take it slow but I guess I underestimated his animalistic side, because within a few seconds he slammed into me with a forceful thrust, sheathing his whole cock inside of me with one movement. His hands held my hips to keep me in place, which further intensified the feeling of his length filling every inch inside of me.

My mouth had fallen agape in a silent scream. My back arching off the ground as he continued to thrust into me, not giving my body a single second to adjust to his size. My hands clambered for something to hold on to, finding the soft fur of his back and griping the fur with all my strength, pulling every so often, making a low groan come from the whimpering beast above me. 

He sped up his movements, thrusting into my depths like an animal in heat. I look down to where his cock is spreading to me only to see a bump from right above my pelvis every time he enters me. Just the sight pulls a moan from my throat. 

I throw my head back when he angles himself that hits a spot inside of me, immediately drawing me to an orgasam that leaves my body trembling with pleasure. My hole grips around his length as he continues to thrusts. I start to feel the base of his cock grow, stretching me even more and with one last thrust deep inside of me, he releases his seed with a loud moan, collapsing on top of me. 

Pants are all that are heard in the dark forest, his body rests on me as we come down from our highs. The knot at the base of his cock connects us and makes it impossible to detach from each other without something being damaged. After a few minutes he raises his head to look at me, a smirk back on his face. He moves to pick me up from the ground, my legs dropping to wrap around his waist. As he holds me to be level with his smug face. He says one thing that makes my whole body both turn frigid and go completely hot. “My Mate.” Shit.

#gore #werewolf #male werewolf #werewolf x vampire #vampire reader #gn reader #werewolf x gn reader #werewolf x reader #dub con #dark romance #forbidden romance #smut #monster #monster smut #fanfic #monster writing #monster fucker #monster fanfic #monster stories #dark smut #monster oneshot #oneshots #oc x reader #x reader #nb reader #divider by cafekitsune

[thefugitivesaint]

Thomas Ruzicka, ''Famous Monster Tales'', collected by Basil Davenport, 1967 Source

#Famous Monster Tales #monster stories #horror fiction #book covers #dust jacket #cover designs #ghost stories #spooky season #Thomas Ruzicka

[samwellwinchesterthebrave]

Are you looking for a spooky read? Do you like urban fantasy or monster stories? Do you like stories about queer ladies dealing with monsters and getting into (and out of) shenanigans? Check out Shadows and a Touch of Magic.

From shadows that can be savior or destroyer to the creation of the first mermaids, Shadows and a Touch of Magic is a collection of monster stories and urban legends featuring women who love women full of fear, of love, of the strange, and of the whimsical.

Read on for a snippet from each short story 💜

"As she moved to the center of the room, trying to imagine her furniture here and herself living here, a cold breeze ghosted across the back of her neck. It raised the small hairs on the back of her neck and goosebumps down her arms." - Widow's Walk

"They were there again. The shadows that seemed to dip, sway and follow after her. Nijah Khoury glanced back as the edge of one shadow seemed to reach out towards her." - Shadowdancers

"“So, you want to be healed,” Amrita said after another sip of the wine. “What will you offer in return?”

“Anything,” Machi begged. “Anything I have. Please.”

“I heal you, you give me your first child. Fair’s fair, right?”" - Promises, Promises

"Thrilled that she was still alive, Cecily twisted in the water to study herself. Her tail was longer than her legs had been. She could feel power coiled in the muscles and ached to stretch her new body out." - To Become The Sea

"It called to her, stretched out lovely fingers and tempted her in. A small smile tugged at Haley’s lips as she listened. It sounded like the melody was coming from the opposite way of the lake again." - Feast of Sorrowed Breath

"She could clearly remember the last time she’d been swimming, the sun shining down on the blue water like it was today. That was years ago, however. No matter how many times she came to this pier, she never dared the water." - Trapped

"Have you ever heard of the smile maidens? I’d never heard of them before my travels and, at the beginning, I’d scoffed at the idea of them. It seemed such a silly name for a supernatural force that killed people or stole their souls." - The Smile Maidens

#lgbtq #paranormal fantasy #queer characters #monster stories #urban legends #shadows and a touch of magic

[zacwuv]

When you hold hands with a monster, and you can’t stop sliding your fingers against the texture of the soft and leathery pads of their palms. A growl sounds beside you, and you stop, startled. But it’s not a growl. They have fallen asleep. You continue as you were, and they snore peacefully beside you.

#fantasy #monster romance #monster lover #teratophillia #fantasy romance #monster boyfriend #hot monster #monster stories

[netherworldpost]

Teacups

"I... I saw your light," the sea nymph said to the lighthouse keeper, "and I happened to pop by a bookstore, earlier this evening, about twilight," she rambled. "I picked up a book. Two, actually. But it's a bit dark to read out in the waters this late at night."

The lighthouse keeper, an ocean witch, smiled and invited her in. "I am glad you came by. I have two tea cups, but if I don't use them both, they get terribly dusty from time to time."

Quietly, as she stepped into the cozy room, the sea nymph agreed, "Dreadful thing, that, a teacup handle unhandled."

It began to rain.

A pattering, rhythmic, late summer rain, an early autumn rain, the kind that unfolds over the course of an evening.

#witch #sea nymph #monster stories #short monster stories

[monster-crave]

Master List

SCALED BONDS   [Multichapter, Lizardmen x Humans] - SFW, NSFW available on Patreon

MAIN STORY

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3 (early access on Patreon)

ONE SHOTS/SHORT STORIES

Happy Birthday - Dax/Lucy [mLizardman x fHuman] [NSFW]

First Meeting - Dax/Lucy [mLizardman x fHuman]

Lord of the Underground - Ty x Riona[mLizardman x fHuman] [NSFW]

BLOOD & BONES   [Multichapter, Original Fiction] - SFW, NSFW available on Patreon

MAIN STORY: 

read on Wattpad

ONE SHOTS/SHORT STORIES

Temple - Lyall x Eilis [mWerewolf x fElf] [NSFW]

Art

Characters Concepts

|Scaled Bonds|

Cal - concept [mLizardman]

Maya - Concept [fHuman]

Lucy - Concept[fHuman]

Dax - Concept [mLizardman]

Ty - Concept [mLizardman]

|Blood & Bonds|

soon

Werewolf lover

Lyall x Eilis

[mWerewolf x fElf]

Lizardman lover

Dax x Lucy

[mLizardman x fHuman]

Dax x Lucy Kiss [mLizardman x fHuman]

Cal x Maya

[m!Lizardman x f!Human]

Ty x Riona

[mLizardman xfHuman]

NSFW, Uncensored versions and more:

Patreon

#monsters #monster #werewolf #scalie #scaly #exophelia #monster x human #master list #monster stories #monster lover #monsterlover

[curseoftheundeadraven]

From Within Two Prisons

Part One

Male monster x female protagonist

NSFW

(I would really appreciate some feedback if there is anything I could improve on. Thank you!)

I am unsure how or why I descended the dungeon stairs with so little fear but descend I did. My fingertips slid effortlessly across the cool stone walls as I breathed in the scent of damp earth and moss, but it was interlaced with a more repugnant aroma. Quinn had been entrusted with guard duty and his general disdain for such assignments and penchant for falling asleep at any opportunity granted me the chance to proceed undetected. Silently, I ventured further into the depths, my senses attuned to every sound and shadow.

Peering into each cell, being careful to tread lightly, my expectations were met as all of the cells were empty. Even King Jasper, notorious for his apathy, deemed this place unfit for human habitation. Yet, it was not human life that compelled me to travel to such a place.

Eventually, I rounded a corner and encountered a cell fair larger than the others, standing alone at the end of a desolate hallway. A shiver traveled down my spine, though some part of me still thought the other maids surely were playing a joke on me, thinking me naive. Perhaps I was, or perhaps I was so incredibly lost in the exhaustive nothingness that was my life any chance at something interesting was worth looking into.

Drawing nearer, the realization dawned upon me that I had indeed stumbled upon something truly captivating. A dark blue figure perched upon a worn wooden bench within the cell gradually came into focus. The creature possessed a striking feature, impossible to ignore—a magnificent set of wings, nearly black, adorned with hues of deep blue and interwoven with scattered patches of dark purple. Yet, it surpassed any avian comparison in sheer enormity, likely almost twice my own size. It was not solely composed of blue feathers. Towards its face, a patch of grayish skin emerged, contrasting the vibrant plumage. Its feet bore imposing claws, each talon a force to be reckoned with, while its hands exhibited a semblance of human form, the feathers receding along the back of its palms.

"Bumbling humans, deluded by your self-perceived mightiness," mocked a shrill, almost metallic voice, piercing the air. Startled, I nearly leapt from my skin, a surge of fear coursing through me. I had never anticipated encountering a creature that could speak.

