Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

M y mate, Alexandra, is so tight and wet, her ass so round and perfect. I can feel I am getting close. She is perfection. I drive deeper and deeper into her as I pull her ass against me. Her cries of delight are only exciting me more, and soon I feel an intensity building in my core. I have taken care to be gentle, and I must remember to contain my lust even now. But still, as I drive into her pale flesh again and again, I can feel the pressure building at the base of my cock until I cannot contain myself any longer. I drive in once more, and my control bursts as I allow myself to come deep inside her, filling her with my hot seed. She cries out, my name on her lips, and I cannot believe that I have found such a woman. As I shoot another stream of my come into her, she moans again. I plunge my member deep into her in rhythmic spasms as I release what is left into her. She is moaning contentedly as I rub her ass appreciatively.

We are still for a moment, panting with the exertion of our lovemaking. I do not want to pull out of her—she feels so good, but I am spent, and reluctantly, I slide from her body. She falls on her belly, and I lie beside her, rubbing her back. Her soft pinkish skin is so smooth under my hands.

She sighs, and I kiss her forehead, bringing her close to my body. She is so tiny, and I love how she feels pressed against me. I am already thinking forward to my desire to make love to her again soon, but for now, I must focus.

I could have never imagined we would be such a perfect match. Yes, I felt it, but I feared perhaps that I was sick, or having some sort of troll episode of madness, as I have heard can befall my kind, though I have never seen or heard of a documented case. But now I know. Our lovemaking sealed it for me.

How will I convince the village elders that she is not a threat to them? I cannot lose her to their whims. I will not allow that to happen. I must secure her as my mate. Still, she knows nothing of my world.

As she snuggles into me, her luscious ass cheeks pressed against my cock, I begin to formulate a plan. I cannot control the elders. I will face that hurdle when the time comes. But I must make her want to stay. I don't want to contemplate what the elders might order if she tried to leave. That would most likely mean death.

Yes, Alexandra needs to see the village. She must decide of her own free will that she wishes to stay. I don't want to scare her into it or make her feel that she really has no choice.

Also, it's not like I can go live with her in smalltown wherever. I can see the pitchfork waving masses already. Leaving this bed will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do, though.

"My love," I try to say, but she feels so good next to me. With all my effort, I pull away from her ever so slightly. She groans with displeasure. "My love," I repeat. "I think it's time you get some fresh air. I want to show you my little village of Monitor."

Her face looks up at me with her perfect little pout. "Can't we just stay in bed awhile longer?"

"There will be time for that later, my sweet. I want you to see my village!"

"Oh." She takes my hand in her small warm one. "I'd love to see your village! You said it's called ‘Monitor'?"

"Yes, Monitor Township, actually."

"Oh, how quaint," she says, smiling up at me.

Relief washes over me. She is excited at the idea.

Good.

"But what am I going to wear?"

"I cleaned what you had been wearing," I tell her. "It's over in the bathroom. Do you need help getting out of bed?"

She giggles. I love the sound of her happiness. "Are you asking in reference to our epic sex-athon there? Or because you are worried about my head? Either way, the answer is yes, I am feeling better and can see just fine now with no headache at all." She winks at me, then slowly gets out of bed. I stand ready to help her walk. She wavers, and I hold on to her waist. "A girl can get used to being treated like this."

I smile down at her. "Get used to it—I will always be with you to hold you up if need be."

She is in the bathroom for a while, and I wonder if she needs me when the door opens, and my breath catches in my throat. Her hair is combed long and shiny. Her clothing, some hiking leggings and a tank top, hugs all of her curves. I can see her nipples through her thin fabric.

Her smile lights up the room, and I reach out for her hand. I cannot believe that this woman is mine. Or will soon be. She just needs to fall in love with my village now. "Ready?"

Then she looks at me. "Yes, it will be exciting. I've never seen a troll village before."

"It's not just trolls. There are all sorts here," I respond.

"Oh, how exciting! I really want to see it then and meet your friends."

A pang of nervousness shoots through me. She has to like it. I have to convince her to stay!

"All right." I try to sound unaffected by her words. "Let's go."

The weather is beautiful as we walk hand in hand through the park along the crystal-clear waters of our lake. The animals and birds are in full mating season mode. The air is filled with the calls of birdsong. The squirrels are putting on a show for us as we meander along the pathway. My mate giggles as one of the resident chipmunks runs over to her begging for a nut, then scurries off when she shows her empty hands.

