Twisted Bonds

by Brandy L Rivers

  Saressa took the crystal in her hand and cupped Gebiet’s face, casting the spell.

  Golden light danced under the dragon’s skin. Blue and red light flickered across hers as the magic wove them together. The colors swirled and melded, bursting into glittering light of a thousand colors.

  Gebiet came to his senses, screaming in anger.

  Saressa stepped back, a cold smile on her lips as the dragon writhed in the Arachnian silk bonds.

  “You shall never utter a word about who you serve,” Saressa hissed.

  Another cry was torn from him as he shifted into his dragon’s form, snapping the cocoon. He roared at her, his teeth stopping inches from her face.

  “You’re mine, Gebiet. Don’t forget you can’t harm your master.”

  “Sooner or later, you shall pay.”

  “Perhaps someone will find a way to kill me, but it won’t be you. Now go. I don’t have need of you at the moment.”

  He flew from the tower with a hate filled cry.

  Damha dropped to his feet and walked to her, touching her face. “You didn’t discuss the plan with him?”

  “I will when it’s time. We can’t act too fast. The ceremony will aid our purposes. It will be a success, then we can tear apart the kingdoms. Perhaps then, the Elder Guardians will stop their ridiculous plan to split all the realms apart.”

  “You still wish to rule them all?”

  “I shall,” she promised. She just had to break Isadora first. Taking Toryn’s fight from him would do that.

  * * * *

  “You said you wanted to know what Isa was doing in Edenton?” Scotty asked as he walked into Toryn’s office.

  “Yeah. Is she somewhere other than Monique’s Uniques?”

  “She went there first, then visited Enchanted Baubles, and she’s been in Inktastic for two hours. Preston went in with her, then left.”

  A smirk lit his face. “I know what she’s doing, and she’s not hiding that from me.”

  “A tattoo the day before your wedding?”

  “She’s preparing for battle. Preston took her to ensure she had mana-blades. Smart, because her flame whips will do nothing to Saressa.”

  “Can Fae even have mana-blades designed?”

  “Sure. Her magic is strong enough and knows no bounds. Want to take a trip with me?”

  “Uh, sure.” Scotty stood. “Why do you think she’s hiding having the tattoos done?”

  A sad smile graced his face. “She doesn’t want me to worry.”

  “You two would do so much better if you both shared everything.”

  “Yeah, well, other than our visions, I have been sharing everything with Isa. This is the first time she’s kept something from me.”

  Scotty pinned him with a glare. “Her ankle, her annoyance with the visions, there have been plenty of things she doesn’t open up about.”

  “Not so much lately.”

  “I don’t know, man. If you’d heard all of her worries about the wedding you might reconsider.”

  “She’s told me. I can’t imagine anyone is going to bother us at the wedding. I haven’t seen anything to lead me to believe it.”

  “Maybe not at the wedding, but after. You know her mother will insist she stay at least overnight.”

  “We’ll be fine. We have to be. I’ve seen our son. I keep dreaming of the three of us.”

  “Toryn, I’ll be honest. I’m worried. Something is going to happen. I don’t know what, but it’s coming. I can feel it.”

  “Then don’t stay the night at the castle. Come back as soon as the reception is over. I’m sure Isa will send you home the second you ask.”

  “She will.”

  Toryn came around the desk and touched his shoulder. “Or you could skip the ceremony. I wouldn’t blame you, Scotty. You’ve been through so much and asking was selfish.”

  His brown eyes locked on Toryn’s. “I told you I’d go. I’ll be there.”

  Toryn hugged him. “You’re my closest friend. I can’t imagine doing this without you there.”

  “Sure you can. All you need is Isa.”

  “Yeah, but having you there means the world. Come on, let’s make sure Isa knows I’m not upset about her new ink. We’ll grab Eddie on the way.”

  * * * *

  Toryn was getting closer, her connection getting stronger every mile he moved toward Edenton.

