Chapter seven
Bumper gazed round the camp site, grimly taking in all the carnage. He felt like spitting onto the ground in anger.
Parasites.
Lying hidden, waiting to ambush them. Like the cunning cowards they were.
He had lost two good men. One had his insides torn out with poisonous claws and had died instantly. He was the lucky one. The other was bitten at the neck, his artery almost ripped out and his would be a slow, painful death. They tried to make the poor man comfortable but Bumper had watched the fever took hold, burning him on the inside. He was a strong soldier and would have made the conversion to their kind but he had fixed his half mad eyes on Bumper. Through the madness, a flicker of sanity and fear was there and he was silently pleading with his commander as the fever raged on.
End this. I don't want to turn.
Bumper had nodded, ordering everyone out of the tent before doing the deed. He understood why he had to do it but he didn't like it all the same. Luke O'Cullenain owed him two lives and if he met that blond charmer again, Bumper would gladly collect his debt.
"Commander."
Bumper turned to face Robert, his second-in-charge.
"Any survivors?" Bumper asked.
"Only one but he is not going to last very long," Robert reported. "His mind is already gone. I couldn't find out anything."
"Let's see it," Bumper retorted and he strode after Robert towards the back of the camp. What Robert said was true. The man was a snarling mess with wild eyes, drooling copiously, lips shredded through his fangs. He was already tearing at his own clothes and flesh. Bumper sniffed – the man was a newly turned vampire and now abandoned by his coven. He would not survive. Bumper closed his eyes and concentrated at the edge of that mad mind.
What does Luke O'Cullenain want? What was his plan?
The mind was dark and angry and spiraling out of control.
And then he found it.
Bumper opened his eyes. It was a brief glance; almost like something the man saw in passing but Bumper saw it. A picture of one of the rooms in the O'Cullenain's stronghold and what it was intended for. And now he had to hurry.
He was striding away when Robert called out to him. "Commander, what should we do with him?"
"He is going to kill himself soon. I suggest we do the job properly," Bumper said mildly. "Burn the carcass with the others. Make sure it's all burned to ashes."
"As you ordered, Commander."
Bumper brooded a little, thinking. "I will be in my tent. Send me Ned. I need him to deliver a few messages. And I will be speaking to Lady Beale."
Lady Chloe Beale always greeted the rising sun. She loved the way the dark sky lightened slowly from black to indigo to blue, getting lighter with pink hues spreading like spilled watercolours before the sun finally rises, blazing and bright. She loved the way the sun rays will kiss her copper curls, setting her hair into a halo of red fire. And she loved the warmth of the rising sun on her cheeks.
She always stood on her balcony, dressed in her finest gown, face upturned to the sky, ready for her morning ritual. Even when the sky was overcast or raining, Lady Chloe Beale will still stand at this balcony without fail. But this morning she was interrupted. Chloe frowned as something...no, someone tugged at her mind as she was getting ready to greet the sun.
"Commander Allen," Chloe replied to the tugging in her mind.
Lady Beale.
What news? - Chloe said mildly
Not very good.
Chloe withdrew into her room, concentrating hard on Bumper's voice. He sounded worried.
What happened?
We were attacked last night.
A tendril of fear went up her chest and Chloe breathed deeply and fought it down. She sat down in an ornate and heavily carved wooden chair, placing her hands on her lap, gathering her thoughts.
Is Beca hurt?
No. She was not with us. She is safe.
Chloe sighed with relief.
But I do not know for how long. - Bumper's voice sounded grim. - They are hunting her and I had an inkling what they will do to her once they have her.
Bumper shared the image he plucked from the half crazed mind. Chloe shuddered at the image, her fingers twisting restlessly in her lap. Her heart was racing as she thought about what would happened. It confirmed her worst fears.
She is the daughter of the sun. We cannot let the O'Cullenains have her- Chloe said slowly - Is Amy still with her?
Yes.
Amy can keep her safe. She had been this last 12 years.
Not against a horde of vampires.
How about her knight protector?
Jesse will give up his life for her. He is bound to her - Bumper affirmed. There was a slight hesitation in his voice. - Umm...he just doesn't know this yet.
This is not a time for jokes, Commander - Chloe chided. -Beca needs all the protection she can get.
Her powers are getting stronger- Bumper mused.
Yes, I can feel it- Chloe answered. That is why they want her. They want to turn her before her eighteenth and still intact. She would do anything they bid her if they get her now. We cannot let that happen.
Yes. - Bumper said. - I'll send reinforcements.
As will I - Chloe said.
Lady Beale - Bumper said, his voice deep with worry - In the case all else fails, what should we do?
Chloe stood up, gathering the folds of her gown around her. A difficult choice laid before her.
If all else fails, you know what we need to do. Make sure Jesse knows it too.
That was too close. Far too close.
He could not let it happen again.
