Centaur Boyfriend: Solomandry (rough draft)

It isn’t like I have anywhere to be, anywhere I am wanted, so I just keep moving forward. There isn’t much I can do back home, my family needs people who are able to work during the peak hours of the day. Considering I grow weak during sunlit hours, I am no help upon the farm, I’m barely any help in the house. All I can do is study and read. No one really needs that when food has to be put on the table.

My family took me in when no one else would, and while I am grateful for all their love and support I know they can’t possibly understand me. I am not like them, I am not part of their world no matter how hard they try to pull me into it. It is best to keep them at a distance, we can love each where we stand then.

During the day when I travel, I try to find somewhere I can rest, or at least get indoors away from the sun. I travel mostly at twilight and nightfall. And yes, I know how dangerous that is. I have been told that countless times. Actually, I have been told it every fucking time I leave somewhere. It’s exhausting and belittling, I can take care of myself better than they can, I assure you. But while my sense of direction may not be the best, in fact, it is possibly the worst, I still bet I fare better than any other adventurer or knight I come across.

Currently, I have been in a small town where I discovered one of the shops had a collection of old books. Within them were histories, and a bestiary that read more like a family tree. I could not afford to buy the books at the moment, but the shop owner allowed me to work there, doing small jobs for him, so that way I could study the books on my own. There was a map within one, which I copied down, hoping it would help me find even a sliver of what I’m looking for.

After I was sure I had learned everything I possibly could from those books, I decided to set out and follow that map.

“Young lady,” the shop keeper gasped. “It isn’t-”

I sigh heavily and grit my teeth. “Let me guess? It’s not safe to travel now. There are beasts within the shadows. There are thieves who will rob you blind. There are Gnolls that will capture you. There are-”

“It’s not safe,” he insists. “But none of those things are out in our woods.”

Okay, I will admit, that is a new one. I furrow my brow and turn to look back at the old man. “What do you mean? If there are no Gnolls, beasts, or thieves, what is there?”

“There is a powerful force out there, a dark warlock.”

I can’t help but frown a bit. “A warlock?”

The old man wags his finger in protest. “I know how it sounds, young lady. But he is no man, not even a creature. He is an entity who has inhabited our woods for centuries.”

“Only dragons can live that long,” I scoff. “And there aren’t many of them anymore are there?”

He wags his finger again and I want to chop it off if he doesn’t stop. “There is more to this world than we know. Isn’t that exactly what you are seeking?”

Crap, he’s right. I frown and look away from him.

“He is out there, we know that for a fact. He goes out at night when he can’t be seen so he can hunt, and many travelers have gone missing on nights like these.” Hopefully he’s not wagging his finger again as he says this.

“This is the only time I do travel, so this warlock will just have to deal with me when he finds me.” I set out despite his protests, wandering through town until I come to the path leading into the woods. I can hear shudders and whispers coming from the trees as everything starts to turn still. It doesn’t bother me anymore, I am used to that somber sound of night. “Warlock,” I laugh to myself. “What a crock.”

I can see in darkness better than I can daylight. It was something I used to enjoy as a child when I had no idea what it meant. I thought everyone could see so well in the shadows, I never knew my eyes became frightening when it was dark.

I take out my map, which I had drawn over with the map from the book. Although, no matter how hard I studied maps, I could never quite figure it out. I couldn’t trust my sense of direction, which often led me to wandering in circles until I came across other travelers. From what I could tell though, I was at least heading in the right direction. As long as I kpt heading north I would be okay.

Only issue with that was that, between the time this old map was created, there must have been an earthquake. Because the path, and the earth itself, suddenly opens up into a massive chasm. I can see the old path on the other side, as well as remnants of an old rope bridge. Looking down inside I can smell a river far below, but it is very, very, very far below.

I take a deep breath and stand back. “There must be a way to get across this thing, unless that bridge was my only option and someone just-” I growl under my breath and stomp my foot. “Was the warlock? Maybe?” I say with mocking voices. I sit down there on the dirt path and think to myself. “Maybe if I can shoot an arrow into the tree with a rope attached, I can just shimmy my way across.” I scowl at this idea, it’s not the best, but it may be all I have. I lay out the map on the ground, if only to double check I’m not missing anything.

“If I try to go around I’ll be caught out in daylight, and I may go in a wrong direction,” I grumble to myself. “But how do I get over-” The hairs on the back of my neck prickle and stand on end. There is a heavy weight upon my chest as my heart begin to patter faster. I feel as though someone is watching me.

