Isa reached up toward the sky, pulling lightning as easily as summoning a spell. She redirected the energy at Saressa. The drake swerved and flew off. “Oh no child, this is too much fun to let it end here. Come find me. Let’s see what kind of games you’re willing to play.”
“Toryn, I’m coming!” she promised at the top of her lungs.
* * * *
Toryn heard her scream and ran to the door at the end of the corridor. It opened as he approached. He skidded to a stop, throwing the door shut and dead-bolting it before his biggest nightmare, the siren who initiated his awakening, followed him.
“Toryn, I’m coming!” Isa screamed, jerking up from the bed, but her eyes were still shut, blood dripping down the gown she wore.
He took a shunted breath and moved to her, scooping her into his arms as he covered the wound wrapped in bandages under the flimsy material. He focused his healing energy into Isadora and whispered, “Shh, I’m right here, shh.”
She curled into his embrace, her arms winding around his neck as he healed the wound.
“Where were you?” she sniffled, her voice hoarse.
“I came as soon as I could.” He brushed the hair from her face and found her tear-filled emerald eyes locked on his. “I even rode a dragon to get here faster, Princess.”
Isa shook her head slightly, blinking as if trying to clear the fog. “No. In the forest. Where were you when I was in the forest?”
“Isa, it was a bad dream. You’re fine now. We’re fine.”
“It seemed so real. Exactly like the other two.”
His heart slammed against his chest. It wasn’t normal to gain clairvoyance after the awakening. That was generally a gift a fae was born with, unless it was purposefully blocked to protect her identity.
He took a deep breath and tilted her head back, looking into her eyes. “I don’t know what you saw, but I’m here now, and I’m not letting you go.”
Isadora nodded and then looked down at herself with wide eyes. “What did they put me in?”
He laughed softly. “It’s a simple gown the mystics wear under their robes. They likely didn’t have anything else.”
She pushed his arms away and sat up, then slowly stood. Her hands brushed down her sides and a slight smile lifted her lips. “You healed me.”
“I couldn’t until the antidote worked,” he replied softly, nearly an apology. He wanted to pull her to him again, crush his lips to hers and thrust into her until she knew he was a part of her.
Isa grinned, standing slowly and looking down. She felt for a zipper, then gave up and tore the material down the front. Her hands went to the bandage wound tightly under her breasts and she groaned.
Blood covered her side, the bandages, the lower half of the gown. “How do I get them off?” she demanded, even as her body shuddered.
“Calm down, I’ll help. We’ll clean you up.”
Her eyes snapped to his, one corner of her lips quirking up. “I don’t care about the blood so much.”
Neither did he, but he didn’t expect to see his burning desire mirrored in her eyes. “Come here, Princess.”
She licked her lips and stepped closer. He knew where the bandage was folded and started the process of unwinding.
As the last bit fell away, she touched the spot the knife had entered. There was a faint white line between her ribs. Henroyld had missed her heart by an inch at most.
Toryn leaned forward kissing the pale scar.
“Mmm, feels good,” she murmured, then swallowed. “Is it bad?”
He shook his head, looking up at her. “Not at all. Sexy in fact.” Blood not being a problem, he knew what she needed. He captured her pert bud between his lips, laving his tongue over the sensitive flesh. His finger trailed down her flat belly to find her already wet as he pressed against her pearl.
“Toryn, please tell me this isn’t a tease. I’ll hurt you if it is.”
He chuckled and flicked his tongue over her other nipple. “No tease. I plan to satisfy your hunger before your parents arrive.”
“Good, I need you.”
Toryn stood and opened his pants, shoving them down his legs. Then Isa yanked his shirt over his head. Once his hands were free, he caught her under the ass and set her on the edge of the bed. Her legs locked around him as he made a single movement, driving himself to the hilt in her luscious body.
“Toryn. Hard!” she demanded.
He grinned, pulling out to slam back into her.
“No, harder… please harder.” Then her mouth was on his, her hands in his hair holding him where she wanted.
At her plea, he let go, thrusting in and out of her with force. The sound and scent of raw sex filled the room. He growled her name against her lips, trying to fight back his release as she came around him.
He pulled out, and filled her with his fingers, extending her pleasure.
Her head fell back. “What are you doing?” she cried.
“Making it last. Want you sated.”
As her body stilled he pressed into her again, harder and she came apart for the second time. He pushed through it, keeping his pace tortuously slow. Until she was winding down.
“Don’t stop, don’t. Want you to come. Need you to,” she pleaded.
“As you wish.” He slammed into her as her back hit the mattress and her hands gripped the edge.
“Fuck, yes, Toryn.”
Her walls clutched at him, and he had no choice but to follow as he found her end, the pleasure so intense stars danced across his vision.
“Always yours, Isa. I love you.”
“I love you.” She half-laughed. “I’m pretty sure the siren knows you were my only concern.”
He grinned, even as he fought back his memories. He knew the siren regretted what she did, his mother regretted asking it. It was time to let go of the past, because his future was so bright.
“Thank you,” he whispered against her ear.
“For?” she asked, her brow wrinkled.
