Storm Mistress

by Rivers, Brandy L

  She was calling his name like a prayer.

  “Stay,” he commanded.

  She wanted to push him deeper. Push, pull, scream, she couldn’t think. She couldn’t tell where one sensation began and another ended because he was all over her, inside her, playing her like an instrument.

  Pleasure so sharp exploded, shattering her, remaking her. Her hand fisted in his hair as he teased her. She rocked her hips into his face, driving him deeper as his tongue moved faster and faster until she was screaming another release and clawing at the bed.

  “Stay, don’t leave,” his voice vibrated through her, taking her to new heights.

  Her eyes opened, and they were on the bed, but the bed was in the middle of a wild forest, full of brilliant colors that didn’t exist in her world. The wind whispered to them, the birds sang. The sun shimmered on his sweat-covered skin. He looked up at her. “Stay, please don’t leave,” he begged before filling her with his tongue.

  She half-rose off the bed, crying out, but stayed with him. Orgasm after orgasm threatened to pull her away, but she refused to leave him. Even as images and memories that weren’t her own flooded her head, he kept her rooted with his touch, his kisses, his need.

  “I’m here,” her voice was wrenched from her between gasps for air. “Toryn, I need you… now!”

  “Wait, Isa,” but she heard the longing in his voice, the need, but he was persistent.

  The man did things with his tongue and hands no one had a right to do. He brought her teetering to the brink of madness but kept a firm hold of her with his desire.

  When he moved over her, she lost control and swung herself around to straddle his lap. Isa guided him inside.

  As their bodies connected, the air shimmered, and the trees curled closer. The wilderness seemed to encourage them.

  “Now!” she demanded and he nodded, unable to resist any longer. She didn’t give him any choice as she rode. His eyes slid half-shut as his head fell back. She kissed his throat, sucked on his collar bone, and then took possession of his mouth.

  The room materialized around them, but she barely noticed as he clutched her hips. He moved at the frantic pace she chose, but he was losing control.

  Now he was calling her name, and she was drunk off the new-found power that flowed through her veins. Magic danced across her skin.

  His expression was full of ecstasy. “Isadora, oh Isa!” he screamed, which only drove her harder, faster, up, down, and around. His sounds became more primal, full of need, and then she felt his release but she couldn’t stop even as she followed.

  Lightning flashed outside, brightening the dark room, thunder rolled. Rain pounded down on the roof, and the whole house shook violently. He pulled her against him as he fell back.

  Then she saw the blue electricity flowing over her, over them. Her arms were covered in silver flames. She felt a wave of dark anger nearby and panicked, scrambling off Toryn and across the room.

  Chapter 18

  Isadora wasn’t at home, and she wasn’t at Toryn’s. Remus was willing to bet Toryn took her to the cabin he wasn’t supposed to know about. Of course, Remus had his own spies, and knew about their getaway, and how Toryn always swept her out of trouble’s way.

  She had better be there. It was the only place that made sense. As much as he’d love the honor of bringing her into power, there was poetic justice in that Isa would never trust Toryn again after one fuck. Her hero, the one to always save her, would destroy her faith in him.

  Remus needed to find her, bring her back to Seattle, and finish the deed if Toryn actually managed to keep his dick to himself

  Either way, her awakening was long overdue, and in the end, Isadora would realize that Toryn was nothing more than a hired hand. How could she not feel betrayed by a decade of secrets? She would turn to her uncle, and he could lure her into his care before she tried to fight.

  As he drove up the winding drive his brow arched. A full on storm had erupted around the cabin. The ground rumbled, and strange light flashed from behind the closed drapes.

  Well, well, well, the little bitch isn’t Henroyld’s after all. Now it made sense why Evanastie couldn’t seduce Isadora, and he hadn’t lied about the ice or fire from that jolt.

  With the elemental storm brewing, Remus finally had proof Aeryana had continued her affair with Reance all those years ago.

  The awakening was over, and it was the last time Toryn would ever touch her. Isadora would be his prize, as promised long ago. She would finally understand her place and why she belonged with royalty.

  Remus killed the engine, and strode to the cabin. Of course it was warded and locked, but he could sneak past all those insignificant defenses.

  With the localized small-scale earthquake, picking the lock took longer than it should have. The rain left him soaking wet by the time he managed to get inside. He was damn near struck by lightning before he shut the door.

  Isadora and Toryn’s cries of passion pissed Remus off. She should have thrown Toryn away from her by now, horrified by all the acts he willingly committed for his king, and disgusted by all the lowly creatures Toryn chose to associate with. Hopefully the afterglow would fade quickly and the stupid bitch would come to her senses.

  He could still hear them fucking. What in the abyss? She should be out cold, after an avalanche of knowledge and memories overloaded her system. Most fae go through the awakening sometime between twelve and seventeen. Isadora was twenty-nine, and had the potential to have more power than anyone he knew. She should be out for hours.

  But no, Toryn was screaming her name, and he could hear her cries of ecstasy. Holding back the rage, he burst through the door to watch Isadora back away from Toryn like she was scared to death of him.

  Finally, something is going right.

