Chapter 6

SIX

"Iwonder which I"ll remember as harder," Jackson huffed as he yanked at a carrot until it launched him backward. "Scaling that damn stalk or pulling out the harvest."

Huffing, he wiped the back of his arm over his brow, trying to stop the drips of sweat from stinging his eyes.

Of course, he could slice into the fruits and vegetables - only take portions of them - but if he could throw it down in one piece, he could make a fortune. Not that he really believed anything would stay whole after falling from this height.

"Brilliant idea. Steal the giant food and pray I can chuck it past the clouds to the ground. Clouds I don"t understand how I"m standing on, never mind how I expect to throw food through them. Cause it"s not like I"m walking these back to the hole like I thought."

Standing, he ignored the throbbing starting in his left butt cheek and went back to the carrot.

"I can help you with that."

Jackson"s eyes darted upright, shocked as hell that a human must live here.

A very handsome human.

Jackson let his gaze trail over the man who"d seemingly materialized out of thin air.

The stranger was unlike anyone Jackson ever laid eyes on. The newcomer was tall and lean, with an otherworldly grace in his movements as he stepped forward with his arm extended. The strong, angular jawline and high cheekbones of this man"s face were framed by a cascade of raven-black hair falling just below his shoulders. His eyes, however, were what held Jackson captive—a breathtaking shade of amethyst that glittered like the stars on a clear night sky.

Jackson"s heart rate quickened, a mixture of awe and desire coursing through his veins as he struggled to process the surreal encounter.

The man"s beautiful features were marred only by a frown, which deepened as he accused Jackson of stealing food that rightfully belonged to his people.

His clothes, while adorned with intricate embroidery, looked out of place compared to Jackson"s rural jeans and ratty white tee.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on there!" Jackson blurted out, raising his hands defensively. "I"m not stealing anything! I found this feast just lying around, and I figured it would go to waste if I didn"t take it." His words tumbled out in a rush, fueled by a mix of guilt and indignation.

A flicker of something crossed the stranger"s eyes. Sorrow, maybe, or could it be sympathy? Before Jackson could decipher the emotion, it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a steely determination.

Jackson wasn"t a fighter, but he was no push over, either, and this man, while attractive, was not a fighter either.

"It"s of no difference to me. What I"m curious about is how you came to be here."

Jackson ignored the carrot, his focus on trying not to stare at the man. "So, beanstalks growing from down below up here aren"t a common occurrence?"

"I can safely say I"ve never seen one before, but it bears the same magic of this realm. That cannot be doubted."

"This realm," Jackson leaned against a giant cucumber stalk. "I know I"m awake, but I"m not sure how I"m awake. I took a crazy shot in the dark, and the next thing I know, I"m compelled to climb up a fucking beanstalk."

"Welcome," the man said, a note of amusement in his voice, "to the realm of the Giants. My home. Well, the home I"ve been stolen away to."

Jackson gaped at the breathtaking sight before him, unable to find words to do it justice. "It"s beautiful," he breathed at last.

"It is," the man agreed, a hint of longing in his voice. "But it is also a dangerous place for one such as you …"

"Jackson."

"Forgive me," the man said, offering a sheepish smile. "My name is Barrett. Prince Barrett Blackwood."

"Jackson Walker," Jackson responded, trying to ignore the word prince that he for sure heard a moment ago.

"It"s a pleasure to meet you, Jackson," Barrett replied with a bow. "What exactly are you doing here?"

Jackson"s hand scrubbed over the back of his neck as his skin grew hot with embarrassment. The most handsome man he"d ever seen was a fucking prince, and he was about to admit he was here to steal.

"I"ve seen your realm through breaks in the clouds. It"s interesting—so different from cloud break to cloud break. One moment, I"m staring down onto a farm, but if I travel about thirty minutes, I see tall buildings like the castle but far more rectangular and narrow."

Jackson chuckled at that. "That"s America for you. I was here because my farms in trouble. I need seeds - or food - I can sell. When I saw your garden …" He let his voice trail off, hoping Barrett didn"t make him discuss his theft out loud.