"I... I don't consider myself mighty," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. The creature abruptly lifted its head, granting me a glimpse of its face—a surprising mix of human and avian features. Dark feathers extended down its sharp nose, its features angular and pointed, accentuated by piercing white eyes. After a moment of silence, I somehow found the courage to inquire, albeit awkwardly, "You... can talk?"

The creature sneered, mocking my own voice with shocking accuracy though in a twisted, distorted tone. "You can talk?"

An indignant huff escaped my lips as I retorted, "There's no need to be rude," while the creature observed me, tilting its head in curiosity. "Though, I suppose I'd be rather sour if I were trapped down here..."

"Did you merely come to gawk at me?" it snapped, its voice laced with a mix of anger and frustration.

"Oh, no, absolutely not!" I hastily defended myself, feeling remorseful for my unintentional staring. "I apologize if it seemed that way…” I added sheepishly. I didn't mean to gawk...but he was truly remarkable. I had never beheld such beauty before. I could only imagine how his feathers would shine in the light...

"Why have you ventured into this place?" he demanded, his voice rough yet tinged with curiosity.

I confessed, "There's a rumor circulating about you... that the king has captured some... being of sorts." I chose my words carefully, not wanting to say anything unkind. He scoffed dismissively.

"Just what I needed," he sneered, disdain coating his words, "a swarm of bothersome humans sneaking down here to pester me." I approached his cell, raising my hands.

"I'm sorry. I didn't consider that. Would you like me to refute the rumors…so no one else disturbs you?" I offered, my gaze locked on his face, attempting to discern his reaction.

"I've had enough encounters with humans to know their words hold no weight," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom, each syllable burning through the air. I paused, contemplating his bitter response.

Then, in a delicate yet sincere tone, I asked him, "Have you ever encountered anyone named Analise?" His gaze lingered on me, his pupils contracting. I straightened my posture, nervously rubbing the inside of my palm with my thumb.

"No, I haven't. What does that have to do with anything?" he replied, curiosity mingling with the remnants of his earlier hostility. I shrugged lightly.

"It means you can't assume I'm like all the other humans," I responded, a faint smile gracing my lips. I continued, "Oh! I apologize, I never asked for your name." I awaited a response in silence, but none came. "...I can give you a nickname if you'd like."

"Nyka..." he finally uttered, the word trailing off as he muttered something about my being a nuisance.

"Nyka. I like that," I said, repeating the name softly. Then, searching for the right words, I asked, "So, what kind of creature are you?"

"What do you think?" he countered, in a tone that made it clear he expected a certain response.

"Well, many of the staff believe you might be a demon, but I know that's not the case," I replied confidently.

"And how do you know that?" he inquired.

"Demons are supposed to be terrifying, purely evil creatures. You, on the other hand, aren't like that. Though you are undoubtedly intimidating, you're not scary," I stated, nodding in affirmation. I witnessed a look of utter disbelief cross his face.

"Right," he said sarcastically, averting his gaze. Slowly, I approached his cell, my hands wrapping around the chilling steel bars, determined to prove the honesty of my statement. He turned to face me, briefly taken aback before shaking his head. Then, he stepped off the wooden bench, rising to his full, towering height. He stood before me, an immense figure nearly seven feet tall, body strong and muscular. Feathers adorned his form, leaving his chest bare, while his lower half was concealed by pants. Not that I cared about such details. He wore a scowl, anticipating my recoil, yet I remained rooted in place, my mouth agape, awestruck by his commanding presence.

"You... you're... wow, I mean... you're just incredible," I managed to babble, my cheeks flushing crimson. He lowered his face, drawing closer to mine, studying me intently. Then, as if struck by a notion, he reached toward my face, his massive hand cupping my jaw, tilting my head upward. He simply stared, his pupils dilating and contracting rapidly, while I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks. His touch evoked something within me, a magnetic pull. I yearned to run my hands along his magnificent wings.

"Not the slightest bit of fear…you are an oddity, aren't you?" he mused, his tone causing my stomach to flutter.

I didn't linger for long, fearful of irritating Nyka, and my nervousness only intensified with each passing minute. It took me a few days to find an opportunity to sneak back in. When I did, I was extra cautious, my apron filled with provisions. If a single item fell at the wrong moment, I would surely be caught. Approaching his cell, I could see Nyka immediately perking up as he caught sight of me. He stood and walked toward the bars.

"Okay, so I probably should have asked what you eat, but I brought whatever I could," I explained to a bewildered Nyka. Awkwardly, I held out my apron, offering him the food I had brought. He eyed me for a moment before reaching out to grab what I had offered, then settled on the ground. I followed suit, a wide grin on my face as I fought the urge to bounce up and down with excitement.

We sat in silence, and I allowed him to enjoy the food while I studied his figure and the mesmerizing beauty of his feathers. Occasionally, I caught myself staring a bit too much and quickly averted my gaze, nerves getting the best of me. After a while, he finished everything I had brought, and we locked eyes in silence.

Finally, he spoke, his voice filled with uncertainty, "Thank you," as if still questioning the reality of the situation.

"I figured they aren't feeding you much, but I'm not sure how often I can do this without risking punishment," I admitted.

"Are you a maid or something?" he inquired.

"...or something. I'm a servant, similar to being a maid…but not by choice," I replied quietly.

"Why?"

"To repay a debt that is not mine," I stated grimly, not wishing to delve into the details. It was a topic I preferred to avoid.

"Can't you escape?" he asked.

"I've witnessed enough failed attempts to know better. It's nearly impossible. Perhaps if I were as big as you I’d have a chance” I chuckled softly.

This routine continued for two weeks. Each day, our conversations grew more extensive, and each day, Nyka's demeanor warmed toward me. He even allowed me to touch his wings, which proved to be incredibly silky to the touch. I had developed a habit of reaching out to him whenever I could, whether it was grabbing his hand or touching his knee. At first, it startled him, but he quickly grew accustomed to my gestures.

"Do you know why they are holding you here? What their plans are?" I asked one day. His body slumped, and he hung his head.

"No, though whatever it is, my chances of survival are dubious," he mumbled grimly. A knot formed in my stomach that was nearly painful as I gripped the bars so tightly my knuckles turned white. I stared at his dejected figure, desperately grasping for any way I could help. I swore to myself then and there that I would find a way.

I hurriedly made my way down to Nyka's cell one fateful night, the darkness filling the corridors. The hour was so late that it was nearly morning.

"Nyka, I have a way to find out," I blurted out, causing his head to snap up in surprise. Though accustomed to my appearances, the urgency in my voice caught him off guard. He rose from where he sat and approached, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Find out...?" he questioned, his gaze fixed on me as I gripped the bars, standing on tiptoes to get closer.

"What they have planned for you," I explained breathlessly. He recoiled slightly, his expression shifting to a mix of disbelief and resignation. After a moment, he sighed and reached out to gently tousle my hair as sadness flickered in his eyes.

"How?" he asked, his voice tinged with dejection. I was reluctant to tell him the truth. I feared his reaction and the burden of guilt it might place upon him.

The truth was, I had a connection with one of the king's sons.

Prince Edgar, the second eldest, in his late twenties, was known for his... affectionate nature. While he wouldn't openly admit it, he had been involved with several female servants in the past that acted as his mistresses. Although this arrangement granted them better treatment, Prince Edgar was a drunk whose fondness faded fast, quickly tiring of the women.

"How?" he repeated, his eyes narrowing as his hand moved to cradle my chin, “…you don’t want to tell me…why?” He inquired in a stern voice. I froze, scrambling to find a more palatable explanation, one that would spare him from worry.

"...I fear you'll disapprove and try to dissuade me," I mumbled softly, unable to meet his gaze.

"Analise..." he growled suddenly, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I believe I can extract the information from one of the princes if I... play my cards right," I admitted before he recoiled, shock and disappointment etched on his face.

"You can't possibly—"

"No, no! Well, not if I can avoid it..." I sighed as he approached the cell once more. "He has tried to entice me into becoming one of his servants in the past. My intention is to feign consideration, suggesting we share some drinks together. Once he's suitably intoxicated, it shouldn't be difficult to extract the information I need."

"What if—"

"It will be fine, don't worry. I can handle myself," I asserted as confidently as I could muster, even as a pit formed in my stomach. I saw his mouth open, ready to argue, so in an attempt to divert his attention, I added playfully, "No need to get jealous," hoping to steer the conversation in another direction.

"My jealousy is not the primary reason I find this plan utterly disdainful—"

"So you admit to being jealous?" I interjected with a small grin. When our eyes met, I knew I had successfully diverted his focus. He looked at me with a longing that intensified, drawing closer. The silence that had consumed us seemed to last eons as he seemed to hesitate for a moment.

"If I were not confined to this cell, I would ensure you never desired another human lover again," he whispered in a low voice, avoiding eye contact. My entire body flushed with heat, and my breath caught in my throat. He studied me for a bit before he reached out, gently cupping my cheek, "You would like that, wouldn't you?" he murmured seductively, causing me to tremble. Unable to form coherent words, I nodded fervently, eliciting a chuckle from him.

