Mystic Storm: An Adult Paranormal Witch Romance: Othala Witch Collection (Sector 2)

by Bella Love-Wins

  “I agree. You can leave me when we get to the Great Hall. The guards will not ask me much if they see me riding in from there. I will only have to answer to the Regent about my whereabouts.”

  “Understood.”

  Relaxing her mare’s pace to a trot, they left the camp without incident. Soon, they had made it to the witch craftsmen’s homes, and Kiera picked up on a hissing sound she could recognize anywhere.

  Coco.

  In her Osprey form.

  She flew in over the slate rooftops of the houses, swooping down to perch on Kiera’s shoulders without waiting for the mare to stop.

  “Coco!” Kiera cried. “I’m so relieved to see you.”

  “As am I, darling.”

  “You have been avoiding me.”

  “I would call it letting you process some things without my interference,” Coco corrected her. “Never mind that. I came as soon as I sensed you. Wherever you were last night, your thoughts were cloaked…and from the looks of your riding companion, my first guess is the shifter camp. Why hello, Commander Oslo.”

  “Good morning, evil shifter witch,” he answered gruffly.

  “Keep it up and I’ll give you a good reason to call me evil, polar bear,” she hissed.

  “Coco, focus please.” Kiera had no time for their conflict. She got back to the point. “I suspect it was the containment spell around their camp that kept me hidden. Everyone must be worried. God, I must be in big trouble.”

  “Not likely. Well, perhaps, but I’m not sure. Reena told me you had left when I got back to the fortress last night, so I did my best to help cover for you. We told the Regent you were in your room meditating. I cannot say for certain that he believed us, but I did a blocking spell at your bedroom door.”

  “I appreciate you for doing that, but it will not change the fact that I am riding to the fortress entrance on a shifter’s horse when no one saw me leave this morning.”

  “I have a plan for that too. Wait for me at the back of the Great Hall, all right?”

  “I will. Thank you, Coco.”

  Her familiar flew off, and she and Xander continued riding until they were at the meeting spot. She dismounted the mare. “You do not need to wait here with me.”

  Xander took the second set of reins. “I will wait, anyway.”

  “Thank you for the meal, and for allowing me into your home.”

  “You are welcome. I would still like to give you a tour sometime.”

  “I do not believe that is wise, after last night. Goodness, I hope nothing happens to you because of me.”

  “You should worry about what Minassus will do to you if he finds out.”

  “I will tell him the truth if he asks. I lost track of time outside the fortress, did not want to return home, met you purely by chance, visited the shifter camp, and fell asleep in your cabin after supper.”

  He chuckled. “I would love to see your Regent’s reaction to such a crisp and accurate account.”

  “Why? It is the truth. You think he will not believe me?”

  “Hmmm. Let’s see. You have not spent a single night away from the fortress since you were…eleven, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you slept in my cabin?”

  “Yes.”

  “Nine days before you will cast the shifter transformation spell…and most likely meet your untimely demise.”

  “Yes…no…well, not necessarily. I may not die.”

  “There is only one way to survive that spell, Kiera.”

  “What?” She was not sure she had just heard him correctly. “You know of a way to survive it?”

  “Two…no, three.”

  “What are they?”

  “Either do not participate, be a strong male sorcerer, or fail to cast it.”

  “None of those are feasible. I cannot refuse to do it. I’d have to run away or go into hiding or something. I am also not a man. And failing to cast it, do you mean I could act like my spell is not sufficient during the ceremony?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, I cannot do that either. Look, can we discuss the transformation ceremony another time and get back to the challenge at hand? I need to get back to the fortress. I will tell the Regent what happened, and he will believe me.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Nothing happened…between us. You and I both know that.”

  “We do, but the question is, will he?”

  Kiera thought about it. Nothing had happened. All Xander was guilty of was feeding her and providing a safe place to rest. The Regent just had to believe her and leave it at that. If he did not…

  “You should go now,” she blurted out all of a sudden.

  “Why?”

  “Because you are right. The Regent will probably believe I—”

  “He will think the worst of you…and me. Especially me. That is how the man’s mind works.”

  “If the guards do their rounds, they will see us here, and they are sure to question us. It is best if I am alone. I will wait inside until Coco returns. No matter what her plan is, it’s better than giving the Regent fodder for him to doubt.”

  “The truth is not fodder, Kiera.”

  “I agree, but you just said it yourself. The Regent will think the worst of us. Please, can you just go now?”

  “Fine. Send word of what happens with your familiar. She can find me inspecting the walls for most of today and tomorrow.”

  “I will. Thank you again.”

  He turned his horse and the riderless mare. “Have a good day.”

  Kiera waited inside, pacing around as she brainstormed a slew of ideas on what to tell the Regent. Each scheme was more preposterous than the last. Eventually, she dismissed them all. Lying was not going to save her from certain death in nine days. After about twenty minutes, a fortress carriage arrived near the front of the hall. Coco walked inside with a satchel on her shoulder, followed by someone wearing a hooded cloak that looked just like the one Kiera was wearing. The woman pushed back her hood to reveal she was Aleena, Kiera’s handmaid.

