Storm Mistress

by Rivers, Brandy L

  * * * *

  Watching Sammy kiss Isadora was a turn on, knowing that the horny bastard was only torturing himself because Isa wasn’t going to let Sammy have more than one kiss. Not to mention the slightly surprised and turned-on look on her face was adorable.

  Maybe I should have clarified.

  He murmured in her ear, “You could have told him no. He still owes me a favor.”

  She glared at Toryn and it only made him harder. “You could have mentioned that.”

  “I did.” He chuckled, loving the way her eyes got wide, and her chest heaved.

  “Well,” Sammy called, “now I still owe Toryn a favor.” He winked, his grin wolfish.

  “Sorry?” It was more of a question.

  “It’s okay,” he pulled her close and took her hand, placing it over his erection.

  Grinning, she squeezed and his hips shot forward.

  “Careful there, Isa,” he purred. “Sammy would love to watch and something tells me you wouldn’t ask him to join in.”

  Taking her hands away, she frowned, and he could imagine what was going through her head. “I’ll behave then.”

  “Time to fly,” Sammy called. She started for the plane.

  Before she could climb on, Toryn pulled her to a stop. “Are you going to be all right, Isa?”

  “What do you mean?” she frowned, confused.

  It made him smile, she was so distracted by him she didn’t remember her fear. “You hate to fly.” Last time she went to Santa Monica, he flew with her and she nearly crushed every bone in his hand she held on so tight. Isa had hated every minute of the turbulent ride.

  “Yeah, fine.” She didn’t look so convinced, but put on a brave face. He should have kept his mouth shut. She was relaxed until he was stupid enough to mention it.

  “I’ll be right beside you,” he assured. “I won’t let you go.” In fact, he might know a way to distract her, and had to strangle his grin back, because he had a feeling she might protest if he warned her.

  “Thank you.” Her expression was full of trust. “I appreciate it.”

  “I would do anything for you,” he promised from the bottom of his heart and soul.

  She looked like she wanted to say something, but Sammy butted in, “Okay lovebirds, as jealous as I am of your passion, we better get in the air. There’s a dragon in the vicinity, or so I heard a short while ago.”

  “Shit,” she muttered under her breath.

  His brow rose in question.

  Toryn chuckled, breaking the tension. “Don’t worry, we lost him when we made it into town.”

  Sammy eyed him cautiously. “Well now, why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  Isa shrugged lightly. “The dragon was after me. Seems the wrong people want to use me.”

  He chuckled, seemingly unconcerned. “In that case, let’s get going before the dragon catches on.” That was Sammy for you, a total sucker for a beautiful woman, and no woman compared to Isa.

  They climbed aboard, and Toryn pulled Isa into the last seats in the back of the small jet. She kept glancing at him suspiciously, probably dreading the flight. Her hand was cold when he took it in his own. The engines came on, and she drew in a breath as she squeezed her eyes shut.

  * * * *

  Oh shit, she hated to fly, and really didn’t want to be on a plane, but she trusted Toryn completely. Still, it was a small jet, and the last time she rode in a plane, she was sure she was going to die the whole damned flight.

  The plane started to move, and she flinched. Toryn’s lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “I have an idea.” He nibbled down her neck and her breath caught as his hand slipped under her shirt to cup a breast.

  “Oh, I’m not so sure,” she muttered, but his mouth closed over hers, stealing her words. All thought of resistance melted away as he manipulated her body without ever removing any clothing. He was good.

  The time melted away, she hardly noticed the flight due to his kisses, his caresses, his presence. Before she realized it, he pulled away with a devilish smirk as the plane touched down. “I almost forgot to keep you dressed.”

  A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. “Tease,” she sneered as she smoothed out her clothes. Sure, he got her off multiple times, but he refused to let her reciprocate.

  “It worked, didn’t it?” One dark brow rose, his blue eyes sparkled in mischievous delight. “You forgot your fear of flying?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes narrowed as her cheeks flamed. She brushed past him to exit.

