Chapter 17
No wonder Saressa wanted to bend Isadora to her will. Until the princess stormed into the castle, disintegrating whole walls as she went, Marielle believed Saressa might succeed in her plan to rule all the kingdoms.
But the queen of the Water and Fire Realms had made the wrong enemy. The entire structure had been warded, inside and out to keep everyone out but whom she wanted in.
She even locked out Kellan, the only person she seemed to love more than herself. Even if she didn’t show it well. Of course, pride and egotism got the better of her when Kellan turned his back on Saressa.
Marielle watched as Isadora took directions toward the other dungeon and essentially made a straight path through the winding labyrinth.
The sirens who stuck around to fight Saressa’s battles were destroyed with a glance, much like the walls, furniture, stone, anything.
Miles whispered in Marielle’s ear, “Are you sure she’s not worse than Saressa?”
Marielle’s brow arched. She truly hoped not, because no one would stand a chance against a Storm Mistress scorned. She’d seen what had happened when Fleming had taken Toryn from Morrigan. She’d demolished most of the Fire Realm, leaving a desert behind.
Turning her head, she whispered back, “She stopped to save the prisoners instead of going back to her wedding ceremony. She’s asking for nothing and offering to help me. I’d say friend.”
He nodded then tilted his head. “Hope you’re right, love.”
The last wall crumbled before the fourth and last dungeon. The entourage had grown significantly since Isa’s friends had joined them, and they had freed everyone in the three dungeons.
Thirty people now roamed the castle, most staring in awe at what Isadora did.
Marielle pushed her way to Isadora. “Wait, Princess. Allow me. You’re about to meet someone who may appear a monster when you first set eyes on her.”
Isa paused, turning to Marielle. “What is she?”
“A Lamia. She usually appears to be human, but shifts, much like your harpy friend. Only her legs become a powerful tail, her hair forms snakes, and she drinks blood to live.”
“Looking at her won’t turn us to stone?”
Marielle shook her head. “She’s not Medusa. Something similar, but not at all the same.”
“She’s friend?” Isa asked.
Toryn touched her shoulder. “Definitely friend.”
Isa’s lips quirked as she stared into his eyes. “Not even asking.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “Go. Hopefully, she’ll trust me to get us all out. The castle won’t stand much longer.”
* * * *
Toryn wanted to caution Isa against showing off. Only, she wasn’t. Not really.
She was solving the problem the way she always did. Jumping in and finding another way. Truly impressive.
Once again, he felt like an asshole, though. He had intimate history with most of the females they freed, and half the males. And Isa didn’t give a damn.
Smiling at Marielle, Isa motioned forward. “Tell me what you want me to do when you’re ready.”
Dipping her head, Marielle moved into the dungeon.
Toryn turned Isa’s head. “If Layla’s been locked away too long, she may not be friendly to anyone. Even Marielle.”
“We can knock her out, right?”
“Um, not positive about that. She resists damn near all magic, including that.”
“We’ll think of something,” Isa promised, stepping into the room. There were two cells, side by side. The Lamia, Layla, she supposed, was huddled in the corner, her long serpentine tail coiled through most of her cell. Her hair—or snakes really—whipped around her head, hissing, though she covered her face.
The opposite cell held a centaur, who rose up on his hind legs. His voice bellowed. “Who has the bitch sent now?”
“Saressa’s gone,” Isa stated, looking up at the creature.
Toryn shook his head. “Down, Vati. That’s my mate.”
The centaur’s front feet hit the ground. “Mate? You mated someone?”
“She’s also my bride, and the Princess of the Air Realm.” More, but at the moment, he wasn’t sure what the title would be in a week.
“Bloody abyss. How’d you manage that?”
“By being the most amazing man I’ve ever met,” Isa answered.
“He’s been marked by the bitch,” Vati pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter. He’s still mine. A scar won’t change that.” Isa glared up at him. “You want out of that cage?”
