Twisted Bonds

by Brandy L Rivers

“Seriously? That fast?”

  “Yeah, that fast.” Changing the subject, Toryn asked, “How’s Dacia with the wedding plans?”

  One corner of his mouth tipped up. “She’s excited about going to the Air Kingdom.”

  “And you?”

  He shrugged. “Never considered going before. I’m not all Fae, and the mages can’t know.”

  “What have you told the Council about your trip?”

  “Robert knows. Other than that, they think we’re taking a trip to some exclusive resort.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re coming. And if Priscilla wanted to come, she is welcome.”

  He shook his head. “She prefers to let most mages believe she’s gone. She feels the same about the Fae.”

  * * * *

  Isa stood on her balcony, Alenathos next to her. She looked over at the dragon she’d finally started to trust. Not completely. She wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive him for nearly killing Toryn, but that was in the past, and he’d proved his loyalty since.

  “You’re okay going back to Faery for the wedding? You’ll be able to spend time with Fuerah.”

  A sad smile stretched across his face. “As promised, I shall be there. However, I don’t believe Fuerah will ever forgive me for my choices. She perceives me as a selfish bastard, and I’m not sure I can convince her otherwise.”

  “Perhaps I could help?”

  His head tipped slightly. “No. For now I’d prefer to keep my secrets. You may side with her.”

  “That bad?”

  “May appear that way.” Alenathos shoved his hands in his pockets. “Your husband-to-be is here. I should go. Remember, I’ll be there. Just have to call my name.”

  “Thanks, but you were invited by Reance himself.”

  His brow pinched. “Is that so?”

  “Yes. He wants you there. Seems to think you and Fuerah stand a chance.”

  “Interesting.” With that he faded away and left.

  She hurried through the house, down to the living room where Toryn locked the door.

  “Evening, Princess. How are you?”

  “Good. I hear you have a busy day tomorrow.”

  His head cocked. “I do. Want to get everything in order so we can take our time off without worrying about anything or anyone. That’s not a problem, is it?”

  “Nope, you’re fine. I have plans tomorrow. Jackie and I are shopping for her dress. I still don’t understand why my father is so insistent she’s in Faery for an entire week.”

  He shook his head. “Not sure, but I imagine he has a reason. He always does.”

  Sighing, she nodded.

  He moved to her and captured her face. “So why did you bind Preston from telling me what you two discussed?”

  “It’s a surprise for you. No asking.”

  “For me?” He moved closer to pull her into his arms.

  “Mmhmm.” Sort of. What she planned would help save him from that crazy bitch and the spider from hell.

  So yeah, for Toryn.

  “When do I get my surprise?”

  “That depends,” she answered, a smirk on her lips.

  “And what if I decide to withhold everything you love me to do to you until you show me?” he taunted.

  “You’ll never last.” Isa opened his pants, sliding to her knees as she stared up at him. “You can’t go an entire day without me.” She wrapped her mouth around his cock, flicking her tongue over the crown.

  His fingers delved into her hair as she rocked up and down his shaft.

  “Isa, love, I need you.”

  And he’d have her, after she got him off and he forgot all about the surprise because he was too busy making her come for the rest of the night.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning, Toryn watched Isa from the bedroom door. She stood under the water with a cocked brow. “You could join me before you go to work.”

  His hands trembled as he smoothed them down his chest and abs, reaching for his waistband. “Promise me you’ll be safe today.”

  Frowning, she turned to him. “What are you worried about?”

  Her secrets, which they had agreed not to keep. Yet, there she was, not telling him something. He shed his track pants and stepped into the shower with her.

  “You. Always worried about you, Princess.”

  Isa rolled her gorgeous emerald eyes. “I’ll be fine. Just going to Edenton with Jackie. That’s all.”

  “And what if she doesn’t find what she wants to wear?”

  “Then we’ll come back to Seattle for shopping, but I’m positive Monique’s Uniques has something perfect for her. And I may want an extra outfit or two to bring with us when you take me to Paris.”