  Isa looked up at Jackie. “Think Toryn has a reason to be in Edenton today?”

  “I could text Eddie.”

  “Nah. I have a feeling he knows what I’m doing. He probably saw it already. Or something to do with the blades.”

  “What’s going on?” Fallon asked.

  “I can feel him getting closer, and I didn’t mention the tattoos were on my agenda.”

  “Why not? He likes ink. I did the flame on his inner wrist.”

  Smiling, Isa shook her head. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Why not tell him?”

  “Our wedding is tomorrow. And I want them in case the shit hits the fan.”

  Fallon sat back. “Those are big pieces. How were you going to hide all of this from him? I know the Fae don’t believe in staying away from their spouses the night before the wedding.”

  “An illusion. However, I’m willing to bet he knows where I am. Damned Ward Tower Security always has an eye on everything.”

  Jackie giggled. “Your fiancé wants to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Isa shrugged. The bells over the door rang and Isa closed her eyes. “And I’m guessing that’s Toryn.”

  “You were really going to hide this from him?” Fallon asked.

  A sigh escaped Isa. “Until after the wedding.”

  Jackie laughed. “Should have thought this part of our trip through.”

  Toryn appeared in the doorway, and Fallon dipped her head, a smirk on her lips.

  “Hey, Princess. What are you doing here?”

  Scotty appeared behind Toryn and shook his head with an amused look on his face.

  “Pretty obvious, isn’t it? But what are you doing here?” Isa asked.

  “Checking on you.” Toryn moved behind her, his eyes trailing over her thigh where silver flames formed roses that flickered and sparked. “Now this is gorgeous.”

  She looked back and his hand settled on her hip.

  One corner of his mouth quirked up. “I can feel the blade’s magic.”

  Isa winced.

  Scotty cleared his throat. “I’ll be in the lobby.”

  Fallon wiped the tattoo with a damp cloth. “You’re free to look. I’m done now.” She moved to the counter to deal with the needles.

  Toryn ran his finger down Isa’s thigh, pushing healing energy.

  She closed her eyes. “Upset?”

  “No. It’s beautiful. I want to see the blade, though.”

  She sat up carefully, letting her dress slide down her thighs, and pulled both blades.

  Toryn moved closer, taking a long look at the blades. “Those are incredible.”

  Isa admired Fallon’s handiwork and lifted one shoulder slightly. “I wanted something always on me that would work against damn near anything.”

  “And now you have it. I want to see the other thigh.”

  She lifted the dress and turned. Fallon had melded the four elements into a Sterquan tree like the one she warped the oak into while learning how to use her powers. The bark was a rich color, the leaves beautiful, and the flowers exquisite. Wind blew through the leaves. The ground sparkled.

  Toryn ran his hand over the work, healing as he went. “Beautiful.”

  Eddie stepped into the room, taking a look at the blades in her hands and the tattoo on her thigh. “Now that’s some serious ink.”

  Jackie giggled. “She did the other side too.”

  “Like a champ. No complaints,” Fallon added.

  Jackie turned to Eddie. “Let’s go out front.
” She slipped down the hall, pulling Eddie with her.

  Isa put the blades away with the word Fallon taught her.

  Toryn shook his head. “You’ve been practicing with similar sized weapons.”

  “Better to be prepared,” she answered. “I asked Preston about his blades. He told me about Fallon. I couldn’t resist.”

  “Good choice.” Toryn lifted her chin and took a brief kiss. “Should have told me.”

  “Was going to. Later.”

  “You don’t need to hide anything from me, Isa.”

  “What do you want me to say? I’m still worried about what could happen tomorrow.”

  “Nothing is going to happen tomorrow. Other than you becoming my wife.”

  She grinned. “Which I can hardly wait for. But Saressa will come back for revenge at some point.”

  “I keep telling you both to stop hiding stuff from each other,” Scotty muttered from the hall. Apparently he’d come back.