“The past no longer holds me prisoner.”
She touched his face and kissed him.
* * * *
Isa heard people coming and felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she looked down. She was still covered in blood, and now sweat and Toryn.
Hopping up, she swore. “Shit, we better get dressed.”
Then she looked at the gown she tore off and laughed, blushing deeper. “Um…”
Toryn pulled her from the edge of the bed to the nightstand where a wash basin was set up with towels. “I can help with this, and you can fix your clothes like you did my shirt.”
He wet a towel and wrung it out before cleaning her quickly and efficiently. “Go on, hurry up and fix your clothes. They won’t wait.”
Her clothes were already cleaned. The tear in her top easy to mend with magic, and then she hurried into familiar garments.
Toryn came up behind her. “You are amazing,” he told her against her ear.
“If I was so amazing, I wouldn’t have wound up with a knife in my lung and poisoned.”
“You would have. Reance saw it coming. He provided a means for you to survive. Hell, I saw enough to know it was the only option.”
She turned to him. “That’s why you wouldn’t tell me? You knew I would freak and do a worse job?”
“You did nothing wrong. The king was skilled at hand-to-hand. He was better than anyone I’ve met. You killed him. Not us. You were his end.”
“With magic,” she lifted a shoulder in a shrug.
“Doesn’t matter. You lived. He did not. We all have to use our gifts to our advantage. He didn’t. He could have shielded himself, but he didn’t expect a young woman to overpower him.”
There was a knock and she jumped.
He smiled. “You should answer that. Reance and Aeryana let me take the express. There was only room for one.”
“That is a story you’ll tell me later?” Isa asked as she moved to the door feeling both light and slightly embarrassed knowing what the cot looked
like, and the passionate smell in the room.
She took a breath and opened the door.
Aeryana stepped forward and threw her arms around her neck. “I’m sorry. I was so worried, Isadora. I’ve barely had a chance to see you, much less talk with you. I love you, I always have, Daughter.”
Isa hugged her mother back. She knew, she could feel the truth of her words, but she wasn’t sure what she felt yet. “Will I see you if I don’t stay in Faerie?”
She leaned back, nodding, tears filling her beautiful eyes. “Yes. I’ll visit. You can visit if you choose. There are other ways to talk. I want you to know me.”
“I will,” Isa answered, squeezing her hands.
“Come, we have to talk.” Reance moved between Isa and Aeryana, putting an arm around both to move their discussion to the chairs on the far side of the massive room.
Isa looked around, her eyes widening as she realized it was huge. There was a seating area, the medical side, cleaning station, and a long table with chairs on one end.
Toryn took a seat and pulled her into his lap.
Aeryana smiled at her, sitting next to Reance who held her close.
Then siren joined them.
Reance’s memory came back to her. Finding a young Toryn in this very same room after that woman forced the awakening.
She couldn’t breathe as she stared at the siren.
The woman looked away. “I can only imagine what you’re seeing. I have no good excuse, and can only offer the same apologies I uttered that day and many times since.”
“It’s far in the past,” Toryn answered, rubbing his hand over Isa’s back. “I’ve finally moved on. I understand why Morrigan insisted and I forgive you.”
Isa swallowed, trying to catch up. She wanted to say something, but it was Toryn’s decision, and he was over it, so she needed to be. He had centuries to come to terms with the abuse.
“That is a huge relief,” she answered and meekly met Isa’s eyes. “I am sorry, princess.”
She shook her head. “It’s not mine to forgive. I don’t hold anything against you.” Which she thought was true.
The siren smiled pleasantly. “Reance told me you are in need of a spell to counter Saressa’s. There are only two ways to break the dragon’s ties. You’ll have to bind him to yourself, or kill Saressa.”
Reance gave her a sad look. “Saressa deserves to die for many reasons. However, at this time, the best option would be to forge the tie to Alenathos.”
“I don’t want to use him, but I don’t want to kill another person without cause.”
“There is cause, but you won’t find her now.”
Isa nodded. “Then I suppose I need to know how to do the binding spell.”
The siren handed another medallion to Isa. This one was the same shape as her father’s but it was clear. “You will need to infuse it with your own elemental magic, and being a Storm Mistress, I suggest you use all four elements.” She handed her a scroll. “Memorize this spell, and next time you see him, take his hand in one of yours and hold the stone when you say the words. You will need to get it right.”
“Thank you.” She wasn’t sure she liked this plan, but she never had to use the necklace once it was cast.
“Good luck, Isadora.” With that, the siren stood and walked out of the room.
Isa pulled Reance’s necklace off and handed it to her father. “I believe you may have more use for it, especially if you are going to stay in Faerie.”
He hesitated, his head tipped to the side. “You may yet have a use.”
“I’ll have my own dragon I can hopefully ignore.”
Reance offered her knowing smile. “Alenathos was as much a victim as Scotty and others. He’s an ancient dragon, and I believe he has done his best to make sure you hate him so you won’t do what Saressa did. He’s never understood that trust goes further than manipulation.”