He drew me closer until I stood right beside the bars of his cell. Bending down, he tenderly pressed his lips to mine, his hand entangled in my hair. After a moment, he pulled away, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Wait—" I called out, gripping his wrist. He looked at me with a slight smile, his eyes full of lust.

"And here I was afraid you might recoil from me," he said, inching closer once more. This time, his hands reached out, firmly grasping my hips and pulling me flush against the cell, our faces mere inches apart.

"Never," I whispered softly.

“...Perhaps I could please you more than any human man could even from in this cell,” he teased as a hand drifted down to my rear.

As our lips reunited, the sensation momentarily eclipsing the weight of his impending fate. The world around us dissolved into nothingness, leaving only the electric connection between us. With each passing second, his kisses grew more fervent, his lips grazing mine with a mixture of tenderness and desire.

As we kissed, he nipped at my bottom lip, a gesture that sent a surge of anticipation coursing through me. The feeling of his lips and his hands roaming my body ignited an indescribable ache deep within me. It was endlessly frustrating being separated so, able to kiss and touch but never in a way that would be enough. I was unsure if anything would be enough to quell the desire burning me to the core.

I pinched my thighs together as I felt myself growing more aroused, more desperate. I had wished for so long to feel his touch and it was just as enchanting as I had imagined it to be. Sliding his hands lower still, Nyka began to pull at my skirt and without hesitation I aided him in hiking it up. The moment the chance presented itself his hand slipped into my underwear, a small, gravely moan escaping his lips as we kissed again. He ran a finger over my clit and I whimpered.

“So wet, so quickly,” he chuckled, “you’re going to have to be quiet, can you do that?” He questioned and I frantically nodded, “good girl,” he whispered as he ran his thumb over my bottom lip before leaning back in to meet me in a kiss once more. As he did so he began to draw agonizingly slow circles on my clit as I squeezed the bars that separated us.

His touch ignited trails of electricity along my skin. He was strong and possessive. His free hand roamed my body with an insatiable hunger, seeking to claim every inch of me.

I surrendered myself to the allure of his touch as I felt more alive than I knew was possible. Soft moans escaped from my lips as every inch of my being begged for more.

“It’s not enough,” I whined as he began groping my breasts and teasing my nipples. As I felt two of his fingers press against my entrance a shiver coursed through me. He pushed them in at an agonizingly slow pace, but one I was grateful for as my body had to stretch to accommodate them. I gasped as he curled his fingers inside of me before pulling out and repeating the process. Nyka groaned, rutting against the bars.

“So tight, I’ll break free just to feel your pussy stretching around my cock,” he said as he slowly pushed them all the way in. My face burned, I had never indulged such vulgar language but hearing him say it electrified me, and I wanted more.

“Nyka,” I moaned as I began to be consumed by pleasure. He cursed under his breath as he began to pick up speed.

“Do you like it when I say such things? Like how badly I want to taste you and explore every inch of you…gently and slowly, just to fuck you hard and rough, making you cum until you can’t think straight…”

The struggle to remain silent became more and more challenging as waves of pleasure surged through my body. I fought to suppress the sounds that threatened to escape my lips, but struggled. He tenderly cupped my face, his touch both comforting and commanding.

"Sweet girl," he whispered softly, his voice dripping with desire, "though I yearn to hear the sounds of your pleasure, you must contain them. Cover your mouth, tightly," he instructed, his tone gentle yet firm.

I followed his command, pressing my hand against my face, determined to obey.

In that moment, as I surrendered to his whispered instructions, I felt a kind of intimacy I could have never imagined. His eyes, dark with desire, locked onto mine, silently conveying the depths of his longing.

With sudden fervor he picked up his pace, roughly fucking me with his fingers. I could hear the noises of my arousal and reached out, clinging to him in any way possible, attempting to keep myself afloat as I was flooded with such intense pleasure

I watched as Nyka rubbed his groin against the bars of his cell, desperate to get friction, to be freed and find purchase inside of me. It was completely overwhelming, my mind solely able to focus on him, how badly I needed him. He began stroking my clit and I could help but pull my hand away from my mouth.

“D-don’t stop, please d - fuck,” I whimpered as quietly as I could.

“I’d fuck you until sunrise if I could,” he stated before kissing me again. I felt tension gathering inside me as my mind started to become hazy, electricity coursing through me with increasing intensity. I covered my mouth again as I felt myself getting closer to the edge. I started erotically thrusting my hips against the bars as he continued to relentlessly finger my tight pussy. Nyka tangled his hand in my hair and pulled slightly, staring into my eyes with all consuming lust.

“Such a good girl, go on. I want to watch you cum for me,” he ordered in a sweet tone, which was my undoing. It felt as though the building electricity finally crescendoed as my eyes rolled back into my head. I pressed my lips together so tightly it nearly hurt. My mind was spinning, unraveling. Pleasure coursed through my veins as I knew he was right, I would never want a human lover again.

It took me some time to regain my footing in reality as I stood there attempting to catch my breath. But I wasn’t done, once he had licked his fingers clean I grabbed his hips once again. With one hand I slowly moved to stroke his clothed cock, looking up at him with desperate eyes. He stared back at me, nearly in awe, as he slowly moved to pull down his pants. I assisted as much as I could and though part of me was overwhelmed by its sheer size and girth another, much stronger part of me, yearned to give him the limitless

pleasure I had just experienced. I wrapped my hand around his length, which I couldn’t entirely grasp, slowly pumping up and down. I whimpered as I pulled his face towards me, kissing him greedily. It was then Nyka’s turn to try and maintain silence as he bucked into my hand, a deep moan escaping his lips.

“Someone’s eager,” he breathed out. I watched as his eyes widened when I began to dip lower, sitting down on my knees. I stared at him, how massive he was, and perhaps I would have been more hesitant had my entire essence not been consumed by my desire for him – as though it was my sole purpose. I licked the head of his shaft, tasting the precum that had begun to leak out. He groaned, gaze filled with an insatiable hunger, a testimony to his overwhelming lust.

“Perhaps you should cover your mouth,” I teased as I swirled my tongue around his head again.

“Perhaps,” he gasped out as I traced my tongue up the length of his shaft before slowly attempting to take his cock into my mouth. The stretch nearly hurt my jaw, but I was determined. His hand tangled in my hair as he rutted forward, his cock suddenly hitting the back of my throat. I moaned around his length, feeling that familiar electricity throughout my body, as my eyes met his. I silently begged him to go on, to use my mouth for his own pleasure and after some hesitation he pulled out before slowly plunging back in, hitting the back of my throat again. He began to create a rhythm, his eyes never leaving mine. I held onto the bars as saliva began to drip from my mouth.

Nyka's teeth clenched, as he fiercely battled his own desires. It was undeniable that his longing for me mirrored my own, an all-consuming force that bound us together. The touch of his hand in my hair and the feeling of his shaft on my tongue was perfect. In that moment this overwhelming passion became my purpose, my reason for being. Nyka, with his intoxicating presence, became the embodiment of my everything.

He released me momentarily, allowing me to catch my breath.

“Please,” I begged, “I want to make you feel good…I want to taste you,” I confessed.

“Everything about you makes me feel good,” he whispered, wiping some of the tears that had collected around my eyes, “I’m going to take you, some day. I’m going to fuck you as though I am dying and you are the only cure,” he promised in a low growl as he moved my head towards his cock again.

He began thrusting harder and with more speed. I did my best not to gag, not to make any noise too loud. I felt how wet I was growing once again, being used by him a sensation nearly too alluring. That feeling was not aided as he whispered sweet praises to me while he used my mouth. Eventually his thrusts became more erratic and sloppy as he held back his animalistic noises to the best of his abilities. I looked up, meeting his eyes and his grip on my hair tightened. Throwing his head back he nicked a few more times, his cum filling my mouth and gushing down my throat. Even his taste filled me with a great need for him, swallowing as he pulled out. I wiped off a small drop that had spilled onto my lips, sucking my finger clean.

As I stood he extended his hand towards my cheek, his gaze soft.

"I yearn for nothing more than to embrace you, to break free from this cruel confinement," he confessed, his voice laced with longing.

A quiet resolve swelled within me, and I responded, "I shall make it so," I promised. He looked at me with such powerful affection that it made my stomach flip. Our lips converged once more, a kiss that brimmed with tenderness. A fire had been lit within me, and I would stop at nothing to fan the flames.

#monster boyfriend #monster romance #monster lover #monster stories #monster story #monster x human #short story #monster fic #terato #exophilia

[the-blind-geisha]

Story commission price guide:

While I don’t have all the fandoms I can write for listed, you are more than free to ask if I can write to a specific one. If you think you can link me to resources about characters that might make it easier for me to learn about them and their world to write to, you’re free to do so! 

