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A Centaur's Love

By: AMY_Monaco



Author's note: This is a continuation of Centaur's Reluctant Mate. I had planned on ending Thayer and Rose's story there, with only snippets of them in Callum and later, Soren's stories. But they've become quite popular, so I've decided to expand on their characters. Thanks so much for those who've taken time to comment. Your opinions are a great help. So here is Callum's story - enjoy!

***

Callum pounded the burning metal, manipulating it, shaping it. The heat of the forge was overwhelming and it always smelled of smoke. His arms ached from constant force, but it was what gave him his large, broad shoulders and built arms heavy with muscle. Sweat trickled down his chest as he slid the blade into a tub of water, steam watering his eyes as the cooling metal hissed. 

After a satisfactory inspection, he set the blade down. He would sharpen it later. Another will give the sword its final touch, be it intricate carvings significant to its future owner or embellishing it with gems or leather on the handle. Those details, Callum paid little attention to. It was the sword itself that he enjoyed creating. 

The sword represented strength, leadership, and loyalty. 

He smirked as he wiped sweat from his forehead. Loyalty. The meaning brought forth memories of his mate. 

No. Katerina was no longer his mate.

That night, he ate alone in his longhouse. His brother Thayer and his mate, Rose of nearly eight months had invited him to dine with them. But Callum hadn't felt like socializing. 

Thayer and Rose were to be parents soon. Thayer was overjoyed. While he was happy for them, Callum couldn't help but think of Antony, his own son -- dead these three years past. He would be six now if he'd lived. 

He suddenly needed air. The longhouse was an empty place without the voices of family. He could remember the days when he used to weave stories for Antony and the sound of Katerina laughing, back when she was still happy. Had she ever been truly happy with Callum? It was a question that haunted him still. 

Callum stepped out into the cold. Autumn had passed quickly into winter and soon, spring would come. The biting winds were strong today and they surrounded his sweating body, though he did not shiver from it. He took to a gallop, filling his lungs deep with cool air as the wind began to whip through his shoulder length chestnut colored hair. 

He did this often, going out in the night to clear his head. His restless soul seemed to thrive on the seclusion of darkness. By himself, there was no one to question him, no one to offer comfort that never helped. Alone, he was left to his memories, both happy and tragic. 

*** 

Lila clutched the tiny sack to herself as she ran. She ran as fast as her legs would take her without bothering to glance back. If she weren't fast enough, Henry would find her. The thought of her fiancé made her heart leap in fear. She must get away. 

How long had she been running for? It seemed like forever. She was grateful for the full moon, bright enough to allow her to avoid trees and steep hills. Small favors, she thought. 

Her lungs burned from running, her feet hurt and she was cold. The thin coat she put on over her nightgown wasn't enough and certainly the one dress she'd put in her sack wouldn't be any better. 

She had no idea where she was going to go. She'd thought about starting another life in a new village or town, one that was miles away if she knew it would help. But Henry would somehow find her. He'd done so once before. 

As if he thinking about him could summon him, she glanced back as she jumped off a tiny dip in the hill and ran right into a tree trunk. 

"Ooph!" The impact knocked the breath out of her and she fell back, landing painfully on her bottom. 

Lila had to push the hair away from her face to see. As she did, she froze. It wasn't a tree she ran into. As her eyes slowly looked up, the form before her soon took shape as what first appeared to be a horse. But then the upper half was that of a man soon became clear. A very well-formed man. 

She couldn't take her eyes off him. The man, no, centaur was all muscle, possessing the broadest shoulders she'd ever seen. In fact, no man was as large as the one before her, with his sculpted hands and flat stomach. His dark hair was long, his face square with hair that was trimmed so that it traced the long angles of his jaw and lining his upper lip, leaving his cheeks bare. His nose was straight and those eyes, they seemed to faintly glow in the darkness. 

Lila swallowed hard as the centaur met her gaze fiercely. "Are you going to kill me?"

Something flashed in his eyes, but his expression revealed nothing. "Do you deserve to die?" His voice was rough, like sandstone rubbing against each other, yet there was an underlining smoothness to it, deep and sensual. 

"I-If you are going to kill me, then I beg you to make it a quick death. If he gets to me, he'll hurt me and make sure I am conscious to feel the pain." 

"He?" The centaur stepped forward. 

"Henry, my fiancé."

He said nothing for a moment, then, "Is that who you are running from?"

She nodded slowly. "Are you still going to kill me?"

To her surprise, he held his palm out to her. She hesitated, then accepted it as he pulled her to her feet. The feel of his large hand covering hers sent a shard of heat through her, causing her heart to skip. 

"Your name, maiden." 

"Lila of Greenwood Village."

"I am Callum." He bent down to retrieve her fallen sack. "It was never my intention to harm you." He added flatly. 

"I'm sorry, Callum. I meant no offense because you are a centaur. It's only...if I was to die, I'd rather die by someone else's hand than Henry's."

"No man should ever harm a female. Where do you run to?"

"I'm not exactly sure." She bit her lip. "Do you know of any towns far away from Greenwood? Or of a port where I could book passage.... what is it?"

He was staring at her strangely. She looked down at herself and found nothing wrong, only that her coat fell open. Suddenly, Callum reach over and touched his fingers lightly to her collarbone, not enough to cause her pain, but enough to remind her. The bruises. Lila pulled back, but he held her by the shoulder as he pushed away the other side of her coat. 

Callum was frowning, making him look even more dangerous. "He did this to you." It wasn't a question.

Lila could feel the shame redden her face. She looked away. "He says he does this out of affection." She became all too aware now that her nightgown dipped low at the neckline and he was still touching the skin above it. She quickly closed her coat.  

"I need to get away before he finds me again."

He still held her sack. "Get on my back."

"What?"

"I will take you to safety."

Callum was sure she would hesitate on his offer. After all, she was a human confronted with a centaur. Yet Lila didn't think twice and he helped her mount him. 

By the time they arrived at his home, she'd fallen asleep on his back. He took off her coat and laid her down on the pillows and furs on the floor. He'd gotten rid of the bed when his son died. 

He stood over her, watching her sleep. Her hair was a brown as rich as his, long and wavy, spread all over the pillows. Her features were delicate, soft and pale. Her nose was upturned and her mouth, bow-shaped and pink were parted in slumber. 

When he first gazed upon her, he thought what he did now, that she was so tiny of stature that at first glance, she could have been mistaken as a girl. But on closer inspection, it was hard to dismiss her full breasts straining against her virginal nightgown. Through the sheer material he could see her tiny waist, the gently curves of her hips.

His cock stirred. The image of her sleeping so trustingly in his bed made him want to taste her. The sight of her parted lips had him yearning for the touch of a woman. He hadn't been with one since his mate had disappeared. 

By the gods, he could easily span the width of her waist with his hand. Callum shook his head. He shouldn't have brought her here. She was young, vulnerable, and too small for him. Katerina had been a lush, curvy woman. Just looking at Lila made him think her fragile with the slightest rough touch. And that was exactly what he was. Rough. He was a blacksmith. 

He, too, was tired and settled beside her. He found himself watching her. How could anyone want to hurt such a beautiful creature? The fury flowed through him still from seeing those bruises mar her skin. If he ever confronted this fiancé of hers, Callum wouldn't hesitate to kill him. 

Suddenly, her tiny hand covered his. He looked up. 

"Thank you." She sighed sleepily and then she was quiet. His eyes went back to their connecting hands. Hers was warm, so pale against his tanned one. Her touch made him long for something that had died along with his son and the discovery of his mate's betrayal. 

Callum slipped his hand from Lila's and shut his heart out from what her touch aroused in him. He knew his attraction to her was based solely on lust. 

***

"You bring a maiden into our camp, but she is not to be your mate?" Polonius asked. He was the head of the Elders, the council that held authority over the centaurs. Kate, Polonius's mate shook her head. Callum had gone to them that morning to tell them of Lila. 

"Poor thing. Is she all right now?"

"I will see to the bruises once she is awake." Polonius spoke. "You say she is betrothed to a man, Henry. He is to blame for her injuries."

"Lila has told me as much."

The elder centaur touched his beard absently. "It is unusual for a centaur to bring a maiden to our camp without mating with her, Callum."

"I understand, Polonius."

Polonius held up his hand at the young man's brusque manner, though he was used to it when it came to Callum. "From this moment, she will be your responsibility."

"Perhaps she may mate with a centaur in the camp." Kate said cheerfully. Both centaurs turned to her. "Well you didn't think a young, capable and beautiful woman would go unnoticed, did you?" 

Kate had four grown sons, all of them mated, and she was a romantic. It wasn't a surprise that Kate was imagining Lila mated to a centaur even before she met the woman. Somehow the thought of Lila mated to someone in the camp didn't sit well with him.

"The centaurs will be too busy to woo her." Callum said. 

"Callum, I trust you to take caution with her." Polonius said suddenly. Callum's head shot up.

"I will make sure she harms no one. But I hardly think she would, given the manner she has been treated."

"You are quick to assume, Callum. I only meant that based on her past, she may be vulnerable. Your manners are abrupt sometimes and we are used to it, but she is not. Be gentle with her."

"I do not seek to harm her, either." Callum said, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but here. He sighed wearily. "I will try my best."

When he stepped out into the cold, the sky threatened with dark ominous clouds. Many longhouses now had pitched open tents in the front so that some could work out in the cold without being snowed or rained on. For centaurs, they could handle being out in the wintertime for a certain period of time without the cold affecting them. 

But the cold months were for them to slow down, to enjoy the quiet with their families. Which reminded him that he needed to tell his brothers about his guest. He told Soren first, who seemed genuinely pleased. 

"Do I call her sister or -- "

"I do not plan to make her my mate."

"Why not?"

Callum frowned. "You haven't even met her yet." His younger brother shrugged. "Do you think she'd have me? I could -- "

"No." Callum answered flatly. Soren said nothing, then arched an eyebrow at his brother. 

"I think you desire her for your own, brother."

Now Callum scowled and started for the doorway. "I came to tell you so you will not barge into my home while Lila is dressing."

"I think you should make her yours. An unmated female in our camp will cause a stir. I will accept your refusal of my suit, but others will not."

Callum knew Soren's words held truth and was reminded of this after telling Thayer and Rose.

"That is wonderful news." Rose said brightly. "I shall visit her very soon." 

His brother's mate glowed with happiness and why should she not? There was nothing Thayer would not do for her. Even now, when Rose was heavy with child, Thayer took every care with her. 

Callum was heading home when he saw Lila talking to Scorpius. They stood under the pitched tent in front of his home. Lila was wearing that thin coat of hers and she hugged herself for extra warmth. He will have to see to finding her something warmer. 

