Chapter 1: Rough
In the thick of the forest, where the only sounds were the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional grunt of animals moving through the underbrush, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the land. Elara had been exploring for hours, her sword swinging lightly at her side, her back filled with collected treasures. She wore a simple tunic of coarse wool and leather leggings that chafed slightly as she walked. The village she called home was still a distance away, but she wasn’t worried. She’d been out past dark before and knew the way back, where the iron golem patrolled the village gates, a silent sentinel ensuring her safety once she returned.
As the shadows lengthened, Elara spotted a cluster of flowers in a clearing. Curious, she stepped forward, drawn to their vibrant hues. As she bent down to pick them, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world into twilight. Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine. Elara straightened up, her heart skipping a beat. She wasn’t alone. The forest was still, too still. The sound of heavy footsteps behind her made her turn slowly, fear tightening her chest.
There, emerging from the shadows, was an iron golem. But this wasn’t the familiar protector from her village. This one was different—larger, with an imposing presence that made the air around it feel thicker. Its eyes glowed a deep, molten orange, locking onto her with an intensity that made her breath catch.
Elara stumbled back, her instincts telling her to run, but her feet refused to move. The golem’s footsteps thudded against the ground as it approached, each step reverberating through her. She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening as the golem loomed over her, blocking out the fading light.
“W-what do you want?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
The golem’s head tilted slightly, as if studying her. It reached out, its hand—massive and made of solid iron—hovering just inches from her face. Elara’s breath hitched as its touch brushed against her cheek. The cold metal sent a shiver through her, though not entirely from fear. The rough wool of her tunic suddenly felt stifling, its fibers scraping against her skin.
Its touch was gentle, a stark contrast to its imposing figure. Elara felt her heart race, a strange, intoxicating mix of fear and something else—a raw, primal attraction that both confused and excited her. She had always seen the golems as protectors, but this one… this one was different. There was something about it that stirred feelings deep within her that she had never known existed.
Without realizing it, Elara leaned into it, her hand reaching out to rest against its broad chest. The iron was cool under her fingers, but she could feel the pulse of energy within it, a steady, powerful rhythm that matched the thudding of her own heart. The coarse wool of her tunic felt so constricting, its roughness a jarring contrast to the smooth, cool metal beneath her fingertips. She gasped softly as its other hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Her body pressed against its, her softness conforming with its unyielding frame.
Her breath came in shallow pants, the air around them charged with a tension that made her head spin. The golem’s eyes glowed brighter, a reflection of the fire that was slowly igniting within her. Elara’s lips parted as she felt the air between them intensify, her mind reeling with the forbidden thrill of it all.
“Please…” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure what she was asking for. The golem seemed to understand, its grip on her tightening ever so slightly as it lowered its head towards her. Its mouth, formed from the same iron as the rest of it, brushed against her lips in a kiss that was both hard and tender, sending a jolt of electricity through her.
Elara moaned softly into the kiss, her fingers gripping the metal seams of its chest. She could feel its power, its strength, and it only made her desire burn brighter. The wool of her tunic felt rougher, heavier. She had never imagined anything like this, never thought she could feel such intense longing for something so… inhuman. Yet here she was, melting under the touch of an iron golem, her body aching for more.