“I do,” hissed Layla, glaring at Vati. “Though I’d love to rip his throat open. Slimy bastard.”
Vati rolled his eyes. “She’s beautiful, when she isn’t ready to spit venom.”
“Maybe you should keep your hooves and hands to yourself, beast!” she slithered to the door. The white snakes hanging from her head all rose up, ready to strike at the centaur.
Isa let out a shrill whistle, and Toryn couldn’t help chuckling.
Her gaze cut to Vati. “You touch Layla, you die.”
“Ooh, is that a challenge?” he taunted.
Marielle snapped back, “She will. The castle is coming down around us because the entrances were blocked. One touch, and you’ll be gone.”
Vati’s head snapped to Marielle. Then he lifted his hands in surrender. “Won’t touch a single scale. But for the record, she was my only company, and the moment she bit my hand, I kept them to myself. Though, I’d love to get her under me.”
“Don’t test me, beast,” Layla hissed.
“Very well.” He looked at Isa. “Let us out. I’ll behave.”
Toryn sighed. “Watch Anavatigi. Bastard loves all beautiful creatures. And he’s liable to make a dumb move.”
Her eyes glowed green as she glared at Vati. “Touch me, and you’ll lose that offending appendage.” She reached out with both hands and took out three bars per hand as she dragged her fingers down the metal. Ash floated through the room. She turned to Vati and did the same. “Remember, you touch me, Layla, or anyone who doesn’t invite it, and same happens to you.”
Marielle laughed. “Oh, I like you.”
Miles put his hand on Marielle’s shoulder.
Toryn was having a hard time believing Miles was still alive. Toryn remembered the man’s supposed death. He wasn’t sure how Jackie was going to take seeing her parents alive.
The centaur stepped out and moved away from Layla.
Isa turned to Kellan. “Fastest way out?”
He rubbed his head and looked around. “Through this wall, ten feet or so, should be a set of stairs that will take us out.”
She plowed a tunnel through the stone and started up the stairs.
“What is she, Toryn?”
“Storm Mistress,” Toryn answered.
“Saressa dead?” Vati asked.
“Not yet. She fled. Damha’s destroyed,” Isa answered. “Don’t worry. Saressa will die as soon as I find the cunt.”
Vati chuckled. “Toryn, don’t piss her off.”
Toryn shook his head. “Never my plan.”
“Good luck with that. She’s something else.”
Isa snorted. “Fuck off.”
Chapter 18
“This way.” Marielle led everyone into the courtyard as the last of the castle walls crumbled. “Open a portal anywhere, but the caverns will collapse next, taking the whole castle down.”
Isadora opened a portal to Shenanigans because she wasn’t willing to bring this many unknowns into the Air Kingdom. The bar, she could manage that if it proved to be a bad idea.
Toryn scooped Isa into his arms and carried her through. He stopped a foot in front of Reance, who stood there.
Relief flooded his features as his shoulders deflated. “You’re alive.”
Toryn set Isa down and pinned him with a stare. “You didn’t trust we’d survive,” Toryn demanded.
<
br /> “Something shifted in my visions recently. Things could go several paths.” He shook his head. “This version of our path became harder to find.”
Isa walked around the bar. “Anyone need a drink? After all that bullshit, I could.” She grabbed a bottle of Grey Goose, then froze. “Shit. I can’t.” Ignoring everyone, she walked down the hall and shut herself in the office.
Toryn followed, but she locked the door with a ward and slid down it as tears flooded her eyes. Toryn was whole. She was unharmed. Only now, she was pregnant, and she couldn’t have a shot of alcohol to calm her nerves.
That morning in the shower, his magic washing over her. He’d made sure they’d conceive.
Isa, I needed something for us to fight for, Toryn pleaded through their mental link.
You are enough to fight through anything, she answered.
Let me in. Please, he begged.
Didn’t need a baby to fight for you. You’re everything, Toryn.
Isa, talk to me. Face to face.