  Isa’s brow arched, looking into Toryn’s blue eyes. “You hiding anything right now?”

  “Not a thing. Other than I took care of the payment when I came in.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I could. Now, are you ready to spend your last night as a single woman with me?”

  “You know I am.”

  Jackie called down the hall, “Hey, we have a party planned for you.”

  Isa laughed. “Unless it’s a party for both of us in the same place, I’m not interested.”

  “It is,” Scotty answered. “All of your friends, especially the ones who aren’t going to Faery, are all coming.”

  “Then let’s have fun,” Isa answered.

  Chapter 8

  Her friends, her real ones, filled Shenanigans. People she’d spent the last ten years getting to know, becoming a part of. This was where Isadora wished her wedding was happening.

  Toryn put a Love in front of her. He held his own. Azure eyes twinkled back at her. The drink was sweet but potent, something he started drinking more than a year ago, always buying her one too. His subtle way to tell her how he felt before she could know anything about who she really was.

  Her heart thumped in her chest. She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Hopefully, their happiness wouldn’t be disrupted, but she feared the worst.

  Could she access all the future like her father? According to him, yes. However, that didn’t seem like any way to live. He constantly watched everything around him as if he’d seen it a thousand times before. The only time he seemed truly happy was with her mother.

  How did he ever derive joy? Real joy.

  Breaking away, Isa grinned. “Let’s enjoy the party, lover-boy.”

  “Every intention of it.” He took a long drink of his Love.

  Isa did the same, set aside the cup, and pulled him to the dance floor.

  Leon slid up behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist. “Can I join in?”

  Turning her head, Isa murmured, “You know you can.” Once upon a time she craved the three of them, no clothes, in a much more intimate setting. Now, she just wanted to dance.

  Toryn turned her in his arms and pressed tight. “I get you every night. Let him have a few moments.”

  Smiling, she wound her arms around Leon. “Are you and Lisanna coming to the wedding?” The nymph lived in San Francisco, and Leon had a thing for her.

  Glancing away, he shook his head. “She shut me out again. Plus, she’s not going.” He lifted a single shoulder. “My place is not in Faery. I’d prefer to stay here.”

  Me too! Instead of admitting her desire to stay on Earth, she smiled. “I fully understand. Though maybe there’s still time to win her heart.”

  “Been trying for decades. She’s too afraid to let me all the way in.”

  Toryn reached over her shoulder and squeezed Leon’s shoulder. “When I get back, I’ll talk to her. Though the invitation to the wedding should have come from me. Perhaps then, it wouldn’t have been an issue.”

  Leon pressed closer to quietly tell Toryn, “She would have still said no. And you know why.”

  Isa looked from one to the other but chose to hold her tongue for a later time. Isa swung her hips more, redirecting his attention. “Come on, you’re here to dance, aren’t you?”

  “With the most beautiful couple I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Inside and out. You two were meant for each other.”

  He kissed her cheek before slipping into the crowd to find someone to distract him.

  Toryn turned her in his arms. “I didn’t realize she was swinging low again.”

  “Have you talked to her?”

  “No. We don’t talk often unless we run into each other. She’s still shattered from Remus. Goes through highs and lows. Right now, she’s pushing everyone away.”

  “Wish there was something we could do to help her.”

  He shook his head. “I gave her the memory of me killing Remus, but it didn’t remove the fear. I think perhaps Leon isn’t the man for Lisanna.”

  “Sad.”

  Preston and Dacia glided up to them. Dacia took Toryn and spun him away as Preston pulled her into his arms. He glanced at Toryn and back. “I didn’t tell Toryn about your surprise. I swear on my life.”

  Isa laughed. “Yeah, but he has eyes everywhere. I should have known he would find out and show up. What else was I going to be doing in a tattoo shop, besides a tattoo or piercing. Though, had he waited a couple more minutes, he wouldn’t have seen them, because I would have hidden them with an illusion.”

