All right. . .I know I spoiled all of you by putting out two and three
chapters at a time. The reason that so many chapters were put out at once
is because I have had 40 pages written already and one day I decided to
post it. . .and that would be a few days ago. I originally posted 3
chapters to see what kind of reaction I got from everyone. Then I posted
two because I felt bad posting just one after posting 3. Then I posted one
because I figured it would add more suspense. This is all a part of my
ingenious plan. Unfortunately. . .chapter 7 was the last pre-written
chapter. So, this one (chapter 8) is going to be it for a few days. I
have so much to do with school, that it's hard to keep up. I did slave
over writing chapter 8 for all of you and I managed to finish it today
(Feb. 1). I'm working on chapter 9 right now, but I'm not sure I'll be
able to get it out to all of you by Monday. I will try. Please don't hate
me. I've tried my best and I know I could have approached things
differently, but I honestly didn't think my story would have this much
success. I'm working on it, honest! I hope you like this chapter though.
It's kind of important. . .again I say, pay attention to details! Even the
smallest ones! If you don't really remembered what happened earlier on,
then I would read back, because there are some tiny, miniscule little
details that may be important later on. All right, sorry this Read Me
thing is so long. I'll let you go. Enjoy! Review. . .the more reviews I
get, the more it motivates me to write. ^_~ Thanks, all! ~Lady Hino
"But, Papa. . ."
"Hush, Hawk. I will be with you when we get to Spain, but I must send you off ahead. . ." Jadeite said softly to his son. "You will be with a good friend of mine. His name is Rodney. He is my old steward, you will enjoy his company. . ."
"I want to stay with Papa," Belle cried.
Jadeite pressed a finger to her small mouth. "Belle, you must not raise your voice so. . ."
"Can Belle stay with papa?" she asked in a whisper.
Jadeite smiled gently at the little girl and shook his head. "No, princess, not this time. When I get to Spain, I will visit you as often as I can. . .all right? We need to keep you hidden from grandmama and grandpapa until the right moment. They still believe you are in France with your mother. . ." he said as gently as he could. He felt like a cad leaving his children with his former steward.
"Sire?" someone called from the hidden door beside Jadeite's fireplace. He had sent a silent command to his friend and was glad that he had returned with such haste. He waved a hand in the direction of the hearth and a door appeared from behind a tapestry. A middle-aged man with vibrant red hair and brown eyes stepped into the room. "Good evening, Jadeite," he said with a smiled.
Jadeite returned the smile and shook Rodney's hand as he came forward. "It's good of you to come. I'm sorry I had to call you to do this. . ."
"I've battled with you in wars, sire. . .why would I not come?"
Jadeite nodded in thankfulness and then turned his attention to the two children sitting on his bed. They were looking at him as if he had rejected them. "Come now, do not look at me so. Rodney will care for you until I can come and see you. I will not leave you abandoned. . ."
Hawk looked up at his father and grinned, much like Jadeite did "If you promise that we can meet Grandmama and Grandpapa when we come back, we will go with Rodney. . ." he said taking Belle's hand.
Belle squirmed and pulled her hand from her brother's grasp before turning to address her father. "I don't want to go with Ro-ny!" Belle yelled.
Jadeite strode to her and knelt low. "Belle. . ." he whispered," sweet, I know you don't want to go. But. . .you have to. I will be with you soon, princess, I promise."
Rodney looked at the little girl then at Jadeite. She did look like him, but there was a tad too much of the mother in her. Her eyes sparkled like Lily's did and her nose was small and straight as her mother's was. Her hair was the exact color of Jadeite's and curled at the ends as Lily's did. But the one thing that gave her away as Jadeite's daughter was the smile. She had the telltale Jadeite grin that Hawk sported as well. Still, Rodney wasn't sure how well the plan would go. He had agreed to be the witness for Belle's appearance long ago and would not break his promise to his prince, but he feared for the little girl. He was glad that Kat had been of the same build as Lily. Perhaps as the young girl grew up, she would begin to fill out like Lily, and thus become more like Kat in the eyes of the kingdom.
Jadeite looked around the room for something of value. He had left these children alone for the past three years. He would not do so again. He saw the small painting he had painted when he was in the throes of madness from his demons lying near the hearth where he had last left it. It was unfinished, but it was small and colorful.
He moved toward the hearth, motioning for the children to follow him and then picked up the parchment. It was a painting of his paradise. A place he would try desperately to think about when the demons came down upon him. A lovely ivy covered estate in a field of tall trees and sweet smelling flowers. He could imagine raising his children there; though he knew he would never be allowed to do so. He found his quill and ink beside the painting and quickly drew in three figures. One was sitting on the steps of the home and the other two were chasing each other before him. It was a small drawing, the faces barely visible, but it was a work of art and he blew quickly on the wet ink until it dried enough for him to fold it up. He pressed it into Belle's hand and smiled warmly. "There, ma belle," he whispered, "I shall always be with you now."
He then untied his blue sash from his waste that symbolized his rank and wrapped it around Hawk's own tiny waist. "I am with you as well, Garrick. . ." he said softly. Garrick nodded and smiled before throwing himself in his father's arms. Belle followed, her doll forgotten on the floor. "Behave, you two. . ." he said.
Belle seemed to notice that her doll had fallen on the ground then and she picked it up so she could put it inside her father's jacket pocket. "Now papa has Lily Katherine to keep him company," she said with a smile.
Jadeite's shock must have shown for Garrick cocked his head to the side and narrowed his brows. "What's wrong, papa?" he asked softly.
"Nothing, son. . ." he said with a forced smile. He then stood and led them to Rodney. He picked up the tiny girl and kissed her temple. "Be good, snippet. . ." he said lightly. He then handed the small bundle to Rodney and nodded. "I'll see you in Spain, Rod. . ."
Rodney smiled and shook Jadeite's hand. "I'll be waiting with Grace and the children at your hunting lodge. . ." he said slowly.
Jadeite nodded and placed Garrick's hand in Rodney's. "I thank you, Rodney. . .and tell Gracie that I appreciate it too. And tell Seth and Fallon that I said hello."
"Of course. . ." Rodney replied, then disappeared down the tunnel of the passage.
* * *
"No room, you say?" Jadeite asked his steward. "But it is my ship, you had a letter. Why did they not allow you passage?"
Rodney shrugged his broad shoulders and looked toward the carriage where the two children waited patiently for him. He had made sure to catch Jadeite while he was standing behind several people so that the children would not see him. "They said that they are carrying extra baubles and therefore no room for passengers."
"I shall speak to the captain of the ship then."
"Do not, sire. I beg you. There has been a terrible amount of illness on that ship. Truly I was glad when I heard that the ship was full. I was planning on taking the children on one of the smaller vessels and then going by horse back the rest of the way."
Jadeite rested a fist on his lean hips and stroked his chin with his other hand. A stray lock of blonde hair fell into his eyes and he brushed it away quickly. If the children came on the ship with him, he would get no peace and there was no captain, seeing as how he was the captain. He was also worried that Belle would throw herself overboard without her even knowing it. "Take them on horseback, 'twill be safer."
Rodney smiled and backed up slightly. "We will be several days, possibly weeks behind you. Do not worry yourself about us."
Jadeite nodded stiffly and looked toward the ship where he saw Reina watching the men swing themselves from rope to rope, preparing for the journey. She had not spoken a word to him since the difficult speech he had had with her a few hours ago. He was glad for it. He didn't feel up to explaining things to her.
