Into The Fire
Chapter 7: Confessions
Sorry for the delay folks, I wasn't able to get much online access during my trip. I was able to get more chapters done though. Also, I should have a web page up soon - so if your interested check for the link on my profile!
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The lapping of water against wood, a ray of sunlight peering through an uncovered window. Familiar comforts that greeted Jessamin as she slowly awoke. Unfamiliar was the warm body curled against her back, his breath soft against her neck. The remainder of the night had been quest and dreamless for her - was Jack's comforting presence the cause?
Her thoughts drifted back to the storm, and the unexpected kiss he had stolen. She smiled, remembering the soft warmth of his mouth on hers. How was it that this man she had known for only a handful of days, could affect her so deeply?
Jacks fingers began to trace a path across her hip and thigh. Jess held her breath. Every touch enflamed her skin and sent her stomach aflutter.
"Mornin' darling." He whispered into her ear.
"Did I wake you?"
"No luv, never went to sleep." Jack replied as he pressed a trail of feather light kisses down her neck. Jess responded by snuggling closer to him. With that encouragement he let his fingers continue to wander.
"Jack?"
He paused in his exploration.
"No. Don't stop. I just, well..." She rolled onto her back to look at Jack's face. "I need to tell you a tale, one that few have heard. But I think it's important for you to hear it."
Jack nodded. "Would this have some relation to those dreams of yours?"
She frowned and took a deep breath.
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Some years ago, in a distant land there lived a woman named Johana. She was happily married to a loving husband and had two strong sons. One night, while returning home from a long trip, her coach was attacked. With only herself and a few servants for protection they were soon overcome.
The leader of the bandits was a cursed man, and out of malice he infected the beautiful Johana with his evil. She awoke the following morning, and through some twist of fate she managed to slip away with a horse and ride home.
On her arrival she fell sobbing into her husbands arms. That evening they made love, and not long after Johana discovered that she was with child. During this time Johana began to discover the consequences of her curse. Her skin began to grow pale, wounds healed almost immediately, she found herself craving red meat - the rarer the better. These were small things, of little consequence, but they were soon followed by bouts of rage and a desire to inflict pain. Physical changes soon began to follow and her husband was forced to keep her restrained and locked into her rooms. The only thing that kept her going was the child growing within her womb.
Months later she gave birth to a healthy daughter, who for all appearances escaped the effects of her mothers curse. Johana. afraid for what she might inflict upon the child, killed herself.
Years passed, and the girl child blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Some noted how unusually fair her skin was, or how small wounds would heal swiftly and without blemish. She was adored by her father and granted every wish and whim. Her brothers would take her along when they went hunting and riding, they showed her how to use a bow and eventually how to defend herself with a blade. She was exceptionally strong for a young woman, though it was often attributed to the fact that she was always an active and athletic child.
Soon the day came that she was of an age for betrothal. She made it quite clear to her father that she would only marry for love. He, wanting only for her happiness, agreed.
On her eighteenth birthday she had still to find a man that captured her fancy. She had no lack of suitors though. Her beauty was unrivaled and many came in search of her favor, only to be turned away.
One evening another suitor sought audience. Unbeknownst was his determination to have her as his bride, by any means necessary. He lured her into the moonlit garden with promises of poetry. He offered her the riches of his estate, told her that she was the only woman lovely enough to bear his children and serve as his wife. His haughty manner disgusted her and as with all the others, she refused.
This was not the answer he wanted. With a sneer he then informed her that since she would not willingly join with him, he would take her by force. With her purity stained she would have no choice but to beg him to marry, or be forever shamed. Two of his men emerged from the bushes and pinned her to the ground and covered her mouth before she could make a sound. As her suitor turned rapist came towards her she struggled, outrage and anger fueling her efforts.
A calm cold flowed through her body, and darkness crept around the edge of her vision. With a snarl she ripped away the hand covering her mouth and laughed as the dark engulfed her.
The smell of earth and grass jolted the young woman awake. She remembered breaking free from the men restraining her and nothing else. As she sat up, her eyes glazed at the vision that greeted her. The bodies of three figures lay sprawled on the ground, she could no longer tell which was whom. She wondered what could have caused such horror, until she looked down at her own bloodstained hands and dress.
Her father found her that way, frozen in the garden. She begged him to make it go away, she apologized, she cried, and then she slipped into an unresponsive silence. The families most trusted men were called in to clean everything up and sworn to secrecy. No word was to ever be mentioned of the incident. The brothers carried their beloved sister to her room. She remained silent and limp as they washed her and dressed her in clean clothes. The bloodstained ones were quickly burned.
It was a week before she recovered from the shock. One morning she showed up at breakfast, and everyone carried on as normal. It was that evening that her father came to her and told her of the true tale of her mother Johana. How he had hid the truth as she seemed unaffected with the curse and did not want to burden her with the knowledge.