"This place is magical," Alexandra sighs. "It's like a fairytale."

"Just wait," I say to her, guiding her gently to our destination.Then I hear her gasp once she sets her eyes on it. The phoenix tree stands majestically over the rest of the forest, several hundred feet tall where the once old and ancient tree stood. In a matter of days, it grew back to its regal splendor.Alexandra walks over to it, placing her hand on the rough bark, and sighs.

"Wow, this is like one of those old growth trees you see in books. I heard there were some in these mountains and was looking for them on this hike. I had heard there was a grove of them, and we were all supposed to go there together. At least that was my idea." Her face falls, and I guess that her hike in the woods was not supposed to be a solo one. Then she smiles at me. "Thank you, Red, for bringing me here. I love it. There is just something about the air. I don't know what it is, but it just feels like home."

Does this mean she will want to stay? I hope so. I don't want to think about the alternative. She takes my hand as I walk her back into the village, though. That is a good sign.

"Come." I place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Let me show you our neighborhood."

"Our neighborhood?" she repeats questioningly.

"Yes." I've never feared rejection so much in all my life. I wait for her to object, but she squeezes my hand and gives me hope.So far, my plan seems to be working.

I decide she needs to experience our best bakery, but on the way, we walk past a small market.

"Oh, my God! What… or, um, who is that?"

As I turn, I realize she is pointing at Sammy.

"Oh, that's Sammy."

"Is he a…?"

"I think you call them ‘Bigfoot,' yes."

"Wow!"

I contemplate introducing her, but Sammy has already ducked around the corner of a stall. Instead, I take her into old Bab's bakery and introduce her to Old Bab herself, who, for some reason, looks none too pleased when I do. I buy Alexandra every breakfast pastry she points to. A sweet cream and raspberry Danish, a wild blueberry muffin, an egg and cheese quiche, and one of Bab's famous cream horns.When I wave goodbye, Bab gives me a strange look. Her eyes are hard. I am not used to this kind of treatment from my friend, but perhaps she doesn't know what to make of my woman.

I guide Alexandra outside to a bench amongst the butterfly bushes, and I watch her dig into the pastries. Halfway through the egg quiche, she offers me a bite. I love watching her eat. I take a small bite but accidentally finish it. She laughs and licks her fingers. I kiss her heartily on the mouth. If we weren't in the town, I would lick her fingers and that sweet pussy of hers right now. I grow hard thinking about what I want to do to her.

We finish our breakfast quickly, I wonder if she feels the need to have me, too. I know I cannot take her back to the house right now. I need to stay on task and assure that she wants to stay.

On our way past the tavern, I notice everyone sitting outside staring at us. They aren't exactly unfriendly. More astonished, I think. Alexandra squeezes my hand tighter, and I can see the anxiety on her face grow deeper with every step. I, too, am uneasy. Some of my initial confidence is wavering. Perhaps this was a bad idea. I quicken our pace, and I can feel my mate having trouble keeping up. I will pick her up and run if I must.

Thankfully, the streets are quiet, so the odd looks, ranging from cold to confused, are not too many. I realize it is May Day, and a wave of nostalgia flows over me.

"Many years ago," I hear myself saying, "during this time of the year, we would prepare for the spring festival."

"Oh?" Alexandra stops walking, her eyes bright. "What was that like?"

"Beautiful, and fun." I can see it in my mind's eye. "Garlands of flowers were hung across the streets from eve to eve. There was music and food. Everyone danced and laughed. We would set up a pole in the middle of the town square, attach ribbons to it, and dance around it. It was called the maypole dance. Afterward, when the sun went down, everyone went home, drunk, happy, and ready to make babies. You see, during those times, magic lived everywhere, and creatures from all over the country could easily travel without worry of humans taking videos or pictures and exposing us to the world. Many came to our May Day celebration to find a mate. Now, the tradition is no more, and we are isolated."

"That's so very sad," my love says, hugging my arm. "You must have been very lonely."

I nod. "You have no idea, my sweet tree hugger. I gave up hope."

"Now I am here, hugging all the trees." Her words lift my spirit. "Maybe one day your village can have another May Day celebration."

