Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

I wake with Zoe curled against me, her soft breath tickling my chest. For a moment, I simply bask in the warmth of her presence, marveling at how perfectly she fits in my arms. How did this tiny human manage to upend my entire world in less than a day?

From the instant I caught her scent, I felt drawn to her. But last night... last night confirmed what I'd been fighting since she appeared before me at the watchtower.

She's my mate.

My one.

The connection between us is undeniable, a bone-deep certainty I've never experienced before.

Was it Elowen's spell finally working after all? Or just the hand of fate? I'm not sure I believe in either, but I can't deny the evidence of my own heart. Still, as the fog of sleep clears, anxiety creeps in. Feelings and fluffy things are great, but how in the nine hells are we going to make this actually work?

Zoe stirs, her eyes fluttering open. A slow smile spreads across her face as she focuses on me. "Morning, Thokky," she murmurs, snuggling closer.

I start to wince, but it turns into a chuckle. "Very well, you may call me that. But if you repeat it in front of anyone, so help me. Not even Othrix, once we find him of course."

"Our little secret," she says with a wink. "So, what's the plan for today? Please tell me it doesn't involve more leashes."

I sigh, rubbing at my temples. As much as I feel the bond, I can't help but feel troubled. "I don't know. I have been thinking Zoe. Maybe I should take you to the border. You would be safer in your world."

Zoe sits up, alarm clear in her eyes. "What? No! I don't want to go back. I don't want to be ‘safer', I want to stay here, with you."

"I do want you safer," I explain gently. "The elders... they won't understand. It is not even a certainty that I can get you to your world. The only way they'd even consider letting you leave unharmed is if we wiped your memory. And even that would take some convincing. And regardless, if anyone outside the council found out..."

"Memory wipe? Forget about you? About all this? No freaking way," Zoe shakes her head vehemently. "No, no, and no. There has to be another solution."

She is silent for a moment as she gnaws at a knuckle.

"What about those murals I saw? If we could prove humans and monsters used to coexist, wouldn't that make a difference?"

I consider this. "I suppose it is possible that that could sway opinion...and combine it will the frustrations I know many of the unmated males have. I am not sure they are ready for the idea of human female mates, but it's something."

"Then that settles it. If there is even a chance, we have to go for it. We will convince them," she says happily. Not a split second later, she asks, "How do we do that?"

"Those murals are the key."

"Right," she says excitedly, "So first thing, we need to learn more about them. As much as we can."

"Agreed. There might be records in the town archives, just underneath town hall."

"Why can't we just show everyone the murals?" Her eyes are wide and innocent as she speaks. I just want to scoop her up again and pull her to me.

I sigh. She doesn't know of the divisions amongst my kind. "The opening's too small for most. And honestly, some would probably destroy the evidence before accepting humans in our village. A few days ago, I might have been right there with them."

Zoe's quiet for a moment, digesting this. "Well, then that settles it, let's go hit the books. How hard can it be?"

"I will go alone, Zoe. It's too dangerous for you,"

"Thokk, archives and old documents ... records, that's my wheelhouse."

"Your what?"

"That's what I do. I practically lived in libraries for like six years in school. I'm coming with you."

"Fine. Admittedly, books are not my wheelhouse."

"That's what I'm saying!" She leans over and plants a kiss on my cheek, rubbing a tusk before pulling away.

How does she know I like that?

We spend the next little while preparing for our trip.

It is still early, but regardless as we make our way, I make sure we take the least travelled paths as we head toward the woods first. Zoe once again reluctantly donning her "prisoner" disguise. We decide that even out of sight, it's best she have the collar on, just in case.

"This whole Slave Leia look is overrated" she says.

"Slave who?"

Never mind, she quickly replies, eyes twinkling despite the circumstances.

"Just do what you did last night. It worked perfectly."

"Umhm. If you promise another massage, I'll think about it."

"Done!" With that, we begin our journey, skirting the edge of town, ducking behind market stalls and ancient oaks. As we near the town square, I spot Murk, the dwarf shopkeeper, strolling the street.

