Silent Storm: Pacific Passion, Book 3

by Vivian Arend

  He’d never felt her power react like that before. She always insisted she didn’t have magic of her own, just the ability to bolster another’s. Not once in the past two months during their experimenting had she ever initiated anything he couldn’t do on his own. It had to be her responding to something—in Kallen?

  Cold dread poured into Matt’s heart. He stared at Kallen in horror.

  “What did your brother do to you?” Matt demanded.

  The written message Kallen passed over provided little information about the actual curse. Two weeks earlier, Kallen had been ambushed during a walk and woke in his avian form. The rest of the revelations in the note turned Matt’s dismay to an even greater consternation.

  My brother made no pretense of innocence in the attack. Kilade bragged he would now take leadership of our people, and there was nothing I could do to stop him. He told me to find Laurin. Said she was the only one who could cure me. But I see no way for that to occur.

  I thank you, Shaman, for giving me back my human form. I had met with two other healers of the air clans before seeking you, and neither of them was strong enough to help me shift. I will continue to search for a cure. I refuse to remain as a mute—I must find a way to return to my tribe and take over from my brother. This deceit proves he is not a worthy leader for them.

  “Why would Kilade tell you to see me? I have no healing powers. And if he was the one to curse you in the first place, why offer you the cure?” Laurin moved to Matt’s side, crawled into his lap and he curled himself around her, protecting as best he could.

  “Kilade had a deeper reason for coming to fight back in June.” Matt stared across the short distance at where Kallen watched them carefully. “He actually quit before we were done. He seemed pleased to discover Laurin and I were partners.”

  “He said he wanted to be sure you were strong enough to defend me,” Laurin pointed out.

  Matt thought back to the fight. The air shifters who’d wanted to take control of Laurin’s abilities had come to claim her as a mate, and he’d fought them, letting it be known in no uncertain terms that her choice was the one that mattered. His suspicions regarding the exact nature of the curse grew.

  The situation wasn’t improving.

  Kallen leaned back on his stool uneasily. His dark eyes took in every move across from him. Matt’s reservations wavered as he considered how he would feel if their roles were reversed. It had to be a horrible position—to be totally dependent on others’ goodwill for something that hugely affected not only Kallen’s future, but his tribe’s.

  “What if you can heal Kallen?” Matt asked Laurin. He turned her face toward him, ignoring the hope that flashed in Kallen’s eyes. “What if you do have the ability, with my help?”

  The eagerness she felt was plain to see. “Then I would cure him, of course.”

  “There’s no of course to it. Not everything is simple, Laurin.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “What are you not telling me?”

  Kallen waited, silent and still. Matt hesitated. He had to push past his fears. If this was meant to be, he had to be strong enough to face it himself. “Do you remember how to make your magic rise to the surface?”

  She nodded.

  “Stand up.”

  She slipped off his lap and stood beside the table. The wind flicked her long hair around her face and he’d never seen her look more beautiful. “What do I need to do? Am I going to try to cure him right now?”

  Matt shook his head. “This is just a test. Give Kallen your hand.”

  The air shifter eyed Matt, as if asking for permission. Did the man know what was potentially on the horizon? Matt gave a slight tilt of his head, and Kallen accepted Laurin’s fingers into his, his large hand engulfing hers.

  “Now what?” Her voice trembled.

  “Bring your magic to the surface. Touch Kallen with it.”

  The wind increased around them, like a localized storm had settled on the deck of the ship. But other than that—nothing. Both Kallen and Laurin turned their gazes toward Matt, disappointment in her eyes, resignation in his. Laurin pulled her hand free and clasped them together behind her back.

  “It didn’t work.”

  “I didn’t think it would.”

  “What? Then why did you have me—?”

  “It’s not enough. Your magic alone is not enough. Neither is mine.”

  Her face lit up again. “So if we work together, we can cure him?”

  “I think so.”

  She thrust out a hand to Kallen, eager and willing. “Give Matt your other hand, Kallen,” she ordered.

