Once Upon a Quest

by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

  Way to diffuse the situation, Bertha. I loved her so.

  After watching to ensure Lucy didn’t turn and run from Bertha, I spotted my companions and Gregory at the bar having a pint, or several. I made my way to the bar, nodding and smiling at a few ladies while they were entertaining their gentlemen, attempting not to stare. That would have been terribly rude indeed. But, oh, my! The corsets…

  I sidled up between Eric and Tobias while James was immersed in conversation with Gregory. “Evening, gentlemen. Sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak with the two of you privately.”

  Eric gave me a worried expression as did Tobias. “Is everything all right?” Eric enquired after setting his pint on the bar top.

  “Yes, there’s just something”—I nodded toward Gregory—“I need to discuss with you.”

  “I see,” Eric said, stepping away from the bar. “We can talk in the parlor. Tobias?”

  We walked into the next room and found an empty sofa near the back. I’d felt uneasy about the entire situation since we’d rescued Lucy and wanted to find out what they knew of Gregory and his background.

  “What’s this about, Catherine?” Tobias enquired as he sat next me on the sofa.

  I glanced between the two of them and kept my voice low. “Do you not find it odd that everything went so smoothly tonight? Julius barely fought back and then vanished without calling in his army to apprehend us.”

  “I do.” Tobias nodded and then ran his hand through his hair. “Especially seeing as he has placed a bounty on our heads and threatened your kingdom.”

  “It’s all very mysterious,” I said, “and I find it curious that your friend Gregory arrived to tell us about Lucy and insisted we leave tonight. I’m finding it hard to trust him now. The castle was basically deserted.”

  Eric leaned in with serious expression. “You’re right. There was no one, other than the lone shifter he was speaking with outside of the tower.” He pounded his fist on the table. “That son of a bitch!”

  I placed my hand on Eric’s arm in an attempt to calm him. “Before you destroy any more of Bertha’s property or jump to conclusions, ripping Gregory apart, I believe we need to investigate this a bit further; watch his movements.” I turned toward Tobias. “You know him best. “What are your thoughts?”

  “As long as I have known him, he has always been forthcoming. He’s expressed his hatred for Julius many times over the years.” Tobias paused as if in thought. “However, after tonight, I’m not quite certain what to think. We should have been ambushed. And how did Julius know you would return tonight of all nights?”

  “My thoughts exactly. Either Gregory set us up or he has been compromised in some way. Julius is up to something; I’m certain of it. We need to leave tomorrow for the Southern Kingdom after we’ve rested. I’m worried about my father.”

  “I don’t like this at all.” Eric growled. “If he is a traitor or attempts to harm you in any way, I will kill him, Catherine.”

  “Stop growling, Eric. It doesn’t become you.” I gave him a sideways glance and a small smile. “Once we ensure my father is safe, we need to look into the Northern Kingdom. If Julius has left the Eastern Lands with his army, he would most likely head there first to plan an attack.”

  Tobias agreed. “We shall sleep on it then and I’ll inform James of what we discussed later once Gregory has retired or fallen over drunk for the evening.”

  I had a laugh at that. I could see both James and Gregory falling over drunk. They had four empty pints sitting in front of them when I saw them sitting at the bar.

  “All right gentleman, I must be off.” I stood from the couch. “I need a bath and my rest before our journey home tomorrow. Sleep well.” I smiled over my shoulder and then headed back toward the stairs leading to my chamber.

  I was well and truly spent, however I felt a bit better after going over my concerns about Gregory. I wasn’t entirely certain he had led us astray; he did help us save Lucy after all. But I had niggling doubts that something was amiss. If anyone attempted to invade my kingdom, hurt my family or my companions, they would indeed feel my wrath. I was a new Catherine; one of my own making. Thank you, destiny. I would stop at nothing to protect those I loved.

  Chapter 28

  When I arrived in my chamber, the heavenly smell of jasmine and mint greeted me. Bertha. God love her. I hurried to the bathroom to see that she’d drawn me a bath and had everything prepared for a relaxing evening. I’d have to thank her in the morning.