  “You mean, when you take me. We agreed. No planes.”

  Isa hated to fly, and he didn’t like her that nervous.

  “When we go.” She wrapped her hand around his cock until he pulled her arm away and pinned both wrists above her head.

  “Oh no, Princess. You craved control all night, and I gladly went along for the ride, but right now, I want you my way.”

  “Anything for my knight,” she whispered, staring into his eyes with complete trust.

  Toryn sucked her bottom lip between his. “Shit,” he groaned against her lips, moving her arms around his neck. Then he grabbed her ass, hauling her up where she locked her ankles around his hips. He entered her hard.

  She gasped, her mouth curving into a smile.

  “I was going to go easy on you, but I can’t,” he told her.

  “Never wanted easy,” she answered.

  Thank fuck because he had a feeling the road was going to be real rocky soon. He took her hard, relishing every cry of pleasure that left her lips as she clung to him.

  His mouth closed over hers, swallowing her sounds. She came apart, and he erupted, holding deep as he kissed her harder, stripping the spell she used to prevent pregnancy.

  A last second desperate attempt to ensure their happy future.

  He pressed his forehead to hers, pushing a spell at Isa, one he thought he’d never use. One to ensure his seed took root and a baby would grow in her womb.

  “Love you, Toryn.”

  “Love you more than life itself.” He pressed a kiss to her lips and let her down, holding her close. “I need to hurry.” A thread of guilt trailed through him as he stepped from the shower.

  He couldn’t admit to what he’d done. Not yet. Something told him they needed something extra to fight for.

  * * * *

  Isa climbed out of her Mustang and looked over the top at Jackie. “Want to come with me to get a pair of tattoos?”

  Jackie paused. “Tattoos?”

  “Yeah, Fallon enchants wards into tattoos. She can also create magical weapons. Mana-blades. Preston has a few. And I’ve been practicing with blades.”

  “You can conjure fire whips. Why do you need mana-blades?”

  Shifting her weight, Isa shrugged. “I can control the elements. The weapons Saressa can create will counter my fire whips. This way I don’t have to concentrate on what I create when I finally come face to face with her.”

  “Oh, makes sense.” Jackie shook her head slightly and changed the topic. “When is your appointment?”

  “We have some time. Let’s visit Monique first. That’s where Preston was going to meet me unless I call him before then.”

  She smirked. “Toryn know you’re hanging out with a hot mage today?”

  Isa snorted. “He’s not jealous. He knows I won’t stray.” She didn’t bother mentioning Preston would be her stepson in just a couple days. His Fae heritage was still a secret.

  “You two are something else.” Jackie giggled.

  “Do me a favor. Don’t mention the tattoos to Toryn. I’m going to be hiding them for now.”

  “Why? How?”

  “An illusion, if I can make it work. I don’t want him to worry.”

 
; “Worry?”

  “Never mind that. It’s going to be a surprise, and I’m not totally sure how he feels about ink.”

  “Please, he loves you. I doubt that would change the way he feels.”

  She smiled. “No, don’t imagine so, but the blades are obviously in preparation for a battle. So please, keep the secret. I don’t want him to worry.”

  “All right. You got it. And maybe I’ll let Tomahawk give me a small tattoo.”

  “Oh, what’s that?”

  “A cougar across here.” She ran her finger over her inner wrist with a smile. “Just something that signifies Eddie.”

  “I’m weaving something about Toryn into the design. Well, Fallon is, but I spent some time on the phone with her. And Preston helped me work out the spells for the blade. Just hope it works as well as his.”

  Jackie’s eyes lit up. “His weapons are freaking amazing.”

  “Yeah. Come on, let’s find you a dress. And then maybe stop by the jewelry shop next door.”

  “Oh, Devlin has some cool stuff in there. I bet you could find something for Toryn.”

  Isa nodded. “I’d planned on it.”