  * * * *

  The door burst open as soon as Isadora freaked out and backed herself against the wall, as far from him as she could get. Toryn hoped that Remus was the reason for her reaction, but she was already moving away from him before Toryn heard the intrusion.

  Please, don’t let her fear me.

  Forcing himself into action, he pulled his jeans on.

  Remus wore a cruel sneer. “And here I thought you were afraid to touch her.”

  “The princess feels safe with me. Isadora convinced me I was the better option.” His tone was confident, but he feared her reaction to her newfound knowledge.

  Remus moved toward Isadora and crouched down in front of her. Her green eyes had faded to silver, and wind whipped her hair around. Silver flames danced up her arms, which was a shock to him, but he didn’t dare to hope that meant what he thought it might. Her entire body was covered in dancing electricity and she had so much light glowing through her, she was casting shadows on the walls.

  Isadora was a sight to behold.

  Remus reached a hand out to touch her face, and she threw her hand up to knock him away. He flew across the room and hit the wall with a reverberating thud. The sick bastard seemed pleased by her power as he wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.

  He gave Toryn a cruel smile. “She is quite impressive.”

  “Hey, asshole, I’m right here,” she snarled as she stood up. Her pants were the first thing she grabbed and yanked on, followed by her shirt, not bothering with undergarments.

  She was ready to battle and it made Toryn hard all over again.

  Remus opened his mouth to say something and she shot him a look so cold he froze with his mouth open.

  “Shut the fuck up,” she growled.

  When she looked back at Toryn, her expression softened, though Isa was still tense and ready for a fight. “I could have killed you?” She wrung her hands, staring at him with wide eyes.

  He took a step forward, and she shook her head, glancing in the mirror behind him. Her hand flew to her mouth as she backed further away from him.

  After a deep breath, she shot Remus another icy look. “Next time you try to touch me, I will hurt
you on purpose. Do you understand?”

  Remus nodded once, disappointment clear on his face.

  Toryn had moved closer and reached out to caress her face. Isa took another couple steps back, right into the wall and shook her head. Remus laughed with satisfaction, but they both ignored him.

  “I warned you, Isa. Certain things would be amplified.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “This is part of the awakening.” Even if it wasn’t exactly normal. There was only one explanation he could think of, but it didn’t make sense. Reance was long since dead.

  When she didn’t relax, and continued to simply stare, he whispered a calming spell. Not to take away her edge, but to calm the elements, because she had caused all four to erupt in chaos around her.

  * * * *

  Isa’s head was spinning through a million questions. What the fuck? Sex shouldn’t make me go all Tesla Coil and catch on fire. And why the hell is Remus here? Toryn, oh shit, it looks like golden fire under his skin, the light practically dancing off him.

  The elements settled around her with his spell. The magic faded away, her control sliding back into place.

  “Thank you. I hope I didn’t scare you,” she mumbled lamely and offered a weak smile. “Please tell me it won’t be like that every time we make love.” Because she sure as hell wasn’t giving it up, but might need to prepare for a repeat of that crazy display.

  “No, but that was pretty spectacular.” He stared at her lips like he wanted to go another round, or few.

  “Next time?” Remus shouted. “There will not be a next time!”

  Her attention snapped to him and her eyes narrowed. She had a better idea of who he was and what he thought should happen. “You have no say in what I do. Thank you very fucking much.”

  Remus groaned in frustration. “I’ll be out in the living room. You two need to talk.” He gave Toryn a pointed look but left them in peace.

  “What was that?” she whispered with an angry look seconds after the door slammed shut.

  His amused smile was back as he whispered a spell to seal in the sound. That startled her. Not only did she recognize it, but she was sure she could do it herself.

  Then he asked, “Which part?”

  “The part where my asshole uncle came in.” Her hands flew to cover her mouth at the sudden realization she knew much more about Remus, and his sadistic desires, than she ever imagined. “Oh fuck, I think I’m going to be sick,” she groaned and rubbed her belly.

  Toryn shook his head slowly. “But you stayed with me, you didn’t….” he gestured his hands and fluttered his eyes shut dramatically.

  She giggled. “You kept telling me to stay.”

  His brows cranked down. “Then how did you learn about your uncle?”

  She hesitated. “Wasn’t that the point?”

  “Yeah, but you didn’t go into yourself. You stayed here, with me, responding to every caress, every kiss, and you even took me.” He caressed himself, closing his eyes, and she wished like hell Remus wasn’t there to stop her from round two.

  Exasperated, she shook her head, and quickly muttered, “Not important at the moment. I don’t trust him.” She shot a glance toward the door.

  “Neither do I. He’s going to try to convince you to go back to Faerie, or at least back to Seattle to meet Henroyld.”

  “No, I won’t, I can’t. Aeryana warned me that I needed to stay here.” Her eyes nearly fell out of her head. “My mother warned me about him. Shit, shit, shit. Can she? I mean… obviously… but what the fuck?”

  Toryn held back a laugh and whispered, “Don’t let him convince you. He can be rather persuasive. And whatever you do, do not look into his eyes.”

