Storm Unleashed: Phantom Islanders Part III

by Ednah Walters

  I was so pissed I couldn’t think straight.

  “I’m tired of people on this island assuming things about Storm and his people. There’s no debauchery. No raping of women. No defecating where they eat or the other stupid stories floating on this pile of rock. Vaarda is a sanctuary for women, men, and children. It is peaceful. It is a thriving community filled with decent, hardworking people.” I stopped and took a deep breath. A moment passed as I glared at him.

  “Are you done?” he asked.

  “No. I appreciate the fact you’ve given me a ride in your fancy carriage, but I will not stand by while you insult Storm and his brothers or talk about things you know nothing about.”

  The man continued to study me. His face showed zero emotion, so I couldn’t tell whether he was pissed or amused.

  “You are right, she’lahn. I should not speak of things I know nothing about. Most Tuh’ren would willingly throw a new mate under the carriage to get out of a claim. You, on the other hand, defend yours passionately, yet from my understanding you barely met the man.”

  “Storm is my true mate, and it is my duty to defend his honor when he’s not around to face his challenger.”

  Once again, his expression stayed neutral. It was as though his face was made of stone. Even his stupid moustache didn’t twitch. Levi could teach him a thing or two about grooming one. And Storm would sweep the floor with his ass. He was packing way too much weight in the middle, and his chest was soft. Our eyes locked.

  “Are all Tuh’rens like you?” he asked.

  I bristled at the way he said Tuh’rens, as if we were beneath him.

  “It depends on what you mean by “like.” If you mean are we loyal to those we love, then the answer is yes.”

  “No, I meant disagreeable and rude.”

  “Only when you push our buttons.” A memory gelled and everything sunk into place. “I know why you look familiar,” I said, the image solidifying. “You were outside Lady Morgana’s when I left her place for the palace. What were you doing there?”

  “We were trying to reach you.”

  “Why?”

  “We wanted to make sure you were okay. We have allies in every rank of the Royal Army, but we didn’t know where Captain Ren was keeping you. We knew when he left to find you and when he arrived back here. We know they are preparing for Storm’s arrival, and we must be ready to act, too. He will need our support.”

  I stared at him with round eyes. “You plan to support Storm?”

  “That’s what this is about.” He reached under his seat for a bag and removed a coat from it. This one had gold embroideries. “We thought you might be a plant by the king to find out about our organization. It wouldn’t have been the first time he tried. We watched everything you did. Today was the final test.”

  “Test?”

  “When I offered you a passage on a ship and just now when I provoked you. We had to know whether we were dealing with an imposter. Like I said, it wouldn’t have been the first time. We wear many faces, and some of them can never be revealed.”

  He removed his hat, leaving golden blond hair. I gawked as he peeled off the bulbous nose along with the ugly, fake moustache.

  “Lord Conyngham?”

  “I believe in a free Hy’Brasil, where the people can be themselves. Where they take pride in their traditions and who they are. Everything you mentioned is what we are striving for.”

  “You know Storm will never come back to rule Hy’Brasil.”

  “I know, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use his name to inspire the people. They look up to him. He and his friends started the movement, and we’re picking up where he left off.”

  His eyes went back to my chin.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop Tully from hurting you, lass, but he won’t do it again. I’ve kept him away from the palace the last few days, but he slipped back last night while I was otherwise occupied.” He reached out and gently turned my head to study the bruises on my chin.

  My mind was still reeling. Lord Conyngham, Tully’s right-hand man, was a revolutionary? And he still talked funny, like he had a stick up his ass.

  “All this time you thought I was an imposter? I’m not sure whether to be insulted or annoyed.”

  “Sorry, lass.” Lord Conyngham reached inside his mouth and pulled out a strip of cotton from under each cheek. “Nereus was convinced you were Storm’s mate after day one, but too much is at stake to go on hunches. We had to confirm it.”

