by ERIN BEDFORD
“Let’s not do this here,” Jack continued, his gaze moving around the hallway.
“What? Afraid of being overhead and having your precious reputation tarnished?” I sneered, knowing I was being nasty.
Pressing his lips tightly together, Jack nodded. “I deserve that and much more, but I ask for privacy for your sake, not mine.”
He was right. I didn’t want to do this with an audience, not with how easy it had been for me to cry. Breaking down in the privacy of your own room was one thing. Doing it in the middle of the hallway was another.
“Fine.” I sniffed and turned toward my bedroom. “Better to hide a body in any case.”
Jack didn’t respond to my thinly veiled threat. Not that I’d act on it. While my heart did ache, I had a hard time believing I could ever do anything to him, no matter how much I wanted to.
With the door shut firmly behind us, I stood by the bed as far away from him as I could get. Jack tried to come closer, but I held up a hand, shaking my head. “No, I said I’d listen to you. That doesn’t mean I want you near me.”
Sighing but giving in to my request, Jack leaned against the opposite wall. “First off, let me tell you how sorry I am that you had to find out that way. I had hoped Gretchen wouldn’t show up, but she had somehow gotten wind that I was back.”
“Of course, she did.” I sneered. “Her lost love was back. If I were in her place, I’d be thinking all sorts of things. And I’m sure you did everything in your power to make sure she knew her place, didn’t you?”
“Not exactly,” Jack admitted with a frown. “I didn’t have time. She kind of ambushed me at dinner and then you showed up.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “It was a bit of a surprise for both of you, believe me.”
I did actually. The look on Gretchen’s face when I had arrived had been confused and curious at first. Of course, she figured out quickly who I was, and that Jack hadn’t come back to her. I could just imagine the rage that coursed through her. Probably a bit like mine now.
“So, what about the dagger?” I asked, trying to be civil and not bite his head off. “Why not just tell me the truth?”
“Because,” - Jack let out a heavy breath - “I didn’t want you to doubt my affections after we had just overcome such a big hurdle.”
“I’d have understood, though,” I argued. “I didn’t expect you all to come to me chaste. I didn’t expect anything of you at all. Yet, you let me believe I was the only one who had your heart.”
“You do!” Jack pushed off the wall and came toward me. “I cared for Gretchen deeply, and yes, we were to be officially mated, but after I met you, after I really got to know you, I realized I didn’t know love until you.”
He grabbed my hands as he knelt in front of me. I wanted to pull away, but I couldn’t find the strength. “You sparked something in me that no one else ever has. Gretchen will always have a place in my heart, but you have the rest of it. Don’t tell me you can’t understand.”
The problem was I could. I could understand. I fell in love with Firestar and adding him to my little harem of men had been so easy. I’d thought I’d lost all the love I had for him, but just seeing him rekindled some of that love, giving him the opportunity to win me back. There was only one question though.
“Do you still love her?” I asked, my voice low and fragile as if I’d break at any moment. “Do you want to stay here ... with her?”
“No, no,” Jack answered, shaking his head as he pulled me into his arms. I let him hold me as he kissed my forehead. “Even if we didn’t start off on the best footing, I chose you. I could have let Raiden have you and come back at any time, but I didn’t.”
That he was right about. He could have left me at any time, and let Raiden be the winner. He had, after all, gotten to me first. But the fact that Jack hadn’t left said something profound, something that meant he really was telling the truth this time.
“I believe you,” I murmured into his ear, holding him close to me.
Jack held me tighter, his face buried in my neck. He pulled away slightly to press his lips to mine in a desperate kiss. I kissed him back with just as much ferocity. A possessive part of me wanted to remind him who he belonged to, and I flipped him on his back, pinning his hands above his head. I knew he could get away at any moment, but the fact that he didn’t leave told me told me more than any words could have that he wanted to be here. With me.
“Tell me you love me,” I commanded, bending down to nip at his lower lip.
“I love you.”
“Tell me you want me,” I demanded, again biting at him. I felt something hard stir beneath me and knew before he said it what the answer was.
