Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

A s we stride back into town, I feel a newfound resolve coursing through my veins.

Let them stare. Let them whisper. I've made my choice, and I'll be damned if I let anyone or anything come between us now. We are mates. ‘soulmates' she calls it. I will not let my mate down.

"Thokk, you okay?" Zoe asks, squeezing my hand. "You look like you're about to breathe fire."

I grunt, trying to soften my expression. "I'm fine. Just... preparing for battle."

She laughs, the sound lightening my mood instantly. "Can we keep that as a last resort maybe. The less pummeling the better I think."

"Fine. I will try. But no promises," I mutter, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

As we near the town square, I spot Kalen and Koda heading our way. Great. Just what I need right now.

"Thokk!" Kalen bellows, his eyes wide as he takes in the sight of Zoe walking freely beside me. "What in the nine hells are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" I growl. "I'm walking with my mate."

Koda's jaw drops. "Your mate?"

"That's right," I say, pulling Zoe closer. "Zoe is my mate, and anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with my fist."

"You get more bees with honey," Zoe whispers under her breath, as she gives my hand a squeeze.

Kalen holds up his hands. "Easy buddy. No one's looking for a fight. We're just... concerned. I thought she was your prisoner?"

"Yeah," Koda chimes in. "I mean, she's human, Thokk. You know the laws."

"Yes, and it is time for them to be amended," I snarl. "They're outdated and wrong. Zoe is my mate. And she belongs here, with me."

I can feel the eyes of other villagers on us now, a crowd starting to form.

Good. Let them all hear this.

I continue, my voice projecting outward. "Listen, all of you," I say, raising my voice to address the growing crowd. "I know this is... unusual. But Zoe and her kind, may very well be the keys to our future."

Murmurs ripple through the gathered monsters. I can see the doubt, the fear in their eyes. But I also catch a few curious glances, a hint of hope here and there.

"Zoe is my mate," I declare, for what feels like the tenth time today, my voice ringing out across the square. "And I don't care what anyone thinks about that. We belong together, and that's that. Let any monster who disagrees face me now. "

The crowd falls silent, stunned. I brace myself for the backlash, ready to defend our love against anyone who dares challenge it.

The crowd's murmurs grow louder, more hostile. I instinctively pull Zoe closer, shielding her with my body.

"Elowen!" I call out, spotting the witch in the crowd. "You must tell them about the spell you cast. The mate-summoning ritual. Can't you see? It worked!"

Elowen steps forward, her brow furrowed. "Yes, I... I'm not sure how, but it could very well be the spell. This is most unexpected, but not impossible," she says to the gathered throng.

I nod gratefully at her. It's not much, but it's something.

"Listen to me, all of you," I growl, addressing the crowd again. "We've all heard the stories about Monstertown. They've accepted human mates. And has their village crumbled? No! They're thriving, or at least on their way."

A voice shouts from the back, "We're not Monstertown!"

"No, we're not," I agree. "We're better. Smarter. More adaptable. If they can do it, why can't we?"

I scan the faces around us, searching for any sign of understanding. Instead, I see fear, anger, confusion. The crowd presses closer, forcing us back against the old stone monolith in the square.

Kalen and Koda push through, positioning themselves at my sides. I'm touched by their loyalty, even if they don't fully understand.

"Come on, guys," Koda rumbles. "Let's all calm down and talk about this."

But his words fall on deaf ears. The situation is spiraling out of control fast.

I lock eyes with Zoe. She looks scared, but there's a determination there too. She gives me a slight nod. Whatever happens, we're in this together.

"Why can't you see reason?" I roar, frustration boiling over. "We all want the same thing - a chance at happiness, at love. Are you really so blind that you'd deny yourselves or anyone else that chance?"

"Heresy!" someone calls, and the crowd surges forward once again.

Something in me snaps. I will fight to my last breath if that's what it takes, and I raise my war club and bring it down with all my might as my anger boils over.

But at the last second, I flinch a little as I catch sight of one the ogre guard to my right. I realize he is not a threat, but still my sudden movement causes my club strike the corner of the stone monolith instead.

Crack! The sound echoes like thunder.

"Oops," I mutter, as the stone structure groans ominously.

"Heads up!" I yell, scooping Zoe up and leaping back. The crowd scatters like spooked rabbits as the structure collapses in a spectacular cloud of dust and loose stone.

As the air clears, a collective gasp ripples through the crowd. Where the nondescript moss-covered rectangular pile once stood, a statue has emerged like a phoenix from the ashes. I can't help but gasp myself as I take in the figure of a human woman and what looks like an orc, hand in hand, gazing at each other with unmistakable affection.

"This is gonna change things," I hear Elowen say deadpan behind me as I hear assorted gasps, ohhs and ahhs, arise from the crowd

"Holy shit," I breathe, hardly believing my eyes.

"Holy shit is right," Zoe squeaks, squirming in my arms.

"That's my Great Aunt Charlotte!"