You took the choice! She cried out, pressing her hands to her face.
I couldn’t help myself. Thought it was the only way. Needed to know our future was bright. His hands thumped against the door. Isa, please. Let me in. I did it for us.
You didn’t tell me.
I’m sorry, Isa. Just talk to me. His voice broke, even in her head.
Her heart twisted. She pushed herself to a stand and opened the door.
Tears streamed down his face as he banded his arm around her waist, lifted her off her feet, and walked into the room. Then he shut and locked the door with his own magic. “Isa, you were hiding something from me. You were scared about what was coming, and you weren’t talking to me. I didn’t know what to think, so I gave us something to hold on for.”
Slamming her hands into his shoulders, she pushed back. “You were enough to fight for. I didn’t need our son to push me to fight harder. Nothing would have stopped me. Nothing, Toryn.”
His hands caught her face as he stared into her eyes. “I was in so much pain I didn’t have any fight left, Isa. Even knowing you carried my child. I’m not sure how I survived.”
“I wasn’t letting you die,” Isa whispered. “You’re mine. I’ll fight through hell, the abyss, anywhere, to save you.”
“You shouldn’t have to, Princess.”
She stepped back and walked away. “Stop with the archaic idea that I can’t handle myself. I’m perfectly capable.”
“Never said you weren’t. But I never wanted you to see me that way. If you weren’t there, I wouldn’t have lived. The injuries—I’m not even sure how bad they were. Only that I should have bled to death.”
“I would have never let that happen,” Isa snarled.
He dipped his head. “I’m sorry. I thought—shit, I didn’t think when I stripped your spell and cast my own. I did it on impulse. I had to do it. The urge came over me and I did it.”
“If you had told me I wouldn’t be mad now. I want Kiernan. I want us. I don’t care where that is, Toryn. But you took the choice away and hid it from me.”
“You weren’t going to tell me about the tattoos.”
She slammed her hands on the desk. “You were so convinced nothing bad would happen, and I knew it would. I didn’t know what. I never imagined this. But I wanted to be prepared, and I was because I had those blades.”
“You’re right.”
“Don’t want to be right,” she threw back.
He crossed the distance and caught her face. His mouth descended on hers, his tongue seeking entrance. She was slammed against the wall as he took her breath in the heated kiss.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her lips. “Forgive me, Isa. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You’re enough for me to fight for,” she answered. “I would have brought the castle down regardless. Would have slaughtered Damha anyway.”
Tears filled his eyes. “I should have known. I’ve never been enough, Isa. I’ve never been the one anyone fought for.”
“Always fight for you,” she whispered, her heart breaking. “You’re everything to me. And yes, I want Kiernan, but you should have told me.”
“You should have made me listen about your fears.”
Her eyes closed. “I’m sorry. I tried. You didn’t listen. And everyone wanted this wedding to happen. I didn’t want to disappoint you, my parents, anyone.”
His kiss was desperate, full of need.
She tore at the remains of his shirt, then opened the blood slick trousers, reaching for his thick length. Hard, ready. His skin was perfect, except the scar.
Instinctively her palm traveled up his abs, to his chest where the bitch’s symbol was etched across his right pectoral. She covered the symbol with her hand and channeled energy into the mark, changing the pattern to form one symbol of all four elements in the shape of a rose.
His breath came out in a hiss of pleasure. Isa dragged one finger down his ribbed abs, forming the stem that faded before she reached his pelvis.
Gripping his cock, she stroked as he removed her clothes, caressing every inch of her body.
“I’m sorry, Isa. I needed to know we would get to our future.”
A cry escaped her lips, tears spilling down her face as he grabbed her ass and spun, sitting her on the desk before thrusting into her depths.
Her fingers slid into his hair, gripping his head to pull him back. His eyes burned with such emotion it pushed her desire higher. “Only needed you to fight for that future.”
One hand covered her flat stomach. “I should have known that, but I can’t regret this.”
