Chapter Three.
Jess/Loch Ness Monster
It was a good job Jess owned her own cottage on the lake.
Jess used it when she needed a break, so after discharging herself and giving a statement.
Jess called a cab, headed to the supermarket, and stocked up.
Mitch drew her in, and she wished to know more.
It wasn’t because he’d saved her life, but more how he had reacted. And that had attracted her.
As Jess sat in a taxi back to the cottage, she sternly warned herself not to fall for him.
Her heart had been broken three times, and each instance had led to a terrible plague.
Jess had locked her emotions away to protect the human race because, inadvertently, she’d killed millions.
Jess was the ultimate weapon, whether she meant to be or not.
Her phone beeped as she arrived at the cottage, and after giving the driver a bonus to help carry the shopping up the path, Jess checked it.
‘Hello Mermaid, just thinking of you, Mitch.’
Jess couldn’t help the smile that crossed her lips. ‘Hi Hero, funny, you weren’t on my mind!’
Jess paused, wondering if Mitch would get her sense of humour. Biting her lip, she began carrying the bags into the kitchen. She was relieved when her phone pinged again.
‘So cold. Mermaid, you owe me a hot dessert as well as dinner for that!’
Jess laughed and sent back some smiling emojis. Mitch was funny. Why was a guy like that single?
She unpacked the shopping and made a cup of tea before sitting down.
‘Is there anything you don’t like?’
‘I hate broccoli and cauliflower.’
‘That’s specific.’
‘My family used to force me to eat it, and I loathe it now.’
‘So, no cauli cheese or steamed broccoli,’
Mitch sent a vomiting emoji back.
‘Fair do. Is chicken a la king okay with roasted veg? No cauli or broccoli, I promise.’
‘Sounds perfect, just like you.’
‘That’s bad. Did that line ever succeed?’
‘Just once.’
‘How did that go?’
‘I’ll let you know after dinner!’ Jess began laughing at Mitch’s cheekiness.
‘Go do some work. See you tomorrow at six.’
‘Stay safe, Mermaid.’
“Who’s put that smile on your face, Jess?” Mary demanded, appearing in a mirror.
“Mary, I thought you were going to start knocking?”
“Jess. Remember, no more men!” Mary warned, but it lacked heat.
“Why? Because next time I might destroy everything?” Jess snapped.
“No, because you love too deeply, and they tear you apart. Plus, after you’ve killed them, I can’t, because you’ve already done it!”
Jess smiled at Mary’s bitchiness. “That makes me sound like a lunatic—that I kill off exes because they broke up with me.”
“No. Because we all know that they hurt you first, Gaius betrayed and used you for money. Walter imprisoned you for your fortune, and William didn’t think you should even speak without his permission. Jess, you reacted because of how you were treated, not out of spite,” Mary said.
“Mary, I caused millions of deaths, and there’s no wiping that from my soul. Out of all of us, I’m the deadliest,” Jess replied.
Mary sighed. “You also have one of the biggest hearts, and I’m not referring to physically.
But we’re finding our mates. I don’t know why, but we are.
There has to be a reason, but nobody knows—actually, Andie might, but she’s not telling.
If you find your mate, grab hold tightly and refuse to let him go. ”
“When do I tell him I’m a mass murderer? That’ll take some swallowing,” Jess challenged.
“Enough! Look at Jase and Willow. Jase hated humans and is now mated to one. None of us is fond of humanity, but our mates seem to be among them. Which means somewhere out there is your soulmate,” Mary told Jess with urgency in her voice.
Jess realised what Mary wanted, for Jess to understand that she couldn’t change the past and even if she could, it wasn’t her fault.
Still, those deaths were on her hands. She’d not forgive herself for letting her control slip three times.
Once might be a mistake, but three times was carelessness.
And only one person was responsible. Herself.
Jess controlled Disease, and she’d taken the gamble on love. That was on her. Nobody else.
“I’ll consider your advice,” she finally replied, knowing that was what Mary wanted to hear. Mary winked and cut the portal.
Jess slumped forward and looked at her phone.
Should she cancel this date? Could she afford the risk?
Jess had suffered so much emotional pain, and she wasn’t sure she could take a fourth heartbreak, which was why she’d locked her heart away.
Being honest with herself, she searched her feelings for Mitch.
Jess was attracted to him, bodily and mentally.
Mitch made her laugh, understood her sense of humour, and was quick-thinking.
He was also gorgeous as hell, physically fit, and suited her ideal of a modern man.
Mitch’s jeans fit beautifully, showing muscled thighs and a tight ass.
His tee showed bulging biceps, with delicious veins popping out.