“Oh, I’ll always want you.”
Jack pressed his hips against mine to prove the point. I rocked my center against him, letting out a deep gurgling moan, but when Jack tried to flip us, I jumped up from the bed. I smirked at the look of confusion on his face.
“Not yet. I might believe you,” I swayed slightly back and forth letting the full effect of the dress settle on him, “but that doesn’t mean I forgive you, not just yet.” I gave him a coy grin before starting for the door. Jack caught up with me, his arms wrapping around my waist as he pinned me there.
Nipping at my exposed shoulder, Jack stroked my stomach. “I will do whatever it takes to get back into your good graces, my love.”
“Anything?” I asked with a raised brow even though he couldn’t see it.
“Yes. Just name it.” His hand stroked downward to caress me through my dress. I closed my eyes for a moment, giving into his touch before pushing his hand away.
“I’m sure I will think of something.” I opened the door and trotted down the hallway with Jack close on my heels. Being in charge for once was good.
11
The games started today. After my little melodrama, I needed something to distract me. Too bad the center of that drama didn’t go away.
“Jack,” Gretchen purred, blatantly ignoring me. “I had hoped you would show up. Are you going to participate in the games?”
“As always,” Jack stiffly replied, much to my delight. His cold response was the only thing keeping me from ripping the woman’s face off.
Gretchen didn’t seem to notice his lack of interest. She ran her hand up and down Jack’s chest, pushing her own out so that most of her breasts were proudly displayed above her shirt. “Well, let me be the first to give you a good luck kiss.”
“No, thanks. I have all the luck I need right here.” Jack quickly disentangled himself from her roaming hands and pulled me to his side. I wrapped my arms around him a victorious grin on my face.
Now forced to admit I existed, Gretchen’s face twisted into a snarl. “Any bitch who has to have more than one man doesn’t deserve someone like Jack,” she spat in my face.
Flicking a finger across my cheek where her spittle had landed, I took a step forward. “At least I know when I’m not wanted. Unlike you.”
Gretchen opened her mouth to say something more, but Jack stepped between us. “I think that’s about enough of that. Come, Maya. The others are waiting.” Jack shot Gretchen a warning look before directing me over to where Raiden and Firestar stood with a group of others.
When we approached, my men turned to greet us. Firestar didn’t seem surprised, while Raiden just looked happy it was all over.
“They say there’s a man here who has been the winner every year, and no one has beaten him.” Raiden rubbed his hands together in excitement, clearly ignoring what had just happened.
“How an undefeated opponent excites you, I have no idea,” I said, shrugging.
“That sound challenging,” Firestar drew out as he rubbed his chin before turning to Jack. “Tell us what you know about this unbeaten warrior.”
“Well,” Jack began with a hint of a grin on his lips, “I hear he’s quick and smart. A great dresser.” He adjusted his sleeves with a sniff. “And handsome to boot.”
I shoved at him with
a laugh. “Jack, you’re the champion, aren’t you?”
Jack’s smile broadened, and he straightened his back. “Well, I wouldn’t say champion but a winner, yes.”
“Good.” Firestar nodded, an excited gleam in his eye. “We will finally get to see what we are all made of.”
“Uh-uh.” I held a hand up before they could start berating each other more. “Do you want what happened back at Raiden’s to happen here?” The guys just looked at me like I was stupid. “You showed your powers to Raiden’s brothers, his mother saw, and she tried to whore me out, Remember?” Irritation colored my words at having to remind them. It was quite a traumatic event. I didn’t like thinking about it myself.
“Oh, yes. I do believe you are right.” Jack frowned. “It would probably be best to keep our extra abilities,” he used air quotes around the word before continuing, “to ourselves. Only use them in dire need.”
“We’re talking life or death here.” I gestured at Raiden and especially Firestar, the most likely of the three to show off.
Raiden held his hands up with a grin. “Don’t look at me. I’m not the one with an over-inflated ego.”
