by Lily Thomas
“Not really. I stayed up too late and just couldn't get to sleep.” She gave Sarah the best smile she could pull off in her sleepless condition.
“Are you planning on coming down to the great hall any time soon?”
Right at that moment, her stomach pulled off an amazing growl.
“Having a meal does sound good.” Elizabeth cast Sarah a small smile, as she dropped the blanket from her shoulders. “Let us make our way down to the hall then.”
Inwardly, she groaned. She was not looking forward to seeing Stryme or Lele. She was going to be dragging her heels all the way down to the great hall.
What if he had accepted Lele last night? Then again did she really think he would? He could barely tolerate the other woman, yet there was still a tinge of uncertainty.
The two of them made their way down the halls of the immense castles.
“Did you happen to see Stryme, this morning?”
“Yes, and then he left. Why?” Sarah asked.
They kept making their way down the halls.
“I’m just curious. Did you happen to see Lele this morning as well?”
“Strangely enough, she sat in the seat you usually occupy. Stryme didn't look delighted about it, mind you, but he didn't make her move either.”
A jealous tug pulled on Elizabeth's heartstrings. Stryme would have made Lele move before he was angry with her. Elizabeth was sure of that.
“Did they leave the hall together?”
“Aren't you full of questions today.” When she saw how freaked Elizabeth looked, she answered. “No, they didn't leave together.”
They reached the great hall where a few fire giants were still having something to eat. They took a seat at an empty table to break their fast.
“Would you want to go take a look around the courtyard with me?” Sarah inquired.
“I don't think I’m allowed to leave the castle. Not even to go to the courtyard.”
“I talked with Kiyla already, and she said you couldn't go into town or use a horse again. Not that you couldn't walk around inside the castle walls.”
“Then yes, I wouldn't mind taking a walk and stretching my legs. I’m itching to do something to distract me from my thoughts.” Her thoughts of Stryme and Lele were ever present.
They set out to visit the stables, after they had eaten their fill.
Once in sight of the horses, she couldn't help but be drawn to the one she had tried to escape on. Elizabeth stroked the horse's face, gave him a kiss, and thanked him for the help he had provided her.
The sounds of metal clashing against metal reached their ears, from outside the stables.
“Want to see the fire giants fight in the practice arena?” Sarah asked. She was being more curious than usual.
“Here I thought you didn't enjoy seeing the new world around us.”
“What woman can resist a well built man fighting with another well built man? Even, if they are fire giants. Besides I’m getting bored.” Sarah explained it off easily.
Tightness mounted in Elizabeth's chest, as she thought of Stryme being with his men out on the practice arena. She tried to calm her racing heart, as they walked over to the arena.
Sure enough, Stryme was practicing with his men. He was even one of the two giants that were currently in the fighting arena. As his back was turned to her, he didn't see their slow approach.
She was able to get a great view of his muscled back glistening with beads of sweat, and she gazed at it longingly. It had been quite some time, since she had run her hands over that taunt skin.
Sarah led the way over to a fence where they could sit to watch the giants. Elizabeth felt slightly wicked for watching all of these half naked men practice before her eyes.
“Are they fighting with blunted swords?” Elizabeth whispered to Sarah.
“I don't believe they are.”
“And yet they wear no armor? What is with these fire giants? You’d think they would want to prevent any accidental injuries.”
Sarah shrugged unconcerned. “They seem to have perfect control over their swords. Besides the world could go with a few less fire giants. If they kill themselves in the practice arena, who is to care?”
“I can't believe you just said that.” Elizabeth scolded Sarah.
“They are the ones who are killing our people on the border.”
“The fire giants aren't the ones attacking us. They attacked our carriages, nothing else. It’s the rock giants who are laying waste to the border towns.”
“Does it really matter which race of the giants is doing it? They are all one in the same.”
“No, they aren't.” Elizabeth whispered under her breath, so Sarah wouldn't hear. She wasn’t about to fight this topic with Sarah again. Sarah had her beliefs and she was more than welcome to have it, but Elizabeth hoped Sarah would someday see how well they had it. Stryme wasn’t the worst captor to have.
Stryme was nothing like what her parents had taught her. Sure, he seemed to have a temper in him, but what man didn't have some sort of temper. He was honest and kind. She caused his irritability, but he had never tried to take it out on her.
Elizabeth focused her gaze back on Stryme, as he fought in the practice arena.
Stryme was relentless in his attack. Every once in a while, he would go on the defensive and let his opponent get a few strikes in, and then go back on the offensive. He was training rather than trying to win the fight.
“If Stryme and I were on speaking terms, I might be tempted to ask him to teach me how to sword fight.”
“You aren't on speaking terms?” Sarah asked, not even hearing the fact that Elizabeth wanted to learn how to fight.
Elizabeth could understand why. Stryme was one of the reasons they were safe here among the fire giants, and it was best to stay on his good side.
“He didn't sleep with me last night.”
