by Lily Thomas
He kept scowling at her so she gave up and headed back to camp. Why was she even trying to explain it to him? He probably saw faeries every day and didn't think it such an amazing fact.
She made her way back through the forest, with him following closely on her heels. Elizabeth hadn't realized how far she had traveled by herself. No wonder he was irritated with her. She could have come across another mountain cat without anyone ever being able to hear her scream for help.
As they neared the camp, he yanked her around to face him. “Never do that again, Elizabeth.”
“It wasn't like I was escaping. I was only curious about what the lights were.”
He shook his head. “Faeries have lead many to their deaths.”
She let out a bark of laughter. “They seemed harmless enough to me. Those tiny creatures couldn’t harm a fly, let alone me.”
“That’s why they’re dangerous. They are sweet looking so faeries can attract unsuspecting people to their deaths. Once they have your attention, they will lead you to a cliff or lead you to a predator. They will even mesmerize you for days until you starve to death.”
Elizabeth threw her hands in the air. “We don't know about any of these dangers! You treat me like I am simple-minded, but it isn't like any of us have ever lived with any of these creatures before.”
Before he could utter another word, she stormed off and left him staring after her. Sometimes he could grate on her nerves.
How was she to know the dangers of the mountains? She had never been told what she should avoid. She had only known of the giants who lived nearby, but who they never interacted with. All other creatures had just been bedtime stories when she was a child.
Entering the camp she caught sight of the well-roasted birds. Elizabeth's stomach let out a powerful growl, earning her a look of amusement from Stryme who had caught back up to her.
At least he wasn’t glaring at her anymore, because he realized she was right. He hadn’t told her to stay away from the twinkling lights. It made her wonder what else might be out in these woods.
Gently, he took her arm to guide her to the pleasantly warm fire where he retrieved a bird leg for her. When he offered her the leg, she grabbed it eagerly.
What ever these birds were, they were divine. This time it hadn't been plucked in front of her very eyes, which made it easier to enjoy.
Stryme sat down beside her. In the time it took her to eat the one leg, he had eaten the rest of the small bird. She couldn't help but be astounded by the amount he had just put down. He had even eaten more than she had seen her brothers eat in one sitting combined.
The sudden memory of her brother's death hit her hard. Elizabeth's food threatened to come back up her throat, as tears gathered in her eyes and a few managed to slip down her cheeks. Her brother was dead thanks to giants, and now she was sharing a meal with one. She found him attractive, which made it even worse.
Bile rose in her throat, threatening to choke her. She turned her gaze away from him, disgusted. A sense of betrayal built inside her. She knew Nicholas would think she had lost her mind, if he was alive and could see her. Elizabeth rose and went to sit with the other women. She had best remember where she was and under what circumstances.
When she finally glanced over at Stryme, he was giving her a puzzled expression. He had noticed her sudden change in attitude.
She knew he wasn't the reason her brother was dead. It may be his kind that killed her brother, but it hadn’t been the fire giants. The rock giants were the ones she should be loathing.
But she knew her brother would think them one and the same, just like every other human. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to blame him for her brother’s death. She could only blame him for the death of the guards and for taking her captive.
Chapter 5
After another full day of riding, all the women were relieved when the giants set up camp.
Sitting by the fire all warm and cozy Elizabeth and the other women sat quietly. They watched the fire giants, as they let their sore muscles stretch out. None of them enjoyed this much horseback riding.
Elizabeth and Sarah sat side-by-side chatting about anything to keep their minds off of being captives. Fashions within the castle and different little things they had seen during their journey. It wasn't like they had much of anything else to do, but talk.
“Do you remember when I told you I stole his horse and rode into the forest?”
“Yes.” Sarah replied with a smirk.
Elizabeth smiled. She knew how much she was going to shock Sarah with her tale.
“While I was riding through the forest, I ran into a couple of mountain cats. You see the huge tooth on my fire giant's necklace?” She pointed to where he was working.
Sarah gave her a nod, as her eyes widened.
“The tooth is from a mountain cat. Now imagine looking into a mouth full of those.”
Sarah gave a gasp, as her hands rose up to cover her mouth. “How did you survive?”
Now she had Sarah hooked. The tooth was longer than any of their fingers, and she knew Sarah was imagining all sorts of horrible creatures to match such teeth.
Elizabeth looked around and noticed all the other women were now listening in. Elizabeth had never before had the chance to be a storyteller. She never had anything of interest to tell others. Now she knew the appeal old men in the castle had, when it came to having a crowd absorbed on their every word.
Elizabeth made sure to keep it simple. She didn't want to terrify them too much with the gory details. They were ladies with delicate senses and the story would impress them without too much detail.
Every time she thought back to it, she was impressed. Even though he was a giant, his skills were quite accomplished.
“Were you scared?” One of the women asked breathlessly.
“Of course, I was! I thought I wasn't going to make it out alive. If it hadn't been for the fire giant, I would have become their next meal.” She paused and then continued. “I think I may owe him my life.”
