by Sher Dillard
It wasn’t fair of her to compare the two. Julian had his strong points. She was sure of it. Even if she couldn’t remember them just then.
Besides, how could she be expected to think straight, with what was just in front of her?
They continued on into the woods. Several times, Drake stopped to help her over fallen logs or up muddy hills. Each time, he would look at her like she was a lost child. The man was a monster.
When they came to a rushing stream, he halted once again.
“Do I need to carry you across?” he asked, as if she were a little girl who needed someone to cut her meat for her.
“No,” she said simply.
He shrugged his shoulders and scurried across the stones someone had placed in the stream. Each step was sure and balanced, obviously, the man had done it a thousand times. When he reached the other side, he simply turned, folded his arms across his chest, and waited.
Elsbeth looked at the stones, the rushing water, and then, up at that smug face of his.
She’d show him.
Lifting the hem of her dress so it wouldn’t get wet, she stepped out on the first stone. It wobbled slightly, threatening to throw her into the water.
She gasped and froze in place. Her legs shaking with nervous energy. Once she was sure of herself, she stepped across to the next one, her arms out wide for balance, then hopped to the third.
She would have been alright, but he hadn’t warned her about the moss. No one had ever told her how slippery moss could be. A lack in her education that could not be blamed on her.
Her foot slipped on the slick green moss as her heavy pack unbalanced her. The world began to shift. Where before it had focused on lush trees and the big man, now, it was blue sky and the on-rushing water.
She squealed and tried to save herself, but it was too late. Her heart jumped with fear. She was going to fall in the stream and he was going to laugh. There was nothing to stop it.
Strong arms seemed to appear from nowhere and scope her up inches from the water.
Drake stood in the middle of the stream, water rushing around his legs. Holding her like a newborn bird. Smiling down at her and shaking his head.
Oh, how the man loved to be right. The smug bastard.
How had he done that? she wondered. How had he shifted from the edge of the stream to catch her? Surely, no one could move that fast.
His arms felt like safe haven. Strong, hard, and impenetrable as they gently carried her to the far side.
Once he safely deposited her on the other side, he shook his head and started up the trail.
He didn’t even give her an opportunity to thank him. She didn’t know which was worse. Being saved by him, or being ignored by him.
They had traveled for about an hour when he stopped and stared up at the sky. Seeming to come to some kind of decision, he nodded his head.
“Come on, I know a good place to camp. We need to get settled for the night.”
Elsbeth’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the night. She didn’t know what terrified her more. Being in the Forbidden Forest after dark. Or, being alone with him.
Swallowing her fear, she followed him as he left the trail. Within a few minutes, they came to an outcropping of boulders. Giant oak trees covered them with a canopy of green, but enough light broke through so that the ground wasn’t wet and slippery.
“Here,” he said as he shucked his pack and lay it next to the bigger gray boulder. “Put your things here.”
Elsbeth’s shoulders screamed with relief as she removed her pack.
“Here,” he said, as he tossed a small leather pouch towards her. “Start a fire and I’ll go get us dinner.”
She caught the pouch, fumbling it before she could secure it from falling. What was she supposed to do with this?
Before she could ask, the man was gone. Sinking into the forest like a wisp of wind.
Her heart turned over. She was alone, she realized. Alone, and the insufferable jerk wanted her to start a fire.
An owl screeched in the distance, making her skin crawled with fear. What was out there? she wondered. A bear, wolves, a dragon? Swallowing hard, she tried to regain control of herself. Now, was not the time to panic. Later, she could panic later. Now, she needed to figure out how to start a fire.
Gathering wood, the good, strong, solid type that could burn for hours. She arranged them into a tower and bent to get them going.
She was still striking the flint almost thirty minutes later when Drake finally returned.
He halted, tilting his head as he looked at her, then at the stack of wood, then back at her. He grimaced and tossed three good sized rabbits to the side as he approached.
“Don’t you know how to start a fire?” he asked, as if unable to believe someone could be so dumb.
She felt her hackles rise, how dare he question her.
“Don’t you know how to be nice?” she asked. “I tell you what, you forgive my lack of skills at starting fires and I’ll forgive your inability to be human.”
Shaking his head, he knelt down and tore her nice stack of wood apart.
“Watch,” he said, “you can do tomorrow’s.”
Pulling off small bits of wood he created a nice nest. He showed her how to strike the flint and how to blow on the ember until it caught. Once it was going, he gently laid small twigs over it. Ever increasing the size of the wood until he had a warm fire burning.
He made it look so easy. No wonder he thought she was dumber than a rock. Well, she’d like to see him do needle point. She was sure that she could pull a tighter stitch than him.
He quickly skinned the rabbits and set them to roasting. Removing a small pot from his pack, he filled it with water from the goat skin and threw in a handful of rice and a pinch of salt. Glancing at her, he set the pot next to the fire.
Once dinner was cooking, he rolled out two blankets and indicated she should take a seat.
Every so often he would turn a rabbit or stir the rice.
She watched everything. She was in the forest now, she reminded herself. If something happened to him, she would have to care for herself.
