[Phantom Islanders 02.0] Storm Revealed

by Ednah Walters

  I studied his face and fought tears. “You are amazing.”

  “I know.”

  I didn’t scold him for his arrogance. “Tommy is here, and he was the best surprise and gift ever. Thank you for rescuing him. How did you know Tully would send his people after him?”

  He grinned. “Because we are twins, and I know how he thinks. I’m happy they made it okay.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything? Even when you asked me about him and said we’d talk, you never hinted that you’d already sent Kheelan.”

  “I didn’t want to raise your hopes in case they beat us. Kheelan is very good with electronics in your world, so armed with the information I’d given him, I knew he would find Mr. Sinclair, who would lead them to your brother.”

  My God, this man. He made me feel and want with such intensity it was insane. “You thought of everything. You are…” I shook my head.

  “I am what?” Storm asked, nuzzling my neck.

  “I’ll show you tonight,” I vowed.

  “How about we skip dinner and you show me now?”

  “I promised to help serve.”

  “You can do that another night.” He nipped my shoulder. “My cabin is empty and my ship the farthest. We won’t be disturbed. Tonight, I’m making you my mate, Lexi. I’m finishing the claim.”

  My heart skipped at the thought of being with him. “But Gráinne—”

  “Forget Gráinne.”

  He cradled the back of my head, angled his head, and took over my senses again, redefining my priorities. He nipped my chin and soothed the bite, then kissed me again, bending me to his will, until I couldn’t think of anything else. My resistance ebbed. He made it easy to want to break the rules.

  He growled and buried his face in my chest, his hot breath going through my chemise and causing my skin to tighten. I realized why he’d stopped. He had started to shift, fur covering his face. I stroked his muzzle and it receded, the fur sinking back into the skin. He lifted his head.

  “See what you do to me, mo ghra.”

  I splayed my fingers through his hair, gripped, and tilted his head so I could look into his eyes. “Good because it’s mutual, except I can’t shift. Yet.”

  I waited for him to react, but instead he stiffened and his attention shifted. He studied the ships and slowly lowered me down.

  “Stay here,” he said.

  “Why? What’s wrong?” I followed his gaze but couldn’t see anything unusual. The torches on the bridge and docks created shadows on the ships.

  “I saw a movement. Sometimes the young pups play swordsmen after we return or take girls below the deck for a date when we leave the ships close to the hall. They know they’re not supposed to, but they do it anyway. I’ll be right back.”

  “No. I’m coming with you.”

  “Lexi.”

  “I stood out here and waited for you to come back to me, and I refuse to do it again.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about, lass?”

  “I waited as ship after ship arrived, and none of them was yours. Then I waited some more before you surfaced. I don’t like waiting or worrying about you, Storm. So wherever you go, I go.”

  He chuckled and pressed a possessive kiss on my lips. “You please me, lass. You have no idea how much. And I can’t wait to see you shift.”

  “I’m glad my worrying makes you happy. Let’s check the ships and then go inside.”

  “To my cabin.” He reached for my hand.

  “No, to the hall, or Gráinne will have my hide.”

  “Gráinne and I need to have a long talk. Stay behind me.” He led the way to Deck’s ship, the candles inside the lanterns lighting up the second we stepped on the deck.

  He picked up a lantern and raised it as he walked to the captain’s cabin, then below the deck. There was no one on board. He checked all the ships and extinguished the candles as we walked back to the pier. By the time we reached the stairs, the lanterns on all the ships were out, including the torches on the pier. Only the ones on the bridge were left. He scooped me up.

  “Now let’s talk about you,” he said as he headed toward the Great Hall. “You’ve been busy while I was gone.”

  “I got to know the islanders.”

  “And went to Gemma’s tavern with Ryun, causing a panic attack among islanders with a fake silver dagger,” he finished.

  “I thought Deck was a marauder after him. They were insulting each other and reaching for their swords.”

  “It’s their way of showing affection. For my peace of mind, I may have to hide you in my cabin whenever I leave the island.”

