by Lily Thomas
The horse landed a harsh blow with one of its hooves to the mountain cat's head, and Stryme went in for the last strike. Cleanly, he ended its life.
Elizabeth turned away, sickened by the sight. She would rather not watch something die, even if it would have killed her without a second thought. She lived a rather sheltered life when it came to matters of life and death.
She heard Stryme lead his horse to where she stood. A hand came around her to pluck the sword from her grasp, and she heard the hiss of his sword as he sheathed it. Then his hands landed on her shoulders, and he turned her around slowly.
At first, she kept her eyes closed, but slowly she opened them to stare at the armor he wore over his chest. She tilted her head back and looked up at him. He ran his hands over her body, as he looked her over.
She shivered.
It touched her that he would think of her safety. This giant really wasn’t what she had expected.
When he seemed satisfied she wasn't hurt, he stared down at her with those intimidating eyes of his. She shrunk under his gaze, feeling like a child who needed a good scolding for what she had done. Her shoulders slumped, as heat fanned out over her cheeks.
She hated the fact she was embarrassed for the danger she had thrown them all into. Yet, at the same time, she felt like it was his fault for forcing her hand. He could have left their carriages alone. Her regret started to turn to anger. This was his fault, after all.
Even though it was his fault, she knew deep down she could have been killed today. He had saved her, and she was thankful enough to realize she shouldn't push him over the edge. If anything, she should try to be on his good side. If she ever attempted another escape, she might need him to rescue her again.
Her cheeks really started to heat, when she remembered what she was wearing. Her underdress did nothing to protect her from his gaze, and she felt naked and fragile.
Elizabeth backed out of his reach, but his hand whipped out and grasped the back of her neck firmly. She froze. Had she already pushed him too far?
His head came down, and his lips landed on hers as he entangled his fingers in her hair. Elizabeth melted against him as she welcomed the forceful kiss. Sensations she had never before felt flowed through her, as he demanded more. His tongue slid between the crease of her lips. Gingerly her tongue met his, but this was the first time she had kissed a man in such an intimate way.
His hand came up and grasped one of her breasts. His fingers plumped her breast, and he worked his way to her nipple, which he pinched lightly. Her body heated and her mouth popped open, making it easier for him to explore her mouth.
Raising her hands to his chest she shoved against him, and he broke off the kiss to take a few steps back.
She covered her breasts with crossed arms, as her cheeks heated. What had she just done? She wanted to blame the stress of the situation had made her want to feel alive, but they both would know it to be untrue. He made her want to explore the way her body felt.
Warily, she watched him. Elizabeth had been expecting him to lash out at her in anger, not with lust.
She sucked in a breath of relief, when he turned his attention back to his horse to check him for any wounds. She couldn't help but be mesmerized by the way he ran his hands over the legs of the horse gently. The exact way he had run his rough hands over her body.
When he was done, he turned back to her. Grabbing something out of a pouch on his waist he came towards her. She tried to see what it was, but he turned her around and drew her arms behind her back.
Struggling she tried to get free, but he kept a firm grasp on her. Before she knew what was going on, he had her hands tied tightly behind her back.
She whirled around to glare at him. “You tied me up!” Her voice rose to an almost unrecognizable pitch. “Release me!”
Seeming unimpressed by her outburst, he shrugged his shoulders and mounted his horse.
“You brute. I refuse to move from this spot, until you untie my hands!”
Again he shrugged as he grabbed the second horse’s reins. “It doesn’t matter whether you move or not.” He leaned down, grabbed her around the waist, and swung her up onto the saddle of the other horse.
She was furious with him. “If this is your idea of a rescue, I'd like to inform you you’re doing it wrong.”
The whole way back to camp he was calm and quiet, while she was fuming and cursing him at every possible moment. Although she didn’t know who she was more mad at, herself for being so intimate or him for tying her up.
By the time they reached the giant camp, she had to admit she was pleased he didn't seem to be too vexed with her. She knew many men who wouldn’t have any qualms about lashing out at a woman.
Perhaps these giants had a fabricated image. She might be getting a glimpse of what they truly were like.
So far Stryme seemed to just put up with what she was dishing out. Hopefully, his patience would last. She knew herself well enough to know there were going to be many more things she would do that would test him.
Chapter 4
All the fire giants in the camp stared at them, as they entered the camp. She shrunk in her saddle, at first, but then she straightened her spine and stared right back at them. She wasn’t ashamed of trying to escape.
None of them seemed too thrilled with her decision to be a pain in the neck. The glares they were casting her way made her glad Stryme was the one who had come after her.
Then again she wasn't exactly out of trouble. She was sure there would be some sort of repercussion for her actions. As long as he didn't punish the others, she would take it. It had been her plan, not theirs.
Stryme dismounted and hoisted her up and off the back of the horse.
