The Monster Within

Say Please

Oberon paced a trench in the soft dirt, his toes curling in angst with every step. He checked the position of the sun again, though it hadn't changed in thirty seconds since the last time he'd thrown his face to the sky. Hollis had been gone near an hour now, and his eyes kept scanning the town below, waiting for the flash of her ashy blond hair. Growling, he peered through the branches once more, his heart clenching.

There, there she was, arms full of supplies, broad smile stretched taut across her face. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as his temperature rose. His desire for her had grown each day, but the worry he'd had while she jaunted into town was something Oberon was not used to, and it frightened him more than anything. His attachment to her had flourished like an ivy vine, unrelenting and glorious—but also uncontrollable. Not only did this stand as a distraction from his task, it added another layer to it altogether.

He would succeed, of that he was certain, but to keep her safe through it all would prove to be rather arduous as well. His keen golden eyes watched as she neared the hill, ensuring no one was pursuing her, his chest lightening the closer she drew to him. He wondered if she could feel the pull as strongly as he did, but doubt coursed through him. She was young, naive, and a man's presence was new to her, as all her emotions toward him would be. She had seemed to warm to him, though, and he counted that as a small success.

Breathless and red-cheeked, Hollis beamed up at Oberon as she burst through the last of the ferns.

"I got beef, I can make us cheeseburgers tonight, you'll love them—"

She was cut short as she dropped the bags, Oberon's arms wrapping tight about her. He felt her confusion, but he cared not as his anxiety dissipated. After a moment, she rested her head against him, relaxing as she put her small, sinewy arms about his waist.

"Next time, we both go, tiny human," he said, voice gruff. She pulled away to glance at him, brows furrowing. He didn't like her scrutiny of his actions, watching as she sifted through reasons, her face as plain to read as text.

"Did you think I would...abandon you? We have a deal, dork. I won't break it," she said, blue eyes depthless and enchanting. It was his turn for his brow to furrow, even if the sentiment felt endearing with the way she delivered it.

"Dork?"

"Stupid, idiot," she said, flashing him a toothy grin as he glared. He released her as she bent once more to the bags, her excitement palpable.

"Look, I got you some new shirts and a new pair of shorts, and then, well this is for me," she rambled, pulling colorful bits of cloth out of the bags. He felt the small smile tug at his lips.

"Come, Hollis, I've found a spot to rest for the night," he said, and her gaze snapped back to his, a gentle smile on her lips. Her cheeks flushed pink as she stared at him. He didn't miss the surreptitious glances she often sent his way the past few days, nor the way her mind often wandered back to their shower, even if the instance was cloaked by trauma. He could feel her trust grow more each day, could feel her intrigue, and her surge of hormones each time she slipped into thinking about him holding her.

It was there, awakening within her, no matter how hard she attempted to smother the feelings.

They rode a mile or so south, the land dipping and becoming a bit more lush as afternoon crept into evening. Hollis smiled as she heard the calls of the loons, a melancholy but beautiful song. Oberon stopped Tyr, hopping down, and she followed his lead, walking their horses the last few feet until they were greeted by a wide, emerald lake. The sight pulled Hollis up short, eyes bulging at the untouched beauty before them.