by Lily Thomas
Adorra would then try to set Jasmine up with a nobleman. Jasmine couldn’t tolerate most of the men at court, though, and none of them had attracted her quite like Dryden. The festivities were intriguing, and entertaining to a point, but the atmosphere was always toxic.
Maybe Dryden was appealing because he was something new. Ice giants weren’t seen all that often… but there was more to it. Dryden was changing her views slightly. Ice giants were supposed to be scary creatures who ate children, but he’d been nothing other than nice, and none of the other ice giants had done anything to her.
She needed to get back to the manor, but she also knew it would be almost impossible to get back there with Dryden watching her. Not to even mention the impossible journey she would face… and those mountain cats.
Jasmine wanted to scream in frustration. Her sister would be doomed if Jasmine stayed put, but Jasmine might be doomed if she ventured home. It was an impossible decision, but she knew she had to try. The more time she wasted, the more desperate she’d be.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the river came into sight. Now that she wasn't drugged she could clearly see the river.
She had tried to escape by using that immense expanse of raging water.
The river had an assortment of different sized boulders scattered throughout it. If Dryden hadn't saved her, she would’ve either frozen to death in the icy water, or she would’ve eventually been smashed against one of those huge boulders.
Her bones would have been shattered, and then she would’ve drowned to death in that dark, cold water.
A shiver spread throughout her body, as she thought of the possibilities.
“Are you cold?” Dryden asked from behind her.
She turned to see his brow wrinkled in concern.
Jasmine shook her head slowly, wanting to reassure him. “I was just thinking about this river. It’s the same one I fell into, I assume.”
“Yes, this was the river where my heart stopped in my chest.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened at his statement. “Where your heart stopped?” He’d been that worried about her, even then?
Her eyes skimmed over his face as he stared back down at her. His dark eyes glided over her face as though they were memorizing every single piece of her. Her skin developed goosebumps, making her feel a little giddy inside.
“This was the area where you wiggled out of my arms and into a raging river. I thought I might lose you to the watery depths, just after saving you from the chill of the mountains.” He took a deep, steadying breath. “I still can’t believe you fought me after taking a dunk in that water. I would’ve thought you’d be too frozen to have any fight left.”
His hand came up to caress her face as he looked deeply into her hazel eyes. Brushing his fingers across the bottom of her jaw he continued, “Then you slipped through my fingers, but thankfully Mathar had seen it coming and picked you out of the rushing water.”
“You were worried about me, after only knowing me for just a short time?” Jasmine inquired of him.
“Of course I was. I had just saved you from freezing to death in the snow only to have you decide to plop yourself into an icy river.” He shook his head. “Just don't do that to me again, Jasmine.”
“Can't promise anything.” She winked up at him, teasing him a little. He growled, and she said more seriously, “I’ve learned my lesson, and in my defense, I wasn’t quite right in the head when I woke.”
As he slowed his horse, she turned to face forward.
“Are we staying the night here?” Jasmine asked, as she finally noticed that dusk was almost upon them. The constant grey cloud cover made it hard for her to tell what time of day it was.
“I was thinking about it. This would make a good stop before we continue.”
“Do I have a choice in the matter?”
“Since you’re the one who took a plunge, I would be willing to move camp if you are uncomfortable.”
Still so thoughtful.
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine.” Jasmine bloomed, and a smile formed on her face. He had to be the kindest giant she could’ve ever ended up interacting with. Good thing Mathar hadn’t been the one to find her in the snow, he would’ve left her.
Pulling back on the reins, he stopped his black warhorse and dismounted before wrapping his hands around her waist and dragging her off the horse. Dryden slid her down his armored body.
Jasmine's breath hitched in her chest as her breasts slid down his armored torso. There was something so appealing about the contact. Her nipples hardened underneath her dress and fur cloak, as her body awakened.
She watched as his dark eyes dilated and focused on her bosom as he set her down and the cloaks exposed her wilting dress. He didn't let go of her waist, seeming transfixed.
“Dryden.”
Was that really her voice? She sounded so breathy and needy. A blush crept up her face and neck, but not from embarrassment this time. Instead, she was thinking of what they might share at some point.
He might be an ice giant, but she was getting all sorts of hot and bothered around him.
His head bent down, his breath tickled her cheek, and he whispered against her hair. “The thoughts I’ve had about you would have you fainting in fear.”
“You think so?” Jasmine challenged back, unable to control herself.
“I want you below me, thighs spread, wet and aching.”
“You’ve got two of those things already.” Oh gosh! “I’m already wet and bothered.” The blush grew on her face, but this time it was from the heat building within her and not from embarrassment.
Dryden let out a groan, and ever so slowly, his mouth inched closer to hers. Then his firm lips landed on her soft, yielding ones.
As he deepened the kiss, Jasmine melted against him. She couldn't do anything about it, since she didn't want to do anything about it, and she really didn't care who saw them. Enjoying the warmth flowing from him, she opened the kiss a little more.
