Storm Chaser (Storms of Blackwood Book 3)

by Elle Middaugh

I squeezed my fist and clutched it to my chest.

  I love you, Asher Storm. Come back to me. I'm dying slowly without you.

  "Princess Alexis?" a voice asked, jarring me from my moment.

  I realized I'd been staring at the massive pile of flowers in the courtyard and that the voice was Reesa's.

  I cleared my throat and spun around. "Yes?"

  "Is everything all right?"

  "Yes, of course." I forced myself to smile.

  "Highness, if I might press..." She fiddled with the hem of her pale blue servant gown, her skin looking incredibly tan in comparison. "Are you distressed because something bad happened last night? I've been worried sick about you."

  This time my smile was genuine. It was sweet of her to worry. "Thank you for your concern, Reesa. But, no, nothing bad happened last night. The princes found me, and all was well."

  Her expression was still fretful, though, so I figured I'd better give her a few more details.

  "I'm just worried about someone. I haven't heard from him in a long time, and I'm afraid I might not see him again."

  The poor girl's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. No doubt she was wondering how the ever-loving fuck five guys weren't already enough to satisfy me. Well, duh, Sex Princess over here! But seriously, I couldn't have her thinking there were more men—even though there were.

  "He's an old friend," I assured her, which was at least a partial truth.

  That seemed to pacify her, though. She curtsied and left me alone once more in the courtyard. It didn't take long for the rest of the guys to filter in with their servants and carts—Cal, Ben, Rob, Dan... and finally, Criss.

  I was terrified to admit that my ridiculous heart skipped a beat when I saw him. It wasn't that I didn't still feel that way about my other Storms—because I most definitely did—it was just, I wasn't expecting to feel it toward that Storm. It was new, and dare I say it, sort of exciting.

  After saying a few words to his servant, Criss strolled over to me and clasped his hands in front of him, rubbing them anxiously. "Today's the day."

  I smiled and nodded. "Sure is."

  "I've been thinking about this a lot this week, so I have some ideas I want to run by you, if that's okay?"

  "What'd you have in mind?" I crossed my arms, inadvertently pushing up my breasts, which immediately caught his hazel gaze.

  Quickly, his eyes shot back up to my face, and he cleared his throat. "Um. Well. Pottery for one."

  I raised a brow. "Pottery?"

  "Yeah, well, I figured you enjoyed art since you went painting yesterday. And I like to use my hands, so I thought combining the two might be fun?"

  I'd rather see you "use your hands" on me.

  Zeus Almighty, Alexis, chill the fuck out.

  "Sure," I said with a smile as heat rushed up my neck. "That sounds great."

  "Cool," he replied with a grin. "I was also thinking about finding a bakery and sampling some chocolates?"

  "I'm definitely down for that."

  "Awesome." His grin widened and dimples appeared in both cheeks. "And then I thought you could choose something for us to do? Afterward, we could have a picnic dinner on the beach, away from the fray."

  I reached out and touched his arm, and anxious energy slammed into me like a heat wave. This schoolgirl crush I'd recently developed was absolutely absurd. I both hated and loved it.

  Cal paused in the middle of his conversation with his servant, his eyes locked on where my hand touched the newest Storm's skin. "You treat our girl right, Criss."

  "Of course I will," he promised immediately, and I withdrew my hand.

  "But not too right," Rob stipulated sternly.

  Criss took a deep breath and smiled. "Of course not."

  "Yeah, and if you could cut your date short so that it's my turn sooner, that'd be great too," Dan tacked on with a grin.

  Criss opened his mouth to say something then paused. "No, I can't even pretend to agree to that. Today's my day. You can have her tomorrow."

  Ben chuckled. "He'll probably come interrupt everything right in the middle like he did to Cal and me."

  "Hey," Dan said, crossing his arms in his own defense. "That was a kingdom-wide emergency. We all agreed it was important."

  "I know," Ben admitted. "But still, you totally fucked up our date. I think Cal and I should have another one before Dan gets his turn."

  "In favor," Cal said, raising his hand.

  "In favor," Rob agreed, grinning like the fucking devil he was. He just loved stirring the pot of dissention.