Scorpius must have said something to amuse her, for Lila let out a laugh. The soft, melodic sound carried in the quiet of the morning and Callum felt a surge of jealousy. He muttered an oath when Scorpius bent his head down to kiss Lila's hand. 

He approached them, noting that Lila had her hair pinned up and her face was freshly scrubbed. She smiled shyly at Callum, but he had his eyes fixed on their visitor. 

"Scorpius." 

The centaur was younger than Soren, so obviously he was anxious for a mate. And very inexperienced with women. How convenient that Scorpius came upon Lila. Callum wondered if the colt had even had his first woman yet, though he didn't want Lila to find out. 

"Callum, good morn. I was just making Lila feel welcome to our camp." Scorpius said casually. He was as lean as Callum was muscular and instinctively, the younger centaur took a step back from the elder's powerful presence. 

"Go inside, Lila."

She blinked up at him, then sensed that it was better not to argue. For now. She did as he said. 

Callum sent the colt a hard look before following her in. 

"Did I do something wrong?" His entrance brought in a draft of cold air and she hugged herself as she went to stand closer to the fire. 

"Keep away from Scorpius."

"Why? He seems very nice."

"He could hurt you."

"How?"

Callum said nothing. Instead, he went to the cupboard and brought out a loaf of bread and then started cutting up some fruit. When he was done, he offered her a plate.

"It's not much." He murmured, suddenly feeling conscious of what he could offer. The deer meat he would cook for tonight in a basic stew. And his knowledge in cooking only extended so far. Katerina had often voiced her yearnings for jellies and shop-bought chocolates, things he'd been unable to provide. 

"Thank you." Lila ate every bite on her plate and smiled when he offered seconds. She realized now she hadn't eaten in two days and the food, though simple was as delicious as a grand feast to her. After her stomach was full, she sat back. "So you are not mated to anyone?"

"No."

"Scorpius asked me if I was your mate and at first I did not understand. He said centaurs mate for life and do not take a mistress...and their brides must be maidens." Lila blushed. "He seemed very curious in whether I was a maiden or not."

Callum frowned and said dryly, "Scorpius did not waste time."

"He explained that centaurs usually don't bring women here as merely guests, only as their mates." Lila said, watching for Callum's reaction. He remained quiet. "I didn't mean that you and I should...it's just...well, thank you for bringing me here. Henry wouldn't think of finding me in a centaur camp."

"Stay as long as you need to." He stood up and hesitated. "I am needed at the forge."

"You're a blacksmith?" She asked. 

"I am." He said proudly, but rather defensively. Then he frowned at his own curtness and looked away. "You may stay here or you may visit with my brothers, Soren or Thayer and his mate, Rose. Just look for the longhouses that bear the same symbols as mine. If you get hungry again, there is food stored in the room through there." He pointed to a tapestry covered doorway at the side of the longhouse, which she missed earlier. She nodded.

"And if Scorpius returns, send him away."

***

Rose lay in bed that night close to her mate. Her hands covered his as he felt for the kick of their child in her womb. Thayer waited patiently and when he felt the tiny kick, he smiled in awe and wonder. 

"He is impatient to meet you." Rose said, returning his smile. Thayer chuckled when he felt another kick. 

"Perhaps it is a girl." He said, his eyes on her belly. "I wish it to be a girl."

"But I thought you said women have not given birth to one in a long time."

"Do you not believe in miracles?"

She thought for a moment. "Would it be a filly then? Or a female like me?"

Thayer met her eyes. "That I cannot answer. Many centuries before women stopped giving birth to females, fillies were brought into the world in abundance. Yet their numbers dwindled slowly, some say because where they lived, they could not find mates. For a long period of time, centaurs then brought human females into the world."

"Well, I hardly think I would be an exception and bring forth the first female -- centaur or human -- into the world. I think it is a colt." 

Challenge flashed in Thayer's eyes and he lowered his head to hers, brushing his lips over hers enticingly. "Shall we make a wager, then, my Rose? You seem persuaded that our child is a male and I am in the mind that you will birth a girl."

She felt her full breasts tingle with excitement as his hand moved from her large belly to cup one, rubbing the palm of his hand over her nipple. Since she'd grown so big with child, he hadn't made love to her properly and she yearned for him to fill her. Instead, they had to be satisfied with oral ministrations.

"What will be the prize if I win?" She asked breathlessly. He whispered something wicked into her ear. 

"And if you are the champion?"

His eyes darkened. "The very same thing."

She kissed him then. His other hand parted the hairs that protected her sex. With his fingers, he caressed her until she shook with need, plunging into her heat with agonizing slowness. 

"Make love to me properly, Thayer." She urged. "We can do so on the bed."

"No," He answered, his voice rough with need. "I'll only hurt you."

"I need you!" She moaned when his fingers delved deeper in her. 

"Soon," He promised. "When you have healed from the birthing." 

He captured her cry of release with his mouth. He never tired of her passion. Rose lay panting against him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glazed with desire. 

"Until then, I must make sure the mother of my daughter is very well taken care of." He whispered against her ear. 

Now it was her turn to cast her attention on his need. With her hand on his cock, she began the same slow caresses on him as he'd done to her. 

"Nay. I must make sure our son's father is strong enough to deliver him!"

A Centaur's Love Ch. 02



Callum didn't work as long as he would have that day and returned in the evening to find his home warm with a blazing fire and food cooking in pots. It was as if he traveled back into time or receded into a vivid memory. One of many he'd conjured often after the death of his son. Yet there were differences.

The items on his shelf were neatly stacked and organized. Dust no longer covered the books and jars. Items weren't scattered all over the sides of the longhouse. The cushions and pillows of the bed were plumped, the blankets folded, the furs stacked neatly. Towels were hanging to dry near the fire. 

It was the atmosphere of the home. There was a presence, a warm one. He half expected to see Katerina come out of the pantry to greet him with a searing kiss before she knelt down to take his aroused cock into her mouth, as she often liked to do. 

The sight of Lila emerging from the pantry broke him out of his trance. She held in her arms a basket of fruit, which she set down on a cupboard. 

She smiled shyly. "Just in time. The stew is ready."

It was hearty, filled with potatoes, carrots and meat. Bread she had baked in a pan was golden and soft. It was more than what he could have cooked and though he was grateful, it made him uneasy.  

In the camp, an unmated woman cooking a meal for an unmated centaur was an intimate act. Callum didn't bother to mention it, yet he couldn't ignore the fact. Lila served him before she served herself.

Flavors burst in his mouth, the meat was tender and the broth thick, just the way he liked it. 

"This is good."

She beamed from his compliment. "Save room for dessert. I baked some apples."

He imagined having her for dessert. He would love to be the one to teach her the art of lovemaking. He wondered how responsive she would be to him. Would she part her legs for him in abandon when he touched her wet slit? Or would he have to tease and taunt her to reveal such a prize? 

"By the gods," He muttered to himself. He shouldn't be thinking such things about her.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing." They ate in silence for a moment, then he asked, "Did Scorpius return?"

"Yes. But I sent him away as you said."

When he tried reaching for another piece of bread, his hand brushed hers. She blushed immediately and looked down at her plate. 

*** 

That night, she settled under the furs and watched Callum do the same. He kept himself a good distance away from her and she found herself wanting to snuggle up against him. She'd never wanted to be physically close to Henry. When she got to know Henry, it turned out he was controlling, manipulative, and cruel. And worst of all, he enjoyed inflicting pain on others. 

Once she had caught Henry slapping his maid mercilessly and Lila interfered. He then turned his wrath on her. It was the reason why she ran away the first time, only he'd found her and punished her more. 

Lila shuddered at the memory. She told herself she was safe here. Henry wouldn't ever in a million years think to find her among the centaurs. Callum would protect her. 

In all his gruffness and quietness, she knew Callum was kind. She had no doubt that he would protect her from anything or anyone. Her heart fluttered at the mere thought of him. He was so darkly handsome. Being around him seemed to make her nervous and shy. Of course, he would have his pick of women. Was that the reason why she hadn't been ravished by him – because he preferred others more curvy or sophisticated? 

Scorpius had explained that centaurs brought only maidens to their camps, and only if they intended them as mates. The fact that Callum had brought her here without intentions of mating caused a stir in the camp. But then, he'd brought her here for her safety. Lila felt disappointed that she couldn't be his. 

Picturing his hands, she wanted him touching her. She wanted to feel the passion of a woman and she wanted Callum to be the one who took her. Quietly, she shifted closer to him, stopping until their bodies were inches away. It was as close as she dared to move.

***

Callum was gone when Lila woke the next morning. As she sat up, she found herself missing his presence. The fire continued to burn, warming the longhouse. She quickly dressed, donning her only gown she had before combing out the tangles in her hair with the silver backed brush she'd brought along. With the few pins she had left, she twisted her hair up off her neck. The food leftover she warmed up to eat and sought out ingredients to put together for lunch. 

She skewered some meat and vegetables and roasted them over the fire, sitting down to watch the flames. She brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. Her grandfather had been a blacksmith and she remembered spending afternoons with him, watching him create things from metal that was so hot, it burned orange and red. She had thought her grandfather to be the cleverest person.  Thinking of him now made her miss him. 

It had been a long time since she'd had anyone to call family. Her grandfather had passed on several years ago and then about a year ago, Henry came along. He'd been sweet and kind to her, bringing her little gifts and taking her on outings in his little carriage. He wasn't the wealthiest, but his position as a shopkeeper provided him a good living. He'd proposed marriage. It was only after their betrothal was formally announced did he start to show his true character. 

Lila shook her head. No, Henry can't find her here, she told herself. This would be the last place he would think of. 

From the cupboard, she found a small basket and some tea towels. She put the meat and vegetables into a bowl and gathered utensils, putting it all into the basket, along with leftover bread from last night and some fruit.  Wrapping herself into her coat, she headed out. 

Several centaurs were out in front of their homes working and a group of colts were having target practice near an opening by some trees, their voices lively and laughing. Several women, wrapped in warm capes and scarves shuffled between longhouses and tents. The sight of such a harmonious camp made Lila smile.

But after walking several yards, she realized the camp was much larger than she thought. She stopped where she was, shivering, wondering where the forge was. 

"You look lost."

Lila turned. A large centaur stood before her, this one possessing golden blond hair that reached past his shoulders. His gray-eyed gaze met hers.

"Yes, I can't seem to find the forge. Could you point me in that direction?"

"You are Callum's mate?"

She shook her head and the centaur smiled. 

"News of your presence in the camp has spread like wildfire. Many wonder whether you are mated to him."

"No, I needed a place to stay and he brought me here."

"Unusual circumstance." He murmured. "My name is Phineas."

"Nice to meet you, Phineas. I'm Lila."

"The forge is past the well and when you come to the center of the camp, you cannot miss it."

"All right. Thank you." 

