*****Thanks to YolieB for the cool cover art!*****
Jade was convinced that she was going to burn to ash. Everywhere that Reiner's touched her skin heated to an almost unbearable degree. He kissed her fiercely and she returned in kind. At some point in the back of Jade's mind she registered a chair being overturned but neither of them paused. Her back was to the wall now, her body pinned by Reiner's hips and lips. One of his hands was firmly tangled in her hair while the other found its way under her shirt and up her spine.
Company, Jade pulled away and shoved Reiner back with both hands.
"What?" he asked worried. "Did I hurt you?" Before Jade could open her mouth a knock came at the door. Reiner eyes widened and Jade grabbed the wooden chair that had been knocked aside and righted it. "Shit," Reiner turned away from Jade and ran his hands through his hair and tucked in his shirt. They were both a mess and Jade ran a hand down her hair to smooth it from where Reiner had messed it. She straightened her own clothes and went to open the door. When she turned to look Reiner was sitting in his chair next to the fire as if nothing had happened. Though she did not miss the small purpling bruise forming on his neck, she hoped no else too notice.
Jade opened the door and stepped aside. "Come in," she said with a warm smile. Charles, Thatcher, and Louisa entered followed by Phantom. Her wolf paused by her and gazed up, he knew what she and Reiner had been up to and she flushed with embarrassment. She was pleased to discover that Phantom was not disturbed by her actions but amused by them. She shut the door and stroked him once between the ears and gave her attention to the room. Charles and Louisa sat near Reiner by the fire and Thatcher stood only a few feet away.
Jade listened as Charles and Louisa filled Reiner in on the rest of the meeting with the family. "He's preparing for a war," Charles said. "He's pushing our plans up, so we will be leaving at the end of the week. You are to prepare the men you have chosen and then we will make for Felkor with all haste. If there is to be a fight he wants Felkor secured as quickly as possible. We cannot afford a wild card on the brink of war."
"What of Fishburn? Have we any new information?" Reiner asked.
"None," Louisa answered. "Which is why we need an answer from Felkor as soon as possible. If Fishburn has plans to cause a civil war then Felkor will be the first to know. If we have them on our side we will be one step ahead, if we cannot get them on our side then we must split our forces and cover both ends of the board." Charles nodded his head in agreement to his little sister.
"It seems the pressure on our plans continue to grow," Reiner shook his head.
"It does indeed," Charles agreed. "Thatcher is the only guard coming with me, the less people we have with us the better."
"I agree," Reiner nodded. "We don't share our plans and we keep on the roads. If the Northmen mean to take my life they will have to find me first."
"What of the prisoners, have we gotten any information from them?" Jade spoke up and they turned to her.
"None," Charles shook his head.
"What methods are being used?" Jade asked.
"Whatever methods necessary," Reiner assured her and Louisa tilted her head.
"Reiner, what happened to your neck?" Louisa asked and Jade froze. Reiner's fingers went to his neck to feel where Louisa indicated.
"Oh, this?" Reiner smiled. "Sparring practice, someone got a lucky hit." He glanced passingly to Jade.
"You might want to ice it, it looks like it might get worse," she shook her head. The three siblings spoke for hours. Charles and Reiner planned their trip and Louisa pipped in her opinions when she felt they were needed. Halfway through their conversation Jade excused herself to the hallway as a fit came over her. Phantom remained at her side and Jade coughed violently. The taste of blood seemed to never leave her tongue. She felt weak after it passed and she leaned her back against the wall and stood quietly in the darkened hallway to catch her breath.
In a few days she would be riding toward Felkor and almost certain trouble. She wasn't sure what she would do when the time came but she knew she had to face her past. The door opened and Thatcher appeared, he closed the door behind him and the hallway fell back into darkness. "Thatcher," Jade greeted but did not remove herself from the wall.
"Your condition worsens," he said to her.
"It's just a cough," she dismissed him. He moved like a snake and suddenly his hand was on her face. Phantom snapped a warning growl but as quickly as he moved toward her he back away again. He lifted his thumb to his face and then locked eyes with Jade.