I try to keep my breathing quiet and shallow, but as my heart races it begins to go faster as well. I look around, reminding myself to keep my cool. I usually do so well in these conditions, but right now I feel as though I am turning into a new born. I can’t see anything around me, there is nothing! Why am I afraid? Why is my body reacting so strongly to nothing?

Then, across the chasm, I see something. I don’t know how to explain it, but I both see something and nothing. It’s as if whatever is there perfectly blends into the night, like it is a shadow too. I can feel it watch me, it knows I am there and that I can sense it. I stand up from the ground, gathering up my map into my fist. Maybe, if I move slowly and pay it no mind, I can walk away. After all, it is on the other side of the chasm, there’s no way it can get to me.

I turn slowly, walking back towards the way I came. The feeling of it watching me doesn’t fade. In fact, the feeling grows worse. I have to walk slow, I have to keep my calm. But I notice my feet are minding, they’re picking up speed, going faster, running. I’m sprinting through the woods. Stop! I need to stop! I only go faster. I’ll make a mistake if I keep running like this. I need to stop!

Mistakes I do make. My lack of direction, mixed with this panic, ultimately creates my fate. What I think is solid ground is actually just brambles and bushes, hiding the fact that there is a steep hill which I go tumbling down. I know I am hurt instantly, but that doesn’t stop the fall. I careen down, through briars, vines, and stones. I heal quickly, but this may be the end of me. If I cannot find shelter by dawn, my weakness in sun could possibly kill me.

When I finally still, I try to claw my way out. I have one good arm and one good leg to me, but my body feels like a sack of soggy grapes. I’m losing blood, that’s not good. I’ll lose myself at a certain point, I know I will. I can’t lose consciousness, I can’t give in. If I go wild, I’ll probably die too.

I feel as though I am being watched again and I look up. The shadow stands over me, but there is nothing I can do.

“Come now,” the shadow says with a deep voice. “Seems my night will have to wait.” The shadow comes down and picks me up. The panic turns into anger and though I try to struggle, try to fight, lashing out and spitting, the shadow doesn’t let me go.

“You’re hurting yourself worse by doing that. Remain still. Go to sleep.”

The shadow’s words take hold on me. I feel still and sleepy, the panic and anger subside for the moment, fading away as I drift and fall into slumber.

I wake to pain as well as numbness in some of limbs. I’m covered by a heavy blanket that feels as though it has been weighted by rocks. The ceiling is dirt and I can see vines and roots coming out from the surface. There are vines of wild strawberries crawling along the walls with fat red berries hanging off them.

I can’t move, either because I’m too broken or the blanket is anchored down. I’m so tired, I don’t even want to move right now. I close my eyes again, focusing on sounds beyond this room. I can hear water rushing outside, I can hear breathing then the slow even pace of hooves.

“I know that these are not the hours your keep, but the sooner you are better the sooner I can get you out of here.”

I open my eyes and look up to see a centaur come into the room. I furrow my brow, not expecting this at all.

“Good morning,” he says. He kneels down beside my bed and easily moves aside the blanket. He then pours the kettle in his hand, filling the cup so it billows steam.

“What?” I grunt.

The centaur looks at me, arching his dark brows. His eyes are all black, but his left one has some white dappling that makes half the lashes white on that side. His long hair is pulled into a braid, entwined with vines and leaves, as well as other flora.

He tilts his head towards me. “I said good morning.”

“And I obviously have no idea what’s going on!” I try to sit up on my own but I apparently use the wrong arm and go back down like that soggy sack of grapes.

“Easy now, the medicine is still wearing off.” He helps me up then wedges a pillow behind my back. “This tea will help it flush from your system.” he offers the cup but for the time being I refuse to take it.

His dark eyes focus on me and I get that same feeling I did when the shadow was watching me. “If I wanted to do something to harm you, I would have already.” He offers the cup again. “I am offering my help.”

I cautiously take the cup and notice it smells like peppermint. “You could at least tell me who the hell you are.”

“Is that how you talk to people who have helped you?”

I sniff the tea again. “I talk to everyone like this, you aren't special.”

He shakes his head. “Solomandry is my name. You are Firestat.”

I grimace at him. “How did you know that?”

“Much of your pack fell out. I saw your name written on several items. It wasn’t hard to figure that out,” he says calmly, pouring himself a cup of tea.