She found it easily and entered. The forge was huge and spacious. Sounds of hammering and the clashing of iron on metal grew louder as she slowly made her way in. It was hot in there, for several large fires were built up. 

A centaur pounding on a thin piece of metal stopped abruptly as he saw Lila pass by. Several others did the same, reluctantly going back to work, but curiously glancing her way. What was she doing here, they wondered. 

Callum laid the iron on the anvil and pounded with all his might. Occasionally, the image of Lila would seep into his thoughts, causing his grip on the hammer to tighten until his muscles strained. By the gods, even now he could smell her in the forge above all the smoke and heated iron. The muscles in his stomach clenched and momentarily, he closed his eyes, urging his mind to clear. He was imagining it. 

He sunk the metal into a bucket of water and happened to look up. He stopped. Lila stood there in all her innocent beauty, smiling up at him. He blinked. No, she was real, he realized after several moments. She was not something conjured up from his fantasies. He set his tools down, glancing at several of the centaurs that were watching them. He gave them all a hard look before turning his attention to her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I didn't know if you returned home to eat or not, so I brought you lunch."

Home. He stared down at the basket she held out. Her thoughtfulness made him stop. The others who were watching them kept eyeing her up and down.  

"I didn't mean to interrupt your work." She said, breaking his long silence. "If you want me to go, I'll just leave this – "

"I am filthy. Just give me a moment to clean up." He led her into what resemble a small barn. 

By the time he was cleaned up, Lila had set up a place to eat. He was halfway through his meal when he finally spoke. "You did not have to do this."

"But I want to, Callum." 

He liked the sound of his name on her lips, but he kept silent. 

"I wanted to do something nice. After all, you brought me to safety."

"You owe me nothing." He answered gruffly. 

"I owe you my life." She looked him in the eye. "He would have hurt me badly if he'd found me."

"Well, he won't find you here. I will see to your protection myself." He chewed on the bread, washing it down with water. He caught one of the centaurs peaking in on them. 

Abruptly, Callum shook his head. "You shouldn't be here, Lila."

"Oh...well, I'll just take these things back. I ought to say hello to your brothers and sister, I haven't done so yet."

Callum rubbed the back of his neck, fisting his other hand. He had never been good with poetry and finesse, the things women wanted. "I have a lot of work to do." Was all he could offer.

Lila smiled at him as she stood up. "I know. My grandfather was a blacksmith, so I understand. Will you be back for supper?"

"I will." 

She was already walking away when he prompted himself. "Thank you...for the meal."

She nodded. "I will see you this evening."

Callum made himself walk back into the forge, ignoring everyone's stares. 

"You are not taking her to the mating tonight?" Asked one named Corwin. 

Callum swore. He'd forgotten. One of the younger centaurs had taken a mate and the ceremony was to be at midnight in the center of the camp.

"Word has spread that you are her guardian, since you have not mated with her. Is this true?"

"I don't see how this is your concern." Callum answered. Corwin chuckled.

"I would like to court her if she isn't yours." Callum glared at the centaur. "Leave her be. She's too young."

"Old enough."

"She's my concern, so if I catch you bothering her, you will answer to me."

Corwin lifted a slashing eyebrow. "You may be her guardian, but she is allowed to choose to mate or not, Callum. If she consents, I will take her as mine."

"You're letting your cock rule your mind."

Corwin smirked. "We are centaurs. It is in our blood."

***

Lila visited Callum's sister, Rose after leaving the forge. Rose was with Laura, her cousin, both women sitting comfortable and both glowing with their pregnancies.  

"I must admit your circumstance is very strange." Laura said, being the one out of the three to have been here the longest. "It's time he moved on. He should take you as his."

"Move on?" Lila asked, accepting a cup of herbal tea from Rose. "You mean he was mated?" She couldn't help but feel envy for the woman. "Did she die?"

"No, but she's as good as." Laura said meanly. "That woman betrayed him and committed a crime that, would she have been caught by the centaurs, would have been put to death."

"What did she do?" Perhaps this explained why Callum acted the way he did, seeming to distance himself from kindness and others. 

"Perhaps Callum should be the one to tell her, Laura." Rose said.

Laura shook her head. "No, I think she would be the last person he would tell." She examined Lila's face. "But I see the curiosity is proving too much for you. You must really care for him, Lila."

Lila blushed. "Well, I'm grateful he's helped me...and he's very handsome."

"He's curt, to the point of being rude." Laura added. 

"And he's always glaring at people." Rose chimed in, though there was no heat in her words. But Lila, as naïve as she was took the bait and shook her head insistently. 

"No, he may seem like that, but I think it's because he doesn't see the need to communicate in so many words as we do. He possesses a kind heart and an honorable one, though I think he doesn't want anyone to know..."

Rose and Laura smiled to each other. "It sounds like you're falling in love with him."

Lila thought for a moment. "No...well, maybe I am."

"She deserves to know, then." Rose said. 

Laura was the one who spoke. "Callum was mated years ago, to a woman named Katerina. Like all women first brought here, she was reluctant to accept this life. She was more so, I guess, because she'd come from a wealthy family. She was a little spoiled. Callum loved her nonetheless and eventually, she gave in. To everyone, it looked like she was happy. They had a son, Antony."

"Callum had a child?"

"Callum doted on him, loved him so much and wanted more children. Katerina refused and because he loved her, he accepted this. For a while, all was well. Then one day Katerina became disgusted with her life. While Callum was at the forge, she slit Antony's throat and disappeared. Callum came home to find his son dead, bled to death."

"Oh, Callum." Lila whispered, tears welling up in her eyes and she covered her mouth, unable to imagine the pain he must have experienced. "What happened to her?"

"Callum never saw her again. At least as far as everyone knows." 

"How sad. How terribly tragic."

"It's been many years and he's had time to heal." Rose said, then adding lightly, "You ought to go to the mating tonight."

"Mating?"

"The ceremony. You'll be able to witness a couple united for life. Callum can take you."

Lila didn't miss the look exchanged between the two women. 



A Centaur's Love Ch. 03



Author's Note: This one's a bit short, so my apologies. Sorry also, about the long waits between installments, but I do like to see how everyone reacts to each chapter before I go ahead and submit the updates. This way I can change any mistakes, etc. Well, happy reading! 

*** 

Rose was restless that night. The child was kicking an awful lot and she was forced to shift in her seat more than once during their evening meal. 

"I don't think I can go to the ceremony tonight. I won't be able to stand so long." Rose said. She shifted again, her hand resting on her large stomach, hoping it would soothe the child. "Our son is so restless tonight."

"It must be the night air." Then Thayer smiled. "Our daughter is just anxious to come out." He covered her hand over hers and rubbed her stomach slowly, his gaze coming to rest where their hands met. "She's quieting down now." 

Sure enough, the kicking came to a stop. 

"We will stay here tonight." Thayer replied. 

"And just keep your hand right here. I'll be able to get some rest."

He sent her a dangerous smile. "I thought it was my arousing you that kept you up late at night." He bent his head down for a deep kiss. "If you want I will keep both my hands on you." He rested his other hand on her stomach and pulled her closer. 

"I love it when you hold me so close." She smiled lazily. Lately she was getting more tired, feeling more clumsy from all the weight of her swelling stomach. 

"I hope it will all work out between Lila and Callum." She said a long time later. Their food had been forgotten and in the comfortable cozy warmth of longhouse, he continued to hold her. 

"He is probably with her now at the ceremony."

"Callum is resisting her. He shouldn't, not when she loves him so much."

"My brother has had much tragedy in his life. It will take time for him to heal."

She looked up at her mate. "Just watch. Lila will be the one. You should have seen the way her eyes lit up when she spoke of him. She barely knows him, but she's fallen so in love. Lila will help him heal."

*** 

Supper was ready by the time Callum returned. He'd washed the day's sweat from his body and tied his hair back with a string of leather. He walked right up to her and thrust a huge bundle at her. She wiped her hands on a towel and looked down at the item before looking up at his questioningly. 

"It's for you." He said simply. 

As she held it up, she realized it was a coat, a heavy woolen one lined with fur, with a small hood attached. She hugged it to herself. 

Callum seemed uneasy, he looked away and began piling his plate with food. "One of the centaur's wives was a seamstress and she often provides these things...I told her you needed a something warm for the cold. I promised I would see to a table for her in exchange."

"Thank you, Callum. I love it."

He grunted. She settled into her meal and tried to fight the smile on her face. But the fact that he'd been thoughtful enough to provide her a warm coat filled her with happiness.  

"There will be a mating ceremony at midnight." He announced.

"Laura and Rose mentioned it. Am I allowed to go see it?"

Callum looked up, his brooding gaze holding hers. His long, dark lashes swept shadows over his intense stare, nearly stealing her breath away. 

"You are, but the scenes you will witness may shock you." His voice grew husky.

The way he said it made her blush. "H-How so?"

"How old are you, Lila?"

"Eighteen." She frowned. "What does that have to do with it being shocking?"

"When a centaur takes a maiden, he may bed her beforehand. But to be united officially, the centaur must take his woman in front of the entire camp at midnight, as sacred words are spoken to bind them together."

She tried to picture it, yet the image was vague for she'd never seen an aroused man before, let alone one who would be making love to a woman. "But...it's so cold outside."

Callum let out a dry laugh. "I doubt the couple will mind once they have started."

"So the man..."

"Fucks his woman in front of a crowd? Yes. It adds another dimension to it, to have others watch your sexual prowess with your mate."

She was taken aback by his blunt words. "There's no need to be crude, Callum."

Suddenly anger flashed in his eyes. "I'm not being crude, Lila, merely being truthful. Centaurs are usually driven more by lust than love when they steal away a maiden. You have seen our camp, there are no female centaurs. Our need for women grows strong when there are none to ride our cocks."

"Stop it, Callum." Lila was no longer hungry.  She hated to see the fury and pain in his eyes. She knew the cause of it now, yet couldn't help but feel the one to blame somehow. 

"You are old enough to know the ways of men and women. Many care for nothing but a woman to warm their beds and sate their bodies."

"You don't care about love?" They no longer spoke of the ceremony.

Callum's face hardened. "If you are to make your life here, than I should warn you. Love is not these fairytales and myths you grew up with. A centaur protects his family, provides for them, but to love leaves him weak. It makes him a fool. And no centaur is a fool."

"You cannot believe that. Look at your brother Thayer. He loves Rose." Lila replied strongly, forcing her voice to project. "Surely you could – "

"It must be this way if you are to live here." He shouted. Lila jumped from the loudness of his words. 

"I may not plan to live here forever." She answered quietly. 

Callum's hands fisted and he looked away to hide the pain. Of course, she wouldn't stay here for too long. He would be foolish to assume she would. When it was safe, when the weather was warm enough, she would move on, perhaps make her life in a faraway town where her fiancé wouldn't find her. 