  “When I finish my training as a shieldmaiden, you won’t have to.”

  “Good. I can keep an eye on you better that way.”

  “And I can keep an eye on you, too.” And the damn silver dagger. “Put me down, please.” We’d reached the front entrance of the Hall.

  “No, you’re sitting with me at the captains’ table.”

  “Later. Right now, Gráinne expects me to help serve.”

  “Why?”

  “Something about being your mate and welcoming you home. I told her I planned to sail so you can stay at home and serve me.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “Then I better enjoy tonight while I can. My mate, Lexi.”

  “Future mate,” I corrected him.

  He kissed me. When he lifted his head, my head was spinning and I was clinging to him. He wore a smug smile.

  “You are also the pirate who kidnapped me and brought me here against my will.” And was making me fall in love with him. “I’ll keep reminding you until you stop being so full of yourself.”

  He laughed again, his voice ringing around the hall. Everyone had gone quiet and was watching us. Even the women had stopped serving drinks to stare. How much had they heard? My face warm, I backhanded Storm’s chest playfully.

  “What’s that for?” he asked.

  “For embarrassing me again,” I whispered.

  “How did I do that, mo ghra?”

  Because he could make me forget where I was with just a kiss. Face aflame, I hurried across the hall, but I could feel his eyes on me. Just before I entered the hallway leading to the kitchen, I glanced back. He was still staring at me, grinning and looking so pleased with himself.

  Actually, I didn’t mind his kisses or that he was irresistible. He had me.

  “About time you got here!” Gráinne said when I entered. “Is this how long you plan to kiss him every time he returns home?”

  The other women tried to keep straight faces. Most of them had been at the canal to welcome their mates. Embarrassed but refusing to show it, I shrugged. Since Gráinne was clairvoyant, she’d probably seen us visit other ships.

  “No, Elder Gráinne. Next time we’ll keep it under thirty minutes.” That was enough time for some quick monkey business in his cabin. “If I can force him to behave.”

  Gráinne harrumphed, but I caught the smile in her eyes. “A woman can convince a man to do anything, lass. You’ll learn. Grab a basket of bread and take it to his table.”

  The buzz of conversation filled the front hall, the men chugging drinks, some carrying their little ones. It was just like the first day I’d arrived here. And like the last welcome-home feast, the other tables had people facing each other, but the captains’ was at the front by the doorways leading to the inner courtyard and faced the other tables. Everyone else was eating, except them.

  Delia appeared beside me. “When serving the others, you walk behind them, but for the captain’s table, you do it from the front.”

  “Hopefully I won’t trip and fall flat on my face,” I whispered back.

  She chuckled. “You’ll do just fine, lass.”

  Storm’s eyes followed me to their table. There were twelve of them, captains and quartermasters. The thirteenth chair between Storm and Levi was empty. I assumed that was mine.

  From his seat, Storm watched me with a tiny smile like I
was his personal geisha. Was there a male version of a geisha? A cabana boy? Yeah, he could be my cabana boy after this. My heartbeat spiked and my body tingled with anticipation. Tonight, I was going to have him all to myself.

  Whispers came from my left, and a quick glance told me the crew from the tavern had finally recognized me. Obviously, they hadn’t seen me with Storm by the ships. Captain Decabel’s gaze also followed me. He was seated beside Storm, the two of them talking. Like Ryun, his bruises were barely there. I studied the faces of the sailors who’d arrived earlier with Kheelan. Man, they healed fast.

  Ryun sat at the far end of the table, so I offered him bread first. He shook his head and covered his breadbasket, his lips twitching. What was he up to now? The guy next to him did the same, the two of them exchanging grins. Nerissa was next, but she took pity on me and pointed at Storm.

  So I was supposed to serve him first? Gráinne should have said something. I walked past three more people, including Levi, and they all covered their baskets. I didn’t recall seeing Levi leave the water.

  “Thank you,” Storm said when I served him.

  “This should have come with a manual,” I murmured, and his lips twitched.

  “So we meet again, lass,” Deck said before Storm could introduce us, his voice carrying.