"I know I must seem strange to you—a man among giants." His voice grew heavy, a mournful moan lacing his words. "But my heritage gifts me magic that the others don"t possess. Magic that could aid in growing your farm. I"m not a giant, but I can grow to their size."

"How do I know I can trust you? A handsome face isn"t enough to earn trust."

A flush crept up Barrett"s cheeks, and Jackson couldn"t stop his smirk.

"Because I need something from you as well. It would not be blind trust, but a trade."

Jackson wasn"t about to point out that he had absolutely nothing to trade this man. Still, he'd hear Barrett out and determine if there was a way to take what he needed without screwing him over too badly because the guy seemed like a nice one.

"I can enchant the crops, yield a bountiful harvest… But," Barrett"s voice hitched with a haunting desperation, "I need your help first."

"We established that. Pretty sure whatever you"re going to ask is not as bad as learning I was trying to steal food to feed myself."

"I need you to come with me to my stepfather. Offer him your world in exchange for me leaving with you for a short time. He"ll never see the realm below, but it will allow me time to escape and pay you back with my magic."

Jackson"s brow furrowed. The sound of his heartbeat pounded in his own ears. Could he believe this tale? Could he trust this man?

Can you afford not to if he"ll make your crops grow?

"So, what you"re really asking for is …"

"Freedom."

"Freedom," Jackson echoed, the word heavy on his tongue. It was something he fought for every day back home. The parallel in their struggles wove a thread of empathy within him.

Barrett"s gaze seemed to search Jackson"s face. "Yes, freedom," he confirmed, his voice alight with the fervor of a man who"d spent too long in shackles.

"You have every right to doubt me," Barrett replied. "But like your farm, I"m teetering on the edge of ruin. We can either save each other or let each other fall. And I"m not fond of falling."

Jackson considered the offer. The silence between them swelled until it was filled by a distant laughter — probably giants from afar.

Shivers ran down Jackson"s spine.

Fucking giants are as well as that damn plant and all this food.

"I"ll help you," Jackson decided, the words sounding foreign yet determined to his ears.

Barrett"s face broke into a relieved smile, reaching out a hand to shake Jackson"s. "You won"t regret this. I"ll make sure of it."

Their hands met in a firm grip, and the laughter stopped as if driven off by the silent pact made amongst the clouds.

"Worst case scenario, we find ourselves in a tight spot, I"ll get us out." Barrett"s smile was filled with caution.

"How are you so sure?" Jackson couldn"t help but question.

"Because," Barrett"s voice held a secret spark, "My magic"s stronger than he knows. I"ve been preparing for this for a long time. Come on then."

Silence fell again, and Jackson couldn"t help but wonder if he wasn"t being a sucker for a pair of blue eyes and enough food to save his farm.

"We"ll be off to my home before the next day?"

Barrett only nodded, his gaze focused on the castle.

Their footsteps matched in rhythm as the castle grew closer. The towering structure loomed overhead, casting a shadow that could engulf entire fields back on Earth.

A guard"s massive form towered over Jackson and Barrett, his armor gleaming in the sunlight. His size was truly monstrous, his broad shoulders nearly as wide as the castle walls. His face was rugged and weathered, with a stern expression that seemed to strike fear into any who dared look at him. His voice was deep and booming, echoing through the air like thunder.

"Who dares approach the castle of the King of Giants?"

Jackson"s stomach twisted into knots. The man was a living embodiment of a nightmare nightmares.

Sweat beaded on Jackson"s brow, and his heart hammered in his chest, drowning out all other sounds but the thunderous footsteps of the guard. He swallowed hard, trying to push past his fear as Barrett introduced himself and explained their purpose. The giant scrutinized them both with an icy glare before speaking in a voice that rumbled like a distant storm.

"Who dares approach?"

Barrett stepped forward, shielding Jackson in a manner Jackson couldn"t help but find heroic. "I dare."

