Storm Wrath Read online

  Storm Wrath

  Others of Seattle: Book 6

  Brandy L Rivers

  Copyright 2016 Brandy L Rivers

  Smashwords Edition

  www.brandylrivers.com

  Cover Design by Brandy L rivers

  Edited by Lawrence Editing

  at www.lawrenceediting.com

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Also by Brandy L Rivers

  Box Sets

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton

  New Beginnings

  In Too Deep

  Shadows Fall

  Shadows of the Past

  Falling Into Place

  Fated Love

  Breaking Free

  Mending Scars

  Labor of Love

  Light in Darkness

  Blissful Agony

  Entangled Darkness

  Deadly Design (Coming 10-24-16)

  Untitled: Declan’s story (Coming Summer 2017)

  Others of Seattle

  Nights Embrace

  Storm Mistress

  Accepting Fate

  Red Queen

  Seductive Solutions

  Changing Destiny

  Coming Together

  Storm Wrath

  Twisted Bonds (Coming Spring 2017)

  Nights Embrace Spin Off

  Summer Rhythm

  Stand Alone Contemporary Romance

  Heart on Fire

  Falling Star

  Sweet Tooth

  Backburn (Coming 1-6-17)

  Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke

  Cursed Vengeance

  Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

  Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  About Brandy L Rivers

  Also by Brandy L Rivers

  Reference guide

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  To my readers:

  You all are amazing, following me on this crazy ride.

  Thank you for joining me on this journey.

  Prologue

  Several thousand years ago in Faery…

  Another damned treaty Eldred never wished to sign. As king of the Air Realm, people should be lining up to serve. The harpies refused and insisted he hear their case.

  His advisors continuously warned him to find common ground with the harpies, who wanted to keep their lands free of outsiders. By law, they fell under his rule, though every king before him had allowed them their freedoms.

  His mission was to bring all air fae under his rule before the Earth Realm brought war. Time was running out. Either the harpies would bow to him, or he would wipe them out.

  The wild women were likely to insist on a battle when they read the treaty. Eldred couldn’t fathom a reason to allow such insignificant creatures their primitive traditions, regardless of what his advisors counseled.

  The race was made up entirely of women. They took mates of all other fae races and had children but only conceived female children. Stories of their fierceness in battle were unbelievable. They grew wings, their hands and feet became talons, and they were nearly impossible to defeat. Legends claimed these women battled whole armies while their men and children hid away in the trees.

  Impossible. No one would defeat his army. Especially not a hoard of classless wenches hiding in the mountains.

  “Ororo, come to me,” Eldred called.

  The majestic air dragon appeared before him, wearing his human guise and a scowl. Icy blue eyes stared back, his pale blond hair flowing down his back. His body and clothes were transparent in that moment.

  Hatred roiled through Ororo’s tone. “What errand am I running for you this time?”

  A smirk formed on Eldred’s lips. The fool dragon believed he didn’t know of Ororo’s tryst with Esmeralda, the harpies’ so called queen. Her authority would never be recognized by anyone of importance.

  “Take me to Sky Top Mountain,” Eldred commanded.

  “They are worthy companions, Eldred. I’d warn you against angering them, but I don’t believe you’re capable of staying in their good graces.” Ororo shifted into his dragon form, growing in size as his body elongated as a tail grew and wings spread out.

  “Then why waste your breath?” Eldred taunted but was met with silence.

  * * * *

  Nemia sat at the window seat, staring out over the pond below. Dread crept in as she watched the air dragon come over the ridge. He carried the air king, who wanted to tear apart their way of life.

  Eldred planned to dissolve the border. Technically, their lands fell into the Air Realm. However, harpies had held the mountain since the dawn of time. Their claim had been challenged, but they fought and kept their lands. This encounter would be no different.

  The king needed to learn, as others had before him, that harpies would bow to no king. They would not change their ways to serve a man who held such narrow-minded views.

  Not to mention the warning her grandmother gave her when she was still a young child.

  Grandmother pulled the brush through her red hair. “Remember, Nemia, a man who calls himself king will try to claim you as a mate. He’ll do anything in his power to secure you.”

  “A king?” she asked in confusion.

  Sighing, Grandmother separated her hair into sections to braid. “Yes, and if you allow the bond to form, all harpies will be wiped out. Only you can prevent our downfall.”

  “Who is he?”