One moment he was trying to correct her stance and the next, he nearly lost all control. It was her neck. Her pale, alabaster neck. Her hair had been tied up in a heavy braid over one shoulder as she hacked ruthlessly at the makeshift dummy. The collar of her top was pulled to one side and the elegant line of her neck was exposed. She had been sweating with all her exercise and standing behind her, with his hands on her tiny waist, Jesse had breathed in deeply, drawing in the scent of her hot skin.
Ripe strawberries, peaches, warm grass.
And all he wanted to do was to draw her closer to him and rub his nose into her neck. He wanted to run his lips against her skin, feel her pulse beating underneath. He wanted to slide his hands up from her waist to her...
Jesse jerked his head sharply, trying to dislodge that memory from his head. He shook his head in despair, turning over to one side in his sleeping bag. Night had came quickly and they had set up camp before turning in to get some sleep. It had been a week of early mornings, riding as much as possible in the day with short reprieves to let their horses rest. Still so much ground to cover. Jesse quickly summed up where they were – it would be another two weeks or so of hard travelling.
Two more weeks of staying in close proximity.
He would need to learn control himself.
Even recollecting that incident few hours later was having this effect on him. He could feel how his canines sharpened and Jesse knew his pupils would have lightened to that gold honey colour she saw just now. That had been a huge mistake. She had never been close enough to see the subtle changes to him. Not until just now when she turned up her delicate face to look at him. Her delectable lips were so close; so very close that he could have leant in and brush his across.
Except he knew he wouldn't stop at just a chaste kiss.
Jesse sat up quickly, cursing underneath his breath. He rubbed his face impatiently. This was just getting out of hand. He had just about managed to calm himself down and now he was getting heated up all over again. He felt restless now and wanted to hunt but he could not afford to leave them alone. This would definitely be the longest two weeks of his life.
Across the camp, Beca was wondering what was Jesse doing. He had came back after some time, still scowling and she knew better than to cross him. His behaviour was so strange and Beca knew what she saw. His eyes were like honey; not the dark chocolate she had seen before. Beca leaned back deeper into the hammock, staring at the dark canopy of leaves above her. Amy was nestled in her hammock and Beca knew she was not asleep yet.
"Amy," Beca whispered. "Do you remember when you were attacked?"
Amy shifted uncomfortably and sucked in her breath."What about it?"
"You said the monsters had red eyes?"
Beca could hear Amy's breathing in the dark.
"Yes. Like burning coals."
Amy tried to sound blasé but Beca did not miss the slight tremor in her voice.
"What kind of monsters were they?"
Amy was silent for a long moment that Beca thought she had fallen asleep. She was about to nudge her when Amy quietly whispered back, "You know all the stories that Nurse used to tell us?"
Beca thought back, recollecting memories of their long suffering Nurse. The matronly woman had been taking care of Beca since she was a baby and had taken over a mothering role when the first Lady Mitchell passed away. Beca recalled how Nurse had held her tight against her ample bosom when Beca was crying about her mother. Then how poor Nurse had to contend with both her and Amy up to some mischief or another. Nurse also told the most fantastic bedtime stories.
"I remember her stories sometimes gave me nightmares," Beca said, smiling in the dark. "But she was just trying to frighten us into behaving. We turned her hair white."
"Yes," Amy grinned, thinking about the time they nearly set the bed on fire. "But what if those stories are true? I, for one, knows faeries do exist."
Beca was about to scoff in reply when she remembered what had happened lately. Lily, the water naiad, the dreams she had of tiny fairies and forest dryads. They could easily step out of from Nurse's stories. But those creatures were the relatively harmless ones. There were definitely monsters in those stories.
"You think vampires exist?" Beca whispered back.
"Yes," Amy replied seriously. "I saw them with my eyes, Beca."
A memory of Amy's fearful face flashed across her mind. She had thought Amy was joking.
"I am sorry I doubted you." Beca apologised.
"It's fine," Amy said. She was getting out of her hammock and placing her feet on the ground. "I need to relieve myself. Go to sleep."
Beca just nodded in the dark and she heard Amy moving noisily away. Her hammock was swinging gently, lulling her to sleep. Beca shifted to a more comfortable position, her eyes heavy with sleep. And as her eyelids fluttered shut, she wondered what kind of creature would have eyes like golden honey.
She didn't dream of anything that night. Beca woke up with a start to find early sunlight filtering through the leaves. She quickly got up, putting on her boots and pulling her cloak around her. Amy's hammock was empty – she must have woken up earlier. Beca glanced at the remains of their small camp fire from last night. They had fell into a pattern in their travels, sharing the workload and Amy would usually start breakfast right about now.
There was no sign of her, which was a little odd. Come to think of it, Amy always made sure she packed all her things as soon as she was up. Beca pulled her cloak tighter round her slight body. Perhaps Amy was not back from foraging for breakfast yet? No, she didn't like to venture far and usually if that was needed, Beca would have gone with her.