  “Good morning, Kiera.”

  “Hello, dear.”

  “You do see where I am going with this, right?” Coco asked, removing her cloak and passing it and the satchel to the handmaid.

  “I think so. Aleena was me, and now…she’ll be you?”

  “Exactly. I will take on my bird form and ride home inside this,” Coco said, smiling as she pointed at the satchel. “Just do not squeeze me too hard.”

  “Gosh, I never would have come up with such a smart move, not this early in the morning, anyway.”

  “That is because you are innocent, honest and do not have a mischievous, conniving or disobedient bone in your body.” Coco removed the rest of her clothes and took on her form as an osprey again. “Let’s hurry back. I told the guards outside that I forgot something in here during our meeting yesterday with Commander Oslo.”

  They wasted no time, and soon, were all safely back in Kiera’s room. No one was the wiser. Kiera wanted to confront Coco about so many things, but it was not a good time to corner her. She would have a quiet talk with her when her mind was clear.

  Now, if she could just keep Regent Minassus out of her head.

  Kiera was in the clear.

  For now.

  The Regent saw her at breakfast, and had only asked her whether she enjoyed her day of meditation. He was satisfied with her simple nod of affirmation.

  How strange.

  He did not even try to read her thoughts.

  After a few hours of laying low in her room, she was ready to potentially get herself into more trouble. She had sent Coco to tell Xander she would still meet him in the afternoon during his inspections. The reality was, in less than twenty-four hours of meeting him, she had come to know more about the shifter transformation ceremony than all this time inside the fortress. Too many people in here had kept her in the dark.

  Taking a leaf from Coco’s book, she wore her f
amiliar’s cloak to leave the fortress. Xander was waiting for her, just as they had planned. He stood at the outer wall just beyond the craftsmen’s homes.

  “You made it,” he said once she was close enough to hear.

  “I did.”

  “Minassus must have his head in the sand, if he didn’t notice you were gone.” He stroked his chin, studying her. “Either that or he has grown complacent.”

  “I do not plan to question his ambivalence.”

  “Do not underestimate him, Kiera.”

  “I won’t.” She pointed at the outer wall. “You’re here to do your inspections, correct? Carry on, Commander.”

  Shaking his head, he smiled and started to walk the gravel path beside the Sector’s outer walls. Neither of them spoke for a while, which was fine with Kiera. She would take every minute outside the fortress that she could get while coming to terms with everything she had learned. A flurry of fleeting emotions came and left her in waves. Anger and disappointment, followed by sadness and fear, then regret would get her right back to anger about just how much deception she had lived with for nine years.

  “Do you feel safe inside the fortress?” Xander asked after some time, pulling her out of her hopelessly unproductive line of thinking.

  “I used to, but not anymore.”

  “I am truly sorry to be the one who opened your eyes.”

  “Don’t be,” Kiera replied without thinking.

  “You are probably questioning everything now.”

  “I am, but I am not sorry about that. I’m grateful,” she said, looking up into his face. He gazed back at her with his head tilted to one side, eyebrows furrowed. For a moment, his expression felt like pity. Why did that not sit well with her? “Do you mind if we change the subject?” she asked, looking away.

  “Not at all.”

  “What exactly are you inspecting on the walls?”

  “I’m double-checking the craftsmen’s repairs. This is my second time around the Sector this month. Every time we fight the ravagers, we figure out new ways to keep them from breaching these walls. It’s rare for them to make it inside the Sector, but if any get past us, these barriers need to work. If there’s time, I’ll show you something new that we’ve been working on at the camp.”

  “I would like to see.”

  “Good. We’ll be near the camp soon.”

  “Really?” Kiera turned to check how far they had gone, and then paused. They had been around almost the entire perimeter of the central village already. How was it possible? Something about being with Xander, talking with him—even when they were not speaking, or when they disagreed—made time fly by. She cut her eyes to the side, wondering if she should take the added risk of extending today’s visit. All it took was one person recognizing her out here, or one person in the fortress missing her, and the Regent would eventually know.

  Kiera could either turn to the right and return to the village, or turn left and follow Xander to his camp.

  “Not today,” she told him, already disappointed in herself. “I should get back.”

  His mouth curved into a frown. Did he enjoy spending time with her too? So far, he was a man of a few words, except when it came to the oppression of shifters, the Regent’s heavy-handedness, and the inequity caused by the transformation spell. After that sweet kiss on her palm yesterday, he had not made another advance or said a word about anything personal. She had no way of knowing what he was thinking.

  “Tomorrow can work,” she added. “I would like to see what your men are working on.”

  “I’m looking forward to it already.”

  Xander reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She shivered at his touch, suddenly felt warm inside, alive and buzzing like a swarm of bees in her head. It was how she imagined being struck by lightning would feel. That touch stirred her up, leaving her aching and breathless. Rather than try to respond over her tied tongue, she turned and practically ran back to the center of the village meet Coco.

  Xander might not know it yet, but she was running for a reason. All she could think about was how badly she wanted to stay with him, and goodness, that notion was not just alarming, it was damn near terrifying.

