Taken by Storm (Storms of Blackwood Book 1)

by Elle Middaugh

  He led me outside then scooped me up into his muscular arms. His body was hard but warm. Protective but intoxicating. I breathed deeply, inhaling his spicy scent like a drug. A drug I was slowly becoming addicted to. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing him to Bria.

  “Hold on tight,” he advised me in a mischievous tone.

  I wrapped my hands around his neck and snuggled in closely.

  He bent his knees and jumped. It wasn’t a crazy high jump or anything, just a gentle separation of his toes from the ground, but as soon as we were in the air, Cal’s sky powers took over and we were flying.

  Chapter 25

  One minute we were at Nightshade Castle, and the next, we were soaring amongst the clouds.

  I stared in wide eyed wonderment at the vast landscape below. Trees, rivers, houses, and people all shrank to the size of ants. Eventually, the deep green of the Blackwood Forest bled into a leafy array of blues, violets, and plums. Cal flew lower to the ground and I saw exotic flowers growing in wild patches all over. Strange little creatures scampered amongst their petals—similar to forest animals such as foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and birds in behavior, but most definitely different in composition and color.

  When the first house came into view, I was surprised to find it was made of shimmering gems and crystals rather than wood or stone. Their streets were a sparkling silver, their rivers a perfect shade of turquoise.

  “This is beautiful,” I gasped in wonder. It was like I was staring at Elysium itself. Peaceful, magical, and pure. Breathtaking and utterly perfect.

  Cal touched down in a patch of glowing magenta flowers surrounded by blue-leafed trees, and he released me from his hold. His hands were shaking as he withdrew the bag of protein-enriched sweets and popped one into his mouth.

  “Humans and lesser fae hybrids are fairly common this close to the Blackwood border, with the pureblood fae and the greater fae hybrids sticking closer to the heart of the capital. We could probably pass for humans or lesser fae, but we’ll need some new attire.”

  I peeked around a tree trunk and studied the people strolling up and down the silvery streets beyond. The women’s gowns were all cut into petal-like sections and glittering as if they’d been coated in jewel dust, and the men all wore midnight black pants with airy shirtsleeves that shimmered like silk.

  “Do the greater fae dress even more elaborately than the lesser?” I couldn’t even imagine such a sight.

  “No,” Cal answered through a mouthful of chocolate, coming up behind me. “Everyone in Timberlune dresses the same, regardless of the amount of magic in their blood.”

  “So, how can you tell the rich from the poor?” I asked curiously. “The royals from the peasants?”

  Cal sighed and popped another chocolate into his mouth. “There’s not really any such thing as poor in Timberlune. Everyone is rich and has equal rights. They’re entitled to pursue whatever their hearts desire, so long as it contributes meaningfully to their society.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, spinning around to face him, “but you lost me at no such thing as poor. Are you serious?”

  He nodded, and I could feel his sympathy surrounding me.

  “So, they don’t have to work grueling jobs just to afford to eat?”

  He shook his head. “The farmers farm and the bakers bake. The healers heal, the craftsmen craft, and the writers write. They do it because it’s what they love to do, not because they have to. They trade goods and services for whatever they need, and no one thing is more valuable than another. They might trade a bottle of medicine for a cake, or a new pair of shoes for a latte.”

  I cocked my head. “What’s a latte?”

  Cal grinned. “I’ll buy you one. It’s a hot, milky beverage made in fae cafes. You can even order them with special enchantments like luck, fortune, beauty, or whatever.”

  I shook my head in awe. “This place seems absolutely amazing.”

  “It really is. I’ve heard Blackwood was once as amazing as this, long before the Storm King’s rule of oppression and desolation. He’s forbidden anyone to speak of the old days, of course, so I haven’t really learned much. But it’s still pretty exciting to imagine what it might’ve been like.”

  Cal took my hand and we tiptoed to the back of a crystalline building. It was smaller and had a bed inside, so I assumed it was a house rather than a store. He slid a crystal window open and peered inside.