  I quickly stripped from my beautiful attire, careful not to fall out of my skirt this time, and unlaced my boots, removing my sword and knives. Slipping into the bath, the water was perfect. I sighed in relief. My muscles ached, and my body was sore, but I’d endure much more pain in order to save my sister. I was so happy to have her back and under the same roof. I hoped she was relaxing and not giving anyone a hard time. I giggled again at the thought.

  Once I was scrubbed clean and thoroughly pruned, I stepped from the bath a toweled myself off. Bertha had even brought in another fresh robe. I was surely going to miss her. I wondered if I could bring her back to the Southern Kingdom with me. The thought of not seeing her every day now made my heart hurt just a little.

  Donning my robe and nothing else, I walked to my bed and slipped beneath the covers. I was exhausted from the day’s events and wanted to be well rested for our journey home. I couldn’t wait to see my father’s smiling face and to reunite him with Lucy. I knew he must be worried sick. I missed him terribly.

  Soon enough, I felt myself drifting off into a blissful sleep.

  But not for long.

  I heard my door creak open and then close. He was in my room again, attempting to be quiet and failing miserably, I might add. He didn’t realise I was awake. My pulse quickened, and my breathing was a bit heavy. I’d made my choice but I’d yet to tell him.

  Eric was the one for me, and I’d known it from the moment he’d accosted me in the carriage ride back to my castle. I smiled at the memory. I was a different person then, having no idea what I wanted out of life, other than killing dragons, and most certainly did not want a man. Or so I’d believed. He’d changed me. Or was it destiny? I knew I could no longer deny him; we were stronger together as Bertha had said. I loved him; that much was certain. She was indeed one smart witch.

  “Stop sneaking about, Eric. I know it’s you.” I sat up in the bed, waiting for him to approach. My body was still a bit sore, but heavenly heat that only he could bring was stirring in the pit of my stomach.

  “You knew I’d come.” He sat on the bed next me, and the tension in room escalated quickly when he touched my thigh.

  I switched on the lamp on the bedside table, needing to see his face. I folded my arms against my chest, smirking a bit. I was bloody nervous; lust was invading my thoughts, and heady warmth was heading south to my nether regions.

  God, Lucy was in the next room. She would faint if she knew I had a man in my chamber. I giggled. She was such a lady. She’d find out sooner rather than later I supposed because there was no way I was letting my dhampir out of my sight. My father wanted me to choose in order to unite the Southern and Western Kingdoms, and that’s what I intended to do—right now.

  Playing a little game, I enquired with a raised brow, “What exactly do want?”

  Oh, my! Without a word, he pulled me to him; our mouths were only inches apart. I could see pure fire and hunger in his gorgeous blue eyes. He parted his lips, and I swallowed hard, knowing what was to come. And then I saw his fangs appear for the first time. I thought they might frighten me but instead, something else happened. My stomach did that thing again, and I knew it was desire. To my utter surprise, I wondered what it would feel like if I allowed him to bite me.

  What the hell was wrong with me? I wanted him to bite me? Was this normal? Wait. I wasn’t normal by any means. No matter. I wanted the man before me, fangs and all; just the way he was. God help me. Eric had me a mess of love and lust.


  “Do you like what you see?” He kissed my neck, and I thought I might die from the sensations. “I can smell your desire, Catherine. Allow me to make love to you.” His mouth travelled from my neck to peaks of my breasts. Suddenly, my robe was far too hot. “Tell me how much you want me.”

  Dear God. I was going to die from lust alone if he didn’t stop talking.

  “Just shut up and kiss me for God’s sake!” My voice was high pitched and demanding.

  Eric narrowed his eyes for a moment and then settled me beneath him on the bed, burying his face in breasts, suckling one after the after, cupping them in his large hands. This was more like it. Oh, my!

  I grabbed his hair, near breathless, when his mouth caressed my nipples and his hand brushed against my thigh, opening my robe. I wanted him, no I needed him to touch me. Within moments, he ripped my robe from my body in one swift movement, leaving me bare before him.

