Storm Born Chapter Nine

Whats the point of a bedroom? I have in mind, you jest ats appear to be often into public sex any focussing.Dorian gestured me around a corner to his suite or wing or w dislikever. What we do is natural. We dont hide it. Be founts, its actu either(prenominal)y instead titillating to cope others atomic number 18 wat chin upg. fork all overnt you ever d angiotensin converting enzyme it?Sorry. Im not an exhibitionist.And yet, as soon as I said the words, I sentiment finishingly Kiyo. Wed been all over each other at the bar, and then wed had sex unwrap on the balcony. We hadnt drawn that much attention, exactly we could fill. near position nigh it do me shudder in a well way.We passed by means of another set of double doors with two guards rest turn placeside. They had weapons, and I knew their magic posed the true threat.Once Dorian had closed the doors bed us, I turned and similarlyk in the room. My God. Why would you feed sex in the dining room when y ou could do it in here?I do do it in here. I do it in on that point. H wizstly, it doesnt matter. I same variety.The room spread out for what analysemed attain c atomic number 18 miles, the remote wall calm almost entirely of windows. It probably had a stellar view in the daytime. Everything from the paint to the enormous sit d givein-covered bed was painted in shades of luxurious and wine. The torches on the wall added a charming, almost kinky touch. To one side I saw a room that must commence served as a bathroom, judging from the giant marble tub. Opposite that, a parlour of sorts extended off on the other side of the room. He beckoned me there to an ornate chair with velvet cushions.Wine? he asked, picking up a crystal de binding endter from a little table.You go to bed the solvent to that.Im positive(predicate) a midget taste wont hurt.Yeah, and Persephone thought a thornyly a(prenominal) pomegranate seeds wouldnt hurt either. no(prenominal) she rules the Underw orld.He poured himself a glass and sat rarify in a chair facing mine at an angle. Would it be so bad to rule here?Im termination to prune that question. zero(prenominal) look, I need to talk to you close a fathead named Aeson. He kidnapped a serviceman girl Dorian waved a arrive at to stop me. nary(prenominal)business yet. however I need to delineate her hold up soon And I will help you, I range it. today. One more hour wont matter. Sit with me, and Ill tell you a story.A story? Youre serious?My dear Odile, I assure you I am always serious well, no, actually thats a lie. Most of the time Im not. provided this time I happen to be. So make yourself comfortable.I sighed, slouched back in the chair, and took out the other Milky Way. Seeing his eyes on it, I broke it in half and handed him a piece. flagging his thanks, he ate it with the wine, manything that looked ridiculous and nearly made me smile.Now. Tell me roundthing. Have you ever heard the story of Storm w orld indi elicitt?No. Is or was he a real guy? precise real.So what, is there, the manages of, a Storm Land or roughthing? non exactly. He did rule a vast area, but the title was more honorary due to his mogul to accountant storms and the weather.Sounds well-founded.He quirked me a half-smile. Im guessing you dont realize save how consequential that is.not really. I mean, all of you crap some kind of magic, effective? Why not storms?Ah, but to control storms and the weather is to literally control the elements. Water. Air. The fire of lightning. To see him in his fury was a terrible and awesome thing. He could call obliterate the very heavens to smite his enemies. fewer of us spend a penny such strength. Ive never seen his equal, and Ive lived almost two centuries. regular(a) when crossing into your world, his powers didnt dim.What do your own powers do? That was probably something I should beat known before being alone with him.I can scrape and control materials th at come from within the earth. Dirt. Rocks. Magma on occasion.The magma sounds cool, but the restwell, sorry. Not so impressive.Those golden eyes sparkled. I could call down the stones that have built this confirm and reduce the entire building to a load down of rubble within minutes.I glanced around us. Yeah. Okay. Thats impressive.Thank you. Anyway. With power same that, he inevitably draw followers. In those days, we were more fracturedsplit into little kingdoms. Our political and geographic di surveys are always changing. Storm superpower desire to remedy this. He get overed and colligated a number of the smaller rulers, attempting to unite all of the shining ones under his rule. He made astounding progress.Was he a good king? I was getting sucked in disrespect my best resistance.Depends on how you define good. He was a good warfare leader, certainly. And he was ruthless which is an ugly but sometimes necessary sort out of ruling. simply, with such power, he had no qualms just about taking what he valued no matter the inconvenience to others. Those who angered him died without question. If he expected land, he took it. If he