What your money gets you:

1,000 - $10

2,000 - $20

3,000 - $30

4,000 - $40

Every 1,000 words after 4K it'll be $10

>> Terms of Service <<

✨Artwork Order Form✨

✨Story Order Form✨

I accept USD through Paypal or Ko-fi only~!

Thank you for your interest~! I can't wait to work for you!

#i just feel people prefer a visual guide #so i made one on my vacation #commissions #story commissions #artwork commissions #fandom #artwork #fanfic #commissions open #i do offer payment plans for anything over 20 USD #anime #video games #fanart #fanfics #monster stories #monster commissions #furry #furries #anthro

[just-some-trans-nobody]

I just want a grumpy werewolf to look over to me and immediately start wagging his tail. I would melt if that happened.

#monster #monster boyfriend #i just want to cuddle a fluffy werewolf #i just want a werewolf boyfriend #monster fucker #werewolves #gay werewolves #gay werewolf #werewolf #i just think they're neat #i want a werewolf to hold me gently #i want to kiss a werewolf #i want to ignore all my duties and kiss a big werewolf #monster stories #man i love werewolfs #im weak to the thought of werewolfs #rant about werewolfs #werewolfs being cute #grumpy werewolf

[coopa-pooka]

Look look, ok, I know that for those with a particular monstrous tastes and most of us would fuck 'em, right?

But!...

I wanna know from you guys...

#monster #monster fudger #monster fucker #monster fucking #monster lover #monster love #human x monster #monster x human #monster bf #monster gf #monster boyfriend #monster girlfriend #fucking monsters #fluff #monster fluff #monster romance #monster stories #why have i done this #i'm hungry

[eerieluzt]

The lost neighborhood of Lincoln Way

Nestled away at the bottom of a hill in Clairton, the eerie little abandoned neighborhood of Lincoln Way had, in its later years, become an attraction for urban explorers and vandals. Consisting of about 30-40 abandoned homes, speculation on the internet about the reason that the homes were abandoned ran wild, and came to be unfortunately defined by an entirely fabricated and ridiculous story of a "Beast of Lincoln Way" terrorizing the residents.

Horror stories about how pets went missing, there being large claw marks on the trees outside of the homes as proof of the Beast's existence. However, the reality is perhaps more mundane and melancholy. While the history of Lincoln Way is hard to uncover (in part because of the aforementioned monster stories), the first reference to it was in local newspapers dating all the way back to 1910s. According to this excellent and informative piece on Grounded - one of the few recent articles that actually seems to have spoken with former residents to try to present an account based around facts - Lincoln Way was a "vibrant black community" inhabited by "a bustling enclave of large families that relied on each other. The street was home to a church and several stores. A butcher shop supplied meat from livestock raised behind the homes, and gardens and orchards fed the residents." What do you think? Do you believe the monster stories?

#spooky places #abandoned locations #dark history #abandoned places #history #abandoned city #abandoned #abandoned town #ghost town #creepy aesthetic #creepycore #scary facts #scary stories #scary #horror #monster stories #black community #person of color #black history #black history matters #black history month #dark aesthetic #eerie aesthetic #aesthetic #eeriecore #eerie #spooky #spoopy #tumblr fyp #fypage

[zacwuv]

Bishop from Carnival of Curiosities by Rebecca Massey 😜

This is 1/4 of patron raffle winners for this YCH! 🎉

#monster boyfriend #spider monster #monster stories #monster lover #monster romance #YCH #YCH commission #carnival of curiosities #in his web #fantasy art #hot monster #fanart #hot muscles #fantasy

[netherworldpost]

A Vampire, a Witch, and Two Pumpkins

The vampire sat on the porch, pumpkin in lap, knife in hand, carving by the day's dying light. Twilight had crested and what was left of the sun was softened by cloudmist, by the autumnal magics of the trees, by her wife's magic.

The witch sat next to her wife, carving a pumpkin of her own, a bit plumper and wider than the vampire's tall guord.

They'd chosen the two at a farm on the way home just the other day, wandering the wide pathways and vine-ways, chatting with the proprietor and other patrons.

The vampire eyed her wife's carving, scrutinizing it, before adding a sliver more detail to her own charge's carving.

The witch similarly took suit, attempting not to laugh as the competition heated up. More detail, more fuss. Sharper fang, spookier eye, rounder smile.

A small bucket, full of seeds and pumpkin strings and carved bits, steadily filled up.

A ghost, a neighbor and friend, floated by, watched for a few moments, shook it's spectral head, stole a bit of rind, and chewed it as it floated into the setting gloom.

#monster stories #vampire #witch #october #october witch #october 31 #halloween #halloween stories #autumn blog #autumn #ghost

[lazynightchaos]

Going back through old monster aesthetics I did years ago has me WEAK. So many good story ideas popping to mind 🥹

#monster love #monster #monster boyfriend #monster girlfriend #terato #teratophilia smut #storytime #monster stories

[curseoftheundeadraven]

Demons and Dandelions

Part 1? (sfw)

Summary: Cedar, a young witch living secluded in a forest which she protects, had been attempting to rebuild her life after a tumultuous two years. Yet, the chaos would continue as a demon, having escaped from his master, found his way into her woods.

(I accidentally made it longer than I had planned oops)

It was a familiar sight, me rummaging through the forest, especially during this time of year. But this time was unusual, as the sun had long set and the moon hung high in the night sky. I tended to forage during the day, but this was an exception. Sleep had been eluding me, as it did on occasion. I felt restless, a tense uneasiness surrounding me that had my stomach in knots. Once I finally accepted that no amount of meditation would be the answer to my problem, I reluctantly left the comfort of my bed. There was a specific mix of tea that often helped soothe me during nights like this, but as luck would have it I had ran out of fresh dandelions. I could use dried dandelion of course but for odd reason I felt as though I had to go out. With my shoulders slumped I fought through my weariness, donned a robe and cloak to keep me warm, and headed into the brisk chill of night.  Even through my drowsiness I knew precisely where I was bound to find dandelions, they flourished in my forest at this time of year. I walked near thoughtlessly – until my cloak caught on something causing me to slightly jerk back. I turned and to my surprise a fox held my cloak between its teeth. I knelt down towards him, reaching to see if he simply wished for me to pet him, but he shrunk.  He began to chatter quietly. 

“There is a strange creature nearby,” the fox warned. In this forest, I had many animals that aided me with my magic, and this fox was one of them. I tilted my head to the side. 

"What kind of strange?" I asked, curious and the slightest bit concerned.

“Hmm…bigger than you, much bigger. It has horns, – unlike that of a deer. Not human, not animal. It has a large mouth with sharp teeth, and it’s..."

"Alright, alright–" I interjected, trying to regain control of the conversation.

"–bleeding," the fox continued, undeterred. "It's bleeding, running, and hiding." The words twisted my stomach into a tight knot, a mix of concern and determination. The thought of something larger than me, wounded and fleeing, sent a shiver down my spine. Yet, in my forest, everything became my responsibility, even creatures that were neither human nor animal. I clenched my fist, feeling the weight of my duty pressing heavily on my shoulders.

"Oleander, come," I beckoned silently.

In an instant, my familiar emerged from my cottage, soaring towards my side. Among all the creatures that aided me, none held a deeper connection to me than Oleander. Perched on my shoulder, he took the form of a large black crow.

"There is a stranger here and they appear to be hiding from something," I whispered. "I need you to find out who or what that it is." Without hesitation, Oleander took flight, disappearing into the foliage to pursue whatever had entered my forest. I swiftly returned to my cottage, gathering a satchel filled with healing salves and potions, along with my spell book. My mind raced as I considered how else to prepare, which was difficult given that I had not the slightest clue of what I needed to prepare for…but if that unknown creature aimed to remain unseen, perhaps I should do the same.

Not long after I had finished casting a stealth spell I heard my familiar in my ear, or rather, in my head.

“Found something, look”. I took a breath before muttering the incantation, my eyes rolling back into my head. Everything went dark for a moment as I connected with him. Through Oleander’s eyes I witnessed the pursuit as he swiftly navigated through the night sky. Two colossal black hellhounds, their backs ablaze with purple fire, were charging through the forest, relentlessly hunting their prey. Which I assumed was that ‘strange creature’ – that was likely also a demon of some kind. The hounds were constantly stopping to smell and search in an attempt to find their target. 

My sight returned to my own eyes and I hurried down to my library, knowing it had to hold the answers I required. My mentor's expertise in dealing with demons was well-known, partially thanks to her penchant for creating substances that enticed them. It was clear that demons shared humanity's affinity for vices, if not indulged in them more. Luckily, her meticulous organization made finding the necessary book a swift task. Amongst the details on lesser demonic creatures, I discovered a page on hellhounds. It revealed that of the three most notable demon Lords or Ladies that utilized hellhounds, Issa'ri hunted humans for their transgressions, Zaga'tyl used hellhounds as warnings to her enemies, and Mea'not, depicted amidst a purple fire, was the master of demonic servants. Those who broke the Lords' laws or fell for his schemes became his pawns, lent to sorcerers, witches, and mages. Disobedience led to the merciless wrath of his hounds, and indescribable torture once returned. As the knot in my stomach tightened, I abruptly closed the book, a sense that I was about to make quite the foolish decision.