Slowly he approached her. "Reina. . ." he whispered from behind her.
Rei spun around on her heel quickly and looked at him with surprise shining in her lovely violet eyes. "Sire, I did not hear you. . .you walk as silently as a shadow. . ." she said with a smile.
Jadeite smiled back sadly and turned to look at the ship. "She's lovely, isn't she?" he heard Rei ask.
Jadeite looked back at her and sighed wistfully. "She's beautiful. . ." he said softly. He shook himself roughly then and grasped her elbow. "Come, Reina. . .I'll show you your room."
He all but dragged her to the room she was to use-his first mates cabin. It was well furnished with a small bed against a wall and several tall bookcases near the door. An oak desk was anchored near a small window and the wash stand stood beside another door that Rei knew led to the captain's quarters. There were no colors aside from the colorful bindings of the books and the blue coverlet on the bed. "I hope I am not putting out your first mate," she said softly.
Jadeite looked down at her and smiled despite himself. "No, Reina. . .he is more comfortable down below with the rest of the crew."
Reina looked up at him and smiled. "I would have thought that a great magician such as yourself would use the transportation points instead of the tedious task of sailing. . ." she said thoughtfully.
"No. . .I prefer the water to having my body travel through the magical weavings of the air," he replied softly.
Rei stared up at him as if he had lost his mind. "You. . .you a-a mage at least. . .does not enjoy the pleasure of the transportation ports?"
Jadeite looked away, toward the door to his chamber. How he wanted to get away from this beautiful and mystifying girl who asked so many questions. Would it hurt to tell her the truth about such magical ports? He supposed it would not. She was beginning to know so much about him as it was. "The magical ports are not a pleasure of mine. When I was in the war. . .I used them all the time. Once, I set the jewels for Endymion's palace and stepped onto the platform. I did not notice that the platform had been cracked nor did I hear the beating of the man's heart as he waited patiently for the glowing of the transportation to begin. I heard only the sounds of the war and my own mind as it debated whether using the port was the best decision seeing as how this one was a new one build purposefully for the war. It had been quickly thrown together by the mages of Earth, but was not meant to be used for more than once a day. That day there were dozens of men using it.
"I ignored the feeling of anxiety and braced myself for the familiar currents that broke your body down and threw them across the Earth. As I waited, a man approached the landing and shouted, 'Prince of the North? You killed my wife. . .' and proceeded to smash the control board with a sword. The magical currents that had appeared then started to break down and push against my body as if trying to condense me into nothing.
"I felt my mind wander desperately, as if trying to find the spell that would release me from the torment. I swear I heard my bones crack against the pressure. I was lucky to be saved by Ares who said that he heard my silent cries back at the palace," he made a sort of grunt that she supposed was a laugh and shrugged as if to dismiss the subject. "I need to make sure that the crew is ready for our departure. If you need anything, ring that bell and someone will come to you," he said as he examined the room. He checked for any signs of ruin before coming back to stand beside her. "I'll be back soon. . .we'll have dinner in my cabin."
Rei looked up at him and studied his expression. He had been looking out of the small window as he spoke, his voice relaxed as if the event meant nothing. He was speaking about dinner after he revealed such a horrifying story? Did he not feel even remotely uneasy? "Then I shall see you soon. . ." she said softly.
Jadeite smiled softly and reached out a hand to stroke her cheek. He snatched it away when he realized what he had done. "I shall see you for dinner then," he said quickly then left.
Rei touched a finger to the tingling warmth he had left behind when he touched her cheek and sighed. Whatever that feeling was that was beginning to seep into her skin, had to be nervousness. She was not used to sailing. On Mars there was only one place she went and that was very rarely. She had never really been on a ship for more than a few hours. . .now this was to be days? Yes, it was nerves, she decided.
* * *
Nerves did not begin to describe how terrifying it could be when woken in the mist of a storm, wind buffeting the ship around and wails of pain, anger, and desperation filling the air. Rei turned to look out the small window of her cabin and winced as another wave struck the ship, rocking it dangerously. She had pressed herself against the wall in a vain attempt to stay on the bed instead of falling off. The rain was slapping against the sides of the ship like small pebbles against a glass tabletop. It was beginning to scare her, for she had no control over water.
She closed her eyes against the panicked wail that came from above then leaned her head against the wall. Death was knocking on her door, she decided. She gave a silent prayer to the gods that her friends were well and that Serenity was not making a fool of herself in front of everyone. "Gods.if she does break her neck tripping over her own feet, please be-" she stopped suddenly at the loud thud that came from the corridor outside. It was Jadeite, she knew, for she had managed to memorize each proud step of his as he descended the stairs into the main sleeping quarters. However, this time his steps were not proud and noble, but hard and uneven, almost as if he were injured.
She came off the bed as quick as lightening, the rocking of the ship never pausing her in her effort to discover what was wrong with the prince's step. She flew to the door and pulled it open with little effort. If one had been watching her from the bed, it would have appeared as if her hand barely touched the handle in the center. The door hit the wall with a bang and Rei took that moment to leap out before it could come crashing back to place. She saw the pools of water trailing down the corridor before she saw the distinct shape of broad shoulders push open the captain's door and stumble in.
Rei frowned; he hadn't even bothered to close the door. She whisked after him, intending to give him a stern talking to, but stopped dead when she saw him sitting in a chair, trying desperately to tug a boot from his foot.
He turned when she gently closed the door and blinked water droplets from his eyes so he could see her. She was like sunshine in this dark and dreary storm, lighting up the room with her very presence. "Reina. . ." he choked out. His throat was dry and scratchy from yelling to his men on deck, his voice hoarse. "W-what. . .do you in my. . .ch-chamber?" he asked as he tried again to tug the boot from his stiff leg. The water was seeping through his skin now, into his bones.
Rei glided to him and put a hand on his to still it. It was deathly cold. "Are you all right, sire?" she asked softly, rich violet meeting cold blue.
Jadeite nodded, but did not try a smile. He was simply too tired. "I-I'm fine, Reina," he said as he yanked the boot off his foot, falling back from the force. "Y-you'd better get out o-of here before I. . .ruin your innocence. . ." he said as he reached desperately for the edge of his knit coat. He pulled it off one shoulder and off one arm before giving up and slumping back in his chair.
"Do you need help, sire?" Rei asked gently.
Jadeite opened an eye to look at her then shook his head, sending water soaring through the air. "N-no. . ." he said, teeth chattering. "I-I'll be all right. . ."
He stood slowly and finished taking off the coat. It fell to the floor with a splash and he reached slowly for the next garment, a knit shirt of navy blue. It came off just as slowly. His icy fingers clung desperately to the laces on his white shirt before falling away. He paused when he came to his breeches, his eyes searching out the raven-haired goddess. "You-you may want to. . .l-leave. . ." he said softly.
Rei stared at him. He was shivering and dripping wet, yet the sight of him amazed her. She had seen him when he stepped from the bath back at the palace, but she had been furious and barely paid him any notice. Now however, he was naked to the waist and completely vulnerable to the elements and her blatant stare. "I'll help you," she said slowly.
She strode toward the closet that was carved in the side of a wall, never once letting him see her nervousness. She grabbed a blanket from one of the top shelves and shook it out. "You may want to take off your breeches, sire. You could make yourself seriously ill."