  Sammy met them at the door with a salacious grin, “Afraid to fly? I didn’t realize until lover boy mentioned it. You both seemed preoccupied in all the best ways.”

  Blushing, she shrugged. She had no excuse, and really she hoped the next flight went as well.

  He nodded toward the gates. “Your ride is here. And if you thought I was a naughty boy, you might want to watch out for that nymph. She’s a wild one.” He gave Toryn a meaningful look, then winked at Isa before slapping her ass as she walked by.

  Toryn shook his head in amusement. “See you around Sammy.”

  Isa turned and winked at Sammy. “Thanks for the ride. Maybe next time the fur won’t come as such a shock.”

  Toryn laughed. “Now who’s the tease?”

  “Nymph?” she fired back. She could see the gorgeous creature from Reance’s memory. He’d caught Toryn and her in the woods, and okay, she was jealous because she had real memories to go by, and not simply her imagination. Maybe she was a lot jealous, because Reance sure as hell got a show.

  He shrugged without apology. “That was a long time ago, and she has nothing on you, Princess.”

  Then Isa saw her, and she was beautiful. She wore a black bodice, and a tiny band for a skirt over wicked curves. If she moved, Isa was sure her panties would show.

  Wait, never mind, she wasn’t wearing any and she was completely bare of all hair. And then she caught a bit of info from the sea of knowledge that nymphs were naturally bare.

  Toryn squeezed Isadora tight, maybe to remind her who he was with. “Isadora, this is Lisanna, an old friend.” At least he didn’t sound as if he missed the other woman. “Lisanna, this is the lovely Isadora.”

  “Isadora, Sammy told me you were absolutely stunning, but you smell like sex,” she purred, licking her lips as she ran her hand down her chest, abdomen and lower.

  Isa reached out and took her hand, shaking it before she made it to her skirt. The nymph’s fingers lingered on hers.

  Okay, Sammy was right, this woman lived and breathed sex.

  Isa managed a smile and warm tone. “A pleasure to meet you.” Or not, but she wasn’t going to be rude because she was feeling insecure.

  Lisanna’s attention shifted to Toryn. “Oh, you are a sweet thing. You finally fell in love.” She sighed heavily, her breasts heaving as if she were trying to draw attention to them. She probably was. “I’ll admit to being disappointed, but I am happy for you.”

  She turned to whisper in Isa’s ear, “You are one lucky, lucky woman. The man is so very talented, the rest of us will have to live with our memories, because I don’t believe we will ever pry him from you.”

  At a complete loss, Isadora blinked at her.

  Toryn took her chin, pulling her attention to him. “She’s right. I’m yours forever and always, any way you’ll have me.”

  Lisanna giggled and without further ado, she opened the door.

  Isa climbed in.

  Toryn followed, pulling her close.

  She didn’t have a clue what to say, but Toryn did, and rather specifically. “Thank you for the car ride, Lisanna. Is Morey still in the same place?”

  “That old brownie?” Her tone dripped with disappointment. “Yeah, she is. This one in trouble?”

  “Why do you always expect the worst?” Toryn chuckled, evading the question.

  Lisanna shrugged, glancing in the mirror as she started the car. “You can’t keep your eyes off your lovely Isadora. You’ve never been able to
resist a second look in my direction.” She turned in her seat to caress Isa’s face. “Don’t worry, love. All of that was far in the past. There isn’t a male who doesn’t take notice of me, and most women look too.” She pouted. “I feel so ugly. Neither of you are interested in the slightest.”

  Isa shook her head with wide eyes. “Lisanna, you are beautiful. I’m not into women, never was. Besides, it’s kind of hard to pay attention to anyone else when you have Toryn’s full consideration.”

  “That you do, and you do have a point.” Then she smiled brightly. “I really am happy for you two. Keep me in mind if you ever want to spice up your love life."

  “Oh, we’ll remember,” Isa smirked, “but I think Sammy hopped in line before you.”

  A wicked grin curved Toryn’s mouth. “Actually, Leon has dibs before even him, but I won’t be ready to share anytime soon.”

