by Rachel Angel
“Ally.” He tried to grasp her hand, but she swiped it away. “Ally, I’m truly sorry for what happened. Things got out of hand. I realize that now. I guess it just didn’t come out the way I meant it, and some of the guys took it to mean…”
“What?” she said incredulously. “You told other guys about what happened between us?”
“No. Not really. I mean, not all. I didn’t intend it to turn out the way it did. I didn’t mean for it to become a joke.”
“Well, then I guess you should have handled things differently, shouldn’t you?”
“Ally, please believe me. I like you. I really do. And I still want you. Forgive me for being a jerk and gloating to the guys.”
“When does your mother want me to arrive?”
Frowning in disappointment, he looked at the floor a moment before bringing his gaze back to her. “As soon as we can.”
“We?” She said. “No. I’m not going out there with you again. I’ll go out on my own.”
“I can’t let you do that, Ally. You saw what happened out there. It’s not safe for a girl…”
Ally glared at him.
“Ah, come on. You know what I mean. Look, I know you’re a strong fighter and all, but it’s just plain dangerous out there, regardless of whether you’re a guy or a girl. And besides, my mother will expect me to be there, too.”
“Fine.”
“Then we will leave as soon as you’re packed.”
“Fine.” She looked up at him, her lips tight and her eyes narrowed. “But I swear, Jasper. If you do anything… anything to make me hate you even more than I do right now, I swear I won’t hesitate to kill you.
He backed away suddenly, surprised by the venom of her words. “You’ll see,” he said. “You won’t regret it. I’ll show you how sorry I am about everything that happened. I’ll show you the man I really am.”
For a tender moment, her heart softened. He really did seem sincere. But he’d burned her once.
He ran his finger along her cheek. “You’ll see. I’ll make sure you never look at me with hatred in your eyes again.”
She grabbed his fingers in her fist and a shot of electricity shot through her. Despite her hatred of him, there was an undeniable spark.
“I’ll go pack,” she said. Releasing his hand, she walked away.
When she returned to her room, she realized that much of her clothes was being laundered. She would have to wait almost an hour for everything to be ready.
Only minutes later Jasper was at her door.
“Ready?”
“Actually, no. All I have is the clothes on my back. Everything else is being laundered. It’s probably hanging out to dry as we speak.”
“We need to leave soon.”
“I know. Wait here and I’ll go check on it. Maybe I can grab a few pieces from the clothesline and let them dry as we ride out.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Her garments were indeed on the line, almost dry. They quickly took the garments down and packed them loosely in her saddlebag.
“Let’s go,” Jasper said. “If we hurry, we can still make it before dark.”
They rode for a long while without trouble, but when they arrived at the same meadow where they’d encountered the serpent-like creatures, both horses were spooked and refused to advance.
Repeatedly, Jasper and Ally urged the horses forward, but they turned around and stomped their hooves into the ground.
“It’s no use,” Jasper finally said. “We’ll have to go around.”
Ally looked at the mountains surrounding them, including the jagged hill where they had spent the night. Were they about to relive the same experience?
Jasper pulled the reins and led his horse to the left where the mountains rose and fell more gently. The horses didn’t protest and willingly went forth, but progress was slow on the rough path.
Too slow.
By the time they’d reach the valley beyond, the sun had already disappeared behind the mountain ridge.
“We’re going to have to push them hard,” Jasper said as he patted his horse’s neck. “Are you ready?”
“Let’s go for it.”
They pushed their horses into a quick gallop, pushing them as hard as they could go, and while they covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time, Ally knew they couldn’t push the horses so hard for too long. They slowed down to a brisk trot, but still…
As they rode on, Ally became increasingly apprehensive.
“This doesn’t look good,” Jasper finally said.
Ally nodded. The dark of night was near, and the Emerald Palace still a considerable distance away.
In the distance, in a small clearing of the sparse forest, small fires glowed. Jasper gestured toward the light. “We’ll stop in there.”
“What is it?”
“There’s an inn with a tavern. We’ll stop for the night.”
Relieved, Ally slowed her horse even more. “In that case, I’ll give Shelby a break. She’s sweating profusely.”
Jasper also slowed his horse and nodded.
They approached the inn at a lazy pace and arrived with time to spare. After leaving their horses at the small stable, they headed into the tavern.
Several men sat around drinking beer, playing cards and telling stories in the small, darkened room. A young woman, tray at her hips, strolled amidst them ensuring they were in need of nothing.
Jasper made his way to the bar. “We need two rooms.”
“Please,” the bored innkeeper prompted without looking up.
Annoyed, Jasper glanced sidelong at Ally.
“Please,” Jasper then added in exasperation.
“Only one.”
“What’s that?”
“Only one room.”
“No. We need two rooms.”
Still looking down, the innkeeper tapped the bar with his thick fingers. “Only one room.”
At the end of his patience, Jasper slapped his bejeweled hand to the counter right in front of the innkeeper’s face.
At the sight of the sizeable emerald on Jasper’s ring, the innkeeper finally looked up and gaped, dropping the cigar that had been tucked in the corner of his mouth.