The guard"s eyes flickered to Jackson, a mixture of amusement and scorn on his gargantuan face. With a grunt that rolled like distant thunder, he motioned them forward inside the gate with iron balls as tall as a three-story building.

Jackson"s stomach churned with anxiety, but he allowed Barrett to guide him forward. Each step was one closer to an uncertain fate, yet the farmer from Earth moved with a courage he hadn"t known he possessed. For his farm, for this prince, for a chance at averting total ruin—Jackson would stride into the heart of danger. For what were giants to a man whose spirit refused to be crushed?

The grand doors opened with a sound that mimicked the creaking branches of ancient trees. The hall within was vast, the air humming with the murmured conversations of its inhabitants. As they made their way towards the throne, Jackson could sense eyes on him, the whispers growing louder.

As they were continued inside, everything felt larger than life— even the air itself seemed to weigh down on Jackson"s lungs. The castle itself was a marvel of archaic architecture and magical energy that hummed beneath its opalescent surface. Vines crawled up walls and wrapped around pillars, adding an ethereal beauty to the otherwise imposing structure.

Every movement was amplified by the acoustics. Every step echoed through vast halls that seemed to stretch on forever. The scent of ozone mixed with celestial flowers hung in the air, a combination of both wondrous and eerie.

They ascended winding staircases made from living wood to reach what could only be described as a throne room - high above Earth itself.

Jackson"s heart leaped into his throat as his gaze traveled up the gleaming golden throne that would be the envy of every dragon in every story he"d ever read.

There, upon his throne, sat the giant king — a behemoth of a being whose very presence seemed to make the air around him tremble with authority.

The giant king towered over them, a mountain of muscle and bone, his form adorned in regal armor that seemed to dwarf even his vast frame. He leaned back on a throne made from what appeared to be petrified gold, his piercing black gaze fixing on Jackson.

His armor shimmered in the ethereal light cast by countless floating crystals embedded within the ceiling, reflecting off the intricate patterns engraved into its surface. His breaths came out as deep, rumbling growls that seemed to shake the very foundation of the castle.

As they made their way closer to the throne, Jackson couldn"t help but feel as if he were nothing more than an ant beneath their gaze. The giant guards stopped at regular intervals, allowing them time to catch their breath before continuing onward. It was clear that even moving about this place took immense effort for someone of Jackson"s stature. But despite everything, he refused to break stride or show any sign of weakness. He knew that this was his only chance at saving his farm—at giving him and his aunt hope for a better future.

"Father," Barrett called out, his voice not betraying a single note of fear. "I have brought a human who seeks your audience."

Father?Jackson made a mental note to figure out what the fuck was going on later.

The giant leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Indeed. . . and what does this human offer?"

Jackson took a deep breath, his moment had arrived. His heart jackhammered in his chest with enough force to break free, but he forced his voice into a calm and even tone.

"I came from the … from below the clouds. I am the ruler of my own kingdom - the Walker Farm. I am lonely without someone to rule by my side."

He continued to speak, spewing utter nonsense that he couldn"t remember or even hear because the terror running through him seemed to block sound from his ears.

"I offer you the chance to harvest from my world—a place of untapped resources for someone of your might. Countless opportunities. In exchange, I seek your heir"s help in saving my farm."

"And what do you say of this, my son? What bargain have you struck with this little man?"

Barrett walked with an air of calculated confidence that belied his apparent submission. his eyes never left the king"s face. It was clear that despite living under the giant"s rule, there were secrets about this man.

Secrets you don"t need to uncover.

A sinister grin contorted the king"s face, revealing a row of gnarled and rotting teeth that glistened in the dim light. The stench emanating from his mouth was putrid, causing Jackson"s stomach to churn and nearly forcing him to regurgitate his last meal. He could almost taste the foul odor in the back of his throat, like a mix of decaying flesh and spoiled food. The sight and smell of the king were enough to make any brave man quiver in fear.

"Take the human to the dungeon. My son, as well. Collar him so he cannot change his size."

For all of Jackson"s strength and fortitude, he found his feet rooted to the ground as a giant hand rushed toward him, slamming him into the stone floor.