Jadeite, too tired to argue with the beauty, sighed heavily and pulled the soaked breeches down his hips and to the ground. Before he straightened, he grabbed for the shirt he had discarded and held it loosely at his groin. If he were not so tired, he would probably have thrown her out, but seeing as how he had spent the last several hours on deck, yelling at his men and climbing masts, he was in no mood to use force. Instead, he walked cautiously toward his bed and pulled the covers back. He managed to slip in without her seeing him and allowed her to fuss over the situation.
Rei took note. She had once had to help assist her aunt when her uncle and cousin had been caught in a snowstorm on the moon. At that time, she was not allowed in the room when her relatives were undressing, seeing as how it was considered unseemly for a young woman. But on Mars, things were different. Women were expected to help bathe men and women, therefore she had no qualms about caring for this young man, save for the fact that he was the most beautiful human being she had ever encountered. His smooth chest was bronzed from a lifetime of training in the hot sun and his blonde hair was sun-kissed by the sun, accentuating his blue eyes; eyes that grew dark when he was angry and became clear when he was happy.
"You should eat something," she said softly.
Jadeite looked up at her through his eyelashes and smiled, "No, I am not hungry. . ."
Rei scrunched her nose then went to stand beside him. She spread the blanket she held in her hands over the coverlet he had pulled over his body and smiled down at him. "Perhaps I could tell you a story, no doubt it will help your shivering," she suggested.
Jadeite looked at her and gave a smile that shook from the cold. His teeth were still rattling together and causing the most ridiculous noises. "Perhaps a story will do well to take my mind off of the cold," he said thoughtfully.
Rei pulled a chair beside him and sad gracefully, watching his every move. He was slow and exhausted, it would not take long to put him to sleep, she thought. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess. . ." she began as she leaned closer to him.
"Tell me this is not one of those woman's fantasy stories, for I don't believe I could bear it," he said softly. His eyes were closed.
"It is not, it has dragons and mystical creatures, a lovely princess and a handsome prince. . ."
"Do they fall in love and live happily ever after?" he asked sarcastically.
Rei suppressed a smile. "No, in fact, they have many problems and do not fall in love," she said softly.
Jadeite opened an eye to look at her. "Beautiful. . ." he whispered.
Rei smiled down at him. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who could wield a sword as well as any man, who could fell mountains by staring at them, and who could shoot a bow and arrow with so much accuracy, it made the greatest archers look like untrained boys. . ."
"This is an unbelievable story, Reina," Jadeite said softly.
"It is not, I assure you, now just listen! The princess was content with her life. She got any and everything she ever asked for and she could not be happier."
"So she is a spoiled princess," Jadeite whispered with his eyes closed.
Rei glared hotly at him before standing abruptly. "If you do not want to hear this story, then I will leave at this very moment. I do not have to take this from you, sire, I can easily spend the rest of the night in my room without having to deal with your insufferable self!" she spat with clenched fists.
Jadeite cracked open and eye and smiled lazily at the beauty. She certainly was a sight when she was angry. All that blazing violet fire in her eyes made his blood curdle. "I would prefer to just have you sit by my side and whisper sweet nonsense into my ear," he said softly.
Rei raised an elegant brow at him and then sat herself down in the chair. She let out a weary sigh before leaning forward slightly and giving him a tap on the shoulder. "I was wrong about what I said before," she said lightly stroking his shoulder.
Jadeite rolled his head to the side to look at her and gave her one of his crooked grins. "Were you, Reina?" he asked huskily.
"Yes, sire. . .I was," she said with a slight huskiness in her own voice.
Jadeite pushed himself onto his elbows and looked at her closely. "Reina. . .what exactly were you wrong about?" he asked with a tinge of insecurity lace in his words.
She blinked coyly at him before trailing a finger town his arm. "I was wrong about you being insufferable. . ." she said sweetly.
"Oh? Then what am I?"
"Oh well. . ." she started, trailing the finger over the back of his hand, "You're hateful. . .a cad. . .a knave!" she said before standing up and towering over him. "I cannot believe that any women would be attracted to you. You do nothing but insult and hurt and. . .and you are the most vain and conceited of men I have ever had the misfortune to lay eyes upon!"
Jadeite raised an eyebrow at her before glaring. "Then perhaps I should have left you in England to rot away. All the nastiness that lies within you, my lady, is no where near good company," he fairly yelled.
Rei gave a look of disbelief. No one had ever dared to talk to her like that. She was a princess for gods' sakes! She was second in command of Serenity's senshi and she was almost a high priestess. How could this lowly earthling tell her she was anything different? She gave him a disgruntled snort before spinning on her heel and making her way to the door.
She didn't get more than foot out before an arm caught her around her wrist. "Reina. . .I'm sorry, truly. . .please, stay?" he asked, his teeth still chattering slightly.
How could she not? She knew how. He was rude and inconsiderate! Yet, even as she stood there raining insults on his head, she realized that she wanted to sit with this beautiful man and watch over him like a mother over her child. She was shaking her head even as he dragged her close to him and pulled her down to sit on the edge of the bed. "Sire, I should probably get back to my own cabin and let you alone."
"No, please," he said softly.
She looked down at him, his eyes were closed and his hand had lost its grip. He looked like a vulnerable child. Rei reached out a hand and ran it over the bridge of his nose. Why could she not leave his side? He was terrible! He did nothing but insult her and act the idiot and yet. . .she could not tear herself away from him.
She ran that finger over his lips and down his chin, only to discover that he was still cold to the touch. How could he still be cold? He had enough blankets to warm an army of men.
She stood up and looked down at him again; it was hardly cold in the room now. She slowly made her way to her own cabin and grabbed the thick quilt from her bed and then returned to Jadeite's room. She gently laid the quilt over his mass of blankets and smoothed them with her hands. And yet, he curled up tighter and began shivering again. What was wrong?
Rei bit her bottom lip in thought and looked about the room. What else could she offer? What had she learned on the moon with the others? When someone was cold, you built a fire and wrapped them in blankets. But, she had done these things and a fire was out of the question on a ship. She fumed a bit more before turning abruptly around and staring at his quivering form.
Body heat. That's what Sir Lucien had told her when he had come in from the rain. He was shivering uncontrollable and his lips were blue. "I'll just go up and lie in my sweet wife's arms. Body heat is the best cure," and he had winked at her before making his way slowly down the corridor and into his bedchamber. She had only been ten and two, visiting her brother while he studied with the great Sir Lucien, yet his words had embedded themselves somewhere deep in her mind and were now resurfacing.
She struggled with the thought for several seconds before finally making up her mind. With a quick glance at the door to ensure that it was locked, she untied the sash at her waist and draped it over the back of Jadeite's large chair. She then unlaced her gown with sure fingers. What she was doing was for the best. He was looking even more pitiful as time passed and this spurred her own to pull the gown quickly over her head.
Clad only in her chemise, she made her way to the bunk and climbed over Jadeite until she was sitting back against the wall. Watching his back all the while, she pulled the blankets down and climbed in behind him. Once in, she felt suffocated by the sure weight of the quilts covering her, yet she didn't complain, just turned on her side and pressed her cheek to his broad back, fitted her leg between his and pressed her full length against him. She could feel the cold of his skin seep through her chemise, still, she held fast. She could feel the quivering lessen until he became still. His breathing evened out and she reached her arm around him further to hold him tighter. She felt very nice.
She wasn't sure when she fell asleep, but she knew that before she did, she was thinking that she had to get out of the bed and get to her own cabin before anything unseemly happened, yet she just couldn't will herself to move form her position behind him. He felt so wonderful. She wasn't even aware of when one of his hands came up to grasp hers.
