Prison of Smoke (PRISON OF TIDES SEQUEL)

Letter

Caspian’s Point of View

Days had passed since Zachariah had turned, and while he could only attest to what he was directly involved in, three other men had been apprehended, and Jasmine was thrilled. As much as I loved the gentleness and compassion that normally lived in her radiant green eyes, seeing justice shining there gave me a sense of satisfaction I hadn’t experienced before.

I decided it was time to celebrate. Jasmine had been working tirelessly at the center, and this was the moment she’d been waiting for. Jacob and Cherry were going to take the kids to visit with Elenor so that I could have some time with my beautiful wife.

I took the afternoon away from my princely duties to get the house ready; candles on the table, a fresh duck with asparagus, a bottle of riesling, and chocolate cake. All of her favorites, and a surprise waiting upstairs in the bedroom.

When I heard the door open, I stood and took Jasmine’s bag from her, hanging it up as always. She wasn’t quite too short to hang it on the hooks that served for her and Cherry’s purses, but she had to stand on her toes to reach it. Besides, I liked doing things for my wife,. It always brought out her beautiful smile when I did little things for her.

“Welcome home, my love. How was your day?” I planted a kiss on her cheek, taking one of her hands in mine.

“It was another exciting one. I can’t believe how much we’re learning with every day that goes by. I’ll fill you in over dinner.” Glancing around, her eyes widened  as she took in the romantic evening I had planned. “Caspian, what’s all this for?”

“It’s to celebrate all of your hard work paying off.”  I smiled, noting the wide grin on her face. “Do you like it?”

“I love it, almost as much as I love you. Thank you, dear.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and let her lips linger on mine before sitting down across from me to eat. I cut the duck while she spoke, letting me know what was happening with the case.

“Zachariah has given us four complicit men so far. Three of them we have hard evidence against. We found victims with two of them, and a plan to buy a woman in the third’s emails. All four of the men’s computers had a history of visiting different websites that they’ve been using, with blatant rape on each of the sites. As of now, the other hasn't been cooperative, but I have a feeling that’s going to change when they realize the types of sentences they’re looking at.”

“Of course.” I took a bite of the duck, letting her continue.

“What we really want is to get enough information to get the heads of the operation, and the international ties. If we can weed those out… We’re so close to putting an end to all of this, Caspian. It still feels so unreal that we’re somehow wrapped up in a s*x trafficking ring. In a weird way, I’m glad that we are, though.”  

A little bewildered at her comment, I nodded, waiting on her to elaborate on her thoughts.

“If Raymond had taken just about anyone else, if they’d stuck to the pattern of taking people whose disappearances wouldn’t be taken as seriously, then we wouldn’t even know about this ring. They’d still be in full operation. No one connected the dots between Anna’s case and mine until it made its way to the center. Because he took me, we have the power to stop this, Caspian. It’s screwed up, but in a way, it’s a gift to be able to help so many people because of what happened to me.”

Shaking my head, I reached across the table and took her smooth hand in mine. “It’s not screwed up, my love. It’s the best way to look at it. You’re so optimistic and giving. I love you more and more each day.” Bringing her hand to my mouth, I planted a kiss on the back of it.

“I love you, too, Caspian. My sweet prince.” She stood, clearing the plates from the table and taking them towards the sink to wash them. I helped her dry them before scooping her into my arms and carrying her to the bedroom.

“Caspian! What are you doing?”

“What do you think I’m doing? It’s time for desert.”

Jasmine’s Point of View

In the doorway, Caspian set me on my feet. Pressing his lips to mine, his kiss sent electricity through my body, and I found myself leaning into him. He shut the door behind me and pressed me to it, lifting my dress and letting it fall to the floor. Standing before him in just my bra and strappy green panties, I shivered as he pressed me against the door. With his belt, he tied my hands and looped them over a hook above the door.

“You’re a naughty girl, aren’t you? Asking so many questions tonight.”

My breath came heavy, and my body was already eager for whatever pleasurable punishment he had in store for me. “Yes, Sir.”

“If you’re a good girl, I’ll take it easy on you. If not, I’ll draw it out as long as possible.”

I groaned as he unfastened my strapless bra from my breasts and helped me step out of the matching underwear. He lightly licked one of my n*****s, peaked and needy for him, and he smirked as I squirmed, in need of more. He moved onto the other, licking that one before just barely pulling it into his mouth.

A whimper escaped me, and he continued the torture until I was aching for him between my legs. Kneeling in front of me, he brought his mouth between my legs, keeping them closed so that his mouth barely touched my soaked center.

“Please, sir.” My legs were shaking as the tip of his tongue flicked across my soaked c**t, refusing to give me what I needed. “Please...”

“No, princess. Now be good and take what I give you without complaining, or else I may not give anything to you at all.”

Biting my lip, I nodded, agreeing to behave.

“Good girl,” He muttered as he slid a finger between my still-closed legs and ran it teasingly across my slit. His eyes darkened with lust as he felt my desire for him. “Gods, you’re dripping.”

“Yes, sir,” I nodded, trying not to beg.

“Do you want me to f**k you now?” His finger circled my c**t as he looked up at me.

With a jerk and a slight whine, I nodded again. “Yes, sir. Please f**k me.”