  “Ooh, the jaguar? Yummy.” She turned back around, excited as she started driving.

  “That’s a relief,” Isa admitted sheepishly.

  He gave her a puzzled look.

  A coy smile lifted her lips. “You don’t want to share.”

  “If you truly wanted me to, I’ve been known to enjoy sharing. However, I want to keep you all to myself for as long as you’ll let me.” Was that insecurity? It was, and she loved him that much more.

  “See? He’s utterly and hopelessly in love with you, Isadora,” the nymph called from the front as she sped through the streets.

  Isa blushed, and caught the nymph’s glance at Toryn, “Don’t worry Toryn, she feels every bit as strongly about you. I should know. It’s only the ones in love I can’t sway.”

  Chapter 25

  Toryn shifted nervously in his seat as they neared Morrigan’s estate. Isadora looked up at him, a question on her face. She was nervous, and he wanted to explain what was going on, but he was terrified. While necessary, this was the last place he wanted to take her.

  The car came to a stop, and Isa climbed out before anyone else. He followed, and pulled her into his embrace.

  Lisanna turned to look at Isa. “I just realized why I know your name, Isadora. You’re all Toryn has talked about for the last ten years.”

  “She is,” he answered cautiously, knowing what was coming. He wondered how Isadora was going to react to the next few minutes.

  “I thought she couldn’t know what she was?” Lisanna practically bounced in excitement, because she loved gossip.

  Maybe he should have come up with an alias. Or better yet, never mentioned his princess, at least to Lisanna. Sammy was safe, he wanted to stay under the radar and never showed himself in public.

  When Toryn didn’t answer, and Isa kept her mouth shut, Lisanna asked, “What changed?”

  Toryn shrugged, and pulled Isa close so she wouldn’t try to interfere.

  Morrigan stepped out from behind a tree. Her skin resembled wrinkled leather, her eyes muddy brown, her hair long and tangled with gray streaks threaded through the mahogany.

  Morrigan gave him a cutting glare at odds with her diminutive size. No surprise there, she was forever disappointed in him. She raised a gnarled hand and touched Lisanna’s shoulder. The nymph slouched to the ground.

  Isa gasped, and he grimaced as he let her go to pick Lisanna up and set her in the driver’s seat.

  “Come,” Morrigan commanded, without so much as an introduction. “Oh, don’t give me that look child. She’s a gossip, and Isadora is safer if Lisanna doesn’t remember driving you two here.”

  Isadora opened her mouth to say something, but Toryn shook his head, pulling her toward the door. He knew Isa was confused, probably worried about what actually happened, but he knew Lisanna was safe.

  Isa’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. “What was that? What the hell is going on?”

  Sighing, he shook his head and glanced up at the sky. “Trust me, what Morrigan did was for the best.”

  Morrigan raised one brow as she pointed to the open door.

  Reluctantly, Isadora marched past her, and stopped in her tracks to take in the impressive front room. Of course, it was beautiful, everything expensive, and didn’t fit Morrigan’s current appearance at all. Before long, Isadora would get another shock, and his heart twisted.

  Dreading the next few minutes, he sat, and pulled Isa beside him.

  Morrigan took a seat across from them, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

  “We should talk.” The brownie gave him a withering look, and even in that guise, he felt like he was an inch tall.

  Isadora glared at the woman, glanced at Toryn and shook her head as if asking why he wasn’t doing something about Morrigan’s bad attitude.

  He offered a weak smile.

  Morrigan spoke up, “Really, Toryn, you should think before you let people in on her identity. Most of the fae know her name and who her parents are supposed to be. You are trying to hide her, not lead the king right to your precious little princess.”

  Toryn simply answered, “Lisanna is on her own side. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt Isadora. She’s more interested in bedding her.”

  * * * *

  Isadora was completely baffled as to why Toryn would bring her to this hateful woman. Why was he taking her shit? Not much got under his skin, but now he was acting like a beaten dog.

  The woman spat, “The nymph is as loose with her lips as she is with her legs. So I erased her memory.” The tiny woman shrugged as if it was no big deal, then turned her attention to Isa. “I’ve been called many names, though you may call me Morrigan.”