* * *
It was still dark in the cabin, she knew that much for sure, and she felt wonderful. Was this some sort of dream she had not yet woken up from? Something, or someone, was stroking a hand over her arm and gently nuzzling her neck. She wanted to lean into that caress and never wake up. It felt divine! What exactly would cause her to dream like this? The last thing she remembered was climbing into bed under a mountain of blankets and then snuggling up beside-
Her eyes opened faster than lightening and made contact with his. He grinned lazily at her. Never had he gotten a reaction out of a woman so quickly. He leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose before she could say anything. "Hello, there, Reina. . ." he whispered gently as his head found the ever so sensitive place behind her ear.
"Sire. . ." she choked out. "What. . .what are you doing?"
Jadeite smiled. "You sound shocked, little one, but I wonder why," he said stroking her chin with his fingers. "I woke not a few minutes ago with a wonderfully warm body cuddling against my back. Imagine my shock when I realized who it was. And it was such a warm body. . .so full of life, I just couldn't not ignore it," he whispered the last part at his lips found hers.
He hovered above her for a breath of a moment before he placed a feather- light kiss on her stunned mouth. "You were worried for me, were you not," he said softly.
Rei felt furious at him for taking such liberties, and yet she simply could not move.
"I believe I should thank my doctor. . .what think you?"
Rei could feel her heart pick up speed.
Jadeite blinked slowly then lowered his head again. This time when his lips touched hers, a fire unlike anything he had ever felt burst inside him. It was no chaste kiss he gave her. He moved fully on top of her and kissed her hard. His brain wasn't working right; it must have been the rain.
Rei wasn't quite sure what was happening, but she knew that he wanted something from her. "Open, little fire bird. . ." he breathed against her lips, "Open for me. . ."
She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, and he thrust his tongue in. Oh Gods, it was a shock, but it felt so incredibly amazing.
He slanted his mouth over hers again and again, rubbing his tongue to hers, running his teeth over her bottom lip. His breathing labored and the familiar, yet powerful, lust began to stir deep inside him. He could feel her responding to him and he deepened the kiss even more. She was amazing, so beautiful, so much fire in her it sometimes burned him, and she was so innocently responsive.
When he felt her tentatively touch the back of his neck with her hand, his control slipped. He pried her thighs apart with his knee and settled his full weight between her legs. He pressed her further into the bed and reached a hand down to raise her chemise past her waist, then slipped a hand inside the fabric so that he could touch her skin.
She was softer than silk! How could anyone be so perfect? He kept kissing her; amazed that she was not lashing out at him for touching her. But would he be able to stop even when she asked him? Even when he knew it was going too far? He stopped thinking when she gently touched her tongue to his.
A harsh groan escaped from his lips and his searching hand found her warm breast and he massaged and caressed until he thought he would go mad with it.
"Oh Gods, Reina. . ." he moaned into her eager mouth. "Yes, little fire bird, you are so responsive. . ."
"Jadeite. . ." she sighed.
He smiled inwardly. She rarely used his name and hearing her use it while in the middle of a building passion had him growing harder than he had ever been. "Yes, Rei, I'm right here. . ." he groaned for her as he nuzzled her neck.
It was her name slipping off his tongue so readily that brought her back to the present. "No. . ." she whispered, her hands falling away from his naked body. "No. . ."
"Yes, fire bird, yes. . ." he replied, running his hand down her belly and splaying his it wide.
"No, stop, please," she begged.
The pleading in her voice did not sit well with him. He immediately rolled off of her and lay on his back beside her. What had happened between them? It was as if he had not had a woman in years! He felt like an untried boy seeing a naked woman for the first time. He turned his head slightly and looked at her. She had turned her back on him and was curled up into a small ball against the wall. "Rei?" he called to her.
She stiffed at the sound of his voice calling her name and it made him feel like a cad. He rolled onto his side and stroked a hand down her back. "Rei. . .are you all right?" he asked softly.
She couldn't look at him. How had he decided to call her that? She knew that hew name derived from her mother's but she had thought she was safe. If someone found out that her name was Rei, she wouldn't know what to do. She shivered when his hand stroked down her back, but wanted to much to lean into his caress. She had acted out of her mind with lust when he touched her and just the thought of doing that had her cheeks flaming with heat.
Jadeite wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. "What's wrong, Reina?" he asked gently.
How could she tell him? How in the world could she tell him that she was a princess and that she belonged to a royal court with the Moon? How could she confess to him that she didn't believe anyone wanted to find her because there had been no word at all about her disappearance? How could she tell him she feared that Eurus was gone? Never to been seen again. She had sent him away, telling him that she wanted him to find out where Endymion was, but he had never returned. She wondered why. When he left he said, 'Do not stop believing princess, else I will never find the way back into the trueness of your heart.'
A tear slipped unbidden from her eye and a sob caught in the back of her throat. Where was everyone?
"Reina. . .please tell me what troubles you," Jadeite whispered into the back of her neck. She was scaring him. Had he hurt her in anyway? "Did I hurt you, Reina? I did not mean to get so out of control. . ."
Rei turned in Jadeite's arms and buried her face in his chest and clung to his waist with her hands.
Jadeite wrapped his arms more securely around her and held her tightly. If he could, he would have pulled her into his body to protect her from whatever terrors were going through her mind. Her body was stiff and she was as silent as a cold night on the moon.
The moon.that is where he always traveled when he was in his dreams. That mysterious girl always met him there while he was in his dream state. He could feel her reaching out to him. He could feel her breath on his eyes, whispering his name. He could feel her hair brush against his cheek, could feel her lips touch his. She was his mysterious maiden and she stood there in the night on the moon waiting patiently for him. She was not of the moon and he knew that for a fact. She had too much fire in her eyes and a will as strong as a man's. And yet, she always let her defenses down when she saw him, and she put her hand out and took him to places he did not want to go, yet places he knew would rid him of all his worries. He remembered when he had first told Tyche and Ares about the maiden. They thought he was ill of mind as Kat had been for he had begun seeing the girl after his marriage to the woman was dissolved. Since then, the two birds had been watching over him, afraid that he would travel to the moon in the dead of night and search for the ghost of a woman that was not real.
He blinked away the vision of a beautiful, slender creature with long wild hair and eyes that shown as bright and as red as Mars. He rested his chin on the top of Reina's head and sighed deeply. "Reina. . .I am truly very sorry. . .I should not have let myself get so carried away."
Rei moved away from him and sat up, adjusting her chemise as she went. "I think it would be best for me to go to my room, sire," she said softly.
Jadeite stared up at her and his gaze narrowed. For a moment he could swear there was something familiar about her. He didn't know why it hit him so hard just now, but it was as if something in his mind was tickling at a thought of a long ago time when he had seen hair that shade of black and eyes that shade of violet, yet he could not hold the thought long enough to name it. "Reina. . .you do not have to go anywhere," he said just as softly.
Rei shook her head and climbed over him and out of the bed. She stood beside it shaking from the cold and then turned to look out the small window of his chamber. "The storm as died down," she said absently.
Jadeite looked directly at her when he spoke and waited until she faced him before he answered, "The storm is no where near over."
She shivered slightly from his words and slowly made her way to the door that joined their rooms. "How. . .how long before we reach land?" she asked.