Maybe Jesse would know.
She trampled across the camp to look for him. His sleeping bag was still lying on the ground with his cloak and sword right on top. Beca remembered the time when he had lent his cloak to keep her warm and how the cloak smelled like him. That spicy, earthly scent of his. Beca smiled a little at that thought and wondered where he was. Almost like a sixth sense, something told her that he was nearby. He's a little busy – that thought came unbidden to her mind – he is just down by the river.
Beca headed towards the river. It was not very far. They had stopped last night at this precise spot so they had some fresh water. Jesse had taken pains to ensure the river was safe and they were not trespassing yet again. Beca was only too happy to let him to do that. She heard the calming babble of the river and Jesse came came into view as soon as she stepped in between two trees.
Rather, his back came into view.
His glorious, bare muscled back.
He was shaving, his hands busy with a sharp knife, concentrating hard on a small piece of glass propped into a knothole in a tree. He must have had a wash. His brown locks were all wet and curly, slicked back and Beca could almost see the water droplets from his wet hair trailing down his neck and back. Beca stood still, almost too afraid to breathe, just in case he could hear her but her breath hitched a little at the hard lines of his broad shoulders; at the muscles of his upper arms moving as he shaved; at the way his back tapered so pleasingly down to his waist and his...
"Good morning."
Beca's eyes snapped up from their journey south. He still had his back to her. Jesse slowly turned around to face her. He was nearly done with his shave. Beca tried to remember when she had seen him this clean-shaven before. He was wiping his hands on a soft cloth and for another moment, Beca's eyes were focused on the muscles and sinews in his arms. And his bare chest. Amy was right about that chest. Hard muscles with a light smattering of hair across, trailing down those well-defined abs. Further down to...
"Can I help you, mi'lady?" He sounded faintly amused and Beca hurriedly looked up.
"I was wondering where you were."
She tried to sound haughty but it came out like a croak. Beca quickly cleared her throat and looked away. And God no! Were her cheeks getting hot? Was she blushing?
"Good to know I've been missed."
There was a slight chuckle in that tone. Beca returned her gaze back to his face. That faint smile was still pulling at the corners of his mouth. What had gotten into him? - Beca scowled a little. He was always so grumpy but he seemed to be in a good mood now, almost playful even.
Even that thought fluttered away because Jesse took that few steps towards her. He was standing close, still bare-chested, making no move to cover himself. Beca stood her ground, refusing to step back. She will not be intimidated by the bulk of him and his...his sexy, bare chest.
"I was hoping for breakfast," Beca said, hoping to sound frosty and dismissive but damn it! Her voice was still a little wobbly. She cleared her throat yet again. "I could not find Amy."
"Lady Amy is not around?" Jesse asked, sounding a little puzzle.
"No." Beca retort back.
Jesse was frowning now, eyebrows knitted together. His eyes were not on her now, almost like he was focussing in the distance. Beca felt free to let her eyes roamed over his face, at its angles, at his eyes, now dark brown and his sweet Cupid's bow mouth.
"Oh, you've missed a spot," Beca said. Jesse turned to her, looking a little puzzled. Beca smiled as she raised her hand, the tip of her index finger then trace a little line along his neck. "There. You missed that."
He jumped back. Literally jumped back a feet at her touch.
Beca thought he was going to snap at her, like yesterday. His eyes were furious enough but unexpectedly, Jesse dropped his gaze and turned quickly away and headed back to where he left his knife and shaving glass. Beca watched as he went back to shaving, noting how rigid his back was. No, that was wrong. She shouldn't have touched him.
"I'm sorry," she apologised. "I've angered you."
Jesse's back was still rigid but then a huge breath went through him like a shudder and his shoulders relaxed.
"I am not angry, mi'lady," he responded gruffly.
"You are," Beca affirmed stubbornly.
He made an impatient noise, still busy trying to catch sight of the last bit of stubble in that small mirror. "I'm not."
Beca chewed her lower lip before responding, "If you are not angry, you will let me help you."
The words hung in between them before Jesse twisted his torso slightly to look at her.
"You can't see well in that small mirror. I can help you shave," Beca stated simply, taking a small step forward. He was looking unsure. "Don't worry. I won't cut you. I am quite proficient with a small knife."
"There is no need for this," Jesse answered, his voice a little tight.
Beca just shrugged. "Suit yourself. You have half a beard down your neck. Just about there."
Beca tilted her head to one side and casually rubbed her own neck to show where the fluff was. Jesse was looking a little uncomfortable at the thought and turned back to look at his neck in the small mirror. He could feel the bit he missed with his hand but the mirror was far too small for him to look at his neck properly. Another impatient snort came out of him and finally, he turned back, reluctantly holding out the shaving knife to Beca.