  He sounded more like himself now, pompous and upper-crusty. I was still processing, mentally going over everything he’d ever said and done to see if he’d slipped and given me clues. From the ship to the ease with which he’d planted his men in the tower, I’d say he was very smooth and good at hiding who he was.

  “Did Tully force himself on you last night?”

  I shook my head. “Not in the way you mean. This”—I touched my jaw—“was the result of refusing to kiss him. But tonight…”

  “I’ll be there. He won’t do anything. I’ll make sure of it,” Lord Conyngham vowed.

  That was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard, yet I couldn’t help wondering how he planned to take on the prince and survive, disguise or not.

  There was a bump on the roof of the carriage.

  “We’re closer to the palace. Let me do the talking once we get there. Gwyn told the guards you were exploring the hall, but they didn’t believe her. The oracle insisted you’d escaped.”

  “And the prince?”

  “Is sleeping off last night’s excesses. By the time I arrived here, he’d already been to the tower to see you. And when I left this morning, he was still out. I’ll be here tonight. I give you my word.”

  He shrugged off his coat and removed the plain vest. When he started to pull off his shirt, I thought he was changing. Instead, there was a thin pillow, then another vest and shirt underneath. No wonder he’d looked fat in the midsection and soft on the chest.

  The carriage didn’t stop at the gate. By the time we pulled up at the front palace entrance, Lord Conygham had shrugged on his ornate coat and stashed away his extra clothing, boots, and fake body parts. He swept a hand through his hair and glanced at me.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  I pointed at the corner of his nose. “You have something there.”

  He tried to wipe it and missed. Feeling weird, I reached out and removed the piece of whatever he’d used to anchor his fake nose and cheeks. Giving him a brief smile, I gripped the wrapped elixir bottles on my lap.

  “Okay. I’m ready.”

  ~*~

  More flares in the sky followed by thunder. The clouds had darkened and thickened. I wished Storm could connect with me.

  “Come on,” Lord Conyngham said, tugging me toward the massive entrance.

  The guards were everywhere in the foyer, and the oracle was holding a conference on the side near the west stairs. I couldn’t see Tully anywhere.

  “Who placed the city on a curfew?” Lord Conyngham barked, and everyone’s attention shifted to us.

  The oracle didn’t mask her surprise, but her eyes narrowed almost immediately. She started toward us, the guards following in her wake. Dressed in all black, she looked like a bird of prey.

  “I did. She was missing.” The oracle glared at me. “Where were you?”

  “She left with me to find help for the queen mother, who’s taken a turn for the worse. Did Prince Tully give his permission for the curfew?”

  The oracle’s chin lifted. “No. The prince is still resting. She was missing, and he would have wanted her found.”

  “We don’t know what Prince Tullius would have wanted, Oracle. Rescind the orders now, and let the people go back to their daily lives.” Lord Conyngham glanced at me. “Head to the tower, and follow Athol’s directions.”

  “Athol?” the oracle screeched, blocking my path. “You have no business seeking help from an outside healer when I’m around. What did he give you? As the court’s physi
cian, I have to approve every treatment, including the queen mother’s.”

  “Last time I checked, the prince put her in charge of the queen mother’s health,” Lord Conyngham said before I could speak. “Guards, rescind the order before the prince wakes up and finds the city in chaos. Lexi, upstairs now.”

  I walked past a furious oracle.

  “The king will hear of this,” she mumbled, but Lord Conyngham must have heard her. A quick glance at his face showed his fury.

  “May I have a word, Oracle?” was the last thing I heard before they disappeared inside a room.

  Nereus gripped my arm. “And you, upstairs. Now. The queen mother needs that elixir.”

  I raced to the tower. The two guards looked up, relief on their faces. Banan, who stood with them, grinned.

  “Sorry for the confusion, guys,” I told them without slowing down. Gwyn opened the door before I reached it.

  “Lass, thank the gods you are back.” The hug she gave me was accompanied by a sigh of relief.

  “How is she doing?” I glanced over her shoulder at the queen mother.