Aeryana took Isa’s hand and placed two purple stones in it. “Take these. They will transport you back to the Old House and Jeremiah can take you home. Be safe, and I will see you soon.”
She stared down at the small orbs. “What do I do with them?”
Toryn took one of the gems and wrapped his arm around her. He murmured, “Relax, close your eyes, and kiss the stone.”
Isa stood, as did her parents. She hugged them both. “Goodbye, and thank you for looking out for me.”
“Go, get out of here,” Aeryana smiled brightly.
“Be happy, both of you.”
Toryn looked her in the eye and nodded.
Isa closed her eyes and kissed the stone. This time the transfer was instant. She was standing in the wreck that was the house, her knight’s arms around her.
Chapter 47
Getting back to normal life took a couple weeks of adjustment. Normal was a relative term anyway. Isadora’s new normal involved a lot more magic, and creatures she’d only read about.
She moved the last of her things into Toryn’s that morning and stood in their room, standing at the mirror without a stitch of clothing on. She ran her fingers over the faint white line and frowned.
“You only notice because you know it’s there,” Toryn assured her.
“And the fact you like to touch it, taste it, and remind me nearly every time you’re near me.”
He grinned, lifting a single shoulder in a shrug. “It’s sexy. I’ve told you that a hundred or more times already. I mean it, too. It’s proof you are a fighter and will stand for what you believe in.”
“I believe you are mine and I’m never letting you go.”
He nodded. “I am yours.”
“So who was on the phone?”
“Preston from the Silver Council. They’re sending Tiffany home to her real fiancé. He’s been worried sick, and hasn’t been able to find her in three weeks. The official story is that she was found in a hospital, and has amnesia spanning the length of time. The marks are healed, and she won’t have any lasting effects, other than missing a few weeks of her life.”
“And Remus?”
“They’re looking for him. His crimes fall under both jurisdictions. Preston has managed to have a treaty created that needs to be signed, but Aeremaius will be handed over to your parents.”
“Good.” Isa looked to the door. “Now, we should probably go fulfill this promise.”
* * * *
The fog was heavy as Isa walked down the beach. Toryn had stayed in the car. She could feel the dragon as the water washed over her toes.
“Where are you Alenathos?” she called out.
“Are you here to do as you promised?” he hissed as he moved toward her, sending the cold water over her ankles, causing her to shiver.
“I promised, didn’t I? I keep my word. If I do this, you will be tied to me. I won’t destroy the necklace, but I swear to you, I won’t use it to call you unless I’m out of options. But more than that, I don’t want to deal with you. And if you ever touch someone I care about again, I will kill you.”
His smile softened. “Perhaps I should have listened to Reance. He warned me against pushing too hard to ensure your hate. You would make a much better ally than grudging master.”
“Too late now. You’re on my shit list and I see no way for you to redeem yourself.”
“Maybe one day I can change that.” He bowed his head and took her hand. “Please, do what you must.”
Isa held the medallion up and his other hand closed over hers forming a circle. Isa began the spell. Brilliant blue light flared around them, scattering the fog.
When she opened her eyes she found a rapturous look on the dragon’s face. “Thank you, princess, for giving me a chance to repent for the crimes Saressa forced me to commit.” Without elaborating, he turned and shifted, swimming back into the ocean.
She looked down at the once clear stone. Red, blue, and purple swirled in a glittering pattern toward the center, with traces of green and silver.
* * * *
Toryn watched the dragon
swim away as Isadora walked back to the car. He climbed out, finding her gaze over the roof. “Ready for our party, Princess?”
“Housewarming party, oh joy. You’ve lived in the same home for six years. I don’t understand why you needed a party.”
“Mmm, but I finally met Mike’s woman. Why do you think I invited mages to a party with several humans?”
Isa smiled. “I hope you’re right. I hate seeing him mope.”
“I also invited your cousin. And before you freak, I know you haven’t met Dacia, but she wants nothing to do with Remus.”
“And how would you know?”
“That mage I’ve been dealing with for the case, he’s convinced me. Besides, I think he’s falling for her, and if what Mathis and Paavo say is true, she has every reason to hate her father.”
“This should be fun. I still think it’s weird you want me to meet all these Silver Council people.”
“They know you’re the princess of both Air and Earth, and you have direct communication with the queen. Granted, it’s not often they bother with us, but this could be good for both worlds.”
“We’ll see,” she grumbled before climbing into the car.
* * * *
The party was fun, the music playing. Isa stood in the corner with Lana who grinned. “So, Reese, he says you were begging him to ring your back door.”
Isa gulped. “Um, yeah. Remember, I thought Toryn was more into men? I might have been fantasizing I was a dude and Reese was Toryn.”
Lana laughed out loud. “Oh, that is too good.”
“It gets better. I nearly called Toryn’s name. Why do you think I have such a hard time dealing with Reese?”
“Was he good at it?”
Isa nodded slightly. “He wasn’t bad, I’m just embarrassed by the whole thing.”
She looked away but found Mike staring at someone with a slack jaw and wide-eyes. She followed his gaze and found a strawberry-blond woman with a sassy smile staring right at him.
Storm Mistress Page 33