  “Wait here,” he whispered. “I’ll grab us some clothes.”

  “Wait, are we stealing them?”

  In all my days of poverty, never had I ever stolen a single thing. I was too proud for that. Too decent, I supposed. It rubbed me all sorts of wrong to just show up and take from these people, even if they did have the potential to be our enemies soon.

  He shook his head. “I’m going to leave some jewels in their place.”

  Then he slipped inside with way more grace than a man his size should have, and he was back before I knew it, holding a big wad of clothing in one arm. He separated the gown from the pile and handed it to me—a dark blue slip of cloth that sparkled like a sapphire. His pants were black as all men’s seemed to be, but his shirt was a silky silver that made the blue of his eyes practically burst with color.

  I grinned. “You’re going to blend right in with the road, you know that? You better hope you don’t get run over.”

  He pulled his old shirt off and studied the new one with a smirk. “I’ll be fine.”

  Oh, he was fine all right. Hot enough to melt my panties just by looking at him. A couple long veins stood out against the thick layer of muscle beneath his skin, and like his sexy blond hair and stubble, the happy trail that led beneath his pants was both golden and alluring.

  Before I knew it, I was touching him, my fingers gliding delicately over the rippling ridges of his abs.

  His smirk intensified. “Like what you see, Peach?”

  Gods, did I ever. The last time we’d been together like this, we were mostly clothed—aside from the giant rip he’d torn down the front of my gown—so it was mesmerizing to see him shirtless in all his burly glory.

  “Did you forget?” he asked, as he slid my topaz-colored gown up over my head, “you’re here to see Timberlune, not me.”

  His eyes raked across my skin like hot coals, practically searing my flesh, and I was breathless in an instant.

  “Maybe I changed my mind,” I muttered, stroking back up his abs and over his pecs.

  He grabbed my hips with broad hands and pushed me against the back of the crystal house. The coldness of the glassy stone clashed harshly with my heated skin, making me gasp.

  “Careful, Peach. You’re barely clothed and my willpower is waning.”

  I bit my bottom lip and glanced down. “I can tell.”

  He leaned in so close our lips brushed, but it wasn’t technically a kiss. “You know I haven’t committed to this yet. I don’t know if I even can.”

  “I know.” Sighing, I pushed away and ran a hand through my hair. “I just... hate it.”

  “Me too.” He pulled me back into him and wrapped me in his arms. “I wish everything was different. But aside from the shit with our moms, Timberlune has made it clear, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that if this union were to fall through, it would undoubtedly mean war between our kingdoms.”

  “But why, though?”

  He shrugged against me. “That’s just how politics work. When countries join forces through marriage and then, eventually, through blood”—I knew he was hinting at him and Bria having kids one day, and it made me want to puke—“then their bond is stronger. They each have investments to protect. It is beneficial to each of them. Without those bonds, there’s nothing.”

  I wriggled from his grasp and tried to shake away thoughts of his beautiful half-fae half-god babies.

  “Alexis, come on, you know it’s true.”

  Ignoring him, I walked over to my not-quite stolen gown and pulled it on. The fit was a little tight, so my bo
obs and ass looked huge beneath the sparkling material, but I didn’t even care. I grabbed his shirt and threw it at him.

  Was I being ridiculous and childish? Probably. Did I give any fucks? No.

  “Let’s just wander around town for a bit,” I suggested coolly. “Drink one of those lattes you mentioned earlier, then head back to Nightshade.”

  Cal glared at me as he tugged his silken shirt on. “You’re pissed at me.”

  I wasn’t necessarily pissed at him. Just unbelievably annoyed at the situation as a whole and the helplessness I felt.

  “Honesty might be your thing, but that doesn’t mean you have to be so forthright all the time.”

  He sighed and threw his old pants into a pile on the ground. “You’re right. I’m better at keeping the peace when I hold all my words, thoughts, and emotions inside. It’s what I do during every formal meeting, visit, council, or event.” He grabbed the black fae pants and yanked them on. “I just didn’t want to be so formal with you. I thought I could relax and be myself.”

