Storm Mistress

by Rivers, Brandy L

  Where the hell did my logic run off to? She shouldn’t worry about his past conquests, especially if his more recent ones had turned her on. It made no damned sense. Unless, there was some great love hidden in his long life…

  Isa shook her head to rid herself of useless questions. “Why do we trust the mystic?” There was a twinge of jealousy, and she couldn’t squash it.

  “She was at the Moonlight Citadel when I first met her.”

  “All I got from our… encounter was that they’re like Switzerland.”

  He laughed. “That’s a good description. They’re neutral and don’t take sides. In fact, they are probably the only people, besides your parents and me, who don’t want to use you in some way.”

  “How can you be so sure?” she muttered and looked back out the window. How did she know anything for sure? So many jumbled memories from eons of ancestors, and none of them thought like she was used to thinking.

  “She won’t, I swear to you I wouldn’t even consider bringing you to her if there was a chance she would.”

  “Okay.”

  “Tell me, what’s on your mind.”

  “Having parents, knowing their faces, it’s weird after all this time. I mean, I saw Reance a million times growing up. He was always there, always watching me. I know he protected me to some degree.” Unfortunately, it wasn’t always enough. She’d been hurt, abused, and because he was outside looking in, he couldn’t always stop everything before it started. She learned to fight dirty, and to protect herself, to make things stop. Her magic, though she really couldn’t control it, helped more than once. “I don’t know my mother at all, and she doesn’t seem human.”

  “She’s not,” he said simply, but there was a hint of hurt in his tone.

  She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

  “No. I’m not sure I do.”

  And maybe he had a point. Shit. “She seems so different in her memories. So normal and plain. Then I saw her and I was… dazzled. It wasn’t what I expected. She doesn’t even look real. Hell, neither does Reance. I always thought he was an angel.” She looked away, touching the window lightly.

  There was his amused laugh, and it made her feel better. “Remember how you see yourself?”

  “Yes.” Where the hell is he going with that?

  “Remember how I see you?”

  Her breath caught. “Oh, right. And that throws me, but then I suppose you don’t see yourself the way I do.” A soft smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “Otherwise you would be a narcissistic asshole.”

  He gave her another inquisitive look.

  “Can I show you what I see? The same way you showed me?”

  “I’ll show you how after we get where we’re going. You’re tired. You’ve absorbed a lot. You need to get some rest because I’m driving to Boise to catch a plane.”

  “Why Boise?”

  “Remus would expect us to leave from Spokane, or even Seattle. Idaho is close, but still out of the way enough that it wouldn’t make sense to Remus, who doesn’t think outside his own little box. You aren’t sure what you are capable of, so it’s better we avoid them altogether. At least for now.”

  “Does anyone really know what I am? Or what I can do?” She felt extremely freakish. That wasn’t a new feeling, but even among her own people, she was still different. She let out a frustrated laugh.

  “Henroyld and Remus must have suspected. I never would have guessed you were a Storm Mistress, but I knew you would be powerful in your own right. Besides, when we’re raised as human, we tend to go back with wilder, scarier magic. I’ve met my share of us over the years.”

  “Us?” She stared at him.

  “We’re called changelings. Faerie children who were either traded for human children or sent away for our own protection. In your case, it was for your protection. Without the usual fae training, our skills develop—differently.”

  Great, she was even more of a freak. But he said us—was he a changeling, too? Maybe he understood her better than she thought. “So the king sent me away to enable my powers to develop into a unique wild version that wasn’t held back by training? He had to have at least suspected whose child I was. Did Aeryana let him send me away to keep me out of his clutches?”

  Nodding, he squeezed her hand. “That makes the most sense. She put her people first, always did. It was why she chose Henroyld when she was in love with Reance. She would have put you first, and that means she wants you to stay safe.”

  “This is insane, just fucking insane.”

  Toryn slammed his hand on the dash, startling her, and then he growled, “Henroyld must have suspected when your mother miraculously became pregnant. The bastard sent me on a wild goose chase and then sent the hounds after Reance. Reance, who was still weakened.” He dragged his hand through his hair. “I guess he survived but left the necklace to Aeryana so I’d think he was dead.”

  She hated to see Toryn hurting. Her father did that to him, and sure, he had his reasons, but damn. “I’m sorry.” She entwined her fingers in his, wishing there was something she could say or do to make it better.

  Frustrated, he shook his head, but she saw the unshed tears. “She told me how he supposedly died. He must have left you the day I came across the divide. I can’t imagine leaving your side for anything. He travelled a long, lonely road to keep you safe.”

  “The day you came was the last time I saw him. He would have killed Lance if my magic hadn’t,” she whispered, trying to block the images but it was too late.

  After telling the police everything she found in Lance’s journal, she was ready to leave. She wouldn’t have ever looked at the tattered book if it wasn’t for the smudges of blood she noticed when he hid it from her that morning, after being out all night.

  She initially suspected him of cheating, but what he was doing was far worse. Had she not found out when she did, she would have suffered the same fate as the women he’d been butchering.

  Isa hung up the phone and picked up her keys.