When her feet touched the ground, she blushed. She felt cool air brush up against her bare buttocks. Elizabeth froze, when she realized her flimsy underdress had got caught on the horse's stirrup. The horse blocked her buttocks from view of the camp, but she was unable to move away without ripping the dress right off.
She did not want to walk around a fire giant camp naked.
Alarmed she struggled to get her tied hands high enough to untangle her dress. Of course, Stryme had to tie her hands.
Unable to reach she tugged on it lightly to see what might happen if she just yanked it. As she watched over her shoulder, the rip spread higher. She knew she would be walking naked through the giant camp, if she tore it anymore.
The horse stamped a foot, looking ready to walk away. “Stay.” She pleaded urgently with the horse.
By the time she had turned her attention away from covering her buttocks, Stryme was already making his way through camp.
“Giant!” She called out after him.
He turned lifting an eyebrow at her. He smirked and started to turn away.
Maybe she should have used his name, but she was panicking here. It wasn't like she had the time to think about how her word choice might effect her situation.
“I know what I did was without any thought, and you must believe me that I am truly sorry for my actions. I have learned my lesson, but...” She blushed even more. It was unbelievable she was about to ask him to come over where he would surely get a good look at her bared bottom. “I need your help with my dress.”
“Please.” She begged, when she saw he was still going to walk away.
When he made no move towards her, she implored him some more. “I can't move from this spot, until you come here and help me.”
When he finally started to move towards her, she let out a sigh of relief.
He stopped a few inches from her and eyed her curiously. “What do you need help with then?”
“I am unable to get my dress unhooked from the stirrup.” She took a deep breath, hoping her blush stained cheeks would return to a normal color already.
A broad grin broke out over his lips, as he gave a hearty laugh. “Why should I assist you, when you have been nothing but a thorn in my side.” He held up a hand, as she opened h
er mouth to speak. “I even went out to search for a human female that may not have existed. I found her, and now she is alive and safe. Perhaps you deserve to walk around naked. I know the men would enjoy the sight.”
“I fully realize I’ve betrayed any trust built between us.” She interjected. “But my escape attempt was a spur of the moment decision. The horse was there, and I just thought it might be my moment to save us. I regret my decision now.”
All she regretted was that she had been caught. If she hadn’t run into the mountain cats she might have been able to escape him.
Seeming to take pleasure out of her discomfort he took a few seconds for himself. “I will assist you with your dress.” He laughed a little more. “But do not think this means you are forgiven for what you have done.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
She would say anything to get him to help her. The horse kept shifting its weight, and she was afraid it might start walking, at any moment.
With it settled he and his annoying smile bent to look where the stirrup had caught her underdress.
Elizabeth heard his breath hiss in harshly. Cheeks flaming she knew he had just seen her buttocks. One more mortifying thing she was never going to be telling her mother, when this journey of hers was over. Assuming she was ever able to get back.
Elizabeth felt her embarrassment grow, as she heard his breathing grow heavy. She shivered, as he gave a very satisfied male growl. Her insides turned to mush, as heat flooded through her body.
Was she actually feeling attracted to the fire giant? A fire giant who had helped in killing her guards and then took her captive.
She was afraid the answer might be yes.
As she had determined earlier, he was attractive. If he had been a human, she was sure she would have been one of the women following him around panting. He was a man who wouldn't write love notes. He was a man who would take the woman he wanted. Stryme was the kind of male who would make a queen a strong king.
She might have found her perfect match in a fire giant. All her emotions were so jumbled. When he was near all she could think about was being in his arms, but when there was distance she could think properly.
Elizabeth was curious what might exist between a man and a woman, when it came to the bedchamber. She was sure an experience with him would not be easily forgotten, though she had some doubts about sleeping with a fire giant.
It was her turn to suck in a breath, as she felt one of his rough padded fingers caress her smooth buttocks. She felt her head spin, as a flood of emotions filled her. His touch was sensual, and he set her mind reeling with all sorts of confusing thoughts.
She wanted to step away from the horse, but then her dress would be torn from her body. Then there would be no barrier between them, and Elizabeth was sure he was having the same thoughts about her. If there was nothing in his way, he might just take what he wanted. Right now, she might let him, since her mind was so muddled.
Seeming to break the trance he was in, he unhooked the back of her dress from the stirrup.
Awakened from her imaginings she skittered away from him. What had he just done to her?
She had completely forgotten herself. Unnerved she waited for him to make the next move. She didn’t trust herself not to fling herself into his arms. Her body had no qualms about him being a fire giant. She could feel a slickness form between her thighs.
Backing away he averted his gaze. At least, she wasn’t the only one shocked by their bodies’ reactions. After a moment, he guided her through the camp in silence.
She followed quickly. She wanted to put her full dress back on. It was her armor, and it would give her the strength to withstand what her body desired.
Elizabeth was officially uncomfortable wearing something only her maids had ever seen her in. Having all of the fire giants in the camp eye her was getting unnerving. Or maybe the reaction she had when Stryme looked at her was the real reason she was so unsettled.