There, she would wed herself to a man – a human – someone who was worthy to give her warmth and sons and daughters. He was only a blacksmith, a centaur. He could offer little, but his craft, his protection and name. With him, there would be no chocolates and feathery hats, or servants – all things Katerina had lamented about. 

They both fell silent. Ten minutes had passed and still she hadn't picked up her spoon. She just sat there, staring down at her bowl. 

Callum broke off a piece of his bread and offered it to her, a peace offering. She slowly took it. 

"The food will help keep you warm when you go to the ceremony."

***

Lila put hew new coat on as they prepared to go to the ceremony. While they walked to the center of the camp, Callum quietly explained about the bed the bride would lay on when her centaur takes her and the meaning behind it. 

But as they drew closer, the sight that greeted her surprised her. Instead of a bed set out in the open as she had originally thought, a canvas tent covered it. Only the silhouette of the bed was visible, shown through by four lit torches.  

Though the crowd was large, the couples stood apart from others. The elders looked on as a centaur and his maiden was brought forth. Lila craned her head and saw a curvy woman with pale blond hair enter the tent. Her mate, a youthful looking centaur with blond hair soon joined her. A loud drum began to beat steadily. One of the elders, Polonius, stepped forward and began speaking. 

Lila watched, wide-eyed as the centaur stepped toward his mate and began kissing her, caressing her naked skin. The silhouette offered enough of a real image in her mind. It was such an intimate act yet the couple didn't seem to notice or care that everyone was watching. The woman's robe was pushed off and discarded. Then she spread her legs.  

Without thinking, Lila stepped close to Callum, who stood behind her. The night suddenly didn't seem to be so cold. In fact it felt a little warm with her coat on. 

The scene before her made her stomach tingle strangely and she felt moisture build between her legs. Lila watched the centaur take the woman's nipple into his mouth as his mate threw her head back. The woman reached down and as she spread her legs wider, Lila saw the centaur's cock, straining against his mate's hand. The image was slightly vague, but it did not deter from the arousing effect it had on Lila.  

The centaur groaned as his mate pumped her hand over his member. Lila was breathless. She'd never seen a man's erection before and it was intensely fascinating to her. She felt her face burn from shame at watching such an intimate act, yet she couldn't tear her eyes from the couple. 

She gasped when she saw the centaur thrust his fingers into his mate's slit. The woman cried out and abruptly, the centaur flipped his mate onto her stomach, spread her legs and thrust his cock into her. 

"Oh!" Understanding hit Lila as she watched the woman arch to meet her mate. So this was how two people made love. 

The woman moaned, encouraging her mate.  Lila's heart was pounding and her coat became too warm. Her stomach clenched when she felt Callum's hand come to rest on her shoulder. 

Movement to her left caught her attention. She saw another couple – this one from the audience – start to kiss. A few whispered words were exchanged and they were gone, moving away from the crowds. Another couple's attention strayed from the ceremony.  

It seemed that not only was the ceremony to celebrate the coming together of a new couple, but to enliven those who'd already had their mates. All around her, couples started to disappear, either into their homes or into the woods for privacy.  

Their words, the images around her, it all proved too strong for Lila. She wanted to feel what they were feeling. The wet slapping sound from the celebrated couple echoed in Lila's mind and she bent her head to Callum's hand as he moved it over her shoulder, kneading gently. 

Lila's eyes grew heavy as she watched. The sensual abandon they displayed was something she'd once heard in stories told when she was younger. Of how the gods and mythical creatures like fauns and centaurs made love recklessly and passionately. There was the god of wine and entertainment who made it a decadence not to be denied to oneself. 

The woman cried out, a guttural sound as she went still. Her mate moaned her name as he came hard. 

Lila slowly turned to Callum. He wasn't watching the couple, but her. His long lashes hooded his eyes, and with his dark hair framing his handsome face, he looked dangerous. 

Emboldened by what she'd just seen, she touched his bare chest and felt his muscle flex beneath her searching fingers. 

"Callum." She whispered. She felt his chest rise and fall rapidly, as if he strained for breath. 

Suddenly he grabbed her by the hand and led her from the crowd. She had to run to keep up. When they arrived at his home, he pushed her in. Her coat was pulled off and thrown to the ground. 

"Callum?" She whispered. He was staring at her fiercely, breathing hard. He pushed her against the wall and before she could protest, he quieted her with his uncontrolled kiss. She didn't fight him. She imitated the way he kissed, having no experience, wrapping her arms around him, raking her fingers through his hair. 

"By the gods, Lila," He said harshly. And he kissed her again, tangling his tongue with hers, breathing in her scent. His cock strained against her, aching painfully. 

"Please, Callum," She whimpered. She wanted what those women experienced. She wanted to be branded by him. 

To be continued...



A Centaur's Love Ch. 04



Author's Note: Keep your emails and comments coming - I love to hear what you think! Here's the next in Callum's story and I just have to say that these mythical creatures have become easier to write; I had entertained the idea for a long time now and since I couldn't find any on this site to satisfy my imagination about centaurs, I wrote these storylines. Thanks for beng patient and remember to vote! 

*** 

Callum's heart pounded inside his chest, blood rushed through his veins. It's been so long since he'd had a woman. Lila was soft and warm in his arms. And willing. 

He cupped the back of her head and gentled his kiss. He desperately sought reason, to will his body to control. She was so small, he told himself. She said she didn't want to stay here. If he took her...

Callum managed to pull away, though his hands remained on her. 

"Lila, you are not ready." He said hoarsely. "I shouldn't be kissing you."

She covered his hand with hers. "I am ready, Callum. I want you."

He shook his head. "No...no, you think you do. It was the ceremony. It does that to people. It draws out their desires..." He groaned, closing his eyes in pleasurable agony when she let her hands roam over his chest, caressing downward until she took his erection into her small hands. He nearly pushed her away. By the gods, he was going to explode. Her soft touch was enough to unravel him. 

"Lila, look at me." He cupped her face, urging her heavy-lidded eyes to meet his. "It is the ceremony. In the morn..." His breath hitched when her hands returned to his cock, imitating what she saw earlier, squeezing him from the base to the swollen head. "Gods, Lila, that feels good." 

"I want you to make love to me." She whispered boldly. Keeping one hand on his member, she used the other to slowly unbutton the front of her dress, pulling open the neckline. "Callum, I need you."

His hands moved of their own accord. He pushed her hands away and undid the rest of her dress, sliding it off her body. His nostrils flared as he eyed her possessively. Her breasts, full and pink-tipped filled his palms, her nipples straining against his calloused hands. There was a light dip where her bellybutton was, and his gaze caught the triangle of soft dark hair.  She was beautiful and his heart tightened as he touched her.  

Lila's lips tugged into a smile as she felt Callum's facial hair tickle her neck. He took his time now, warming her skin with his mouth and hands. She in turn touched him, her hands molding over the muscles that made up his shoulders and arms, alternating between kneading and running her fingers lightly over his chest and stomach until he was panting. 

She fearlessly spread her legs when she felt him touch her there. She moaned when she felt his finger slip into her wet folds.

Callum could feel her hymen resisting his finger. She was too small for him and the last thing he wanted was to cause her pain. 

"It is going to hurt, Lila." He warned gently, nibbling on her lower lip. She shook her head. 

"I don't care."

Her determination made his cock twitch. 

"I will go slow."

He angled his head to kiss her deeply and slowly added another finger with the first. Her inner muscles clenched around him. With the palm of his hand, he rubbed against her clit. Lila trembled in his arms. 

She was so wet for him. Callum concentrated on her pleasure, felt her press closely against him. With three fingers in her now, he quickened his pace.

"Does this feel good?"

"Yes," she moaned. "Oh!" His thumb pressed lightly on her clit and he felt her fingers dig into his arms. 

"Spread your legs" His husky voice was like a spell over her. She did as he said and he lifted her until her legs wrapped around him. He positioned her above his staff and rubbed the swollen head along her slit. 

Their eyes locked together. 

"Guide me into you" He whispered against her lips. Without breaking their gaze, Lila held his cock as he slid into her. She gasped in wonderment. She'd never felt so stretched before and the heat of him inside of her made her moan. 

Callum felt the head of his cock come upon her hymen. He held her firmly, letting her adjust to him. 

"Lila," He breathed her name and kissed her hard as he slid all the way to the hilt, muffling her cry. "It's done. There will be no more pain."

He pulled out until only the head of him remained inside of her and she braced herself, but felt no more pain as he pushed back in. Lila began to move her hips with him, trusting her instincts.

"A-Am I doing this right?" She asked shyly. Callum groaned. 

"Aye, Lila" He closed his eyes briefly as her inner muscles tightened heavenly around his staff. "Gods," He wrapped his arm around her, lifting her over him as he began to move faster. "That's it, ah, you feel so good, Lila." 

Lila arched her back so she could take him deeper. Their mouths met in hot kisses, breathing in each other's moans as he worked his staff deep within her hot, wet sheath. Then she felt the first spasms. It slowly built into a crescendo and then, out of nowhere, she cried out and dug her nails into his back.  

Callum watched as her climax darkened her eyes, her gaze never breaking from his. The rippling of her inner muscles caused his cock to swell and he let go. He cried out her name as he shuddered, each spurt of his seed into her womb more powerful than the last. He grunted, feeling her body grow lax in his arms. "Lila..." 

His mind was numb. Nothing mattered but this very moment, their bodies slicked with sweat, their hearts pounding. Never had he felt an orgasm as intense as this one. He settled them both on the bed on the floor, still holding her tightly. He allowed his eyes to close, feeling the exhaustion seep into his body. 

Here, in this moment with Lila in his arms, he was content. There were no shadows haunting him, no dark memories. Only Lila mattered, her breathing now growing steady and quiet, the smell of her. The knowledge of his musk clinging to her body made him proud. When he glanced at her inner thighs, he saw her virginal blood mixed with his come. Lila was his. 

It was the last clear thought he had before he fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

*** 

Without glancing outside, Callum already knew it was midmorning. His stomach growled with hunger, but it was Lila's arm draped over his arm that gave him a start. His eyes trailed down the arm to the enchantress with her dark brown hair spread all over her pillow, her bow-shaped mouth swollen from his kisses. Memories flashed before him.

"By the gods," He extracted himself from her.  She was naked beneath the furs and shifted in her sleep. As he stood up, Lila suddenly woke. She looked up at him sleepily and a slow smile appeared on her lips. He stared at her in horror.

"Good morn, Callum." She said, her voice husky from sleep. "Will you not stay in bed a little longer?"

Callum raked his hand through his hair. "I shouldn't have touched you." 