Heart pounding, I hurried across the basement and knelt, placing my hand on a specific stone brick. Recalling the incantation, the surrounding stones glowed and vanished, revealing a hidden compartment. Despite the foul scent, I kept these items, unsure of what else to do with them, as I was not keen on continuing my mentors business with demons. Three types of jars awaited me, their names etched into memory. Remembering their immense value but unsure of the specifics, I carefully wrapped three in a towel, more for my own safety than their preservation. Hopefully that would prove to be enough. The remaining two jars would serve as insurance for my sudden dive into dealing with demons.

Oleander, find the demon those hounds are after and then return to me.

As I ventured through the forest, tracing the path the fox had taken, I tried to recall my mentor's teachings about these beings. All I could remember was her warning:

If you show them that you are in any way weaker than them, they may devour you in an instant. No matter how flimsy your courage, act as though you are as solid as an oak tree. 

Her words did little to settle my growing unease. The sound of wings beating against the wind reached my ears, causing a lump to form in my throat.

“He has collapsed, this way” 

I followed my familiar with careful speed. We came to a small clearing where an old tree had been felled by a storm many moons ago.

“He hides there, on the other side”

I took in the deepest breath my lungs could bear before I carefully maneuvered around the tree. As I weaved through the vegetation on the outskirts of the clearing and climbed over its roots, I laid eyes upon him and froze—a demon unlike any I had encountered. Lanky and gaunt, his skin a mix of snow white and inky black, with the black extending from his limbs and forming freckle-like dots. His horns, four eyes, tongue, and even the inside of his mouth were all black. Struggling to breathe, his chest rose and fell rapidly, and one of his four arms bore a gruesome, gaping wound that oozed a dark red, far darker than human blood. As I attempted to inch closer, his nostrils flared, and I realized that my stealth spell had failed to account for scent. Yet, my spells rarely needed to counter the unique abilities possessed by demons. Raising his head, he scanned the surroundings, and a low rumble reverberated in the air.

"Run, human, or I will tear the flesh from your bones," he seethed in a twisted, gnarled voice, clearly attempting to instill terror. However, I remained unfazed. My gaze fixated on his wounds, and as I drew nearer, I noticed more. He hissed once again, and with caution, I emerged from the shadows, hands raised.

"We both know you couldn't even stand if you tried," I calmly stated. Anger contorted his face. He unhinged his jaw, nearly stretching his mouth from ear to ear. Undeterred and unafraid, my confidence wavered only when Oleander's piercing caw sliced through the air.

 I heard the pounding of paws on the dirt, my heart racing. The look on the demon's face revealed a deep-seated terror, beyond my comprehension. This, for some reason, added to my resolve. As the hounds approached, I positioned myself in front of the demon, drawing out my spell book. The hellhounds slowed their advance upon seeing me, growling and baring their teeth.

"Move, mortal, or meet a gruesome end," hissed one of the hounds, stalking forward.

"Stay back," I commanded, my voice unexpectedly resolute. I believe my ability to comprehend them took them by surprise for the briefest moment. But they continued to inch closer.

"I said - move," it roared, accompanied by a howl from the other. In that moment, I decided that if I were to die, I would face it without fear. And in that moment, I felt a renewed connection to my mentor. 

"No," I refused, tracing symbols in preparation within my spell book. Time seemed to slow as the first hound lunged at me. With a sharp exhale, I thrust my hand forward, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that knocked them back, sending the lunging hound crashing to the ground. They quickly rose, and the second hound spoke.

"You have no idea what you're doing," it rumbled. "That one belongs to Mea'not. He has escaped, and-"

"I will have him," I interjected adamantly, shocking the creatures into momentary silence before they erupted into shrill laughter. 

"With what, forest witch? Flowers?" one mocked, igniting a rage within me that surpassed anything I had felt before. Head held high, I took a step forward.

"What I possess in my purse is worth more than both your lives. Your master would surely skin you for it. So, I will make a pact with him. This demon will be mine," I boomed, though the words felt vile as they escaped my lips. I wished there were a less cruel way to accomplish my goal. The hounds glanced at each other before howling in unison, and smoke began to materialize nearby. The scent of sulfur hit me, causing a slight recoil, and I would be lying if I said it had nothing to do with my fear of facing Mea'not.

Fortunately, I did not. Emerging from the pillar of smoke was a small, at least by demon standards, demonic woman. Adorned in lavish attire, her skin possessed a deep blue hue speckled with gold, resembling lapis lazuli. A 'Sien, the only demonic lineage I was familiar with. She wore an expression of sheer boredom and regarded me with annoyance.

"My master does not appreciate having his time wasted," she drawled.

"Then I will make this quick – Marcia Nightshade, have you heard of her? Or rather, what she used to peddle?" I inquired, crossing my arms. I knew the answer, as that name was familiar to nearly every 'Sien and the other lower lines of demon nobility. Suddenly, the boredom disappeared from her face. She looked at me with skeptical interest. 

"I am her successor, and I hold some of her product in this bag," I stated, placing it on the ground and unwrapping the towel to reveal the jars. Her reaction confirmed it was more than sufficient. She smiled, though it failed to reach her eyes.

"This will afford you a demon far superior to him," she began.

"It's either him or nothing," I asserted, suddenly feeling empowered. Mockingly, she laughed and extended her hand, which I shook, sensing my energy being absorbed by hers before she released her grip. She gestured for me to look at him, and I obliged. His expression remained unreadable. The woman snapped her fingers, and a chain appeared around his neck.

"Must he wear that?" I asked, suddenly aware of how out of my element I was. She laughed again.

"Feel free to remove it, but know that it's the only thing preventing him from ripping your face off. Though, it won't do much more than that. You'll have to keep him in line yourself," she replied before turning to him. "And if you dare to flee again, know that we'll find you. And next time, there won't be a foolish little witch to save you." With a final disdainful gaze, she spat on the ground. Then, in an instantaneous moment, it felt as though an eternity had ended.

After the hellhounds were gone, dizziness overwhelmed me, draining my strength. I attempted to ground myself, focusing on my breathing, but a groan of pain brought me back into the present. Rushing to the demon's side, I retrieved supplies from my bag to tend to his injuries. As I reached to clean a wound, he gripped my wrist tightly.

"What are you doing?" he growled.

"I'm trying to clean the area so I can patch you up," I explained.

"No," he tightened his grip to make his point, "why did you make this pact?"

Sheepishly, I replied, "They were going to torture you, were they not? How could I stand by without helping? Let me tend to your wounds and then I will reverse the pact or find a way to release you..."

He lunged forward, his face close to mine.

"You are an idiot, a pathetic fool," he hissed. "I’m surprised you are competent enough to hold a spellbook. There is no releasing me. Once you let me go or perish, I will return to them. You're useless, as is this."

My heart sunk as I tried to maintain composure. I pulled my hand away from his grasp and resumed cleaning his wounds

"Are all demons such assholes?" I murmured.

He growled in response.

I stirred as the sun peeked through my curtains, and I attempted to shield my eyes from its light – immediately realizing I could not move them. I silently begged to the gods that this was not another bout of sleep paralysis. 

Reluctantly, I opened my eyes to find four unblinking, black eyes staring back into mine. The demon, who had refused to speak to me after last night's insulting encounter, hovered menacingly above me. His two arms held onto my wrists, while a scowl spread across his face, inching closer to mine.

"Tell me what this is," he demanded, his voice laced with attempted authority. I furrowed my brow. 

"What do you mean?" I asked, only serving to further agitate him. One of his two free hands grabbed my face, but his actions failed to elicit the desired effect.

"Is this his doing? Why would a witch as benign as yourself do such a thing if not at his request? If he is behind this, trying to trick me into a sense of calm only to break it away from me it will not work!" he barked, his frustration evident. 

“I-I have not a single clue as to what you are talking about!”

“Then what is this? What do you want?” He demanded. It was a valid question, one to which I had no immediate answer. The surprise of the situation left my mind scrambling to form coherent thoughts.

"This is rude, and I want you to let go of me. I told you before, I only wanted to help," I asserted while struggling against his grip. Feeling the sharpness of his claws against my skin, I seized the opportunity. Pushing my wrists forcefully against his claws, his hand jerked back. The collar that hung around his neck proved effective. With my hands now free, I traced sigils in the air, causing the ivy vines that adorned my room's walls to spring to life, entangling the demon's form. Taking advantage of the distraction, I slipped out from underneath him. Fortunately, he didn't resist the encroaching vines, his eyes tracking my every move as I stood.