  I pursed my lips, and my brows dipped dangerously low. “You can, asshole. I just don’t want to hear about the practicality of you and Bria marrying and fucking and having tons of gorgeous half-fae half-god babies. Can’t you be you and still spare me the harrowing details?”

  He sighed and finished buttoning his pants in silence. “I’m sorry.”

  I shook my head and rubbed my temples. “I’m sorry too. You just have a bad habit of bringing out the fire in me.”

  “That peachy, cutesy fire.”

  “Hey, I can’t help it that my magic manifested in a weird, girly way. At least it still burns.”

  “That’s true. It’d be better if it tickled or some shit, though.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Or if it caused intense bouts of horniness and random orgies.”

  Cal chuckled and offered me his arm, which felt like another, silent apology, then led us into town.

  “What’s this place called anyway?” I asked as I looked around excitedly.

  “Lumadera. A light amongst the trees.”

  That made perfect sense. It really was like a sparkling beacon amongst the shadowy woods.

  “Are all fae cities like this one?”

  “For the most part, yes. The capital is different as it has a bit of a tenser air, more political buildings, more foreigners, more citizens on royal business, and such. But still, it’s just as beautiful as this.”

  Suddenly a man bumped into Cal, but instead of knocking the prince over, the fae fell onto his ass in the street. “Oh, my apologies, mate. I didn’t see you there.”

  Cal looked astounded. “Seriously? I’m like the biggest guy on the road.”

  “Yeah, but you blend in,” the fae said, dusting off his black pants despite the fact that there was no dirt on them. “Wait a second. You look like that prince from Blackwood our princess is dating. What’s his name again? Calmont? Calgren?”

  “Calvin,” Cal corrected, and his eyes went wide as he realized his error. “And no, I’m... not... him. Though, I have heard I look quite like him.”

  The fae smiled and laughed it off. “Yeah, my bad again. It’s just as well, isn’t it? No one wants to be from Blackwood. It’s a real shame the king and queen are making Bria marry one of them.”

  Interesting.

  “Yes,” Cal agreed somberly. “Though, for a Blackwood prince, I hear he’s actually not that bad.”

  The fae grinned cheekily. “Yeah, but I heard his brothers are even better looking than he is.”

  Cal chuckled awkwardly. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

  “No, mate, it is. One of them is supposed to be really tan and good-looking, and generous too.”

  Cal gritted his teeth. “I suppose I have heard that about the other prince.”

  “See?” the fae asked knowingly. “Anyway, sincerest apologies once more for bumping into you. Maybe next time don’t wear a shirt that blends in with the road, yeah?”

  I giggled as he walked away. “Told you.”

  Cal rolled his eyes.

  “That’s the second person I’ve heard say Ben’s the hottest brother,” I commented. “First your cousin, now this stranger.”

  “The people want what the people want, I suppose. Which brother do you think is the hottest?”

  I held up both hands and shook my head. “No way. I’m not choosing between you.”

  “Cheater.”

  “I think it’s perfectly fair. I like you all differently, but equally. The same goes for your attractiveness and personalities—you’re equal, but different.”

  “It’s still completely avoiding the question which is, in turn, cheating.”

  “Whatever.”

  Cal laughed. “Come on, the café is just up ahead.”

  When we entered the crystalline building a few moments later, I was once again pushed into a state of awe. Magical orbs of radiant light hovered midair, providing a low glow to the room making everyone’s attire sparkle and shine. It was as if someone had bottled the midnight sky and poured it out into the café. It was gorgeous.

  We got in line, and I scanned through the menu—teas, coffees, frappes, lattes, cocoas, mochas and so much more. Magical additives were also available; things like luck, fortune, and beauty—as Cal had mentioned—but also truth, bravery, laughter, love, calm, intelligence, and the option to make special requests.

  I raised a brow and nudged Cal’s arm. “I’ll pick yours if you pick mine.”

  “Sounds interesting...”

  A woman with pointed ears walked over and smiled up at us. “How may I help you two today?”