  * * * *

  Lonny walked into Toryn’s office with a folder. “Some interesting things happening in the Water Realm. Seems everyone who can is clearing out. The rest have become drone like. And the ones evacuating are asking about you, Scotty, and Kellan.”

  Toryn pushed back from the desk and walked to the window. “I have to wonder what Saressa is planning.”

  “Not going to stop the wedding, is it?” Lonny asked, almost hopeful.

  Staring into the street below, Toryn shook his head. “Reance is convinced it needs to happen now. No waiting.”

  “But you’re worried.”

  Toryn gripped his own arm. “Yeah. Only because Isa is stressing out. I’m sure she’d like nothing more than to delay the wedding.”

  “Why in the abyss would you say that? She wants to be your wife.”

  He shook his head. “It’s not the vows she fears, but the publicity. I don’t think she’ll ever embrace being a princess.”

  Lonny chuckled and dropped into a seat. “Can’t say I blame her. She’s a free spirit, and she doesn’t want to be tied down by people’s expectations.”

  Toryn nodded. “I don’t think we have to worry about that anytime soon. No one expects her to move to Faery.” Only that vision, their boy. They were certainly in Faery. “Shit…what if I fucked up this morning?”

  Lonny leaned back against the seat. “What did you do?”

  He shifted his weight. “Got Isa pregnant.”

  Lonny’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “You what?”

  Toryn pushed off the wall and paced away, combing both hands through his hair. “Stripped the spell preventing pregnancy, then cast one to ensure it.”

  “Oh, fuck, Toryn.” Wide-eyed, Lonny shook his head. “Why would you do that without talking to her?”

  He scrubbed a hand over his heart. “I did it on impulse. I couldn’t resist. The only problem is I know we wind up in Faery after we have our boy.”

  “For good?”

  One shoulder lifted. “Don’t have a damned clue. But I needed to know there was a reason to fight through whatever shitstorm is coming.”

  “She’d fight through anything for you,” Lonny insisted.

  “I know that, but I couldn’t fight the impulse. I did it without thought.”

  “Are you going to tell her?”

  Toryn shook his head. “Not yet. It’s not like she’d know until after the wedding.”

  Lonny snorted. “Shit, I don’t envy you, Toryn. I have no clue how she’ll take that. You took the choice from her.”

  “Yeah, I feel like an ass, thanks. I don’t know what came over me.” Toryn sank into a seat, put his elbows on his knees, and dropped his head into his hands.

  “Shit, neither do I.”

  “Not helping, Lonny.” Toryn sat up and pinned him with a stare. “She’s planning something, but she’s not telling me. I thought we were past keeping secrets.”

  “Um, dude, pretty big one you’re keeping now,” Lonny pointed out.

  “Yeah, but I feel like it’s the thing that will save us. Unless my vision was always a dream and not the future.” Toryn turned back to the window.

  Chapter 7

  Isa followed Preston into Inktastic. Excitement coursed through her. She’d always considered a tattoo, but the moment Preston explained the mana-blades she wanted her own. All-purpose weapons that could counter everything as far as Preston knew.

  Jackie nudged her shoulder. “You ready?”

  “Definitely,” Isa answered.

  Fallon hopped up with a smirk. “You sure you want to start with two big pieces for your first tattoos, the day before your wedding?”

  “Positive. I’m sure I can handle the burn of the tattoo gun. I’ve been through worse.”

  Fallon twisted her crimson curls up into a knot and secured them with a clip. “Well, if you need me to stop, you only have to say the word.”

  Tomahawk chuckled. “Nah, I have a feeling she’s got her own set of brass balls bigger than the damned shop.” He grinned and nodded at Jackie. “You finally going to let me give you a little ink?”

  Jackie leaned on the table. “Yes, I am. Don’t give me hell. I might freeze your ass if you do.”

  Preston shook his head with a laugh. “How long have you been trying to convince her to get a tattoo?”