Lila's smile faded. "I thought it was what you wanted as well." She watched him shake his head, muttering under his breath, glancing away only to suddenly stare at her with his dark eyes. The haunted look had returned. 

"What's wrong, Callum? Will you not tell me?"

"I shouldn't have taken you to the ceremony."

"I wanted to go. Last night, it wasn't because of what I saw. I wanted you. I want you still." She sat up, holding the furs over her bare breasts. 

"Lust," he murmured, shaking his head again. "You will change your mind. You don't want me." 

He'd taken her virginity. No centaur would take her knowing she was no longer a maiden. She was going to hate him, hate him for forcing her to this life. She was going to hate him for –  

"By the gods, you could be with child." The horror hit him. He stared at her, swearing out loud. 

He saw her hand cover her stomach. Lila lifted her chin. "I hope I do carry your child."

That comment pushed him over the edge. "No." He said harshly. 

"Lila, you won't want..." He swallowed. The old pain, the agony of losing Antony washed over him. He didn't want Lila to be unhappy, to see her driven to disgust by him, by a child resembling its father. "I..." He was at a loss for words. His hands shook, so he forced them into fists. 

She stood up to go to him, tears misting her eyes. He backed away. 

"I want to bear your children, Callum."

*** 

Callum refused to retreat into hopeful dreams. He worked at the forge, enjoying the burning of his muscles, for it drew his thoughts away from Lila. 

"I want to bear your children." She said. 

He shook his head. No woman had ever said that to him. Katerina had only reluctantly become pregnancy because Callum desired a son. But after the birth, she said the pain was too much. With a strong, healthy son, Callum had accepted this, though he had longed for a large brood of his own. 

Corwin sent his a questioning look. Callum knew his foul mood was obvious and could care less. He bothered no one and kept to himself. 

"I watched you with Lila last evening." Corwin said after a long moment. 

"Your point?" Callum asked, without looking up. 

"Is she your woman now?"

"I told you to stay away from her." 

When Callum glanced sideways, he saw Corwin frown. "I knew you could not stay away from her long."

Gods, had everyone seen them last evening? He hadn't considered this. 

Callum walked away and went to grab a tool hanging from one of the beams. Corwin, much to his irritation, followed. 

"Will there be a ceremony?"

"I do not like your interest in my life, Corwin."

"I just wish to know if she will be yours. Many of the centaurs have spoken and agree to overlook her lack of...innocence. We all desire to see her settled as a mate to one of us."

Callum felt anger rise, anger and regret. He turned so his face was concealed. "You cannot have her. She's my woman."

There was a long silence that followed this announcement. Corwin moved restless behind him. 

"Then the centaurs must be informed." 

*** 

Lila, determined to show Callum that she would make him a good mate, left his food warm. He showed no sign of returning last evening to his longhouse, nor did he show himself the next morning. 

Wrapped in her coat, she went to visit with Rose, who rarely was seen outside due to her advanced pregnancy. 

Rose gratefully accepted a steaming cup of tea. "I hope this child comes soon. It is so hard to move around now."

"I heard Thayer desires a daughter. Would that be possible?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Thayer thinks himself clever in all things. But he does not carry this child. He couldn't possibly think it a girl when I know it is a boy."

The debate between the couple amused Lila and she smiled. 

"He must be very excited to have this child."

Rose smiled now, her expression so full of love. "He is. Every night, he talks to the child. I must admit, though, it will be strange to birth a colt. Do they walk soon after the birthing? How soon do they start to talk? I know things about raising a human child, but a centaur? I am at a loss."

"You will enjoy every moment of this confusion, though."

"I will." Rose agreed. "And how are you doing with Callum?"

Lila looked down at her tea. "He didn't return home last night."

"Why not?"

Lila hesitated. But since Rose had explained her own life beginning here, Lila felt she was the one person she could talk to about this. "He regrets...he wishes he didn't touch me."

After a moment, understanding dawned on Rose. "Did he say as much?"

Lila shook her head. "He kept saying that I would regret him and what we've done. He fears I might carry his child and I wish for nothing more than to bear his sons! Callum is so stubborn. I want to be here, but he cannot see past his pain. I do not blame him for it, but I just wish he could see I want to make him happy."

"Tell him." Rose said simply, then she suddenly winced. 

"Is something wrong?"

He hand went to her stomach and she put the cup down. "Some slight pain." She winced again and doubled over. "I-I think it is the babe."

Lila's eyes widened. "Should I go get someone?" Alarmed at the telling pain on Rose's face, she quickly stood up, ready to run out and call for help. 

"Yes, get Laura. She will know what to do. And Thayer."

*** 

The pain was excruciating. Only hours before, she was lifted gently onto the made bed, swathed in new, clean sheets. Thayer stood beside her holding her hand and encouraging her. Laura supervised the birthing as the local midwife prepared for the child to come. 

"This hurts!" Rose said, muffling her own cry of pain. 

Thayer touched her cheek soothingly. "Bear it a little longer, my love. Just until our daughter arrives."

"Son! It will be a son! A human babe could not hurt so much! So it must be a son!" She doubled over, squeezing onto her mate's hand. 

"A human daughter will cause just as much pain." 

She squeezed her mate's hand with all her might, both from pain and as punishment. But he seemed undeterred by her forceful clutch. "You arrogant centaur! You should be agreeing with me while I lay here in pain. Yet you disagree with me still."

Thayer chuckled good-naturedly. Lila stood on the side, hoping she could be of some help. She could only stare wide-eyed at what was before her. Was childbirth this painful? 

"I see the child's head." Announced the midwife. "Push, Rose. You are closer."

"Push, my love." Thayer murmured close to her ear. "Bring our child into the world." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, anchoring her and supporting her weight as she closed her eyes and pushed. 

"That's it." The midwife nodded. "Come now, a bit harder."

"Oh! Not again!"

"Soon, my Rose. Just once more."

Lila held her breath, and so did Laura. Rose let out a painful cry and then slumped back into Thayer's arms. The midwife laughed in delight as the child slid into the clean blanket, filling the room with a healthy, loud cry. 

"Thank you, my Rose." Thayer placed a warm kiss to his mate's damp forehead. "I love you."

She looked up, exhausted. "Is it healthy? Is it a boy or girl?"

To be continued...



A Centaur's Love Ch. 05



Author's Note: I just want to say I am very excited with everyone's enthusiasm with these centaur stories, considering I'm rather winging most of it. Enjoy this next chapter!

***

Soren moved restlessly outside the longhouse. He heard the muffled cries of his sister Rose and frowned slightly. Inside he could hear movement. 

"Be calm, lad." Callum requested. Soren turned to his older brother. He stood stock still nearby. Out of the three brothers, Callum had been the most disciplined, and also the most brooding and observant. Soren had always wondered if he'd ever be happy again after Katerina's crimes. But he started to notice small changes in his behavior since Lila's arrival. Every time her name was mentioned, a certain light would appear in his eyes, even if Callum would deny it.

"I want to see the babe." Soren said, glancing at the entrance flap of the longhouse. There were more sounds, more painful cries. 

"No centaur is present at the birth unless he is the father."

Soren sighed. "I know this, Callum." Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Callum's lips curve. "I have been thinking..."

"So you do use that mind of yours." Came Callum's dry chuckle. 

"I was thinking..." Soren reiterated. "That now that Thayer has a family of his own and you've got Lila...That I want a mate for my own."

"Every centaur wants a mate." 

"Well...I have one. Not a mate, she isn't mine yet."

"Yet?" His brother arched an eyebrow. Soren cleared his throat and began to play with the small dagger he had strapped to his belt. 

"On one of my hunts I came upon her."

"Why haven't you brought her here?"

Soren seemed to be fascinated with something on his blade and didn't answer right away. "The time hasn't been right." 

"Right? Centaurs kidnap, Soren. We do not wait until the right moment arrives." 

Soren was relieved that there was no chance to answer, for a piercing cry sounded from within the longhouse. 

"The babe." Soren murmured. Both he and Callum turned their heads. 

The child's cry was loud and healthy and female laughter followed. Words were exchanged. The brothers strained to hear, waiting for Thayer to come out. A moment later, Thayer pushed at the entrance flap and in his arms he carried his child. 

"Centaurs," He called out. Many came out of their homes, awaiting the announcement.  Thayer lifted his child up toward the sky. 

"I present to you Sonja, daughter of Thayer and Rose." 

The camp cheered. The birthing of a child in the camp was always celebrated, but as their eyes settled on the tiny squirming body in Thayer's arms, it was the fact that Sonja was a human female that made their shouts louder.  Several centaurs came forward to clap Thayer on the back, saying to him this was a gift from the gods. The first female to be born to them in centuries. 

"The gods find favor in you." Callum said when the others have left. 

Thayer's face was so lit with happiness; he hardly took his eyes off his daughter. Soren smiled and reached out to touch the baby's cheek gently, only to have it swatted away by a tiny fist. 

"She is strong." He chuckled. "And Sonja is a fine name." 

"When Rose is healed, we will feast." Thayer said, his eyes still on his daughter. Lila came out just then, her face flushed. 

"Thayer, Rose wishes the baby back with her where it is warm. The cold will make her ill."

Thayer laughed. "My Rose forgets, Sonja has centaur blood in her." But he went in all the same to soothe away his mate's worries. Soren glanced at Lila and Callum.

"Thank you for helping our sister in her time of need, Lila." Soren said. Lila smiled shyly. 

"Oh, I didn't help much. But it was nice of you to say."

"I think I will return home now." The young centaur glanced at them again before leaving. 

Callum could see the odd look in his younger brother's eyes; it had remained there when he spoke of the woman he wished to mate with. Callum made a mental note to question Soren later. 

"You didn't return home last evening." 

He felt shame rush up his neck. He began to move restlessly. 

"I think we need to talk, Lila."

"Yes, I think we do." 

"Does Rose still need you?" When she shook her head, he gestured for her to follow. When they were returned to his longhouse, she took off her coat and made a long process of folding it together and putting it on the table. 

Callum watched her – the way her fingers caressed the fur lining the neckline of the coat, the way she seemed to handle the simple coat so delicately like a cherished gift. 

He felt his own need to stay busy and untied the leather string holding his dark hair. 

"You are no longer viewed as a free maiden to my people." He inwardly winced. It wasn't the way he wished to start. 

"I am no longer a maid, that's for certain." 

"I am sorry for it, Lila." He answered quietly. Lila frowned and went to him. 

"Are you really? Because I'm not. I want to be yours."

"Lila – "

"No, Callum. You must listen. I am not sorry for what happened and I never will feel so." She reached up to force him to look at her. "Callum, I love you. No, do not look away. I know of your tragic past, I know it pains you to think...I just want to give you happiness. I could give you sons – and daughters! Look at Sonja, the first female born in her generation!" 

