Her face fell. “I wish there was something I could do about that, but there isn’t. He’s a big boy, and there is someone out there for him.”
“He’ll find his happiness. I’ve seen her, though I’ve never met her.”
“Then why the hell are you worried?” she asked with wide-eyes.
“I never thought I’d have you. It’s hard to believe,” he admitted.
* * * *
Isa turned her chair to lean into Toryn’s side. It amazed her that he could be insecure. He was everything to her, and the only reason she hadn’t lost her marbles by now.
She felt her uncle. It started shortly after Tiffany disappeared, but now she knew he was close. In fact, she looked up and watched him walk into the bar.
For a second she wished she could glamour herself and Toryn to avoid him completely, but she needed to deal with him quickly and efficiently.
“Don’t look now, but he’s coming. Let me talk. I have a plan.” She smiled as her eyes flicked toward Remus and back.
Toryn drew a slow breath but nodded.
Remus walked right up to her, and held his hand out as if he planned to pull her to him.
“No, you won’t be touching me. You came to make sure I’m all right, which I am.”
Remus dropped his hand and looked her over slowly, as if he was studying a new toy. Her skin crawled as she thought about the brief things she saw in his past.
“You finally found reason, and came back to the fold?” Remus asked snippily.
Isa laughed. “No, but I had time to think and I’m ready to meet my parents.” She could only hope he didn’t realize she knew who her father was.
“Henroyld can meet us at my place within the hour.”
“Oh no, that’s not how this will work. I want to meet with the king and queen together. Not separately. I will not meet either until I can see them both.”
“Plans have changed, and Toryn has new orders as of now.” Remus turned his attention to Toryn. “You are to bring the princess to my home this moment.”
Isa cleared her throat, remembering one very clear bit of memory. “You can stop right there. Toryn’s orders come from one of three people. Henroyld, Aeryana, or myself. Not you.”
“You would defy the king?” Remus demanded of Toryn.
Toryn smiled. “I’m not. He told me directly to only take orders from himself, Aeryana, and Isadora in the event she went through her awakening. Not to take orders from you, or anyone else. I know how to contact the king and queen and will do so shortly after returning home.”
“Whose home?” Remus demanded.
“Mine,” Toryn answered simply, but squeezed Isa’s hand.
Isa said, “Now you can go.”
Remus sneered, “I want to reconnect with my niece. I want to learn you.”
She fought back the shudder, and felt Toryn tense. “Now isn’t the time. If you push this, you’ll find yourself in a dungeon somewhere.”
“For now, I’ll leave you be, but know I will not allow you to deny what was promised me long ago.”
“It’s not your decision, Remus. I won’t be given away like a prize, and I don’t care what the king thinks.”
“You stupid little girl,” he hissed.
Isa flicked her hand in Remus’ direction, sending a gust of power at him. He stumbled back. “Leave my establishment before this escalates into a scene. One you aren’t likely to walk away from.”
“Toryn, talk reason into your charge. She needs to meet with the king. Now!”
“No, that didn’t come from his mouth directly, but yours. Until I hear from him, I won’t be taking her to the king without the queen’s presence.”
Remus spun on his heel and stormed out.
Lana clapped but Isa realized no one had taken notice of the tiff. With a wink, Lana explained, “I worked a bit of magic to keep everyone unaware of the conversation.”
“Thanks.”
“You okay?” Lana asked quietly.
Isa nodded. “Will be. We should go though.”
Toryn leaned forward to speak to Lana, “A Silver Council Enforcer will be by to pick up Tiffany. Don’t be surprised, and all you need to tell Remus is that someone made a complaint about her to the Council.”
Lana’s eyes widened. “I take it I shouldn’t ask?”
Isa shook her head. “For now, it’s better if you don’t know.” Her smile was grim as she laid down some cash and stood with Toryn at her side. “I’m not ready to come back to work yet, but soon.”
“Take your time. We’ll survive without you for a few more days.”
“Even without Tiffany?” Isa asked with a snort.
“She’s kind of worthless. I’ll be glad to see her go.”
Chapter 40
Toryn smiled as they stepped outside. “Coffee?”
“Mmm, sounds perfect,” Isa answered, then frowned. “You said you were going to your house.”
He shook his head. “I said I was going home.”
“Which is your house,” she pointed out.
“My home is wherever you are, Princess,” Toryn corrected.
Her smile warmed. “So you really can’t lie?”
A laugh escaped his lips. “Finally caught onto that fact?”
Her head dipped in a nod. “Remus can’t either, can he?”
“Nope, but his version of reality is a bit warped.” Toryn lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “What leaves his mouth is his version of the truth, or what he believes.”
“Great. He wants to reconnect with me.”
“Don’t worry. I will never let that happen.”
“How about Reance or Aeryana? Can they lie?”
He gave her a thoughtful look. “Reance can’t flat out lie, but I believe Aeryana can. However, Reance is really good at twisting things when he needs to.”
“Good to know, but why can I, and even my mother, when the rest of you can’t?”