Then everything they were doing flooded her body, and the heat built, especially between her legs. The area between her thighs got so hot, wet, and achy. Her body didn’t care he was an ice giant. It just knew he would bring her what she was seeking, delicious pleasure.
His hand went to the back of her neck, gripping her so he’d have better access for kissing her, and then she heard a cough come from nearby.
She gasped and broke away from him. Quickly, she put a few feet between their hot bodies, letting the frigid mountain air cool off their ardor.
Looking up, she wasn't surprised to see Mathar standing near them with a disapproving look written clearly on his face. Of course, he’d be the one to ruin their heated exchange. She glared at him over her nose. They may have been getting carried away, but she didn’t like Mathar’s attitude.
Then again, Mathar had saved them from making complete fools out of themselves in front of all the other ice giants. Who knew how far she and Dryden would have gone before they realized they had an audience. There were quite a few ice giant warriors already staring at them with smirks adorning their faces.
“If you are done now, we could use your help with directing the setup of the camp.” Mathar stalked away, heading towards his horse.
“A bit bossy, is he not?” Jasmine remarked as she watched Mathar stride away.
“He just doesn't know what’s going on between us.” Dryden scowled at Mathar’s back.
“What is going on between us?” Jasmine inquired, looking back up at Dryden. She still had no clue as to what Dryden had in mind. He didn’t have anyone serious back home, but were his thoughts heading in the same direction as hers? She wanted to explore the heat between them, even if it was only a quick, hot romance before she ran away to save her sister. There wasn’t a future here, and she knew it, but Jasmine was starting to think she was okay with that.
Dryden shrugged. “Perhaps we should discuss that at a later time. Right now, Mathar is right. I should be getting everything settled
for the night. You’re distracting me from my duties.” He winked at her.
With that, he took the leather reins and led his warhorse in the direction Mathar had gone.
Jasmine huffed a bit and folded her arms in front of her chest.
What these giants must think of her. She was not an easy woman, and she didn't want any of them to get the wrong idea about her.
With a little pout in Dryden's direction, she stomped closer to the river, hoping a little distance would allow her body the time it needed to cool down.
Too late, Jasmine noticed there was thin ice built up along the sides of the riverbanks, right where she was stomping. She lost her balance as her foot landed on a patch of the ice, and she slipped, falling on her butt in the snow.
Heat flooded through her as she sat there, the rushing water only inches away. She couldn't decide if it was better or worse just to stay sitting there and admit defeat to the ice or get up and try to walk away.
Taking a glance around her, she noticed some ice giants smiling and laughing to themselves as they continued with their business. Dryden hadn't even noticed, but he was facing the wrong way to have seen, as was Mathar.
“Nobody help me, see if I really care all that much,” she grumbled under her breath.
Rising from the ground, Jasmine was careful not to step on any more of the patches of ice that spotted the area around the riverbank. She brushed off her bottom, turning and bending her body in every direction to make sure all the snow had been brushed off. She didn’t need evidence of the fall still on her person.
Dryden was the type of man who would notice, make sure she was alright, and then laugh at her.
Just standing there, Jasmine felt so very alone. She had plenty of ice giants around her, but there was no one to talk with, not even Dryden. Telling him about her sister would only make him watch her more.
Her sister was a driving force to leave, and Jasmine knew he’d realize that. Jasmine wouldn't give up trying to find an escape opportunity, even if she felt like she would end up leaving a part of her heart behind with Dryden and his ice giant warriors. They were so interesting and new.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she watched the ice giants. There was too much pressure on her shoulders.
She wondered when they would arrive at the ice giant castle. Perhaps they were days or weeks away, but she needed to get back to her sister before that. Jasmine didn't even know if she was already too late. She had no idea how long she’d been lying out in the snow, or how long she had been unconscious after Dryden had discovered her.
Finishing the knot, Dryden tugged at it to check that it was tight. With a nod, he decided it would hold, and he turned to watch Mathar finish up with his horse.
He took a glance over his shoulder to where Jasmine had walked off. She had moved a little farther down the bank of the river.
There was something about her that took him a little off guard.
Loneliness.
He could see it written all over her face, and he felt horrible about it, but what could he do? If she wanted to confide in him, he would leave it up to her, since he wasn’t going to force it out of her.
The only people around her at the moment were men. Even if she wanted, there was no one to make friends with. None of his men would be interested in making friends with a human female.
Which meant both of them were drawing closer to each other. Dryden wanted to see where it would lead, and he wanted to gain her trust so he might find out more about her past.
A sigh came out that he couldn't hold back. He wanted to run over to her, hold her, take away all her fears and loneliness, wrap her in all the warmth he could provide, and protect her from the world around them.
Would she let him protect her from the world, though? She appeared to be a strong-willed human with an inward drive. She wasn’t yanking at her hair while losing her mind. No. She was calm and collected. Any other human female would be freaking out.
Dryden still had yet to sort out all his emotions. How did he even feel about her?