Drawing in a deep breath, I exhaled slowly, regaining some semblance of composure. I reached for my robe, as I typically slept in minimal attire. My body tensed, but I refused to let his theatrics sway me. Once I felt more composed, I raised my gaze to meet his piercing stare, releasing him from the ensnaring vines. He remained motionless, his gaze locked on mine.

"I can't fathom what you've been through, and I don't blame you for not trusting me. If you're trying to force me to reveal some hidden darkness within me, I hope you'll eventually realize that I am not what you assume. And if this is what it takes to earn your trust, then so be it— I will play this little game of yours," I concluded, my voice steady. He pulled back, tilting his head to the side, emitting a low, ominous chuckle.

"Alright, let’s play," he agreed, his tone sending a knot twisting in the pit of my stomach. He attempted to rise to his full height, but his horns met the ceiling, prompting a hiss of frustration. He intentionally began to change his form to fit within my human-sized dwelling, though he still loomed imposingly over me – no doubt it was purposeful. His appearance shifted into a more human-adjacent form, featuring long black hair and a smaller mouth, yet his sharp, demonic features remained—claws, horns, and menacing black teeth.

Living on my own, secluded in woods could be a lonely existence, despite occasional visitors. Especially given it was still new, this being my second year of living in this cottage and caring for the forest by myself. As a result, I often found myself feeling terribly isolated. While I had entertained the idea of having someone stay with me, I had always imagined it would be a mortal, someone from my own realm. I certainly hadn't expected a large, furious demon to be glaring at me from the corner of my kitchen as I attempted to prepare breakfast. He stood there, observing my every move, as I walked over to my small dining table and placed two plates of food. I hoped a decadent breakfast might help soften him up even just the slightest bit. He approached with a stalking gait, sniffing the air before scowling.

"Before you label me an idiot, allow me to state that I am fully aware that demons do not require food for survival. I am also aware that they do sometimes eat food purely for pleasure," I explained, meeting his cynical glare. He retreated back to the corner, and I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

"You're welcome to join me at the table, and we can discuss this situation like adults," I suggested, attempting to temper my frustration. He growled, a low rumble emanating from his corner. After a moment, however, he reluctantly made his way to the table and took a seat across from me. Clearing my throat, I forced a strained smile.

"My name is Cedar. What is yours?" I inquired. He scoffed after a prolonged pause.

"I have no name. They refer to us as Se'iva," he stated, lifting a pancake slightly off his plate, sniffing it, and placing it back down. He dipped his claw into a small puddle of syrup, recoiling slightly at the sticky texture. I did my best to suppress a chuckle and I failed miserably, earning a sneer from him. As if he desired to prove he was in fact not afraid of it, he licked the syrup off his finger with his long, formidable tongue. I inhaled sharply.

"Well, do you remember your previous name?" I asked genuinely, although it seemed to have offended him.

"Don't be dull. Of course, I do. My name was Ashir'ezel," he replied. The name felt foreign as it rolled off his tongue, as if centuries had passed since it was last spoken.

"Ashir'ezel," I repeated. He pulled back slightly, suggesting that indeed, it had been centuries. "I'm not familiar with that lineage. What do the Ezel typically do?" I inquired. Ignoring my question, he picked up a pancake, elevated it above his head, and proceeded to devour it whole, unhinging his jaw in the process. Though not particularly large, I regarded him with a perplexed gaze. "Are you trying to frighten me or show off?" I asked, observing the syrup dripping down his face. I sighed and attempted to offer him a napkin, which he stared at as if it were an insult before opting to lick the syrup away himself. Silence enveloped us as I continued to eat while he made an even greater mess. Lost in contemplation, I finished my breakfast, only to realize that my newfound "friend" had vanished.

"Ashir?" I called out, my voice echoing through the room. All that greeted me was a faint rumbling. With a sigh I began to look around. Then, in an instant, darkness enveloped my vision, suffocating my senses. I felt my heart pounding in my chest but I was determined not to succumb to any tricks. With a deep breath, I gathered my resolve and slowly rose to my feet, ready to confront whatever horrors awaited me.

As abruptly as the darkness had descended, my vision returned, revealing Ashir's contorted face mere inches from mine. A bone-chilling screech tore through the air, sending shivers down my spine. Time seemed to stand still as my heart nearly stopped. But, fueled by pure adrenaline, my instincts took over, overriding rational thought. Without a second's hesitation, my fist collided with the side of Ashir's face, a strike that sent him reeling backwards, likely more so from shock than pain, as I was nearly half his size. 

As the impact reverberated through the room, Ashir's twisted visage dissolved, and he returned to his previous form. My eyes widened in shock and remorse. "Gods, I am so sorry," I stammered, guilt washing over me. "I didn't intend to... Are you alright?"

He stared at me intensely, his expression showing more confusion than anger. I continued to babble incoherently, desperate to make amends. "I'm sorry, let me get..." But before I could finish my sentence, I turned around, only to find that Ashir had vanished into thin air. 

I saw no more of him that day, well, not directly. I’d see movement in the corner of the room or feel his hands briefly as he shoved me or grabbed me, though he was always gone when I turned. This continued on to the next day, and the days after that. 

Each day, I woke up with unease, and had to remind myself to embrace empathy and understanding. Ashir's torment would take various forms. Some days, objects would be moved or sent flying, and he would physically jolt or trip me, of course, without being able to cause harm. He often tried to scare me in tandem, shoving me into walls and screeching, making sure to restrain my arms lest we repeat the past. Phantom sensations and mysterious noises also plague me. When all of those methods failed to affect me, he would turn towards cruelty. His constant mockery cuts deep, but I persist in choosing kindness. And thankfully, none of his meddling had found its way into my dreams. Which didn’t surprise me all much as previously, long before Ashir arrived, I had covered my room in every kind of dream protection and nightmare prevention magic I could. So at the very least, I was able to face the day mostly well rested. And over time, I found ways to combat his actions. When objects would shatter, I would smile and say they can be replaced. I'd cast spells of deafness on myself to counter the repetitive, maddening sounds he would create. I’d feign ignorance when he'd grab me, as though he must need something or is confused which amusingly bewilders him. I respond to verbal berating with kind words about myself and even about him at times. I try to do nice things, like creating a larger bed for him. He had been sleeping – well I wasn’t  entirely sure if he slept in the way that humans do, but he had been staying in my guest bedroom, and the bed was even smaller than mine so I couldn’t imagine it being anything but trouble for him.

“I made you a bigger bed, I assumed it was incredibly uncomfortable to sleep in that small one,” I beamed as I rocked back and forth on my heels slightly, “do you like it?” I asked him. His new bed practically swallowed over half of the room. He reached out and tested its softness before pulling back and crossing his arms. 

“It’s just a bed, why would I care about such a thing?”

“Oh,” I feigned sadness, “alright, I’ll get rid of it”

“Well - it would be an idiotic waste of time and energy now, may as well leave it” he huffed. 

I’m not sure when I noticed he was finally beginning to soften, as it came in subtle, gradual ways. His insults softened and his torment became more benign as time went on. Once, he knocked a glass over that ended up slicing my hand particularly deep, and within an instant he was in front of me, pulling my hand towards him and examining it. He let go the second I winced in pain. 

“How did that...how do we fix it?” He asked, eyes jumping between mine and my injury. A smile began to grow on my face as I carefully applied pressure to the wound. 

“We?” I quipped and he snarled, walking away. 

He began to grow more curious as well, it seemed that his watchful gaze went from sly and conniving to perplexed or intrigued. Sometimes he would even ask questions, and on very rare occasions he would answer mine. Of course, the second I pointed out his curiosity I was insulted or mocked, but it was still progress. We even occasionally had something that almost resembled full conversations. 

“Your mentor, she worked with demons?”

“Well yes, but she worked with a great many kinds of beings”

“And you do not?” He asked. I cleared my throat. 

“No, not yet. I’m still…figuring it all out” I said without meeting his eyes. Things grew quiet for a moment.

“Did she…?” He trailed off and I gave the slightest nod before I retreated into myself. Silence took over, a common occurrence with us, but this time it felt different, more tense. For once, he was the one to break the silence. 

“The Ezel,” he began slowly and I perked up immediately, “are soul collectors” he stated. I was stunned at the sudden openness but feared he would shut down if I showed too much excitement.

“Like reapers?” I asked and he shook his head. 

“The purpose depends on your master, some are souls that are owed to other demons…” he explained until it was his turn to trail off. 

“And the others?”

“Are used for their energetic properties or simply to amuse the demon in control” he stated grimly. He didn’t remove his eyes from the food, which he was not eating, merely poking at it as silence returned. I didn’t want to push him any further than that. And I didn't need to, his desire to open up to me after I had done so with him said enough.