  Matt took it slowly. Kallen wrapped his fingers around hers. The stirring of her magic began again, and this time Matt added his power to the mix. Poured healing into Kallen’s body. He tried his hardest, because the alternative was going to be shocking for Laurin to consider, and leaving Kallen cursed was becoming less of an alternative with every minute that passed.

  She truly did care for the air shifter—that was clear.

  Around them the flash of magic sparkled in the air, although the slow exchange of energy he always felt when his powers were used was almost nonexistent. Something was happening, but not much, and it was Laurin who first dropped her hand from Kallen’s and muttered in frustration.

  “I can feel it, Matt. I can feel my magic trying to help, but it’s like there’s a wall. I’ve never—”

  She sat back, frustration and disappointment written on her body. “I’m sorry, Kallen. We tried.”

  The shifter dipped his head and reached for the pad of paper.

  Thank you. If I might spend a few hours resting before returning to the mountains, I would be grateful.

  “Of course you can stay. Are you hungry? Matt? I should go make us a late breakfast.”

  “Thank you, Laurin.” Matt made sure he kept his touch light as she came to his side and kissed him. He couldn’t resist holding her close for an extra moment, drawing strength from the contact.

  Then he was alone with the air shifter, and his internal moral battle reached the pinnacle. He looked across the short distance to Kallen, trying to see the man that Laurin knew. Someone from her past, maybe someone from her future. If she’d stayed in the mountains, she could have ended up mated with him. He was strong—both physically, and in the ways of the air shifters. Although their people were different, Matt sensed the power inside Kallen and knew him to be nearly his equal. Matt’s edge came from his connection to the water—the power not his own but shared from the ocean herself.

  He raised his gaze to meet Kallen’s and the knowledge hit him like a wall of a tsunami.

  “You know there is still a chance we can help, don’t you?”

  Kallen hesitated, then nodded.

  “Why didn’t you tell Laurin?” Matt’s soul ached. Why hadn’t he instantly told Laurin either?

  It took a while for Kallen to write out his answer. He stared at Matt for a long moment before passing the notepad over.

  Kilade told me specifically, and with a great deal of glee, what it would take to cure me. He also informed me that you would never allow it to happen. I have no wish to hurt Laurin, or challenge you, that’s not why I came. I did hope you could break at least the first part of the curse, and I’m grateful for your help. Now that I have had the chance to see her again, and know that you are indeed caring for her, I will leave and find another way to be healed.

  Matt used his shaman gift to search the air shifter for truth. What he found was nothing but goodwill toward himself, and a deep admiration for Laurin. The second emotion made Matt’s throat tighten. It wasn’t love he sensed—more an infatuation combined with a great deal of lust.

  Kallen wasn’t in love with Laurin, just wanted her. Funny how that actually made Matt feel better.

  The other shifter rose to his feet, the towel wrapped around his waist all that covered him. Matt could see why Laurin would have admired the man—he was powerful and strong in body, and it seemed, extreme
ly kind in nature.

  “What if I told you there’s still a chance for the curse to be lifted?” The words burst out, surprising both of them. Kallen’s eyes widened and Matt laughed in spite of the insanity of the situation. “It’s not as foreign an idea amongst the water people as it is for your tribes.”

  The air shifter sat down with a thump, muted hope in his eyes. He scrambled for the pen.

  I would never dream to presume. While the situation would be unusual for me, I will admit I have always admired and desired Laurin. But I don’t want this at her expense, or at the risk of your relationship.

  “At least you admitted you want her. Don’t lay on the heroics too thick,” Matt muttered. The frown on Kallen’s face showed his confusion. Matt waved it off. Damn, the man was a shining example of virtue. “Just a warning—I won’t insist on her participation. In fact, she’s got to understand completely what the cure will take, and be the one to initiate it. Will you agree to that?”

  Kallen nodded.

  “I’ll explain the situation to her after we eat. I guess you’ll be our guest for a few days. There’s a spare hammock you can rig up to sleep on deck.”