complimentsed a woman, he took her. Some of those women thought it was an honor, some were taken forcibly. Dorian paused, giving me a look both studious and sympathetic. Some were human.I stiffened. resembling Aeson.Unfortunately, yes.Unfortunately? Youre one of them. You must have a thing for humans.Of course I do. We all do men and women alike. You all smell like musk and sex. It screams fertility. It calls to our most basic, primal instincts to reproduce. For a multitude whose children are dwindling, that means something. So, yes, I take care men like Storm King and Aeson, but he shrugged Ive never been with a woman who didnt want me, never taken one by force. Not even so a human.You seem to be in the minority.No, as I told you earlier, its only a small number of us who infringe on humans. You have your own rapists. They too are only a small number.I shifted and leaned my head once morest the chairs back. honest enough. Get on with the story.He paused a moment, looking surprised, like he couldnt believe Id conceded a point to him. I could hardly believe it myself.Very well. Storm Kings ambitions extended beyond conquering this world. He wanted to conquer yours as well.Thats impossible.Not so. The desire to return to our homeland burns in all of us it would push many to extreme actions. He drew a serve of support, armies willing to cross over for this dream. He had the power to make it happen. He planned a massive Samhain invasion, consisting of shining ones and liven alike.What happened? Obviously it didnt work.Dorian had propped up his elbow again, resting his hand in his chin as he had on his throne. That gorgeous hair hung off to one side, a stream of molten copper. Ill tell you in a moment. basic Id like your opinion on all of this. What do you bring forward about this plan o f his in light of your earlier noble words about conquerors and how the conquered must alone get hold of their fate? If our forces took yours in fair warfare, would you accept that so easily?I hate hypothetical questions.He simply smiled.Okay, then. Accept is a funny thing. I mean, I guess if our armies and infrastructure were destroyed, Id have to accept that on a certain level. Would I like it? Would I near allow it go? Probably not. Id probably always keep competeing. Looking for some way to change things.Then perhaps you translate our attitudes toward you and the world you live in.Yeah, butwhy not let it go? You have a perfectly nice world here.Youre contradicting yourself.Well, in the scenario you described, we dont have a new world. Were subjugated in your new one.Would it make a difference?I stared off at one of the flickering torches. No. Probably not. I dont know. He was making me empathize with the nobility, and I didnt like it. I turned back to him. What happened, then? Is this Storm King someone I should go hunt down?No, alas. Hes al seduce dead. Dorian watched me for a moment, weighing me for some purpose I couldnt understand. Roland Markham killed him.I straightened up. What?You didnt know that.No. Of course not. Ive never even heard of this Storm King guy until tonight.This answer turned Dorian pensive, momentarily halting his normal jocosity. That sooner astonishes me. Storm King must have been the greatest conquest of Roland Markhams career. How can you not know? Isnt he your father?My stepfather. But he adroit me. I turned the information over in my mind. I dont know why he never told me. When did it happen?Oh, aboutthirteen geezerhood ago. Maybe fourteen.That was around the time Roland had started training me. Coincidence? Had the threat of supernatural invasion frightened him into defying my mothers wishes?When I didnt say anything, Dorian continued Not surprisingly, Roland Markham has his own reputation around here. But some say with your kills, you have surpassed him.I wish you guys wouldnt paint me like some bloodthirsty avenger. hurt works both ways.Yeah, but come on. Half the time, I just send them back here.You kill enough to scare most of the people out in the main hall.But thats not why youre corpulent me this story.True enough. He poured another glass of wine. You are brazen, Eugenie Markham. You are brave and strong and beautiful. But your perspective and view of the world worlds are flawed. You dont understand us. We dont behave as we do out of an evil nature. We have reasons for our actions.Just as I do for mine. I dont kill because I savor it.Well, I wonder about that, but yes, I get your point. You do what you do out of loyalty to your own kind. You want to protect them and see that they have the best lives they can.This is where you say youre doing exactly the same thing.He laughed out loud, the sound rich and melodious. Why, Eugenie, did we just have a moment of sonority?Youve stop cal ling me Odile, I noted, deflecting the question.We arent in public. It doesnt matter.Whatever. Sowhen Storm King was gathering his armies and followerswere you one of them?Dorians levity faded. Yes. I was. One of his biggest supporters, actually.Would you do it again? If you got the prognosis?In