by Lily Thomas
Dryden took in all the hustle and bustle and decorations. “Then she must be alive still.”
Jasmine smiled as both dread and excitement filled her. Dread because her sister still didn’t know about the plan Lord Gothar had, and excitement for saving Adorra.
“The moment Adorra weds Lord Gothar, something could happen to her.” Jasmine looked over at Dryden, she could see her own sorrow and hope reflected back in his onyx eyes.
Dryden and Mathar gave her hope they would be able to save her sister. How could two ice giants not be able to succeed in taking care of Lord Gothar? Jasmine had complete faith in their skills.
Glancing back at Jasmine Dryden said what she already knew, “We have a plan, but we’re going to wait until nightfall. We think it unlikely this Lord Gothar will make any moves against your sister until they are alone for the night.”
“I’m just glad we had the good fortune of arriving on the wedding night.”
Dryden nodded. “I’m glad as well.”
“Afraid of me melting down if we had arrived too late?”
“Indeed. But I still have some worries about not being able to save your sister.”
Jasmine gulped. “I realize that her death could be an outcome, but I’m hoping it won’t come to that.”
It made sense to her that Lord Gothar wouldn't want anyone to witness her murder and would wait until night fell.
“It just angers me that he would be willing to kill my sister just for her wealth and convince her to fall in love with him only to break her heart. It seems overly cruel.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Jasmine turned her horse with the others and followed them back into the forest so that they could set up camp away from any prying eyes. They didn't want any poor humans wandering across them because then there were only two options. Capturing them or killing them and capturing them wasn't worth it to Dryden and Mathar, and Jasmine didn’t want anyone dying who didn’t deserve it.
Jasmine sat on the ground, while Dryden and Mathar scouted the manor from the forest edge. She tried her best not to feel any anxiety, but it was a completely lost cause.
Her stomach was tied into knots, as she thought about her sister.
Jasmine wanted to see her sister but knew Dryden wasn’t about to let her do that. In time, she would earn his trust, and she would continue to try and get the opportunity to see her sister. She also wanted to stay with Dryden see his world and his people.
This was her moment to experience a new place and culture outside of a good novel. Adorra wouldn’t understand, but as long as she was alive to not understand, that was all that mattered.
It might take some time, but Jasmine might be able to return to the manor to see her sister again.
Once the sun disappeared over the horizon and darkness settled over the forest, Dryden and Mathar came back from their scouting mission.
Unfortunately, as they sat down nearby they continued to speak in their own language, and she didn't feel like it was her place to interrupt them. Instead, she watched them hoping to get some insight into what they might be discussing, but she was unable to glean anything from their conversation. She didn’t wish to interrupt any plan making they might be doing.
Dryden had a few unsettling thoughts.
As Mathar and Dryden headed back to where they had left Jasmine, Dryden turned to Mathar for some advice. “I’ve been thinking about Jasmine's sister. I worry that when we save her, Jasmine might insist on staying.”
Mathar shrugged his broad shoulders. “We won’t know until after we save her sister. I think the best option is just to see how everything plays out.”
Dryden glared at Mathar. Never ask another warrior for advice, especially Mathar who was unromantic. “It’s not like we can let her go. I don’t think she’d intentionally spread a rumor of her captivity, but we can’t be sure.”
“At least you saved her sister. She will have to be happy with that, even if she isn’t happy living with us.”
Mathar was right. Dryden would have to wait and see what Jasmine wanted to do after they saved her sister. He felt nervous though. He wasn’t sure Jasmine would want to stay with him after this all was over.
When they entered the camp, they both took a seat across from Jasmine.
Dryden glanced over her way. She was beautiful, but her personality had also pulled him in. She was spunky even when drugged, and in bed, she was feisty and outgoing. He loved hearing her sounds of pleasure, and he wanted more time with her.
Dryden could see how kind-hearted she was, how fragile. Dryden wished to make her smile and take away all of her fears. He knew he would follow her to the ends of the land if she asked.
A human female and an ice giant male?
It definitely would be the most interesting relationship to have formed… or maybe not. There was still the mystery of the fire giant king and his human female. Dryden would have to get some information about that at some point if only to sate his curiosity.
Mathar interrupted Dryden's brooding. “I can tell you’re worried, but you always have the choice to talk to her about your feelings.” He grumped. “Instead of me.”
Seeing he hadn't really reassured Dryden any Mathar tried again, “Anyone with eyes can see Jasmine has feelings for you, just like I can tell you want her to be your female. Even if I don't understand why you would want to have a human.”
Dryden took a deep calming breath. Mathar was right, he would have to sit back and see what Jasmine did.
He felt like defending himself though. “You don't need to understand why she reels me in. I just hope you would stand by my side and respect my wishes.”
Mathar inclined his head to Dryden. “I will always back your decision. I just hope you’ve made the right decision about her.”
Getting back to business Mathar turned to his swords and daggers and checked them over. He tested the edge of the blades against one of the pads of his thumbs.