  Kallen rose again, bowing deeply to Matt before coughing and pointing to the towel. His raised brow and slight smile made Matt realize just how ridiculous he was being. “Yes, I’ll find you some clothes as well. Because even if I’m going to allow you to make love with my partner, I don’t need to see you naked all the time until it happens.”

  Chapter Four

  It was the first time the ship had ever felt too small. Matt led her into the forward berth immediately after their meal was finished and proceeded to shock the hell out of her.

  He lay stretched out on the mattress, his chest bare. The weather was warm enough that all he wore was a pair of knee-length khaki shorts. She sat on the edge of the mattress, letting her appreciative gaze roam his body.

  He returned her admiration, his fingers trailing down the side of her cheek, trickling over her collarbone. The brushing tease lit a warmth deep inside. His voice when he spoke was lower than usual, not quiet as if to avoid Kallen overhearing, but husky and needy, like he was a second away from jumping her. “You were brave to try to cure Kallen earlier.”

  “Brave? Matt, he’s a friend. If I can help, I want to.”

  “What if it takes a lot of energy to heal him?” Matt warned. “Are you prepared for that?”

  Laurin leaned back on one elbow. “Is that why we couldn’t do it before? I’m not strong enough?”

  He shook his head as he tugged her closer, rolling onto his back with her draped on top. She lay uneasily, intensely aware that on the other side of the door, Kallen remained at the table looking over a pile of magazines. While they had eaten, Matt had asked him to stay for the night, and although she was happy to have a little longer with Kallen around, being in the bedroom with Matt right now seemed somehow…dirty.

  “You’re strong enough. It comes down to the method of releasing the magic.”

  Hope rose inside. “Really? Can you teach me how to do it the right way?”

  He stroked her hair back from her face, tenderness in his touch. “Why are you so eager to cure him? He’s the brother of someone who scared you to death the last time you met.”

  “Kallen isn’t like his brother. He’s a good man, Matt. I didn’t spend a ton of time with him, but what I did, and the stories I’ve heard, made me admire him.”

  Matt’s eyes darkened, changing from the bright blue of the ocean under the endless summer sky to a storm-tossed sea, fraught with potential violence as it headed unstoppable toward shore. “Then we’ll cure him. As soon as you’re sure.”

  She pressed up, ready to head back into the galley. “I’m sure. What do we need to do?”

  His arms pinned her in place. “Join our magic. Through you.”

  Laurin froze. “Excuse me?”

  Matt didn’t allow her to retreat. In fact, he rolled again and trapped her under his body, hand cradling her face. “I’m going to tell you simply. The magic is built in layers, and this Kilade of yours has found a curse from the mountain people powerful enough to steal his brother’s voice. But he mixed it with a curse from the sea, and that means neither of our people can cure Kallen alone. We have to be completely united to cause any effect.”

  “We are united, aren’t we? Don’t you want to heal him?”

  “It’s not enough, Laurin. Want is one thing, but power is another.” He stared at her, the centers of his eyes dilating. “Remember the fertility ritual we witnessed? Remember the woman at the center of the celebration and how she took both men into her body? That’s what a cure will take, Laurin. The magic of the sea poured through you into Kallen.”

  He waited. Her pulse had increased the entire time he spoke as the images from the ceremony returned to her—sensual and erotic. It had been one of the most incredible nights of her life, but she still couldn’t think back on it without blushing.

  This time she pictured herself as the center of attention instead of the woman. Two sets of hands on her body. Matt’s familiar and heart-pounding touch. Kallen’s firm body pressed to hers, exploring and caressing for the first time. Both of them, working together to bring her to ecstasy.

  Her mouth instantly went dry.

  “You want me to have sex with Kallen?”

  Matt swooped in and took her lips like a wild animal denied food for weeks. He ravished her mouth, thrusting with his tongue and settling his body on hers so she felt his hardened shaft against her stomach. His touch moved everywhere, driving up her desire without a conscious thought. The gentle caresses of moments before vanished as he took ownership of her. Pulled a response from her, made her entire body ache for him to fill her sex with the full length of his cock and drive the madness of his words away.