Toryn gave her a smile. “Genes, I guess. It’s the same way some of us have no reaction to iron, but it burns others. Or how you can manipulate all elements, but I can only manipulate fire. It’s all in what you inherit from your parents.”
“Your mother is a Storm Mistress, but what about your father? Why can’t you do more?”
“I’m told my father was a pureblood Fire fae. He tried to trap my mother in a relationship for power by getting her pregnant. When she wouldn’t cooperate, he sent me to France when I was an infant.”
“Why didn’t she come for you sooner?”
He shrugged. “She killed him in a rage when he wouldn’t tell her where he stashed me. It took Remus and his people years to find me.”
“So you inherited your mother’s resistance, but your father’s offensive magic?”
“That’s why I’m not a Storm Master. My father’s blood was pure fire, and my mother’s an equal mix, leaving me out of balance.”
“I don’t need a Storm Master. I only want my knight.”
They stepped into the café, and were greeted by Brent who looked up with a smile. The air around him seemed to shimmer with a thousand colors, shadows seemingly rising and falling around him, but a light held them back.
She realized she was looking at his aura, and the spirits trying to speak to him. Her mouth opened but shut as the words died on her tongue.
“Finally through the awakening, Isa?” Brent asked with his normal good humor.
She nodded. “I guess I didn’t realize I was seeing auras until I saw what was lurking in yours.”
He chuckled. “I keep them at bay. That’s the hassle of being part sorcerer. I attract all manner of entities, but I’m very careful about which I work with.”
She nodded, not sure she actually understood. “So, are you clairvoyant as well?”
Toryn laughed. “Brent is a mish-mash of races. Siren, sorcerer, warlock, fae, mage, and who knows what else is hidden in his bloodline.”
“Ah, but my skill with spirits is stronger than most, though clairvoyanc
e isn’t far behind. I dabble in everything, but I’m not good at most.”
“I’m not judging,” Isa offered lamely.
“You never have. Let me make your coffee.”
She grinned, he already knew what they drank.
Toryn pulled her close and nodded up the stairs. “I’m going to get our seats. I trust Brent, and you’ll be in view the entire time. I need to make that call.”
“Sure. And don’t stress, I know right where you’ll be and I can always see your face, regardless.”
His brow arched but he started for the stairs.
* * * *
Toryn took his seat where Isa was in full view. He wasn’t worried in the coffee shop, and he wasn’t sure how much of this conversation he wanted Isa to hear.
He dialed the number the Silver Council Magister gave him when they investigated Zamal’s room.
Preston Emrys answered quickly. “Toryn Flame?”
“That’s correct. Tiffany Alman will be off in the next hour. Please make sure to pick her up before Remus Arc does.”
The mage practically growled, “Of course, though I don’t understand why you wanted to wait after you found evidence she was being abused.”
“Fae politics are involved, and your people won’t be willing to hand the culprit over if you catch him. I want him permanently off the streets, and I want him to pay for the crimes he’s committed over centuries, not only on Earth, but also in Faerie.”
“In that case, I shouldn’t have him tracked and taken in?” There was an air of understanding in his tone this time. “Though if Remus is stupid enough to show up at his residence, I will be forced to do exactly that. I will find a way for you to take him off our hands though.”
“Good to hear, however he’d simply disappear on you,” Toryn replied.
“Perhaps, but I am capable of tracking anyone, and some of us don’t mind who metes out the punishment, as long as he pays for the crimes he’s committed.”
“We’re better prepared to deal with him than you. I do appreciate your cooperation.”
“I’ll make you a deal, Toryn. If I find solid proof that lands him on your side of the jurisdiction, and I manage to capture him, I’ll gladly hand him over. You sound like a man who wants him to pay.”
Toryn smiled. Something about this guy’s attitude jived with his own. “Against orders?”
Preston snorted. “Someone willing to abuse women needs to be dealt with by the strictest laws and punished to the fullest extent. I’ll be honest, I don’t trust the Council to do that this time.”
“I assure you, he will be dealt with once we have him. He’ll be brought before Queen Aeryana tomorrow.”
“I won’t ask, because I trust you. Tiffany Alman will be taken in, and we’ll do everything we can to restore her health, both physical and mental.”
“Thank you. I truly appreciate it.” Toryn hung up without going into more detail. He had a feeling Aeremaius chose Tiffany because of his brief sexual interlude with her.
Isadora hurried up the stairs and took a seat beside him with a crooked smile. “Here you go. Your call go well?”
He nodded. “Tiffany will be picked up before she’s off.”
“Good, now, we should discuss dinner. And I have a great suggestion.” She grinned, leaning closer. “I vote we go back to my place and order pizza. Then we can spend the rest of the night doing exactly what we want.”
“Sounds like a plan. I will need to contact the emissary from there.” He placed his hand on her thigh as she leaned against him.
Her eyes met his. “You do know that I won’t always want to stay in, right?”
“Oh, I know. I plan to keep you busy for months after how good you’ve been this last week. Until you beg me to take you home and keep you there a while.”
* * * *
Remus pulled up as Tiffany climbed into a black Maserati with that damned mage. There were four other Council Enforcers in the vicinity or he would have taken his chances with the bastard who was chasing after his daughter.