Sometimes even Dryden got goose bumps when he saw Mathar caressing his weapons. This man was pure danger, and Dryden was just glad they were on the same side… and friends.
“You ready to go in?” Dryden glanced around the darkening forest. “This wedding should be over by now according to Jasmine’s information.”
“I’m ready.”
“Try to make sure you don’t traumatize her sister if you find Lord Gothar with her.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Dryden turned to Jasmine. “It’s time to send him in. Anything more you need to tell us?”
“No.” Jasmine shook her head. “You have his description and know where they should be after the wedding.”
Mathar nodded as he gathered his things.
As Mathar was about to leave, Jasmine came to stand beside Dryden. He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders and brought her in close to his armored side.
“Thank you.” She whispered, tears in her eyes, as she looked over at Mathar.
Mathar gave her a curt nod. “I will do my best, but I can’t make any promises. There are a lot of things that could go wrong with this.”
With that, Mathar slipped into the night like the ghost he was. Dryden sent up a silent prayer that Mathar would be able to accomplish the task at hand.
Jasmine watched Mathar slip into the darkness and then turned to Dryden.
“The hardest part is going to be the waiting.” She gave a little pout. “I wish you would’ve let me be there.”
Rubbing her shoulders, Dryden guided her over to where they had originally been sitting down.
“I will put up the tent for us. Mathar will have to wait for the right moment, and I have no idea how long that may take. It’s best that he went alone. I know you want to see your sister, but if this Lord Gothar realizes you’re alive, he might bolt or try to take you out again.”
Anxiousness built within her. She wanted to be with Mathar, to see her sister and know with her own two eyes that her sister was safe from the grasp
ing hands of Lord Gothar.
But she would have to trust Mathar would take care of her sister, even if he wasn’t the biggest fan of hers.
“How will Mathar take care of Lord Gothar?” Jasmine turned to Dryden. “You still haven’t told me much about the plan.”
Her muscles were so tight, and she felt so high strung.
“It isn’t much of a plan, to be honest.”
“That gives me confidence.”
“Mathar will do his best. Let’s hope they go to your sister’s chambers for their wedding night or this might not work.”
Dryden took his tent roll off the back of his horse and quickly put up the fur tent and ushered her into it.
“Aren’t you joining me?” Jasmine asked when she noticed he wasn’t coming inside with her.
“I’m going to patrol the area around the camp while you sleep.”
“You think I can sleep?”
“Lay down and close your eyes. Sleep will find you soon enough.”
Jasmine walked into the fur tent to get some rest. But rest she did not get because all her mind could think about was her sister in Lord Gothar’s clutches.
Then as the night drew on Jasmine eventually fell asleep, since her anxious body needed a break from all her worrying.
Dryden patrolled the area around the camp for most of the night. Nothing exciting happened. It was a quiet night, but he stayed on high alert. If a human wandered across them, he would have to kill them. There was no way he could trust any human would stay silent about seeing ice giants in the forest.
He listened to the sounds of the forest for most of the night, the animals that went scurrying from place to place, and the trees rustling in the slight wind.
This area was so different from where he lived high in the mountains. There wasn't even any snow at this elevation. To him, it even felt warm.
No wonder the humans had left the ice giants alone in their mountains. Why would a human want to go and live up in the treacherous snowy mountains? Especially, when they had such a lovely climate down here on the plains.
Every once in a while, Dryden would walk back to the camp to check on Jasmine. He didn't want her to wake and be all alone or decide she needed to assist her sister before giving Mathar a chance.
As the wee hours of the morning crept into the sky, Dryden saw Mathar approach.
“How went it?” Dryden asked eager for any information on how the mission had gone. He wanted the news to be good. Needed it to be good news for Jasmine.
Mathar sent him a feral smile. “Our dear Lord Gothar is now laying in a pool of his own blood.”
Now and then Mathar shocked Dryden. Mathar was born to be an assassin.
Dryden was pleased. Now he had some good news to deliver to Jasmine, but first, “And Jasmine's sister?” He asked his heart in his throat.
“Shocked, I would assume. How do you think she reacted to having her husband killed in front of her?”
“In front of her?” Dryden wiped a hand down the front of his face. Could Mathar have at least tried to be subtler? “Let's try not to mention that part to Jasmine.”
“The only moment I had to get my hands on Lord Gothar was when he went to his dear bride's room to solidify their nuptials. You should just be glad I saved her life.”
Dryden put a hand over his eyes and shook his head. Unbelievable. “Be sure not to tell Jasmine. I think she was hoping her sister would not be in the same room when you took care of Lord Gothar.”
“As you wish, but I must clean my sword, so I’ll leave the talking to you,” Mathar informed him.
She had the most pleasant dream. Jasmine dreamt she was back with her sister, Lord Gothar was long gone, and all their problems were solved. They’d been discussing the future, what they planned to do with the manor, and talked nothing of men and the complications they brought.
The next thing she knew Dryden was sitting beside her stroking her hair until she woke. It took her a few seconds, but then reality hit her, and she sat up suddenly.
