“Can’t help it. Need you,” she moaned as he teased her with his touch.
He walked her back until he could lay her in the margin where water met wet sand. “I want inside you.”
“What are you waiting for?” She stared up into his stunning blue topaz eyes that burned with a fire she craved.
His response was a powerful thrust that drove pleasure through every nerve ending.
“Oh, fuck, right there, hard!” she cried out.
He didn’t disappoint as he pounded into her with a ferocity that should have scared her, but only ignited her desire into a firestorm.
Then he took her ankles, pulling them to his shoulders as he pistoned into her. She couldn’t move, and the sensation rolling through her was overwhelming.
“Yes… yes… yes!” she chanted.
Release washed over her, blotting out the moon and stars. Then he shifted her to her side and kept right on going, finding a new spot to give his attention. She should have been numb, but pleasure thrummed through her body as his grunts became more primal, his desire igniting a ring of fire around them.
She felt his climax as she spiraled over the edge. He collapsed to his side, pulling her into the circle of his arms as they both lay there, trying to find their breath.
“Sorry,” he whispered, his voice catching.
She was boneless, and couldn’t summon the energy to open her eyes. Still, she murmured, “For?”
“I was too rough,” he groaned, rolling away.
Startled by his concern, she sat up and threw a leg over his waist to straddle him. Isa pulled his hands away with a grin. “I’m not hurt. Far from it. I can still feel you in every fiber, the pleasure burning hot enough to melt me. So don’t worry. I’ll tell you if I ever can’t handle what you have to offer.”
“You sure?” he asked breathlessly.
She nodded. “I swear on my life. That was amazing. I only regret not being able to make it better for you.”
“Oh, it was incredible. I don’t know what came over me.”
Applause made Isa jump.
Toryn’s eyes narrowed to slits as he propped himself up to look behind her. “You weren’t invited.”
Isa’s spun around, landing on her ass in the sand as she watched Alenathos stride onto the shore, fully nude… much like they were. She was too pissed to be embarrassed. “Go the fuck away.”
“Now, now, I simply want to congratulate you on a great performance, and I don’t mean your romp in the sand on my beach. I was there, in Underhill, and you put on quite the show, princess.”
“What are you talking about?” she growled, standing up.
“Poor Zamal has a broken shoulder and hands. You did a number on him. I feel sorry for him, but he seemed determined you were, well, you.” He chuckled. “Though you managed to convince him that he did indeed piss off two shaman with an abundant amount of power, and that you are likely to come after him to perform voodoo rights or some such nonsense.”
Isa looked to Toryn, who nodded slightly. “Remus won’t go easy on him for causing a scene.”
“He should have left me alone,” she replied without an ounce of remorse.
“You convinced him, princess.” Alenathos dipped head. “I’ll warn you though, Aeremaius is going to be looking harder for you. I would stay under the radar.” His gaze shifted to Toryn. “Both of you.”
“This beach is blocked by magic,” Toryn stated.
“Aye, but I bound myself to your little princess long ago. I can go where she goes, wards or not.”
“What the fuck?” Isa demanded, taking two steps forward with her hands clenched into fists.
“You were always my salvation, Isadora.”
“I’m bound to Toryn.”
His eyes slowly traced up and down her body, a smirk playing across his lips. “Aye, you are. That is not the type of bond I speak of. This one only allows me to slip through wards meant to protect you. Consider me added protection.”
Which reminded her she had to ask for the slimy bastard’s help. Gritting her teeth, she sucked in a breath.
“You want my help. Right?”
He nodded. “I do indeed.”
“Then I need yours. I need you to find proof that Aeremaius, and if possible, Henroyld, are working against the queen.”
“First, find a way to break my bond to Saressa.”
“Nope. Not going to happen. You don’t help me, I have no reason to help you. I don’t trust you. You’ve been spying on me for who knows how long.”
“Would it make you feel better if you didn’t know I enjoy watching you any chance I get?”
Her hand shot out, the slap reverberating, stinging her palm.
His smile was cruel. “Mmm, I like pain. You might keep that in mind, but I will do what I can. I believe you when you say it’s the only way you’ll break my bond.”
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked back into the water, transforming into a giant serpent.
* * * *
Toryn stood there watching the whole scene play out. He hadn’t felt the dragon, which left him wary. How long had he been able to move past her wards? And had he been to Morrigan’s house?
“I fucking hate that slimy bastard,” Isa muttered as she walked into the water.
Toryn’s hands landed on his hips. “What in the abyss are you doing?”
“Getting sand out of delicate places,” she offered sassily.
“Right, the reason I generally avoid sex on a beach.” He joined her in the water.
Her attention swept up the beach, where he had already noticed the ring of glass around where they made love. “Oh wow, that was from the flames?” she asked with a warm smile. Her gaze locked on his. “Tell me that doesn’t happen with everyone.” There was a pleading note to her tone.
“No one else, not ever. It was so good, my magic leaked out.”
She grinned. “In that case, I’m glad.” She started for the beach, a chill running down her spine.