  Bitch seemed more apt. Though Isa managed to keep her mouth shut.

  After a moment of silence, Morrigan continued, “So, you’re the new Storm Mistress, and that knave Henroyld gave you the perfect protector. If only he had Reance’s insight, but then you wouldn’t have the one man at your side who will always keep you safe.”

  Isa opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it shut looking to Toryn for some sign, anything. It was obvious there was more going on, but she had no clue what.

  And what the hell am I supposed to say?

  The woman raised an inquisitive eyebrow, and lifted her hand, prompting Isa to speak her mind.

  Toryn nodded but it was a tense, stiff movement, completely out of character.

  Taking a deep breath, Isa glared back at her, finally losing her cool. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? We show up. You knock out the person who gave us a ride. Took her memories. And now you start in on Toryn who is doing his best to help me out of an impossible situation. If it weren’t for him, my fucking uncle would have raped and tortured me. So give him some damned credit.”

  Her ancient face crinkled with laughter and she reminded Isa of a shar pei. She always hated those ugly little dogs.

  “I do love the spunky ones.” Her lips twisted into a smirk, and then she shrugged. “You are right not to trust me, or most anyone else for that matter, at least without a good reason. You are safe with Toryn. I’m sure you already know that, or else you wouldn’t be here.”

  “You’re right about that,” Isa snapped back.

  Toryn winced slightly.

  Regret and sadness flashed across Morrigan’s face. “I’m like you, but I don’t want any part of the old world.”

  Isa’s mouth fell open as she stared. “You’re the same as me?”

  She chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry. We don’t really look like this, even after a few thousand years. I feel ancient right now, so I choose to look old.”

  “Right.” Isa sighed. “The glamour, but a few thousand years old? Seriously?”

  “Oh, Toryn,” she admonished, “you didn’t teach her anything about glamour. Did you? I realize the king and queen would rarely have use for such abilities, but it would benefit the princess greatly, especially since she is planning to run for a while. You, of all people, should know that.”

  His reply was a lame, “Yes, of course.”

  What the fuck? Seriously? Why is he taki
ng her shit? That wasn’t like the man she knew, not at all. Who is this woman?

  There was an evil smile on her face. “Come on, princess. Try to see what I really look like. I have a feeling you’ll break the illusion easier than most. The spell is elemental magic and you, my dear, will master all of them.”

  Her brain hiccupped as she processed that little nugget. “All of them? Like earth, wind, fire, and water?”

  With a knowing smile, she nodded. “All of them, and some other branches of magic if you’re interested and persistent. Now come on, give me your best shot.”

  “What? I don’t have a clue where to begin.”

  She rolled her eyes and shot Toryn another withering look. “Really, child? Not a single tip for her?”

  His eyes dropped to the ground.

  That pissed Isa off. She turned to Morrigan and stalked toward her. If looks could kill, the old bitch would have been a shredded mess on the floor.

  “Lay off him, he’s doing the best he can. It’s been an insane couple of days and we haven’t had a chance to do anything but run.”

  Morrigan wore a smug smirk, and Isa wanted to wipe it off her damned face. She lost it, and yelled, “You don’t even know how hard it was to convince him to make love to me for the awakening, or whatever the hell it was.”

  The woman’s tone grated on her nerves. “Yes, and his biggest flaw is that he wanted to break all of this to you as gently as possible.” She sighed and glared at Toryn. “When you’re a changeling, there is no easy way. No amount of words will prepare a person for that onslaught of knowledge.”

  Balling her hands into fists was the only way to keep from reaching out and strangling Morrigan as she glared daggers. There was a ripple that started at her hair, and traveled down her body in an instant, as the woman before her grew to her height. Her silver-streaked hair faded to the palest blond, and her muddy brown-eyes shifted to match Toryn’s vivid blue. Barely passing for early twenties, Isa would have carded her at Shenanigans. Not to mention she appeared too angelic to be such a stone cold bitch.