  As she turned, she came face-to-face with the man she had thought she was falling for. Or more accurately, was falling for, until learning the truth.

  A mask of rage transformed his boyish face. “You shouldn’t have told anyone.”

  “Had to,” she answered bravely, not daring to look away or show an ounce of the fear that chilled her to her core.

  He stepped closer, but she didn’t back down as she glared at him. She felt his breath on her skin as he snarled into her ear. “I didn’t want to mess up your pretty face or your perfect body. I wanted to keep you, and cherish you. Now, I’m afraid you’ve earned worse punishment.”

  Lance’s hand shot up, wrapping around her throat. She caught his wrist, and shoved her free hand into his chest, pushing him back.

  He cried out, his grip tightening as his body jerked and lurched forward, knocking her down. A look of hatred took hold as his eyes bugged out, the blood vessels popping, leaving the whites crimson.

  Then he collapsed, his hold falling as life left his body. She rolled him to the side, coughing as she struggled to fill her lungs with air.

  As she crawled away, she heard the slide of the window. Her red-haired angel stepped inside, knelt beside her and covered her throat with a gentle hand. He whispered words she didn’t understand but knew she had heard before.

  The pain faded, and she was able to draw a full breath again. He kissed her head, placed a device next to Lance’s body, then disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

  There were sirens, as she looked down at the thing on the floor. She picked it up, her eyes wide. It was a Taser, charred at the tip.

  Like Toryn, her father always planned ahead. Which led her to another puzzle. “I hope that knowing he planned this doesn’t change anything.” She wasn’t sure it could, but were their feelings real?

  Toryn shook his head and smiled back at her. “No. Besides, it doesn’t work that way. He may have seen it, but he doesn’t control the situation
. He wouldn’t have sent me to you if he thought I might hurt you.”

  “Yeah, ‘cause that worked out so well.” She sighed. Foster families weren’t usually happy places. A lot of bad stuff happened. But to be fair, it never got truly horrible.

  “I can’t imagine that was easy for him. I’m sure he did what he could for you without getting directly involved. He had to stay out of Henroyld’s view. He couldn’t be visible to those watching over you.”

  “There were others?”

  “No one who did a damned bit of good. Their only goal was to make sure you were alive. Nothing more. I think there may have been a few times Reance did more than it appeared.”

  She couldn’t argue because it was true. Memories flashed through her head—things Reance did to remove her from the worst situations before they escalated. He tried to avoid contact, but did what he could, behind the scenes.

  “Yeah. I’m sure it could have been a lot worse.” She gave Toryn a weak smile. “So what happens when we run into Henroyld?”

  “We won’t, at least not yet, not where we’re going. I have more contacts than the average faerie.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “That Henroyld won’t go to the people we will. He’s rather discriminatory, and you know me, I get along with everyone until I have a reason not to. The king and his little peon won’t dare go where we’re going, and they won’t expect me to either. I was raised in a town that didn’t shy away from anyone’s differences.”

  “Where was that?” she asked with curiosity.

  * * * *

  He took a deep breath and glanced over. “A small town in southern France, back in the 1500’s. It no longer exists. I wasn’t the only fae, but most were of the dark variety.” He snorted. “I still fit in because I could do things no one else could. Everything was fine until the witch hunters came.”

  Isa grimaced. “Sorry, that couldn’t have been good.”

  She had no idea. The witch hunters were vile, terrible people. They did things he had mostly shut out. Things he never once spoke of. “No, they took me away at fifteen. After they tortured and used me, they tried to burn me alive. Imagine their surprise when I absorbed the flames and used my own silver ones to burn through the ropes.”

  “You could have escaped, though,” she said in surprise.

  “Only to be tortured more and finally slaughtered another way when I confirmed their fears.” He shuddered. “It was a long time ago, Isa. You don’t want the details.”

  Her fingers threaded through his. “If you ever want to talk, I’ll listen. You’ve done that for me more often than I care to recall. Anything you need, I’ll give you.”

  He smiled back at her. “I know, but talking about that time of my life won’t help. It’s long since over.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “I left the courtyard in an inferno. I couldn’t control my magic, and it exploded when the first witch hunter threw a stone at me. No one survived, and I ran. Right into Reance.”

  Her grip on his hand tightened.

  “He absorbed my flames, helped me find my calm to squelch them. Reance was the one who brought me to Faerie. The one who explained what I was.” It wasn’t his fault the next part happened, but she needed to know that too.

  “My mother only told him where to find me, and that I would be an asset. Reance had already seen enough to know he could trust me, and he’s never been one to stand for someone suffering. He wanted to make things right.”

  “At least your mother sent someone for you.”

  His laugh was bitter, though her warmth reached him, wiping away the painful memories. “Sleep for now, Isa. I’ll answer all of your questions when we get somewhere safe.”

  “Safe?” She glanced at him, and he saw fear in her eyes for the first time. Apparently their situation was starting to sink in. “I’m beginning to wonder what safe is, but what specifically are you referring to?”

  “There are things they can send to track us. Creatures who could find us before Boise. You’re not ready to meet them face-to face yet. It would be best to avoid them if we can.”