"The scent of blood is unmistakable to a wolf," Thatcher said coolly and Jade saw the dark mark on his thumb, even in the dim light she knew—her blood.
"It's nothing," Jade felt her heart quicken.
"It's everything," Thatcher said simply and brush his thumb across his cloak, erasing the evidence.
"What do you want, Thatcher?" she demanded.
"I want what is right for Felkor," he said firmly. "I want what are people deserve."
"And what is that exactly?" she asked searching his unreadable face.
"Justice," he said.
"When we reach Felkor..." Jade paused. "Where will your allegiance be?"
A small chilling smile came to Thatcher's lips. "Where it belongs," he assured her and then went back to Reiner's room without another word. Jade shivered and looked down to Phantom but he gave no warning or opinion. As always he was frustratingly neutral toward Thatcher and his wolf. When Charles and Louisa finally left it was late into the night and Reiner closed the door with a long breath once they were gone.
Jade stood off to the side and watched him carefully and he returned the favor. "Sparring practice?" Jade asked.
"It seemed to best excuse at the time," he admitted.
"I guess it wasn't a total lie," she conceded.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. "I didn't miss that you left."
"I'm fine," Jade assured him. She was tired but the attacks were less violet than they had been in the past. More frequent but there was considerably less blood and she had vomited from the pain. "Thatcher knows," she said.
"How?" he frowned.
"I think his wolf knew and to be fair Thatcher is observant. I should have been more careful," she said with a shrug.
"You don't exactly have much of a choice," he told her. "You've done the best you can." He stepped toward her then and took her hands into his own. They stood for a time, simply observing each other's faces and holding hands. The simple touch and connection was reassuring to Jade and it warmed her to the core.
"Would your father grant me permission to see the Northmen prisoners?" she asked him.
Reiner frowned. "I'm sure he'd give you a castle if you asked for it, but why would you want to?" he asked and Jade chewed the inside of her cheek.
"I think...I might be able to get them to speak," she said honestly.
"How? More of your Protector's training?" he asked.
"No, just an idea," she said honestly. "I'm not trained to torture, but I think I have an idea that just might work."
"Tonight?" he asked and she nodded. "And I'd like to go alone. I'll only need a translator."
"I'll go personally and find my father," Reiner dropped her hands and left, Phantom went with him and Jade sat by the fire and waited. After an hour Reiner finally returned and nodded his head. "He gave his permission; the guards know to let you enter. You're sure you want to go alone? I don't like the idea of you going down there..." he admitted.
"I'll be fine. You should get some rest. If we have to leave by the end of the week then we have a lot of work to do," Jade motion to the bedroom and Reiner nodded slowly. He hesitated for a moment then came forward and leaned over to kiss Jade. It was a short soft kiss and when he straightened he smiled.
"Goodnight," he said.
She returned the smile. "Good night."
The cells beneath the palace were not a pleasant place. It was cold under the ground and the stone walls seemed to soak all the light until only dark shadows and flickering light remained. The guards had granted Jade entrance and the translator she requested followed behind. They followed the guard down the row of heavy wooden doors until they reached the end. He produced a ring of keys and looked up at Jade. "I'll be just outside here if you need anything," he glanced at her katana and Phantom. "Though I don't think you'll need my help." Jade thanked the man and entered the cell. The air was stale with sweat and blood and excrement. The translator stood by the door once it shut and Jade and Phantom approached.
The man was badly beaten and one of his hands was shackled with a chain on the wall. "They tell me you understand some of the common tongue," Jade said to him and he looked up at her. One eye was swollen shut.
"Yes," he said simply. Phantom moved forward and growled low in his chest—a dark reverberating sound that seemed to shake the very stones around them. The man's good eye widened and he tried to scurry away but his chain rain out of length and stopped him. Phantom continued to approach and the man spoke quickly in his native language and the translator spoke from behind.
"He's calling him a devil wolf. He's begging for you to call him off." Jade reached out and placed a hand on Phantoms fur to stop him and crouched in front of the man so she was close. However dangerous a killer he might be she felt no fear of him.