If anything, his touch should be revolting to her, not appealing
When they reached the tent, Elizabeth bolted inside.
He followed her in and then packed the inside of the tent, with quiet efficiency.
As she stepped into the circle of her dress, Elizabeth realized she would yet again need him. There was no way she would be able to get the dress on with her hands still tied behind her back.
When he was done packing, he turned to her. “Let's get going. You have put enough of a delay on our journey.” His voice broke no argument.
Yet she shook her head. There was no way she was going out there again in this skimpy under dress. How was she supposed to be strong, when her dress was the only armor she had? She needed it to be around her.
He scowled at her, not in the mood to play a guessing game of what was wrong with her now.
“I am not going out there in my under dress. I would like to keep a few things a mystery, until I find myself a husband.”
He made his way over to her and pulled her up against his chest. “You won't be finding yourself a husband among my men, so you need not worry about keeping any mysteries.” His tone was as icy as a winter’s night.
“I meant when I am back with my own people.” When she saw him just smirk, she tried a different tactic. “Surely, you can understand a woman's need to cover herself, with all those virile warriors walking around.”
She knew she won with the last comment. His eyes flashed with displeasure. Why he should care about his warriors getting an eyeful, she had no idea. But she was glad she won the discussion.
After untying the rope from her wrists, he watched as she pulled the dress up her curvy form. When she got to the point of the ties, she held them out behind her. “Do you mind?”
He took them carefully and bent close to her ear. “My patience with you is wearing thin. Soon, Elizabeth, there will be consequences for your actions. You make it hard for me to be gentle with you. Eventually, others will expect me to make you submit.”
She couldn’t help the small shutter from running through her. He was giving her a warning, and she wished she could take it. Too bad she had to join two kingdoms so they could beat back the rock giants.
He went slowly with the laces on the back of her dress, which made her wonder whether or not he had ever done this before. He picked up speed, as he got used to tying them though. He even looked proud of himself, after he finished.
The gleam in his eyes lightened her mood. He might be a warrior, but she was seeing a side of him that was pleasing when he wasn’t trying to intimidate her.
Stryme looked at the rope at his feet and then back up at her.
“No.” Her amusement faded, as she realized he was thinking about tying her hands again.
He came towards her, and she did the only thing she could think of. Before thinking what this action might cost her, she made a fist and decked him on the side of his face.
Both of them froze, as their eyes went wide with shock. Neither of them believed she could be so daring.
She stuck her chin high in the air. She wanted to yell that she was a princess, but she didn’t want to give him such precious information. No one tied her up and got away with it.
His face had been harder than she had thought it would be. She rubbed her sore hand, as she warily watched for what his reaction might be. Elizabeth kept her chin high. She might be worried, but she wasn’t about to show any fear.
He reached up to rub his jaw, as his eyes darkened.
Elizabeth rushed to break the silence first. “I don't want to be tied up again, Stryme. It was hard enough having to ride a horse into the camp tied up, but I don't want to be led around like your property.”
“You aren’t in your world anymore. I will do as I please.”
“Try it, and I will scream for the rest of this journey.”
“I’ll just tie a gag to your mouth.” He smirked at her.
She huffed, but was relived when he left the rope on the ground and continued wra
pping things up in the tent.
She smiled not knowing how she had won again, but glad she had.
He tossed over his shoulder. “One of the other girls will pay for your actions. I do believe there are quite a few restless warriors who are in need of a bedmate.”
The smile slipped from her lips. Why did her win have to be so short lived?
“Wait.” Elizabeth held out a hand, as she stepped forward.
He paused next to the tent flap.
“Tie my hands up, if you wish. I will behave, I swear to you. There is no need to punish innocent women for my mistakes.”
He strode over to where she stood, and she threw her hands out allowing him to tie her hands back together.
“This isn’t your punishment.” He promised in her ear. “This is only an assurance you can’t escape again.”
Grabbing her arm he led her outside the tent. Pulling her along he strode over to his horse, wrapped his large hands around her waist, and hoisted her onto the saddle.
She watched on, as Stryme left her to talk to a group of his fellow warriors.
With her hands tied, she was unable to get off the giant horse. She was only able to stare at everything going on around her. All the giants seemed to have everything packed up and ready to go, including the other women.
Smirking, she knew they must have been shocked to find her missing. She had slipped away right under their noses. Even if she hadn't delayed them long, every second could matter, for a rescue.
It gave her a sense of satisfaction. She still held hope they might have a chance at being rescued. It was probably a false sense of hope, but she needed something to cling on to. They all needed some hope.
She wanted her escape to be successful, but she was glad he found her. The mountain cats would have made an easy meal of her. There was no way she would ever have defeated those cats. If she did decide to make another escape attempt, she would have to face the knowledge that she might be eaten alive.
Elizabeth was sure Stryme would stop saving her, at some point.