Licking her lips, she shook her head. “Oh, you don’t need to do that.”
“Hush, you earned it.” He beckoned her to come closer.
Resisting was futile, she knew she would enjoy what he wanted to give. She moved to him, and shifted to lay back against his strong chest.
“That’s better,” he whispered against her ear. “I’ve missed you all day.” His arms wound around her. “This, right here, is exactly where you belong.”
“I hope you mean in your arms, and not in this house.”
“My arms.” His big hands worked her shoulders, and his voice took on a serious note. “Why? Do you not feel safe here?”
“I do. I’m not asking to leave yet. For one, I need to learn what Morrigan can teach me, but I miss Seattle. And if we stay gone too long, I worry Remus will go after my friends.”
“You’re right, but I have people watching them. We’ll know before they do.”
“Doesn’t sound like you want to go back,” Isa cautiously pointed out.
“I never want you in danger. And don’t give me that look. I know we have to go back, and I know you will be capable of fighting your own fights. But you’re crazy if you think I won’t hate seeing you in danger.”
“That’s all part of being my own personal knight,” she teased.
He nibbled at her neck. “I need to be your man. I don’t care about the rest.”
“I’m yours, and I think it’s time you give me something good.”
His mouth slid over hers, his tongue sliding in, stealing her breath before pulling away. “I’ll take care of you. Always.”
“I know you will.”
“And Isa, one day, we do wind up in Faerie. I’ve seen it.”
She sighed. “Am I happy there?”
“Very, but it’s not anytime soon.”
She turned to him with a smile. “As long as you’re with me, and I’ve wrapped my head around everything, then it makes sense.” Sighing, she lifted a shoulder. “My one requirement is that you’re with me.”
“I am, Princess. Now, how sore are you?” he purred.
“Not at all,” she murmured, though it was a tiny white lie.
Toryn’s arms slid under her as he stood and carried her out of the tub, through their room, to the balcony overlooking the beach below.
He gracefully climbed into the hammock and laid her out before moving over her and smiling down.
She trailed her fingers down his body to his hard length as she closed her hand over him. His eyes slid closed on a groan and he dipped his head for a slow kiss.
He rolled to his side, bringing her leg over his hip and pushed her hand away. “I want in you, not your hand, Princess.” He slid in.
“Made for you,” Isa moaned as her body moved with his. She shifted her hips and he hit the sweet spot. “Oh, there,” she cried.
His mouth covered hers as his hand caressed down her side to lock onto her hip, holding her where he wanted, he moved to glide over that patch of nerves until her whole world erupted in white hot sparks, bringing him with her.
* * * *
Toryn held Isadora close as the sun set. She slept peacefully in his embrace. He trailed his fingers over her skin, pushing healing energy at her. She’d flinched while he made love to her. Probably hadn’t even noticed how sore she was.
He smiled to himself when she snuggled closer. The wind picked up, causing her to shiver. Toryn added heat to his touch, chasing away the chill.
“Mmm, you’re going to spoil me.”
“You were sore,” he whispered.
She shrugged. “Not too sore to make love to my knight.”
“Mmm, but I can fix sore muscles with a touch, if you’ll let me.”
Isa sighed. “Morrigan says I should be able to do that myself. She’s wrong. I tried, and nothing.”
“It’ll come to you.”
“Everything else comes easily. Healing and I got nothing.”
“You’re trying too hard.” He traced his fingers over her cheek, staring into her eyes. “Believe me, I couldn’t heal until it was that or watch a friend die. Sometimes, you need the proper motivation for that magic to come roaring to life.”
“Oh?” Isa frowned. “Who?”
“Your father.” He chuckled. “It was soon after my awakening. He took me away from the citadel, against my mother’s wishes.”
Isa sat up with fire in her eyes. “Did she hurt him?”
“No, oh no, it wasn’t her. His sister sent her pet dragon after him. I nearly killed Alenathos then.” He sighed. “I was too inexperienced to end him, but he left wounded.”
“Was Saressa always like that?”
“Off and on. She knew I would help your father do many things, so she wanted me for herself.” He grinned at Isadora’s fury, and added, “As a tool, Princess. No hunting the crazy bitch down right now. I haven’t seen the woman in over a century, and I’m sure she’s given up on me ever being under her rule.”
“Fine, but she better stay away from you. And if she ever hurts anyone I care about again…” She shook her head, her eyes narrowing. “I suppose it’s stupid of me to be worried about a woman I’ve never met, and will likely never meet.”
He wished that were true, but he had a feeling when Isa took Saressa’s pet away, she would once again be a target.
“Isa, my job is to protect you. Not the other way around. I’m certain your father would agree.”
“Please tell me you and your buddies aren’t all sexist pigs. I have yet to get that impression, but with statements like that, I have to wonder.”
“No, not at all. However, you are mine, and I will protect you. And feed you.” He traced his finger around her belly button. “You must be starved by now.”
“Mmm, I am.” She climbed from the hammock to grab his shirt. “Think she’s home? Or can I go down like this?” She winked, pulling the fabric over her body. The hem barely covering her delectable ass.