  “Beautiful, and all mine. We may never leave this room.” He took in my naked form and dear God, I’d never in my life felt so wanted or turned on for a man. Warmth pooled at my nether regions; pressure was building, and he needed to touch me. Now.

  My entire body was trembling with anticipation of what was to come. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it would be explosive. I only hoped I didn’t do anything to humiliate myself. I decided to just go with it. I knew Eric was experienced so I would follow his lead. Suddenly, my nerves were attempting to get the best of me. I was having none of that. Not this time. I was taking control.

  “Take your shirt off,” I demanded like I knew what I was doing.

  He obeyed, but before I could touch his glorious chest he devoured my mouth, positioning himself between my legs and, oh, my! I began panting, clawing his back like an animal gone mad. Something strange had come over me. I arched my back wanting to feel his skin against my own. When his caressed my nether regions, pulsating pressure began building even further. I had no control over my body; my hips moved of their own accord to feel more of what he was giving. I was breathing his name between moans of pleasure. God, I’d never felt anything so… I had no words.

  “So wet for me,” he whispered passionately. “I will take it slow; I want to enjoy you.” God help me, I arched my back for more, needing to feel him. I couldn’t hold on much longer. The foreign, yet unbelievable sensations coursing through my body, were driving me insane.

  I nearly jumped from the bed when I felt his finger enter inside of me. It was becoming hard to breathe; I tried to touch his body and pull him toward me, but he held me back. Liquid heat was mounting, and I was certain I couldn’t take anymore. I nearly cried out when he finally allowed me to wrap my hand around his erection. Oh, my! And what an erection it was. He was huge, and I had no idea how he would fit inside of me. Oh, no!

  This would be the beginning of my humiliation. I just knew it. My lady bits wouldn’t work properly, and I would be mortified. What if I could never—I stopped myself right there. I may be inexperienced, but I was certain women could work around these issues. I was overthinking this... In bed with the man I loved. I wanted to slap myself. But, he really did need to rid himself of those trousers.

  Oh, my! Eric did something amazing with his hands and all coherent thought left me. “Eric. I want you. Now!” Unable to control myself any longer, my body rippled with vibrations as he continued to move his finger inside of me, moulding my sensitive parts with the palm of his hand. I was coming undone. Pure ecstasy exploded within every part of my body; I craved the release he was giving me. I needed more.

  “Spread your legs wide for me. I’m only just getting started.” He gave me a sexy-as-sin smirk. “I’ve wanted you since the moment we met.” He removed his finger, and I cried out from the loss and then spread my legs. Dear God. I spread my legs.

  Oh, my! I closed my eyes, feeling blood rushing to my face, my ears and everywhere in between. I’d never experienced anything so… Oh, dear God!

  When I opened my eyes, he was smiling at me, and I could see the love he held for me in his eyes; the same love I had for him. These new emotions were so strong, I thought I might cry. No, I’d had enough crying. This was simply beautiful.

  Eric continued to look into my eyes when I felt his erection near my center. He entered slowly, and I tensed for a moment. He remained still, allowing me to adjust to his size before he moved any further. The burning sensation only lasted for a few moments, but it was quickly replaced with pleasure.

  “Are you all right, Catherine? You’re so perfect.” I couldn’t answer him. I was in a state of sheer bliss, moaning and when I finally found my voice, I commanded him to start moving.

  Eric lifted me to a sitting position; we were face to face, and I wrapped my legs around him as he penetrated me. Dear God. I was sweating while he thrusted himself deeply inside of me. I couldn’t get enough! Breathing heavily; he held me close as two bodies could be. We looked into one another’s eyes; his were shimmering in the dim lighting. I was slowly falling apart.

  “Oh, God! This feels so good! Harder, Eric.” I panted, begging him for more. I knew I was losing my head as the pressure in my nether regions mounted. I threw my head back, feeling my release nearing at any moment.

  Damn. I’d never known lovemaking could ever be this satisfying and fulfilling. Oh, my! Eric told me I was beautiful, and he wanted to continue to pleasure me. His fangs were fully extended now, and something jolted inside of me. He pushed his erection deeper inside of me, and I cried out with pleasure as liquid heat rolled throughout every inch of my body.