But he made it look so easy. Every movement graceful, balanced.
Her stomach rumbled at the smell of the roasting meat. How embarrassing, she thought, as she turned to hide her blush. What must he think of her?
They continued to sit in silence. Every so often he would feed the fire another branch.
“So tell me, Elsbeth, how did you know to find me?”
His question startled her. Of all the things to ask, that had not been what she would have selected.
“Two castle maids,” she said. “I overheard them talking about a man who went in and out of the Forbidden Forest, as if he owned it.” She frowned to herself. “One of them was rather impressed with you. And, it wasn’t just your ability in the forest.”
He laughed. “That would be Jenny,” he said. “She does like to talk.”
“You know a castle maid?” she said in surprise.
“I know several,” he replied, “but, Jenny is the one who really likes to talk. I swear, the women is never quiet.”
Elsbeth felt a sinking feeling deep inside. Of course, the maids had fallen for this man. Who could blame them? Big, strong, fearless, handsome. What more could a woman want? Especially, if you were into that whole rough, outdoors type.
Thankfully, she wasn’t. She preferred quiet, intelligent men. Like, Julian.
She thought of the maids as they had talked. The smile on Jenny’s face as she had thought of this man and the way they giggled when they discussed his prowess in bed.
It wasn’t fair, she thought. The maids got to enjoy life. Got to be with men. Experience what it felt like to be a woman. She had to remain chaste. It was what was expected of a Princess.
Why? she wondered. Just so she could be married off to some short, fat, Earl, who didn’t know the difference between a sword and a spoon?
A sharp burst o
f jealousy passed through her. Not just at the fact that the maids had an opportunity to be with a man. But, at the fact that they had been with this one.
He looked at her for a moment. She could swear the man could read her thoughts. It was as if he knew what she was thinking. She blushed and turned away, less it be confirmed.
Chuckling under his breath, he removed the rabbits from the fire and placed the rice between them.
“Here,” he said as he tried to hand her one of the skewers.
Her mouth watered with the wonderful aroma of cooked meat. But, how was she supposed to eat them?
He saw her questioning confusion and said, “With your hands. That’s why they invented napkins.” He smiled and tossed her a small cloth that looked like a rag from an old cotton shirt.
Shaking his head, he removed a rabbit and began to eat. Every so often he would use his fingers to scoop some rice.
She watched him, her stomach begging her to hurry up and eat. At last, she could put it off no longer, holding the stick at each end, she took a bite of the rabbit.
Her insides melted with joy. It was delicious. She took another bite, and then another. Soon, a small river of grease ran down her chin. But she didn’t care, she must have this.
He laughed, “You’ve got a little here,” he said pointing at her chin.
Her stomach clenched in embarrassment. What would her etiquette teacher think of this? She’d turn over in her grave. Or worse, rise up from that grave and scold her for being so un-ladylike.
Twisting away, she used the cloth to clean her face, then returned to eating the rabbit. Only when it was fully gone did she push back her qualms and take a portion of the rice.
Of course, the damn rice was perfect. A fact that only made her more upset.
They continued to eat in silence. Both of them focused on the food.
When they were done. He gathered the bones and buried them away from the camp. He returned and stretched out next to the fire. His long legs taking up half the forest.
She laid down out on the blanket and tried to relax. Her legs hurt from the long walk, her shoulders ached, and she’d split a nail when grabbing a root to help her up a steep climb. But worse of all, she felt grimy. The day’s travels had embedded a layer of dirt into her skin. This is only the first day, she realized. How far must they go? On foot, no less.
The sounds of the forest washed over her as the day turned to dark. They continued to sit there, feeding the flames. Simply relaxing.
No demands, nothing that waited to be done. She was comforted by the knowledge that they could be with each other, and neither feel the need to talk. They could just be.
Suddenly, the sounds of the forest halted. It was as if someone had drawn a blanket over a window. Nothing, no night birds calling. No frogs croaking. Even the insects had gone quiet.
The world had disappeared into the night.
Drake sat up. His eyes searching.
“Stay here,” he said as he got up.
Elsbeth rose to join him. How dare he order about like that?
She remembered their agreement at the tavern. But, that didn’t mean he had to be so mean about it. A kind request would be so much nicer. But then, she doubted this man knew how to be kind. It seemed the forest bred, boorish, brutes who only talked in simple sentence and single syllables.
“I mean it,” he said. “Stay here, keep the fire going, and keep your back to the rock.”
“What is it?” she demanded. Her heart raced, and her breath couldn’t come fast enough as fear washed through her. He was concerned. She could see it in in eyes.
“Here,” he said as he passed her his sword.
She gulped. It was serious. Her anger at him washed away.
He smiled reassuringly at her, then disappeared into the night.
“Drake,” she called after him. How could he leave her alone like this? Shivering, she threw another branch onto the fire, then scooted back to the boulder, her hands gripping his sword so tight her knuckles began to ache.
Still, the forest was quiet. A deep foreboding quiet that sent shivers throughout her body. It seemed the animals were waiting. Waiting for something to pass.