Hurrying to catch up, Toryn placed a hand on her back and focused his warmth into her.
A soft laugh escaped her. “You’re going to spoil me.”
“No more than you deserve.”
“Not sure about that.”
He sighed. “We should get back.”
“Even if I’d rather stay here with you?” she asked, looking up at the stars. “I like it when it’s you and me, no one else.”
“We start early,” he regretfully reminded her.
“Right. We can’t stay down here forever. I’m starting to worry about my friends.” She walked toward the car, picking up her dress on the way.
“They’re all being watched, Isa. I don’t want anything happening to them either.”
She stopped beside the car and turned toward him, pulling her dress back on. “You always take care of everything.” She placed a kiss on his lips and yawned.
He opened her door and she slipped inside. Her eyes fell shut and she drifted to sleep before he ever dressed and made it around the convertible.
“Sweet dreams, Princess.”
Chapter 36
The creak of the door opening woke Toryn. He rolled out of bed in a fighting stance.
Morrigan snorted quietly. “You have an important call.” She handed him the phone and left.
Toryn moved around the bed and stepped onto the balcony. “Hello?”
Leon quietly told him, “Sorry to disturb you, but I need to pick you up. I may have tracked down some proof.”
“I’ll be ready.” Toryn clicked off the phone and went back to the inside.
Isadora slept peacefully, curled into the spot he vacated. He placed a hand on her body and whispered a spell that would cocoon her in his warmth. He didn’t want her to wake before he came back.
Pulling his clothes on, he hurried out the door. Morrigan stood waiting. “She’s going to be pissed when she finds you gone.”
“I have to go. Leon found proof. Our time here is running ou
t. She won’t take well to her friends being torn apart in an effort to lure her back.”
Her eyes were full of warning. “You’re right, but maybe you ought to warn her you’re leaving.”
Pulling on his shirt, he shook his head. “She’ll want to go, and it may not be safe. Please, let her sleep this morning. I don’t want her freaking out, and I can’t change the fact I need to go.”
“It’s your ass,” Morrigan answered before hurrying down the stairs.
With a sigh, he followed, and left the house. Leon pulled up in his Escalade as Toryn stepped off the porch.
“What did you find out?”
“Remus used the portal systems to pick up Zamal, but they didn’t clean up his hotel room which was littered with notes. We may actually have a lead.”
“Let’s go.”
“And Isa?” Leon asked as he started backing up the car.
“Go. She’ll be safe here.”
“Let’s hope we’re fast.”
* * * *
Remus paced the small room in his basement. Zamal was in bad shape, and would stay that way until he provided some answers. Perhaps the pain was too much, because Zamal was still out cold, as he had been since Remus found him a broken mess in Underhill’s parking lot.
Henroyld’s voice cut through the silence. “Do you have answers yet?”
Looking up, Remus saw the king glowering on the other side of the enchanted mirror. “Afraid not. He’s been unconscious since I found him.”
“You could try healing enough damage to allow him to be awake. I know how much you love the pain of others, but we need answers. I’m running out of patience.”
Wasn’t he always?
“I’ll get answers, your majesty.” With that, he waved his hand over the mirror to cut the connection. The spell would only be a temporary reprieve, but if he was going to pry answers from the worthless heap on the table, he wanted privacy.
* * * *
Isa turned over and reached for Toryn, but he wasn’t there. She could feel his warmth wrapped around her, but the bed was empty. He wasn’t there, she couldn’t feel him at all.
Last thing she remembered was getting in the car. She was still in the dress from last night.
Panic flooded every pore as she shot off the bed, ran out of the room, and down the stairs.
When she made it to the bottom, Morrigan shook her head as she set her book aside.
“Where the fuck is he?” Isa was already on her way to the door. She didn’t care what the answer was, she was going in search of him.
“I told him to tell you,” Morrigan stated. Sighing she flung out her hand, sealing the door shut with a spell.
Isa drew energy from everything around her, a lightning ball forming in her hand.
“Let me find him!” Isa insisted.
“He should be on his way back by now. Leon picked him up early this morning.”
“Liar! We took his car home.”
“His other vehicle. They went for information, Isadora, and he wasn’t sure it was safe for you.”
“That wasn’t his call.” She turned toward the door and then Morrigan was in front of Isa as she flung the spell.
Morrigan flew back, making the wood shudder in its frame. Shaking off the impact, she held up the phone. “You can call him if you’ll calm down a moment.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?” Isa snarled.
“Because he figured you would freak out. Kind of like what you’re doing right now.” Morrigan thrust the phone out. “He thought you could use some sleep, said you were peaceful. He’ll be back soon. Call him.”
She tore the phone from Morrigan’s hand. “What number?”
“Leon’s. Toryn hasn’t turned his phone back on.”
Stomping back up the stairs, Isa dialed Leon’s number.
“Hang on, Isa.” Leon sounded amused.
She made it through the bedroom door and the connection slid back into place. Isa slumped onto the bed, a wave of relief washing over her.
“I’m sorry—” Toryn started.