She took one look at the knife he offered, scoffed derisively and delved a hand underneath her cloak. When her hand appeared, she was holding a small, sharp dagger. Jesse raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Beca flipped the dagger easily in the air and caught it without even looking.
"My sword fighting still needs work. But I am good with these," Beca said in way of explanation. "Now tip your head back a little."
"Give me a moment," Jesse said softly.
He screwed his eyes tight like he was concentrating hard, let out a slow breath and nodded. Beca stepped closer, eyes fixed on his neck. She raised her hand and ran her fingertips across his neck and jaw, feeling for the stubble he missed. This time he stood as still as a rock. The stubble felt a little scratchy to touch but he had soaped and oiled it, softening the hair. It should be a cinch.
"Now don't move," Beca murmured. She concentrated and swiped the sharp dagger against the grain. It took two more close shaves before Jesse would open his eyes. She was still concentrating hard on her work, taking another close swipe and then another before wiping the edge of the dagger casually against her sable cloak.
"I don't know why you bother to shave," Beca said in an undertone. "It's only going to grow back."
Jesse wanted to laugh at that but didn't want his throat cut into shreds. He waited until the dagger was away from his throat before answering. "I like to do it. It makes me feel... more human."
"You look nice with a bit of stubble," Beca blurted out without thinking, still concentrating on the task at hand. Her ears caught up with what she said belatedly and Beca stopped shaving, two red spots now appearing on her cheeks. To her relief, Jesse kept quiet, almost like he conveniently didn't hear what she said.
"I have to do your neck now... oh!" Beca lost her footing a little when a small stone turned loose under her foot. Luckily her sharp dagger was not at Jesse's neck. His hands shot out, caught her around her waist and steadied her. He was about to take his hands away when Beca spoke up, "No, keep them there. I need to be steady for this."
For a moment, she thought he was going to step back but Jesse let out another deep breath and nodded, placing his hands securely on her waist. She tipped his head back, running one finger down his neck, right over his Adam's apple. He gulped a little and she felt it moving. Beca focused hard before easily swiping the sharp blade, removing the last bit of stubble. She ran her hand downwards against his skin experimentally. It now felt smooth. He was standing stock still, eyes closed with his hands on her waist and for a moment, Beca let herself looked at him properly.
He was beautiful.
Why hadn't she noticed it before? The planes of his face, his cheekbones, the straight nose and the lovely mouth. The soft almost olive colour of his skin. And now that she was so close, she could see how curly his hair was and she wanted to run her fingers through his hair just to feel the spring in those curls.
And he was so warm.
There was some room between them. It was not like she was pressed again that hard chest but even with this space in between, she could feel the heat radiating off him. His skin feel so hot under her hand, like he was running a fever and his hands warm on her waist.
"Are you falling sick?" Beca said.
Jesse opened one eye. "Never felt better."
"Your skin's hot," Beca replied, her lovely eyes showing her concern. "You are burning up."
"No, I'm fine."
He was looking down at her, his voice sounding like gravel. She was mesmerised with his eyes. She was wrong to think they were just dark brown. There were flecks of gold in the iris ringed with a dark brown limbus. His eyes were exquisite when he was not scowling at her.
"Are we done?"
His voice was a husky whisper that jolted her. Beca nodded, swallowing thickly but she could not look away. Jesse made no move to take his hands away nor did she try to shrug them off and step away. It didn't seem to matter somehow. She just wanted to stay here, ensconced in his warmth, staring up at him.
"Mi'lady -"
"Call me Beca," she said, interrupting him, unable to tear her eyes away from his.
"Beca."
He breathed out her name. It was the first time he called her by her name alone and she wanted to shut her eyes and let that husky sound roll around her head. There was something tender and familiar and loving in that tone and it reverberated through her like a plucked string. It was the strangest sensation. And if he were to lean forward and press that sweet mouth against hers, she knew she wouldn't mind it at all. In fact she was about to raise herself up on her tiptoes when she felt him lifting her easily.
And setting her down a feet apart before removing his hands.
By the time Beca recollect her scattered thoughts, Jesse had already turned away, pulling his shirt on. He was rapidly picking up all his things before gruffly saying, "We should look head back. I am sure Lady Amelia is waiting for us."
AN : Thank you so much for reading this and for all your lovely reviews. I have yet to reply to you wonderful people. This was supposed to be a much longer chapter but I am trying to decide some things. Beca is starting to notice Jesse and he is having an effect on her as well. A bit more Jeca feels in the coming chapter but there is still some despair because she is to marry someone else. So poor Jesse is mopping a bit.
So I am hella excited about May 15 now! And ooo emmmm geee, that Jeca kiss in that trailer! If you are following my other stories, I will be updating my "You really got a hold on me" soon. Toodles!