Jadeite felt a mixture of guilt, sympathy, anger, and frustration build in him. He grinned at her slightly then turned his head to look at the ceiling. "I would think no more than two days," he replied, "We've been at sea a while and the storm hit us hard. However, I believe it was in our favor and helped us achieve our goal of land sooner than planned."
Rei nodded, though she knew he could not see her, and then opened the door. She turned abruptly and glared dangerously at him. "When we reach land, I would like for you to send a missive to Queen Serenity and request my removal," she said then walked into her cabin and shut the door.
Jadeite turned just as she closed that damned door and stared daggers at it. How dare she! And why in all the universe would he sent a missive to the Queen? He let out a small snort of laughter and then turned on his side, facing the door and fell asleep.
He welcomed the maiden when she held her hand out to him in his dream.
"But, Papa. . ."
"Hush, Hawk. I will be with you when we get to Spain, but I must send you off ahead. . ." Jadeite said softly to his son. "You will be with a good friend of mine. His name is Rodney. He is my old steward, you will enjoy his company. . ."
"I want to stay with Papa," Belle cried.
Jadeite pressed a finger to her small mouth. "Belle, you must not raise your voice so. . ."
"Can Belle stay with papa?" she asked in a whisper.
Jadeite smiled gently at the little girl and shook his head. "No, princess, not this time. When I get to Spain, I will visit you as often as I can. . .all right? We need to keep you hidden from grandmama and grandpapa until the right moment. They still believe you are in France with your mother. . ." he said as gently as he could. He felt like a cad leaving his children with his former steward.
"Sire?" someone called from the hidden door beside Jadeite's fireplace. He had sent a silent command to his friend and was glad that he had returned with such haste. He waved a hand in the direction of the hearth and a door appeared from behind a tapestry. A middle-aged man with vibrant red hair and brown eyes stepped into the room. "Good evening, Jadeite," he said with a smiled.
Jadeite returned the smile and shook Rodney's hand as he came forward. "It's good of you to come. I'm sorry I had to call you to do this. . ."
"I've battled with you in wars, sire. . .why would I not come?"
Jadeite nodded in thankfulness and then turned his attention to the two children sitting on his bed. They were looking at him as if he had rejected them. "Come now, do not look at me so. Rodney will care for you until I can come and see you. I will not leave you abandoned. . ."
Hawk looked up at his father and grinned, much like Jadeite did "If you promise that we can meet Grandmama and Grandpapa when we come back, we will go with Rodney. . ." he said taking Belle's hand.
Belle squirmed and pulled her hand from her brother's grasp before turning to address her father. "I don't want to go with Ro-ny!" Belle yelled.
Jadeite strode to her and knelt low. "Belle. . ." he whispered," sweet, I know you don't want to go. But. . .you have to. I will be with you soon, princess, I promise."
Rodney looked at the little girl then at Jadeite. She did look like him, but there was a tad too much of the mother in her. Her eyes sparkled like Lily's did and her nose was small and straight as her mother's was. Her hair was the exact color of Jadeite's and curled at the ends as Lily's did. But the one thing that gave her away as Jadeite's daughter was the smile. She had the telltale Jadeite grin that Hawk sported as well. Still, Rodney wasn't sure how well the plan would go. He had agreed to be the witness for Belle's appearance long ago and would not break his promise to his prince, but he feared for the little girl. He was glad that Kat had been of the same build as Lily. Perhaps as the young girl grew up, she would begin to fill out like Lily, and thus become more like Kat in the eyes of the kingdom.
Jadeite looked around the room for something of value. He had left these children alone for the past three years. He would not do so again. He saw the small painting he had painted when he was in the throes of madness from his demons lying near the hearth where he had last left it. It was unfinished, but it was small and colorful.
He moved toward the hearth, motioning for the children to follow him and then picked up the parchment. It was a painting of his paradise. A place he would try desperately to think about when the demons came down upon him. A lovely ivy covered estate in a field of tall trees and sweet smelling flowers. He could imagine raising his children there; though he knew he would never be allowed to do so. He found his quill and ink beside the painting and quickly drew in three figures. One was sitting on the steps of the home and the other two were chasing each other before him. It was a small drawing, the faces barely visible, but it was a work of art and he blew quickly on the wet ink until it dried enough for him to fold it up. He pressed it into Belle's hand and smiled warmly. "There, ma belle," he whispered, "I shall always be with you now."
He then untied his blue sash from his waste that symbolized his rank and wrapped it around Hawk's own tiny waist. "I am with you as well, Garrick. . ." he said softly. Garrick nodded and smiled before throwing himself in his father's arms. Belle followed, her doll forgotten on the floor. "Behave, you two. . ." he said.
Belle seemed to notice that her doll had fallen on the ground then and she picked it up so she could put it inside her father's jacket pocket. "Now papa has Lily Katherine to keep him company," she said with a smile.
Jadeite's shock must have shown for Garrick cocked his head to the side and narrowed his brows. "What's wrong, papa?" he asked softly.
"Nothing, son. . ." he said with a forced smile. He then stood and led them to Rodney. He picked up the tiny girl and kissed her temple. "Be good, snippet. . ." he said lightly. He then handed the small bundle to Rodney and nodded. "I'll see you in Spain, Rod. . ."
Rodney smiled and shook Jadeite's hand. "I'll be waiting with Grace and the children at your hunting lodge. . ." he said slowly.
Jadeite nodded and placed Garrick's hand in Rodney's. "I thank you, Rodney. . .and tell Gracie that I appreciate it too. And tell Seth and Fallon that I said hello."
"Of course. . ." Rodney replied, then disappeared down the tunnel of the passage.
* * *
"No room, you say?" Jadeite asked his steward. "But it is my ship, you had a letter. Why did they not allow you passage?"
Rodney shrugged his broad shoulders and looked toward the carriage where the two children waited patiently for him. He had made sure to catch Jadeite while he was standing behind several people so that the children would not see him. "They said that they are carrying extra baubles and therefore no room for passengers."
"I shall speak to the captain of the ship then."
"Do not, sire. I beg you. There has been a terrible amount of illness on that ship. Truly I was glad when I heard that the ship was full. I was planning on taking the children on one of the smaller vessels and then going by horse back the rest of the way."
Jadeite rested a fist on his lean hips and stroked his chin with his other hand. A stray lock of blonde hair fell into his eyes and he brushed it away quickly. If the children came on the ship with him, he would get no peace and there was no captain, seeing as how he was the captain. He was also worried that Belle would throw herself overboard without her even knowing it. "Take them on horseback, 'twill be safer."
Rodney smiled and backed up slightly. "We will be several days, possibly weeks behind you. Do not worry yourself about us."
Jadeite nodded stiffly and looked toward the ship where he saw Reina watching the men swing themselves from rope to rope, preparing for the journey. She had not spoken a word to him since the difficult speech he had had with her a few hours ago. He was glad for it. He didn't feel up to explaining things to her.
Slowly he approached her. "Reina. . ." he whispered from behind her.
Rei spun around on her heel quickly and looked at him with surprise shining in her lovely violet eyes. "Sire, I did not hear you. . .you walk as silently as a shadow. . ." she said with a smile.
Jadeite smiled back sadly and turned to look at the ship. "She's lovely, isn't she?" he heard Rei ask.
Jadeite looked back at her and sighed wistfully. "She's beautiful. . ." he said softly. He shook himself roughly then and grasped her elbow. "Come, Reina. . .I'll show you your room."