  “Hellhounds?” She didn’t sound impressed, which was both good and bad. They were deadly and she wasn’t trained yet. She had been very lucky when she was seven, and he had every confidence she could pull it off again, but he didn’t want her to encounter one either.

  Still, hellhounds were the least of his concerns. “Doubtful. They would draw too much attention. A dragon is much more practical.”

  Her eyes had barely closed and they snapped open as she turned in her seat to face him. “Yeah, ‘cause no one is going to notice a giant fucking fire-breathing dragon flying straight at us.”

  He couldn’t help a smile. “Doubtful that a fire dragon would be sent. Earth is what I’m guessing. Remus can’t control one, though Henroyld can. He has an earth dragon who is loyal to him. But don’t worry about that now.”

  “You tell me to sleep when there may be a giant monster after us?” she muttered as she sat back in her seat, a look of shock on her face.

  Caressing her thigh, he murmured, “Please try. You are frazzled and near the edge. The awakening takes a lot of energy even under the best circumstances, and you have learned far more than I did my first time.”

  “I’ll try,” she said weakly, closing her eyes. He traced circles on her skin, urging her to relax, and before long, she did indeed fall asleep.

  Chapter 23

  It was dark when Isa opened her eyes in the strange bed. At least she was in a familiar and warm embrace. Even though the nightmare left Isadora trembling, she smiled because she wasn’t borrowing Toryn for comfort anymore. She actually belonged in his arms. Maybe she always had and that was why it always felt right.

  For a moment, she stayed, watching him sleep. He was so peaceful, and after driving for hours, she didn’t want to disturb his slumber.

  Her guess was they were near Boise. Toryn wouldn’t have stopped if it wasn’t safe.

  She placed a soft kiss on his lips before reluctantly leaving the bed. A shower might help her let go of the remaining fear from the nightmare. Turning the water as warm as she could stand, she stepped in, and placed her hands on the wall, leaning her head forward, and simply stood there for the longest time.

  Before she reached down to turn off the water, arms slipped around her waist.

  Startled, she screamed as she turned around to find Toryn’s sleepy grin.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you, but it was cold when you left the bed.”

  Isa felt his voice everywhere, warming and teasing her as much as the curve of his lips and his eyes travelled boldly down her body.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered, pressing herself against him.

  He pulled her close, running his hands down her back. “I should have said something.”

  “I’ll get used to this,” she purred into his ear. “Did you get enough sleep?”

  “I can sleep on the plane,” he promised in a tone that suggested they weren’t leaving until her carnal desires were sated.

  She took a step back, letting her eyes drift down every inch of him. “I’ve always loved to look at you with clothes on, but seeing you like this is better than anything I ever imagined.”

  His smile was wicked, “Oh, Isa, I’m nothing compared to you. You have all the right curves and angles.” He leaned into her. “Why do you think I always insisted on outfits I’d have to help you get into? I got to catch a sneak peek and it could be called innocent.”

  Wrong or not, that excited her. Sure, she had long, lean muscles, a nice rack, and a round firm ass. Her body was built to turn heads, but he was the perfect example of masculine beauty.

  She drew her fingers up his body, from his thighs to his chest, admiring every inch. The burning desire in his eyes took her by surprise.

  Embarrassed, she turned toward the wall to hide her blush. She knew he was hers, but it hadn’t totally sunk in.

  Toryn must have
thought it was an invitation, and maybe it was, because she felt his length glide against her slick heat, rubbing against her core. His fingers spread her further as he pressed against her, circling her clit.

  Her eyes closed, her hands splaying on the wall as he bent her forward enough to enter her on a slow glide that stole her breath. His chest moved against her back, his hand rasping her nipples as he took her. So good, so snug, so much sensation she was lost to him.

  He wasn’t even breathing hard when she flattened against the wall to catch her breath as the aftershocks rippled through her. So powerful, he easily turned her around, lifting her and pinning her against the wall. She could do nothing but wrap her legs around his waist, molding to his body.

  “Oh Toryn,” she whimpered.

  He filled her completely, taking his time, pushing her further, making her beg.

  She was floating on a sea of ecstasy with no shore in sight.

  Faster, he drove into her, his gasps getting harsher, more ragged. He moaned as he left hot suckling kisses up her neck, driving her crazy. She clung to him as he came, triggering another release. He held her there, against the wall.

  After what seemed like forever, she realized her teeth were chattering and she was shivering under the cold stream of water that poured over them, hot water long since out.

  He reached out to turn the faucet off with a wicked grin. “Sorry you’re cold. My only excuse is I needed you so bad I had to have you before we left.”

  “I’m yours, you can have me anytime you need me, want me, crave me.” She found the floor reluctantly, and climbed out on wobbly legs.

  “What I wouldn’t give to stay here with you and forget everything that’s coming.” His expression was so sad, and desperate.

  “What is it, Toryn?”

  His eyes delved into hers. “I never thought I could feel so much for one person. Not until you walked into my life and stole my heart. And as I got to know you, you sealed my fate, drawing me in, catching me in your web. I’m simply yours, at your mercy. I love you with every ounce of my being.”