Yet his hair was tidy and cut fashionably, and his nails were neat. Mitch didn’t work with his hands.
Jess sighed. She knew little about Mitch, but what she’d learned she very much liked. She’d had lovers in the past, but only three had actually pulled her in deep. And those had led to horrendous plagues.
◆◆◆
Dreaming again.
Jess tried to wake from her nap but instead stared at Walter as he smiled and stabbed the air to make a point.
He was a noble, one of Edward III’s favourites.
She couldn’t be prouder of him. Walter had put down an unsuccessful uprising in France and returned home with glory covering him.
In return, the king had given him an Earldom.
The year was thirteen forty-eight, and Edward was making waves throughout the country.
Walter smiled at the Earl of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont. This celebration was for Walter’s earldom.
Walter waved her over, and Jess, using the alias Jeska, scurried across and greeted the powerful earl.
“This one will give good babies, look at those hips,” Henry chortled, and Jeska bristled. She was not a broodmare. Henry had been dismissive and rude.
“Yes, we’re looking forward to being wed,” Walter replied.
“No family, girl?” Henry asked, gazing down his nose.
“None, my lord,” Jeska responded quietly. Henry was up to something.
Henry looked disturbed. “None? Then what advantage does she bring?”
Walter laughed. “A huge dowry and wealth.”
“That is it? Did her people have status? I cannot remember a Jeska in court. Where did your fortune come from?”
“My father was a merchant, my lord. His wealth was left to me.” Jeska bit the inside of her cheek. Henry sneered, and that riled her temper. The ignorant man had no idea who he was messing with. She ground her teeth together and let her smile slip.
“A merchant. We can’t have the newest earl marrying a merchant’s whelp!” Henry exclaimed.
“Jeska has two thousand a year,” Walter explained. Henry’s eyebrows rose. Jeska held his gaze. Actually, she owned more, but she wouldn’t say so.
“But no breeding. My daughter, Lady Elizabeth, has the same settled on her by her mother’s people,” Henry sneered. “Comes with an estate, too. Hicklington, you’ve heard of it?”
“Who hasn’t? It is rumoured to be a profitable, beautiful estate,” Walter said, and Jeska saw greed in his eyes. What was happening?
“And borders your lands, my boy.” Henry smiled.
“Indeed.” Walter looked interested, and Jeska didn’t like his expression as he glanced across to where Lady Elizabeth stood.
“Walter, can I talk to you?” Jeska asked, and Henry waved a hand in her face.
“Girl, the men are talking,” he snapped.
“Walter. Please,” Jeska said.
Walter swapped a glance with Henry before turning to her. “Jeska, learn your place,” he ordered.
“And just what is that? Your betrothed or mistress? I wear your token on my hand and breast,” Jeska retorted, touching the brooch he’d given her.
Walter snarled, and Jeska saw a flash of his real self. How had she been so fooled? His hand shot out and gripped her hard. Walter shook her, and Henry chortled.
“You will be whatever I say you are,” Walter snapped.
“Walter!” Jeska cried, garnering attention.
“Learn your place. If I wish to wed another, one of a higher rank than a merchant’s daughter, I shall do so,” Walter said cruelly. He tore the brooch from her dress and pulled the ring from her finger.
Jeska stared at him aghast. “Was this a ploy to gain my fortune?”
“Why else would I marry you, Jeska? Henry’s right. I deserve better than you,” he snarled.
Tears began trickling down her cheeks as Jeska sought to rein in the hurt he was causing her. Disease had woken and was tearing at her control.
“I see. You’re easily bought by money,” she replied. Walter’s face tightened, and before Jeska realised what was happening, his hand reached out and struck her. Jeska fell to the floor as the surrounding men chuckled. Several of the women looked appalled, but most stared amused or implacably.
Jeska had no friends here now.
“Here, girl, I’ll take you to my bed, let’s see how you like being my mistress,” Henry chortled.
“Over my dead body,” she hissed as Walter laughed alongside him.
“Enough!” a man ordered, stepping forward. Everyone paused. “Is this what we’ve come to? Humiliating a maiden for money? It’s unbecoming.”
A hand reached down and hauled her up. Jeska looked up into the stern face of William de Bohun. A man the court feared. She took his hand as he helped her up.
“Where is your protector, girl?” he demanded.
“My cousin is away, my lord,” Jeska replied.
“Then you shall be my guest,” William said.
Jeska bit her lip. She couldn’t stay in his house as an unmarried woman. It would destroy her reputation. She glanced once more at Walter for help, but he regarded her like a stranger. Had their year together meant nothing? Jeska looked at him with a plea in her eyes, and Walter’s lips curled.