Illegal Fantasies (Anthology ~ Behind Closed Doors) (21 page)

The
16
th
Century

Losing wasn’t an option. If it came down to it, he’d die to win her honor. There was nothing more alluring than the prospect of being the countess’s private guard.

Yes, he was already her guardian,
but only by their kind’s standard. As they tried to blend into the human world, one had to play their games. That meant he would be called upon to prove his valor, worth, and strength quite often.

In all honesty, he didn't mind. After all, he was at a distinct advantage. He was a monster.

One in which the likes of them they had never encountered before.

Granted,
his mistress often tried to dissuade the humans from this ridiculous fight. The countess knew that when it came down to it, they’d lose. Not only had he taken a vow hundreds of years ago to keep her safe, he also had loved her from the second he saw her.

It was that dedication that gave him the willingness to die for her.

There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Jolie Harcourte. In fact, to be her official guard, he’d cut off his own arm. That’s how much he wanted to be near her. From the second the challenge was thrown down, Jacques knew he needed to win.

If he did, there would be a reward.

One he wanted desperately.

While
Jacques was well aware that she’d never love him, he’d always feel that and so much more for her. For now, he only needed to keep any human from being at her side. Their kind didn't mate with the undead. They chose a living, breathing man to copulate with. It was just the way of the vampyre.

Now, he needed to make sure that didn't happen.
In his heart, he truly believed that over time, she might see what he did.

That they were made to be together.

Until then, while he couldn’t have her himself, it would mean eliminating the possible competition.

No, there was no way in hell he would
lay down and allow her to fall in love with another.

Jacques wasn’t stupid.

Now came the time.

Standing out in the open space, he watched the four men suiting up. His reputation
preceded him. They knew he wasn’t going to be easy to take down. As the squire helped him into his breastplate, he tied back his black hair.

With his exceptional hearing, he could
distinguish their whispers. They were conspiring against him.

For this battle, it wouldn’t be any man for himself, but four against one.

Oh, they could make all the plans they wanted. None would come to fruition. After all, he wasn’t easy to kill.

A part of him felt sorry for them. After all, it wasn’t fair. It would be like giving a sword to a baby and asking him to fell a giant.

Yet, so be it.

Staring over into the stands, he found her.
Her eyes tracked him and only him. That look alone gave him the extra push he needed to forgo the guilt of ending their lives. For his mistress, he’d face anything.

In his mind,
there was the tickle of her trying to communicate with him.

“Be careful, Jacques.
I don’t want you to be harmed.”

His laughter filled her mind.
“If you weren’t so lovely, Mistress, I wouldn’t have the competition. They can’t help but be besotted by your beauty.”

“You don’t have to do this.
In fact, we can leave and have an adventure away from here. I wouldn’t mind in the least.”

Oh, yes
, Jacques did need to do this.

He wanted her in the worst way. By winning
this battle, he could claim her and the victory he craved. Granted, she’d likely never love him in return, but at least he knew he had done his job.

“Oui,
but they challenged me. I’ve followed you for centuries, and if you wish to leave, I’ll go with you but after this is done. I don’t walk away from a challenge.”

There was no doubt that she wouldn’t be able to change his mind. After all, his manhood was at stake. Jacques would never back down.

Not over a fight to the death for her honor.

“
If you win, there will be a reward.”

He didn't like how she doubted him. After all, he was a killer
, and this was what he did.
“Then, I expect you to keep your word.”

She pulled a piece of cloth from the bodice of her lavender dress. Crossing to her, he stood beneath the stand.

“You have my favor, Sir Jacques of Degaul.”

He watched
the lace fall through the air. When it was within reach, he grabbed it. Already, he could smell the telltale scent of his mistress. That one gesture alone erased the irritation in his mind. She didn't doubt his skill. Jolie was simply worried about him.

It was clearly etched across her face.

Bowing, he placed the delicate lace into the neck of his armor. Her scent would keep him occupied while he got this mess over with.

“Be safe, Sir Jacques. When you win, you will have anything you request.”

When he stared up at her, his fangs slid into place. He already knew what he would claim as his. When he won, tonight she would be his.

Yet for now, i
t was time to earn his place at her side.

Dropping the armor helmet onto his head, he returned to
the field of battle. It wasn’t lost on him that they were waiting for him and his death.

Jacques
had news for them.

It wasn’t happening.
Well, not in his lifetime, and that was one hell of a long time.

Suddenly
, the trumpet sounded. Before he could move, they all began charging him. Jacques readied himself, wishing he could use fangs and claws to destroy them all. Fighting like a predator was far easier than doing battle like a human.

Instead, he was relegated to their weapons. With one strong swipe of his massive sword, he took down the first attack. The man’s head rolled across the grass as his body met the dirt.

There was a gasp from the crowd.

Yet, i
t didn't give the approaching knights pause. Instead, the second one charged, believing he would fare far better.

With all the force
Jacques had, the sword was driven straight through the weakest point of the armor, severing his artery. The scent of blood filled the air, calling to him.