“Morrigan will leave us be. She went out for more information.” The smile slid from his face. “I have to keep reminding myself she knows what she’s doing.”
“I hope so at thousands of years old.” Isa shook her head and let out a nervous laugh. “I hope you still love me when I’m that old.”
“I’m confident I will. Now let’s go get something to eat, before I give in to temptation and have you for dessert.”
“We could do that first,” Isa offered.
“No. By the time I’m through with you, you won’t want to move, let alone eat.”
“Oh, well let’s get dinner out of the way and then get to the good stuff.”
Chapter 30
Two days had come and gone. Reports from Morrigan and Leon indicated Isa was learning at record speeds. Toryn decided it was time to see what his princess could do for himself. Before she woke, he slipped out of bed, dressed, and went down to find Morrigan making breakfast.
“Morning, Toryn.” She wore a knowing smile.
He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I want to watch today. While you train her.”
“Excellent. It’s time for you to work with her. First, she needs to see what you’re capable of, and then you two will be weaving spells together.”
Toryn’s heart thumped in his chest. He was worried he was going to frighten Isa when he started to cast at her. His hands were wrapped around the counter as he stared at his mother, trying to let go of the fear.
“She has to learn. You know as well as anyone that is true. Besides, I think she’ll surprise you. She’s stronger than I imagined. With her bravado, I thought she was hiding weakness, but now I think it hides her insecurity. The strength is there, but she’s not always sure of herself.”
He nodded, taking a deep breath. “Did you harm her?”
“Of course not. Relax. She casts before she thinks. As soon as she sees, or even feels a spell, she counters, or shields herself. Her instinct is incredible.”
Isa snorted. “Don’t know about that.”
She stood in the doorway, tying her hair into a knot. “Don’t worry, other than singeing my favorite pair of jeans, she hasn’t harmed me.”
Toryn smiled at her. “Did you hear the whole plan?”
“Yup. I’ll be fine. Give me your best shot.”
* * * *
After breakfast, Isadora followed Morrigan outside. Toryn was right behind her. She felt the shift in elements as her feet hit the patio and ducked, raising her hands above her head. A wall of ice materialized before her, blocking the wave of water.
Toryn gasped. She looked over her shoulder to find Toryn dripping wet. His brow arched, his lips pursed, but he couldn’t suppress the twinkle in his eyes.
“Sorry,” she squealed sheepishly, and darted from behind the shield to dash into the trees.
Morrigan laughed out loud. “I told you not to worry about Isadora. She’s ahead of the game.”
Isa wasn’t so sure about that. She ducked behind a tree and peeked around to see a fireball hurtling toward her. She brought a wall of dirt around herself and took a deep breath. The impact of Toryn’s spell hitting the wall made her heart jump.
“Wait! Time out. Before this gets too crazy, I need to know what I’m dealing with. Last thing I want is to hurt Toryn.”
Morrigan chuckled. “He’s immune to anything you might throw at him. I can handle myself. Do what you need to, because that’s what I expect of you.”
“Right. That’s… oh so very… helpful,” Isa grumbled as she hid behind her shield. Toryn’s magic was rooted in fire, so she gathered her courage and summoned the energy. She spun a ball of fire laced with lightning.
Standing, she turned toward Toryn who was running in her direction.
She threw the spell, but he caught it, letting the magic dance over his hands and up his arms as he reached toward her with his own flames growing.
Isa caught his hands, pulling his magic into her as she flicked her gaze to the pond. Concentrating, she focused the water into a wave that rose up and over him. She darted back, whispered the words to freeze the water in tendrils around him, not quite touching Toryn.
“Damn. A fucking ice cage!” He grinned at her. “You don’t really think it’s going to hold me, do you?”
She heard the crackle of lightning and whipped the spell back at Morrigan before climbing up the nearest tree.
Toryn shattered the ice and started chanting as his hands landed on the trunk.
The heat of the flames reached for her. Panicked, Isa wrapped her hands around a branch and channeled her energy. The fire whooshed out and the bark started to mend.
The branches shifted in the chaotic growth, flowers sprouting and blooming everywhere. Then Isa fell and landed hard, the wind knocked out of her as she stared up at what had been an oak.
Toryn let out a surprised laugh. “Stop showing off.”
When she didn’t get up he ran to her. “Shit, Isa, I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, gasping for breath. “I didn’t… I don’t… know…”
Morrigan sighed. “Let her catch her breath and she’ll be fine.”
Isa nodded.
Toryn placed a hand over her chest and one on her face with his eyes closed. She felt his magic flow into her as air filled her lungs.
Grabbing his wrist, she turned her head to kiss his pulse point. “Thank you.”
“I’m—” he started.
She sat up, gripped the back of his neck and kissed him hard as she flung her hand out, forming a shield of fire and lightning to block the spell Morrigan threw at them.
When she pulled away, she smirked. “No more apologies. I fell out of the damned tree because I—” she looked up and couldn’t help laughing, “—warped the hell out of it.”
“No. You morphed it into a sterquan tree, which is actually pretty amazing.”
Isa looked up again, one eyebrow arching as she did. “I changed it from an Earth tree to a Faerie one?”