Over the next few months she begin to have bouts of aggressiveness and her temper began to shorten. Normally kind and sweet, she would snap at the slightest annoyance. She began to realize that she needed to find out more about her affliction and if there was a way to control it. To do that she would need to leave her home and family.
One morning she vanished into the dawn, a note of explanation left upon her bed.
Over the years she hunted legends, read through many dusty tomes, and developed an inner strengh that could keep the darkness at bay. One day, she hoped to even find a way to rid herself of it's grip entirely.
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Jessamin sighed. "So there it is, my life in a nutshell, and now you probably think I'm either insane or wondering how fast you can get out that door."
Jess braced herself for the inevitable and was surprised when her leaned forward and kissed her, seeking out the recesses of her surprised mouth. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer pressing him to her.
At her reaction he deepened his kiss, he didn't care what or who she was before, that just made it more interesting. The world around them vanished as he savored the nectar that was her mouth, the scent of her hair, her heart pounding against him.
She was panting when he pulled back. He stroked the soft skin of her neck. "Does that answer your question?"
She answered by pulling him to her again, her mouth on his with an urgent hunger, nails digging into his back as he nibbled on her lip. The pressure of him against her brought tingles to her clit.
"Your wound," he panted "I don't want to hurt you."
"Fast healer, take the bandage off, dagger on the bedstand table." She managed to whisper.
Jack grabbed the dagger and carefullt sliced the bandage open. His eyes grew wide. There was only a slight pink line where there had been a fresh wound. He let his hands slide across the pale flesh of her navel, traveling slowly over her ribs.
She flinched. "Okay, so maybe bones take a little longer to heal, still a little tender in the ribs."
He kissed her again, this time with soft tenderness.
"I want you Jess, all of you. Your heart, your soul, your mind, and yes your lovely body. You've bewitched me luv, and I won't settle for less." He pulled away. "And right now, you're wounded. So I'm going to leave, and let you rest. We should be almost to your island by now."
He backed towards the door.
Jess stared at him in confusion. "But.."
He winked and vanished through the doorway, and it clicked shut.
It dawned on Jess only then that he had just left and wasn't coming back. That prick had left her there excited and aroused. She sat there alone on her bed and pouted. He annoyed her to no end - and she wanted him all the more.
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Next: Chapter 8 - Pathos
Sorry for the delay folks, I wasn't able to get much online access during my trip. I was able to get more chapters done though. Also, I should have a web page up soon - so if your interested check for the link on my profile!
------------------------------------
The lapping of water against wood, a ray of sunlight peering through an uncovered window. Familiar comforts that greeted Jessamin as she slowly awoke. Unfamiliar was the warm body curled against her back, his breath soft against her neck. The remainder of the night had been quest and dreamless for her - was Jack's comforting presence the cause?
Her thoughts drifted back to the storm, and the unexpected kiss he had stolen. She smiled, remembering the soft warmth of his mouth on hers. How was it that this man she had known for only a handful of days, could affect her so deeply?
Jacks fingers began to trace a path across her hip and thigh. Jess held her breath. Every touch enflamed her skin and sent her stomach aflutter.
"Mornin' darling." He whispered into her ear.
"Did I wake you?"
"No luv, never went to sleep." Jack replied as he pressed a trail of feather light kisses down her neck. Jess responded by snuggling closer to him. With that encouragement he let his fingers continue to wander.
"Jack?"
He paused in his exploration.
"No. Don't stop. I just, well..." She rolled onto her back to look at Jack's face. "I need to tell you a tale, one that few have heard. But I think it's important for you to hear it."
Jack nodded. "Would this have some relation to those dreams of yours?"
She frowned and took a deep breath.
--------------------------------------------------------
Some years ago, in a distant land there lived a woman named Johana. She was happily married to a loving husband and had two strong sons. One night, while returning home from a long trip, her coach was attacked. With only herself and a few servants for protection they were soon overcome.
The leader of the bandits was a cursed man, and out of malice he infected the beautiful Johana with his evil. She awoke the following morning, and through some twist of fate she managed to slip away with a horse and ride home.
On her arrival she fell sobbing into her husbands arms. That evening they made love, and not long after Johana discovered that she was with child. During this time Johana began to discover the consequences of her curse. Her skin began to grow pale, wounds healed almost immediately, she found herself craving red meat - the rarer the better. These were small things, of little consequence, but they were soon followed by bouts of rage and a desire to inflict pain. Physical changes soon began to follow and her husband was forced to keep her restrained and locked into her rooms. The only thing that kept her going was the child growing within her womb.
Months later she gave birth to a healthy daughter, who for all appearances escaped the effects of her mothers curse. Johana. afraid for what she might inflict upon the child, killed herself.