  “I knew we would once they told me who you were, Captain Decabel,” I said, keeping my voice light. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  He grinned. “Good stuff?”

  “Mostly. It’s nice to finally meet you. Would you like some bread?”

  “What do you mean mostly?” he asked, frowning. He glanced at Storm. “What did you tell her, brother?”

  “The usual,” Storm said.

  “Kraken’s breath! You badmouthed me to your lass when I couldn’t defend myself?”

  “Aye,” Storm said.

  “He didn’t,” I cut in, smiling at their exchange. “He said you were the person to go to when new lasses are having a hard time adjusting. I hope you’ll be nice to Skylar.”

  Deck inhaled and rubbed his hands. “Skylar. Hmm, I like her name. Where is she? Could that be her scent I caught when I arrived home?”

  “She’s in your tower.” Storm slapped him on the back. “You heard Lexi. Be nice to the lass.”

  I finally got a proper look at Decabel up close. His long shaggy hair had lighter tips, and the scar barely missed his eye and disappeared into his hair. An eye patch was all he needed for him to look like my idea of a pirate. When he smiled, his eyes twinkled and his lips turned up, lopsided and cute. He was like a cuddly teddy. Or maybe the heavy coat gave that illusion. Like Ryun, he had cuts and bruises on his face, but they were already healing. Someone had put gel on them.

  “Where did you meet Deck?” Kheelan asked when I served him. He had a beautiful voice.

  “At the tavern this afternoon,” I said, lingering, wanting to hug him and thank him again. He’d joined the ranks of my favorite captains. “Would you like more bread?”

  His lips twitched, telling me he could read me. “Later, she’lahn.”

  “The lass threatened to take out my men with her silver dagger if they ganged up on Blackwell,” Deck explained, his voice carrying. I winced when everyone at their table and nearby ones stared at me with a mixture of curiosity and surprise.

  I headed down the table, but behind me, Deck continued to share his version of what had happened. Ryun was right. Decabel talked too much. Unfortunately, he had the entire hall eating up his story.

  “I’ve never seen Gemma’s tavern empty so fast. My crew wanted to know who the lass was and whether she was available. Blackwell refused to tell us, which only fueled their interest. They vowed to visit every store, tavern, and lodging until they found her.”

  “I told them they could see her once a week when she helps out at my tavern,” Gemma called out from behind me. She was seated with Kai and her maidens. “I hope you don’t mind, Storm.”

  From the sudden scowl on his face, Storm minded very much, and I agreed with him. He gave Gemma a smile that said, “Never going to happen.”

  Unfortunately, Deck wasn’t done with me. I was on my way back to serve the people who’d covered their plates when he got up, and in one smooth move, plucked me from the other side of the table, swept me into his arms. He proceeded to kiss me soundly on the lips. He checked my reaction, as my face burned. He was a giant of a man with zero boundaries.

  “You don’t happen to have your dagger with you, do you?” Deck asked, not bothering to lower his voice.

  “Unfortunately, no,” I said, trying to act like pirates sweeping me off my feet and kissing me were part of my daily routine. “Would you put me down now, please?”

  “Not yet. I know I said I’d face that dagger to claim you, but I’ve changed my mind. I want to follow the scent calling to me first.” He studied my face. “So you are the lass we’ve been searching for these past weeks?”

  “I’m afraid so,” I said.

  “Then you and I should know each other on a personal level.”

  “The kiss was kind of personal,” I said, hoping he heard the censure in my voice.

  “Not by a long shot, lass. I’m just starting.” Laughter came from around the hall when he walked away from the table. I had no idea where he was taking me, but I didn’t like his style one little bit. “Don’t be alarmed, lass,” he added softly. “I just lost a bet to my illustrious brother, and I don’t like to lose. Is he watching us?”

  I gave the hall a sweeping glance before meeting Storm’s eyes. He didn’t seem bothered. “The entire hall is watching us, including him.”

  “Good. Welcome to our island, Alexandria.”

  “Thank you. And it’s Lexi. Would you put me down now?”