He was tempted to track down Toryn, but both Isadora and Toryn pointed out that his instructions were still the same because Toryn had effectively managed to avoid Henroyld without breaking any direct order.
That set his plans back, and so did the fact they were playing by technicalities. Isadora still hadn’t given any indication she’d lied when telling Lana they went to Florida. She had a temper, but he wasn’t sure she had it in her to pulverize Zamal the way the shaman had. And it couldn’t have been gender reversal, because Toryn had no trace of earth magic.
So far, nothing had gone to plan. Isadora was too smart for her own good. She still trusted that lowlife fire fae who was far beneath her. He didn’t understand how that was possible, even with her father. Toryn was nothing but the hired hand.
He kept driving, heading back home. It looked like he missed his chance to break his toy after all.
Once again, he dialed his daughter, hoping she would actually prove useful, but lately she effectively avoided him. That couldn’t last forever.
Chapter 41
“Do you trust her that much?” Alenathos hissed. He stood there in his human guise. Toryn had seen him several times over the years, but never realized who he was.
“Of course I do.”
“Even though she never once healed anyone?”
His vision of the future came back to him. Toryn could see himself holding their child under the sterquan trees overlooking the Cerulean Sea. He had to be alive for that to happen, which meant Isa would heal him.
He smiled cruelly. “She’s my mate. If you require her to prove she loves me, and only me, to help her, then so be it. She will save me.”
“Will she?” Alenathos taunted. “You aren’t always right, Toryn.”
“She will. I have faith.”
“I’m sorry to do this. It will either prove me right, or she will kill me.”
“She may anyway. Isadora already despises you. This will make it worse.”
“We’ll see when you’re dying on the ground.” Alenathos shifted to the water serpent, his barbed tail striking out, ripping into Toryn’s gut.
He clutched the wound as he fell. Waves of pain crashed over him. Then he felt her coming closer. She screamed at the dragon as she dropped to her knees beside him.
Toryn stared up at her through blurry eyes. Still so beautiful.
“Why?” she whispered brokenly, her hands on his mangled body.
“You will save me.”
Her laugh was full of pain as she closed her eyes and took great gasping breaths.
Alenathos’ laugh echoed around them. “I knew you didn’t love him, princess.”
Her eyes flared open, and instead of the vibrant glittering green, they were blinding silver. Her hands flattened on Toryn’s wounds and heat radiated from her. The pain fading, his skin mending.
Toryn took a gasping breath. “Told you,” he smiled up at her.
She shook her head as she rose to her feet and stepped over Toryn. With every step the sand and wind whipped around her as dark clouds formed feet above her. Fire and lightning danced up her arms. “You’ve made a grave mistake!” she shouted at Alenathos.
Toryn woke with a start, his phone buzzing on the nightstand. He swiped it up. There was a text from an unknown number.
Come to Alki at noon. We need to talk before I give your princess what she needs. Come alone. Alenathos.
He knew what had to happen. It would break Isa’s heart.
Isa curled tighter around him. “Where do you think you’re going?” she murmured drowsily.
“Checking my messages.” He turned toward her, lying down again.
Fingers drifted up his side trailing tantalizing sparks. Her magic flowed over him seductively. “Who now? The emissary isn’t coming until three this afternoon. Make love to me.”
“Mmm, I’m happy to make love to you,” he purred as he rolled on top and pushed her thighs open. Her legs hooked around
his hips as she shifted her slick heat against his already throbbing length. “You are the best thing to wake up to.”
“Ditto. And no more wake-up calls at dawn.”
“Means I can keep you up all night making love.”
“Yes, please. Now use that morning wood.”
He grinned, shifting his hips to press into her. Her emerald eyes fluttered shut as they flashed silver. Her nails hooked into his shoulders and he felt the warm flames licking against his skin as she took him in.
“One,” she moaned.
“Us?” he asked breathlessly.
She nodded. “We’re one, that’s never changing.”
“Never,” he promised, pulling out to glide in again. Her back arched, her breasts pressing into him as he drove her pleasure, slowly building his own.
“Don’t stop, don’t tease, keep going,” she demanded.
“As you wish, Princess.”
“And harder,” she groaned.
He indulged, pushing his tempo faster, causing her body to undulate as he unleashed his own magic to flow with hers.
“Oh, yes,” she cried before meshing her mouth over his, taking his breath as he took her over the edge and spiraled with her.
Her sparks and flames swirled over him, sinking into his skin as his flames danced over her flesh before melding into her. Toryn felt the spark growing inside him, binding them further.
Fear flicked through him. He didn’t want to terrify his one true love. The meeting with Alenathos had to take place if he wanted to make sure the dragon did as he said he would. He wasn’t sure he believed it would help in the end, but Isa did.
Toryn rolled to his side, pulling her close. “I love you, Isadora. No matter what happens, I’m yours and I will always strive to make you happy.”
Looking into his eyes, she smiled. “You already have. What has you worried?”
“I need to meet someone who can bring evidence to this meeting. It would be best if you met my mother and Sammy at the Monsoon later. Do you trust me?”
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