Loving His Fire

by Lily Thomas

  Saying her name made him smile. It was a pleasant name, which rolled off the tongue easily. It sounded like a strong name and it fit her, because she was a determined female.

  Yet, at the moment, she appeared to be nervous in his chamber. Her bravery came and went, though he was sure it would come soaring back when she needed it most.

  She stood awkwardly by the door, looking like she was debating whether or not to bolt. He motioned her to sit in the other chair by the fire. He would enjoy having her company.

  He thought she might refuse, but only for a brief second.

  Sticking her chin in the air, as was her custom, she came to sit down on the chair. Now, she was by his side, where she should be.

  The only thing that bothered him at the moment was the way she was acting. It was as if she didn’t want to be around him. A small frown formed on his face. He wished she would relax, because she was making him jumpy.

  As he watched her from the corner of his eyes, he wondered when he might get some answers to his questions. He was still curious why the human females had been traveling through the mountain pass. Stryme was guessing the kingdoms were trying to form an alliance. Why else would so many young beautiful women be going to the other kingdom?

  He knew he would have to find the right moment to ask. He didn’t want to pressure her and have her close up. If the kingdoms were trying to form an alliance, she might not tell him out right.

  He figured one of the girls, if not all of them, were part of that alliance. It might have been a good thing he had decided to attack their carriages. There was no need for him to make things easy on the humans.

  He wasn’t taking the rock giants side, but he knew an alliance between the kingdoms wouldn’t be a good idea. They would have a lot more power together.

  Elizabeth had no idea how much time passed, as they sat in silence. She couldn't think of anything to say to him. She became absorbed with watching the fire. The flames danced with glee, as they licked away at the logs.

  When a hand landed on her shoulder, she jumped sky high. Her heart flipped over in a wild frenzy. Looking up she met Stryme’s crimson eyes.

  “Sorry. You startled me.” Elizabeth wasn't scared of him, and she didn't want him to think she was. She just hadn't been paying attention to her surroundings.

  He gave an unconcerned nod of his head, as he motioned her to stand.

  Elizabeth rose slowly from the chair, as she watched him warily.

  Stryme bunched the bottom of his shirt in his hands, as he lifted it up and over his head. Flinging it into the air the shirt landed on one of the empty chairs. She eyed his bulging biceps and the flexing muscles of his chest.

  Elizabeth sucked in a harsh breath of air. He was a god, a god who had fought many battles. He had to be with those muscles. The flickering firelight over his scarred skin gave him a fearsome look.

  She came from a court where noble men, kings, and princes were nothing special to look at. She could stare at Stryme all day, if he let her.

  She frowned. What was she thinking? He was a fire giant not a human man. There could never be anything serious between them, but did she need something that was serious? He might be her chance for some wild nights before entering the wedding chamber with a bumbling prince.

  Averting her eyes she tried her best to look at anything other than his exposed chest. She wanted him, but she was unsure of herself, because inexperience was making her skittish.

  She heard him remove the rest of his clothing. Her heart was in her throat as excitement pulsed through her and tension bunched her shoulders. Elizabeth had the sneaky suspicion he had brought her here to his chambers to finish what they had started.

  Fingers slid around her chin, gently turning her head towards him. She got quite an eye full, since he was naked. A warmth spread through her body, as heat flushed her cheeks.

  One look at his body and she was reacting like this?

  She felt his breath tickle her neck. He proceeded to trail kisses from her jaw to her lips. Their lips molded together like two pieces of a puzzle. She could smell the wood, horse, and just over all manly scent of him. It was enticing and intoxicating.

  Throwing her hands up she pulled back breaking the kiss.

  “I can't believe you!” She wiped her hand across her mouth, as if disgusted by him. “I can’t believe myself!”

  It earned her a scowl.

  “What about the poor woman who was down in the hall? I don't know what there is between the two of you, but I won't be the other woman! I've seen it done before, and I could never cause that kind of heart break to another.” Elizabeth ranted throwing her hands about in sharp movements. It might not be wise to fight with him, but she did have principles she lived by.

  At first, confusion filled his deep eyes, until realization dawned. “She is not mine.” Stryme stated.

  Elizabeth needed more than just that vague statement. “She most obviously thinks there is something between the two of you.”

  “I said she isn't mine. I am unwed and am not betrothed to any female. Lele has delusions of her beauty and position.” He went to the bed pulling back the fur covers. “Come to bed, female.” The discussion was obviously over in his mind.

  “This female has a name.” She said to him crossly.

  He was finally acting like a brute. One moment he seemed sweet the next he showed he was like any other man, but she wouldn’t be bossed around. She was a princess. She wanted to scream it at him, but instead she held her tongue.

  Growling he commanded her. “Elizabeth, come to bed. Now.”

  “Not until I get more information. I don’t know who she is, but she will be coming for blood.”

  “She will not.”

  “Excuse me, but did you see her eyes? If you hadn’t held her back, she would have beaten me to a pulp. I have a right to know what is going on.”

  “For some unknown reason, she has decided we are to be married. Though I can assure you it isn’t the case. She wants to believe I have feelings for her when there are none. I have told her many times it will never happen. I will protect you, Elizabeth. She will never touch you again.”

