“I wouldn't object if you kept going. You know that, right?”
“I know...” Jay embraced Alex in his arms, and she buried her face in his chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “But, I want our first time together to be special. I will not lose control with you like I did that one time. This time, I intend to get it right. For me, you are so much more than one night of pleasure and fun, you are my eternity.”
“And here I was beginning to think you did not find me attractive.”
“Silly girl.” Jay grabbed her bottom and hoisted her up. Wrapping her legs around his waist, Alex brought her face closer to Jay’s, and he inhaled her sweetness. “You're so damn alluring that I go crazy trying to resist the urge to rip your clothe off and make love you all night long.”
Being so close to Jay, with her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, feeling his erection against her, Alex had a primitive urge she needed satisfy. Surrendering to the longing inside, Alex gave him a passionate kiss. Pulling away from her, Jay tenderly sucked on her earlobe, making her moan. Alexandra could feel Jay's heart beating in his chest as he flopped over on the bed with her beneath him. She continued to kiss him as she clung to his shirt, desiring to rip it apart. Breathlessly, Jay kissed her neck, tracing his tongue across her clavicle, making Alex shudder in delight.
“Damn it...” Jay continued kissing her neck “... you have no idea how bad I want you right now.”
Feverishly kissing Alex, Jay slid his hand across her bare leg, down to her hip. As Jay caressed her thigh, pressing harder against her, Alex pushed him off her. Bolting up in bed with a look of terror in her eyes, she held her breath. A dejected Jay glanced up at her with an expression of a lost puppy as he tried to figure out what had precipitated. Thinking he went too far, Jay stroked Alexandra's arm with his finger. Sitting up, he kissed her neck and peered at her face.
“What's wrong baby?” Jay's voice cracked as he spoke and nuzzled her neck. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” Alex said in a panicked whisper. “Listen.”
Resting his head on Alexandra’s shoulder, Jay listened for whatever ruined the moment. Alex could feel his firm grip on her arm, but all she could focus on were the voices coming from downstairs. Jay heard them too as he leaped up from the bed and summoned his sword. He headed for the door, and Alexandra got up and followed closely behind. Turning toward her at the doorway, Jay gave her a pleading look, shaking his head.
“Stay here.”
“No, I'm coming with you.”
“Damn it, Alex.” Jay scowled at her “I almost lost you down there once, I can't go through that again.”
“And you forget that I almost lost you too. We need each other Jay. We are stronger together. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not, end of story.”
Slamming his fist on the wall out of frustration, Jay gave Alex a nod to follow him as he walked out of the room. Staying close behind him, Alexandra followed Jay down the stairs, stopping at the door to listen to the muffled whispers coming from the tavern. Pushing open the wood gate, the two of them stepped out behind the bar, and Alex let out a loud scream at what she saw.
Chapter 30
Revelations
Sitting on the bar was a soaked, exhausted, and highly irritated Cosmo who finally caught up to his friend. He was glaring and barking at the tavern door where surveying the blood-splattered room, and Dalton's remains, were none other than Henry and Tom. Upon hearing Alex scream, the two young men turned around to face the cottage, and Tom's eyes went wide with shock upon seeing his sister with the barkeep.
“Alexandra!”
“Tom!”
Instinctively, Alex leaped behind Jay, who put up his sword ready to fight. With the expression of shock changing to anger, Tom summoned his sword and lunged at Jay. Deducing what was about to happen, Henry stepped between the two men, placing his hands on Tom's shoulders as he shielded himself from his friend’s sword.
“Gentleman,” Henry gave Tom a push back. “Gentleman, we are all friends here, let's not be too rash.”
“What is my brother doing here?” Alex let out a shrill yell.
“Or, better question, what is my sister doing bedding a half-blood?”
“Would everyone calm down?” Henry stood in the middle of the room and turned to Alex first. “Tom is in the resistance with me. I needed his help to stop Dalton, so I grabbed him. I wanted to tell you this last night, but with everything that happened, I didn't get around to it.”