“And I am?” Firestar snarled, grabbing Raiden by the collar. “I could pound you into the ground where you stand.”
“See?” Raiden pointed a finger at Firestar, looking at Jack and me. “Can’t even take criticism.”
“Knock it off, you two.” Jack shook his head, disappointment clear in his voice. “We have bigger problems to worry about, like what we discussed.” They exchanged a look that I didn’t understand.
“What?” My eyes went to each of them. “What did you discuss?”
Firestar sighed, clearly not happy with whatever it was. “We decided that you should be able to participate in the games.”
“Really?” My eyes widened, a giddy grin covering my lips. “I can really compete?” My grin fell as I pointed a suspicious finger at them. “What about not getting hurt?”
“That’s where the catch is,” Raiden answered. “You can compete, but only in the hunt. And,” he held up a hand before I could answer, “only if one of us comes with you.”
Clapping my mouth shut, I thought about his offer. I wanted to compete, true, but not with so many stipulations. I really should have quit while I was ahead, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Why can’t I race? Flying isn’t going to get me killed.”
Firestar snorted. “Says the woman who still gets tired after an hour of leisure flying. A race would be far too dangerous at your flying level.”
“No, it wouldn’t,” I argued back.
Jack placed a hand on my arm and shook his head. “This race is for advanced fliers. Only masters are allowed to enter. Since you are a late bloomer, you wouldn’t be allowed to compete, anyway.”
“Fine.” I sighed in defeat. I couldn’t really argue with rules. Besides, the idea of flying against a bunch of unknown people didn’t sit well. I didn’t want to get knocked out of the sky.
“Good, it’s settled.” Firestar turned to leave, but I stopped him.
“Not so fast. Why do I need a chaperone on the hunt? It’s not really fair if we are working together. What will the others say?” I glanced at them, hoping to prod at their sense of honor.
This time Raiden stepped in. “It’s not up for discussion. Either you go with one of us or not at all. We can’t risk someone attacking you when you are out there on your own.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I pouted. “Fine. I guess I can live with that.”
“Good. Now, stop your pouting and come cheer me on.” Firestar smirked as he headed toward the fighting ring.
“Cheer you on?” Raiden called after him. “I’m afraid you will be waiting a while for that because she’ll be cheering me on.” Raiden shot me a grin and a wink as he chased after Firestar.
“Children, the lot of them.” Jack offered me a smile and his arm. “They should know by now that it is I you will be rooting for.”
“Is that so?” I raised a brow. “Maybe I won’t cheer for any of you. Maybe I’ll find another to scream for.”
Jack leaned down to my ear and said in a low voice, “Oh, you will scream all right, but it will only be my name falling from your lips.”
I shivered at his words as they shot straight through me and into my aching core. I had been the one to start this game, but Jack seemed determined to finish it. There was a part of me that couldn’t wait to see him try.
We all gathered around the ring the villagers had set up. Plenty of them were placing bets on who they thought might win. I stood next to Raiden and Jack as we watched Firestar get ready for his fight. His opponent was half his size, but you wouldn’t know it from the way he snarled and hopped around like he was the shit.
“They call him Buzzard,” Jack said from my side, leaning against the pole of the ring. His eyes were firmly on the male across from Firestar. “He might not look like much, but he’s quick and can be pretty vicious. Firestar will be flat on his ass if he doesn’t knock him out fast.”
“He’s that good?” I asked, leaning forward to get a better look at the pipsqueak. Buzzard, huh? He had a pointed face, and a buzzed haircut. I didn’t have to think hard about why exactly he had gained the nickname.
“Not really.” Jack sniffed. “He’s just sneaky.”
“Well, one thing’s for sure,” Raiden said with a cheeky grin. “This is going to be one hell of a fight.”
The crowd cheered, dragging our attention back to the two in the ring. Lord Fafnir stood near the two, a pleased expression on his face. He waited for the crowd to calm down before speaking.
