Page 25 of Troll Charming

We enter the square, and music starts playing—a sweet tune with violins, a harp, a flute, and a fancy guitar.Red and I walk a little slower together. This is our moment, and I want to remember it for the rest of my life. Tabitha raises her hands to the sky. The square falls into silence.

Just then, I look over Red’s shoulder and spot the big hairy sasquatch he said is called Sammy. He is giving us a thumbs up. Beside him is some other massive creature. He’s not a troll, but Red mentioned another friend, Thorne? Maybe this is him—he’s an orc. I shake my head, still feeling a little like I am in a dream. A little more movement beside Sammy seals the feeling as the minotaur steps up beside him. He smiles at us as he, too, gives a thumbs up. I’m not sure how I know he’s smiling, but I am sure he is.

This is truly a magical place. I bring myself back to the moment as Red squeezes my hand. Tabitha looks from one of us to the other. We stand before her, hand in hand, our eyes locked on one another. The love I feel for this troll is overwhelming.

“We are all gathered today to witness the love between this troll, Red, and this human, Alexandra. This ceremony completes their claim, and they shall forever be bonded to each other. Let them now speak their dedication to one another. Red, please go first.”

“Alexandra.” Red looks deeply into my eyes. “From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one I would love for the rest of my life. I promise to keep you safe and take care of you.” He pulls a ring from his pocket. It is an amethyst, deep purple, with gold flowers surrounding it. He places it on my finger, and it sparkles in the sunlight. “With my body and this ring, I claim you as my love, wife, and mate.”I panic because I do not have a red ring, but at that moment, Troth slips a large black and purple ring into my hand and then goes back to his place next to Tabitha.

“Red, I never thought I could love anyone like I love you. You are kind, caring, compassionate, and loving. With my body and this ring, I promise to care for and love you as my husband, love, and mate.”

“These two are now joined forever, mated as one. May their union be blessed. As above, so below,” Tabitha intones in her larger-than-life voice. Red picks me up off the ground and kisses me deeply to the roaring cheers of the crowd around us.

Suddenly, I feel that burn on my chest again.

What the…?

I look down and understand why the mating mark was so plain. It is now miraculously colored in! It dances in the light, almost like a hologram. Deep reds and purples seem to swirl as I gaze at it. Flecks of gold sparkle in the sun. I gasp in amazement.Before I can react further, I feel Red’s hand slip under my dress and pull the garter from my thigh, not forgetting to offer me a tantalizing stroke as he slips it off.

“Troth!” he calls above the crowd. His friend lumbers over. “I need to give you this. You are next, according to our resident witch, anyhow. Besides, if I threw it, you would easily be the one to catch it.” Red and I laugh, and even Troth lets out an approving grunt. I know I am going to love living here.

“Now,” Red yells out to everyone. “If you will excuse me…” He picks me up in his arms, gathering my train so he doesn’t trip. “My wife and I have some important business to attend to.” And just like that, I am whisked away at a run back to our cottage for some much-needed post-ceremony lovemaking.

As he lays me down in our huge troll-sized bed, I look up into his beautiful, soulfully kind—and sexy—troll eyes and feel nothing but happiness and fulfillment.

I can get used to Monstertown, all right.

EPILOGUE

Beth

I burstthrough my apartment door, a giddy smile plastered across my face.

“Rob! Guess what? I decided to—” My words catch in my throat as I take in the scene before me. Rob, my boyfriend, is tangled up with Tiffany, my (former?) friend, both very naked and very much not expecting me.

For a moment, I’m frozen, my brain trying to process this surreal tableau. Then, almost despite myself, I hear a giggle escape my lips. “Well, this is … unexpected.”

Rob and Tiffany scramble to cover themselves, a flurry of limbs and bedsheets.

“Beth! I thought you were on your trip!” Rob sputters, his face a comical mix of shock and guilt.

“Clearly,” I reply, surprised by how calm I sound. “Though I’m thinking now that might have been the better choice.”

Tiffany covers herself with my comforter. I make a mental note to burn it later—in a cleansing ritual, of course. Positivity and all that.

“I can explain,” Rob starts, but I hold up a hand.

“You know what? I don’t think that’s necessary. I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.” I take a deep breath, reminding myself that anger won’t solve anything. “I’d appreciate it if you both got dressed and left. Now. Rob, please leave your key.”

As they hurriedly gather their clothes, I retreat to the living room, sinking onto the couch. My heart aches, but a small part of me whispers that maybe this is for the best. After all, the universe works in mysterious ways, right?

Once they’re gone, I allow myself a good cry. It’s okay to feel hurt, as much as I want to push it away. I remind myself it’s all part of the healing process. It better be, ‘cause the crying is coming in waves now.

But ten, or maybe it’s twenty minutes later, when the tears subside, I sit up, wiping my eyes.

“All right, Beth,” I say aloud, “time for a change of scenery.”

My eyes fall on the brochure for Alex’s camping trip. Guilt washes over me as I realize I totally abandoned her. Some friend I am.

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