  "No," Dan said at once. "Fuck you, guys. We voted once already; no takebacks. Tomorrow's my day with Lexi, whether you assholes like it or not."

  Criss reached out and took my hand, pulling me toward the path that led away from the chateau and into the city.

  Rob pointed at our hands with a glower. "Three-foot rule."

  Criss sighed. "That's not a thing."

  "It is now," Rob decided. "You need me to tag along and enforce said rule?"

  I watched Criss roll his hazel eyes, never once loosening his hold on my hand. "I'm a prince, brother. I don't need a regent." Rob shot him a deadly glare, which somehow made him chuckle. "In all seriousness, man, just relax. I promise to be a perfect gentleman with her. I just want to get to know her better."

  "I regret this already," Rob muttered.

  "No takebacks," Criss said with a wide smile, mimicking Dan's words from a moment ago.

  "Godsdamn it," the Sea Prince muttered, shaking his head. "Using our words against us. I see how it is."

  Cal chuckled. "He acts just like us already."

  "Exactly." Dan waved us off before gathering a few servants to start the final orkyda bonfire. "I want this shit burned as soon as humanly possible. I don't want a single bloom left behind."

  "Aye, Your Highness. But what of the ashes?"

  As they discussed their fire plans, Criss and I slipped from the courtyard and made our way into Ebony City hand in hand.

  It was awkward at first. Unnatural. To be touching him in such a way. And yet, it felt good. Right. Like yet another piece of the Storms of Blackwood puzzle was fitting together.

  "So," he began, smiling brightly, "tell me about you. Who is Alexis Ravenel, really?"

  I chuckled softly. "Just a poor jewel miner from Blackleaf who ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or, the right place at the right time, if you believe in fate or whatever."

  I told him the story of how I'd received my powers; then I filled him in on everything that had happened in my life since. My mom being taken into the harem and tortured. Speedy being killed and reappearing as Asher/Adam. The Storm King hurting Gemma to manipulate me, then eventually killing her—gods, that still gutted me. I told Criss about falling in love with the guys. About our journey to Eristan and to the Lunaley—the land that he now technically ruled. He'd never seen it, so he asked for as many vivid details as possible. I recalled as much as I could, including the deadly chimeras that would have killed us if it weren't for Criss's addition to our blood bond.

  It was so easy to talk to him. I just opened my mouth and the words flowed like a river, and never once did I worry that he'd judge me or make me feel ashamed. In fact, the more we talked, the more I liked him—which was dangerous fucking territory. Until he got the approval of the guys, all of this was way too far up in the air.

  "What about you?" I asked, swinging our hands between us as we made our way to the bakery. "What's the real Chrissen Storm like?"

  He grinned and bit his bottom lip, making me yearn to bite it instead. Heat flared to life in my core, settling right between my legs. Leave it to my lady bits to make this all the more difficult.

  "I grew up in Blackhaven. Never knew my father," he began. "So when I was just a young boy, the local blacksmith took pity on me and agreed to train me. Said a man needed to know a trade or he wasn't worth a single jewel."

  I laughed. "I'm sure you'd be worth a hundred jewels, even if yo
u couldn't hammer out a sword."

  He glanced at me, and his smile softened. "Thanks."

  "Yeah, no problem. But just one thing."

  "What's that?"

  I shook my head as I thought. "The Storm King is sterile—or so the rumor goes. None of the Storm Princes are truly his kids. So, who's your real father?"

  Criss shrugged as if he couldn't care less. "No idea. Maybe the fucking blacksmith?"

  I laughed and bit my bottom lip. "Maybe."

  Criss pointed in front of us, and the bakery was suddenly within sight. "Ready to sample some treats?"

  "Absolutely."

  I wasn't sure if I was referring to him or the chocolates.

  After we'd filled ourselves to the brim with sweets, we made a couple coffee mugs at the pottery shop—Criss's was awesome; mine sucked. He assured me mine just had more character. And then we were on our way to my part of the date: Bargador's Books.

  "A bookstore, huh?" Criss asked as we stood outside the shop, eyeing the rows of books through the front glass.