“Oh...well then.” I sip the tea after he does. It feels cool on my tongue and mouth even though it is steaming hot. “That still doesn’t explain who the hell you are.”

Solomandry gives me a stern look and every hair on my body bristles. “I am the one who saved your life last night.”

I scowl, sipping the tea again. Solomadry doesn’t look exactly like other centaurs I have seen. His features are more in line with the Unseelie. He is sharp and beautiful, but mostly he is dark and foreboding. Also, I’d never seen a centaur with antlers like his. They looked like twisted wood, growing moss and vines. Was he the shadow I saw last night?

“Luckily, you are in one piece, but the pieces are mashed and bruised. I suspect you won’t be able to walk very well for a few days either because of-”

“I heal quickly,” I snip. “I bet I could stand right now and go through that door.”

He waves his hand towards the entrance. “If you feel up to it.”

I make haste with it, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and rising, only to fall back down upon the bed with a ghastly wail of pain.

“If you would listen,” Solomandry states simply, “then you would know you probably broke some bones in your foot.”

I whimper, covering it up as a cough. I press the heels of my palms against my eyes to try and stop the tears.

“I don’t want you here anymore than you want to be here,” he scolds. “So we’re stuck together for the time being.” Solomandry stands up and I realize how high the ceilings are. He must be at least eight feet in height, not including the antlers.

I sniffle and gulp down the lump in my throat. “What about the evil warlock?” I taunt.

His brows arch. “That’s me, so I don’t have to worry about a thing.”

I furrow my brow at him. “You’re joking.”

“I haven’t a funny bone in my body, so no, I am not joking.” He gathers up the kettle and cups.

“Then why help me if you are so evil?”

“So I will be left alone. All you have to do is leave and never come back.” He walks out of the room and I pick myself up, sitting so I can see my foot. It’s black for sure, but the bones should mend in a few days if I am lucky. I once had a broken arm heal in a little over a week.

Solomandry was the quiet type, he didn’t speak much unless he had to. He was serious too, I’d never met someone so stoney before. I know I put up my walls, but his were far bigger and much thicker than my own. Those first few days, he barely spoke to me except to scold me when I tested my limitations or tried to walk again.

“You need to rest, are that foolish?”

“Much more than you could imagine!” I toss back at him while I continue to hop on one leg. He then yanks me up, grabbing me by the back of my shirt then tucking me under his arm. “Not fair!” I snap at him.

He puts me back down in the bed. “If you keep pulling this sort of behaviour you will never get out of here.”

“Then just let me go.”

Solomandry glares at me and his ears flick forward. “You will die out there in this state. Your weakness to the sun will worsen your injuries and you are too far out to find shelter that will protect you from it.”

I flinch and stare up at him with a slight twinge of fear. “How do you know that?”

“Your shift in behaviour after you fell, the color and consistency of your blood, the shade of your eyes in the shadows. It was a surprise to me, I will not lie. I thought your kind had been wiped out ages ago.”

“You” I loose my breath. “You know what I am? You know my kind?”

Solomandry take a sympathetic gaze, and even his tone shifts that way as well. “Shadows know shadows, Firestat. But that was ages ago, long before I assume you were even born. I have not met another until you.”

“Where?” My voice begins to crack. “Where did you last see them? What can you tell me?” My voice is wavering as I try to sort through all the questions in my brain. “The map I have! You saw it, where does it lead? Will there be anything there for me to find?”

His gaze softens further then shifts towards bitterness. “Is there something you are looking for?”

“I want to know who I am and how I can control it!” I snap at him. “I don’t want these urges in me to get out! I don’t want to hurt my family. I just want to live!”

Solomandry sighs, letting his shoulder slouch low. “If you want to live, then where the map is taking you is the last place you should go. Hybrids like you are not welcomed on either side. Lycan and vampire both hate you, even if you do come from both.”

My chin trembles, then my lip. I fall back onto the bed, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes again, but it does nothing to stop the tears.

Solomandry kneels down, placing his huge hand upon my head. “I am sorry to give you such foul news.”

“So I’m just doing this for nothing?” I whimper. “I’ve been spending all this time just looking for an answer my parents already gave me?”

“They didn’t tell you about this?” He asks.

I look at him, eyes red and puffy, lips pouted pitifully. “I wasn’t raised by my parents!” I scoff. I sniffle and wipe my nose on my sleeve. “I mean, I was, but they just found me was all.”

