“No, but makes sense it’s while we’re in Faery. Only thing I can’t figure out is how she gets to you. I can’t imagine there’s anyone left in Faery who would consider her an ally.”
“And your knowledge of people is limited. There are those who would take her side.”
“Of course. Look, do we have to do this now? It’s not like my father gave you any useful information, and I don’t actually know what’s coming. Just that I need to be worried, and I’m going to kill the bitch as soon as I find her and her creepy-assed mate too.”
Toryn grinned. “Oh, I have faith you will. Problem is your father can’t see anything directly involving Saressa. He can only see the aftermath.”
“He knows more than I do.”
“Agreed. Though he said something interesting. If you wanted to, you could easily see as much as he does.”
Isa shook her head, walking toward their room, pulling her shirt off as she went. “You know I don’t want to know everything. I’d rather live life spontaneously.”
Toryn hurried to catch up. “Me too.” He caught her around the waist and hauled her back to his front. Caressing down her body, he slipped his hand under her waistband and panties, finding her clit.
Her breath caught. “Oh fuck, Toryn. Need you.”
Guilt drifted through him for half a second. Though, if she were immune to Damha’s bite, she stood a chance.
She stopped his hand. “What is it, Toryn?”
He pressed a kiss to her shoulder blade. “You saw me after Reance gave me the potion. He warned me after we make love, you’ll go through something similar.”
“But be immune,” she stated.
He nodded against her shoulder.
“Then what are you waiting for.”
“It hurt, Isa.”
“Yeah, already felt that. Not worried about it. And if you don’t fuck me now, I’ll go whip up the concoction myself.”
Toryn chuckled. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
“Kellan warned me what an Arachnian can do if he sinks his fangs into me. So, I’m making sure it won’t matter.”
“I love you so damned much, Isa.”
She ground her ass back, rubbing against his hard length. “Stop talking and make love to me. Then when it passes, you can do it again to help me forget the pain.”
“I love the way you think.”
He pushed her on the bed and peeled her pants down her thighs with her panties. Then he opened his pants and filled her to the hilt. She pushed back with the sexiest sound.
Her walls tightened, squeezing him. He wasn’t going to last if she kept that up. He slapped her ass lightly, and she giggled, squeezing tighter.
“You’re going to be the death of me, Isa.”
“Oh, no, I’m not. I’m never letting you die.” She moaned, wiggling her ass while he was deep inside.
He gripped her hips and withdrew before slamming deep. Her cry of pleasure drove him harder. He wanted her so blissed out she didn’t feel the pain until it was too late, so he pulled out, dropped to his knees, and fucked her with his tongue. He dipped his thumb into her, gathering up her honey before pushing the tip into her tight rear passage.
“Oh fuck, yes, Toryn.”
He sucked her clit, and she shot over the edge. Keeping his thumb pressed into her, he rose up and thrust back into her pulsing pussy.
She felt so damn good he knew it wouldn’t be long, but he didn’t want her to suffer, so he worked her up fast and pushed her over the edge where he followed.
“Mmm,” she murmured, her legs shaking as she collapsed to the bed.
Toryn lifted her and pulled her into bed with him. He held her tight. Seconds passed, then her body stiffened.
Her pained whimper shattered his heart.
“Isa, I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay.” Her face twisted in agony. Her hand covered her belly as her back arched. Then her whole body went lax and she was out.
“Shit,” he whispered, rolling from the bed. He undressed her the rest of the way and wrapped her in the blanket before leaving the room.
He would make her the same soup he’d made her the night he’d told her she was Fae. The same thing Reance had given him earlier.
As soon as she had that in her belly, he would ensure she forgot about the pain.
Chapter 4
Scotty sat at the window, staring at the woods beyond his yard. Jayde would be home soon, and he needed her. A cold dread had crept in and he couldn’t shake it.
Seemed like forever passed before he heard Jayde’s Ecosse Heretic come up the driveway. Warmth filled in the cold eating at him. The purr of the bike ended and the joy spread as Jayde drew closer.
He turned and stood as she opened the door.
“What’s wrong, Scotty? I could feel your anxiety all the way in Seattle.”
He forced the words out, “You really believe attending the royal wedding is wise?”
A frown pulled at her lips. “Don’t you want to be there for your oldest friend?”
“Yes and no.” Scotty walked to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of water. “Saressa is alive again. Mated to Damha. She may not be able to go to the castle, but she has plenty of allies.”
“Who all believe she’s dead.”
“Or acting like it.”
Jayde stepped in front of him. “Hey, we’ll be safe at the castle. Nothing will happen there.”
“Maybe.”
“If you really don’t want to go—”
He shook his head. “Toryn wants me to stand in his place of honor. I don’t know how to tell him no.”
“Want me to?” And she would, in a heartbeat.
Part of him felt he needed to do this, though. “No. Reance assures me we have a long, happy life. Isa and Toryn do too. But what if the path there is as bad as the path here?”
“It will never be as bad as it was to get here, Scotty.”