  “Says he felt the magic of the blades before he walked through the door.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Isa promised.

  He dipped his head. “Still worried?”

  “Think I’m going to worry until after the first couple visions actually happen. After that, I hope things get easier. But I don’t want to turn into my father and know everything before it happens.”

  “I’ve never known a clairvoyant to see everything so clearly.”

  Isa shook her head. “Don’t want to imagine what life is like when you know everything. It doesn’t seem like a whole lot of fun to me.”

  “Nor me. Though I’m excited to be going to Faery for your wedding.”

  “Worried about the Council?”

  He shrugged. “What happens will happen. I’ve learned to roll with what life throws my way. So far, I’ve come out all right.”

  “That’s my preferred outlook.”

  He snorted and leaned in to whisper, “I always saw myself as more mage. But yes, it will be enlightening.”

  Isa nodded as he spun her through the crowd, back to Toryn.

  * * * *

  Toryn smiled at his son’s mate. “Hello, Dacia. To what do I owe the honor?”

  “Preston wanted to chat with Isa. And I was hoping you could tell me if going to Faery is a good idea.”

  He grinned. “No one is going to think poorly of you because of your father. Luckily, in Faery, people don’t judge most by their parentage. And if anyone had anything to worry about, it would be Kellan, who is still going.”

  “That honestly doesn’t help,” she muttered.

  He shrugged. “I wouldn’t ask you and Preston to go if I didn’t truly want you there with us. Though if he’s worried about how it may affect his position, I’ll understand. I won’t hold it against either of you if you think it’s better if you stay here.”

  “If you want us there, we both want to be there. I think Preston is worrying less about what the Council may think now, and trying to find a way to bring hybrids into the mix. They finally have Erik fully immersed into the DSF. Why not a mage/Fae?”

  “Erik is the Necromancer, correct? He’s a little different. Sometimes certain talents mix to produce interesting offspring. Like Isadora being a Storm Mistress.”

  Dacia nodded. She was her own interesting mix of witch
and Fae, and their magic continued to evolve the longer they were mated.

  “You know, Preston is a lot like you. I still wish I could have had a father more like you. At least my kids will have two parents who love them and always put them first.”

  Toryn nodded. He’d seen visions of their child playing with his boy. Maybe that was where the inclination to ensure the pregnancy had come from.

  “I’m sure he will. And you, Dacia, are everything a father could hope for his son.”

  Glancing away, she blushed. “Thank you.”

  Preston swept in, pulling Dacia back into his arms and maneuvering her away.

  Isa pulled Toryn deeper into the crowd with a giggle. “He was worried he was in trouble after you found out about the ink.”

  “Is he?” Toryn asked, though he knew better.

  “Course not. I thought it was sweet, and he is looking forward to this trip.”

  “I’m glad he’ll be there.” He almost asked what she thought about having their own child but bit back the words. He didn’t want to give away what he’d done.

  “I think we need another drink,” she murmured.

  Again, he almost told her, but it was early, and she didn’t know. Besides, the Fae rarely stopped drinking while pregnant unless at high risk, but alcohol didn’t affect them the same way.

  He led her to the counter, where his mother turned, a smile on her lips. “Congratulations and good luck to the happy couple.”

  Isa leaned closer. “You sure you won’t come to the wedding?”

  Morrigan swept her blond hair behind her ear. “You want me there?”

  Toryn nodded, almost pleading. “In disguise if you must, but yes. My son is coming. It would be strange if my mother didn’t.”

  A smile burst across her face. “Very well. I shall be there.”

  Isa waved Lana over. She wouldn’t take the night off to attend the party. Instead, she chose to work. At least she promised to go to the wedding. Apparently, she needed to see her father about something super-secret. No one in Ward Tower Security could find a trace of why.

  Which begged the question of what were they hiding? However, his firm didn’t deal much with the happenings in Faery.