His strong hand suddenly closed over her forearm. "I want you to stay, Lila."

"Then let me."

"I do not want you to regret me or the child."  Saying those words, the possibility of it happening with Lila cut through him. But he could see the genuine love in her eyes. Sweet Lila, with her ever-trusting heart and kindness, right from the beginning. He had let his past take over. How he cursed Katerina so many times for doing this to him. 

"Give me your child." She whispered. He lifted her and poured his feelings into that kiss.  Her dress was slipped off and she spread her legs. His already hard cock waited at her wet entrance, and he taunted them both by rubbing it over her welcoming lips. Lila moaned and arched, ready to receive him. In one, lone deep stroke he was inside her. 

Callum threw his head back. Her muscles clenched around him, sending bolts of pleasure shooting through his every vein. He moved restlessly, feeling his body tense. 

"You are mine, Lila. My mate." He groaned, lifting her with each thrust. "Soon, I will take you on the bed. I will make love to you before the camp to seal our union."

"Yes," She urged. Her nails dug into his muscles arms, but the stinging pain only encouraged his intent. "Callum, I love – "

"Aye, my love. Lila..." 

He kissed her damp throat. He pumped harder, his hands spreading her bottom wider so he could thrust deeper. He took time to work his entire length into her. Their wet, slapping sounds filled the longhouse, as did their panting and moans. 

"Ah!" Her trembling started her orgasm and gripped her bottom harder. Hr ground his hips into her, each grunt from his throat growing louder as he felt his release build. 

"Take my come, Lila." He urged. He thrust, then held himself still as his climax shook through his entire body. Lila began to cry out as the first of his seed spilled into her. 

He took her lax, damp body to the cushions. Getting down close to her, he caressed her inner thighs. The skin close to her entrance was still sensitive and wet now with his spending. 

As his heavy gaze locked with her, he slid a finger inside her, felt her essence mingle with his. The come that stained her inner thigh, he suddenly rubbed into her skin, alternating this with teasing her slit. 

"Mmm..." She sighed, content to lay there with his ministrations. "I want you to touch me like this every night." 

The corners of his mouth curved. He had borne a wanton and rather liked it. 

"Until you tire of me." He murmured. He leaned down so her hand met his hair-roughened face. He felt his eyes close and buried his face into her soft hand.

"You will build your life here with me?" Her smile was answer enough. 

*** 

A lanky, but strong man walked into the shop, eyes glancing around the crowded room.  Customers bargained and traded. Two sales clerks were taking down orders on pads of paper, licking at the tips of their pencils every so often. The store's atmosphere was not very different from his own. 

He walked right up to the counter. He'd been told the owner knew all the happening of town. A portly man wearing an apron looked up. 

"How can I help you, sir?"

"I wondered if you heard of a woman passing this way recently. She's about this tall, a slender thing with pale skin. Her hair is dark brown." He unfolded a piece of paper. "Here is a sketch of her."

The owner studied the close-up sketch, thought for a moment. Then nodded. "We don't get many new faces in these parts...think someone mentioned seeing her pass by a fortnight ago."

He slipped the sketch back into his pocket for safekeeping. The news sent up alarms within him, but he remained calm. "Do you know which direction she went? It's important I find her. She is my fiancée."

The owner frowned. "What man loses his fiancée?

"It's my business. Which direction?"

"I would say south-west of here. Into the forests, probably heading toward the larger towns there. Wouldn't know why else someone would go that way. It's all mountains and rock."

Yes, why had she traveled that way? Henry took up his cap. "I am grateful for your information, shopkeeper." He flipped a coin at the man and headed out into the cold. 

The bitter winds were harsh today, but his heavy coat afforded warmth enough. He signaled for his servant to bring forth their horses. 

Lila thought she was smart enough to outrun him. Sweet, innocent, stupid Lila. Didn't she know she belonged to him? Just thinking about tumbling that tight body of hers had his cock stirring to life in the wintry air. Perhaps he shouldn't move forth to the next town so fast. He spotted a brothel just blocks away before entering the shop. 

He kicked his horse in that direction. One night with a whore wouldn't hurt. 

Lila was only asking for punishment every time she ran. Somewhere inside of her, she knew this and ran only because she wanted to be punished. Thoughts – ideas – of how to punish her filled his mind. 

By the time he walked into the brothel and paid for the service of blond, his cock was straining against his breeches. 

The blond fell to her knees and pulled his breeches down. Her hot mouth encased him deep and he pushed in until she gagged. He pulled her hair and used it as leverage. He liked to abuse his whores a bit, only made it more enjoyable. 

Lila. He imagined it was her mouth he punished. As he rammed his cock violently into the woman's mouth, he thought of punishment. He planned to spank Lila's bottom until her cheeks glowed red as a hot poker. Wouldn't she enjoy having her pussy abused by a small whip? He'd tried it on others in the past and it made them only wetter. 

Ah, Lila's wet pussy, her pretty mouth begging for mercy, begging for his cock. 

The whore moaned, probably from protest. He dragged her up and shoved her down on the small bed she used for customers. Her hair was no longer golden in his eyes, but the deep shade of brown of Lila's. Skirts pushed up, he drove into her pussy. 

He couldn't wait to see Lila's virgin blood. To hear her scream from the pain, much like the whore did now. 

He'd make sure her skin would be mapped with bruises, but ah, her virginal pussy, so wet and pink...

His come shot out and Henry collapsed. He was closer to finding her. Into the forests, toward the mountains, the shopkeeper said. Rough terrain for the likes of Lila. But no matter. Once he found her, he'd show her who owned her body and soul. He'd show her how much she loved him.      



A Centaur's Love Ch. 06



Thayer was utterly fascinated with his daughter, Sonja. Tiny, pink-cheeked and lively, she stared up at her father with wide curious eyes. 

Her tuft of hair resembled the shade of her father. Daughters of centaurs, it was said, shared little resemblance to their fathers when they were first born. But it was in their later years, when they start to develop into young women, do their gifts reveal themselves. Some have gifts in healing, acute hearing, others in the hunt. 

He kissed Sonja and covered her warmly with a blanket. He looked forward to the day Sonja's own gift would be discovered. 

Beside their daughter, mother slept peacefully. Exhausted from the birthing, Thayer let Rose continue to sleep through the day. 

He could hardly believe that only yesterday, little Sonja was still in her mother's belly. Then he smiled. He remembered his wager. He looked forward to that, as well. 

*** 

That same day, Callum sought out Polonius. He politely refused the tea Katherine offered and chose to go straight to the point. 

"Lila will be my mate."

"We wondered when you would come to your senses, Callum." Katherina laughed. Polonius nodded in approval.

"The maiden is worthy and you have my blessing, Callum. Why did you not bring her here with you?"

"She is visiting with Laura, since it is close to her time."

"May we expect the ceremony in three days time?"

"Aye, Polonius."

The Elder came forth and rested a hand on Callum's shoulder. "We know of your tragic past and like all tragedy, it must be treated with patience. Accepted, the pain eventually fades. But I have watched you keep it deep within, denying comfort of others."

Callum swallowed. "It was my pain to bear alone."

"Aye, but you must remember that with your new mate, you are no longer alone."

Callum nodded. He knew this and the thought lightened his heart. 

"She will help you heal."

Those very words stuck with him for the rest of the day. He went to Thayer first, though hating to tear him away from his new daughter. But his older brother was delighted in participating in the construction of Callum's mating bed. As brothers and cousin began, Laura was kind enough to prepare Lila. 

*** 

Soren worked diligently. His skill with the wood was almost as good as Callum's. Almost. 

Thayer had always been the leader, the motivator. Callum possessed talents with woodwork and iron. Soren was the hunter. Like all centaurs, he knew these trees better than any human could. But his hearing was sharper than other centaurs, and his aim with the arrow more true. In the camp, he was called a provider. 

It had been on one of these hunting trips when he came upon her. He'd gone farther than he planned, through the pass between hills. It was a tiny one-room home, built of logs and thatch. 

It struck him as odd that it stood alone. It was more usual for families to live close to others. Those who braved the world living in the middle of nowhere asked for trouble. 

Curious, Soren watched. The habitants were only a woman and child. No husband was in sight. He knew, for he went back again -- twice -- and saw no male protecting them. Had the man died? 

The woman was a beauty. Her flowing hair was the color of flames. The child walked awkwardly, an indication that it just learned to do so. Was it her child? Or a sibling? Her child, he guessed. Her coat was thick and shapeless, but he could imagine those hips were nicely rounded from carrying a child. 

"I see Soren now longs for a woman of his own." Xavier chuckled. 

Soren looked up from his thoughts. With him were centaurs already mated. 

"Have a maiden in mind, young one?" Thayer asked, lifting one wooden board into place. 

"Perhaps." The red-haired beauty sprung to mind. 

"Kidnap her, then!" Xavier hammered in a nail, connecting the boards together. "Waiting serves no purpose."

Soren shrugged. No centaur had ever brought a woman who wasn't a maiden into the camp. This ensured no infectious human diseases to spread, but also it avoided the problem of any mature human children to give away their camp location. It was one thing to raise a babe from infancy, but to ask a full-grown child to adjust to Centaurian life? They could resent it and tell all to the first human they have contact with. 

He had a feeling the woman he wanted was no maiden. Which made his feelings for her a problem. 

*** 

"You don't need to be doing so much." Callum said upon entering. He found Lila hard at work, chopping things up for dinner. "Didn't Laura tell you brides are exempt from work until the ceremony?"

She smiled. "She'll need all the help she can get with the baby here now. And Rose isn't in any condition to provide food."

Laura had given birth just that morning to a healthy son. 

"You've a kind soul, Lila." He came up behind her and she leaned back against him. 

"Our own supper is almost done. But I want to get these two pots done so we can bring them to your family. Why not have Soren come eat with us? I would think he's feeling a bit lonely, and he's worked hard all day on our bed."

"I think he will mate soon."

"Really?" 

"He has mentioned a woman. But the way he spoke of her, it seemed there are obstacles."

"Obstacles?" Lila looked up as she stirred the contents of the pot. "Is she too young, perhaps?"

"I hope to speak with him on it soon."

*** 

Callum had been right. For a couple about to mate for life, the cold made no difference. With her ceremonial robe tossed away, the cold night air surrounded her body. Her nipples tightened and strained for Callum's warm touch.

She leaned back with her legs spread as he came toward her, his cock already standing tall. Their breath came out in puffs; drums beat steadily outside the tent. She reached for him first, exploring his hard body as if it were their first time. His muscles flexed under her soft hands, ones at his arms bunched as he wrapped them around her slender body. 

As they kissed, they took their time to tease. His hands started a trail from her breasts to her back, downward to her smooth bottom. With her full breasts pressed against his chest, his hands went lower, kneading her thighs and rear, spreading her cheeks. With each caress, his hands drew closer to her wet, waiting slit. 