  Elizabeth searched his eyes as he spoke. There was no deceit in his crimson eyes that she could see. She let out a breath. She wanted to trust him. Mainly, she wanted there to be nothing between him and that giant woman.

  Watching him for a couple more seconds she decided she would trust him. She could see the hatred for the other woman in his eyes. Elizabeth was able to believe there was nothing between them or that it was at least one sided.

  Giving a nod she headed toward him. He stopped her with a raised hand, as she tried to slip into bed.

  “The clothing comes off.”

  She glared at him. “It will stay on, if you plan on me sleeping beside you.”

  “You take them off or I take them off. You decide.” He explained with a smile. “I will enjoy every slow moment of it.” He promised her. “I will kiss ever portion of skin I uncover.”

  Shivers ran up and down her spine in anticipation.

  She pretended to reluctantly peel off the layers of her dress. Elizabeth didn’t want him to know how he affected her, since he already had so much power over her.

  Every once in a while, she would hear him suck in a breath, like when her dress slid down her body and pooled at her feet. It sent a thrill through her body to hear the way she was affecting him. Maybe she had more power than she had previously thought.

  She eyed the bed with him in it.He really was magnificent, even if stubborn. Slowly, she made her way between the furs.

  Stryme gave a deep growl, before gripping her hips and yanking her across the bed.

  A squeak escaped from her, as her mouth opened in surprise. Thrills shot through her body, as he pressed her body against his. For some reason, when he acted like a brute, she felt a sort of primitive appeal. It was almost like she wanted him to be dominating.

  After being a privileged princess for most o
f her life, she secretly loved his commanding ways. No one back home would dare to be so pushy with her. As long he just ordered her around in bed, and not else where.

  His breath played with the small hairs on her neck, tickling her, but she remained as still as she could. Her breath seemed to catch in her chest, as she waited for what he might do. She was both panicked and excited.

  Everything was so new to her.

  Rough skinned hands wandered over her soft curves. First, he rubbed over her stomach and then up towards her full breasts. When he squeezed one, she wiggled away flipping over to face him.

  She eyed him warily. “I don't wish to do anything tonight. All I want is to sleep.” She knew her words rung with falsity. She did want to know what other pleasures there were, but she also truly longed for some sleep.

  He let out a long sigh. His eyes admitted defeat, as the fire died out of them. “Nothing but sleeping tonight.” Stryme agreed.

  Elizabeth decided it would be safe enough to scoot her back into him. She loved the welcoming warmth of his body. All her life she had been told what terrible creatures giants were and here she found herself wanting to be embraced by one of them. She felt safe in his arms.

  After everything that happened in her life she wanted someone to hold her and to make everything better. Stryme seemed to be able to do that.

  Chapter 9

  Elizabeth awoke the following morning. Everything about the past few days had been forgotten, but it wasn't long until it all came rushing back to her. The events of the past few days had gone by so quickly. She had almost expected to wake up in her own room and find this whole adventure a dream. Yet, as she looked around, she found herself still in Stryme’s chamber.

  There was no sign of Stryme though. His side of the bed was stone cold and the room was empty. The only noise came from the crackling fire he must have tended to before leaving. It was sweet of him to have let her sleep in, because she was sure he had woken up early enough to greet the sun

  Elizabeth stuck a foot out of the furs to test the warmth of the room. It was cold, but the fire added enough heat to make it tolerable.

  It had been considerate of him to keep the fire going for her. It was very thoughtful for such a ruthless giant, which she was starting to doubt he was. It seemed as though Stryme was proving every story she’d heard, as a child was inaccurate. He had protected her, when he could have just let her die. Her own stupidity was more likely to kill her than Stryme.

  Elizabeth looked around the room for a window to see what time it might be, but found no windows. How was anyone supposed to know when to wake when there wasn’t even a single window?

  She was only able to guess at what time of day it could be. She hoped she hadn't slept through breakfast, because her stomach was already growling ferociously at her.

  Quickly, she jumped out of bed, threw on her dress, which was in major need of a wash, and then struggled with the ties on the back.

  Once dressed, she made her way towards the great hall. At least, she hoped she was heading in the correct direction. This fortress the fire giants called home was a maze of halls. One wrong turn and she was sure she would be permanently lost.

  Soon though she was able to hear voices. She had made it to the great hall, all on her own. She was proud of herself for finding the way.

  When she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in the doorway. She was all by herself, and her courage was failing her. Her heart beat a fast rhythm against her chest, as she took in the sight before her. There were so many fire giants, eating and talking with each other. Unlike last night all the men were decked out in armor with an assortment of vicious looking weapons tied to their bodies.

  She tried to search out a familiar face, but was unable in the constantly moving mass of bodies. Elizabeth hesitated, unsure of what to do. She stood there twisting her hands in her dress, as she kept searching for someone she knew.

  Focusing on the boisterous giants before her she didn’t notice the footsteps behind her.

  A yelp escaped her, when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder. She expected to find Stryme standing behind her, but instead she found a giant woman standing behind her.