  I nodded. "Yep. I love to read."

  "So do I, actually," he admitted.

  I had the sudden image of him naked on a mountaintop sipping whiskey and reading a naughty romance, the book just barely covering his junk.

  I shook my head. Snap out of it, Lex.

  "What kind of books do you enjoy?" he asked, as he held open the door for me.

  I stepped inside and beelined for the romance section. I grabbed the first racy cover I could find and wiggled it in his vision. "What do you think?"

  His cheeks flushed a gentle pink. "Erotica. Nice."

  I put a hand on my hip and pointed the book at his face. "They're not erotic. I mean, yeah, the sex scenes are steamy as fuck, but there's an actual plotline too. Sex is the perk, not the point."

  He grinned and nodded his concession. "I'll have to take your word for it."

  "Or maybe you'll just have to read one for yourself sometime," I challenged. "In fact, I dare you to read a passage from a novel of my choice at our picnic dinner tonight."

  "What? No way."

  "Oh, come on!" I practically begged. "Only I'll be there to hear you. There's no need to be afraid or embarrassed."

  "I'm not afraid," he argued.

  "Then take the dare."

  He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at me, and fuck if it wasn't sexy as hell. Heat once again flooded through my body, and I fought the urge to fan my face.

  "Fine. I accept your dare, but I offer you one in return."

  I cocked my head with confidence. "All right. Hit me with it."

  "I dare you to sit in my lap while I read it."

  I rolled my eyes and smirked. "You think I'm afraid of a boner? Pssh! Dare accepted."

  "I wasn't finished," he teased as we strolled through the aisles, scanning the books. "I dare you to sit in my lap and not kiss me."

  My heart leapt into my throat, and my pussy swelled. Pretty sure my panties were already wet.

  "All right," I began hesitantly. I wasn't so sure I wanted to take that dare, actually. But I wasn't one to back down from a challenge. "Humor me, though. What happens if I fail?"

  Criss leaned in so close his nose nearly brushed mine. "We'll discuss the terms of your failure if and when the need arises."

  Oh, fuck, I was so screwed. Hopefully not literally, because Rob would kill us both, but actually, I was secretly kind of hoping it would be literally. My body was definitely ready to take him for a test ride. And then probably a follow-up ride, just to be sure the first one wasn't a fluke. And maybe a third, because third time's the charm, right?

  Shut the fuck up.

  Instead of taking a healthy step back, like I should have, or bridging the gap between our lips, like I wanted to, I simply reached behind him and pulled a book off the shelf. Then I slid it between our faces. "This one. I want you to read this one to me."

  He leaned back and stared at the cover. "A Crown of Blood and Ashes. Sounds romantic."

  "Oh, it is," I assured him, waggling my brows.

  He snatched it from my grasp and tucked it underneath his arm. "All right, then. Let's get it. Any more books you'd like to purchase while we're here?"

  I sighed theatrically. "You know the way to a woman's heart, don't you?"

  He chuckled. "Yep. Books. Just run my finger down their spines, spread open their... pages... and bury my face in them until dawn."

  Holy shit.

  That was the sexiest inuendo I'd ever heard.

  This time, I really did fan my face. "It's hot in here. Are you hot?" Of course he was. "Let's get down to the beach and start that picnic. I think the ocean breeze will do us some good."

  He chuckled darkly, completely aware of how his words had affected me. Then he gestured to the checkout desk.

  "After you, Princess."

  Chapter 19

  Chrissen and I loaded up on fresh breads and fruits, aged cheeses and wines, and a few salted meats and sugary treats—for good measure. We also grabbed a thick blanket to sit on and a wicker basket to hold it all.

  By the time we neared the beach, the sun was cozying down beneath the horizon, preparing for sleep. There were a few bonfires blazing in the sand with different parties going on around each, a few couples making out in the shadows, and bunch of customers hanging out at The Salted Pearl.

  We bypassed all that noise, making our way through some of the natural stone archways of the cove before discovering a tiny strip of beach covered in soft white sand. It was quiet, aside from the gentle crash of the surf, and alone, aside from the countless stars shining up above.

  In other words, it was perfect.

