House of Storms and Secrets by HR Moore

Author:HR Moore [HR Moore]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

Gabriel rested his body between Storm’s legs and lay his head on her stomach. She reclined on the goose down pillows and ran her hands through his hair. If only their lives were this simple all the time. If only there was no third wheel in their bed … a wheel with spikes.

‘What was with the biting?’ said Gabriel, nipping her belly. ‘I can’t believe you made me bite disgusting Queen Rosalind.’

Storm wanted to laugh, but the memory of Gabriel’s lips and hands and teeth on yet another woman made her nauseous. ‘That was you, not me.’

‘What?’ he said, his head snapping up.

‘I walked in when you were biting Isa once. I suppose the memory must have stuck in your mind.’

‘So when I did those things …?’ said Gabriel.

‘That was all you,’ said Storm, ‘coupled with whatever effect Fairy Land and my delusion had on you. I don’t know if Queen Rosalind knew the truth, or if she and the others were even truly real, but your interactions with her were entirely your own. I asked the House of Portals to put me in a delusion, but I didn’t ask for power over others. Even if I had, I don’t think that’s something the House would or could have granted. I don’t think they have that power.’

‘Oh, Gods,’ said Gabriel. ‘I’m sorry. I thought you …’

‘I would never make you put your hands on another woman,’ said Storm, hotly. ‘It is not pleasant for me.’

Gabriel crawled across Storm’s body to sit beside her, then took her hand in his. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I know that’s not enough, but …’

Storm closed her eyes. Gabriel hadn’t meant to hurt her. He loved her, but he was too used to doing the bidding of others; Isa had conditioned him well. Gabriel had no choice with their leader, but he had to break the habit with others.

‘I fell in love with you because you thought for yourself, and usually chose the right path,’ said Storm. ‘The honest, moral path. Don’t let Isa erase who you are.’

Gabriel closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the padded headboard. Storm didn’t need pretty words and promises—they were past that … had been for centuries—she needed him to be the Gabriel she loved. He squeezed her hand, and she rested her head on his shoulder, and they sat there in silence for a while.

‘I’m leaving,’ said Storm. She lifted her head and got to her feet.

‘To see the Children?’ said Gabriel. A look of confusion spread across his face, presumably due to her overly aggressive tone.

‘Yes, but also the mountain.’ She grabbed fresh clothes from a chest next to the wall.

‘Now?’ said Gabriel, jumping up and searching for clothes of his own.

‘After I’ve dealt with the Children,’ she said. ‘We can go back home … to our real home by the sea. The new Queen of the Five Kingdoms says she will welcome our kind. I will pave the way for our people and leave this damned place behind.

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