  She thanked the gods it wasn't Lele. It was a different giant woman.

  Elizabeth braced herself for an unprovoked attack. Lele had landed her soundly on her butt last night, and she feared this giant woman might do the same.

  The giant woman removed her hand from Elizabeth's shoulder and backed up a couple paces, giving Elizabeth space.

  “You must be Elizabeth. Stryme instructed me to seek you out.”

  “For what reason?” Elizabeth asked. She was still a little wary of the giant woman, and her eyes watched the other woman’s every movement. She didn’t want to be thrown on her ass again. Once was enough, for her.

  “To dress you in a more suitable outfit. To be honest you stand out in that dress. With a change of clothing you might be able to blend in a little better. Your dress also appears to be developing rips.” The giant woman scrunched her nose up, as she looked at Elizabeth's soiled dress.

  Elizabeth looked down at her dress. Was it really that bad?

  She couldn't help but feel some embarrassment, because Stryme thought she needed a change of clothing.

  “That’s very kind of him. I will gladly accept his generous offer of some new clothing.”

  How could she not? She was getting sick of wearing the same dirty dress over and over again. She was only mortified Stryme had noticed her need for new clothing. She didn’t want to be thought of as unclean.

  The giant woman led Elizabeth through the great hall. She stopped in the middle of the hall to ask Elizabeth, “Would you like to eat something before we get your new clothing?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No, thank you. I would prefer to get into something clean, before I sit to eat.” She was excited at the prospect of new clothing and nothing was of a higher priority, even her growling stomach. It would boost her attitude for the coming day.

  The giant woman gave a smile, as though she understood. She led the way once again through halls, as Elizabeth trailed behind.

  Elizabeth had to ask some questions that had been spinning through her mind. She was curious about everything going on around her.

  “Do all giants know our language? It seems surprising. I know of no humans who speak yours.”

  The giant woman gave a chuckle. “Not all fire giants can, but most of us have learned at least a little. Stryme learned after he was captured by humans.” She gave a small pause, as if she might have said too much.

  “Captured?” Elizabeth pressed.

  “Yes. By your kingdom to be exact.”

  “My people?” Elizabeth asked in surprise. She had a hard time imagining Stryme being captured by anyone. Remembering his scars she wondered if he had received them from her people.

  The giant woman continued leading the way, while she replied. “Yes. I still remember the day quite vividly. It was a few years back, but I can see it like it was yesterday. Some of his father’s warriors found him beaten, almost to the brink of death, at the edge of our territory.”

  Elizabeth gasped. She could only imagine what he might have looked like. With the way those scars crisscrossed he must have had skin hanging off in strips.

  “Wait.” Elizabeth threw out a hand. “I think I might remember. There was a fire giant that was brought to our castle by my brothers a few years ago. Surely, it couldn't have been Stryme though. I can’t see him getting captured, even on his worse day.”

  “He was the only one of us to ever be captured, for years now. If you saw a fire giant, it must have been him.”

  So Stryme was the fire giant Sarahand she had seen in the dungeon so many years ago. How could she have not recognized him? He was such a striking man. She hadn’t been able to see him up close though, and he had been a lot younger back then, they both had been. He hadn’t been as built, more lean.

  Now he was a fully-grown warrior w
ith his eyes clearly set upon her. For some strange reason her stomach felt as though there were butterflies spinning about. Just one thought about him sent her into disorder.

  “I don't understand how he could have received the scars though. I remember my father ordering my brothers to send him back. I’m sure he didn’t want to start war with their rashness.” Elizabeth said confusion twisting her face. “He couldn't be the same giant. I know my brothers would never have done something so incredibly horrific like beating an unarmed man within an inch of his life.”

  “Something happen to him. I saw him with my own eyes, when he was brought back to the castle.” She told Elizabeth. “And it was clearly not by an animal. Swords had to have been used to cause wounds like those.”

  “Yet, he still treats us so generously?” Elizabeth cocked her head to the side.

  If he had suffered like this giant woman was saying, why was he treating all his human captives so well? Why did Stryme have to challenge the stories she had heard about giants? If he were a completely savage brute she would have a much easier time hating him.

  The giant woman shrugged. “It wasn't you who personally inflicted the pain on him. It was someone from your kingdom who did it. Why would he take it out on you, even if it had been your brothers?” Thinking it over the giant woman spoke again. “I wouldn’t just blurt it out to Stryme that it might have been your brothers. He still has some pent up anger from the embarrassment he suffered that day.”

  Elizabeth had no intention of just blurting it out, even though she believed he wouldn’t blame her for what happened. It wasn’t like she had ever been in any position to help him.

  She had been a child, when he had been captured.

  She would have to mention it at some point to see what he remembered. Maybe then she would find out whether or not her brothers had been involved. But she doubted her brothers would have anything to do with beating a defenseless man, even if he were a giant.

  “Will you keep what we have discussed between us?” Elizabeth pleaded. “At least for now?” She wanted to be the one to ask Stryme about his memories. If he did grow incensed by the thought of her brothers’ possible involvement, she wanted to see it coming.