“What?” Jay looked back at Alex “That was you last night? I guess I should have known only you would be so foolish as to break a man out of prison.”
“I'm sorry. I couldn't let them kill my friend. I thought you would understand.”
“Oh, I understand. What I don't understand is why you didn't come to get me. I would have helped.”
“You were asleep by the time we made our way past your cottage. I was not going to wake you. Plus, what about Andy? He needs his father to stay alive and out of trouble.”
“Fair enough.” Shaking his head, Jay smiled at her as he stroked her cheek. “But from now on, rely on me a bit more, will you?”
“I will.” Alex put her hand over his, rubbing her face on the warm palm of Jay's hand.
“Uh, hello, the guy whose sister is fadoodling with a half-blood here. Don't any of you think someone owes me an explanation as to what is going on here?”
“Calm down prince,” Jay grumbled at Tom. “I haven't slept with your sister.”
“Oh really?” Tom pointed his arm towards Alex. “Because her current state of undress tells me otherwise.”
Remembering she was only dressed in Jay's shirt, Alex grew red from embarrassment. Tucking behind Jay to hide her indecency, she poked her head out from behind his shoulder. Standing across from them with his arms crossed, Tom raised his eyebrow at her, still awaiting an explanation. Responding to Tom’s implications, Jay crossed his arms, stuck out his chest, and let out a loud snort.
“You got it all wrong, your highness. I had to rip her dress, so I could heal her after Dalton used the spirit blast spell on her. She's wearing my shirt because I have more respect for her than you seem to think.”
“Hold up,” Henry injected himself into the conversation at the mention of Dalton. “Why would my brother use that spell on Alexandra? He had a sick obsession with her, he wouldn't dare risk damaging any part of her.”
“Well, you see,” Jay rubbed the back off his head, “Dalton kind of got me by surprise and knocked me out. By the time I came around, he was using the spell on her and getting ready to cut her head off.”
“You honestly expect me to believe my baby sister took on Dalton all by herself?”
“Who do you think landed half the blows on him?”
Tom glanced over to what remained of Dalton than back over at Alex “I don't believe this.”
“That's because you don't give her enough credit. The whole lot of you have her locked up in her room day in and day out, like some sort of prisoner. How would you possibly know what she is capable of?
“Unbelievable.” Henry mumbled while rubbing his chin “Well, at least this takes care of Dalton for me. But now the three of you are in danger. We need to get you out of Vega tonight. Fortunately, there is a cruise liner leaving at five bound for Ashland. I'm sure I can get you all on board. I just need to quickly draft a letter of asylum to the magistrates at the docks, and—”
“No need.” Jay interrupted with a grin “I'm an East Ashland citizen, who still has all his papers. My son and intended will be welcome to enter with me.”
“I'm sorry half-blood, but are you insinuating that you intend to marry my little sister?”
“Damn straight.” Jay snapped at Tom before turning to look at Alex with a beseeching look. “As long as she will have me that is.”
“Absolutely not! I will not give you permission to wed my sister.”
�
��I don't need your permission, Tom...” Alex spoke in a harsh tone she had never used with her brother before. “... I'm free to marry who I wish, and I wish to marry Jay.”
“So, you'll have me then?”
“Of course I will. There is no one I'd rather be with.” Alex flung her arms around Jay's neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
“This is absurd! I will not stand for this madness.” Tom was getting agitated with the nonsense he was a witness to. “Alexandra, you are coming home with me. The half-blood can return to Ashland alone, with his son.”
“Stop, Thomas.” Henry stepped between Tom and Alex. Gripping his friend's shoulders, he gave him a gentle shake. “Calm yourself and think for a moment. Look around you, then look at them and think of what this means.”
Tom glanced around the room, then at Alex and Jay. Not daring to believe what his friend was implying, he shook his head “No, no it can't be. It's not possible. It’s just a fairy tale used to scare our people.”