  Tomahawk rolled his eyes. “Years. Now what are we doing?”

  “A cougar.” Her blue-green eyes sparkled.

  “Eddie’s beast? Sweet.” Tomahawk hopped up. “Come on back.”

  Isa pulled out her sketches for the blades. “Preston says you can take my design and make it better.”

  Fallon took the drawings and tipped her head, a smile spreading as she ran her hand over the ink. “This will work. I was worried. I hadn’t done one of these for the Fae.”

  Preston dipped his head, glancing at the ground.

  Isa looked over. Did Fallon not know?

  Either way, Isa smiled. “Great, and Preston assures me you’ve designed the perfect camouflage to go over them.”

  “Your thighs, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then we’re set. Follow me back. I can show you what I drew up. We can always alter it if you don’t like it.”

  “Thank you, really.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. Some Fae have trouble accepting magical tattoos with their natural resistance.”

  “Tell me what I need to do to get around that.”

  “Concentration and opening yourself up to my magic. Don’t worry, I will only be working the mana-blades and as Preston requested, some powerful wards to protect you.”

  Isa turned to Preston. “From what?”

  “Let’s head back,” he answered.

  Isa followed her into a room with a tattoo chair and a few stools. Preston leaned against the counter while Fallon pulled out two designs.

  Fallon displayed the art. “How do you like these?”

  “Those are gorgeous.”

  Preston grinned. “Told you Fallon did amazing work. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to take off.”

  “Wait, Preston.” Fallon shut the door and pinned him with a look. “First, why do you care about her being protected?”

  Preston pinched the bridge of his nose. “This doesn’t leave the room.”

  “Sure, you know me,” Fallon answered. “I don’t share secrets.”

  “Isa will be my stepmother tomorrow.”

  Fallon snorted. “You’re a mage. Last I checked, Toryn is Fae.”

  “And I’m half Fae.” He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Or a little more, but never mind that.”

  She blinked slowly. “You and Dacia actually bonded?”

  “Yeah. Look, the Council can’t learn. Robert knows, that’s it.�
�

  Holding up her hands, she shook her head slowly. “I won’t say a word. At least now I understand.” She nodded to the door. “You’re free to go.”

  He laughed. “I’m sure the two of you will get along just fine. Thanks for getting her in.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Preston slipped through the door, and Fallon turned back to Isa. “More I learn about you, the more interesting you are. Preston did mention you are a Faery princess. I’ll admit I worried I might need to start acting differently around you.”

  Isa rolled her eyes. “Please don’t. Part of me wishes I could go back to thinking I was human, but that would mean no Toryn.”

  Fallon laughed. “Yeah, and now that I’ve seen you two together, I can’t imagine you apart.”

  “Which is why I want the blades.” Isa took a long breath and let it out. “Please, let’s start.”

  One scarlet brow arched. “These are really your first tattoos?”

  “I can handle it,” Isa promised.

  Fallon nodded and reminded, “It’s okay if you need a break.”

  Isa shrugged, but determination was her friend. “Won’t know until you start.”

  “I like your attitude.”

  * * * *

  Gebiet landed on the tower of the Water Castle. He locked gazes with Saressa and smelled the taint of Damha all over her. His venom coursed through her veins.

  Saressa flicked her wrist and magic rose up and around the dragon, burning his wings as they stretched to take off.

  “How dare you, Saressa? I know you can’t form bonds anymore.”

  A smile twisted her lips. “I can still bind you the same way I bound Alenathos and Aquila.”

  “At least until someone more powerful rips me away from you,” he answered coldly, reforming into his human guise. Midnight skin, onyx eyes, sharp white teeth. “You have to touch me in order to bind me. Are you really going to get that close?”

  A cruel smile curved her lips as Damha climbed over the wall and slipped through her shield. He struck out, hitting the dragon hard enough to stun him before Gebiet realized what was happening. Damha rose up on his spider legs, rolling the dragon, covering him in Arachnian silk strands.