“Ah… ah… Your… Sir…” the innkeeper stammered before closing his mouth entirely and swallowing in fear.
Ally stepped forward. “Please, sir. We need two rooms for the night.”
The older man smiled at her while repeatedly glancing at the royal beside her.
“Don’t fret,” she assured him. “There’s no offense taken. We simply want a place to sleep.”
“My lady,” he said with an awkward bow. “My apologies, but we only have one room left.”
“Oh.” Ally frowned.
Still frightened at the notion of having offended royalty, the innkeeper leaned in closer to Ally. “One of the rooms was rented by an poor peasant family who wasn’t even able to pay the entire fee. I’ll go up right now and kick them out of the room.”
Stunned by his suggestion, Ally looked at Jasper and shook her head.
“The one room will do just fine,” Jasper said.
The innkeeper looked from Jasper to Ally with suspicion. “Are ya wedded?”
Jasper grinned. “No, we are not. Reason for the request for two rooms. But if you have a cot…”
“Ah, yes. Yes.”
Jasper pulled a fistful of coins out of his pocket to pay the man who pushed two coins back to him.
“This is enough,” the innkeeper said pocketing the proper amount of coins.
Jasper pushed the coins back to him again. “To cover for what the family didn’t pay.”
Impressed the innkeeper took the coins, grabbed the key from a hook behind him and dropped it on the bar. “Thank you. Much appreciated, sir. Your highness.”
As Ally and Jasper walked away, the innkeeper called out. “I’ll have that cot sent up right away.”
They headed up the narrow stairs and down the corridor to th
e third door. On opening the door, Ally gasped. The room was tiny and cramped. The bed took up almost the entirety of the room.
Jasper set their bags on the dresser and examined the situation just as the innkeeper arrived with the narrow cot. Oblivious to the lack of room, he smiled and left the cot in the doorway.
Jasper pulled the cot in and pushed it up against the wall behind the door.
“Now what do we do,” Ally said. “There’s not enough room to open it.”
“I’m exhausted, and I’m sure you are as well. We’ll get a quick bite to eat, we’ll sleep, and bright and early tomorrow morning, we’ll continue on our way.”
Ally had no issue with the eating part, and she looked forward to continuing on their way, but it was the sleeping part that concerned her. She looked down at the bed.
“Come on,” Jasper said. “I’m starving.”
Ally followed him back down for a savory dinner of roast pork and an icy cold beer, then followed him back to their room.
“I’ll give you a moment to change into your nightgown.”
How thoughtful, she thought as she entered the room alone. Moments later she opened the door to let him in.
The crucial moment had arrived. There was no escaping it now. They were alone… in a small room… with one bed.
She swallowed nervously.
Seeing her nerves, Jasper pulled off his clothes, tossed it over the cot and hopped into bed, pulling the covers over his nearly nude body, and closing his eyes as he lay on his back.
Oh, Ally thought, still a little stunned at the brief sight of his muscular body. She’d marveled in silence as he’d pulled his shirt off to reveal a wall of muscle that constituted his chest. His discarded pants revealed thick muscular thighs and high, rock hard buttocks.
What a man. A man she’d be lying right next to.
Looking as his lying form, seemingly already asleep, she was almost disappointed. Were they truly to lie together with not so much as a touch? A kiss goodnight?
She shrugged. It was just as well. She still hadn’t forgiven him for his prank and a goodnight kiss was not welcomed.
Gently pulling back the covers, she slid into bed beside him, doing her best not to touch him as she turned her back to him. But it was impossible. The bed was too small, and he, too big. Her leg pressed up against his, and her back connected to his shoulder.
Slowly, he turned to spoon her, pulling her gently into his arms.
“Jasper,” she protested softly.
“I just want to say goodnight,” he said, kissing her ear. “I just want to say how sorry I am.”
She felt his hardness press into her backside and a whirlwind of excitement stirred her.
He ran his hand along her arm, over her hips and down her thigh.
“There is so much I can do to make it up to you,” he whispered.
She didn’t move as his hand snaked its way under her nightdress and to her inner thigh.
“Pleasure can work wonders to ease pain.” He kissed her neck, just below her ear and pressed his body closer. “Let me erase the pain I’ve cause you. Let me show you the man I truly am, and the love I’m truly capable of.”
His fingers pried apart her legs, shifting her partially onto her back while he draped her leg over his.
She stiffened with the anticipation of reliving her exquisite moment with Razor, of reliving the pure pleasure a man’s touch could bring.
With his teeth, Jasper pulled her nightdress off her shoulder and kissed the exposed skin, while his fingers worked to make her groan.
And groan she did. It came from deep inside her. From a place almost animal in its intensity. She pushed her pelvis up to his hand, pushing him to delve deeper and deeper.
Waves of euphoria swept over her and she felt certain she couldn’t ever feel more pleasure than she did in that moment.
But there was more.
He turned her a little more onto her back, the motion tugging down on her nightdress and nearly exposing her entire breast. His eyes focused on the pert orb with the erect nipple. Slowly, he brought his mouth closer, nudging the fabric away even more.