There were times that it seemed he had gone back to his original ways, some days he was kinder than others, but to me it didn’t matter much. Each small sign of growth was enough to keep myself steadfast in my methods. But as we made progress it seemed that my turmoil was not over, even though it would have nothing to do with Ashir. At first, I started to fall asleep later and wake up earlier, becoming restless, but I did my best to ignore it. Even though I had a sinking feeling of what truly was going on. And eventually I could no longer deny it. 

I was lying in my bed late into the night after the third, maybe fourth time I had been hurtled back into consciousness by a night terror that I could not shake off. I suddenly felt heavy, as if I were sinking downwards. I pulled my knees into my chest and began to embrace the tears that I had been desperately holding back. It had been so long without issue, I thought I was finally free from it all just to be dragged back into the depths of my sorrow. I could still hear my mentor's voice, see her face - or at least the distorted versions my dreams liked to show me. It all replayed over and over in my mind until -

Tears streamed down my face, my emotions spiraling into a breakdown. I curled up on my side, as though it would bring me some sense of solace. Lost in my despair, I registered the subtle dip of the bed and braced myself for Ashir's usual biting remarks or attempts to startle me. Surprisingly, he remained silent.

Curiosity eventually got the best of me, and I lifted my head to find him perched at the foot of my bed, his presence resembling that of a gargoyle. Normally, I would have found it amusing, but in that moment, my sorrow overshadowed any humor. When our gazes met, he broke the silence.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked, his voice cutting through the air. His tone was neither kind nor harsh, but blunt enough to throw me off balance. 

"H-huh?" I managed to stammer, caught off guard by his unexpected inquiry.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his tone still blunt and uncaring, yet somehow softer than I anticipated.

"What does it look like? I'm crying," I replied, my voice wavering, before dropping my head and shutting my eyes.

"Why?" he persisted, speaking in a flat tone.

"Why?" I repeated, my voice weak, "As if I'd tell you. You'd only use it against me," I said, my bitterness seeping through my voice. A heavy silence hung in the air, and I hoped it signaled his departure.

"Can... you stop?" he suddenly asked, his words surprising me. I raised my head, staring at him with a mix of confusion and growing upset. "...it annoys me," he added, as if it should have been obvious. His words only intensified my distress, and my tears continued to flow.

"C-clearly not!" I snapped, pulling myself upright and retreating to the safety of my headboard, my knees pressed tightly against my chest. I buried my face, my shoulders trembling with each sob.

"Why not?" He questioned, his tone oddly genuine. Frustration surged within me.

"Because I'm upset! Because I can't sleep! B-because every time I close my eyes, I relive the worst n-night of, muh, my—" My words dissolved into sobs, and a wave of relief and washed over me as Ashir's weight lifted from the bed.

That relief immediately faded as I felt his arms wrap around me, picking me up as though it was nothing. Too confused to offer any resistance I allowed him to carry me to the living room.  He settled me onto the couch, and then quietly retreated back into the hallway.

I slumped over, not having the energy to return to my room. I attempted to relax, but every time I closed my eyes, the vivid memories flooded back as if they had transpired just yesterday. At least I managed to cry quietly, hoping it would keep Ashir at bay. However, the sound of my kettle whistling startled me, and I started to fear my sanity was slipping away. Yet, in truth, I was too tired to care. And then I heard Ashir's heavy footsteps.

"Here," he mumbled, holding a cup of tea that appeared minuscule in his hands. Sniffling, I regarded him with as much confusion and suspicion I could in this state. He scoffed and placed the cup on the coffee table. I eyed it cautiously. He turned and settled on the floor a few feet away from me, his elongated limbs looking somewhat odd, watching me expectantly. With care, I reached for the cup and sniffed it, earning another scoff. It carried the scent of lavender, valerian, and dandelions.

"How did you know what to use?" I inquired.

"Watching you," he responded.

"Ah," I muttered, realizing the answer should have been obvious. I took a sip, confirming that it was the mix I typically brewed when sleep eluded me. He had added honey as well, though perhaps a bit too much. Embracing silence, I continued to sip the tea. Although I still trembled and my breathing remained unsteady, Ashir had succeeded in halting my tears, albeit mostly due to shock and confusion. Nevertheless, I was no longer crying.

"Why did you do this?" I asked after a while, hoping my suspicion was correct.

"To make you stop crying," he replied. I arched an eyebrow, "-I told you, it annoys me." He continued.

"You can teleport quite easily, can you not? Why not just do that?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," he hissed, vanishing before my eyes.

Following that night, the problem persisted. I began waking up in tears or shouting during sleep more frequently. The amount of rest I managed to obtain dwindled, and I was fortunate to even get four hours in a night. Sometimes, I would lie in bed, too frightened to slip back into slumber, silently attempting to divert my attention to other matters. The aged wooden floor in my bedroom often betrayed his presence, emitting faint creaks that I wouldn't have noticed if I weren't so on edge. Over time, I grew more adept at sensing his proximity. It felt like stepping into the shade after basking in the sun, it almost chilled me. I couldn't fathom why he hadn't used my nightmares and distress to torment me, and ironically, I became somewhat paranoid, wondering if it was all an elaborate façade. I could  imagine how terrifying such a prospect would be and I gained a bit more empathy as a result. Regardless of whether his actions were genuine, on any night when I shed even a few minutes' worth of tears, a grumbling Ashir would present me with a cup of tea.

The lack of sleep began to wear on me. Everything hit a fever pitch when summer began to turn to fall. Ashir had nearly stopped his meddling and instead opted to lurk and watch, occasionally jeering at me or grabbing my arm or the back of my shirt. Honestly, I was too tired to really think about it especially as in my sleep deprived state I started to create chaos for myself, knocking over jars or mixing the wrong herb and ruining tinctures. Once such an occurrence as I kneeled on the ground collecting the petals I had spilled I heard an unexpected sound, a musical bird call that caused me to freeze as I immediately recognized the tune. When the bird called for me again I knew there was no use stalling and I rose. A medium sized bird had landed on one of my windows. She was a shimmering gold and carried a strong magical aura. When I hesitated she called again. 

“Ki’ara, be patient with me, please” I asked as I approached, dusting off my hands. She had dropped a scroll with a blue and gold wax seal that I had seen many times before. Oleander came in through a nearby window and began to chatter with Ki’ara as I grabbed the scroll. Though it was nothing but paper, ink, and wax it felt heavy, as if it were pulling me downwards. 

“Thank you Ki’ara, send Miera my regard” I mumbled as I struggled to ground myself in reality. I don’t know when she left, I had their conversation tuned out almost immediately. My mind felt like it was drifting away from reality, until abruptly, the scroll was ripped out of my grasp. I didn't make an effort to hold onto it, but I was jolted back into consciousness, and the landing was far from pleasant. Ashir, with his eyes wide and chest heaving rapidly, stood before me. His other hands were clenched so tightly into fists that they trembled. 

“Ashir pl-“ I began, but he cut me off. 

“I knew it-“ he interjected harshly. I felt my stomach drop as I heard his voice and the anger held within it. 

“Gods just let me exp-“ I begged, trying to regain control of the situation. 

“I knew it, I knew this couldn’t be. So what is it? Is it finally time to spring your trap?” He asked as he crushed the letter in his fist. 

“No,” I said sternly before taking a shaky breath, “It’s- I, it’s nothing! Nothing that concerns you, anyway. Just-“

In one swift movement, he grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and yanked me forward. He grew so close I could feel his breath and hear his chest rumbling. 

“I can feel the demonic magic radiating from this scroll…who else could it be? Tell me, what was the price?” he hissed quietly, voice full of venom. 

“There isn-“ I attempted to speak before he continued on. 

“What is it in for you? How much did it cost for you to muddy your hands and do the work of a cretin like him? Unless, you have always been corrupt and twisted…” he paused and looked away for a moment, “was this all just an act? Was your kindness secretly just a knife you were readying to stab in my back? I was right, you are pathetic” seethed. My throat felt tight, constricted as I tried to hold on to my composure amidst his onslaught of harsh words. 

“It’s not about you-“ I protested, but it was no used, he finally erupted. 

"LIAR!" he roared, his face a mere two inches from mine. His fears and emotions surged like a volcano, red-hot anger ready to consume everything in its path. My own emotions began to take the form of distant whispers of an approaching tempest, rapidly overtaking the horizon. I felt fear, sorrow, and red-hot anger all wash over me at once. I felt my eyes watering, my ears ringing, but I grit my teeth and tried to steel myself.

"Fine," I began in a cold voice, a single tear slipping down my cheek. "Read the letter. In fact, keep it," my voice grew sharper, mirroring the storm brewing inside my mind. It swelled, threatening to consume me. I tried to stop there, I did but it all just came rushing out, "I hope this brings you satisfaction, you’ve finally pushed me to my breaking point because I... I no longer care. Not about the letter, and certainly not about you." I felt everything swirling up inside of my mind and I couldn’t make sense of it. Exhaustion, anger, hurt. I couldn’t tell them apart, all I knew was that I couldn’t take anymore of it, “Let that letter serve as a reminder that you are a paranoid, hard headed, heartless asshole!” My words crackled like thunder, and the tempest was unleashed.