“So that explains why you didn't sleep well. Elizabeth,” Sarah said concern thick in her voice, “you know you shouldn't feel this way for him. At some point, you will be marrying the prince of Sardarn. You;re meant to be a queen, not some play thing for a giant.”
“I know, but I can’t seem to help myself.” She watched Stryme finish the practice fight with the other warrior. They bowed to each other, and then left the arena, as two other warriors entered to face off against each other.
Elizabeth watched Stryme walk over to Keylz and wipe his forehead with a towel. Lele came out of nowhere to hand him a mug of water. She smiled sweetly up at Stryme, as he accepted her offer of water.
The blood drained from Elizabeth's face, as she watched on. Lele kept leaning into him, pushing her bosom up against his side, and he didn't seem to mind. Or at least he didn’t push her away.
Having enough of the scene unfolding before her, Elizabeth nudged Sarah and motioned for them to leave.
“Although I don't think you should have feelings for Stryme, I think Lele is being horrible.” Sarah whispered to Elizabeth, as they left the arena.
“Sarah, you shouldn't say things like that. Like you told me before, it isn't like we belong here. No one would ever accept it, and sooner or later Stryme was bound to get bored of me.” Her heart cracked at every word. She wished she didn't believe it, but he was acting strange.
“She acts as though you’re worthless when you are a princess. Don’t let her get to you.”
“She did know Stryme before I came along.” Elizabeth reasoned out loud.
“I’m still your friend, and that means I don't like seeing you upset. Even if you are falling for the wrong man.”
Elizabeth looked around and saw Stryme sitting at the head of the main table for dinner. Thankfully, she didn't see Lele sitting beside him.
She forced herself to take calming breaths. Elizabeth said her goodbyes to Sarah, and then made her way over to the empty seat. When she sat, she received no acknowledgement from Stryme.
Stricken by his attitude Elizabeth ate in silence.
So
on enough the evening meal was over, and she found herself going to Stryme's chamber by herself.
When she arrived, she found the room empty, except for the crackling brightness of the fire in the hearth.
The same happened for the next couple of nights. She would go up to an empty room, spend forever staying up for him, and then fall asleep towards early morning.
It wasn't too hard to find Stryme. Nara knew she could almost always find him in the practice arena, since she was his mother. Sometimes, she worried his only joy in life was practicing with his men.
She waited patiently by the fence and watched Stryme battle it out with one of his fellow warriors. His father would have been proud of him. She wished dearly his father were still alive to see how the fierce warrior their son had grown into. A warrior they could be proud of.
When he was done, he made his way over to Keylz. As he took a swig of water, his eyes landed on her, and they lit up right before he headed in her direction.
She smiled at him and did her motherly cooing, when he came to stand in front of her.
“I didn't expect to see you here near the practice ring.” He led her away from the renewed fighting, as he talked.
“Usually, I don't come, but I wanted to discuss something of importance with you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What might that be?”
“The human female, Elizabeth.” His mother watched him closely.
His face fell into a stony expression, not wanting her to be able to read him. “She isn't my favorite subject, at the moment.”
“But she does need to be discussed. What ever is going on is affecting both of you. You aren't solving the problem by avoiding her. So, here I am to solve it for you.” She dared him to disagree with her.
He rolled his broad shoulders and sighed getting himself ready for something worse than battle. “You won't leave me alone, until I talk with you.”
“If you like your mother attending every outing, practice and in general following you around, then yes, you will never be able to get rid of me.”
“I’m going to assume you know what happened?”
Nara waited patiently for him to continue, after she gave him a nod.
“Elizabeth plans on wedding the prince of Sardarn.” He spit out the word prince. His crimson eyes flashed like a sharp steel sword.
“So, you won't allow her to leave?” His mother asked.
“You mean allow her to wed another? Never. She’s mine.”
“Wed another?” She sighed, while shaking her head. “My dear son, if you have such intense feelings for her that you want to wed her yourself, then you must let her go.”
He didn't respond, but she was able to see her words stuck with him. He would listen to her, because he knew she had his best interest in hand.
“How will you prevent her from hating you, if you allow her people to suffer without her help? She can never live here and be merry, if the choice is not given to her.”
“She’ll get over it, with time.”
“What if she doesn’t?” His mother put a hand on his arm to stop him from walking away from her. “I don't think she’d ever be happy here, if you don't let her try to save her people. If she chooses to stay, then that’s another story.”
It was a few moments before he asked, “Is this wise motherly advice I should follow?”
“It’s up to you what advice you follow. I just believe you should listen to me on the subject of the heart.”
“I will assume you want me to release all the humans?” He looked down at Nara who was about a whole head shorter than he was.
“That is your decision, my son.” Nara smiled up at him. Her crimson eyes caressed his face, as she looked over her son. She reached up to run her hand over the black scruff on his face. “If you let her go, she can always return. You need to give her the chance.”
“I will consider what you have said, mother, but it’s not only her impending marriage. She’s related to the men who beat me to within an inch of my life.”