Elizabeth was shocked by what she said, but she truly believed she just might owe him her life. The rock giants were the ones attacking her people. Stryme may have killed the guards, but he hadn’t touched the women.
They all looked at her like she was crazy.
“It's true! He saved my life.” Elizabeth insisted trying to sway at least a few of them. Then she might not feel so ridiculous.
“Your life wouldn't have been in danger, if he had just let us go on our way to Sardarn.” One of the women spoke up. “Not too mention, he was the giant who led the attack against us, killing our guards in the process.”
“That’s true.” Sarah pointed out. She would of course take the side against the giant.
“I suppose you are right, but he didn't have to save me, if he didn’t want to.” Elizabeth tried to explain.
“I am thankful he did, but I wouldn't trust these fire giants. We need to get you back to Sardarn, if you are going to help our people with defeating the rock giants.” Sarah reminded her, as if Elizabeth had already forgotten her duty.
Would it be wrong of her to say she didn't want to marry a stranger? She was starting to hate all the reminders Sarah kept throwing her way. Just because she had a duty to perform didn’t mean she wanted to perform it.
Elizabeth had always dreamed of a love match, rather than a correct match. She didn’t want to have to grow to love her husband. Not everyone grew to love their partner, and she feared her match would never contain any love.
Maybe this was why she was divided on getting back. She could stay here and forget her duty or she could go back and marry a man she didn’t know.
“I don't think explaining that I have to join the two kingdoms will make my giant want to let me go. It would probably be to his benefit to keep us from forming an alliance. So let us keep quiet about my upcoming wedding.”
“We need to find a way to get you away from the camp without the giants knowing.”
“You have my undivided attention.” Elizabeth had already performed her great escape plan. Then she had run into a lot of unforeseen danger. If she made another escape, she might have to face another mountain cat or two.
Sarah huffed. “I am not saying I know of a way. I am only saying we need to come up with a foolproof plan on getting you to Sardarn. That giant of yours seems to be accomplished when it comes to tracking.”
All the women quieted, as the giants made their way over to collect them. Everyone, except Elizabeth, was led to the tent that was being used to house the women. Instead, Stryme led her to his tent.
She eyed him, as he took off his tunic showing off his well-toned pectoral muscles and arms and heat rose to her cheeks. He had an amazingly chiseled chest, one she could imagine running her hands all over.
Where had that thought come from? Her eyes widened. Was she really considering running her hands over a bare chested fire giant?
When he stretched his arms above his head, her question was answered. Yes, she was considering it. Any thoughts of what her family might think quickly fled her mind, as she gazed on and primal desires rose inside her.
The necklace of teeth against his bare skin just added more sex appeal. She could imagine running her fingers up and over the ridges on his stomach and then over his chest to his strong shoulders. Maybe even running her tongue up and over those raised scars on his back.
Elizabeth looked away quickly, as heat coursed through her body. A strange tingling sensation appeared in her stomach, as a small ache formed between her legs. This must be what it felt like to be attracted to a man, because she felt like she was losing her mind. No human woman should feel this way towards a giant, even if he had saved her life.
She enjoyed the feeling, but she just wished a human man made her feel this way instead of a fire giant.
Hearing nothing from his side of the tent Elizabeth risked a glance behind her. Then blushed beet red as she quickly focused her gaze somewhere else.
He was butt-naked!
From the looks of it he had an impressively sized member. Not that she would really know anything about the subject.
Dear gods, she thought to herself.
Her mind raced, as she tried her best to remember what she had heard from all of her eavesdropping at the castle. Noble women liked to gossip about these things, when they thought there were no young ears around.
There had been a fair number of women who had enjoyed having a husband or lover with a large member. Many noble women had even confessed to having affairs with men who weren't their husband, just for the reason of having an arousing night.
If he took her, she might not have a future with the prince of Sardarn though.
She felt him move closer to her, and the air charged with sexual tension. His hands landed on her shoulders gliding down to her hips. Pausing, he gave her hips a slight squeeze, as he growled close to her ear.
Sensation pooled between her legs. A feeling only he seemed to be able to create. She felt herself grow moist, and she had to wonder what magic he was weaving around her.
Leisurely, he unlaced the back of her dress and ran his hands up to her shoulders to push the dress down her arms. As it pooled around her feet, his hands left her shoulders to push the straps of the little under dress off her shoulders as well. She looked down to see all the fabric lying around her feet.
The night air felt cool, against her flushed skin, and she held her breath, as she waited to see what he would do next. Would he force himself on her? Would he even have to?
Her mind and body weren't agreeing with each other. Her body wanted him and her mind said it would be a disastrous decision.
Thankfully, she didn't have to make a decision. He backed away from her and went to lie on the furs, his deep crimson eyes watching her. Eyes that weren't terrifying, at this moment, but were actually quite appealing, just like the rest of him.
She was completely frozen, as his eyes took in their fill. He started at her toes and lazily made his way up to look at her legs, her patch of curls, and then over her stomach to her breasts. He seemed most fascinated by her breasts. Finally, he looked up into her sea blue eyes.