In a burst of anger, I grabbed his wrist, my gaze piercing him like daggers. Fortunately, he relented and released his grip. Unable to contain my tears any longer, I pivoted and rushed out of the front door, storm clouds following close behind. 

I only got about 20 steps away before the words I had said hit me. I hesitated briefly before forcing myself to continue on. Tears blurred my vision as I walked. The first fallen leaves of autumn crunched beneath my feet, and the birds fell quiet as I passed, something that had only happened a couple times. Despite my familiarity with the forest, I simply marched forward, not caring about my destination. I quickened my pace and didn’t rest until the tears had stopped.

I arrived at one of the many brooks that ran through the area and decided to take a break. The sky was painting itself in hues of pink and orange as the run began its rest behind the horizon. A bittersweet chuckle escaped my lips as I realized I had arrived at a grand oak tree with robust branches. Running my hand along its bark, I gazed upward, attempting to glimpse through the foliage. I gently wiped my cheeks and took a deep breath, uncertain whether it would bring solace or further turmoil, but I began to climb nonetheless. My destination remained obscured, yet the memory of what path to take was etched in my mind. Eventually, I caught sight of the wooden planks composing the floor, guiding me toward the door. The rope ladder, once the gateway to my cherished treehouse, had long since worn away, and I had never bothered to replace it, then and even now I didn’t need it. Surprisingly, it had held up the test of time and hardly looked any worse for wear. A faint smile grew on my face as I reminisced about its former glory during my childhood, now realizing it was quite small and humble. Nonetheless, it still accommodated me decently enough, I only had to crouch slightly to stand upright. Before long, as the nostalgia faded. I sprawled out on the floor, my mind continuing its downpour.

I didn't sleep well, although it was the most restful night I had experienced in quite some time. Instead of planning to sleep in my old treehouse, I decided to tidy it up a bit. I worked late into the night, and at some point during or after my efforts, exhaustion overcame me, and I drifted off. Nightmares plagued my sleep as always, but I roused only once. The creaking of tree branches outside caught my attention, yet the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft patter of raindrops convinced me that it was merely the wind. I awoke before dawn, lying there in quiet contemplation, thinking about all that had happened. 

I had said terrible things, thing I did not mean and wish I could take back. But Ashir, I could still see the hate and sorrow in his eyes, and feared there may be no overcoming this. My gut formed a knot when I considered what the letter contain precisely. I anticipated Miera’Sien was attempting to provide solace, as she had the year before. After what had occurred I could understand her being concerned for me. But, I didn’t think I needed her, I thought after two years my grief must have somehow lessened but that seemingly was not in the cards. The scroll itself was large, unsurprisingly, as Miera had an unending reservoir of things to say, all of which came in her descriptive, nearly dramatic prose. So it is likely Ashir would finally have some grasp of why nightmares plague me so. I couldn’t begin to decide how I felt about that. 

And of course, there was the matter of explaining why exactly Lady Miera’Sien was sending me letters regarding the death of my mentor, which I wasn’t sure he would believe. 

I tried to push all of that away and focus on what to do. And there wasn’t much else to do besides apologize but I didn’t know how he would feel about me when I returned, - to be fair I hardly had the faintest idea what he had felt about me before all of this. 

As the sun just barely began to rise I made my way back through the now very muddy terrain, which took me a bit by surprise as I hadn’t realized it had rained so heavily. When I reached the door I took time to ground myself before opening it cautiously. 

“Ashir?”

My call earned no response. . 

“Oleander?” I ask and thankfully I heard his caw clear as day, “where is Ashir?” I ask as I closed the door behind me and began to take off my muddy shoes

“I haven’t seen him”. He said, flying into the room and perching. I let out a sigh. After setting aside my shoes I looked to the kitchen where the ordeal had happened and saw the letter lying on the counter. As I walked closer I observed that it was somewhat crumpled and more importantly — it had been opened. I tried to shake it off, deciding I should take care of my current state before reading it. And besides, I still had a mess to clean up. As I walked around the island of my kitchen I saw that all of the small petals I had accidentally scattered across the ground were gone and I found them in their original basket. 

The day stretched on slowly, my body and mind still exhausted. Though Ashir was nowhere to be found I refrained from attempting to find him. If he did not want to be in my presence, I could understand. I myself have mixed feelings about being in his. Once the sun had set, I felt uneasy as he was typically most active at these hours. I continued to repress my anxiety and try to proceed as normal. Of course, I slept terribly. I would wake up over and over again in a short burst of time, my mind never able to delve into restful sleep. Into the very early morning however, I finally succeeded and slept as well as I could. As I put on my robe and begin to head towards the kitchen I call out to Ashir. I was only met with silence. Upon entering the kitchen however I spied something odd. A basket sat on the counter and it would not be far-fetched to think I had simply forgotten to put it away in my current state. As I moved to pick it up however I realized it had been filled with fresh dandelions, still lightly shimmering from the morning dew. 

“Ashir?” I called out again, even though I knew I would get no response. 

These gifts continued randomly appearing for several days, first dandelions, then mushrooms, and so on. But I never got a single glance of Ashir. Though the small gestures were kind, I found myself missing his presence during difficult nights. 

Nearly two weeks later, I nestled myself into the plush pillows of my couch and pulled my blanket tighter around me. My eyes were red and puffy as this was the third time that night I had been awoken. Nothing was helping so I resigned to simply making myself comfortable and trying to find any semblance of calm. The first time I was startled awake by the loud and sudden cracking of thunder accompanied by the sounds of raindrops pounding against the roof of my cottage. As I lay on the couch it continued on, loud enough that even the wind joined the chorus, howling in between cracks of thunder. Each time, I did not jump as the thunder scared me not. At least not now. I began to focus on the sounds of incoming rain until — I heard the sound of ceramic meeting wood, my head snapping up immediately. And there he stood, head bowed and hands pulled close to himself. A cup of tea sat on the small table in front of me. Mere seconds after I processed who was standing before me - just as our eyes met, tears began to roll down my face, blurring my vision, as I began to quietly sob. Startled, he instinctively retreated, but I reached out and took hold of his hand, silently begging him to stay.

Slowly, cautiously, he inched closer, eventually settling beside me on the couch. His towering presence made me feel impossibly small. I never let go of his hand. For some time all that echoed off the wall of my cottage was the soft sound of my cries and the distant roaring of the storm. 

“I’m sorry,” he said so quietly I wasn’t sure if I was meant to hear it. I adamantly shook my head

“No, no. The blame is mine, I could have, I-I shouldn’t have-“ I began before I was interrupted by his hand on my chin. He turned my head and studied my face before shaking his head.

“It’s a wonder you cannot see why I would think someone such as you, as kind and forgiving as you, can simply not exist,” he said quietly before removing his hand from my face and turning away. I carefully wiped some of my tears away as I felt heat rising to my cheeks. The sound of rain and my constant sniffling filled the room. He never let go of my hand, but for a while, he was as still as a statue. “You should have tossed me aside the second you got a chance,” he began, his voice displaying a weakness I did not know it could have, “you had suffered enough, I am sure…” he trailed off and I shook my head again. 

“That doesn’t matter-“

“It does,” he retorted, his voice a bit louder, “if I hadn’t been here you wouldn’t be plagued with all of these-“ he started before it was my turn to interject. 

“No. It has nothing to do with you…” I said before trailing off momentarily, “It has happened before –“ my voice cracked as I felt emotions stirring up inside of me once again, “…I’m just not strong enough” I sputtered as tears returned. 

“Don’t be so dull,” he whispered as with hesitant tenderness, he reached out, wrapping one hand around my back, another lifting my legs as he pulled me into his embrace. He held me delicately so that I could easily push him away or escape had I desired to, which is something he seemed to be anticipating. Instead, the second I was in his embrace, I clung to his shirt, my tears soaking into the fabric as continued to cry. His form remained rigid, each movement stiff and cautious. It was evident that he was unaccustomed to such displays of affection, yet he tried earnestly to offer solace. As I attempted to calm myself, I faintly discerned the steady beating of his heart. It was a deep, low pounding that held little resemblance to a human’s. Its slow, resounding cadence became my anchor, helping to ease my distress. He remained silent, gently rubbing my back and tracing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. We spoke no more, we simply basked in the sounds of the ongoing storm. As the tears gradually subsided and my sobs waned I did my best to take measured, deep breaths. With each exhale, the tension in my body seems to lessen, my shoulders sinking slightly as my muscles relaxed. A sense of fatigue lingered, both in my body and my mind, as everything began to take its toll. My eyelids grew heavy, and eventually, I allowed myself to drift off into slumber. 

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