  Criss set up our picnic spot while I skimmed my book in search of the perfect scene. I wanted to prove that the thing had a plot beyond the erotic, but I kind of wanted to tease him too; so I tried to find something in between. When I found the one I wanted, I placed the book's ribbon between the pages and snapped it shut.

  "Found the perfect passage, did you?" Criss asked with a grin as he sat down and began dishing out food.

  "I think so," I said, grinning back.

  It was weird, but I suddenly felt shy, like his opinion mattered to me all of a sudden and I wanted him to like me. I mean, the book. I wanted him to like the book... and me. Shit.

  After we each had a full plate, he pulled our handmade mugs from the basket and filled them each with wine. Both of them were striped; though, his lines were perfectly straight, and mine seemed to be drawn by a drunk toddler. His stripes were nautical perfection: navy blue and pure white. Mine were a bleeding mixture of dark teal, turquoise, aquamarine, and eggshell blue. Whatever. As long as the damned things held their fluids, that was the important part.

  I popped a cube of cheese into my mouth and smiled. "I had a really nice time with you today."

  He grabbed a strawberry and did the same. "Likewise. But it's not over yet. Don’t rush it."

  I shook my head, and longing filled my chest like a physical weight. The same could be said of our relationship, and I couldn't allow myself to rush that either. "I wouldn't dream of it."

  He grabbed another strawberry and dropped it into his mouth. "Good. Because I have more questions."

  Chuckling, I leaned back on an elbow and grabbed a few grapes. "Ask away, Your Highness."

  "Thank you, Your Highness," he said with a mock bow. I bowed my head in return, and we both chuckled before the mood turned suddenly serious. "What's your favorite color?"

  I burst out laughing, not expecting such a lighthearted question. "I don't know. Blue? Green? I used to see nothing but brown dirt and damp black rock for most of my life. It was always such a blessing to see the sky or the leaves."

  "Who'd you lose your virginity to?" he asked, without missing a beat.

  I rolled my eyes. Of course he'd ask a sex-related question. "A guy named John. He was okay looking, I suppose. Kind of a dickhead, honestly, but I was just so fixated on the act of having sex that I really
didn't care who it came from. I didn't like him much—definitely didn't love him—and the sex was super subpar. After it was over, I wondered why steamy romance books existed at all."

  Criss burst out laughing, so I threw a grape at his head.

  "What about you, jerk face? Who'd you blow your load into after a whole minute of painful penetration?"

  He laughed a bit longer then wiped some tears from his eyes. "Touché. My first time was a lot like yours. Okay-looking girl, no love involved, just wanted to know what sex felt like." He shrugged.

  "What was her name?"

  "Janis."

  "Janis?" I asked, feeling irrationally jealous all of a sudden. "That sounds like the name of a hippopotamus. Was she big and gray and mostly hairless?"

  "Hades, you're feisty right now." He reached out and pulled me into his lap, wrapping his hands around my waist. "Are you jealous?"

  I scoffed, pushing my hands between our chests in an attempt to keep my sanity.

  You can't have him, Alexis. Not until the guys agree.

  "Of course I'm not," I argued. "She just sounds like a big-nosed, river-dwelling thunder-cunt, that's all."

  He burst out laughing again and shook his head. "Let's not talk about her." He unwound his arms from my waist and slid them up my sides. "In fact, while we're here in this exact position, why don't I read you a book?"

  My breath hitched as I realized he was hard beneath me. I was literally sitting on his boner, and though I swore it wouldn't affect me, it totally was. I found myself longing to grind into it, to tease him and experience him to the fullest. But there was sadness there too, because I knew I couldn't.

  I leaned over and grabbed the book, threading my hands behind his neck as he opened it to the bookmarked page.

  "I watched intently as his brows furrowed," Criss read. "Then his jaw clenched, lined in sexy stubble. His hand slowly slid across his bare chest to where the arrow was lodged. When his fingers brushed the carbon fiber shaft, his eyes instantly snapped open. Beautiful hazel eyes, tropical blue mixed with mint green—they drew me in even as those eyes darted over to me, confused as fuck and maybe even a little panicked. He ripped the arrow from his chest."