Rising Embers

Chapter 3

I snorted, which I regretted not long after feeling the pinch on my side. My elbow connected to air as I tried to land a strike, but alas. My speed and accuracy could never match that of a fae. A full-bloodied, highly trained warrior fae. Jacques’s chest rumbled against my back and I resisted the urge to try another blow, focusing on the dark shadow working its magic to the man. Making true what Jacques had commanded before he released his grip, turned us around, and walked us into an alleyway. His steps were brisk, but steady enough to not warrant suspicion. Fortunately for the both of us, the streets where he led us were empty. It’s not to say that there weren’t any prying eyes hidden somewhere around, but I trust Jacques’s enhanced senses to determine if we were in danger of being noticed. His cloak and mask might hide his true identity, but neither of us can ever be sure that he’d be recognized.

A wrong set of eyes who knew him well or one busybody who might recognize me as one of the famed Mistress Tatiana’s errand girls could be the end of us. Whatever we were.

I wanted to look back, to see the remains of Jacques’s magic take effect on the man, but my heartbeat was just slowing down being in his arms. The guy would be “waking up” without any prior memory of either Jacques or me, after he was released from paralysis.

My back hit a wall as Jacques pressed his body against mine, mask haphazardly pulled down, mouth descending and assaulting my lips. He always greeted me with a kiss, or a couple or even a few, even before he said words. I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, feeling embarrassed at how much I wanted to jump him and lock my legs around him as well.

He pulled back, and in the dim alley I could not only see but also feel his intense eyes boring into mine. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself,” I replied. I took a moment to admire his beautiful face and how the rays of the sun shines here and there. I bit my lower lip at the sheer perfection of him. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to looking at him.

Jacques smirked, noticing my awe. “See something you like?”

“Don’t flatter yourself too much,” I said. And because I wanted to burry the insecurity that was currently building up in my stomach, I teased, “You’re looking at me the same way, if not worse.”

He must be aware of his own beauty, there was no way in the world that he wasn’t. Still, it surprised me every time his eyes soften while he watched me, like what he was doing now. Jacques kissed my forehead gently, then my cheek. “You’re damn right, my Fire. I only do so because I could not help it, any more than I could help how I feel.”

It’s words like these when I dare dream of a better future for us, one where the odds weren’t stacked against us and our circumstances were different. It this kind of words that made me believe in Jacques and his promises, even though the truth almost always washed away the hope that blooms in my heart.

Regardless of anything else and what might happen, I decided to accept what fate had given me because I was still lucky to be afforded not just the company but the precious care of this magnificent being than not at all.

What did I ever do in a past life that granted me this loving and gentle fae?

Before I even knew what I was doing, my mouth found his again and this time, our movements were slower. Jacques nipped at my lips, my jaw, my neck. “Fire…”

“Rain.”

The nicknames sounded ridiculous to my ears the first time we used them, but, like our friendship, they grew on me faster than flowers in the first days of spring.

My eyes sprung open.

“What’s wrong?” Jacques’s eyes studied my face, then moved down my body. I knew he was looking for injuries, so even before he could fuss, I already assured him, “It was a strange encounter. The customer thought he saw me somewhere before.”

Lying was not my best suit but after kisses, Jacques was in his most relaxed state and I was hoping he would not read into the small omission of truth. I will tell him the full story, but not now. Not when I have something really special in store for him, one that I had been preparing for since last year.

Jacques’s eyebrows kitted together and he opened his mouth most probably to ask more questions, and I immediately brought my lips back to his before he could do so. We shared another few seconds of deep kisses when he moved back a little bit, breathing into my face. “I should be offended that you thought of something else while I was enjoying your kisses,” he said, his hold on my hips tightening. “But…” His hand moved up my side, stopping just right below one of my breasts. “The way you tongue my mouth not long moments ago shows how much you want me.”

My breath hitched, earning a devilish grin from Jacques. He really had a way with words. Especially talking dirty.

The thought made me even more excited about my surprise present for him waiting for us back in my cottage. Painstakingly prepared with much care by me on this special day of his. Well, Robert helped, too.

A little.

Okay, a lot.

I admit I couldn’t have done what I had planned for Jacques’s birthday if Robert was not there to guide and assist me. But, seeing the nature of my gift, it was best Jacques not be told that Robert partook in the preparation before I revealed it to him. Afterwards, I’d let him know the role of Robert in all that and hope that he wouldn’t exhibit his usual over-the-rooftop possessiveness.

Robert, after all, was only attracted to his fellow men. Or male. Just because humans weren’t permitted to fraternize with the fae didn’t mean we could also not daydream about being with one.

Since nothing could rival their beauty and they have the allure that could bring anyone down on their knees just by one single look. I’d know. I experienced it.

Am experiencing it.

“You better put your mask back on before we exit this alley.”

Jacques looked at me curiously before nodding, seemingly coming to the conclusion that I wanted to proceed in a more private setting. We always end up at my place, or somewhere close to my cottage. The part in the middle ring where I live was secluded and almost to the edge of the bordering wall. When night comes, it was even more quiet and isolated, with only the trees and the small animals living close by the only companion one could find in the dark.

This routine we knew like the back of our hands and so, with our fingers clasped firmly and comfortably together, Jacques pulled his mask back over his nose and guided me out of the dark alley, traversing the outer city and fronting the way back into my home.