“Thank you, thank you all for coming to this season’s games!” At Lord Fafnir’s words, the crowd roared so loud the ground shook. “We have some great competitors this year, starting with our very own Buzzard.” Lord Fafnir waited while the crowd went wild, hushing them with a wave of his hands. “And fighting against him is one of the fiery dragons of the south, Firestar!”
There were a few boos and jeers, but the guys and I tried to overpower them with our own shouts. A few of the dragons shot dirty looks our way, and I had the urge to flip them off before I decided against it. No starting fights outside the ring. I’m going to be a mother now. Fighting should be the last thing on my mind.
Before I knew it, the fight had started. I ripped myself away from my thoughts to make sure I didn’t miss a thing.
Firestar didn’t wait for Buzzard to attack him first. The fire dragon darted forward, fist lashing out as a terrifying growl exploded from his lips.
Buzzard dodged, using his smaller size to his advantage. As he nimbly slid past Firestar’s blow, his leg shot out, catching Firestar right in the gut.
Air whooshed from Firestar’s mouth as he grabbed his stomach, doubling over as the crowd went crazy. Buzzard slammed his elbow down on Firestar’s back, knocking him to the ground.
“That’s it, crawl on the ground like the disgusting worm you are,” Buzzard cried, dancing from foot to foot and throwing a few punches at the air as Firestar collapsed.
Only, instead of taking a face full of dirt, Firestar hit the ground in a roll, coming up to his feet behind Buzzard.
The smaller dragon tried to whirl around, but Firestar stepped in, kicking the back of Buzzard’s knee, knocking him off balance. As Buzzard’s hands went out in a futile effort to regain his balance, Firestar wrapped an arm around Buzzard’s neck, cutting off his air supply.
Buzzard struggled, trying to reach up and pry Firestar’s arm away even as the fire dragon shifted his stance, driving his hip into Buzzard and lifting the man off his feet so that his own bodyweight increased the pressure on his throat.
Buzzard’s eyes bugged out of his head as he began slapping frantically behind himself, desperate to injure Firestar, but since he couldn’t get the leverage he needed to do any lasting harm.
“Yield,” Firestar said as the little man’s blows weakened, but even still, he didn’t conce
de.
As his body went limp, Firestar released Buzzard, dropping him to the ground.
“Looks like we have a winner.” Lord Fafnir clapped a hand on Firestar’s arm as a medic rushed into the ring to check on Buzzard.
Boos filled the stands as Firestar stood there, clearly pleased with himself.
“Looks like I’m not making any friends here,” Firestar scoffed as he climbed out of the ring. He clapped Raiden on the arm. “You’re up.”
Raiden turned to me, taking my hand in his. “Very well, I will show our pretty lady exactly how it is done.” He pressed his lips to the back of my hand, sending a shiver down my spine.
Firestar snorted. “We’ll see who’s laughing when you get knocked on your ass.”
“That will never happen,” Raiden smirked as he climbed into the ring.
I bit my lip and smiled as I watched him walk away. My grin quickly fell when I realized who his opponent was.
Gretchen.
“Don’t worry,” Jack said, clearly reading the distress on my face. “Raiden will be fine.”
“I wasn’t worried about him.” I glared up at Jack before turning my eyes back to the fight. I had a sudden urge to put on a cheerleading outfit and start doing cartwheels, anything if it meant knocking that smug bitch on her ass.
The guys had agreed not to use their powers I’d given them. We couldn’t have too many people looking our way. Besides, it would give them an unfair advantage. So, Raiden was going to have to beat Gretchen the old fashion way, and if the shit-eating grin on his face meant anything, he was going to enjoy every moment of it.
Once again, the crowd was on the ice dragon’s side, not that it bothered Raiden much. He shuffled his feet and lifted his hands up, curling them into fists. Ready, he shot Gretchen one of his panty-melting grins. I’d have been upset had I not known he planned to beat the crap out of her.
Gretchen seemed taken back by Raiden’s expression but shook it off. She held her hands out to her sides, her fingers glowing blue as her magic awakened. That couldn’t be good.
“Raiden, don’t let her touch you!” I shouted over the bar of the ring.