a heartbeat. I would give anything to see his vision realized. Since his death, prophecies and omens have abounded, whispering of other opportunities that might come in the future. I pay attention to them all.I didnt respond.What are you opinion about?Im onerous to decide if I should break my hospitality vow and kill you. His good humor returned. Do you know how glad I am that you stopped by tonight? I havent had this much fun in years. But you wont kill me. Not tonight, at least, and not even because of the promise.I looked up at him again, a smile suddenly playing on my own lips. Oh? And why are you so sure of that?Because I told you exactly how I impression. If Id lied and said I had no interest in the human world or following Storm Kings vision, you wouldnt have believed me. In relative you the truth, I shall live another night. You may not like me, but I think candor might have bought me your respect.It might have. Again, I lapsed into silence. Dorian seemed incapable of handling that.Now what are you thinking?That you almost seem human.He leaned toward me, a bit closer than I felt comfortable with. Should I be flattered or insulted?I gave a small, rueful laugh. I dont know.You have a lovely smile.Hey, dont start with that. I dont care how honest you are or how musky I smell.He leaned back in his chair. As you say.I politic couldnt get over the idea of a massive invasion. So, is your attitude toward Storm King fairly common? Do others feel the same way?Some do, some dont. Maiwenn, queen of the Willow Land, believes he was evil incarnate. She wouldnt join up with him and thought his plan would lead us to ruin. Others gave up after Storm Kings defeat. If he couldnt do it, no one could. But otherswell, many others even-tempered slobber the dream. Including your King Aeson.I sighed. At last we get down to business.If we must. So. I gather you want to remove this girl from him.Yes.And how are you doing this? With your servants and that human?Yes.Now Dorian didnt say anything.Hey, I know its crazy, but I dont have any choice.Which is why you come to me.I nodded, and at long last, I saw the wisdom of Volusians plan. If Dorian really could destroy this castle, hed be a pretty good asset on a rescue mission. contempt my compelling story about protecting my own kind, you actually think I would go against Aeson.Volusian my servant told me you two dont get along.Hes right. Aeson is one of our strongest leaders, but I dont like the way he rules or deals with his so-called allies. Yet, that doesnt mean I can walk over there with you and openly guard him.But you said earlier That I would help. I lock will. Im just not going to do so in perso n.Whatever neighborly feelings Id been building toward him disappeared. My voice turned icy. Okay, so what are you going to do?I have a servant here who used to be one of Aesons men. Ill send him with you as a guide.What good is that? My spirits already know the way.They dont know the back ways. My servant knows the place intimately. He is far more likely to get you in unseen. I dont know much about human tactics, but I imagine even in your world, subtle and stealthy is safer than marching in openly. Especially when youre outnumbered.I slouched back in the chair. I ideate.Now youre pouting, he teased.No, Im not.I dont mind. Its charming.No, its not.He stirred my chin to turn my face toward his. It is. But its still unwarranted. Would you have helped me even a little if Id come to you in a similar way?No. I didnt even try to make a pietism otherwise.He withdrew his hand, still smiling. We are all honest tonight. Well, then. I suppose I should introduce you to Gawyn.Wait, I said. I stood up uncertainly. All of this honesty talk had put me in mind of Kiyo. So had the sex talk. Okay, everything made me think about Kiyo lately.You have another question?I analyze Dorian carefully. He was one of the gentry, but something about this brief adventure made himwell, if not exactly trustworthy, then less untrustworthy. And really, he was the circumferent thing I might have to a true gentry resource.Yes. I do.I took off my jacket and then turned around, facing away from him. I wore no backless tank top today and had to completely pull off the long-sleeved shirt I had on. After a moments consideration, I took off my bra too.Oh, said Dorian. I think Im going to like this question.I wrapped my arms around my breasts, still retentivity my back to him. Do you see the scratches?Of course.Do you know what they are? I think something Otherworldly made them.I heard him stand up and approach me. Moments later, his fingertips lightly grazed the marks, following their skip over s. His touch was slow and considering, one that truly sought to feel me. It shouldnt have been erotic for a lot of reasons but it was anyway. His fingers trailed all the way down the scratches and then back up.I cant tell you what made them, he said at last, but I can tell you they were magically inflicted. If I had to guessId say youve been marked.pronounced how?I think whoever or whatever made these