By just looking her over, he made her feel beautiful. She could see the appreciation shining bright in his eyes, as he enjoyed the sight of her naked body.
Personally, she felt like she might have a little too much curve to her body, but perhaps that might not be such a horrible thing. Stryme seemed to be eyeing her extra padding with delight.
He smiled at her, as if to embolden her.
Her breath stuck in her lungs. Why wasn’t it a sin for a man to be this amazingly gorgeous? His scars just added more appeal. It was hard to find a human noble who was truly adept at wielding a sword, since it was more of a game for them. A man who could handle himself in a battle peaked her interest. She watched the way he managed to kill two mountain cats, and it made her primal instincts come out.
It was a fact she was going to have to accept, she was attracted to the fire giant, damn him. But just because she was attracted to him didn’t mean she was going to give up on escaping. She still had an obligation to fulfill. Even if she slept with Stryme, she would find a way to pull the wool over the prince’s eyes.
He motioned for her to come to him.
Step by slow step, Elizabeth made her way over to the furs. Not being able to help it, she covered her breasts with an arm, earning herself a scowl.
He patted the area next to him inviting her to join him.
She got the hint, but had to wonder what he had planned for them. Elizabeth eyed the tent flap, but knew running or telling him to leave her alone wouldn’t do anything. He would just catch her or gag her.
So Elizabeth made her way to the furs, but she made sure to leave plenty of space between them, as she curled on her side facing away from him.
He scooted close to her and curled up around her from behind.
She couldn't help the little gasp that escaped her, as she felt his erect member press up against her buttocks. He was huge, and it was warm and throbbing. She felt her heart putter against her rib cage.
His arm came around her waist to pull her more fully against him. The rest of his body was just as deliciously warm. The nights up here in the mountains were a bit chilly, and she did enjoy the heat coming off him.
Elizabeth waited with bated breath to see what his next move might be. Did she want him to make a move? She wasn’t too certain. She found him attractive, but she hadn’t slept with a man before and found her stomach full of fidgeting butterflies.
He made no other move, and soon she could hear snoring coming from behind her. Not the most attractive sound he could be making, but she felt relieved he hadn't pursued anything with her.
Was that disappointment in the bottom of her stomach?
Her mixed feelings were starting to confuse her. If only Stryme would act the part of a brute, he might make her situation easier. She couldn’t hate him, when he was protecting them and feeding them.
Chapter 6
Warmth spread through her, and she felt as though she was floating on a cloud. Explosions of colors played behind her eyelids. Waking slowly Elizabeth felt such a sense of pleasure running through her body. As she woke more, she could feel Stryme’s arm draped over her waist.
A gasp escaped her, when Elizabeth felt his rough finger rubbing between her thighs, as sensation rocked her body.
“Stryme?” She was barely able to manage his name her voice was trembling so much.
His finger stopped, and his arm left her waist, as he moved beside her. At once, she regretted saying his name. The pure pleasure she had been feeling was gone. All her mind could think about was having the sensations continue. She felt mindless and a little wicked. She knew it couldn’t be a dream, because his finger on her had definitely been real.
His breath tickled her ear, when he leaned in. “Want me to continue?”
Her cheeks were flushed, and she wanted t
o know where this would lead. Never before had a man touched her in such a way, and she wanted more. She might regret her decision, but her pleasure muddled mind wanted this. All she could focus on was the ache between her moist folds.
“Yes.” She panted out. She felt like she might jump out of her skin, if he didn’t continue.
His hand slipped back down between her legs to rub her nub, and her breathing caught in her chest. Wave after wave of sensation hit her.
She let her eyelids close, as her body relaxed. Slowly, the area between her legs grew moister and the sensations swelled. Her hips moved a little, as her mind went blank. Her mouth opened, as she panted.
His member pressed into her back, and every once in a while, she was able to feel it pulse against her. She wondered how he was able to control himself. He wasn’t throwing himself on her like she would have thought.
But he didn’t allow her time to think. His fingers slipped along her slick folds, as he explored her steamy depths. A finger dipped into her wet center, and her mouth opened in surprise. He was making her feel sinful, but the thought was fleeting. Soon the lights behind her eyelids grew brighter. He left her center to finger her sensitive nub once again.
“Moan for me. Let me know what pleasure you are taking.” Stryme whispered into her ear.
Soft breathes escaped from between her lips, as her body jerked. Leaning forward she felt her stomach clamp down as he continued to rub between her legs. Her head leaned back, as she soared into the clouds.
As the lights disappeared, she relaxed back down against the furs. She could feel some residual muscle clamps, as she came back to her senses. She couldn’t believe what she and Stryme had done. Bracing herself she waited to see what might come next. She knew he would want something in return.
Elizabeth felt him leave the furs, and she watched his nicely formed back, as he got into his clothing. When he turned around to look down at her, she blushed a deep pink. He gave her a grin, before leaving the tent.