  Cal glanced at me and cocked his head. “She’d like a mocha latte with a shot of laughter, please.”

  I grinned and rolled my eyes. “And he’d like a white coffee—whatever that is—with a heaping scoop of...” I thought about it for a moment. “Can you do talkativeness?”

  She smiled wider and nodded. “Loquacity, yes, I can do that. I take it he’s a man of few words?”

  “Oh, something like that.” I winked at him, and he merely shook his head in amusement.

  The woman waved to the room behind us. “Please find whatever seats you prefer, and I’ll bring your drinks out in just a few minutes.”

  “Thank you,” Cal said, then gestured for me to take the lead. “You can choose where we sit.”

  I slowly made my way through the orbs, which passed through my body like ghosts, but without the cold, and picked a table for two in a secluded corner. Other people sat chatting happily and paying us no mind, and the soft melodies of a relaxing tune drifted past my ears on an invisible breeze. It could have been magic for all I knew, but I loved it either way.

  “I want to move to Timberlune,” I said, and I was only half joking.

  Cal smirked. “The Storm King would have your head.”

  I sighed. “That’s true.”

  He’d probably also have my mother’s, my extended family’s, and any friends or casual acquaintances I’d ever associated with as well. The prick.

  “So...” Cal began, tucking his hands beneath his chin, “talkativeness, eh?”

  I smiled, rather proud of my choice. “I thought about choosing honesty, but you’re already pretty honest. I figured it’d be easier to know the real you if you actually said the things you typically held back.”

  He took a deep breath. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

  “You can’t chicken out now! Come on, it’s a trust exercise. Rob and I did one by getting the tattoos. Now you and I can do one with these drinks. I’m sure the effects are only temporary anyway.”

  He nodded. “They typically last an hour or so.”

  “See? No worries then.”

  He exhaled loudly and shook his head just as the fae lady brought out our drinks.

  “Here you are, lovelies,” she said in a musical tone. “Please enjoy and do let me know if you need anything else.”

  Cal stopped her before she breezed away. “Ho
w may we repay you?”

  She hummed and tapped her chin. “Well... I do love her shoes. They’re so unique.”

  I glanced down at my topaz bejeweled sandals. Apparently, I hadn’t been smart enough to remove them earlier. No wonder they looked unique—they were from a foreign country.

  I glanced at Cal, hoping this wasn’t going to come around and bite us in the ass. He nodded, so I removed my footwear and handed them to her.

  “Thank you!” She twirled around and hugged them to her chest.

  “No, thank you,” Cal insisted. She danced off, and he directed his attention back to me. “Bottoms up.”

  I grabbed my cup but paused. “Wait, you’re not going to make some ominous comment about the shoes getting us in trouble?”

  “Nothing we can do about it now, so no.”

  We stared at each other for a moment longer before lifting our cups in sync and drinking at the same time. A strange tingling sensation washed over me as I savored the sweet, chocolatey flavor swimming in my mouth. It was rich and creamy and hot and delicious. I could see myself drinking one of these babies every day for the rest of my godsforsaken life.

  I giggled at the thought.

  Cal was still staring at his drink in amazement.

  “What?” I asked, smiling wide as I tried not to giggle again.

  “This coffee is the most delicious coffee I’ve ever tasted. I mean, I’ve had black and brown and white and sweet and bitter, but this is just the cream of the crop.”

  He blinked and looked over at me as if he were confused.

  “Am I talking too much? I feel like I’m talking too much.”

  I covered my mouth to keep from laughing, but a few unladylike snorts escaped anyway. “I’m sorry! You’re just being so funny right now.”

  “Don’t apologize. I love it when you laugh. It makes you look even more beautiful than usual. Not that you’re not gorgeous any other time, because you are. You’re just extra pretty when you laugh and smile. Gods, I need to stop talking. Why did you have to pick talkativeness?”

  I laughed out loud and smacked my forehead down on the table. Damn. Not even a blunt object to the head could stop my giggles.