“I see,” Solomandry murmurs.

“I was abandoned,” I grumble. “And I suppose I always will be. It’s obvious now more than ever that no one wants me.”

Solomandry pets down my hair and his thumb smooths away the tears clinging to my cheek. “The family who raised you, is that what they said?”

“No,” I pout.

Solomandry moves his hand away and tilts his head so his long, dark hair falls from his shoulder. “Then why do you feel this way?”

“You just told me,” I scoff. “I’m not supposed to exist. I’m hunted. I’m marked for death!” I choke as more tears flow to the surface. “You shouldn’t have made me cry!”

Solomandry sighs heavily again. “You exist,” he states somberly. “That should be proof enough you are supposed to be here. You are alive, you are vicious, and you have fire inside you, no matter what anyone else says to dampen you. I have spent barely a week with you and I can see you exist for a reason.”

I glare at him. “You don’t know.”

“I have been alive a very long time, so yes, I do know.” He smiles, and it is the first smile I have ever seen from him. It’s breathtaking actually. “That night you injured and became primal in my arms, that means you desperately want to live, Firestat.”

“So?” I sniffle.

“You live, and that in itself is special.”

I look away from him, rubbing my eyes to try and dry up the tears. “Geez, okay. I get it. Stop reciting poetry.”

Later that evening, Solomandry comes into the room with a cane. “You should be able to walk a bit now. Come, I want to show you something.”

Using the cane I follow him outside. I see them his home is a massive cave at the bottom of the chasm. The river rushes wildly before us and as the sun sets, Solomandry begins to blend into the shadows, almost becoming one himself.

“So you are the shadow,” I murmur.

Solomandry looks up into the sky where the moon has become fat and full since last I saw it. “I am like you, Firestat. I come from two worlds and yet I belong to neither.”

“So?”

He places his large hand on his chest. “So that is how I know. It took me a long time to accept myself, to accept that I existed for a reason.”

“To pretend to be a creepy wizard in a ditch?”

Solomandy pinches the tip of my ear. “I am trying to speak seriously to you, Firestat. I am trying to help you.”

“Sorry,” I grumble. “I’ll...listen.”

“Creepy wizard in a ditch aside, I forced myself to be alone. I don’t want to see you do the same thing.” He puts his hand upon my cheek. “You have a family who raised you. You don’t have to force yourself into the shadows and hide away from them.”

“I don’t want to hurt them,” I mumble. “That’s why I need to know.”

“Then I’ll help you,” Solomandry whispers. “But, you must help me in return.”

I furrow my brow at him. “How?”

Solomandy’s hand on my cheek twitches. “I don’t want to be the creepy wizard in the ditch anymore. I don’t want to be alone.”

My cheeks warm and I find myself leaning into his touch. “I may be the exact wrong person to help with that. But-” I take in a deep breath and exhale loudly. “Fine. I’ll be your friend or whatever.”

“And I will help you understand your powers and control what you fear.” He moves his hand and offers it. “Agreed?”

I shake his hand. “Weird, but fine.”

Solomandry’s cave is much bigger than I expected. It goes deep underground where he has his own quarters. He has books upon books, some that look ancient and are filled with script I have no knowledge of. He shows me spells and charms, simple magic which will help me understand the basics of what he plans to teach me.

“We should go and get supplies,” he says one day. “If you are to stay here with me for a while, you will need certain things I don’t keep in supply.”

“How long has it been since you’ve set foot in a village?” I look up from a book to see him grimace.

“I can’t recall but-” His voice drifts off.

I stand up and set the book aside. “Well, how do we get out of here?”

To my horror, Solomadry scales the walls of the chasm like a mountain goat. He hopes up ledges, leaping and clinging to rock. Meanwhile, I am clung to his back, burying my face against his hair so I don’t have to see anything.

“Not afraid are you?” Solomandry asks.

“Stop talking to me! Just focus on what you’re doing so we don’t die!” I have forgotten how tightly my hands are wrapped around his thick waist.

Solomandry chuckles. “Are you afraid of heights, Firestat?”

“None of your business!” I whine.

In the village, we do receive some shocked looks, but Solomandry is a shocking figure. I suppose too no one there really knew what the ‘evil warlock’ looked like. Too many rumors and too many stories had created too many ideas, so for the most part, Solomandry wasn’t suspected.