Nara shook her head. “I may hate them for what they did to you, but we both must remember it was not Elizabeth herself. She mustn’t be blamed for their actions.”
His gaze focused on something behind Nara.
When she turned, she saw Elizabeth walking with Kiyla. Smiling she said her goodbyes and headed back to the castle. She hoped her son could make the hard decisions. He was king, after all.
For the rest of the day, Stryme thought about what his mother had told him. He was thinking about it so much, he couldn't focus on what he was doing in the practice arena.
Keylz’s sword came swinging out of nowhere and hit Stryme on the side. The force knocked the breath out of him, and he went down. Keylz quickly pointed the tip at Stryme's neck.
“You’re dead.” Keylz had trouble containing his smart-ass grin, as he spoke.
Stryme grunted congratulations to him. He jumped to his feet, once he regained his breath.
“Something has been distracting you all day, my friend. I’ve never been able to knock you on your back before.” Keylz laughed, seeming to enjoy the moment a little too much.
“I have a lot on my mind right now. I can't seem to clear my thoughts.”
“Was it something your mother told you? I saw the two of you talking together earlier.”
They left the practice arena so two other warriors could step into the ring.
“Prying again, my friend?”
“Just curious why you’re so distracted.” Keylz shrugged his shoulders. “It has to be something important, if I was able to knock you down.”
“Do you need some time to gloat about knocking me down?” Stryme grumbled. He would rather Keylz got it out of his system sooner rather than later.
“Oh, I might taunt you with it every now and then.”
“You will soon find out what is weighing on my mind. I have to think about it some more, before I make my final decision.”
“Then I would suggest doing your thinking somewhere other than the practice field. Unless you like giving me fodder to tease you with.” Keylz said, as he led Stryme away from the arena.
The cords of muscle rippled, as he stretched his arms above his head. He looked around the castle courtyard. He was searching for a specific person, a young human female named Elizabeth.
He checked the stables, but didn't find her. Nor did he find her in the dining hall. As he made his way outside again, he almost ran over Sarah without even noticing.
She cast him a scowl, and he smirked back.
If only Sarah knew what he was planning to do. She wouldn't be scowling, she would be smiling and jumping for joy. For a split second, Stryme was tempted to tell her, but he didn't want her to be the first to know. He wanted Elizabeth to be the first to know the good news he had to share.
He moved away, to let her go first. Then made his way outside into the fading sunlight of the evening. He knew he would end up seeing Elizabeth tonight in the great hall for dinner. He’d just have to wait.
Elizabeth was in Stryme's chamber with Kiyla trying on a dress.
“This fits me like a glove.” Elizabeth marveled about the dress Kiyla had wanted her to try on.
Kiyla let out a laugh. “I had it designed to fit you.”
“You?” Elizabeth was astonished. “You had this made for me?”
Kiyla nodded. Clearly, their friendship was still strong, even though Elizabeth had tried to escape.
“This is a truly amazing dress and such a pleasant surprise.”
Rubbing her hands down the milky fur Elizabeth looked up at Kiyla. “Surely, I have not earned this in any way. You should have saved your money for something else.”
“Just take the gift, Elizabeth. A peace offering, to show we are friends.” Kiyla said with a wink.
“I have nothing to give you in return.” Elizabeth fretted.
“Your friendship is enough.”
“Think I should wear this to dinner tonight?” She asked a little
uncertain. It showed off a lot more of her body than she was used to.
Kiyla pursed her lips. “Of course, you should. I didn't give it to you, so you could just put it away in some trunk and never wear it. Though, we do still have to do something with your hair. We need to put some jewelry on you, as well.” Kiyla said, really getting into the idea of dressing up Elizabeth.
Elizabeth only hoped Stryme would like her in this dress. He hadn't even come to her yet. She feared she might never be in his good graces again.
Stryme looked up from his supper, when a hush fell over the great hall. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to Elizabeth and Kiyla.
A smile spread across his face, as he took in the beautiful fur dress she was wearing. Struggling to breath at the sight of the snow goddess before him, Stryme stood.
She made her way to the table, the dress flowing with her movements. He assisted her in sitting at the table.
Eventually, everyone went back to their talking and eating, but Stryme was unable to look away from her beauty. Was he really going to give her away to another man?
His heart broke for the first time in his life. He couldn't imagine not having this female with him. Praying his mother's advice was the right course of action to follow, he let his mind return to the evening before him. He had to forget what heartbreak he might face later.
All night long, Stryme was attentive to her. She couldn't believe the change that had come over him. She had to puzzle over it, but she wasn’t about to complain.
Many fire giants commented on her outfit, and she blushed every single time, much to Stryme’s amusement. Elizabeth would watch, as he laughed every time her face flushed bright pink.
Ever since meeting him, she found her cheeks coloring quite often.
Dinner past quickly, and soon Stryme was offering his hand to her.
Was he really going to spend the night with her? Her heart skipped a beat, as she thought of the night that might await her in his chambers.
Once in the room, though, he made no move towards her. Instead, he undressed himself and then got comfortable in the bed.