  She couldn’t help smiling. As always, Toryn managed to center her. “Yeah, got that already, and didn’t you say the same thing about me a few minutes ago?” Isa teased. She had a feeling she’d be immune to Remus’ tricks. Considering she now knew all about Evan and his talents, which she had managed to resist without effort, it was a good bet Remus wouldn’t sway her either.

  He took her face in his hands, with pleading eyes. “What are you going to do?”

  “Get rid of him, duh. I have a plan. He wants to use me, and not just my body.”

  Toryn glared at the door. “What do you mean? What are you going to do?”

  “Later. Right now, I need to get rid of him.” And she did, because he was up to something. Only part of the plan was clear. Separate her from Toryn. But she knew Toryn was the only one who could keep her safe and would help her learn what she needed to know.

  Her mother’s warning had been vague. Whispered words through the awakening. “Stay with Toryn at all costs. He will keep you safe.” Isa was fully on board with that plan.

  “Isa, please be careful,” he whispered.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.” She kissed him quickly. “Not without you.”

  Before Toryn could respond, she left the room. She found Remus staring out the same window she’d stared out of an hour or so before.

  He wore a brilliant smile she caught out of the corner of her eye. “So you do know.” He took a few steps toward her.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” She raised a hand, calling the lightning to dance over her skin, and was surprised to find the silver flames flickering along her fingers.

  The fire was a first, besides while having sex, but Toryn was a fire fae, so she assumed it was him. But it wasn’t, and… shit.

  She composed her expression into boredom. “The whole family thing is a major turn off. Besides, I’m not used to the idea of having an uncle, much less any family.”

  “You didn’t mind bedding your old friend.” The temperature dropped several degrees, literally.

  “Better than my uncle. Besides, I’ve wanted Toryn since I met him.”

  His brow arched. “Cold and scandalous. You’ll fit right in.”

  She gave him a warning glare. “No more than my uncle wanting to force the awakening on me.” Her tone dripped with venom.

  “Where we’re from, it is perfectly acceptable.” He rolled one shoulder in a shrug. “It would have been done out of love.”

  “Like when you tried to force yourself on my mother?” Vile revulsion rolled through her, but she kept her cool gaze out the window. “You heard what I did to Evan. You must have known I wouldn’t lay down and let you have your way.”

  “You’re going to have to get used to the idea of bedding me. Upon our return, you are to be my wife. You will consummate our relationship, willingly or not.”

  There was no way in hells he was going to manage that. “Here’s another thing, Aeremaius. I know I’m not supposed to go to Faerie until my mother comes for me. Oh, and I am not marrying you. They can take my heritage and shove it right up their royal asses because I am not princess material.”

  He reached for her and she slapped his hand away. There was a sizzle because her hand exploded in those strange flames and lightning.

  Clutching his hand to his chest, he snarled. “What the fuck was that for?”

  “A warning, because my words sure as hell aren’t sinking in. You are never going to touch me. Now get the fuck out of my cabin.” she growled, taking a step toward him, raising both hands as the magic flowed up her arms and across her shoulders. “I know Toryn was sent to protect me, and I know you were sent for similar reasons. I’ve seen too much of your twisted perversions. I am not a toy, and I am not a prize. You need to leave so I can wrap my head around everything I’ve learned.”

  “How can we reconnect if you shut me out?” he whined, actually fucking whined. She knew he was trying to play her, but it wasn’t going to work.

  Her temper was at the boiling point, and the only reconnecting she planned to do was her knee to his groin if he made a single move toward her. “Anyone who believes rape can be done out of love can go straight to hell.”

  Remus was at a loss for words. It must have sunk in though. He glared at Toryn, his face turning red as he pointed an
accusing finger while backing toward the door. “What did you do?”

  Toryn shook his head slowly, anger flashing through his eyes. “Me? What did I do? My job. I protected her. And when you wanted to force the awakening, she made her choice. I was there for her every time something bad came her way. You stood at a distance for years, waiting to see what would happen. You tried to prevent me from going to her when I knew Evan was going to hurt her.”

  “I didn’t know what he had planned. You have to believe that, Isadora,” Remus all but pleaded.

  Something in his expression told her that was only a technicality. He put Evan up to it.

  Isa closed her eyes and called the wind. The door slammed open, busting the lock, and then she called the lightning to her palms from the storm raging outside. It arched around Remus as the tiny flames grew.

  “Leave now,” she warned, cupping her hands as a ball of fire and electricity formed between her palms.

  Remus kept moving toward the door, but gave Toryn a look of pure hatred. “I suppose you want to be completely alone, Isadora.”

  Slowly, she walked forward. “No. I want my best friend with me. I’ve known Toryn for years and maybe knowing he is the same as me will help.” The one thing she did know, Toryn wanted her safe.

  “I’m more like you than he is,” Remus growled.

  “No. You may be blood, but you are nothing like me.”

  “Why him?”

  “I want the person whose shoulder I’ve cried on countless times. I want the person who holds me up when everything else falls apart. I want my one true friend. Not someone I hardly know, who doesn’t know my secrets.”

  “You don’t know any of his secrets,” he replied coldly.