Smirking again, he shook his head as he spread my legs and began the same torment he’d given my n*****s; licking so lightly that his tongue was barely there. Periodically, he pressed down harder and then let up, causing me to tug at the belt keeping my hands in place. I needed him to bury his face in between my legs, and then bury his d**k in me.

As if he could sense my thoughts, he lifted my legs around his shoulders. Holding my rear with one hand, he spread my lower lips open with the other, devouring me.

“Oh, gods, Caspian, sir, please,” I panted before remembering what he’d said earlier.. “I’m sorry, sir, I know I shouldn’t beg.”

Biting my lips, I fully expected him to pull away. Instead, he stood and wrapped his hands under my ass, holding me up as he slipped inside of me.

“Jasmine, princess,” He groaned into my ear as he entered me fully. “Fuck.”

“Oh, sir, f**k me, please.”

He watched me while he slid in and out painfully slowly for a moment before leaning in and kissing me. His thrusts became frenzied as he held me in place, ensuring that I took every inch of him, that I knew that I was his to take. His c**k was rock solid inside of me, and I felt myself starting to clamp down.

“Come on, princess, come for me,” He growled into the nape of my neck.

“Yes, sir!” I screamed as I clutched down on his c**k, my head thrown back in ecstacy. One of his hands grabbed my hair and forced my eyes back on him as he finished inside of me, still supporting me with his other hand. I was still riding my high, milking every drop out of him as he began to soften and pulled out of me. “Oh, Caspian, f**k!”

“You’re so perfect, my  love,” He crooned as he set my feet on the ground. He untied my hands and held me, as though knowing I was so spent I would have fallen over if he hadn’t. “I love you, my princess.”

“I love you too, my sweet prince.”

Jacob’s Point of View

I was cooking dinner for myself and Cherry while the little ones were playing with Lilliana in the living room. At the dinner table, Cherry sat, sorting through mail. The salmon sizzled in the skillet, the lemon pepper wafting to my nose and letting me know it was perfectly seasoned.

“Bills, bills, an offer for a new type of cable, bills, pizza coupons.” She sighed. I don’t know why the sight of bills still stressed her out - even without her working as a priestess, I made more than enough to support our family. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her stash the pizza offers, and I smiled to myself. She loved pizza. I’d make sure to order some tomorrow night.

“Hey Jake, looks like you’ve got a letter.” She stood and brought it to me. I looked at the envelope, surprised when I noticed the return address - Folochlay. A nation of fire breathers. From Giada De Luca.

“What the…” I stared at the letter in shock for a moment before opening it.

Jacob,

I’m sure you have a lot of questions about your past. By now, I assume you’ve realized at least some of your heritage. I'm sorry that I put you in a position to figure out how to use the fire within by yourself; there are some things that are difficult and unfair, but must be done for the greater good. Putting you up for adoption was one of those things.

  In Folochlay, prejudice ran rampant until the past decade. While water breathers were tolerated, mixed babies were viewed as abominations, and were either killed or sold into slavery. Your father, Augustus, and I could not bear that. I traveled to Lutna, gave birth to you and bound your powers until the time was right before giving you up for adoption.

It’s a decision that has weighed heavily on me for twenty-nine years, since the day we gave you up. Please understand that we did so out of an undying, unconditional love for you.

I saw on the news that an investigation involving you and your wife has been reopened. When I saw you on the television in my own living room, it felt like a sign to contact you.

If you would like nothing to do with me, I understand. However, I would like to extend an offer for you to come and visit me sometime. Your family is more than welcome to join you, should you choose to meet me.

I am so proud of you, Jacob. You’ve made the best of your life. I know that your father would be proud of you as well.

All of my love,

Your mother, Giada De Luca

     I realized I wasn’t breathing, and consciously took a deep drag of air into my lungs, slowly releasing it before repeating the action until the world felt steady around me. The letter included her contact information.

     “Jacob? What’s wrong?” Cherry was standing in front of me, her hand on mine and her blue eyes concerned.

     Shaking my head, I took her hand in mine. “It’s from my mom. She wants to meet me.”

 Her eyes widened. “What? That’s great babe!”

Beaming, I turned off the stove and sat at the table. She took the seat beside me, taking my hand in hers.

“She’s in Folochlay. She saw us on the news and invited us to go and see her.”

“All of us?” She asked.

I nodded at her question, resting my chin in my hand. “Yeah. She wants to meet all of us. I can afford to take off whenever, but I’m not so sure it’s wise to bring you and the kids right now.”

I noticed a look of hurt flash across her face, but she quickly covered it. “Why do you say that, Jake?”

Squeezing her hand, I explained myself. “We don’t know anything about this woman, aside from the fact that she gave birth to me and gave me up for adoption. For noble reasons, of course. But, a lot can change in three decades. What if she’s unstable? I don’t want to risk the safety of the twins, or of you, babygirl. The three of you are my entire world. I’m sure she’s lovely, but just to be safe, this first meeting should just be the two of us.”

A look of relief passed over her face. “That makes sense. Plus, with everything going on with the investigation here, it may be hard for me to break away for more than a day or two. Why don’t you send her an e-mail?”

I smiled at her. “Exactly. I’ll go ahead and e-mail her. I can’t believe it. I’m going to meet my mom.”