Her heart raced, and her mouth went dry. How dare he leave her alone? Why? What was out there that could make him act this way. Why didn’t he need his sword? How was he to defeat their enemies without a sword?
A distant branch snapped, then another. She flinched, her ears straining to hear anything approaching. The night was dark, the tree cover made it even darker. She knew in the depths of her soul. Sound would be her only warning, and it wouldn’t be much.
It was as if she were buried in a black cave. Waiting to be devoured.
A soft whoosh above her made her cringe. She looked up where the smoke from the fire disappeared into the leaves above. A dark shadow passed above the trees.
The shadow briefly blocked out the stars. No form, no substance, just a dark patch on a dark sky. Moving slowly, searching.
She froze, as a primeval fear rose inside of her, making her want to scream. What was it? What could make her feel such dread?
The night remained quiet. She continued to grip the sword as she searched the sky above her. Holding her breath, she waited. But, the shadow was gone. It didn’t reappear. Leaving her with a sense of empty hope.
What could it have been? Her insides had turned to ice. Where was Drake, had he seen the shadow? Did he know what was out there?
Her heart threatened to break at the thought of him hurt somewhere. Needing her help. Should she go look for him?
The thought of stepping into the night, away from the fire, sent a new bolt of fear through her. No, Drake had told her to stay there. She would do what she had been told. For once in her life. She would listen.
Another branch broke. Snapping like a whip. She jumped, but nothing happened.
Slowly, the night returned to normal. First, a few insects began to chirp, then a frog joined them, calling for a mate. Her heart began to return to normal.
If the animals weren’t afraid, then she shouldn’t be, right? After all, who would call for a mate if they were in danger of being eaten? It wouldn’t happen, right?
It felt like hours passed, but at last, she heard Drake call her name from the forest.
“Elsbeth,” he said. His voice, strong and secure. “It’s me.”
He stepped out of the darkness and into the soft yellow glow of the fire, like a god returning to earth.
She didn’t think, didn’t ponder what was the right thing to do. She just reacted by dropping his sword and throwing herself into his arms.
He was safe. The monsters of the night had been defeated.
She felt his arms wrap themselves around her as she sunk into his hard chest. The man was like a rock in a raging storm.
Her rock.
“You bastard,” she said stepping back, then punching him in the arm. “Don’t leave me alone like that again. Do you hear me?”
He chuckled and shook his head.
“You were never in danger, Princess. I assure you.”
She wanted to argue with him. Wanted to pound her fists into that large chest of his so that he would understand. She had been afraid. Very afraid. A situation that she did not care to repeat.
He glanced down at the blankets laying on the forest floor. The scarred eyebrow rose slightly.
“It’s going to be a cold night. Are you sure you want to sleep all the way over there?”
She could have sworn there was a silly smirk behind his normal scowl. Her cheeks immediately burst into flame. He could not be suggesting they sleep next to each other.
“I assure you, Drake,” she said, “my sleeping next to you is not going to happen. While it might fulfill your wildest fantasies. I do have standards.”
He laughed, “Don’t get too excited,” he said. “It wasn’t your body I wanted. Just your warmth. But then, that would be like asking a bull for milk. A person can’t give what they don
’t have.”
Elsbeth felt the air rush from her lungs.
The giant oaf. How dare he? He had the refinement of a lump of coal. What was worse, the idiot wasn’t even aware of how obnoxious he was. It was like talking to a stone.
She watched him throw a few sticks on the fire, then lay down on his blanket. The man didn’t have a care in the world.
She wanted to scream. He was so frustrating. Instead, she scurried to her blankets and wrapped herself up tight. She‘d show him cold. If he thought she was standoffish before. Wait until tomorrow.
Chapter Five
Drake woke to lavender and warm softness. He smiled to himself. Sometime in the night, Elsbeth had crawled in next to him.
It was amazing what a cold night would make a person do.
He lay on his side, his arm draped across her middle. Her sweet curves nestled in next to him. It was enough to make a man forget himself and his responsibilities.
Sighing to himself, he pulled her closer and enjoyed the moment.
Drake’s mind wandered to the night before. He had not expected to sense another beast. Not here, not now. He had been surprised. Something which was never a good thing. He hated surprises.
Luckily, the beast had fled once he had risen to join it in battle.
Still, it worried him. Why now? Was it the medallion? Had it called to the other beast?
He could feel the medallion nestled between her breasts pulling at him. Begging him to take it. But, duty restrained him. His ancestor’s promise bound him.
Elsbeth began to stir, she sighed contentedly in her sleep and scrunched back into him, wiggling her hips to find just the right spot. As if drawing strength and warmth from his body. He was perfectly all right with that. He could lay here all day with her in his arms.
He began to grow hard next to her. How could he not, with an ass like hers pressed into him?
She pushed back for a moment, then froze. As if realizing what was poking her from behind. She squealed a little and bolted away from him.
Standing, she smoothed out her skirts and turned away, obviously embarrassed.
He caught a brief glimpse of her pretty blushing cheeks. They looked as red as a cardinal’s wing. Such an attractive quality in a woman. But then, everything about this woman pulled at him.