He all but dragged her to the room she was to use-his first mates cabin. It was well furnished with a small bed against a wall and several tall bookcases near the door. An oak desk was anchored near a small window and the wash stand stood beside another door that Rei knew led to the captain's quarters. There were no colors aside from the colorful bindings of the books and the blue coverlet on the bed. "I hope I am not putting out your first mate," she said softly.
Jadeite looked down at her and smiled despite himself. "No, Reina. . .he is more comfortable down below with the rest of the crew."
Reina looked up at him and smiled. "I would have thought that a great magician such as yourself would use the transportation points instead of the tedious task of sailing. . ." she said thoughtfully.
"No. . .I prefer the water to having my body travel through the magical weavings of the air," he replied softly.
Rei stared up at him as if he had lost his mind. "You. . .you a-a mage at least. . .does not enjoy the pleasure of the transportation ports?"
Jadeite looked away, toward the door to his chamber. How he wanted to get away from this beautiful and mystifying girl who asked so many questions. Would it hurt to tell her the truth about such magical ports? He supposed it would not. She was beginning to know so much about him as it was. "The magical ports are not a pleasure of mine. When I was in the war. . .I used them all the time. Once, I set the jewels for Endymion's palace and stepped onto the platform. I did not notice that the platform had been cracked nor did I hear the beating of the man's heart as he waited patiently for the glowing of the transportation to begin. I heard only the sounds of the war and my own mind as it debated whether using the port was the best decision seeing as how this one was a new one build purposefully for the war. It had been quickly thrown together by the mages of Earth, but was not meant to be used for more than once a day. That day there were dozens of men using it.
"I ignored the feeling of anxiety and braced myself for the familiar currents that broke your body down and threw them across the Earth. As I waited, a man approached the landing and shouted, 'Prince of the North? You killed my wife. . .' and proceeded to smash the control board with a sword. The magical currents that had appeared then started to break down and push against my body as if trying to condense me into nothing.
"I felt my mind wander desperately, as if trying to find the spell that would release me from the torment. I swear I heard my bones crack against the pressure. I was lucky to be saved by Ares who said that he heard my silent cries back at the palace," he made a sort of grunt that she supposed was a laugh and shrugged as if to dismiss the subject. "I need to make sure that the crew is ready for our departure. If you need anything, ring that bell and someone will come to you," he said as he examined the room. He checked for any signs of ruin before coming back to stand beside her. "I'll be back soon. . .we'll have dinner in my cabin."
Rei looked up at him and studied his expression. He had been looking out of the small window as he spoke, his voice relaxed as if the event meant nothing. He was speaking about dinner after he revealed such a horrifying story? Did he not feel even remotely uneasy? "Then I shall see you soon. . ." she said softly.
Jadeite smiled softly and reached out a hand to stroke her cheek. He snatched it away when he realized what he had done. "I shall see you for dinner then," he said quickly then left.
Rei touched a finger to the tingling warmth he had left behind when he touched her cheek and sighed. Whatever that feeling was that was beginning to seep into her skin, had to be nervousness. She was not used to sailing. On Mars there was only one place she went and that was very rarely. She had never really been on a ship for more than a few hours. . .now this was to be days? Yes, it was nerves, she decided.
* * *
Nerves did not begin to describe how terrifying it could be when woken in the mist of a storm, wind buffeting the ship around and wails of pain, anger, and desperation filling the air. Rei turned to look out the small window of her cabin and winced as another wave struck the ship, rocking it dangerously. She had pressed herself against the wall in a vain attempt to stay on the bed instead of falling off. The rain was slapping against the sides of the ship like small pebbles against a glass tabletop. It was beginning to scare her, for she had no control over water.
She closed her eyes against the panicked wail that came from above then leaned her head against the wall. Death was knocking on her door, she decided. She gave a silent prayer to the gods that her friends were well and that Serenity was not making a fool of herself in front of everyone. "Gods.if she does break her neck tripping over her own feet, please be-" she stopped suddenly at the loud thud that came from the corridor outside. It was Jadeite, she knew, for she had managed to memorize each proud step of his as he descended the stairs into the main sleeping quarters. However, this time his steps were not proud and noble, but hard and uneven, almost as if he were injured.
She came off the bed as quick as lightening, the rocking of the ship never pausing her in her effort to discover what was wrong with the prince's step. She flew to the door and pulled it open with little effort. If one had been watching her from the bed, it would have appeared as if her hand barely touched the handle in the center. The door hit the wall with a bang and Rei took that moment to leap out before it could come crashing back to place. She saw the pools of water trailing down the corridor before she saw the distinct shape of broad shoulders push open the captain's door and stumble in.
Rei frowned; he hadn't even bothered to close the door. She whisked after him, intending to give him a stern talking to, but stopped dead when she saw him sitting in a chair, trying desperately to tug a boot from his foot.
He turned when she gently closed the door and blinked water droplets from his eyes so he could see her. She was like sunshine in this dark and dreary storm, lighting up the room with her very presence. "Reina. . ." he choked out. His throat was dry and scratchy from yelling to his men on deck, his voice hoarse. "W-what. . .do you in my. . .ch-chamber?" he asked as he tried again to tug the boot from his stiff leg. The water was seeping through his skin now, into his bones.
Rei glided to him and put a hand on his to still it. It was deathly cold. "Are you all right, sire?" she asked softly, rich violet meeting cold blue.
Jadeite nodded, but did not try a smile. He was simply too tired. "I-I'm fine, Reina," he said as he yanked the boot off his foot, falling back from the force. "Y-you'd better get out o-of here before I. . .ruin your innocence. . ." he said as he reached desperately for the edge of his knit coat. He pulled it off one shoulder and off one arm before giving up and slumping back in his chair.
"Do you need help, sire?" Rei asked gently.
Jadeite opened an eye to look at her then shook his head, sending water soaring through the air. "N-no. . ." he said, teeth chattering. "I-I'll be all right. . ."
He stood slowly and finished taking off the coat. It fell to the floor with a splash and he reached slowly for the next garment, a knit shirt of navy blue. It came off just as slowly. His icy fingers clung desperately to the laces on his white shirt before falling away. He paused when he came to his breeches, his eyes searching out the raven-haired goddess. "You-you may want to. . .l-leave. . ." he said softly.
Rei stared at him. He was shivering and dripping wet, yet the sight of him amazed her. She had seen him when he stepped from the bath back at the palace, but she had been furious and barely paid him any notice. Now however, he was naked to the waist and completely vulnerable to the elements and her blatant stare. "I'll help you," she said slowly.
She strode toward the closet that was carved in the side of a wall, never once letting him see her nervousness. She grabbed a blanket from one of the top shelves and shook it out. "You may want to take off your breeches, sire. You could make yourself seriously ill."
Jadeite, too tired to argue with the beauty, sighed heavily and pulled the soaked breeches down his hips and to the ground. Before he straightened, he grabbed for the shirt he had discarded and held it loosely at his groin. If he were not so tired, he would probably have thrown her out, but seeing as how he had spent the last several hours on deck, yelling at his men and climbing masts, he was in no mood to use force. Instead, he walked cautiously toward his bed and pulled the covers back. He managed to slip in without her seeing him and allowed her to fuss over the situation.
Rei took note. She had once had to help assist her aunt when her uncle and cousin had been caught in a snowstorm on the moon. At that time, she was not allowed in the room when her relatives were undressing, seeing as how it was considered unseemly for a young woman. But on Mars, things were different. Women were expected to help bathe men and women, therefore she had no qualms about caring for this young man, save for the fact that he was the most beautiful human being she had ever encountered. His smooth chest was bronzed from a lifetime of training in the hot sun and his blonde hair was sun-kissed by the sun, accentuating his blue eyes; eyes that grew dark when he was angry and became clear when he was happy.