  “Eldred. He wants to claim all of Faery, and to do it, he will destroy our culture.”

  Her mother’s voice startled her out of the memory. “Remember, stay hidden, Nemia. If you do not meet the king, he cannot be tempted by you.”

  * * * *

  Ororo landed on the balcony before the front door to the castle.
The structure was magnificent, perched high in the oldest tree in Faery. Not many could battle from the sky. Perhaps there was merit to the legends.

  Eldred climbed off the dragon’s back and took in the magnificent craftsmanship. Much of the castle was built with petrified wood, giving it a magical gleam.

  Masking his awe, Eldred turned to Ororo with a raised brow. “You know the castle. Show me the way.”

  Dipping his head, the dragon led him through the halls, to the great room. The inside was more stunning than the outside.

  The throne was molded from a giant branch that ran through the far end of the room, bent perfectly for a person to perch. Esmeralda sat on her throne, speaking to Nightwing.

  Eldred never expected to see his childhood companion. The avian’s father trained them both as they grew up. Sparring with a winged boy proved challenging. The avians were another species that preferred to stay in mountain regions, far from most, but they had sworn their allegiance to the Air Realm long ago. In fact, they were some of the most skilled combatants in the lands, which was why Eldred’s father had made Nightwing’s father a general.

  In the last year, Nightwing had played emissary to the various outposts of harpies and avians, attempting to bring them all under Eldred’s rule. The Sky Top Mountain harpies offered to be his ally but refused to acknowledge him as their king. They were the last to resist his rule.

  And here was Eldred’s supposed friend, conversing with the enemy as if they were close.

  Eldred barely held the contempt at bay. “I didn’t expect you, Nightwing.”

  Nightwing turned to him with a reassuring smile. “Your mother mentioned you would be visiting the harpies of Sky Top Mountain. I thought it would be good to visit my old friend Esmeralda, and you. Besides, this way I have the pleasure of introducing you to a friend of mine.”

  Nightwing held his hand out, and Esmeralda took it. “This is the lovely queen, Esmeralda. Esmy, this is Eldred, king of the Air Realm. I’ve known her even longer than I’ve known you, Eldred.”

  Esmeralda smiled and took Eldred’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”

  He didn’t miss the spark in her eyes. He doubted very much that she was eager to meet the man who demanded all air fae fall in line.

  Clearly, Nightwing had a reason to be here, but what? His people were already allied with Eldred. War was coming within the air kingdom, and he needed all the air fae to stand against them.

  Esmeralda answered, “Please stay the night. We can discuss our business in the morning. Tonight we celebrate.”

  “Celebrate what?” Eldred asked cautiously.

  “An alliance, of course.”

  Eldred plastered a smile on his face. “I do enjoy a good celebration.” Though he couldn’t imagine anything that would change his stance.

  * * * *

  After the festivities, Eldred paced his chambers. Every available woman was paraded before him, as if offering up a suitable mate. He craved a bond to his perfect woman, though he had never found a mate.

  He couldn’t help feeling as if something was off by the display.

  “Why so restless?” Ororo asked.

  Eldred looked up and found the dragon with his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the window.

  “Tell me something. Whose side do you think Nightwing would take if the harpies refuse to acknowledge my reign?”

  “You—though he would prefer a favorable outcome to both parties—he will always choose you.”

  Eldred had his doubts.

  A haunting melody drifted into the room. Eldred’s eyes closed as he listened to the beautiful soprano. Enchanted, his feet started for the door as he followed the sound of the woman’s voice.

  Ororo appeared before the door, and Eldred had to take a step back. “Don’t go in search of the girl. She is far too young for you, and you’d only start a war if you resort to the ridiculous ritual.”

  “Out of my way, dragon,” Eldred snapped.

  Sighing, Ororo faded to nothing and wind rushed past him.

  Eldred followed the sound, needing to see the face behind the ethereal voice. He wound his way through the castle as if someone pulled on his sleeve, leading him down the halls and corridors until he stood before an engraved door. Pushing through the door, he found a young woman sitting at the window.

  Her golden eyes met his as the song ended. Fear flowed over her features, only to be washed away with anger. She leapt out the window, and he ran to the balcony.

  Golden wings carried her away as she flew toward the valley. The draw to her could only mean one thing. The girl was to be his mate.

  Eldred dispersed into air, following her down.

  Her wings smoothed down her back as she dove into the water. She resurfaced in her normal guise and spun toward him. He reformed before her.

