by Lily Thomas
Roxanne scowled a bit. Elizabeth might be a queen, but Roxanne didn’t want to be led around and teased. Elizabeth had to know very well why Roxanne would be curious since she couldn’t keep her eyes or hands off of Daerrin.
“Is he?” Roxanne pressed.
“No, no. Daerrin hasn’t yet met his match in a woman, though you might give him a run for his gold.”
“I plan on seeing my father still. Daerrin will have to set his eyes on someone else because I can’t settle here.” Roxanne glanced at Elizabeth. “Not to imply you have settled, but I couldn’t imagine life among fire giants.”
“It’s not too dissimilar from the life we came from. We dance, laugh, and make love in the same way as giants. Both humans and giants have values to uphold. Again there isn’t much difference if you look past physical appearances.”
“I need to get back to my father, even if I wanted to stay here I have unfinished business back home.” She still had questions to ask her father.
“We all have our own opinions. Just don’t rush to any conclusions is all I ask.” Elizabeth patted her hand. “I haven’t seen Daerrin so relaxed and happy around anyone as he is with you.”
“Relaxed? Happy?” Roxanne glanced over to where he was seated. He did seem to have a gleam in his eyes that he didn’t have when they first met.
“You didn’t know him before, but after his family died there was very little that seemed to please him. I can only assume you’re what’s cheering him up.”
“Or the fact that he’s finally getting his revenge.” Even as Roxanne said it, it didn’t fit. He might have taken her for revenge, but it went a lot further than just simple payback.
As the evening meal progressed into the late hours of the night, Roxanne grew tired. She had a lot of sleep to catch up on because of all the traveling they’d done on horseback. It would probably take her a few days to get all those hours of sleep back.
“You’ll have to excuse me.” She whispered over to Elizabeth.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Already? It will soon be morning!” Roxanne glanced at a window expecting to see light at any moment.
Elizabeth smiled. “Then we will see you in the morning.”
Roxanne nodded, as she excused herself and walked through the great hall. It didn’t take her long to figure out the way to her chambers. She needed a good night’s rest with everything that was happening.
Her ever-present shadow of a maid took up position in the corridor, as Roxanne entered her chamber.
Once she was within the walls of her chamber, she disrobed quickly, stripping her dress off, and slipped under the cool covers after blowing out the candles around the room.
Someone had been kind enough to start a fire in the chamber’s hearth. She cuddled into the furs on the bed, letting her body heat warm them up. She just wished the bed was closer but knew why it wasn’t. One stray ember could light the furs.
She didn’t have long to wait before the door to the chamber creaked open, and Daerrin’s large form moved through the inky dark. Her ears picked up on the sounds of him stripping down, and her stomach jumped with excitement.
He would be joining her again, even with other offers from female fire giants. It spoke volumes to her. He may have started out hating her, but this meant he couldn’t resist her.
Roxanne did her best to shut down the emotions she felt for him.
“Ready?” He whispered to her as he slipped between the sheets.
“Not tonight. I’m exhausted and wouldn’t mind a little rest for once.” Roxanne pleaded with a yawn punctuating her words.
“That’s fine.” Daerrin wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest. “We can just lay here together until we fall asleep.” He gave a light kiss to her cheek.
Roxanne couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. It felt nice to be wrapped in his warm arms, where she felt safe and comfortable. He was fine with just wrapping her in his arms… her heart was close to bursting with joy.
“I asked Elizabeth if you were married or betrothed.” She admitted for no reason in particular.
“You what?” Daerrin laughed as he turned her around in his arms, so she faced him. The light from the hearth playing over his features.
“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t being unfaithful to someone or using me. I don’t need any trouble from an irate fire giant women.” Because an angry fire giant woman would have no trouble taking her on. The fire giants were built more than a human and were a lot taller.
“And what did she say?”
“You were unattached.”
“Did the knowledge relieve you?” He tossed her a wide grin.
“Why should it?” She raised an eyebrow in response.
She felt Daerrin shrug his shoulders.
Daerrin knew Roxanne had closed her eyes and couldn’t see the smile on his face, and he was glad for it. He probably looked like some fool with such a broad grin plastered on his face.
He was pleased she would be interested in his marital status. Then he frowned. In a lot of ways, he was starting to get a little too attached to the human in his arms. Stryme and Elizabeth may have found a way to be together, but Daerrin still planned on meeting a beautiful fire giant female to marry.
Perhaps he should spend some time away from Roxanne. She was weaving a spell over him, and he couldn’t let that happen. She was still the daughter of his sworn enemy.
He’d never be able to bring her into his life permanently, because of her family ties. There was no possible way they could be happy together. A few nights together didn’t mean there was a future for them.
The only way for him to get away from her would be to go back to the border though. He was enjoying his time back at the castle, but he knew it wouldn’t last. At some point, he had to go back, and sooner would be better than later.
Chapter 15
Roxanne rolled over to find Daerrin missing from the bed. Rising on an arm she took a look around the chamber, but furniture and stone walls were her only companions. The sun streamed through the window in bright streaks, and steam floated up from a tub of water.