"You are familiar with Dire wolves?" Jade asked. The man recognized the name but shook his head and the translator spoke her words for him. He kept his eyes on Jade.
"Yes," he said in the common tongue.
"Tell me what your people know about them," she said. She waited for the translator to speak her words and the man started speaking, his eyes avoided Phantoms gaze like a sickness. The translator was a sentence behind but the words still unfolded.
"They are equally worshipped and feared," he says. "They live in the north where even his people do not wander. It is rumored that the beasts eat and sleep on the ice and can survive a winter without food or a drop of water. It is said that magic still lives within them, an old magic long forgotten, it is said that if you stare into the eyes of the Dire Wolf too long you will lose your soul to them." The translator pauses and speaks the Northmen's language. It sounded like a question and Jade listen as the north men repeats a phrase. "Sorry, he's using a word I've never heard before. But I think he says that they follow the magician?"
Jade frowned. "Ask him if he is familiar with Felkor and the Great Wolves," she told the translator. The man spoke quickly and smoothly and the Northman looked at Jade.
He nodded and spoke. "He says Protectors are well known among his people. They have heard many stories of the men who bond with wolves. He says that you are not a Protector because Dire Wolves do not bond to men, they follow...sorry he's using that word again, magician?" The translator apologizes and Jade observes the Northmen.
"This wolf came to me," Jade says and the translator mimics her words. "he bonded to me and I to him. If you do not wish to lose your soul you will tell me what I wish to hear." She waited for the translator to finish and the Northmen glanced at Phantom then quickly back to Jade and nodded. Superstition was on her side it seemed.
"Why do the Northmen hunt the young prince?" she asked.
The Northmen was quiet and she tapped Phantom's fur discreetly and he snapped at the man and he yelped and spoke. "He says he was following the orders of his leader."
Jade frowned. "Is the north declaring war on the royal family?"
"He doesn't know of such things. There was a man who came to his leader and when he left they set out for the south, he said they were ordered to hunt down the young prince." Jade shook her head.
"Who came to your leader?"
"He doesn't know."
"What did he look like?" she asked.
"He was wearing a dark cloak, he never saw his face. He only spoke to their leader and then he left."
Jade cursed and stood up but the Northmen continued to speak and she waiting as the translator listened. "He says he will follow any command you give him, he says he will fight and die for you." Jade waited a moment and observed the Northmen in the dark and then she turned and left. Her mind wheeled with a hundred thoughts and she thanked the translator and left back for her rooms.
She unstrapped her Katana and knife and took of her cloak and boots. She wasn't sure what drew her across her room but she walked to Reiner's room and opened the door. He was asleep on the bed, the room was dark and she told Phantom to stay at the door and closed it behind her. The mattress dipped from her weight and Reiner's eyes fluttered open.
"Jade?" he asked confused.
"I'm back," she said. "I spoke with the Northmen."
Reiner propped himself up onto an elbow. "What did he say?" he asked.
She told him what she discovered and Reiner frowned, the sleep was gone from his eyes. "So someone ordered the Northmen to attack me?" he asked confused. "That doesn't make sense."
"I don't know what to make of it," Jade agreed. "If the northern tribes are acting separately then your father might be wrong about a coming war. Someone wants you dead and they are going to great lengths to keep their identity a secret."
Reiner leaned back against his pillow and rubbed his eyes. "Why me?" he asked.
She shook her head, "I'm not entirely sure." Reiner looked at Jade and sat up again, he ran his hand along her arm and gripped her neck gently and kissed her. She did not protest and he pulled her forward until she was straddled across his waist and lying halfway on his bare chest. He kissed her until she was out of breath and his hands trailed across her skin and up her shirt. Jade did not stop him, the fire from earlier had not dissipated or lost, in fact it seemed hotter than before. Reiner flipped Jade off him and onto the bed pressed his lips to hers and she gripped his hair tightly as his hands roamed under her tunic.
"Reiner," she said breathless and he paused. His hair stood in every direction and his breathing was faster than before, it matched her heartbeat.
"What is it?" he asked quietly, his hands paused on her skin. Jade pushed herself up, forcing Reiner to sit on his knees on either side of her hips.