  Blinking rapidly, she swam away.

  Desire burned through him as he followed. He softly asked, “What is your name?”

  She climbed to the shore and glanced back with fury in her eyes. The white gossamer gown clung to her body as her wings flowed out of her back. Once again, she took flight, back to the castle.

  He followed her.

  She landed in the throne room and screamed, “Mother!”

  A smirk formed on his lips. Perhaps there was a compromise to be made after all.

  Esmeralda rushed into the room, her eyes glowing as her body rippled, reforming into her harpy’s beast. “If you’ve touched her without her permission, I don’t care who you are, you will die by my talons.”

  He shook his head slowly. “I have not touched her, only wish to introduce myself to such an enchanting woman.”

  The daughter stormed past them all, into the hall.

  Eldred watched her go, then turned to Esmeralda. “The young woman has a lovely voice. I was drawn by her song.”

  “And you chased her?” Esmeralda accused.

  “I wanted to make her acquaintance. I had no idea she was your daughter.” He lifted his hands in surrender. “I do apologize for my curiosity. Her voice is like a siren’s song.”

  “If you attempt to force your will on my child, you will regret the day you came to my mountain.”

  “I only wish to know more about her. Perhaps we can come to a compromise. Allow your daughter to visit my castle for a week. Let her act as your liaison. She can educate me in your ways.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “I will not touch her uninvited. This new friendship would allow me to learn more of your people. Consider this as your opportunity to keep your lands.” Dipping his head, he walked into the hall, back to his suite.

  * * * *

  Nemia snuck into her mother’s chambers the moment Eldred locked himself in his. Her eyes narrowed as she came face to face with the woman who held the harpies together.

  “Grandmother warned us about my bond to him.”

  “Which is why I wish you had stayed hidden, including your voice. He was never meant to see or hear you.”

  “I didn’t seek him out. He barged into my room,” Nemia protested. She hadn’t failed to notice his enchanting deep blue eyes, or his raven hair. The man was beautiful, but her grandmother’s warning echoed in her head, squelching any hint of attraction.

  Ororo entered through the window. His body shrank to human size as he materialized. “Nemia is right. I was there when he heard your daughter’s voice. The song…” The dragon sighed. “If he hadn’t heard her, she would not have been found.”

  Esmeralda hissed at Ororo before turning to Nemia. “Did he touch you?”

  “No, but he may have if I didn’t yell for you. He followed me to the lake and back to the throne room with no intention of leaving me be.”

  Ororo cut in, “Eldred is many things, but he would never take you against your will. However, he is desperate for a mate, and if he’s obsessed with you, he may be tempted to invoke an ancient ritual that would bind you to him.”

  “I won’t touch him. I don’t want to
be tied to a king who wants to tear our freedom away so he can rule his kingdom the way he sees fit. He can stay in his territory and forget about us. We don’t venture into his lands. We don’t take from his people. Why does he see the need to change our way of life?”

  Ororo shook his head. “He believes it will take all of the Air Realm to battle the Earth Realm, and that in order to ensure you’re there, he has to rule you.”

  Esmeralda sneered. “If he would only ask for our help, we’d be there. He doesn’t need our lands. His people would not be happy on this mountain.” She took Nemia’s hands and looked into her eyes. “If he forces your hand, he will pay dearly. However, you are the only hope we have to keep our lands free of a king who believes he should own the world.”

  Tears filled Nemia’s eyes as she shook her head. “Nanna warned us if I mate him, he will destroy all of Faery, including our lands. Is that what you want?”

  “Of course not. Which is why I will ensure that no matter what he does, no bond will form.”

  “Before you discuss that, let me take my leave. I don’t want to be forced to tell him your plans.” Ororo faded away, shifting as he walked to the window, then he flew into the night.

  Bound to Eldred, he was forced to follow orders. His body would obey the commands regardless of his intentions.

  “While he sleeps tonight, I will wind a curse around him to ensure he doesn’t mate you, or anyone else. If he’s willing to force a mate bond, he is not worthy of having one.”

  “So you would gamble with my innocence?” Nemia squeaked. “He means to seduce me.”

  “Be strong, child. Ororo is certain you won’t have to sleep with him.” Her mother smiled. “I’ll word the new agreement so if he touches you uninvited he will lose his right to the throne. He won’t risk that. A week, that’s all you have to endure.”