Yes, it was on.

Without hesitation, he rushed the last two.

He wanted this in the worst way.

Jacques would kill to have her.

The last
two men threw everything they had at him. There was the crashing of metal, the sound of labored breaths, but finally, they fell.

One by one, they died at his feet.

In victory, Jacques stood in their blood.

With the last one’s death, he ripped his helmet off and stared over at her. “It is done, Countess.”

Dropping to his knee, his sword still in hand, he reached for her mind.
“I have earned my reward, no?”

Jolie’s heart pounded in her chest. Her warrior certainly had, and valiant
ly too.
“Oui, you have. Meet me in my chambers.”

He lowered his eyes, knowing that he may have won this battle, but there would be more to come. She still wasn’t his. Centuries had passed, and one thing was still far from his reach.

Her heart.

“Yes
, my Mistress.”

With that, she was gone.

Jacques stood, facing down his squire. “Get me out of this armor, clean it, and take it to my room.”

The young boy followed him to the stable to help him undress. “Yes, Master.
Tis a good day for victory, my liege.”

The boy had no idea.

Jacques knew that he must hurry. He wanted to leave no time for her to change her mind. He’d earned tonight, and it would be his.

To the victor went the spoils.

             
                            *   *   *

In her room, Jolie paced back and forth. When the last man had fallen, she was finally able to breathe. If she lost Jacques, she would die. Her guardian was her best friend and constant companion. He’d been with her for so long, that it was almost impossible to recall a time when they were apart. A future without him would be hell.

Jacques had most definitely earned his moment tonight. He was brave, strong, and so special to her. This would be his reward. Staring over at her lady in waiting, she dismissed her.

“But Countess! You can’t have him in here alone. That’s just not done! What if he tries to have you? You know that men are animals and have no morals. Sir Jacques has just fought and that makes them wild.”

Oh, he was an animal alright, but then again, so was she. Jolie stared at her
blankly. Tonight, Jacques had earned his reward. It was just the law of their people. If a guardian was going to protect the primus of his family, then he was free to indulge in the rewards that went with it.

Mainly her body.

“Did you not see how he fought? That knight would never hurt me. I trust him.”

“But Countess!”

“Out!” she demanded. While it was bad to be alone with any man you weren’t betrothed to, Jolie didn't care. Human rules didn't apply for them. Not when they were alone.

When the woman was gone, she waited. It didn't take long before she heard, sensed, and could feel his approach. Her heart skipped. Going to the door, she waited for his knock.

“Jacques?” she asked, peeking out.

When he stood there, he lowered his gaze. It was a sign of respect for his primus. “Yes, Countess, it is I.”

Opening, she let him in.

The second they were alone, she threw herself against him. Immediately, her mouth sought his. The kiss was fiery and filled with so much affection.

His heart ached as she clung to him. How he wished he could tell her
what lived in him. There wasn’t any price too big to be able to tell Jolie he loved her.

“You scare
d the hell out of me!” she stated, pulling away. “Did you get hurt?”

Her hands wandered
across his lavender tunic. It was hard not to enjoy the way she touched his body. Jacques wished he was wounded, only to have her tend to him.

“No, Mistress,” he said, using the term their people used. While the humans saw her as a wealthy countess, he saw her as his leader.

Lifting his chin, she forced him to stare into her eyes. “No one will question us being together now.”

His heart skipped. Oh, how he wished they w
ere ‘together’ as a couple.

But alas,
he knew the truth.

She was
the mistress, and he was her right hand. All he would ever be was the one who killed for her. Jacques knew that his job was to keep Jolie safe.

Again, she kissed him. This time it felt different. It was filled with something more than just lust.

Pulling away, he stared into her eyes. “Mistress.”

“I owe you a reward. Tonight is all yours.”

His body came alive at the prospects.

Locking the door, she took him by the hand. “Tonight, Jacques
, I offer myself up to my warrior and brave knight.”

Oh, how he only wished.

Leading him toward the giant bed in the center of the room, she stood there, waiting for him to make his move. If anything, Jacques was a patient and controlled man. It was from the years of training to be a guardian.

When he didn't move, she stared at him. “Unless you don’t want me.”

His heart clenched. What insanity was this? If anything, he needed her a little too much. One night with Jolie would never be enough. For her, Jacques knew it was nothing more than to satiate her need for sex and blood.

“Mistress.”

“Jolie. Tonight, please call me by my name.”

His eyes dilated.

“Let go of you inhibitions, Jacques,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss him across the throbbing pulse in his throat. When his body shook, she knew he was close. “I’m yours. Do whatever you wish.”

Now, he stared at her. “Whatever I
please?”

She stroked his cheek. “You won. I’m the prize.”

He needed to know. “If I had lost, would one of them be claiming you?”

Jolie stared into his eyes. The calm green was gone, and the black of
a predator was now in its place. “No. They wouldn’t be. I’ve been honest with you for centuries, Jacques. Humans don’t call to me. I have no need to mate with them.”