  “She has the chills. Where is the elixir?”

  I unrolled the apron and removed the bottles from the pouch. “Athol said to give her two spoonfuls before each meal.”

  “Good. She hasn’t eaten yet.”

  We fed Storm’s mother the medicine, then layered covers on top of her. Gwyn hugged me again.

  “I don’t know how you did it, lass, but thank you.”

  “I had help. The people here are much nicer than I’d thought, which reminds me.” I gave her the pouch with the coins. “Athol refused to take the money.”

  “He is like that most of the time. Such a kindhearted man. He even makes home visits. Since he is alone, people offer him a meal or a bed.”

  Which made him the perfect person to pass messages to Lord Conyngham’s people.

  “He even gave me a salve to put on my bruises.” I showed her the container.

  “Put some on now before you go to the court seamstresses. They’ve been working on a gown since this morning. That’s how the guards learned you were gone. They’d sent the guards to find you.”

  I groaned. “I don’t want to have dinner with him.”

  Gwyn blinked. “But this morning you said—”

  “I know what I said, Gwyn. I wasn’t thinking.”

  I wanted to go to the roof and try to connect with Storm. Lightning still split the sky every few minutes.

  “Where are the seamstresses?”

  “Two doors from the kitchen.” Her expression grew thoughtful. “Are you worried about what he might do tonight?”

  “I’m always worried about what he might do. And he’d said tonight he might…” I swallowed. “Never mind. I’ll be fine.”

  I left the cell and found Nereus talking to the other three guards. He looked up and smiled.

  “Are we going to shoot some arrows or practice with daggers, lass?” he asked.

  “Both, but I have to try on a new dress first.”

  “Why the long face?” Banan teased. “I thought women loved new clothes.”

  “Not me. I have plenty of clothes at home.”

  Confusion flashed on his face.

  “Vaarda,” I said, not caring whether the other two guards were part of the underground movement or not. “But now that I am here, I must go to the seamstresses for a fitting,” I added, and the guards who’d started to follow me stopped. “What? Not coming?”

  “No,” they said in unison.

  I frowned. “Are the seamstresses that bad?”

  “They’re maidens,” Banan explained.

  I still didn’t get it. “And that’s bad how?”

  “They’re not looking for mates,” Banan explained. “But I am. Can I come?”

  “No, whiskers,” Nereus said. “I’ll take the lass.”

  He took my arm and didn’t talk until we reached downstairs, where he looked at the hallway ahead for possible eavesdroppers before speaking.

  “You had a good discussion with Lord Conyngham?” he whispered.

  “Yes. Thanks for believing me from day one, and thanks a lot for spying on me for him.”

  He chuckled. “We’re good then?”

  “Let me think about it.”

  “Think about it? Lass, I’m teaching you archery and how to fight with a dagger.”

  He was so easy. I kissed his cheek. “Yes, we are good. Now, which door is the seamstresses’?”

  He walked me to the palace hallway and pointed at a door. “I’ll be upstairs when you’re done.”

  “Aren’t you coming in with me?”

  “Lass, I’m with the lads on this. You will not catch me inside that room of clucking hens.”

  “Oh, that’s mean. They’re maidens looking for mates, not hens.”

  “Not this mate. I’m waiting for a shieldmaiden.”

  Yikes. My stories had turned him into a snob.

  “Or a Tuh’ren lass like you.”

  Maybe not. “Oh. I know plenty of those.”

  He chuckled and took off. Thunder rolled outside, and I couldn’t help grinning. On our way downstairs, I’d watched the sky every time we passed a window. Now I couldn’t wait to finish with the seamstress and go to the battlement. Storm needed to link with me soon, or I’d go crazy.

  CHAPTER 11

  The entrance to the seamstresses’ room was slightly ajar, so I knocked on the door before peering inside. There were at least a dozen women working on gowns, coat frocks, and vests on forms or a table. On one end of the room were stuffed chairs, two mirrors, and changing screens.