"We're still not thinking about the other things, right?" she asked, repeating their earlier conversation.
"Definitely not," he nodded once, a small smile on his lips."
"Good," she said quietly and pulled her tunic over her head and tossed it aside where it fell quietly to the floor somewhere at the base of the bed.
"Jade," he said looking at her body. "I don't..." he looked into her eyes. "I don't want to take advantage of you."
"I'm here of my own will," she assured him.
"That's not what I mean," he reached out and cupped her cheek with his hand. "I care about you deeply, if we..." He swallowed. "I don't want you to think things will change if we walk down this path because they can't. If we do this it's because I care for you but it's not a promise and I don't want you to think that I did this only because I wanted to use you. Do you understand?"
Jade leaned forward and kissed his forehead lightly. "Reiner, I have never lived my life with much expectation. I will take tonight only for what it is and nothing more. One day at a time, one kiss at a time. I will not think any less of you, I can't. For tonight," Jade whispered and kissed him lightly. "I am a woman and you are a man. We will leave the prince and protector at the door." Reiner's lips found her neck, her color bone, and then her chest. She lost herself in his taste and touch and wrapped herself around him. There were no secrets between them and as the night gave way to morning Jade knew she would never feel more like a woman than when she was with Reiner.
When Jade woke early the next morning Reiner's face was near hers and an arm was thrown casually over her bare hip. She watched his face as he slept. His long eyelashes fell onto his cheeks and his lips were slightly swollen, she noticed too the marks on his neck and chest that had been left by her. She reached out to Phantom, who was resting comfortably by the door. The sun was just beginning to lighten the room, so Jade knew they still had some time before they would be force to rise.
Reiner stirred then, as if her gaze and thoughts had woken him. When he eyes focused onto Jade's face he smiled at her and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Good morning," he mumbled half asleep.
"Good morning," she smiled in return.
"I was really hoping all of that wasn't a dream," he said and removed his hand from her hip to run a hand through his hair.
"It wasn't," she assured him.
"God," he shook his hand and pull Jade closer to him. "You're beautiful," he told her. "Please don't ever doubt that for a second." Jade blushed. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked. "I didn't hurt you?"
"Not at all," she assured him. "You were my first but that doesn't mean there was pain. I grew up riding horses and climbing trees, so I suspected that I wouldn't have trouble with that when the time came."
"Ah...I see," Reiner flushed and nodded. She laughed at his embarrassment on the topic despite that they had seen each other naked—were still naked. He kissed her again and a knocked came at the door. They both froze and Jade pushed out to Phantom for an explanation as to why he didn't warn her.
Kitten, he said to her.
"You two better cover yourselves," Louisa's voice came from the other side of the door. Reiner and Jade both reached for the tangled blankets and the door swung open. Phantom sat in the doorway while Louisa entered promptly. She was already dressed for the day and she stood at the base of the bed and folded her arms across her chest.
"Just as I suspected," she nodded firmly and grinned.
"Louisa," Reiner said angrily. "What are you doing here?"
"Confirming my suspicion of course," she told him. "You really think I would believe the lie of a sparring match? I know a love mark when I see one. The girls around court find it to be a rather amusing game to see where they can leave one on the boys."
"Louisa," Jade began but Louisa held up her hand.
"No, now let me speak," she told them both. Jade knew they didn't have a choice; they were in a precarious situation.
"I don't know what you mean to accomplish by this but I'm not blind. You two care for each other and you're both adults so it's your choice. I respect both of you so I won't speak a word of this to anyone but I think what you're doing is very foolish," she told them seriously.
"You won't say anything?" Reiner asked confused.
"Of course not," she waved her hand. "I'm young but I'm not stupid. I know something like this could be disastrous if it ever got out. It would be different if she was simply a companion but she's not. She's your sworn and you are a prince, I won't presume to understand your actions but I hope you understand the weight of this."
"We do," Reiner assured her. His hand found Jade's under the blanket and his fingers laced with hers.
"Good, now that I've spoken my peace..." Louisa hopped onto the bed. "Tell me how all this started, what is love at first sight or did you suddenly realize you had a passion for each other?"