  8

  Xander

  Xander was pleased. His plan to bring Kiera to his side was coming along almost too easily. The woman was already so desperate for the truth. All it took was telling her about the eight dead Chosen witches, and now that she had stayed overnight at his cabin, he was confident she trusted him more. Seducing her would be a breeze. He could do it with his eyes shut, although he much preferred the idea of feasting his eyes on every square inch of Kiera’s body. The best part was that Kiera already wanted him, and that fact was almost as intoxicating as the prospect of seeing change in Sector Two. He could not wait to see her again, or to get her to where all she could do was beg him to take her.

  As he walked back to the camp, he remembered the way she smiled at him, the way the light hit her face at just the right angle to make her eyes shimmer like emeralds. His expression hardened again. Falling for her was not an option. Kiera had a part to play, and nothing more. They could have a bit of fun, but after his plan was realized, she would not be his concern. Besides, he, his mother, and anyone soldier who was willing would leave the central village before the dust settled. There was a possibility Minassus would try to capture them if their plan did not end up going exactly as hoped, but at least they could fight on their own turf and on their terms. Whatever it took, they would be free.

  By the time Xander got to his cabin after meeting his troops that evening, a folded note was wedged in between his front door and the frame. He opened the message.

  If you are available, I will meet you tomorrow at noon. Same place as we planned.

  How that shifter witch bird managed to know which cabin was his out of all the other living quarters was beyond him. Kiera did not sign her name, but it was clear the message was from her. The memory of her skin tingling beneath his fingers, of touching her soft, silky hair, made him stir. He had no doubt in his mind that soon, he would have all of her.

  “When is your witch coming back?” Liam asked, appearing from between their two cabins.

  “Soon. How are the traps coming along?”

  “Right on schedule,” Liam confirmed.

  Xander looked around to be sure no one was there. “Just to be sure, you have not said a word to anyone, right?”

  “Of course not. I’m a vault, remember?”

  “Good. I have faith in my men, but it’s best to keep them focused on preparations for the coming storm.”

  “Trust me, I get it.”

  “Especially as she will be visiting the camp again.”

  “You were both pretty low-key yesterday. And all our men know not to question your actions…So, how was she last night?”

  “What?”

  “How was it, being with a witch?”

  “Nothing happened.”

  “The fuck it didn’t,” Liam muttered.

  “Man, are you deaf? You live next door. Did you hear anything?”

  “No.”

  “Then you should not have to ask me shit. I told you. Nothing happened.”

  Liam scratched his head. “What the fuck did you do in there all night, then? Talk? Whisper compliments in her ear? Play cards?”

  “The woman was wandering the streets all day. She fell asleep.”

  “She saw your huge dick and said hell no, didn’t she?”

  Xander chuckled, play-punching his friend in the jaw. “If what I’m packing is huge, yours is the last fucking ravager we killed, you big ole behemoth.”

  “I think I need to try out a witch for myself to find out. At your rate, it will take you the next week to get her to first base.”

  “Fuck off and mind your own damned business. Listen. About tomorrow…”

  “Yes?”

  “If any of the men get close enough to realize she is the Chosen an
d ask any questions at all, you need to pull them aside to do some damage control. We cannot afford for anyone mouthing off with her and ruining our plans.”

  “Right. Like you didn’t already go off the deep end with one of your rants to the poor little Chosen witch.” Liam nodded. “No need to deny it, boss. I’ve known you for far too long.”

  Xander opened his front door and held on to the doorknob. “Okay, so maybe I clued her in on some things. All the more reason not to let any of the soldiers bombard her.”

  “Like you already did,” Liam added, probably to get on Xander’s last nerve.

  “Cut it out and just do as I say,” he shouted, stepping inside.

  “I can manage that. Not a problem, boss.”

  Xander arrived at the Great Hall before midday. Kiera hurried in a few minutes later, breathing heavily as though she had run all the way from the fortress.

  “Good morning,” he greeted her.

  “Hello,” Kiera wheezed out. “I’m sorry, it took me a while to get away today, and I had to take the alleys and double back after the guards dropped me off near the craftsmen’s homes.

  “No problem. I just got here.”

  “Great. Did you bring the horses?”

  “No, I walked. Are you fine to go on foot?”

  “Yes, of course,” she panted.

  “Great. It is best if you follow my lead when you get to camp,” he told her. “Try not to speak with anyone inside. And cover as much of your face as you can.”

  She hesitated for the slightest instant. “I am taking a risk too, you know? I’m not supposed to set foot inside your camp, and now I am visiting in broad daylight.”

  He bristled, breathing deeply to calm himself before replying. “So is that better or worse than coming here at night, dining in my cabin, and sleeping in my bed?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You know the answer to that. Nothing happened, anyway.”

  “I was there. I know.”

  “Are you…upset about that?”

  He smiled. Well, there was a question. He had been waiting for her to ask something personal or intimate since yesterday, but she had been all business during his inspections. Sure, he could have layered on the charm, but one surefire path to seduction was not about being too accessible, or trying too hard, and certainly not about asking the woman everything under the sun. He would have come off as trying too hard, and it was not his style anyway. Now that she had laid the groundwork, he could share.