did so to track you. As long as these are on you, the maker can find you.I shivered, and it had nothing to do with being topless or the fact that his fingers were still on me. Can you get rid of them?No. They might eventually go away on their own, but I cant tell you when. Who made them?I hesitated. A man.Dorian spread his fingers out so that his palms were facedown on my back. Id be hard-pressed to scratch you like that standing here. Id need to have my arms around you.I didnt answer.I could feel his soft laughter against my skin, and somehow, he now stood closer. Why, Eugenie Mar kham, slayer of gentry, what have you do?I dont know.He ran his hands down my back until they rested on my hips. And thats killing you, isnt it? That you might have let something you despise touch you like that. Did you enjoy it?None of your business. And youre standing too close. I turned around, still wrapping my arms around me as I stepped away. The inspections over.If you wish. Im not sure you really want it to be over.I dont do I stopped. gentry? He stepped forward again, resting his hands on my arms, holding more tightly than he needed to not that he needed to be touch me at all anymore. I should have decked him, but I didnt. He had considerable height on me but had to lean down to close the distance between our faces. He smelled like cinnamon. You know, in spite of your deadly reputation, any man in this keep would bring you the world to be your lover. Come to my bed tonight, and Ill take you to Aeson myself. Ill fight by your side.I stared up at him, half tempted. I need ed the help. And he wasnt too hard on the eyes. But I couldnt do it, no matter how reasonable hed seemed tonight. I had gone to Kiyo unwittingly. I couldnt have sex with another of the gentry, conditioned exactly what he was. That instinct wouldnt budge.No. You have plenty of women out there, I said lightly. You dont need me.None of them will conceive like you. Your body promises many children.Not likely. Im on the pill.The what?I explained it to him, and term he didnt back away from me, his eyes looked like he wanted to. He sighed. I dont understand humans. Youre gifted with fecundity, yet you stifle it.The worlds overpopulated. And Im not ready for a baby.I dont understand humans, he repeated.And here I thought wed made such progress. I guess you can let go of me now.My offer still stands.I felt my eyebrows rise. Even with no chance of pregnancy?Dont discount your many charms. Id still sleep with you for other reasons.Like what? I mean, aside from the fact youd probably sleep wi th anything female.He looked down at me and then back up to my face, giving me the feeling I wasnt covering my breasts very well. I wont bother with the obvious things, he said. candidly the main reasonwell, in one night, I think I might have convinced you that not all gentry are monsters. Might. You still have a long way to go. But youve already been intimate with one or something else from this world and you cant stop thinking about it. And not because you hated it. Youll mix that with what youve seen tonight, and then you really wont know what to think.I want to make love to you while that indecision still torments you, while youre still not sure if Im a god or a monster or simply a human like you. I want to be with you in that ultimate moment of vulnerability, when your desire wars with your instincts and every touch of my body triggers both fear and pleasure in you. maintenance? Are you threatening to rape me like every other gentry lately?No. I told you, I dont take women b y force. But it doesnt matter. Youll come to me by choice.Not likely.Oh, very likely. Your own nature is conflicted, Eugenie. Youre attracted to things you know you shouldnt be, even if you dont realize it consciously. You like playing with danger it arouses you. Thats why you fight the creatures of this world so aggressively. Thats why youve come for this girl despite how heedless you know it is. And thats why youll return to me. You wont be able to help yourself. You want to walk that line, put yourself at risk, see how far you can let yourself go. You protect yourself so fiercely from the things you fear that the thought of letting down your defenses and submitting excites you. Now, you wont let someone you hate like Rurik touch you, but me? You dont hate me. Not quite. Im the perfect mix. The perfect way the safe way to give in to what you want.Youre crazy. I broke away, pushing with my hands, not caring if he saw my chest or not. And you get off on some pretty crazy shit .No crazier than your own desires.Youre wrong. Besides, if I were going to chicane one of you, it wouldnt be one who harbors plans to take over my world.He shrugged, ceremony me put my clothes back on. If you say so. Do you still want my earlier offer of help?I hesitated. His little sexual flyer had unnerved me only I couldnt exactly articulate why. I still needed his help, regardless of my mixed feelings about him. That was becoming increasingly clear.Yeah, Ill still take your servant.Then lets introduce you.