The Fire Maiden's Desire Read online

  Rachel reached into her pocket and pulled out the vial. She held it out so Jack could see it and her anger faded, replaced with a salacious grin.

  “Can you explain why you bought this for me?”

  Jack looked up and his eyes widened in shock.

  “She wasn’t supposed to tell you,” Jack argued.

  “She didn’t. You just did,” Rachel cocked one eyebrow and looked him in the eyes.

  “Wait. That I can explain,” he started but she didn’t give him the chance.

  “You’re free to go. If you want to be honest with me. I mean really honest. I’ll be at the tavern. I rented a room. I’m not going to spend my birthday in a jail cell. If you decide to show up I want the truth. All of it.” She turned and walked away without another word.

  Jack stood there full of fear and hope. She wanted the truth but if she heard it she might hate him or treat him differently. This was an impossible situation. If he didn’t show up she would definitely hate him and with good reason. He had to show up and that meant he had to tell her the truth.

  A guard came and let him out of the cell and Jack walked slowly to the tavern. It felt like a walk to the gallows.

  Chapter 13

  Jack walked somberly to the front of the tavern and noticed Rachel speaking to the city guards. She wasn’t disguised, her beautiful fiery red hair was blowing in the slight breeze. She brushed it out of her face and smiled at Jack when she noticed him.

  “I’ll talk to you in the morning,” she said to one of the guards and they all started walking. As they passed Jack they laughed. When they were almost around the corner Jack heard them speak to each other.

  “It’s really her. That thief must be the luckiest man alive,” one said.

  “I, for one, don’t care. As long as he helps her,” another replied then he heard a roar come from all the guards as they cheered.

  Jack walked up to Rachel and she was a vision. She wore men’s pants but she had sewn them to fit her womanly figure and a lacey white blouse that dipped under her neck to show off just a small amount of cleavage.

  When he reached her she didn’t say a word she just grabbed his hand and led him to the side of the tavern. There was an open field and it looked like children had been playing in it recently. There were sticks carved to look like swords and they were lined up along a section of the fence.

  Rachel released his hand then took a few steps away and faced him.

  “My real name is Rachel Volneer.” She looked at Jack with a strange smile. “I figured I’d start.”

  Jack looked confused at first then enlightenment settled in.

  “You’re the princess they’re looking for. The story…you lied.” Jack looked hurt until he realized she wasn’t the only one lying.

  “It felt horrible telling you that lie. The one person who I knew I could trust. The one person I desperately wanted to tell but there’s more to it. After you tell me the truth I’ll finish my story.” She took another step back. She undid the buckle on the belt that held up her sword, Jack’s belt. It fell to the ground and she pushed it away with her foot.

  “What are you doing?” Jack asked as she raised her fists.

  “You suck at sword fighting because no one ever taught you. You don’t suck at fighting.” She did a cartwheel and landed in front of Jack. She punched him in the nose and Jack staggered backward. She back flipped and came to rest exactly where she started. “You ready to quit being an ass and tell me the truth?”

  “I…” he started but was lost in his own thoughts again. What if she didn’t feel the same way? What if she hated him?

  Rachel did a spin and landed a few feet from Jack. She elbowed him in the ribs and he bent over. She popped him on the head playfully then sank to her knee and tripped him. Jack fell flat on his back and looked up at her.

  “Fight back. I never thought you were a coward.” She smirked and held her hand out.

  “I’m not a coward,” he snapped.

  “Then tell me why you won’t fight back. Why do you always let me win?” She boosted him to his feet then took a few steps back again.

  “It’s complicated.” He said still searching for words that wouldn’t sound stupid or childish.

  “And what about all those waitresses?” she asked knowingly. “What about Mary?”

  “That little shit! What did Dave tell you?” Jack asked, his anger a much easier emotion to focus on.

  “Why don’t you tell me?” Rachel asked. She crossed her arms and waited.

  “There were no waitresses,” Jack admitted.

  “None? Then why did you make them up?” she asked with a grin. She knew they were all fake, at least now she did. Dave had told her about the night with Mary and she had pieced the rest together.

  “None of them were real. I don’t know why I made them up,” Jack struggled. The anger was gone and now he was stuck.

  “Tell me why,” Rachel ordered.

  “I don’t know,” Jack lied.

  “This one’s going to hurt,” she warned as she spun again and lifted her leg to kick him in the jaw. He adeptly caught her foot and pushed her back.

  “This is difficult,” he said.

  She didn’t give him time to think. She threw an elbow at his face and he blocked. She tried to kick his feet out from under him and he stopped her foot with his own. Then she tried to punch him in the nose again and he flipped her over onto her back.

  She stared up at him with a silly smile.

  “That’s better.” She lept to her feet. “Do I need to keep going?”

