Page 24 of Awakening Storm

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When Aidan heard waterrunning in the bath, he wondered if he should retrieve Rhianna’s things now instead of in the morning, if for no other reason than so she could have a fresh change of clothes. The sun had already set as his eagle flew out of the opening near the waterfall and soared over the island. It felt good to expend the energy that had been coiled inside him all day. He executed a wide circle around the area, surveying it for any sign of Theodora. He saw none.

As he landed near Rhianna’s satchel, he changed seamlessly into his human form. Still no sorceress, but that didn’t mean she’d left. He grabbed the bag and slung it over one shoulder. It only weighed about twenty pounds or so, he guessed, and he wondered what she’d brought with her. His mind conjured up the image of lacy underthings like the ones he’d seen in movies, and the thought of her in them awakened a sleeping giant within him.

He growled. He was still a man, after all, even though he’d worked mighty hard to deny that part of him. Trying to scrub the thoughts from his mind, he lumbered through the grotto passageway between the mountains toward home. As he leaped down to the ground from a huge rock, the Divine Tree signaled him through the tattoos on his back and wrist, which were now suddenly burning. He immediately burst into a run. The tree only reached out like that when there was danger nearby.

Something was up. When he came upon the tree, he halted. Theodora was lounging beneath it. She extended her scepter overhead and stabbed at the tree’s branches. “I thought you’d come running,” the sorceress murmured.

He glared at her. “Why don’t you go back to your world,Theo?”

She shot to her feet. “You’re itching for a fight, are you? Just call me that again.”

“Seems we’re going to tangle no matter what I say,” he said with a sneer.

“Just hand over the female and I’ll be on my way.”

He scoffed. “Not going to happen.”

“Ah, sweetie, don’t be like that.” A burst of energy pulsed from the ornate orb on the top of her scepter. “I need more females. This one is mine.”

He watched the magic flying toward him and lifted his foot in the air. The powerful ball of fire landed precisely where his boot had been.

The Divine Tree whirled its branches, hitting Theodora in the shoulder. She sidestepped, laughter bubbling from her lips. “Is that all you have? Really?”

Do not get drawn in by her,Custos warned.

It’s a game she plays,he replied.

Not this time. There’s something more.

“What? Not including me in the conversation?” Theodora asked. “Not nice. Not nice at all.” She shot another ball of energy into a stand of pines and splintered them into firewood.

“Go home,” he demanded through clenched teeth. “The girl ismineto do with as I choose.” Even he was surprised at the word—he hadn’t planned on saying that—but possession was a sentiment Theodora understood. He was also shocked at the feelings of protectiveness of and connection to Rhianna that stirred within him.

“No, Guardian. I don’t play that way. Hide her if you will, but if I catch her, she will become a ward of my kingdom. And she willnotenjoy it.”

With that, the sorceress disappeared.

Despite the threat, the tension in Aidan’s muscles eased. He slung the satchel over his shoulder again and walked through a secret entrance into his home.

He hated that Rhianna was stuck in the middle of the feud that was brewing between good and evil. Perhaps it was time to call his brothers and apprise them of what was going on here. Only one side would win. And although he didn’t doubt it would be his side, he also understood there would be many casualties before the battle was over. He couldn’t let Rhianna be one of them.