Here he was talking about never wanting to let her go when he’d only known her for a handful of days. Was he finally going insane? A human and an ice giant would be a strange match.
Or was there something between them that he couldn't see, but could feel?
Noticing Mathar was done, Dryden returned his attention to his longtime friend.
“I’ve been thinking about Jasmine.”
“Is there a time when you are not?” his friend asked.
Dryden’s eyes narrowed in on Mathar, not exactly liking the tone Mathar had taken. “What do you mean by that?”
Mathar cast his hands into the air. “The fact you’ve been staring into space for most of this trip, or the fact you two were about to have sex out in front of everyone. You never even noticed you had company.”
Dryden felt ashamed for his earlier actions. He should be doing a better job at keeping his personal life away from the prying eyes of his warriors. As king of the ice giants, he should be more discrete.
The next comment from Mathar caught him off guard. “I just hope you realize she isn't the one for you.”
“Pardon me?” Dryden asked, his eyebrows going sky high. He was king. He could very well decide who he wanted to pursue without his friend’s judgment.
“Dryden, she is a human female, and you are our leader. This human will have to know her place at some point, and it isn't with us.” Then he added, “You shouldn't treat her like she is anything special when nothing can come of it.”
“What if I think... I have true feelings for her?” Dryden asked his longtime companion, hoping, just hoping Mathar could understand him.
“Then I hope you would realize how bad an idea it is.” Mathar pointed over at Jasmine. “Look at her. Really take a look at her. She will be challenged, at every stage. Our females will test her, females who have had their eyes on you for years. And men... well, men may not understand she is yours. Her fragile life would be in jeopardy every single day.”
Mathar waved around the area surrounding them. “Not to mention that our environment could easily kill her.”
“She will be by my side.” Even as the words came out of his mouth, he realized how ridiculous they sounded. She couldn’t always be by his side. It would be utterly impossible.
Mathar looked at him as if he had just sprouted wings. “You can’t be by her side every second of every day. You’re a king with duties. She’ll have to be by herself at some point.”
“I don't think I can just turn off how I feel about her, Mathar. She is plaguing my mind, at every waking moment, and yet I enjoy it.”
Mathar got right into Dryden's space, face to face. “Then you need to learn to put her out of your mind. You know I’m speaking the truth when I tell you that I’m looking out for your best interests.”
Mathar stepped back, and Dryden could hear the concern in his voice. “I worry about you Dryden, I truly worry about you. I don't want to seem like I'm not on your side. I just want to make sure you don't stray down the wrong path. Not to mention you are cruel to lead her on. You need to produce heirs, and she couldn’t possibly do that for you.”
Dryden could understand Mathar's uneasiness about where his mind was headed. He turned and stared longingly at Jasmine. As a king, he would indeed need heirs, and if she could, in fact, produce them for him, then they would be weaker than other ice giants. Any children between them would have a hard time proving they were fit for the throne.
She stood near the river looking wholly isolated and friendless. Her stick-like arms were wrapped around her chest. Was she cold, or was she just trying to keep herself company?
His heart went out to her. Dryden didn't want her to be lonely, but at the same time, how could he return her to her people?
It just wasn't possible. They couldn't trust her not to say anything. People would think she’d been kidnapped. Even the sturdiest spy would have trouble if he were drugged, drinking,
or being tortured. It might just accidentally slip out from her mouth while telling what was sure to be a wild story.
He turned back around to Mathar, but Mathar just shook his head and scowled deeply.
“Your people will back your decision if you decide to keep her, but they will question it. It will take time for them to understand exactly what she means to you.” Mathar heaved a heavy sigh. “I suggest you make it plainly clear what she is to you. I can't believe I am about to say this, but if you plan to pursue her, you need to marry her, if you want her to be completely safe among us. She will require guards, as well.”
“We have not been affected by the presence of humans like the other giant races have been. It shouldn’t be too hard for our people to accept her, with a little time.”
“There has to be someone out there who won’t like her, and it’d be foolish to think otherwise.”
“Marriage,” Dryden whispered back, slightly shocked. He had never even considered marrying her. He’d wanted to bed her sure, but marriage?
Dryden just wanted her to be safe.
“I have completely no idea how she feels about anything. I hadn't had marriage in mind when I rescued a frail human female from the snow.”
“Dryden, to keep her completely safe you need to marry her. It would make it clear to any male that they cannot touch her and clear to any female that they cannot confront her, not without facing you.” Glancing over at Jasmine, he whispered to Dryden, “She may also need to learn how to defend herself.”
“Jasmine using a sword? I’m sure she would be a force to reckon with when and if she knew how to use a sword, but I’m not certain she will wish to learn. Much less be my wife and stand by my side.”
Dryden paused and looked over at where Jasmine stood. “And if she couldn’t produce heirs?”
“Your bloodline would end, and one of your many cousins would take over.”
Dryden grimaced. “It would leave a void and possibly cause conflict among our people.” He could see family bickering over who would rule after his death.