  “It’s complicated,” he said and looked down at his feet.

  “No, it’s not!” she yelled getting frustrated. “Just tell me why you made them all up. Why you let me think that you were some lady’s man? Was it to keep me from seeing the truth? Why do you always let me win? Why do you tell everyone I’m such a great fighter when you could beat me in your sleep? What could make a man like you pretend to be a wuss? Was that also to keep me away from the truth?” She smiled at him smugly already knowing the answer.

  “Fine!” Jack yelled back. “I’m in love with you!” He looked at her face and waited for the words he was sure were going to come out.

  “Was that so hard?” she smirked then grabbed his hand. Jack walked beside her, unsure of what had just happened. Did she not care? Did she agree? Was she angry?

  She led him inside the tavern and up to her room. Once inside she shut the door and locked it. Jack could swear he heard her mumble something about ‘not getting away so easily’ but he wasn’t quite sure.

  She pulled out the vial and twirled in her hand. It almost slipped but she caught it with a grin.

  “Careful that’s really expensive,” he said and realized how petty it sounded.

  “How much did this cost you?” she asked. The devious grin on her face didn’t give him a clue as to what was really on her mind.

  “Ninety five,” he said looking at the floor.

  “You got robbed!” she laughed.

  “I know,” he said solemnly.

  “But it was for a good cause, right? You hoped that I’d use it with you.” Her smile still kept her secrets from him.

  “Well, kind of. At first, then when I found out that I…when I found out what I had to do,” he said and looked at her. “I figured you could use it with Dave.”

  Rachel nearly fell over laughing and when she finally caught her breath her sly smile returned.

  “You think me and…Dave?” she tried to keep the laugh inside.

  “You guys spend a lot of time together. Laughing…dancing,” he lifted his eyebrows to emphasize his point.

  “Even if Dave wasn’t Chuck’s boyfriend I’d still pick you, doofus,” she said as she plopped down on the bed.

  A smile started to form on Jack’s face.

  “I guess it’s time to tell you the rest. The part I never told anyone.” She looked at him intently. “Not even Dave.” She leaned back on her hands and let the via
l rest on the bed.

  “I’ve been looking for a man for eight years. Ever since the day I saw my first seer and she told me of the mysterious man that could save me. I am fated to give birth to a demon that will destroy the world. Doesn’t need a special father. If I have a child, it will be the demon. I’m cursed.” She looked at Jack expecting surprise or even disbelief but he was hanging on every word, waiting for more. Somehow she knew that Jack would understand and she wasn’t disappointed.

  “Recently I met a very gifted seer that said I was going to meet him soon. It was all very cryptic but basically he needs to be willing to give up everything to save me.” Rachel looked at Jack with concern on her face.

  “I don’t mind. I know it’s me,” he interrupted.

  “I figured it out,” she said and sat up. She leaned her elbows on her knees and put her palms on her forehead. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t ask.” Jack was now the one smiling. “If I really am this man then I won’t take no for an answer. Right?”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she said and looked at him.

  “You’re worth it,” he smiled. “I’d be happy to die to save your life. What the hell else am I good for? Before I met you I was a common thief. Probably would have ended up being a murderer and a bandit by now.”

  “I didn’t do anything. You did that yourself,” Rachel argued.

  “You didn’t have to do anything. I did it to be someone you might like. Maybe even love.” Jack looked at her hopefully.

  “That’s it!” she yelled and picked up the vial.

  Jack’s heart raced and he stood to object. Before Jack could say anything Rachel downed the vial and stood up to face him.

  “If you’re going to die for me. I want to at least share one night with you,” she looked into his eyes and kissed him. She pushed away and stared into his eyes. “I’ve been in love with you for a while now. I just didn’t want my life to ruin yours. Seems like there’s no point in hiding it anymore.”

  Rachel pulled Jack’s shirt over his head then he helped her with her own. She smiled and pulled him back on to the bed. When they landed she kissed him again. His hands searched her body, wanting to touch every part of her then found their way to her pants and undid them. She stood and let them fall to the floor. The shocked look on Jack’s face gave her pause.

  “Everything you hoped for?” she asked with a giggle.

  “Far beyond anything I could have imagined,” he replied as he stood. She undid his pants and pulled them down. Jack lifted her up and tossed her onto the bed. He knelt beside her on the bed and she looked up, biting her lip. “I’m not sure where to start,” he laughed. He had wanted this for so long that his mind was a mess of all the things he’d planned to do.

  “How about here?” She pulled his head to her breast and he suckled it. She let out a moan that made him shudder. “I changed my mind,” she said with the same breathy voice he had heard when he spied on her.

  She grabbed him and eased him on top of her then lifted her hips as he slid into her. He watched her face intently. A mix of pleasure and discomfort that confused him.

