Page 39 of Monster's Maiden

With a deep breath, I lift the cup to my lips and drink. The water is cool, almost painfully so, as it slides down my throat. It courses through me like a river of clarity, washing away the fog of confusion. My heart pounds in anticipation of what might come next.

I close my eyes. I let the sensation flow through my veins, feeling the truth welling up inside me like an unstoppable tide. When I open them again, I see Aiden and Maya watching me with apprehension.

The words come unbidden, driven by an unshakable certainty. “I love him,” I say, my voice steady and unwavering. The simplicity of the statement belies the depth of emotion behind it. “Zyrith isn’t just some monster lurking in the dark.”

Memories flood my mind—Zyrith’s gentle presence, his deep voice soothing my fears, his protectiveness that never wavered.

“He’s... he’s more than that. He’s kind and caring in ways you can’t imagine.”

I look into Aiden’s eyes, seeing his skepticism but pushing past it with all the conviction I can muster.

“When I was trapped in those ruins, he kept me safe. He fed me, comforted me... he showed me a world beyond fear and isolation.”

The forest around us seems to fade as I focus on relaying every nuance of our bond.

“We shared stories, dreams... We connected in ways I never thought possible. He made me feel seen, understood.” Tears spill down my cheeks as I continue. “He’s given me something real, something profound.”

My hands tremble as I clutch the empty cup.

“I can’t sever that bond. It’s part of me now.” The air feels thick with the heaviness of my confession. “I know you think you’re saving me,” I whisper, my voice breaking slightly. “But what you’re doing is tearing me away from someone who has become my everything. I love him,” I repeat softly, more to myself than anyone else. “And nothing will change that.”

The revelation hangs heavy in the air, my words sinking into the silence like stones in a pond. I can see the disbelief etched into Aiden’s face, his eyes narrowing as he struggles to reconcile my confession with his perception of Zyrith. Maya’s expression is softer, yet her brow furrows.

“You can’t be serious, Lara,” Aiden says, his voice tight with frustration. “He’s not human. He’s dangerous.”

I take a deep breath, steadying myself against the storm of emotions within me. “He’s more human than you think,” I reply, my voice steady but tinged with sorrow. “You didn’t see what I saw. You didn’t feel what I felt.”

Maya steps closer, her hand reaching out as if to bridge the gap between us. “Lara, we’re your friends. We want what’s best for you.”

“And you think tearing me away from him is what’s best?” I ask, my voice trembling with the weight of my emotions.

Aiden shakes his head, disbelief still clouding his features. “Lara, he’s a monster. How can you love something like that?”

The fire crackles beside us, its warmth a stark contrast to the chill in the air. The scent of burning wood mingles with the crispness of pine and soil, grounding me in this moment of raw vulnerability.

“You have to trust me,” I plead, looking into their eyes with all the sincerity I can muster. “Zyrith is more than what you see on the surface. He has a heart—a heart that loves and yearns just like ours.”

Maya’s eyes soften slightly, but Aiden remains resolute, his grip on reality unyielding.

The silence stretches between us, heavy and fraught with unspoken emotions.

22

ZYRITH

Darkness. The familiar comfort of the void surrounds me, but something gnaws at my mind, pulling me back to consciousness.

My eyes snap open, and the memory of the attack rushes back with a force that threatens to drown me in rage. Pain throbs through my body, evidence of the treachery. But there is a deeper ache, one that transcends the physical—an emptiness where Lara should be. Those creatures dared to take her from me.

"Lara," I mutter through gritted teeth, the name burning on my tongue like a curse and a prayer all at once. My fingers dig into the cold stone beneath me, grounding myself as the world swims back into focus. The cavern's dim light does nothing to soothe the fury building within.

As I start to shift my body, every muscle feels heavy. I force myself to breathe, each inhalation stoking the embers of my resolve.

I force myself to stay down, assessing the damage done by the attack. I lie still, feeling every crack and crevice in my skin. Each one tells a story of time, solitude, and now... betrayal. My wound has stopped bleeding thankfully.

My senses soon sharpen as I lie there regaining my strength. Every sound is amplified in the cavern’s silence.

Why did they come? Why did they not understand? She is mine. We belong together. The air feels heavy, oppressive, as if it mirrors the turmoil within me.

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