“Hope not.”
“Talk to him.”
“I can’t. I don’t want anyone to know what I’m feeling. You, I told you I’d never keep anything from you. I meant it then, and I mean it now. You have to understand, I told him I’d be there. I will be. But I can’t stop worrying.”
“Then I should talk to him.”
“No.” He pulled her against his body. “Just stay with me until this weekend is over. I need you. When you go, dark thoughts creep in. I think it’s Damha trying to reach me. He creeps me the fuck out.”
“Hey, he comes near you, I will kill him, slowly, painfully, and I’ll take away any ability he could ever use against you or anyone else first.”
“I don’t even want to know how you’d use some of his abilities.”
She leaned up and kissed him slow, sweet. “Then hopefully he’ll be smart enough to stay away from you.”
His body responded to her touch, as always. He stripped her of her clothes and set her on the kitchen island before bending to feast on her sweet nectar.
“Love of my life,” he murmured before sucking her clit and rubbing into her tight channel. “Come for me, Jayde, and I’ll make love to you over and over again until neither of us can move.”
She screamed out his name as she came.
As promised, he shed his clothes and entered her in a single thrust.
* * * *
Toryn pulled Isa into his arms as he stepped into the closet where she was still attempting to figure out what to wear for the night. Toryn’s hands closed over her hips as he pressed in from behind. “Why don’t we take a trip to some far away island paradise for the rest of the night?”
She snorted. “Yeah, you know of one?”
“Kellan gave us permission. Gave me the memory of where. You could take us.”
A slow smile spread on her lips. “What did you have in mind?”
“Bikini. I’ll wear trunks. Won’t need that long if you want to go naked.”
> She giggled. “And if someone is there?”
“That’s why I suggested the minimal amount of clothing.” He nibbled her ear. “What do you say? You, me, on a beautiful beach.”
She reached back as he kissed down her throat. Her fingers shifted into his hair while she reached for the memories Kellan had given him. “We could just wear these clothes. They’ll wind up in the sand.”
“Hmm, that’s faster.”
She waved her hand to the side and opened the portal.
Toryn scooped her into his arms and carried her onto the sandy beach. He sat her down and slipped his hands under her shorts. “All mine.”
“Always, but wait,” she breathed.
Ororo and Aquila stumbled out of the trees, completely nude, and fell a few feet away, tangled with each other.
Aquila pushed up to her hands and knees with a raised brow. “Did Kellan tell you no one was here?”
Toryn nodded. “He did. We could find another place.”
“No, you two have enough stress planning a royal wedding. I don’t envy you,” Ororo answered, standing and moving down the beach to shift into a translucent dragon.
Aquila winked. “Enjoy the night. It’s quite enchanting. We won’t have to go far for another empty island.” She chased after Ororo and shifted into a graceful water serpent. She swam into the water, following Ororo, who flew feet over the water.
He laughed. “Still strange to see two dragons rolling around.”
“Why?” Isa asked.
“Other than Alenathos, I saw them far more often in their dragon form.”
“Interesting. But we have much better things to do.”
He moved closer, pulling his shirt off as he went. She shed her clothes, and he dropped his jeans before picking her up. Isa wrapped her limbs around him with a grin.
“The whole night is ours,” she murmured before kissing him deep.
* * * *
Reance entered the royal bedroom. After waiting centuries to be with his mate, everything quickly approached the tipping point. There were several paths and he didn’t know where they’d wind up.
He hoped for the best, but it was possible Saressa would finally tear apart everything he’d worked so hard for.
Aeryana walked to him and took his hands. “Darling, Reance, stop worrying so hard. There is nothing you can do at this time.”
“Can’t help it. What if I’m wrong? What if Saressa destroys all of Faery?”
“Then we start over.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
A smile graced her lips as she shook her head. “I have faith in you, my daughter, and the friends she’s chosen. The path may be rocky, but I believe we’ll come through this.”
“At what price?” he asked.
“Would it be so horrible if your sister finally dies after all the things she’s set in motion?”
“She’s my family. I wish she could find salvation, but I know she cannot.”
“And that is why Isadora must end her life. Not you. It would break you. Isadora will be stronger for it, right?”
“As long as she succeeds.”
“See, this is why I support her choice to not embrace her clairvoyance. You may plan well, but there is always the worry someone will ignore your gentle guiding hand. She’s able to head into danger and fight, believing she’ll come through it. You see the possibilities and fear the worst. She doesn’t.”
“Aeryana, I’ve seen what happens if she fails. It’s a very real possibility. And if she loses Toryn she’ll go down a dark path I may not be able to save her from.”
“Like Saressa?”
Inhaling, he closed his eyes. “Yes, like my sister, but worse because there is nothing Isadora cannot do.”
“Then we have to give her all the tools she’ll need to save him and everyone she holds dear.”
“Even if it tears us apart?”
She nodded once. “Even if, Reance. You will always be in my heart, regardless of what happens. We can always contact each other in our minds. I’m never truly without you, love.”