  The women looked up and stopped whatever they were doing. Like most of the palace staff, they wore blue and white tunics and aprons.

  “I was told you were looking for me,” I said.

  One of the seamstresses disappeared inside a room, and seconds later, she came out with an older woman with graying hair.

  “Come in, lass,” the older-looking seamstress said, hurrying across the room. Her eyes widened when she reached me. From the direction of her gaze, the marks on my cheeks had done it again.

  Face hot, I wanted to say something snarky but came up empty. All I could come up with was, “It’s nothing.”

  She called to the one who’d gone into the room and asked for her pouch, then led me to a chair. I caught my reflection on one of the mirrors and gasped. I left the chair for a closer look. No wonder people had stared at me and pitied me. He’d left a handprint on my cheek as though he’d slapped me.

  “I look like a fucking volleyball.”

  A few chuckles echoed around the room, until the head seamstress glared at them.

  “This is not a laughing matter.” She removed a jar from her pouch and cotton ball and started covering the marks. “I’m not sure what a volleyball is, but balls don’t have feelings, so never say something like that.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said meekly.

  “Unfortunately, you won’t be the last Tuh’ren I patch up around here.” She leaned back to check her handiwork and frowned. “That’s better. I’m Edlyn, and these are my girls.”

  None of their names stuck, but then again, there were fourteen of them. One of them closed the door, then Edlyn asked me to strip. I was still not okay with being naked in front of the islanders, but part of me wanted to show them my bruises were neck up, so I stripped to my undies and covered my boobs.

  The fitting took longer than I’d anticipated and my stomach growled the entire time, even after they gave me bread and cheese.

  They had many gowns planned, but had completed two, which needed some adjustments. A light blue brilliant silk one with rose garlands on the underskirt, detachable laces and silk ribbons on the sleeves, and a bodice that formed a low V over my stomach was gorgeous, yet I hated wearing it. It needed a corset. I didn’t have the stomach to say anything as they crowded me and sighed.

  The plum one had a drop waist and gold details along the neckline, hem, and
sleeves. The loose V-shaped sleeves hung almost to the ground, but the sleeves of the underdress came to my wrist. It was simple, yet elegant. The colors were rich and the golden belt intricate and delicate.

  “You look taller than you are, lass,” Edlyn said, pinning the hem of the plum dress. “Keep that chin up and shoulders squared no matter what life throws your way.”

  I smiled. “I’ll try.”

  “I’ll help you get ready tonight, so come and see me before sunset. Take a nice long bath and wash the cream off your face. I’ll reapply it.”

  “Thank you, Edlyn.”

  Part of me wished I could tell them I’d be leaving soon and wouldn’t need all the dresses they were working on, but I knew they’d find out soon enough. Besides, I was sure I wouldn’t be the last woman they clothed for their psycho prince.

  I left the room and was close to the short hallway leading to the tower when I bumped into Tully and his weasel valet. I tucked my right leg and curtsied like Nereus had taught me.

  Tully stopped in front of me, invading my personal space, and lifted my chin with his thumb.

  “That was a very nice curtsy,” he said.

  “I’ve been practicing,” I said, plastering a big fake smile on my face.

  “I heard you disappeared for hours this morning.”

  “I needed to buy an elixir for your mother and bumped into Lord Conyngham, and he offered to give me a ride.” I kept my voice upbeat while my heart thumped hard with dread. I couldn’t afford to have him know it was all a lie. “He is kind of snooty, but he knows quite a bit about herbal medicines and healers.”

  Tully chuckled, and I relaxed a bit.

  “He has a morbid fascination with herbs, but I forbade him to mention them in my presence. I don’t want you going to him for help again.”

  “Okay.”

  He studied my face, then swiped a finger across my cheek. He studied the tip. “I’m sorry I was not gentle with you last night and marred your delicate skin.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something when Conyn talks to me about it. I value his counsel in political matters, but when it comes to personal things, I don’t want his interference.”