  “Bite me, Eric. Do it now.” I had no idea where this was coming from, but the images floating in my mind were screaming for him, needing the intensity of his bite. Dear God. Something was sincerely wrong with me. Oh. Who the hell cared?

  The look he gave me was a mixture of shock and excitement. “That’s one thing I thought I’d never hear you say. Your wish is my command, my queen.” He grinned wickedly and flipped me on my stomach, pulling my arse in the air. Oh, my! Dear God! My arse was in the air.

  I turned my head to ask what was going on when he thrust himself inside me once more. Oh. My. Oh! He continued pushing harder and harder and I cried out, losing all my sensibilities, screaming his name. I just knew I was waking the entire brothel. Dear God. I was… Holy hell. I was going to die from lovemaking. Yes, I was most certainly going to die. My heart was thumping so wildly, I just knew it would surely give out at any moment!

  Eric yanked my hair, but instead of wanting to kill him, I liked it. Oh my! His pace quickened, and my breathing was erratic and suddenly, I felt a slight sting in my neck, then bright lights exploded behind my eyelids, slick warmth pooled between my legs and convulsed in the most erotic pleasure I’d ever experienced in my life. I felt like I was floating on a cloud and coming apart at the same time. I trembled, feeling as if I was levitating and something like electricity danced across my skin. My pulse slowed and the world around me began to spin. Yes, this must have been heaven and I was surely dead.

  Sometime later, I felt a hand stroking my back. Well, I wasn’t dead, I decided. I felt so relaxed and oh, so tired. When I opened my eyes, the light was still on and Eric was singing to me in a language I didn’t recognise. His voice was touching and beautiful; making me feel whole again, filling me with love I never knew existed.

  Tears brimmed my eyes when I realised my feelings for Eric far exceeded anything I’d ever thought possible. I’d never believed in love; yet here he was in the flesh, a gorgeous man who would fight alongside me as my equal until the end of time.

  I turned toward him and kissed him deeply, pouring every ounce of love I was feeling into that one kiss. I needed him to feel it; to know it without saying a word. When I pulled a way, his eyes were near glowing.

  I cupped his face with my hand. “That was a beautiful song. What was it about?”

  “My love for you.” He leaned into my hand. “I love you, my queen.”

  I smiled; my heart was full. “I love you, too
, my caveman.” Eric raised his brows, seemingly taken aback by my term of endearment.

  I had a chuckle at that. He was a caveman indeed. But my caveman.

  “Say that again.”

  “What, that you’re a caveman?”

  He chuckled, kissing my forehead. “No, that first part. I would like to hear it again.”

  I ran my finger along his jaw and down his neck. “I love you and I choose you, Eric.” I was certain our time together was proof of my choice, but I needed to ensure he knew, just in case.

  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. “My Catherine, I must warn you, I’m planning on making love to you all night long until you beg me to stop.”

  I gave him a wicked grin. “I never back down from a challenge.”

  Oh, my! This was going to be a very long, but enjoyable night indeed!

  Chapter 29

  I awoke to the sound of someone banging on my door, and dear God, I had a headache. My eyes felt sewn shut. Were they? No. That was impossible, but my naughty bits were certainly feeling a burning sensation like never before. I wasn’t certain I’d ever be able to walk properly again. Oh, my! That would be humiliating.

  Eric had been dead serious when he said he wasn’t going to allow me to sleep. He was insane! Just when I thought he was done, and I thought I was dead again—that kept happening throughout the night—he would start all over again.

  “Catherine! You need to get up.” A loud voice from outside my door broke me from my thoughts. “We’re all packed up and ready to leave. Who sleeps until this hour?” Another series of loud knocks sounded. “Get up, now!”

  Oh, damn. It was Lucy, and Eric was still in my bed fast asleep. Shit. Shit. Shit. I hadn’t told anyone of my choice; I was going to wait until this morning when we were travelling. Oh, my! This was a dreadful situation. What was I going to say? What was I going to do?