The Beast (SHORT STORY) (EDITED)

Chapter 6

Rune gently placed Hollis on the soft blankets of her bed, his movements surprisingly tender despite his imposing size. Without a word, he slipped out of the cottage, melting back into the shadows of the forest before any of the villagers could catch sight of him. He had no desire for bloodshed, and his disdain for the small-minded humans made any interaction a volatile risk.

The following morning, Hollis awoke to the sound of angry voices echoing through the village. Curiosity piqued, she rose from bed and made her way outside to investigate the commotion.

"There she is!" a shrill voice called out as Hollis emerged from her cottage.

"What's going on?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion as she took in the agitated crowd.

"I saw her with the beast in the forest!" a girl named Lila declared, her eyes wide with accusation.

Hollis crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "Do you have proof, Lila?"

Lila's mouth snapped shut, her bravado faltering in the face of Hollis's directness. She had no evidence to support her claim.

"I saw her too," Ian stepped forward, his eyes narrowed with a familiar resentment. He had never forgiven Hollis for rejecting his clumsy marriage proposal. In her opinion, he was a pompous fool.

"They were by the river yesterday... swimming," he added, a smug look on his face, clearly relishing the opportunity to tarnish her reputation.

Hollis felt a flicker of surprise. He had indeed seen them. "Congratulations, Ian. Anything else?" she said, her tone dismissive.

He glared at her, his jaw tight. He knew she understood the implication of his words.

"But I'm not going to deny it," Hollis continued, her voice clear and unwavering. "I have nothing to hide."

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. What could they say when she so openly admitted to consorting with the creature they feared?

"Oh, and he's probably watching," Hollis added casually, glancing towards the edge of the forest. "He's never too far away."

A ripple of unease spread through the villagers. They glanced nervously at the treeline, inching closer to one another.

"Anyways, I'm starving, so have a nice day," Hollis said, turning to head back inside her cottage.

"There!" someone shouted, pointing towards the edge of the village.

Hollis stopped and turned. Leaning casually against a large oak tree at the very border stood Rune. His face was impassive, but Hollis could sense the undercurrent of displeasure radiating from him.

She gave him a small wave before disappearing into her cottage. She drew a warm bath, the soothing water easing the tension she hadn't realized she was carrying. After a light meal, she headed back outside. Rune was still there, a silent, watchful guardian.

"Good morning," Hollis greeted him, a small smile on her lips.

"Are they always this... annoying?" Rune's voice was a low growl, his gaze sweeping over the now-dispersed villagers.

"The men hate me," Hollis explained with a shrug. "I turn them down, so they're a little salty about being rejected."

Rune scoffed, pushing himself off the tree. "Traitor!" a voice from the village yelled, though the speaker remained hidden.

Hollis rolled her eyes and stepped towards Rune, falling into step beside him as they walked into the depths of the forest.

"So, where are we going today?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"The town over. I need to buy some things for my home. You can help pick them out," Rune replied, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

"Oh, I love decorating! How are we getting there?" Hollis's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Flying. I would have to show you what I am at some point," Rune said, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Hollis's excitement soared.

The sudden sound of tearing fabric snapped her attention back to Rune. The simple tunic he wore ripped to shreds as his body began to shift and grow at an astonishing rate. Hollis craned her neck, her jaw dropping as Rune towered above her. The last piece of cloth fell away as magnificent, iridescent scales shimmered into existence. Vast, leathery wings unfurled, casting a shadow over the forest floor. A powerful tail, tipped with sharp spines, swished behind him.

"You're a dragon!" Hollis gasped, reaching out to touch his smooth, warm scales in awe. She had only ever heard tales of dragons, magnificent creatures thought to be long extinct. Everyone knew they were the natural rulers of Gardina. Since their supposed disappearance, humans now occupied the positions of power that once belonged to dragons.

A question formed in her mind. "I wonder why you never went to the castle?" she murmured, her gaze tracing the powerful lines of his draconic form.