Years passed, and the girl child blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Some noted how unusually fair her skin was, or how small wounds would heal swiftly and without blemish. She was adored by her father and granted every wish and whim. Her brothers would take her along when they went hunting and riding, they showed her how to use a bow and eventually how to defend herself with a blade. She was exceptionally strong for a young woman, though it was often attributed to the fact that she was always an active and athletic child.
Soon the day came that she was of an age for betrothal. She made it quite clear to her father that she would only marry for love. He, wanting only for her happiness, agreed.
On her eighteenth birthday she had still to find a man that captured her fancy. She had no lack of suitors though. Her beauty was unrivaled and many came in search of her favor, only to be turned away.
One evening another suitor sought audience. Unbeknownst was his determination to have her as his bride, by any means necessary. He lured her into the moonlit garden with promises of poetry. He offered her the riches of his estate, told her that she was the only woman lovely enough to bear his children and serve as his wife. His haughty manner disgusted her and as with all the others, she refused.
This was not the answer he wanted. With a sneer he then informed her that since she would not willingly join with him, he would take her by force. With her purity stained she would have no choice but to beg him to marry, or be forever shamed. Two of his men emerged from the bushes and pinned her to the ground and covered her mouth before she could make a sound. As her suitor turned rapist came towards her she struggled, outrage and anger fueling her efforts.
A calm cold flowed through her body, and darkness crept around the edge of her vision. With a snarl she ripped away the hand covering her mouth and laughed as the dark engulfed her.
The smell of earth and grass jolted the young woman awake. She remembered breaking free from the men restraining her and nothing else. As she sat up, her eyes glazed at the vision that greeted her. The bodies of three figures lay sprawled on the ground, she could no longer tell which was whom. She wondered what could have caused such horror, until she looked down at her own bloodstained hands and dress.
Her father found her that way, frozen in the garden. She begged him to make it go away, she apologized, she cried, and then she slipped into an unresponsive silence. The families most trusted men were called in to clean everything up and sworn to secrecy. No word was to ever be mentioned of the incident. The brothers carried their beloved sister to her room. She remained silent and limp as they washed her and dressed her in clean clothes. The bloodstained ones were quickly burned.
It was a week before she recovered from the shock. One morning she showed up at breakfast, and everyone carried on as normal. It was that evening that her father came to her and told her of the true tale of her mother Johana. How he had hid the truth as she seemed unaffected with the curse and did not want to burden her with the knowledge.
Over the next few months she begin to have bouts of aggressiveness and her temper began to shorten. Normally kind and sweet, she would snap at the slightest annoyance. She began to realize that she needed to find out more about her affliction and if there was a way to control it. To do that she would need to leave her home and family.
One morning she vanished into the dawn, a note of explanation left upon her bed.
Over the years she hunted legends, read through many dusty tomes, and developed an inner strengh that could keep the darkness at bay. One day, she hoped to even find a way to rid herself of it's grip entirely.
----------------------------------------------------------
Jessamin sighed. "So there it is, my life in a nutshell, and now you probably think I'm either insane or wondering how fast you can get out that door."
Jess braced herself for the inevitable and was surprised when her leaned forward and kissed her, seeking out the recesses of her surprised mouth. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer pressing him to her.
At her reaction he deepened his kiss, he didn't care what or who she was before, that just made it more interesting. The world around them vanished as he savored the nectar that was her mouth, the scent of her hair, her heart pounding against him.
She was panting when he pulled back. He stroked the soft skin of her neck. "Does that answer your question?"
She answered by pulling him to her again, her mouth on his with an urgent hunger, nails digging into his back as he nibbled on her lip. The pressure of him against her brought tingles to her clit.
"Your wound," he panted "I don't want to hurt you."
"Fast healer, take the bandage off, dagger on the bedstand table." She managed to whisper.
Jack grabbed the dagger and carefullt sliced the bandage open. His eyes grew wide. There was only a slight pink line where there had been a fresh wound. He let his hands slide across the pale flesh of her navel, traveling slowly over her ribs.
She flinched. "Okay, so maybe bones take a little longer to heal, still a little tender in the ribs."
He kissed her again, this time with soft tenderness.
"I want you Jess, all of you. Your heart, your soul, your mind, and yes your lovely body. You've bewitched me luv, and I won't settle for less." He pulled away. "And right now, you're wounded. So I'm going to leave, and let you rest. We should be almost to your island by now."
He backed towards the door.
Jess stared at him in confusion. "But.."
He winked and vanished through the doorway, and it clicked shut.
It dawned on Jess only then that he had just left and wasn't coming back. That prick had left her there excited and aroused. She sat there alone on her bed and pouted. He annoyed her to no end - and she wanted him all the more.
--------------------------------------
Next: Chapter 8 - Pathos