“It is possible. If I did not see Alexandra in action yesterday, I would not have believed it myself, but I'm telling you, it's possible. I know you love her Thomas, and I love her too. But Alexandra isn't a little girl anymore, you need to let her go, we both do.”
“Fine,” Tom said gritting his teeth after a moment of silence. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a small pouch and tossed it towards Henry. “You go get them a decent cabin on that ocean liner. Also, I believe there is a ship leaving for Falatine around the same time. Have someone see them getting on it.
“Barkeep, pack your things.” Tom took off his cape and draped it over Alex. “Alexandra, you come with me. We will get you changed into more appropriate attire, grab your things, and take your money out of the vault. Everyone will meet at the docks in two hours. That should give you plenty of time to get settled in your cabin, and for Henry and I to get back.”
With a nod of his head, Henry put the pouch in his pocket and made his way for the door. Wrapping the cape around herself, Alex went to go with Tom, but Jay grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back.
“Are you sure you'll be okay, sweetheart?”
“Yes. Tom might come off harsh, but that's only because he's been looking out for me since we were little, he'd never put me in harm's way.”
“Are you actually going to come back if I let you go?” Jay glanced at Alex with a troubled expression on his face.
“Of course, I will. There is nothing out there that can keep me away from you.” Reaching up, Alex gave Jay a soft kiss before leaning in to whisper in his ear. “Plus, I think poor Cosmo is worn out from his flight. I think it is best if you took him with you. And you know I’d never abandon that little guy.”
“All right,” Jay swooped Cosmo up, placing the pigrie on his shoulder. “I'll see you in two hours then? Don’t be late.”
“In two hours. Now hurry up and go get ready, or you are going to be the late one.”
Jay let Alex go and watched as she followed Thomas out of the tavern into the chilly night. The rain seemed to have ended, and the full moon was shining happily in the cloudy sky. Glancing at Tom, Alex gave him a kind smile and a nod of her head. He still wore a grim expression on his face, but he gave his sister a smile back, knowing the difficulties which still awaited her. Changing into birds, Alexandra and Tom took off into the night, soaring back towards the open window of her room in the palace.
Chapter 31
Sailing Away
Back in the confines of her chamber, Alex put on a fresh dress behind a folded screen. Tom stood in the corner of her room still mulling over the events of the night. The whole time they had been back at the castle, he had not said a word to his sister, he just kept looking at her while shaking his head. Alexandra was beginning to think Tom would never talk to her again, but he finally broke the silence by clearing his throat first.
“Is it true Alexandra?
“What?” Alex zipped up her dress and peeked her head out from behind the screen.
“Are you really the one from the fairy tale grandmother told us? The one who comes from the veil to save us all from destruction?”
“I guess I am.” Alex came out from behind the screen with her head down and looked up at her brother with a guilt-ridden look. “But this is not something I willingly chose for myself, at least not in this life.”
“So, you've known this whole time what you are and you never once trusted me enough to tell me?”
“I'm sorry Tom...” Alex took hold of his hands “... but I did not know who to trust. This isn’t a secret you can share with anyone you care about. The burden is mine and mine alone to bear, I did not want to drag you into this.”
“Idiot. I'm your brother. It’s my job to protect you. You should have trusted me.” Thomas hugged Alex tight. Pulling away from his sister he held her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “Tell me Alexandra, is this really what you want, to marry some half-blood, ten years your senior, and with a kid to boot? Or are you just trying to run away from Philip and our family in any way you can?”
“I know you don't understand this Tom, but I love Jay, and I love his little boy too. I can't explain it well, but when I'm around them, I feel complete. It feels almost like we have been separated for ages and are now finding each other again after all this time.”
“All right. I can accept that.” Tom nodded his head. “But tell me sister, what does loving someone like this feel like?”