I do notice though, he tends to grab my shoulder when he begins to feel anxious. I just let him, besides, I don’t want to be out and about during the day either. Each trip to the village gets easier though. I grow less afraid of his chasm climbing, and while he still holds my shoulder, he begins to let those high walls of his down.

“Why are you afraid?” I ask him one evening. We’re sitting by the river at dusk while we watch fireflies.

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you afraid of people?” I sit down beside him, leaning my back against his flank.

“It was a long time ago,” he murmurs. “I used to teach magic, much like I am doing for you know.” He looks back at me. “I trusted the wrong people, Firestat.”

I frown slightly. “I see.”

He tilts his head back up. “I was hurt, still am I suppose.”

I move closer to him and put my arm around his waist and lean into his side. “I’m sorry.”

Solomandry places his palm upon my head. “Don’t be. I let myself fall away. I lost trust, even a little hope. But, I’m learning to try again.”

I smile up at him. “You’re not so bad for a creepy ditch wizard.”

He chuckles. “That means a lot, coming from you.”

There is a moment of quiet between us and my heart begins to pick up speed. It was different than our first meeting. It felt lighter, easier. I look up at him and he meets my gaze. I stand up slowly and he places his hands around my waist, moving them up my back.

“I never thanked you for saving my life,” I murmur. “So I should do that. Right?”

“You don’t have to,” he smiles again.

I place my hand around his face and lean in, placing a soft kiss upon his lips. “Thank you.” I whisper before diving in for another kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck, nearly lifting myself off the ground. He returns my kiss, holding me and grabbing me with those big hands of his.

I pull back breathless and I look into his eyes. “Solomandry.”

“Yes?”

I hug him in silence, burying my face into his hair. He holds me close, stroking his hand down my back.

“I'm happy you are here, Firestat. Thank you.”

I kiss his cheek softly. “You may change your mind about that,” I laugh nervously. I smooth my fingertips under his eyes. “But, I want to stay here. I’ve never felt that before.”

He kisses me and I could forget how to breathe just to accept that kiss forever. “Then stay. I will not make you go anywhere.”

“Could I make you go inside?” I whisper. “To bed even?”

Solomandry kisses my cheek and ear, breathing against my skin. “It’s rather early for us for bed isn’t it?”

“Yes. But we aren’t going to sleep yet.” I stand and go to the entrance of the cave. “Just come on.” I lead him inside, going into his chambers where I stand before his bed. He stands there before me, towering above me, but I know exactly how to bring him to his knees.

“You’re usually so honest with what you’re thinking. Why not just out with it?” Solomandry chuckles.

I open up my robe, exposing my  body to him with a smirk on my lips. “I don’t need to spell this out, do I?”

“No, not at all.” Solomandry places his hands upon my bare body. I shiver in excitement, having been dreaming about those hands for a long time now. He breathes deeply, almost rumbling in his chest. I let out a seductive moan and bite my lip as I wait for his reaction.

“Get on the bed, now,” Solomandry whispers into my ear.

“What are you going to do to me?” I moan again.

“Exactly what you want.”

I lay on his bed, which is more like a nest of pillows and blankets. He climbs in beside me, laying on his side so I can snuggle up against his chest. He kisses me, moving his hands down my body. His fingers come to the apex of my thighs and curls inside. I rise up on my knees so he has better access and he holds me against him with his other hand.

“How long have you been thinking about this?” he whispers.

“Too long,” I moan.

He bites the tip of my ear. “I have been aware of your arousal once or twice, but I thought I was simply being hopeful.”

I turn around and kiss him while his fingers sink inside me. They’re so big and he moves them so expertly.

“What about you?” I pant.

“Shh.” He presses his lips to my cheek. “Let me touch you.” He stris me up, touching me inside and out so nothing is left to chance. He kisses my neck and chest, teasing my breasts with his free hand. I am becoming aflame with his affections, but my mind keeps wandering to him and what he must want.

“Solo-” I lose my breath and he has to hold me up as my legs go weak. He moves his fingers faster, deeper. I hear my wetness slosh from his efforts and then all is let go. I thrust back against him, curling my toes and bending my neck back.

“There,” he breathes. “So sweet.” he kisses my neck and slowly pulls his fingers from me.

“Wait-” I gasp for breath. “Not done. You-”

“We are done, for now.” He eases me down into bed and he curls up beside me. “I am not something you can take all at once.”

“I bet I can!” I pout.

He laughs and kisses my sweaty forehead. “Eventually, you can.”