Blinking, she pulled him back for another kiss. He moved faster, making love to her, demanding her pleasure. She held on, gripping his hair, trying to make him see he was always enough.
He gripped her ass, hauling her closer to him as he pounded harder, shattering her resistance and sending her into release. He filled her, coming undone with her.
“My whole world, Isa,” he whispered against her ear.
“You’re everything, Toryn.”
“Forgive me.”
“Of course.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Love you too damned much to stay mad. And all you had to do was ask me to have your baby. I couldn’t have said no.”
“Wasn’t sure you were ready,” he whispered.
She shrugged. “Who’s ever ready until they do it?”
Toryn chuckled. “Kiernan?”
“The moment it clicked I was pregnant, I knew his name.” Her eyes latched onto his.
His thumbs smoothed across her cheeks, taking the tears. “It’s perfect.”
“I’m going to kill Saressa.”
He let out a laugh. “I know you will, but I’m going to help.”
An evil smile pulled at her lips as she pushed him back and ran her fingers over the new scar. “Want to show her I changed the mark she left. You’re mine. Never hers.”
He looked down, one brow lifting. “How?”
Her gaze lifted to meet his. “Transmuted it. Hope you like the pattern. I just—I couldn’t leave it her mark.”
“That shouldn’t have been possible.” His eyes lit up as he ran his hand over it. “It’s beautiful. Still want Fallon to tattoo it.”
Her eyes sparkled. “As long as you want another tattoo. Up to you.”
“She can add color, make it come alive.” He ran his hands down her thighs. “Like these.” He took another kiss.
She scanned over his body once more. “You need a shower.”
He nodded. “Let’s take care of that before we deal with the rest of them.”
* * * *
Reance paced the main room of the bar. He wanted to yell at Isadora for not listening to him, for choosing another path, but she came back herself, not broken. She put Toryn back together. Then she stormed off and Toryn chased her.
Whatever happened, his daughter was angry. Maybe ri
ghtfully so. A rift had divided them. Could she forgive him? He wasn’t sure.
Scotty stepped in front of Reance with a pained expression. “Give her time. You didn’t see Toryn.”
“I did see it. Saressa stopped blocking. I saw it all.”
“Not the same. I could feel Isadora’s heart breaking. She poured her love into him and brought him back. He’s alive because she gave everything she had to bring him back from the brink of death.”
“She should have planned, should have thought out the possibilities.”
“Damn it, Reance. You aren’t a god. You can’t control everything. Least of all Isadora.”
“If Saressa had killed Toryn, she would have fallen, become like Saressa, only worse.”
Scotty shook his head. “You don’t know your daughter then.” He turned, walking away.
Reance stared after him. “I saw what would happen if she failed. Don’t you get it? I wanted her to go in with the best possible chance.”
“She doesn’t need your interference to find her way. She never did.”
Reance stumbled back with the weight of the words. Guilt hit him like a tidal wave.
Someone pushed a chair under him.
Marielle looked into his eyes. “He’s right. Isadora would have been brokenhearted if she’d lost her mate, and she did tear the castle apart to find him, but she wouldn’t have kept going after killing Damha and Saressa. She would have stopped there.”
“How can you possibly know?” Reance whispered, haunted by the possibility of fucking everything up himself.
Marielle smiled softly. “Isadora would have let me do anything and everything in order to heal Toryn. I could have pleasured him for hours, and she wouldn’t have complained because all she wanted was Toryn whole and healthy. There wasn’t much she didn’t heal herself. But I wanted to be sure after watching what Saressa and Damha did to him.” Tears welled up in Marielle’s eyes. “Your sister hates your daughter. She wants to rip everything away from her. What did she ever do?”
“Nothing.” Reance dropped his head into his hands. “It’s me she hates, therefore my daughter. She wants to destroy me because I couldn’t take her side in her battle with the other realms.”
Twisted Bonds Page 12