"You should eat something," she said softly.
Jadeite looked up at her through his eyelashes and smiled, "No, I am not hungry. . ."
Rei scrunched her nose then went to stand beside him. She spread the blanket she held in her hands over the coverlet he had pulled over his body and smiled down at him. "Perhaps I could tell you a story, no doubt it will help your shivering," she suggested.
Jadeite looked at her and gave a smile that shook from the cold. His teeth were still rattling together and causing the most ridiculous noises. "Perhaps a story will do well to take my mind off of the cold," he said thoughtfully.
Rei pulled a chair beside him and sad gracefully, watching his every move. He was slow and exhausted, it would not take long to put him to sleep, she thought. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess. . ." she began as she leaned closer to him.
"Tell me this is not one of those woman's fantasy stories, for I don't believe I could bear it," he said softly. His eyes were closed.
"It is not, it has dragons and mystical creatures, a lovely princess and a handsome prince. . ."
"Do they fall in love and live happily ever after?" he asked sarcastically.
Rei suppressed a smile. "No, in fact, they have many problems and do not fall in love," she said softly.
Jadeite opened an eye to look at her. "Beautiful. . ." he whispered.
Rei smiled down at him. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who could wield a sword as well as any man, who could fell mountains by staring at them, and who could shoot a bow and arrow with so much accuracy, it made the greatest archers look like untrained boys. . ."
"This is an unbelievable story, Reina," Jadeite said softly.
"It is not, I assure you, now just listen! The princess was content with her life. She got any and everything she ever asked for and she could not be happier."
"So she is a spoiled princess," Jadeite whispered with his eyes closed.
Rei glared hotly at him before standing abruptly. "If you do not want to hear this story, then I will leave at this very moment. I do not have to take this from you, sire, I can easily spend the rest of the night in my room without having to deal with your insufferable self!" she spat with clenched fists.
Jadeite cracked open and eye and smiled lazily at the beauty. She certainly was a sight when she was angry. All that blazing violet fire in her eyes made his blood curdle. "I would prefer to just have you sit by my side and whisper sweet nonsense into my ear," he said softly.
Rei raised an elegant brow at him and then sat herself down in the chair. She let out a weary sigh before leaning forward slightly and giving him a tap on the shoulder. "I was wrong about what I said before," she said lightly stroking his shoulder.
Jadeite rolled his head to the side to look at her and gave her one of his crooked grins. "Were you, Reina?" he asked huskily.
"Yes, sire. . .I was," she said with a slight huskiness in her own voice.
Jadeite pushed himself onto his elbows and looked at her closely. "Reina. . .what exactly were you wrong about?" he asked with a tinge of insecurity lace in his words.
She blinked coyly at him before trailing a finger town his arm. "I was wrong about you being insufferable. . ." she said sweetly.
"Oh? Then what am I?"
"Oh well. . ." she started, trailing the finger over the back of his hand, "You're hateful. . .a cad. . .a knave!" she said before standing up and towering over him. "I cannot believe that any women would be attracted to you. You do nothing but insult and hurt and. . .and you are the most vain and conceited of men I have ever had the misfortune to lay eyes upon!"
Jadeite raised an eyebrow at her before glaring. "Then perhaps I should have left you in England to rot away. All the nastiness that lies within you, my lady, is no where near good company," he fairly yelled.
Rei gave a look of disbelief. No one had ever dared to talk to her like that. She was a princess for gods' sakes! She was second in command of Serenity's senshi and she was almost a high priestess. How could this lowly earthling tell her she was anything different? She gave him a disgruntled snort before spinning on her heel and making her way to the door.
She didn't get more than foot out before an arm caught her around her wrist. "Reina. . .I'm sorry, truly. . .please, stay?" he asked, his teeth still chattering slightly.
How could she not? She knew how. He was rude and inconsiderate! Yet, even as she stood there raining insults on his head, she realized that she wanted to sit with this beautiful man and watch over him like a mother over her child. She was shaking her head even as he dragged her close to him and pulled her down to sit on the edge of the bed. "Sire, I should probably get back to my own cabin and let you alone."
"No, please," he said softly.
She looked down at him, his eyes were closed and his hand had lost its grip. He looked like a vulnerable child. Rei reached out a hand and ran it over the bridge of his nose. Why could she not leave his side? He was terrible! He did nothing but insult her and act the idiot and yet. . .she could not tear herself away from him.
She ran that finger over his lips and down his chin, only to discover that he was still cold to the touch. How could he still be cold? He had enough blankets to warm an army of men.
She stood up and looked down at him again; it was hardly cold in the room now. She slowly made her way to her own cabin and grabbed the thick quilt from her bed and then returned to Jadeite's room. She gently laid the quilt over his mass of blankets and smoothed them with her hands. And yet, he curled up tighter and began shivering again. What was wrong?
Rei bit her bottom lip in thought and looked about the room. What else could she offer? What had she learned on the moon with the others? When someone was cold, you built a fire and wrapped them in blankets. But, she had done these things and a fire was out of the question on a ship. She fumed a bit more before turning abruptly around and staring at his quivering form.
Body heat. That's what Sir Lucien had told her when he had come in from the rain. He was shivering uncontrollable and his lips were blue. "I'll just go up and lie in my sweet wife's arms. Body heat is the best cure," and he had winked at her before making his way slowly down the corridor and into his bedchamber. She had only been ten and two, visiting her brother while he studied with the great Sir Lucien, yet his words had embedded themselves somewhere deep in her mind and were now resurfacing.
She struggled with the thought for several seconds before finally making up her mind. With a quick glance at the door to ensure that it was locked, she untied the sash at her waist and draped it over the back of Jadeite's large chair. She then unlaced her gown with sure fingers. What she was doing was for the best. He was looking even more pitiful as time passed and this spurred her own to pull the gown quickly over her head.
Clad only in her chemise, she made her way to the bunk and climbed over Jadeite until she was sitting back against the wall. Watching his back all the while, she pulled the blankets down and climbed in behind him. Once in, she felt suffocated by the sure weight of the quilts covering her, yet she didn't complain, just turned on her side and pressed her cheek to his broad back, fitted her leg between his and pressed her full length against him. She could feel the cold of his skin seep through her chemise, still, she held fast. She could feel the quivering lessen until he became still. His breathing evened out and she reached her arm around him further to hold him tighter. She felt very nice.
She wasn't sure when she fell asleep, but she knew that before she did, she was thinking that she had to get out of the bed and get to her own cabin before anything unseemly happened, yet she just couldn't will herself to move form her position behind him. He felt so wonderful. She wasn't even aware of when one of his hands came up to grasp hers.
* * *
It was still dark in the cabin, she knew that much for sure, and she felt wonderful. Was this some sort of dream she had not yet woken up from? Something, or someone, was stroking a hand over her arm and gently nuzzling her neck. She wanted to lean into that caress and never wake up. It felt divine! What exactly would cause her to dream like this? The last thing she remembered was climbing into bed under a mountain of blankets and then snuggling up beside-
Her eyes opened faster than lightening and made contact with his. He grinned lazily at her. Never had he gotten a reaction out of a woman so quickly. He leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose before she could say anything. "Hello, there, Reina. . ." he whispered gently as his head found the ever so sensitive place behind her ear.
