Page 19 of Monster's Maiden
A soft moan escapes her lips. She arches into me, desire evident in every movement. I take my time now, savoring each moment, each gasp and sigh she offers me.
“Zyrith...” Her voice is a whisper.
I pause to meet her gaze. “You are safe here with me.”
She nods slightly, her breathing heavy and rapid. "I know," she whispers, almost as if convincing herself. Her eyes lock onto mine, and I see a flicker of acceptance.
Her hands, finally free, clutch at me, pulling me closer. “Zyrith, I’m so close,” she whispers, her voice trembling.
“So am I,” I manage to say, my voice strained with the effort of holding back. I want us to reach the peak together, to share this moment of pleasure.
I hold her close as we finally climax violently together—her cries mingling with my guttural roars in an ancient symphony that echoes through the darkened chamber. In the aftermath, we lie breathless, savoring the ecstasy shared between us.
"You are... different," she says softly, her voice carrying a blend of wonder and confusion.
"As are you," I reply, allowing a small smile to touch my lips. "You bring light into this darkness."
She leans closer, the scent of her mingling with the musky aroma of the chamber. Her fingers trace the contours of my arm, exploring the rough texture as if memorizing it. Each touch ignites a spark within me, a reminder that life still courses through these ancient veins.
I gaze into her eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” I murmur against her skin.
Her body leans further into mine. My arm encircles her gently, drawing her closer. The need for comfort and companionship now overrides the centuries of isolation. Her head rests softly against my chest, and I can feel the rhythm of her heartbeat syncing with mine.
A contented sigh escapes her lips as she surrenders to the embrace. In this shared silence, I find solace—a pleasure long forgotten yet deeply craved.
For the first time in eons, I am not alone. The void within me begins to fill with something precious and irreplaceable: Lara's presence.
Her presence is a balm to my ancient soul, soothing wounds I had forgotten existed. The bioluminescent moss casts a gentle glow around us, illuminating her features. Each detail is a marvel.
We remain there, wrapped in each other's warmth amidst the cold stones of my sanctuary. The comfort we find in each other speaks louder than words ever could.
And for now, that is enough.
11
LARA
The rough stone floor beneath me offers little comfort, even with the mossy bed Zyrith fashioned for me. Sleep has come in fits and starts, the weight of my predicament pressing on my chest like an iron band all night long. A sharp jolt suddenly pulls me from my fitful sleep, my heart pounding as if it’s trying to break free from my chest. I wake to the low glow of bioluminescent moss, casting eerie shadows that dance along the cavern walls.
I lie still, the darkness pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. My body aches from the restless sleep. Zyrith’s gentle snoring echoes faintly through the chamber. I try to steady my breath, but uncertainty gnaws at me like a persistent ache.
My mind drifts to Zyrith, his hulking form a constant presence even when he isn’t near. The moments of warmth and connection with him flicker in my mind. His surprising gentleness, the way he looks at me as if I’m a treasure—it all wars with my growing unease.
How did I end up here, in this subterranean world with a being most would flee from on sight? What was I thinking when I convinced Aiden and Maya to explore these ruins? The questions swirl in my mind, each one adding another layer to my mounting anxiety.
I shift slightly on my bed, careful not to make a sound. The cold seeps through the makeshift bedding. The air smells damp, with a hint of something ancient and forgotten. The soft hum of water dripping echoes in the distance, evidence of how deep underground we are. Each droplet might as well be a nail hammered into my coffin.
Trapped. The word sends a shiver down my spine. It’s one thing to choose isolation; it’s another to have it thrust upon you by fate—or rather, by a curious touch and an unstable ruin. My friends must be frantic by now, scouring the forest for any sign of me. What would they think if they saw me now? Held captive by a creature out of nightmares, yet feeling an odd sense of safety around him.
Zyrith’s presence looms large in my thoughts. He is a paradox—a being of immense power and yet capable of surprising tenderness. His ancient eyes seem to see right through me, yet there is a vulnerability there, hidden beneath layers of stone and time. It’s confusing, maddening even. How can I feel drawn to someone—or something—that represents everything unknown and terrifying?
What if Zyrith's kindness is just a facade? My mind conjures images of fanged maws and crushing stone hands. Yet, when I recall his touch—gentle, almost reverent—it’s hard to reconcile those fears with reality.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "Get it together," I whisper to myself. "You’re stronger than this."
But even as I say it, doubt gnaws at me. The path ahead is unclear, tangled in shadows both literal and metaphorical.
Finally, determination steels my nerves as I rise from the mossy bed, my muscles stiff from the unforgiving stone beneath. I pull on my clothes with swift, practiced movements, each layer a small comfort against the cold that seeps into my bones.