The Ruby Empire

The Manticore

Male Monster x Dwarf Female Reader

You knew that when your father asked you to join him on his trip that he had something planned. Ever since you were little he always looked down on you. He's called you a mistake all your life. Luckily, when your mother was still alive she held him at bay. She spit at him when he said anything demeaning to you. She kept you safe.

"Just because you were born small doesn't mean you weren't born for greater things," she'd whisper to you. "You father doesn't understand," she sighs. "He doesn't understand a lot of things."

It was after your mother died you noticed a change come over your father. He grew silent, withdrew. This is what scared you more than his barbs. You've tried to get him to speak, to say anything at all. Even something cruel would be a sign. Instead, he glares. His silence a suffocating fog.

That's why, when he came to you that morning, you knew it was the end. You sat in the buggy wondering what fate he has planned for you. You figure, if anything, he's sold you. Which is fine. If he has, you don't have to deal with him anymore. And that was better than nothing.

He stops before a rocky cliff. You notice there are bones scattered about everywhere and your body runs cold. You father lifts you from the buggy and you're too terrified to fight. He sets you down before the sharp rocks where the bones are piled high.

You hear a low growl from inside the cave and your body seizes. You can't even shiver. From inside a bag is slid out before your father. He dips down and picks it up then moves back to the buggy in that familiar silence. No goodbye. No sign of feeling at all. He leaves, just like that.

You break down, sobbing as you fall to your knees.

"Men are heartless beings," a dark voice rasps from inside the dark cave. "Sells his own blood and doesn't even blink."

Something touches the top of your head. It's heavy and sharp claws drag along your scalp. You look up through tears at the strange creature before you. It's massive body towers above you. It's covered in dark fur. The legs though are scaly and taloned. Its tail is long and barbed at the end, curling like a scorpion's. He dips down, his face something strange and twisted. His eyes are narrow, his face long and strange. He nuzzles your cheek, wiping away your tears.

"A warm body is all I wanted. Small or not." He picks you up by the back of your tunic and carries you into his cave. He walks you through darkness and then the cave turns bright. The walls are lined with torches. The room circular and filled to the brim with treasures. The center is hollow and dug down, a nest is made in the center. He plops you in this nest.

"Sleep," he growls. "Judging from your tears you need it."

You glance up from the nest, shivering, and silent. Your hair falls in your face and he reaches out to stroke is away.

"You're in no danger, little one," he murmurs. "Not as long as you stay here. Out there, I give no promise of protection. I bought you to keep my bed warm. As such, I'll take care of you." His wings shuffle as he lays down on the edge of the nest. "But for now, you shall sleep."

"I-" your voice breaks as you try to talk.

His lip curls up and you lean back into the nest. Soft pillows and blankets line it.

"I'm still afraid," you whisper.

He rolls his eyes and climbs into the nest. You try to get as far from him as you can but he curls around you. He lays his large head on your chest and closes his eyes. "Then let me ease your mind."

This wasn't helping in the least bit. You lay there, staring frightened at the ceiling. The torches flicker, making the piles of gold shine and cast shadows. The manticore that lays on your chest begins to purr. He curls closer to you and stretches.