“My sister?” Jasmine asked, hoping beyond hope he would have good news.
Smiling down at her he replied, “Your sister is safe and sound. Mathar says Lord Gothar will never bother your sister again.” He smiled down at her, and she saw she wasn’t the only one who was happy with the outcome.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Jasmine raised a hand to her head. “I worried most of the night away thinking it might not work out. I know Adorra will be upset by his death, but at least she will be alive to mourn him.”
“You can let your fears rest, Jasmine.” Dryden looked to the opening of the tent. “But we’ll need to move in case the humans decide to search the area for the killer. I don’t want to be here if they do.”
But Jasmine was still celebrating their success and didn’t hear exactly what he was saying to her. As relief flooded her, she jumped into Dryden's arms to give him a huge hug.
“Again, I thank you for what you’ve done. I don't know how to repay your kindness.” Jasmine whispered into his ear her brown hair mixing with his silver hair.
Leaning away from his shoulder she looked up into his eyes. His head came down, so he could give her an emotionally filled kiss. His hand came up to brush the hair near the side of her face, and as she gazed into those black eyes of his, she could see a slight sadness.
Was this a goodbye?
Panic shot straight through her. Did Dryden not want to take her with him when he left?
“Should we not be going as you suggested?” Jasmine asked, unable to ask him if he planned on leaving her with her people. She didn't want to ask a question she was scared of what the answer might be.
“We?”
She barely heard him utter the word. It was as if he thought he might’ve heard her wrong.
“Yes, when should we be leaving?” She put a little more emphasis on the word we. “Now that my sister is safe, I’m anxious to meet your people and see your side of the mountain range.” Jasmine smiled up at him.
The sight that greeted her was breathtaking. He looked so relieved, a smile quickly spread across his entire face.
Jasmine cocked her head to one side. “You do plan on taking me with you, don't you?”
“Yes. I want you to come with me and meet my people.” Dryden almost yelled. He clasped her to his chest. “I was afraid you would try to convince me to leave you with your sister.” Dryden exposed his deep fear to her.
Shaking her head, she grasped his head in between her hands. “There was no doubt in my mind I would come with you after this was taken care of. I’ll get my opportunity to see her again. I assume. Unless you keep me from her.”
“I would never dream of it, but it would require a whole new plan and a lot of grumping from Mathar.”
She laughed. “We’ll figure a way to lighten his heart.”
Jasmine's heart filled with hope.
They made their way out of the tent, and with one last look over her shoulder towards the manor, she was ready to go. She was sure her sister would one day get past Lord Gothar’s death and find her true love. It would just take some time.
She let Dryden guide her back to the horses just as the sounds of horns came from the manor. Soon men would pour through the surrounding land trying to find the culprit for Lord Gothar's death. Which meant it was time for them to get out of there as quickly as they could.
It only took them a few minutes to pack up camp, and a few more minutes to head back to ice giant territory. They set off with smiles on their faces.
Though it was not bizarre Mathar seemed a little sullener than usual, but Dryden and Jasmine gave it no second thought. Their minds solely focused on their future together.
Epilogue
Jasmine sat before a cozy fire enjoying the warmth when Dryden sat down beside her. His arms snaked around her waist holding her tightly against his side. She let out a content sigh. It’d been a few months since she’d abandoned her people to live among the ice giants.
Sh
e was so glad she’d decided to do it. Every day with Dryden had been a dream. There’d been a few giants opposed to her coming to live among them, but it was only a few. The ice giants had been affected very little by humans and judged her just based on who she was as a person.
Kicking out her legs so her feet would be closer to the fireplace she put one of her hands on her slightly rounded stomach.
The day she’d told Dryden she thought she was pregnant he’d denied it even being possible. Yet here she was, clearly three months pregnant. She felt like she kept getting bigger with each passing day. Not to mention the amount of food she was now able to put away, or maybe she was using the baby as an excuse to eat all the delicious food in sight.
Dryden's hand came up and rubbed her stomach, while he growled low in his throat. She knew he was pleased with how everything had turned out.
“Maybe we should discuss our wedding a little more.” Dryden prompted.
“Yes.” She murmured. “I actually have a request.”
“Indeed, and what might that entail exactly?”
“I would like to have my sister at my wedding.”
Silence greeted her request.
“That will not be an easy task.” Dryden started. “First we would have to get our hands on her and second she is sure to think you’ve been brainwashed or held against your will.”
“But...”
“No, buts. Let me finish. I will do my best to get your sister here for our wedding. I can see it would mean a great deal to you to have her here, but I just don’t want to make you any promises. I’m sure she won’t understand our love.”
Jasmine smiled. “I thank you, with all my heart. I’m sure I can convince her.”
“If we take her and bring her here, we might not be able to let her go back. Would you want to do that to her?”
“Adorra will be excited to have me back. She probably thinks me dead. Let me worry about her being angry with me. Without me, she has nothing back home.”