A smile spread across her face. A hot bath sounded like a fantastic way to wake up in the morning. She was confident it’d been left for her by Daerrin.
Leaping out of bed Roxanne slipped into the relaxing hot water. It was the perfect way to begin her morning. Splashing the water across her face, she reveled in the joy. She’d have to try and remember to thank Daerrin for his thoughtfulness.
After Roxanne finished with the bath, she dressed in a light green dress that Elizabeth had created just for her. She knew the color would bring out her jade eyes and red hair. It felt nice to be wearing clothes she was familiar with.
Once she was done marveling at her new dress, she headed down to the great hall to break her fast. Elizabeth had done so much to make her feel welcome here. She’d have to thank her.
Her eyes skimmed over everyone in the hall, but she was unable to find Daerrin among all the fire giants who were eating their morning meal.
“Where is Daerrin this morning?” Roxanne asked as she sat down next to Elizabeth and grabbed a roll from a basket on the table. She took a bite out of the fluffy bread.
“Umm…” Elizabeth tapped a finger against her chin. “I believe he’s getting ready to leave with his men.”
“Leave?” Roxanne stuttered. “Leave where?!”
“He’s going back to the border to defend the fire giant villages from attack.” Elizabeth looked her over. “Is there something wrong?”
“No.” Roxanne calmed her pounding heart. “Not really.” Just the fact that Daerrin was about to abandon her here at a fire giant castle! “Will he be in the courtyard?”
“He should be.” She confirmed.
Roxanne rose from her seat suddenly. “Excuse me.”
“Of course.”
Promptly, she rushed to the castle courtyard. She had to see Daerrin an
d make sure he wasn’t about to abandon her here. The only other person she knew was Elizabeth. Without him around she’d only have one other person to turn to and she wasn’t sure she wanted to be abandoned at the fire giant castle.
As Roxanne walked into the courtyard, she immediately saw all the horses and supplies and knew it was true. Daerrin was going to leave her! She couldn’t believe it. Did he take her captive only to leave her here at the fire giant castle? She felt slightly insulted he didn’t think he had to keep an eye on her.
Daerrin strode out of the stables with a saddle hefted over an arm. He hauled it over the back of his war horse and started to cinch the straps around the horse’s belly.
Roxanne strode over to him, her shoulders back and her head held high. “What’s this I hear about you leaving?”
Daerrin turned, and she could tell he was shocked to see her. “And a good morning to you as well. I thought you’d still be enjoying your bath.”
Roxanne pursed her lips. “Did you leave the bath to buy yourself time so you could make a clean getaway? How can you leave me here with all these fire giants?”
“You’ll be safe here.” Daerrin turned his attention back to the saddle in front of him.
Roxanne scoffed.
“Elizabeth would never let anything happen to you. You’re safer here at the castle than anywhere else in fire giant territory.” Daerrin stopped saddling the horse and turned to face her.
“Why not just let me go? You’ve tortured my father with my capture, but I won’t be left and forgotten by you. If you die out on the border, what will happen to me?”
“You’ll be safe here.” He repeated. “You needn’t worry about my dying. I plan on living a long life.”
Roxanne snorted, as she searched his face. Was he leaving her because he was done with her? “You can’t predict what will happen out there. One stray arrow and you could wind up face first in the dirt dead.”
His crimson eyes flashed at her belief that he could be so quickly felled. “I can’t neglect my duty to my people. I must go back to the border to defend the fire giant villages against your ruthless father and his men.”
Roxanne didn’t take his bait. She wasn’t going to fight with him about what her father did and didn’t do. “When will you be back from the border?” She folded her arms in front of her chest.
Daerrin shook his shoulders. “I don’t know how long this journey might take. It depends on where I need to be. Perhaps months or perhaps weeks.”
“Months? Weeks?” Roxanne felt speechless as the blood drained from her face. She didn’t know what to say to make him stay. She also didn’t know why she wanted him to stay so badly. If he was gone, she might finally slip away, and no one here would care. Daerrin was the one who cared about her staying for the sake of his revenge.
Slowly her fear of being left alone turned to one of hope. It bloomed in her chest, and she forced herself to contain her smile, so she didn’t tip off Daerrin.
“I’ll be back. I’m sorry to leave in such a rush.” With that, he mounted up, yelled some orders to his men, and left the courtyard followed by all of his men and horses.
He’d just left her to stare at his receding back. Daerrin had left without even a kiss goodbye.
Her dismayed expression slowly changed to one of contempt. She’d show him not to leave her and think nothing would happen.
A month passed, and Roxanne found herself still under watchful eyes. Daerrin had made sure to always have someone nearby while he was gone. So much for her plan on escaping the fire giant castle and finding her way home to her father. Even when he was on the border, he was making sure he didn’t lose track of her.
Roxanne watched Elizabeth’s son run through the garden, yanking at innocent flowers pulling them out of the ground by their roots. Elizabeth expected another child and was close to her birth date. Roxanne would never have guessed a fire giant, and a human could have children.