Her breath hitched in anticipation. She waited, but he drove her mad with wanting when he didn't touch her there. Instead, his fingers were getting dangerously close to her other hole. It was erotic and new. She jumped a bit when she felt his fingers run over her anus and pressed gently. 

"Perhaps later, my love." His words held promise, his fingers massaging at her bottom until he finally -- finally -- touched her pussy. 

Two fingers slid in easily, her hot walls closing around his digits. Her readiness covered his hand as he pushed his fingers in and out steadily. He took her nipples into his mouth one at a time, enjoyed the way Lila threw her head back. 

She came on his hand, letting out a soft cry only he could hear. His lips curved and he caught her open mouth with his. Then he turned her so she was on hands and knees. 

Panting, Lila turned her head, her eyes glazed from her orgasm. 

"Callum, now. I need you." She urged, arching her bottom at his straining staff. He moved closer and spread those pale globes, pushing her legs as far apart as possible. He leaned over her. She whimpered loudly when the swollen head of his cock rubbed the length of her wet opening, mixing his pre-cum with her essence. She shuddered, she waited. 

"I'm going to take you like a filly." He said huskily. "No gentleness." There was warning in his voice. 

Not a moment later, he slammed into her. Callum didn't stop to savor her tightness, but plunged into her fast and hard. He grasped her hips to him and moved relentlessly. His grunts were primitive. Pleasure shot through her in unbearable waves. She buried her head into the sheets, fisting them into her hands, seeking balance. 

She cried out; Callum straightened his back and angled his thrusts differently. When she dared to turn her head again, she saw a wild look in his faintly glowing eyes. Nostrils flared, his face tense with satisfaction and concentration. All at once, she came again and would have fallen weakly to the bed, if Callum hadn't held her in place. 

"Come for me again, filly." He whispered, leaning over her so their sweaty bodies rubbed together. His hot breath on her neck made her shiver. 

"Come inside me, Callum. Give me your child." 

She learned to flex her own inner muscles. She did so now, and he grunted at the tautness around his cock. She was so tired, yet the hunger to ride over the edge of this passion was too strong. 

Her cries and moan grew louder. Then she felt Callum's hand close over her pussy and flick at her clit. 

"Come for me, filly. Let me feel you come." She felt his muscles tighten, his fingers press down on her engorged clit. Lila shuddered in climax. He let out a breath and shot his seed into her. "Ah, Lila..." 

He remained inside of her for a long while, his hot breath blowing in her ear. He slipped out of her and watched with satisfaction when his come slid down her wet thighs. 

Lila. His mate. Pride and possessiveness filled him. He reached over to catch the come with his fingers and plunged them into his mate's sensitive pussy. 

"No more." Lila whispered. But her muscles quivered around him. Their mixed come was still warm; he used it to tease her clit again. He kissed her shoulder, this time with gentleness. "You'll come for me once more, Lila." 

Her flesh was sensitive and she did, this one quick, but still powerful. 

Lila's entire body felt like she was on fire. The tent smelled of their lovemaking. She turned to lie on her back, looking up at her mate and she smiled. 

"I want our first child to be a son." 

He kissed her. "I love you."

He lifted her into his arms after she slipped on her robe. 

"You can call me filly sometimes." She whispered. "I like it when you do." 

He couldn't wait to take her on the bed again. Their bed. And he couldn't wait to see her give birth to their babe. "Let us go bathe now." 

"But...it's so cold out!" She exclaimed. She blushed as they emerged from the tent. His brothers and cousin passed them, ready to remove the bed to their longhouse. Callum's dry laugh followed. 

"Don't worry, filly. I will keep you warm." 

*** 

A week passed, then another. Snow was melting, as early signs of spring started to show. Thayer delighted in his new daughter, enjoying the perplexity of raising a human child for the first time. What still bemused him was that Sonja was so tiny. 

He carried her out for a walk. Sonja made gurgling noises, enjoying the security of her father's arms. 

"Thayer." 

He turned to the voice that called to him. Several centaurs came forward. Callum was just joining them when one spoke. 

"A man was spotted ten miles from here. He travels with a companion."

Thayer frowned. "Ten miles? That is close." 

Even slavers, with their large numbers did not venture so deeply into Centaurian land. "Which direction?"

"Just below the mountains in the west."

"Horses?"

"Two. They carry little with them." 

They weren't migrating then. Thayer eliminated the possibility they were traders, too. 

"What do they look like?" The question came from Callum, whose face hardened with suspicion. 

"One is prosperous, the other looks to be his servant. The one with the fancy clothes has blond hair, but we couldn't see their faces. I do know they do not hail from the surrounding villages or towns. They bring with them weapons."

"My mate spoke of a former betrothal to a man who believes in beating women. There is a possibility he searches for her. He has done so before." 

Callum assessed the information he'd just been told. If his suspicions were correct, it would be Henry. The beast that dared touch her. His hands clenched into fists. 

"I did not think the man fool enough to seek her out again." 

"The Elders must be informed." Spoke one centaur. 

"I want the man hunted and brought here." Callum's harsh voice reflected his fury. Thayer turned to his brother. 

"I doubt Polonius would deny you this." That night, Callum brought up Henry while they ate. Lila's spoon paused in midair when she heard his name. 

"Is he close?"

"Less than ten miles by now, to the west." He caught the flicker of fear in her eyes and touched her cheek. "I'm here to protect you, Lila."

She smiled. "I know. It was just habit, I guess. I wanted to run from him for so long."

"Before dawn, a few of us will hunt him. I told Polonius of his threat to our camp, so he wishes the man brought here."

"But he is only one man."

"We do not want to risk our camp's discovery. His location is a threat to our people and to you." 

She nodded. "Do what you must. But I don't wish to be found alone with him."

"You have my word on it."

*** 

As centaurs, they tracked the humans easily, for not only did that not hide their tracks, but also, even if they tried, humans were never really adept at it. 

Broken tree branches and flattened leaves led the centaurs to a small hill in the wood, to a clearing. A small fire was built and two figures slept on blankets. It was also easy to tell which was the servant. The man's blankets were thin and frayed at the edges. He was the first to wake, shifting restlessly in his makeshift bed. 

The man sat up, straining to hear something he wasn't quite sure if he heard. Callum watched from the shadows in the trees and signaled to his brother, who stood thirty feet away. 

"Mr. Henry, sir," the servant called.

"What?" Came the loud bark. "Will you go to sleep? We have an early start tomorrow."

"There's something out there."

"Of course, there is. We're outdoors."

"Something is watching us." Came a more specific complaint. 

Callum watched Henry sit up. "If I knew you had such an active imagination, I wouldn't have brought you."

"There!" At a loud cracking sound in the shadows, the servant jumped. Callum tossed the broken branch and watched the servant jump, yet again. This was sort of amusing, he thought. Humans scared so easily. A crunching sound across from where Callum stood made both men whip their heads around. "Something is out there."

"Show yourself!" Henry shouted, grabbing his blade. He stood up, took up an attack stance. His servant did the same, though he was less intelligent and instead, lifted a small lamp he lit. 

"You coward!" Henry searched the trees. "Show yourself to me now!"

"Mr. Henry, sir, I think it's an animal."

"Good, fresh meat." Henry bared his teeth when he heard another cracking noise. "Bastards! Show -- "

"Help, sir!" 

Henry spun around and saw a giant centaur grab his servant, Alfie's neck, holding the man up until his feet dangled and danced in the air. He watched, shocked. Behind him came a sound and he spun around again. 

Callum's face was the last thing he saw before everything went black.



A Centaur's Love Ch. 07



Author's Note: Okay, I have been getting more emails/comments on how the centaur anatomy works, that it seems I need to address it directly. Ever see a cat lie down on its side? Better yet – ever see a horse lie down on its side? Centaurs are able to do so, thus able to hold their mates close facing each other while lying down. For the 'he leans over her' parts, the human upper body of him is able to move around...

As to their sexual anatomy, yes, correctly speaking, horses have theirs located at the back. As for My centaurs, the sexual member is located in the front (their body hair is grown longer there to hide it...) all other body functions are still exited from the back like a normal animal. These may not be the centaurs of Greek myths, but these are My interpretations of these mythical creatures. 

So I hope this clears any confusion as to any sex scenes. No, there is no incredible stretching from the human to perform fellatio while touching his chest. No, the centaur doesn't have to do acrobatic bends to make love to his human. 

That aside, this is the last of Callum and Lila's story. Thanks again for those who wait so patiently for these installments and remember to vote! 

Happy reading!  

***

The prisoners were dragged into camp as the sky started to streak with light. Their hands were bound behind their backs and Callum tugged the limp body of Henry into a kneeling position, connecting the rope to a large pole inside the empty longhouse. The servant was tied to the same pole, so they were back to back. 

By dawn, Polonius went into the longhouse to see their prisoners. Henry was still unconscious, his head drooping. The servant on the other hand, seemed genuinely terrified and was trembling visibly as he watched, wide-eyed. 

"I just followed Mr. Henry's orders. Please, don't kill me." The servant begged. 

At the moment, Callum was in no mood for mercy, even if the servant was innocent. He said nothing to the man. 

With a bucket of freezing stream water, one of the centaurs tossed it onto Henry. He came out of his blackness sputtering as the cold water splattered onto his face and body. Another centaur came forward and grabbed Henry by the hair, pulling his face up so he could see Callum in front of him. 

"Your name, human." Callum's rough voice demanded. 

"I am not telling you – " That earned him a punch in the gut. The impact to his body made Henry wheeze and pant. 

"Your name." 

"Henry." Henry managed. "Henry Juricks."

Callum nodded in confirmation when the Elder turned to him. Fury surged through Callum's veins as he watched the pathetic figure before him. A centaur's protective nature of his mate was not to be trifled with. 

"Do you know why you are brought here?" Polonius asked. 

"No." 

Another bucket of water was thrown on him. 

"Enough with the water!" He sputtered, but his head was held firmly. 

"You have trespassed onto Centaurian land." 

"My apologies for trespassing! We did not know."

"And what of your other crimes? Confess and we may show mercy."

"We did nothing wrong." The servant said quickly. "We are just traveling from town to town."

"We have committed no crimes, centaur." Henry answered. The punch to his gut was painful and it made breathing hard. He glared at his captors, hate darkening his face. "We are innocent."

Callum's fist collided with the man's face. "I do not like your answers, human."

*** 

The flap of the tent was left open, so that the cold winds could sweep into the longhouse. By full morning, the prisoners were fed meager helpings of dried meat and a cup of water before they were brought out to the center of the camp. Tied to separate poles, they were forced to endure snickers and pokes of any who passed them. The young children took to throwing pebbles and small, rather sharp rocks at them.