“Similar to how I feel about you, but different, more intense. It feels like I'm waking up for the very first time in my life. Almost like my soul has been asleep for all these years, and upon meeting him, it woke from its slumber. Before Jay, I had no idea one could love so deeply or feel so much. I had no clue what it was like to trust someone enough to hand them your broken pieces, knowing they will put them back together again. But now that I’ve met him, I have no idea how I survived this long without the fire of love burning in my veins.”
“In that case, if he makes you happy, I guess I have to let you grow up and be on your own.” Tom let out a heavy sigh “All right, no use in being sad about it now, let's get you all packed up. Time is running out.”
There was not much to pack as Alex did not own much of anything. Grabbing a couple of days’ worth of clothing, a book of poetry, and the secret stash under her bed, she did not even manage to fill a small handbag. Carefully packing everything in her satchel, Alex noticed Tom smirking out of the corner of her eye.
“What's so funny? You have barely cracked a smile all night, but suddenly you are smiling from ear to ear.”
“Sorry...” Tom chuckled and shook his head “... I just keep picturing Quinton's face when he finds out you not only foiled his plans, but you also ran off with a barkeep.”
Picturing Quinton's face in the morning made Alex giggle. She could only imagine how livid he would be. She was sure the news of Dalton’s untimely demise would be a hard pill for Quin to swallow. He would be left all alone with no ally, and two of the three territories controlled by men who did not share his vision.
“I wish I could see it when he finds out.”
“I'll be sure to tell you all about it when I visit you.”
“You plan on visiting me in Ashland?”
“How could I not? I would never pass up on the chance to see my little sister. Plus, I need to make sure you are happy with the half-blood, and that he’s treating you well.”
Alexandra rolled her eyes, she did not like anyone referring to Jay as a half-blood, but she knew Tom still had to get used to the very idea of Jay being around. Remembering something she promised Henry, Alex walked over to her desk and pulled out some parchment and a quill. Scribbling something on two pieces of paper she folded them up. Labeling one of the parchments, she walked back over to Tom and handed him both pieces.
“One is for you. It has the name of Richard's uncle in Clear Springs. Look him up when you visit Ashland, he will know where Jay and I moved. The
other one is for Philip, it explains why I left. He will hopefully understand, and if I am correct, he will be sympathetic to your cause.”
Stuffing both pieces of parchment into his coat pocket, Tom gave Alex a single nod. “Thank you. I hope you're right about Philip. Now let's go downstairs to the vaults and get you some gold so you don’t live as some peasant with that barkeep of yours.”
Deciding the best way to get to the vaults unseen was through the stock cellar, the two siblings flew out the open window. Settling down before the old wood door she used so often as a child, Alex took hold of her brother’s hand. Expertly navigating the darkened maze to the opening which connected the stock cellar to the vault, she led them to their destination. Pulling a key out of his pocket, Thomas unlocked the solid metal door and pulled it open with a heavy moan.
This was the first time Alexandra had been inside. Women did not have access to their money as it was to serve as dowry for their husbands and therefore, they were forbidden from entering the vault. Touching the smooth, white marble walls, Alex thought the interior seemed cold and sterile, even with the rows of gold coins and bricks lining the walls. Grabbing a small sack, Thomas walked over to a metal box and emptied it of its contents. Shrinking the bag down to fit in the palm of his hand, Tom handed it over to Alex, who placed it in her satchel.
“Part of your dowry sister. It should at least ensure you get a good start over in Ashland. If I can, I’ll bring you more when I visit.”
“Thank you, Tom, for everything you are doing for me. I know this isn't easy for you, so just know I appreciate it very much.”
“All right, all right, don't mention it. Or, I may change my mind about letting you go.” Tom ruffled Alexandra’s hair, causing her to giggle the same way she did when they were little. “We should probably get going now. We'll be late as is, and we wouldn't want to keep your man waiting too long. He did not appear the most patient type.”
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