It made her think back to all the times she’d slept with Daerrin. She would never be able to return to her father if she carried Daerrin’s child. Her father would have it destroyed the moment it was born. It would be nothing but a scandal and a tarnish on his record.
After meeting Elizabeth’s son, Roxanne knew there would be no way to explain away the differences between a full-blooded human and a half-human half-giant child. Elizabeth’s son looked like a human, except for his crimson eyes and slightly larger size.
Roxanne put a hand on her stomach and wondered if she might be carrying Daerrin’s child. She’d been foolish to sleep with a giant, and now it might come back to haunt her in a permeant way.
Sitting down she soaked up the sun and enjoyed the pleasant breeze in the garden.
“Enjoying yourself?” Elizabeth’s voice rang out.
Roxanne cracked open her eyes to see Elizabeth standing nearby.
“It’s nice to bask in the warmth of the sun.”
“Just wait until winter! We have some chilly winters, so soaking up the sun now is a wise decision.”
Roxanne shuddered. She wasn’t a fan of chilly weather, but she did enjoy the snow. Snow always made everything look so much more beautiful. It sparkled like crystals covering everything.
“Thinking of anything interesting?” Elizabeth plopped down beside her.
“Not much. Just wondering how much longer Daerrin will be away. I find myself growing impatient for his return.”
“Who knows how long he could be gone. Before he arrived with you, it’d been several months since we saw him.”
Roxanne let out a groan and hung her head in defeat. She was stuck here for the foreseeable future. She glanced over at Elizabeth from the corner of her eye, unless she could get an ally on her side.
Another week passed, and Roxanne woke one morning to find herself feeling a bit odd.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Roxanne put her hands on her knees and sucked in a couple of deep breaths. Then her stomach heaved, and she went flying towards her washbasin. She heaved a couple more times and then her stomach righted itself.
“Strange.” Roxanne took a swig of water from a mug and spat it out. She looked around the room. “Maybe I should stay here until I feel better.” She was reluctant to leave her room until she knew whether or not she was ill. There was no need to spread it if she could prevent it.
Making her way over to the door of her chamber, she opened it and looked out to see the maid still standing in the hall with a fire giant guard. Leave it to Daerrin to always have her being watched.
“Can you bring me a tray of food and something to drink?”
The maid nodded and left, but the fire giant guard stayed in place. Roxanne sent him a glare, and then closed her chamber door, with a little more force than was necessary.
Within moments a knock came at her door.
“Come in!” She said from where she laid on her bed.
Elizabeth popped her head into the room.
“Roxanne?”
“Yes?”
Elizabeth entered the chamber with a tray of food and drink.
“Let me help you with that.” Roxanne started to roll off the bed.
Elizabeth stopped her though. “Stay there if you aren’t feeling well. I might be with child, but I am more than capable of carrying a tray.”
“I fear I may have come down with some illness. You should probably keep your distance.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed. “Let me get you some broth and water.”
“I’m serious Elizabeth. I could give you something.”
“Pfft.”
“Wait until Stryme hears, because I’m sure he will agree with me.”
“Pfft. Stryme is my problem. Just because I’m with child doesn’t mean I have to put everything else on hold.”
Roxanne pursed her lips, and they stared each other down. “Fine.” She relented. “But don’t blame me if you catch what I have.”
“Now what can I do t
o make you comfortable.”
“If it’s no bother, I wouldn’t mind a bath actually. Warm water might help to rejuvenate me.”
“Of course. You have only to ask. I’ll be right back.” Elizabeth patted one of Roxanne’s hands, and then left the room in a flurry of fabric.
Roxanne cracked open her eyes and glanced around the empty room. She must have fallen asleep after Elizabeth left her, but there was a tub full of water, which was still warm if the steam was any indication.
Rising from the bed, Roxanne was relieved to find herself feeling greatly improved. Her stomach had finally calmed down. Stripping off her nightgown she stepped into the tub.
As she slipped into the warm water, she felt all of her muscles relax. She let her head fall back as her hands washed up over her stomach.
Then she froze. Her stomach. Did it feel slightly bulged or was it her imagination?
Looking down at it, Roxanne worried her lip with her teeth. It might be a little bit on the bulging side, but instead of a frown forming on her face a smile bloomed across her lips.
A child.
She knew she should detest any child growing inside her, assuming there was one and her mind wasn’t just running away with her, but she just couldn’t hate the idea of a child. Perhaps her child would look more like a human than a fire giant. There was the possibility.
She feared returning to her father in such a condition, but she was his daughter. He’d always been fair to her, and she hoped he would understand the ordeal she’d been through.
There was always the choice to stay, have the baby here, and then make her way back to her father. The only problem with that plan was the time factor. She would have to stay for several more months, and she wanted to go home before then.
Although if she were honest, after living among the fire giants for a little over a month she’d come to see them in a different light. Elizabeth had helped her by taking her around the enormous town and showing her the fire giant life. It wasn’t all that different from human life. There was nothing primitive about them. They had every convenience humans had.