"Sire. . ." she choked out. "What. . .what are you doing?"
Jadeite smiled. "You sound shocked, little one, but I wonder why," he said stroking her chin with his fingers. "I woke not a few minutes ago with a wonderfully warm body cuddling against my back. Imagine my shock when I realized who it was. And it was such a warm body. . .so full of life, I just couldn't not ignore it," he whispered the last part at his lips found hers.
He hovered above her for a breath of a moment before he placed a feather- light kiss on her stunned mouth. "You were worried for me, were you not," he said softly.
Rei felt furious at him for taking such liberties, and yet she simply could not move.
"I believe I should thank my doctor. . .what think you?"
Rei could feel her heart pick up speed.
Jadeite blinked slowly then lowered his head again. This time when his lips touched hers, a fire unlike anything he had ever felt burst inside him. It was no chaste kiss he gave her. He moved fully on top of her and kissed her hard. His brain wasn't working right; it must have been the rain.
Rei wasn't quite sure what was happening, but she knew that he wanted something from her. "Open, little fire bird. . ." he breathed against her lips, "Open for me. . ."
She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, and he thrust his tongue in. Oh Gods, it was a shock, but it felt so incredibly amazing.
He slanted his mouth over hers again and again, rubbing his tongue to hers, running his teeth over her bottom lip. His breathing labored and the familiar, yet powerful, lust began to stir deep inside him. He could feel her responding to him and he deepened the kiss even more. She was amazing, so beautiful, so much fire in her it sometimes burned him, and she was so innocently responsive.
When he felt her tentatively touch the back of his neck with her hand, his control slipped. He pried her thighs apart with his knee and settled his full weight between her legs. He pressed her further into the bed and reached a hand down to raise her chemise past her waist, then slipped a hand inside the fabric so that he could touch her skin.
She was softer than silk! How could anyone be so perfect? He kept kissing her; amazed that she was not lashing out at him for touching her. But would he be able to stop even when she asked him? Even when he knew it was going too far? He stopped thinking when she gently touched her tongue to his.
A harsh groan escaped from his lips and his searching hand found her warm breast and he massaged and caressed until he thought he would go mad with it.
"Oh Gods, Reina. . ." he moaned into her eager mouth. "Yes, little fire bird, you are so responsive. . ."
"Jadeite. . ." she sighed.
He smiled inwardly. She rarely used his name and hearing her use it while in the middle of a building passion had him growing harder than he had ever been. "Yes, Rei, I'm right here. . ." he groaned for her as he nuzzled her neck.
It was her name slipping off his tongue so readily that brought her back to the present. "No. . ." she whispered, her hands falling away from his naked body. "No. . ."
"Yes, fire bird, yes. . ." he replied, running his hand down her belly and splaying his it wide.
"No, stop, please," she begged.
The pleading in her voice did not sit well with him. He immediately rolled off of her and lay on his back beside her. What had happened between them? It was as if he had not had a woman in years! He felt like an untried boy seeing a naked woman for the first time. He turned his head slightly and looked at her. She had turned her back on him and was curled up into a small ball against the wall. "Rei?" he called to her.
She stiffed at the sound of his voice calling her name and it made him feel like a cad. He rolled onto his side and stroked a hand down her back. "Rei. . .are you all right?" he asked softly.
She couldn't look at him. How had he decided to call her that? She knew that hew name derived from her mother's but she had thought she was safe. If someone found out that her name was Rei, she wouldn't know what to do. She shivered when his hand stroked down her back, but wanted to much to lean into his caress. She had acted out of her mind with lust when he touched her and just the thought of doing that had her cheeks flaming with heat.
Jadeite wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. "What's wrong, Reina?" he asked gently.
How could she tell him? How in the world could she tell him that she was a princess and that she belonged to a royal court with the Moon? How could she confess to him that she didn't believe anyone wanted to find her because there had been no word at all about her disappearance? How could she tell him she feared that Eurus was gone? Never to been seen again. She had sent him away, telling him that she wanted him to find out where Endymion was, but he had never returned. She wondered why. When he left he said, 'Do not stop believing princess, else I will never find the way back into the trueness of your heart.'
A tear slipped unbidden from her eye and a sob caught in the back of her throat. Where was everyone?
"Reina. . .please tell me what troubles you," Jadeite whispered into the back of her neck. She was scaring him. Had he hurt her in anyway? "Did I hurt you, Reina? I did not mean to get so out of control. . ."
Rei turned in Jadeite's arms and buried her face in his chest and clung to his waist with her hands.
Jadeite wrapped his arms more securely around her and held her tightly. If he could, he would have pulled her into his body to protect her from whatever terrors were going through her mind. Her body was stiff and she was as silent as a cold night on the moon.
The moon.that is where he always traveled when he was in his dreams. That mysterious girl always met him there while he was in his dream state. He could feel her reaching out to him. He could feel her breath on his eyes, whispering his name. He could feel her hair brush against his cheek, could feel her lips touch his. She was his mysterious maiden and she stood there in the night on the moon waiting patiently for him. She was not of the moon and he knew that for a fact. She had too much fire in her eyes and a will as strong as a man's. And yet, she always let her defenses down when she saw him, and she put her hand out and took him to places he did not want to go, yet places he knew would rid him of all his worries. He remembered when he had first told Tyche and Ares about the maiden. They thought he was ill of mind as Kat had been for he had begun seeing the girl after his marriage to the woman was dissolved. Since then, the two birds had been watching over him, afraid that he would travel to the moon in the dead of night and search for the ghost of a woman that was not real.
He blinked away the vision of a beautiful, slender creature with long wild hair and eyes that shown as bright and as red as Mars. He rested his chin on the top of Reina's head and sighed deeply. "Reina. . .I am truly very sorry. . .I should not have let myself get so carried away."
Rei moved away from him and sat up, adjusting her chemise as she went. "I think it would be best for me to go to my room, sire," she said softly.
Jadeite stared up at her and his gaze narrowed. For a moment he could swear there was something familiar about her. He didn't know why it hit him so hard just now, but it was as if something in his mind was tickling at a thought of a long ago time when he had seen hair that shade of black and eyes that shade of violet, yet he could not hold the thought long enough to name it. "Reina. . .you do not have to go anywhere," he said just as softly.
Rei shook her head and climbed over him and out of the bed. She stood beside it shaking from the cold and then turned to look out the small window of his chamber. "The storm as died down," she said absently.
Jadeite looked directly at her when he spoke and waited until she faced him before he answered, "The storm is no where near over."
She shivered slightly from his words and slowly made her way to the door that joined their rooms. "How. . .how long before we reach land?" she asked.
Jadeite felt a mixture of guilt, sympathy, anger, and frustration build in him. He grinned at her slightly then turned his head to look at the ceiling. "I would think no more than two days," he replied, "We've been at sea a while and the storm hit us hard. However, I believe it was in our favor and helped us achieve our goal of land sooner than planned."
Rei nodded, though she knew he could not see her, and then opened the door. She turned abruptly and glared dangerously at him. "When we reach land, I would like for you to send a missive to Queen Serenity and request my removal," she said then walked into her cabin and shut the door.
Jadeite turned just as she closed that damned door and stared daggers at it. How dare she! And why in all the universe would he sent a missive to the Queen? He let out a small snort of laughter and then turned on his side, facing the door and fell asleep.
He welcomed the maiden when she held her hand out to him in his dream.