Reiner groaned loudly and Jade couldn't help but smile and Louisa, she was young but she was wise past her years. Jade knew all the more that she would do just fine in the court. "Louisa, now is not the time. I would like to put on some clothes, you are making me very uncomfortable," he said.
"Fine, you're such a baby," she left them then and Reiner buried his face into Jade's neck.
"Should we get rid of her now or wait and send an assassin later?" Jade laughed and pushed him off. She slipped out of the bed and found her clothes scattered around the room.
"Your sister cares for you very much, I think you should think hard on a gift to show your appreciation," Jade told him and pulled on her trousers. Reiner watched her dress from the bed, his hands folded behind his head.
"Maybe, or I could get rid of her," he said with a smile.
"I will handle your sister; you need to inform your father what I learned last night. He needs to know that there is someone pulling the strings," Jade picked up his clothes and threw them to him. He caught them and Jade opened the door and left the room. Louisa was petting Phantom when she entered.
"Will you come with me to the baths? We can talk in length that way," she offered her hand to Louisa and the young girl took it with a smile.
"That would please me greatly," Louisa said formally and Jade told Phantom to stick with Reiner. Together the girls walked to the baths. Jade dismissed the attendants after the curtains were closed and Louisa sat on the edge of the tub with her feet in the water while Jade spoke.
"So you two haven't even discussed this yet?" Louisa asked when she finished.
Jade shook her head. "No," she said. "It's happened rather suddenly I'm afraid and we haven't laid out the groundwork for what is to come. Last night was...well it was what it was but I don't think we can risk this again. There is too much going on for us to indulge in petty desires and wants. I care for Reiner and I don't wish to hurt him and I'm afraid I will."
"But he kissed you first?" Louisa asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "When we were hiding from the Northmen, I know his adrenaline was pumping and he had almost died. I was the first girl he saw, it's not uncommon." Jade heard plenty of stories of how men needed to feel alive after facing death. Woman and alcohol were usually the two answers.
"It's more than that," Louisa assured Jade. "I know how he looks at you and I've seen you looking at him. I think that's why it's more dangerous, because this isn't just some passing desire. You two are in danger of falling in love."
Jade rested her chin on the edge of the bath and glanced sideways at Louisa. "I'm sworn to your brother first," Jade said. "I will die for him before I let harm come to him or let my feels get in the way. His safety is first, always. What I may or may not feel plays no role in my duties."
"Well, I don't envy your situation. Of course, I probably won't get a say in who I marry so at least you got to choose to be with someone you respect and care about."
"I'm sure you'll get some say, your mother cares for her children," Jade told her.
"Yes, but if there is a war brewing and I can help keep the peace it's my duty also to take such actions," Louisa told her. "Peace and love are luxuries."
"Does it frighten you?" Jade asked. "The prospect of marrying a man you hardly know and living somewhere else?"
"Not terribly," she admitted. "I wish to see the world and if I don't live here at the Capital I have a better chance at dictating my own household. Besides, mother and father didn't marry for love and they do love each other, it's not always a bad thing to be told who to marry."
Jade looked away from Louisa, imagining her life as a highborn back in Felkor. She would have been forced to marry to continue her bloodline but at least the choice would have been hers. "It seems we both have our duties," Jade told her.
Louisa smiled, "Yes but at least I'm a princess."
Jade laughed and Louisa offered to braid her hair which she accepted. Jade knew Louisa wanted to go with her two brothers to Felkor. She also knew she was brave enough to go to war if she was allowed so Jade enjoyed having a private conversation with the princess. She got along with Louisa without fake pretense. When Jade's hair was braided and she was dressed in her fresh uniform Louisa walked back to her room with her.
"I'm glad my brother has you," Louisa said. "Even if it was just for one night and even if it's temporary I'm glad he finally let someone in. He needs to heal." She hugged Jade and said her goodbyes. "I probably won't see you again until you leave, promise to take care of them for me?"
"Of course," Jade nodded, echoing her promise to the queen. She watched Louisa go and slipped into her room to wait for Reiner to return from talking to the king.