  “No, but you can put your arms around my neck. Maybe even kiss me back and make him jealous.”

  “I don’t think we should do that.”

  “Didn’t like me kissing you, did you?” he asked.

  No, I didn’t. “It was nothing.”

  “So I can do it again?”

  “I wouldn’t advise it. Your nose might connect with my fist.”

  He threw back his head and laughed.

  I wiggled a bit, but his arms tightened. He was also carrying his tumbler of drink, and I was scared he might spill it on my skirts. “You really should put me down now so I can finish serving your table.”

  “Not yet.” He reached the end of the table, where Ryun sat, and winked at him. “Farmer Blackwell.”

  “Put the lass down, Scar Face.”

  “Why? Jealous?” He didn’t wait for Ryun’s response. I was sure he would continue out of the hall, but he stopped. “Do you promise to make my brother happy, Lexi?”

  “Only if he makes me happy,” I said.

  “Planning to give him hell?”

  No, I planned to love the crap out of him. “Oh yes.”

  Deck roared with laughter and lowered me down. “I like you, lass. My brothers and sisters,” he called out. “Stand up and drink to the bonniest lass to join our ragtag population of rebels and marauders. My brother Storm’s true mate, Lexi.”

  The people stood and chugged their drinks. Even the kids sipped whatever they were drinking. Then the hall erupted as they banged their tumblers on the tables. Deck raised his hand and the room grew quiet while servers replenished drinks.

  “May his violet-eyed vixen please his loins and improve his Kelpie temper so our island can go back to being peaceful and sunny, our raids give us more treasures, and our Harvests bring in more bonny lasses.”

  The people howled, chugged, then banged their tables. My face burned, but he still wasn’t done. He asked Storm to show off the bridle, which Storm removed and lifted above his head. The hall erupted with applause. Then Deck asked him to show the bite marks as proof that I had claimed him. Storm turned and pulled down his pants without hesitation.

  “Your turn, lass,” Deck said.

  “The bridle is proof I claimed hi
m,” I whispered, hoping the response would work.

  “The lass says the bridle is proof she claimed him,” Deck told the hall, and I wanted to die right there on the spot. “Should I insist on seeing the mark anyway?”

  Laughter mingled with, “Aye.”

  “I’ll get my dagger first,” I said, hoping my intentions were clear.

  He roared with laughter and raised his cup again. “She has fire in her. Let’s eat, drink, and celebrate.”

  The islanders resumed their seats and went back to their food as women came from the kitchen with trays of meat and baskets of bread. Deck handed me the basket. He must have carried it.

  “I’ll take a loaf if you sit on my lap and say you forgive me for embarrassing you in front of our people. Unfortunately, that’s how we do things around here.”

  “No, it’s not,” Ryun said, taking a loaf from my basket.

  “It’s a new tradition, so be ready to show off your bite mark, Farmer Blackwell, when your turn comes.”

  “You’ll not humiliate my mate or—”

  “Lexi!” a high-pitched voice yelled, and the two men stopped arguing. Meda ran to me, a big smile on her face. “Look at me. Lorelei made this for me. It’s just like yours.”

  They must have just arrived. And her dress was a replica of mine. Lorelei must have seen the way she kept staring at it.

  “Now you and I are like sisters, Meda. Except, I think you look prettier.” I faked a pout, and she laughed. “Where are you sitting?”

  “Over there with Da and Una and Carrick, and…” She continued to name her friends while pointing at a table where a bunch of other kids sat with their parents. Her father wore a pained expression. It was obvious he didn’t know whether to get his daughter or stay where he was.

  I smiled and mouthed, “It’s okay.”

  “Can you sit with us? Please?” Meda asked.

  “Well, since you asked so nicely, I’d love to. But for now, can you do me a favor?”

  Meda nodded.

  “Captain Deck is feeling bad about something he did and needs some cheering up while I get his food.”

  The little girl’s gaze volleyed between Deck and me. Her confusion was obvious.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Meda whispered, but those near us heard her.