  “Oh shit! Oh shit!” she exclaimed as he slowly filled her.

  “Are you ok?” he asked.

  She grinned up at him and bit her lip again. She stared at him and he was afraid to move.

  “I’m great,” she replied almost purring. She smirked and put her hands on his hips. She pulled him farther in and rocked her hips to meet him. She gasped as he settled completely inside of her then she pushed his hips away. “You’re not going fast enough,” she complained and he obeyed. Rachel threw her head back and pulled him hard into her once again. “Better.” she gasped, almost out of breath. He picked up speed and thrust into her more forcefully, just as she ordered. He was rewarded with more moans and soft noises of contentment. She moved with him, helping him, then she pulled her hands away.

  Rachel bit her lip as she looked into his eyes. She looked so beautiful, so content. He slowed as he looked back at her and her expression turned cross.

  “Don’t you dare stop,” she ordered. He returned to the rhythmic motion and she ran her hands across her breasts as her breath came quicker. She looked like she was enjoying herself as much as she was enjoying him and it only urged him on. Her hips started to move in time with him and then she started to squirm. “Don’t stop!” she ordered again. Her moans increased in pitch and she threw her head back again to let out a loud moan. She wrapped her legs around him and they urged him to thrust harder. Her hands found their way back to his hips and they urged him even more. “Yes.” She said softly. “Yes!” she said again louder. “YES!” she screamed and her legs tightened. Her nails dug into his hips. She struggled to hold on but the building pleasure made her lose her grip. Her hands clapped hard on his back and she dug her nails in, desperately clinging to him as if she might fall. She threw her head back and her whole body shuddered. His body tensed and she moaned louder. She held on tightly as the waves of pleasure hit her again and again, then they were both still. When the blinding light faded it left them both dazed and uncertain of what to do next. They clung to each other, not wanting to be apart. Jack smiled and rolled onto his side. Rachel pushed him onto his back and followed his roll, not wanting to break their connection. She sat above him and looked down then laid herself on his chest. He caressed her back as she traced the muscles in his arms with her nails.

  “Was that ok or do you want a refund?” he joked.

  “It was a good start. I think I’ll get my money’s worth.” She pulled her head up and looked him in the eyes. So that’s what the purple was for. His eyes were still mostly grey but the purple tint was everywhere now.

  Chapter 14

  Jack woke in the morning, well, it was technically still morning. He hadn’t slept that long in years. It had to be close to noon. He had stayed up with Rachel until dawn talking and laughing, this was after Rachel finally got her money’s worth. He smiled as he looked around the room then concern set in. Where had Rachel gone?

  Jack dressed and headed out of the tavern then he finally came across Dave and Chuck. They looked worried and were heading straight for him. They weren’t running but their pace was brisk.

  “Jack!” Dave called out when he was close enough that he thought Jack might hear him. He started running and Chuck followed behind him.

  “Where’s Rachel?” Jack asked.

  “He took her!” Chuck yelled as he finally caught up.

  “Who?” Jack asked, matching their worry.

  “Xavier took her, just about ten minutes ago,” Dave answered.

  Jack paced a few times then took off toward their camp.

  “Where you going?” Dave asked.

  Without stopping Jack yelled back.

  “To get my sword!” He didn’t even turn around and was gone before they could ask any more questions. When he got back they were still standing where he’d left them.

  “Now I need a horse,” Jack said confidently.

  “Where are you going? You can’t take him on yourself,” Dave argued.

  “Won’t matter. All I have to do is die and she will be safe.” Jack started walking toward the stables. He didn’t even sound upset about it.

  “What do you mean all you have to do is die?” Dave asked as he caught up with Jack.

  “Long story but I’m not going to just walk in and say ‘Kill me’,” Jack laughed. “I’ll fight until they finally take me out, then she will be fine.”

  When Jack got to the stables he noticed the captain of the guard was there.

  “Captain can I have a horse to go help Princess Rachel?” Jack asked. It sounded so strange to call her princess. The woman who wore men’s pants all the time was a princess. The woman who made him so happy for so long, despite the frustration of secretly being in love with her. The woman he was willing to die for. He could hardly believe she was the princess but it was true.

  “Fine, but just you
,” he snapped.

  Dave puffed up and Jack thought he was going to attack the man. His face got red and his hands were balled into fists at his side.

  “I’m going too, dad! And you can’t stop me!” Dave yelled and stood his ground. When his father didn’t reply he yelled again. “And this is Charlemagne.” Dave pointed to Chuck.

  “You can call me Chuck,” he said with a weak wave, cringing the whole time.

  “So, this is him?” the captain asked. He didn’t seem to match Dave’s anger but he did look upset.