The Archduke's Songbird

"I missed you…"

Amidst the rain of kisses falling on her, Jessamyn said with a moan. Her body warmed everywhere the kisses landed and a spring garden blossomed in her barren heart. 

"More…I want more…"

She pleaded wanting to quench the warmth coursing through her blood. She didn't know the last time she had such a realistic dream. Maybe she had finally found him after searching for seven years. 

His scent… His smile and the familiar taste of his lips… The feeling of his strong muscles on her palms…

Heaven…

"I love you…"

Amidst her pleased moans, she moved her hips to match his rhythm. There it was… the release she wanted. 

"…My dearest Joar…" She kissed him.

Everything turned cold immediately and darkness returned; thus, it was supposed to be. She didn't mind. That brief warmth was enough for her to go on. She slumped down, waiting for the chance to be with him again in her dreams.

Even if it was darkness she desired as it brought hopes for another pleasant dream, light returned.

Isadora! Is she safe? 

It took Jessamyn some time to realize that she was not in the forest where she slipped and fell. She was lying on a comfortable canopy bed. The green silk velvet curtains around the large bed were let down.

Where am I? 

With a gasp, she sat up. The wolf fur blanket covering her slipped down. There were scratches all over her and her body hurt like she was slammed on a rock ten times over. More importantly, she was naked. 

Covering herself with her arms, Jessamyn looked to her side to see the back of a man—an unfamiliar man.

Her heart pounded as she jumped down from the bed onto the bear-skin rug. She tried to get the blanket but he was holding it between his legs. Even the bedcovers didn't budge. She didn't try to pull them anymore knowing that she wouldn't pull it without waking that man. 

She knew what happened there. She was not dreaming. "It" happened. The marks on her neck and chest, the feeling between her legs, and the naked man lying beside her were the proof.

IT HAPPENED!

WHO DID I SLEEP WITH?

Flashes of memories returned. She didn't remember him; she only remembered her husband's face. This man couldn't be her husband. 

But it was clear that she instigated it; she clung to him and forced herself on him wanting to quench the fire burning inside. She couldn't understand how it happened. 

Although she didn't recall him trying to stop her or push her away.

She didn't have the guts to look at that man's face. She wanted to disappear. 

She looked around to get any clues. The ginormous room was warm and filled with a soothing scent as the fire in the fireplace was still burning. The arched windows were closed and not much light got in but she could see expensive articles everywhere.

She could vaguely see a portrait of a man in his formal court attire. By the longsword on his waist, she could infer that he must hold a higher position in the Royal Army. 

I got myself into serious trouble…

Green coat, silver embellishments…

Wait… could it be…him?

No! No way! 

She didn't want to stay there anymore. She looked for her clothes but she couldn't find any. She almost tripped on the chamber pot. 

 She did find a belt—his belt. 

She picked it up. Her hands shook as her dainty fingers traced along the buckle. In the dim light, she saw the emblem on the belt. 

The belt fell on the soft carpet; her heart sank to her guts. She heard the sound of her heart pounding in her ears.

Her entire body lost all the strength as she looked at the man lying on the bed. 

What have I done?

WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!

Tears rolled down her reddened cheeks. Kneeling on the hardwood floor, she sobbed holding her breath. Her long wavy black hair covered her as she piled on the floor. Curling to a fetal position she wetted her knees with tears as her nails sank into her thighs. Streams of red rolled down her pale skin and dripped on the carpet. 

How did this happen? 

Why did this happen?

When the Council of Leocadia asked her to go on a mission to the parts of the Great Green Forest near Roche, she had to do it although she would have preferred not to walk on the land he owned.

She wanted to end the mission quickly and leave that cursed land. It was going perfectly well until Isadora accidentally alerted the smugglers. She won't blame Isadora. Isadora loved her so much and stuck with her through thick and thin.

It was not a problem for her. She was The Purple Hood, the virtuous warrior who helped the most vulnerable in society from getting exploited. After her husband's death seven years ago, she found her purpose as the Council approached her. She desired what they offered her and swore her loyalty to them. They paid her well too.

 With her trusty crossbow, her quiver of silver arrows, and pouches of poison, she exterminated the dregs of the society. 

Those smugglers would have needed a little more effort but she would have terminated them. Until she was distracted by that gigantic man who tried to attack Isadora.

Also, that white wolf… The wolf that talked.

She was startled and slipped down the rocky hillock. She remembered the unrecognizable white flowers around. Maybe they were poisonous and that was the reason she couldn't remember how she got here.

She couldn't remember much after the fall. 

But still... How did I end up with him? I was told he was not in town!

After crying for some time, Jessamyn took in a deep breath and wiped her face with her hands. He was still asleep. She picked up the belt. 

So be it.

She looked at the inner side of the belt and as she expected, there was a small dagger. 

Holding the dagger in her hand, she took in a deep breath closing her eyes. 

I am sorry for breaking my promise to you, Joar. I can't wait anymore. I betrayed you in the worst way possible.

When she opened her eyes, her baby-blue eyes shone with determination. She pressed the dagger on her neck. 

Here I come… Let's be together…