"We can only hope. Let me show you the fountain—it is the heart of this place." I take her along the much older back streets to the heart of the village. I want to avoid more attention from gawking eyes.

Alexandra doesn't seem to mind or notice that we are avoiding the main streets. I watch her eyes light up as we pass the old medieval three-story houses. Each one is more lopsided than the next, but they are freshly painted traditionally, white with black trim, and bright flowers and vines grow and are hung under the windows. She walks carefully along the cobbled streets, stopping occasionally to admire a garden or smell a flower. I am pleased that she is enjoying herself and feeling a bit more relaxed once again. I love this little human.

When we reach the fountain, she gasps again. It is quite a sight to behold. It stands taller than Troth, with stone carvings of fairies, trolls, elves, and the perfect likeness of our village founder, Ameline Monitor the Fae, pouring water from a golden chalice while the creatures surrounding her watch the water pour into the crystalline pool at her feet forever.

My mate stops to read the carved plaque under the feet of our lady.

"So that's why it's called ‘Monitor'?"

"Yup," I answer, "Monitor Township, but far and wide, it's just ‘Monstertown.'"

She gives a laugh. "That's funny. I wouldn't think you would call yourselves that, I mean…"

"Oh, come, just because we are magical and mythical doesn't mean we don't have a sense of humor!"

She laughs that delightful laugh of hers again.

"How old is Monstertown?" she asks."The plaque reads 1452. Is that right?"

"Our village has survived centuries without a human ever walking these streets before."

"And now, here I am," she says, her face shiny and wondering. "I am the first."

"Yes, my love." I kneel and press her tiny hands to my heart. "And if we have children, they will be part human and walk here, too."

I try to read the expression on her face at this bold assertion but cannot. Is it excitement? Hope? Maybe doubt? I don't know. Whatever the look on her face, it quickly disappears behind her bright smile.

"Won't that be nice." I press her to me, lifting her feet off the ground, and kiss her soundly on the lips. I am so happy, I can feel my heart bursting with love.

Someone clears their throat behind me. I turn my head to see Troth standing there. It can be unnerving to feel a ten-foot-tall ogre has crept up on you, but I keep my composure. I gently set Alexandra on her feet.

"A word in your ear," Troth says in a low whisper. "Alone."

I nod—this is not good.

I show Alexandra to a bench beside the fountain where she can watch the little fish that swim while I join Troth on the other side, the splashing water muffling our words.

"You and your human must present yourselves to the elders."

My heart sinks into my stomach."Her name is Alexandra, and I expected as much."

"They demand to know why the human woman is still alive, let alone walking through our village as if she belongs here."

"Shh," I say, glancing to be sure she cannot hear any of this. "She is with me, where she belongs."

"You're going to have to convince them of that, then." He lowers his voice to a whisper. "And keep my name out of it. I want nothing to do with the elders' wrath."

I grit my teeth. "They expect me to kill her when she's done nothing wrong."

"Those have been the rules for the last—" He looks up at the sky. "—five hundred years, give or take a decade. Unless you can convince them otherwise." Troth places his large hand on my shoulder. "My advice is that you say goodbye to your little plaything and do your duty."

Anger rises in my chest.

"She is my fated mate, I am sure of it. There will be no killing,"I growl.

Troth is one of only a handful who is unbothered by my show of aggression. He does have a good three feet over me, after all. "Yes. There are no mates to be had here. All the unmated males can appreciate your situation. It can only be called divine providence that you have had this female practically fall into your lap."

At that, I suddenly remember the little ceremony and the scarf Tabitha gave me. "I guess so… but it feels like even more than that, Troth. It feels like fate."

"I don't know much about such things, Red." Troth moves his massive hand in Alexandra's direction. "But I can tell you the others and I will speak on your behalf to the council. They must see reason. Try to enjoy your day with her. I will see you tonight at sundown. That is when they told me you must appear."

"Thank you, my friend." Troth nods, waves at my mate, and strides down the path out of sight, the trees on either side shaking ever so slightly which each of his steps.

Alexandra's face is pale, like the crisp white sheets I wrapped her in just a few days before.I cup her delicate chin and bend to kiss her soft lips.

"Are we in trouble?" I feel her tremble under my touch.

I won't alarm her.

"It is nothing to worry about, my love. Now, isn't this fountain amazing?"

But inside, my mind is going a million miles an hour.

How will we survive this?