"Quick!" I pull Zoe into a shadowy alley. We press against the cool stone, my body instinctively shielding her smaller frame. Her warmth against me is... distracting.

Once Murk passes, we make a dash for the imposing stone building housing the archives. Just as we reach the steps, I hear a familiar voice.

"Thokk! There you are!"

I turn to see Elowen, our town witch, approaching. Thinking fast, I growl at Zoe, "Stay put, prisoner," before striding to meet Elowen.

"Any luck finding your cat?" she asks.

"Not yet," I reply gruffly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have ... prisoner business to attend to."

Elowen's eyes narrow suspiciously, "Oh a prisoner? Is that the story you're going with?"

"Yes, of course she's my prisoner. Can't you see she is a human!"

"I see alright." There is an unmistakable twinkle in her eye. "Most curious. A female showing up just like that in town. A human female no less. Most curious indeed."

"Yes, very curious. Now if you don't mind, we must be on our way ..."

This is not the time to confide in anyone. It is regrettable anyone is even aware of her presence.

"Mmhhm." There is a definite smirk on Elowen's face, but she says no more and simply nods and continues on her way.

After finding an open door, we sneak inside the archive. Confronted with row upon row of leather-bound texts, Zoe's eyes go wide. "This place is incredible!" She practically skips down an aisle, running her fingers along ancient spines as I follow along. "Put this on my list of places to return to!"

I follow her lead as we dive into our search, pouring over crumbling scrolls and faded tomes. Zoe's enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself smiling, despite the seriousness of our mission.

"Oh my god, look at this!" she gasps, pointing to a faded illustration. "It shows humans and trolls – at least I think they are trolls - working together!"

I lean in, my heart racing. "You're right, good start, and they are, but it's not enough. We need more concrete evidence."

As we continue searching, I'm struck by how quickly Zoe has adapted to what must be a completely foreign world.

"You know," she giggles, "for such a big guy, you're surprisingly stealthy."

I grunt, trying to look dignified. "I'll have you know I'm renowned for my stealth."

"Oh sure, Thokky. You're as quiet as a musk ox..."

Before I can retort, I hear familiar voices approaching. "Quick, hide!" I usher Zoe behind a large bookcase.

Koda and Finn round the corner, deep in conversation. I try to turn away, but it is evident they have spotted me.

"Thokk!" Koda booms. "What the hell are you doing in here?"

I am initially caught off guard but quickly recover. "I could ask you lot the same question.

"If you must know, we were researching some of the towns in the old country," Finn replies, his hooves clopping on the stone floor, as he warms to the topic.

"You were serious about a trip?"

"Hey, mates don't just grow on trees, ya know, at least not in Fablewood."

"Seems they might in Monstertown though, huh?" I do my best to sound casual. "Speaking of which, ya know Maybe that wouldn't be so bad. I've heard rumors that humans and monsters once lived together peacefully, can you believe that?"

They stare at me like I've grown a second head.

"Are you feeling alright?" Finn asks, concern etched on his face. "Maybe you've been spending too much time with that human prisoner," Koda says.

"Or maybe you should move to Monstertown," Finn adds with a laugh.

"Yeah, good one." I pretend to laugh it off as they move on.

After they leave, Zoe emerges, brushing away a stray bit of cobweb. "They don't' seem too keen on human-monster relations huh? Not exactly promising."

"I told you." I shrug.

Back home, reality starts to sink in. "We are gonna need to figure something out soon. We can't keep up this prisoner charade forever." I sigh. "The elders will get suspicious. And besides it pains me to see you collared, even if only for a few minutes. Maybe we should both go to your world. Perhaps I could live in a cave, or an old barn."

She just looks at me. "No one is living in a cave. We'll figure this out. Have faith Thokky."

I nod, but doubt gnaws at me. I admire the resolve in her voice, but can we really make this work? I'm determined to try, but for the first time today, I wonder if we really can make this work.