She was certain her nipple could not bring her as much pleasure as the working of his hand, but when he finally lay his lips to her breast and flicked her nipple with his tongue, she let out a surprised gasp of pleasure.
A bolt of intense sensations travelled down her body, adding a jolt of electricity to the workings of his hand. The connection between her nipple and her inner thigh was acute and undeniable. Every flick of his tongue brought a new jolt of excitement to her inner core.
Her entire being was focused on the two complimentary sensations, each working to elevate the other, each bringing her to new heights of pleasure. She reached for his hand and pushed it harder into her moistened folds, pushing him to go further and further.
But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted all of him. Turning completely onto her back, she tugged at him, silently begging him to mount her.
With a teasing gleam in his eye, he remained where he was. “I want to see the light in your eyes when you orgasm,” he said.
“When I what?” she whispered curiously.
He smiled at her innocence. “You are adorable, aren’t you? So precious and pure.” His finger took to rubbing that tender and sensitive part of her. “Your clitoris is all hard and swollen. Tell me… are you almost there?”
Her clitoris? Was that what that was? That tiny part of her body that was so incredibly and intensely pleasing.
He continued to rub circles around it. “Are you there?”
Feeling almost faint, she groaned, “Yes… yes… ah, yes!”
And suddenly she was flying, floating in the air, high about the world where nothing else mattered. Where her euphoria was all she wanted to know, all she wanted to feel.
She tugged on him harder, urging him to fill her, to complete her. “I want you, Jasper. I want all of you.”
“That’s just your lust talking,” he said quietly, his eyes on hers. “I want to give you all of me when you’re truly ready. When you are out of the clutches of passion and you still want me.”
“What does it matter? I want you now.”
“I love the touch of your body, your skin, your mouth and the very sweetness of your soul, but, I, too, want more.” He gently tapped his fingertip to the center of her forehead. “I want everything that’s in there. Everything that is Allotrope. I want your forgiveness, and I want your trust.”
Still on a wave of ecstasy, she let his words wash over her, adding love and affection to the already overpowering sensations she felt.
*****
After rising early and filling up and a greasy, yet tasty breakfast of eggs, sausage, fried mushrooms and thick, crusty bread, they headed out for the remainder of their journey.
Feeling lazy and sated, Ally smiled as she let Shelby rock her back and forth with every step. The Emerald Palace, still gleaming like a huge block of green glass, soon came into view.
They crossed the gates, left their horses to the competent hands of the stable boys and headed inside. There was an air of informality that hadn’t been there on the previous visit; or perhaps it was simply Ally feeling more at ease in the noble setting.
“Where is your grandmother? Up in her room?”
Saying nothing, he guided her out to the back garden where Queen Jade and Queen Mother Jasmine sat playing dominos.
Ally shot Jasper a curious glare.
“Jasper,” Queen Jade said on seeing him. “What a surprise. Whatever are you doing out here on this lovely day?”
Queen Mother Jasmine rose to greet them. “What a lovely surprise, indeed.”
Ally knew better than to question the Queen Mother’s health. Clearly, she was feeling perfectly fine. Her voice was clear and bright, her cheeks rosy and smooth, and there was a spring in her step as she approached them. No trace whatsoever of illness; not even a faint, dry cough.
Quickly glaring at Ja
sper once again, she caught his sheepish grin, and innocently arched brow. She would reserve her reprimanding him for such a prank for later. Now, she just wanted to sit and chat with the noble women of Emerald Palace.
They sat for a long while, discussing flowers, and weather and the general pleasures of life. They discussed history and literature and the arts, all while sipping on tea, and, as lunchtime came around, munching on perfectly sliced cucumber sandwiches.
All the while, Jasper sat quietly for the most part, watching Ally as she showed him much of what she had in that head of hers.
He seemed impressed with her extensive knowledge of the kingdom’s history, and when talk turned to politics, he leaned in closer to hear her views.
“Men think they need to rule by fear,” she was saying. “But fear often leads to anger and resentment, and, ultimately, to revolt. Rulers who keep their people so poor that their children starve, are forcing them to crime.” She turned to the Queen Mother. “Would you not steal a loaf of bread to save your child from starvation; starvation brought on by a greedy king who took all your earnings?”
Queen Mother Jasmine nodded. “Of course I would, dear.”
“But a king needs to show his power over his people,” Jasper argued.
“His power, yes, but not his cruelty. At least not where his own people are concerned. Reserve your cruelty for those that would destroy your kingdom, kill your people and take your throne.”
Grinning, he nodded.
Queen Mother Jasmine, patted Ally’s hand as she rose. “This has all been quite enlightening, my child, but I must leave you to go take my afternoon nap. I do hope you’ll stay for dinner.” She wagged a teasing finger at Ally. “I do have many questions to ask you.”
Ally rose and nodded. “Absolutely.”
“I’ll bring you to your room, Mother,” Queen Jade said, also rising from her seat.
“No need. No need,” Queen Mother Jasmine said as she waved an annoyed hand at her daughter.
“I know. I know,” Queen Jade said, tossing an amused grin back at Ally and Jasper.
“They are quite a pair,” Jasper said when they were gone.
“You’re very lucky, you know.”