“Looks that way.” Toryn laughed, hopped to his feet and offered his hand.
* * * *
By lunchtime, Isa was sweating right along with Toryn. A wall of dazzling blue electricity and flames wrapped tight around them, absorbing every spell Morrigan threw.
Scotty’s stunned gasp was followed by, “Fucking abyss, that’s impressive.”
Isa grinned but didn’t break her concentration.
Morrigan threw her hands up in frustration. “They’re all yours, boys.” She stalked off toward the house.
Isa dropped the shields the same time Toryn did. Before she sank to her knees, Toryn scooped her up and carried her to the picnic table.
“Isa, why didn’t you tell Morrigan you were tired,” he chided.
Isa sighed. “If the shit hits the fan, I’m not going to get to take a break because I’m tired. May as well get used to pushing past my comfortable limits.”
“She has a point,” Scotty replied.
Toryn stepped back, pushing his fingers through his hair. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Isa laughed. “I’m fine. I’m not passing out or anything.”
He nodded, coming back to her. “We eat before we get to physical training.”
Leon shook his head. “You worry too much. You’re the one who wanted her trained.”
He nodded. “Yes, that was before I caused her to lose her breath.”
“That was my fault,” Isa corrected, nodding toward the sterquan tree. “I uh… climbed it and um…”
“Transformed it into a sterquan tree when she fixed the damage from my fire,” Toryn added tersely.
Isa shrugged. “I’m the idiot who climbed it. I didn’t know it was going to do that.”
Scotty stood there gaping. “Shit, it grew ten feet.”
“That’s why I fell out of it. I wasn’t expecting vertical gain,” Isa told him, then looked at what Leon held. “So, food?”
Leon lifted a bag and a tray with coffee. “We have you covered.”
“Mmm, you’re a lifesaver,” Isa slid into a seat as Leon placed a coffee in front of her and handed over a sub.
Scotty pointed to the food. “Eat up. Toryn is going to stick around for at least a portion of our training.”
Picking up her sandwich, she directed her attention at Scotty. “Is that why you’re here? To train me?”
Switching to business mode, Scotty answered, “In part. I also brought information. Turns out your apartment was sacked by Aeremaius and his flunky, Zamal, looking for some important fae artifacts. None of which they found.”
“I don’t have anything like that,” Isa insisted.
“You’re wearing one now.” His brow arched at Toryn. “I have a feeling you know where the other is.”
A grim expression passed over Toryn’s face. “I do, but let’s not worry about that right now.”
Dipping his head in a nod, Scotty added. “Your apartment is cleaned up, everything in its place, thanks to some handy magic from Lonny.”
“You all are amazing. Thank you,” Isa grinned.
“They didn’t take anything?” Toryn asked.
“Nope, but we know they raided her place. I’m glad Isa wasn’t there when they were. Aeremaius seemed quite interested in some of Isa’s more personal items.” Scotty coughed. “Don’t worry, he didn’t touch. If he had, we would have done real cleaning.”
Isa shuddered. “Way to creep me out. I could have lived without that bit.”
* * * *
After lunch, Leon convinced Toryn to spar with Isa. Toryn both loved and hated every second. Loved, because she was adapting and adjusting with every new thing she learned. Hated, because he knew she would need to know it.
Isa rarely made a direct move, choosing to counter, shield, evade, or turn an attack. She was smart, and already knew the guys were stronger and more experienced. Instead of going for broke, she calculated and planned before reacting.
A couple hours into her training, Toryn waited for her to come at him. She stood there, loose, but ready. S
taring at him, but not making a move.
“You’re going to have to learn that sometimes offense is the best defense,” Toryn taunted.
“Oh, I know that, and I love being on my back under you, but not while sparring,” she returned.
He grinned, immediately picturing her in that very position as he thrust into her.
She blurred forward, taking his wrist as she twisted it up and around his back and brought her foot around his shins to pull his legs out from under him. He fell face-first to the ground, her weight landing on his back.
“You wanted offensive?” There was a smirk in her voice.
Toryn grunted. “Better, but…”
He took a breath and closed his eyes as his body became a puff of smoke. Reforming, he spun Isa, pinning her. “Remember, some of us aren’t so easy to contain.”
Her lips pursed and there was a spark in her eyes. Then she was gone and he landed face first. There was a crackle and he rolled over to find himself trapped in a magical dome.
“Who taught you that trick?” Toryn asked.
She shook her head. “No one, but if you are Mr. Fire, and I’m supposed to master all the elements, I can do air. Less obvious than a puff of smoke.”
“We’re supposed to be fighting, not playing with magic,” Leon quipped.
Isa shrugged, flicking her wrist, and the shield disappeared.
Toryn shot up, going straight for her, but she whisked to the side and ducked before Scotty could join the fray and grab her. He saw her wince as she stood, but she walked back to the table for some water.
“Isa, sit,” Toryn commanded.
“Pshh, I’m thirsty,” she insisted.
His teeth ground together as his brow arched. “You don’t need to push yourself so hard.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Isadora, please, sit for a moment. Take a break.”
She shook her head, gulped some water and shrugged. “It’s early still. I need to learn, so we don’t have to stay forever.”
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