  The drag of his teeth down her neck made her cry out. Pain, followed by unspeakable pleasure hit as he shoved up her T-shirt and bit her nipple through her bra. He crawled over her, arranging her limbs where he wanted them, biting and licking, pinching and sucking until the room spun and she gasped for air.

  “Matt, oh my…” He ripped off her clothes and raised her hips in the air and thrust his tongue into her body, nipping at her clit, laving her sex until a climax exploded from her. She bit the back of her hand, striving to muffle the calls escaping as her body shook with release.

  Matt snatched up her hands and restrained them over her head, wrists pinned together in his strong grasp. It left his other hand free, and he caught her chin, turning her face toward his. He spoke softly, but clear, loud enough that if Kallen was listening, there would be no doubt that he could overhear.

  “Do I want you to have sex with another man? There’s a part inside me that says no. Never. I want you to be mine, and mine alone.” His gaze dropped over her body, lust filled, possessive. “Your breasts are mine to enjoy and admire. To bite and suck until you squirm under me and beg for me to give you more. Your lips are mine. To kiss softly like a gentle wave, or to take like a winter’s storm until they throb from my touch.” He traced her mouth with his finger. “Your mouth is mine—not only to kiss, but to press my cock into, filling you intimately, letting you pleasure me until I can’t stand it any longer and spill my seed.”

  Laurin shivered, arching up hard as he stroked his fingers down her body, caressing one moment, scratching his nails over her sensitive skin the next.

  “I love to give you pleasure like that,” she confessed. Whispered, only for his ears.

  He grinned at her, a wild look in his eyes. “Your sex is mine. The taste of your cream, the squeeze of your muscles. The gasps that escape from your throat when I work my way in—all mine, and I don’t ever want another to experience what you share with me.”

  He touched her, fingers circling her labia. She was soaking wet from simply listening to him. When he slipped a finger into her depths, she breathed out a sigh. Matt thrust slowly, one more finger added. He twisted his hand and the spiraling m
otion hit something inside that made her gasp. Even as his hand moved, he had leaned forward and now stared into her eyes.

  “That’s the one part of me. But there’s another part…”

  He kissed across her cheek, butterfly soft. The illusion of a touch. Laurin attempted to clasp him, but he had her locked in place, hands still frozen to the mattress above her head.

  “Another part of me longs to see you in the throes of a climax and be able to watch your face from a distance. I want to feel your pleasure increase exponentially as not only one pair of lips suckle your breasts, but two.”

  His hand moved relentlessly. As he spoke, he stretched up her arms a little farther, pressing her breasts upward.

  “I want to see another man admire you, but only if in the end I know that no matter how good he makes you feel, how much pleasure you receive from him, that it’s me you love and want forever.”

  She teetered on the brink, needing just a little more. “Matt, please.”

  “Please, what? Shall I open the door and let Kallen watch? Would you like—?”

  “No!” Even the thought made her shake.

  He rose over her, his fingers slipping from her sex, the hard tip of his cock nudging her folds. He held her in place with his body, wrists still trapped. She was helpless, controlled, and yet there was no fear but an overwhelming sense of urgency inside her demanding she satisfy his need.

  Whatever he required at this moment, she was willing to give. All the time they’d spent together, all the conversations and quiet evenings, all the wild moments in bed and more unusual places, meshed together into a tapestry filled with color and sound.

  “Take me. Oh God, please, Matt. I’m yours, just take me.”

  He thrust and she screamed out, his hard length splitting her in two, and she’d never been so filled before. Her heart pounded, her breasts ached. It was as if everything he’d mentioned was there, available. The sensation of his mouth at her breasts—but not enough. His cock thrusting in again and again—and yet somehow she was empty. He slid over her, skin on skin, lowering his mouth to hers, and she kissed him eagerly, offering her lips, her tongue.