“I hope I’m wrong. I hope Isadora finishes this without destroying the realms. But she’s so powerful, and the wrong push will send us all into despair.”
“Then we do what we can to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
“I’m trying, love. I’m trying.”
She placed her hands on his face and kissed him softly. “Stop worrying. I’ll help you forget for now.”
He lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed. “As you request, my queen.”
Chapter 5
Last day of work for a month. And if Isa wasn’t worried about what came after the wedding, she might enjoy herself. Many of her regulars came in to congratulate her and wish her luck.
She couldn’t shake the nerves. In two days, she would be married to Toryn. The one thing she wanted above all else.
Jackie climbed onto a barstool, followed by Eddie. She held up an invitation. “We’re invited to the wedding?” Her eyes sparkled in amusement. “You realize I’ve never been to Faery, right?”
“Yeah, and you really can’t count my trip,” Isa muttered. She’d only been briefly when she was yanked through a portal thanks to piece of jewelry. She was there long enough for an antidote to Chimera venom and to heal the wounds caused by a dagger laced with the toxin. Definitely not a sightseeing tour. “It will be a new experience for us both. Please, come with.”
“You got it,” Eddie said.
“I’m excited, but I don’t know what we should wear,” Jackie whined.
“Toryn says a normal dress will work. Maybe we should make a trip to Monique’s Uniques?” Isa offered. “We could make the day of it tomorrow.”
“That’s close to the wedding. What if I don’t find anything?”
“Oh, we’ll find you something. I promise you that.”
Eddie’s brow arched. “I won’t be able to go. Toryn has all of us working to make sure the crew knows what needs to be done while we’re off.”
Isa leaned forward. “How long are you staying in Faery?”
He shrugged. “Scotty suggested a week. He was going to take us to a few places he thinks Jackie will enjoy.”
She had to wonder why Scotty would want to take them some place in Faery. Though, maybe it had something to do with where the sirens came from.
Even then, why?
Isa smiled. “That means I get a girls’ day before going to Faery.”
Tapping her hand on the counter, Jackie asked, “What time are we going?”
“I’ll pick you up around nine.”
“Early day tomorrow. Do we have other stops?” Jackie asked.
“Possibly.” Preston gave Isa a damned good idea, and he helped her draw the patterns. She wanted to go through with the plan before Toryn could convince her not to.
James walked in with a smirk her way. “You ready to leave us for an entire month?”
“Aww, you going to miss me?”
“You know I will. It’s more fun with you around,” he replied.
“Well, it’s time for me to go. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Jackie.”
“You will.” She turned back to Eddie. “Have a good night.”
Eddie waved. “See ya, Isa.”
She ducked down the hall to grab her purse and headed out.
* * * *
Toryn stood in his office, staring at the files on his desk. There was no movement from Saressa. The Water Kingdom’s castle appeared to be empty, but the beasts surrounding the castle kept everyone out, so no one knew for sure. And once those from the Water Kingdom left the dark forest, they couldn’t get back in. There were powerful wards set up along the border. It wasn’t the first time they’d been put in place.
It didn’t make a damned bit of sense. Unless, she was ensuring only those she trusted got close to her. Saressa had done similar back during the great war between the Fire a
nd Water realms.
Preston walked into his office. “You wanted to see me?”
Toryn looked up with a nod. “Does the Council have eyes on the Water Kingdom in Faery?”
“Not that I know of. We don’t presently have any known mages in Faery, and certainly not in the Water Kingdom.”
“Known?”
Sighing, Preston dropped into a chair. “There is a branch of the Council that was recently dissolved. However, most of the mages who were attached have gone off the radar.”
“What branch?”
“This can’t leave the room.”
“Not a problem.”
Preston didn’t hesitate. “The Dark Templar.”
“Oh, from the insanity last month. Good. The whole group needed to disappear.”
“Hopefully, they stay gone. But I have a feeling that like HARP, they’re waiting for something.”
“Oh, I’m sure they are. Just like Saressa. Isa’s worried.”
Preston glanced away. “Yeah, she talked to me about that.”
He shouldn’t have asked, but couldn’t help himself. “And?”
Preston smirked. “Sorry, she swore me to secrecy.”
Toryn gripped the edge of his seat as he leaned forward. Why was Isa telling Preston secrets? “You can tell me. I won’t share.”
“No, she bound me to secrecy. I honestly can’t say.”
“Shit, who taught her that?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. It was never something I could do.”
“Maybe your mother. I didn’t think she’d kept contact.”
Preston chuckled. “Very possible. Mom did make telling you about me impossible until Dacia broke the news. I will say that it’s nothing to worry about.”
Toryn leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. “Your mother had a reason to be worried. I hate that Isa is hiding something.”
“Talk to her.”
“Been trying to.”
Preston changed the topic. “You ready to get married?”
Warmth spread from his chest outward as a smile stretched across his face. “Been ready since I laid eyes on Isa.”
Twisted Bonds Page 3