Isa interrupted, “Don’t you dare leave me again without telling me what the hell is going on. I nearly charged out of here because I couldn’t feel you.”
“I didn’t think it would take this long, but Zamal is a fool, and we had to wipe the place before the Silver Council found enough to stop us from taking Remus in ourselves.”
“Silver Council?” Isa asked.
“I can explain when I get there. Or you can have Morrigan explain now, and I can fill you in on what we found when we get back.”
“How long?”
“Fifteen minutes, unless you’ll allow me to stop and get you a coffee?”
She took a deep breath and relaxed. “You can stop. I was scared, so next time tell me. I might surprise you and be reasonable.”
“You wouldn’t have insisted on coming?” The doubt was clear in his voice.
“I may have wanted to go, but I wouldn’t have insisted, especially if you explained. You’ve been around longer than I have, and I have to trust you to know what you’re talking about in some situations.”
“All right, Princess.” Now she could hear his smile. “I never wanted to scare you. I hoped to be back by now.”
Isa let out her breath in a sigh. “I’ll see you soon. Be careful.”
“I will. Don’t let my mother get to you.” The phone went dead.
“I told you,” Morrigan stated from the door. She tossed a pair of jeans on the bed, the same ones that had been charred to a crisp her first day of training. Only now, they were in the same holey condition they had been when she pulled them out of her bag.
Isa flipped back around with wide eyes. “How? They were ruined.”
Morrigan shrugged. “I hadn’t gotten to teaching you transmutation, but that’s all it is. Similar to glamour, but instead of temporarily altering your appearance and shape, you alter the item’s make up. In this case, I repaired your jeans. You did much the same to my oak tree.”
She picked up Isa’s brush and the plastic transformed into an old-fashioned gold brush. “I figure I can teach you this while we wait on my son.”
Isa was still staring at Morrigan, her brain trying to catch up with what she witnessed. She shook her head. “So, I can change anything into whatever I want?”
“I believe so. We don’t have all the same gifts, but I’ve never met a storm mistress or storm master who couldn’t. I could never conjure anything beyond a spell, but Toryn can.”
“The flowers?” Isa asked. “I always wondered where they came from.”
She nodded. “However, you were able to create large boulders with a spell. Conjuring is the same. You take what’s around you and reform the object to get what you want. I see no reason you can’t also do that. I can create walls of earth, and small stones, but I seem limited there. Or maybe I don’t trust myself enough.”
“Even after all this time?” Isa asked.
She shrugged. “Even after all this time. Come down when you’re ready.”
Isa frowned but Morrigan turned and left. Shedding last night’s dress, she washed briefly, then pulled her repaired jeans on with a tank. Tying her hair up, she headed downstairs.
“So, transmutation. What do I need to know?” Isa asked. She plopped down on the chair opposite Morrigan and sat cross-legged.
“Personally, I use a code. I try to change my own possessions into something I need. Now this doesn’t mean taking a stack of paper and shifting it into money, though you can, but I consider that cheating.”
“Like a coffee mug into a soup bowl?” Isa asked, a smile on her face. “Or say my charred jeans into what they were? Or my hair tie into a barrette?”
“That’s what I try to do. There are times I’ll make more significant changes in an emergency, but those are emergencies. And I will change those items back to their original form.”
“Such as?”
“A blade of grass into a knife when I was attacked by a human
and didn’t want them to realize I had magic.”
“Someone was stupid enough?”
She nodded. “Accused me of being a witch, but I’m far worse than any witch they ever met.”
“Which is why you’re showing me this. So I have another fall-back when I can’t pick a type of magic to get me out of trouble.”
“It’s still magic, but less obvious unless they see it happen. And if you change it back, they won’t be able to prove what occurred.”
Morrigan tossed her a pen. “Change it to a pencil.”
Isa’s brow wrinkled. “Just imagine the shape I want? Or is there more to it?”
“That’s about right.”
Focusing on the pen, she imagined a pencil. The plastic changed texture, turning to wood, the color changed to yellow, and the silver button formed into an eraser. With added concentration, the tip became sharp.
“Wow.” She grinned. “That wasn’t so hard.”
“Change it back.”
It shifted easily in her hand. She looked up to find Morrigan smiling. “Try something vastly different.”
Isa looked down and imagined a blue topaz the color of Toryn’s eyes. The gem was the size of her palm. She quickly shifted it back.
“Very good. It may come in handy later.”
Isa nodded. “Thank you.”
“Actually, I wanted to thank you. If it wasn’t for you, Toryn would still hate me.”
Isa took a slow breath. “I don’t think it was as simple as hate. He hated what you had done to him. He wants to trust you, I think he always did, but his awakening really fucked with him.”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t realize until after. I thought I came up with a safe situation, one less damaging than mine. Physically that was true, but…”
“I get it. I think he even gets it. He seems to have moved past the episode, so you should also.”
“You’ve made him a better man,” Morrigan told her.
“He was always a good man. Maybe you’re seeing that side of him for the first time.”
Storm Mistress Page 26