"I thought they didn't exist." Alfie, his servant said. The foolish man took to mumbling to himself, terrified as he was of these creatures. 

Henry tried to ease himself into a more comfortable position, but failed. His muscles ached from being tied in this position for so long and the rest of him hurt from the beatings he'd received. He noticed – and it only angered him more – that Alfie was barely touched. In fact, his servant was barely acknowledged, though he did receive the pourings of those buckets of freezing water.  

Henry observed this camp. The filthy animals, he thought as he fumed inside. He glared at any centaur who met his eyes. And those filthy whores who opened their legs for a horse cock. 

He openly leered at one woman, who was carrying her newborn baby around. It was the first human baby he'd seen all morning. But his eyes were focused on the curves of her body, so enhanced from carrying a child. 

These women must be wild in bed. They gave themselves to animals, didn't they? 

Something hard slammed into his face. 

"What was that for?" He groaned, moving his jaw gingerly to make sure it wasn't broken. 

The centaur looked almost as fierce as the one who interrogated him. 

"Do not cast eyes on my mate." The centaur then ushered his mate away. 

The animals didn't even marry their women. Sinful creatures. If all the humans knew where to find these centaurs, they would destroy their ways of living. 

"Your women are whores!" Henry shouted over Alfie's protests for him to quiet down. "They open their legs to any cock that will fit inside their wet – " 

Henry got another punch in the face, this one leaving him slumped on the ground. He blinked, his vision jarred and his ears ringing. 

Gradually looking up, he recognized the centaur as the one that came to him yesterday. The fierceness of his glare would have scared any man; it certainly scared Alfie, who suddenly went very quiet. 

"Come to tell me my crimes? Or do you prefer a man to a woman's pussy."

A bucket of water was thrown onto him. The coldness of it tightened his lungs and he panted. He couldn't control the shivers that started through him each gust of wind. 

"Harming a woman is against my people's codes of honor."

"Animals do not have honor." Henry said, smirking painfully. His lip was split and bleeding from earlier's beating and now he could feel the side of his temple start to swell. He licked at his wounded lip, looking up at the centaur. 

"Women are men's property. They are good for one thing only. A good fuck."

Another punch sent his head reeling. He laughed dryly, tasting blood. "Tell me my crime, you filthy half-breed." 

But Callum had already turned away. 

*** 

"The prisoner is granted to its hunter for disposal."

Callum found grim satisfaction in this pronouncement, though he knew already Henry would be his to deal with. 

He stood before the Elders as the matter of the servant was then discussed. When the meeting was dismissed, he paid his prisoners a visit. Two days had gone by since they were brought here. Like before, the servant was trembling in fear and mumbled to himself about being innocent, though guilt colored his face.  The man stared at Callum. 

"I have done nothing." The servant said loudly, as if he thought Callum was hard of hearing. 

"Oh, shut up, Alfie." Henry grumbled. 

"Is it because I forced one of your women?" Alfie asked desperately, his eyes seeking Callum's. "I didn't know she was one of yours. She said she was passing through town..."

"You humans have no morals." Callum's gritty voice caused Alfie to jump. 

He had no idea of what the man spoke of, but Callum was soon coming to the conclusion that the servant was just as crazed as Henry, who seemed to welcome the beatings.  

"You filthy half-breeds are one to speak. You take our women, rape them, force them to bear your seed." Henry spit at Callum's feet. 

"She said she was from one of the trading ports," Alfie said, lost in his fear. "Paid her good for her body. I didn't know..."

Callum watched his prisoners grimly. 

"Tell me my crime." Henry demanded. A young centaur threw a rock that landed squarely on Henry's right cheek. He struggled against the ropes that bound him, snarling at the colt. 

"Come here, you filthy little half-breed."  Henry said angrily. Callum suddenly held a dagger up to the man's throat and pressed firmly. 

"Do you wish to suffer further, human?"

"I don't see what I've done could offend you. I don't know you. Tell me why I'm here!"

Henry closed his eyes when Callum made to move his hand. But instead of feeling pain, he heard a rustle and opened his eyes to see Callum cutting the rope binding Alfie. 

"I said I was sorry." Alfie mumbled, as he was dragged to his feet. "I didn't know she was one of your women. Mr. Henry, sir..."

Henry watched as the centaur dragged his servant away. 

***     

Lila dozed off on the bed and didn't realize it until she felt Callum slip into her. She sighed and felt herself arch to meet him. He took her leisurely at first, taking his time to run his hands over her body, cupping her full breasts. Frustrated with his slow movements, she pushed against him hard and heard his chuckle. 

"You are an eager filly, tonight." Came his low, husky comment. 

"Faster, Callum. I want it fast." 

He slammed into her willingly. His large size stretching her to the limit and she reveled in being so filled. He turned her head gently to kiss her as he took her deep. He began to move faster and harder until he finally exploded, filling her with his come. 

His hand ran soothingly over her damp back, squeezing her bottom. 

"What will happen to him?"

Callum knew of whom she spoke of. "He will die. But we centaurs like to...play with our prisoners before we put them to death." And by withholding the reason of their capture, prisoners were left mentally vulnerable.

"And his servant?"

"Already dead. But his was a swift one."

"I am glad that part of my life is over." She rolled onto her back and took Callum's hand. A slow smile spread on her face as she placed it on her belly. "We can look forward to starting a family."

"Lila," he whispered. Her meaning left his breathless and he bent down to kiss her deeply. His large hand covered her smooth, flat stomach, rubbing tenderly. New life grew in her womb.  

"You and the babe are a gift to me." He murmured. 

*** 

Henry kept the stone in his fist. His face bruised and it hurt to move his jaw. He shivered from the cold, his clothes clinging to his body, still damp from the last bucket of water that was thrown at him. 

He kept his eyes on everything around him. Hardly anyone paid him any attention, going about his or her so-called normal lives. They probably figured that he was going to die soon. That thought made Henry turn to the empty pole next to him. Alfie didn't return. That was three days ago. 

But the young centaurs throwing rocks at him had proved to be useful. He'd been able to reach for one sharp enough to cut through rope. He'd worked all night at it, rubbing the sharp edge again and again over the rope that bound his wrists. He did this for two days, until his hands were exhausted. 

He was getting close. His hands strained from twisting and bending it to cut at the rope. He needed to get away. Once the rope was cut, he'd hold it together and when they tied him down for the night, he'd make his escape. 

"Why can't you let me be?"

Henry looked up, surprised to see Lila. The very woman who brought him out to the open wilderness, the very woman his body craved to break. What was she doing here? Didn't she know that his love for her had driven him here? Didn't she know he was fighting to escape because of his desire to find her? And there she was, standing a distance away, wrapped in a coat lined with fur. 

"Is that a gift from your master?" He asked casually, though his voice was underlined with menace. 

He slowly worked rock over rope. "You must've opened your pretty thighs for them a lot to get something so nice." 

She angrily slapped him on the face and he smiled, despite the sting and his cut lip. 

"You cannot talk to me that way now."

"Which one of these half-breeds is your mate?" He demanded, fury replacing his surprise. "You will be punished for ever letting one touch you." 

"You can't hurt me anymore." Lila lifted her chin. She felt safe enough with others around her. When she glanced up, she saw one of the men of the forge working outside. He watched her, occasionally looking up from his work. 

"My mate will kill you." 

"Ah, is he the one who is always punching me?" 

Henry hated the centaur even more. He worked the rock harder, making a show of trying to sit up so the movement of his arms seemed less conspicuous. 

"Should ride my cock now that you do so with a centaur." 

Lila took a step back. "Stop it, Henry. 

"You belong to me, Lila, not some filthy half-breed."

"I belong to only my mate." 

"When I get out of here, you are coming with me. And I'll show you that you still love me." 

"I never loved you, Henry. How could anyone care for someone as cruel as you?"

"You used to. Before you found me spanking that maid's arse." He could remember the day so clearly. 

The maid had accidentally broken one of the figurines in his rooms above the shop. He'd punished her with a whip and his hands, hitting her until her skin was bright red. Doing that to her had made him so hard, that he couldn't help but rape the girl in her untried hole. Lila stumbling upon him with his cock up and whip in hand only made him harder. 

"You enjoyed it, Lila." He said in a low voice, watching her face flush with heat. "You liked seeing me whip that maid as I took her."

"No more. Your threats mean nothing now."

The rope suddenly loosened around his wrists. "You liked seeing me slam into that woman's, hearing her scream out. I can make you scream, Lila."

He was lunging at her before she could stop him. She screamed and felt the sharp rock pressed against her throat. His fingers gripped her neck so tightly, she was gasping for breath. Henry laughed menacingly into her ear, licking her slowly at the neck. 

"I should take you right now, before all these filthy half-breeds the way they've touched you. Have their big cocks stretched you out yet, I wonder." 

His arousal pressed into the back of her dress and she whimpered, pulling at his hand that held the sharp stone. 

Centaurs came forward with weapons, others ushering the women and children back. Henry watched; they were smart enough not to fire their arrows, for they might pierce through into Lila's body. The same with any thrown blades. Henry smiled. 

"You will help me escape, Lila."

*** 

"The prisoner has your mate, Callum." The shout penetrated the sounds of the forge and Callum's head shot up. He dropped his tools and grabbed a sword from the rack, galloping out into the open. His heart pounded as he saw the rock forced against her neck. It looked sharp enough to cause fatal damage. Behind him, he could hear his brothers. 

When Callum turned his head, Soren was already aiming bow and arrow at the prisoner. 

"Left calf." Callum muttered and Soren's let fly his arrow. His aim was precise. Henry cried out in pain, momentarily loosening his grip on Lila. 

Callum galloped toward the prisoner and grabbed the man by the neck. Fury lighting his eyes, he lifted the man off the ground by his neck and thrust the sword into the man's body. 

A guttural sound escaped Henry as his eyes bulged out, glazed with pain. Callum's grip on his neck didn't lesson and as he pulled the blade out, he lowered the man enough so his could speak into his ear. 

"Your crime, human," Callum said ominously, "Was touching my woman." 

His show of mercy was to break the man neck, ending his pain. Fury resonated from his body, but the minute he met Lila's gaze, it seeped out of him. 

"It is over, Lila." He breathed into her hair, bringing her close. 

He turned her head away from the broken body. All at once it hit him. 

If Lila had been hurt or worse, killed...Katerina had killed their son and run from him, causing Callum pain he never knew existed. But in that moment of seeing Lila in danger, he was finally able to accept the pain in his past. It was the possibility of losing his mate that replaced it. Lila and the babe she carried were his future. It was time to focus on that. 

"It is over." Callum repeated again, and meant those words. 

Lila nodded. "I knew you would protect me." 

"Aye, Lila. Until the last of my breath." 

En fin.