Chapter 36: Chapter 36

SILVER

As I focus on Storm, Drax quickly leaves, hiding the rose behind his back in embarrassment.

“Short-lived fun, Storm—but kindness is better, with longer-lasting effects.” I grin and bite my lip as he slowly narrows his eyes.

“What have you been up to?” Storm asks me straight out. “There is a different air in the Horde since you have been wandering… Do you inspire that much happiness just by being present?”

“I’ve just been speaking with many. I’m a natural-born hustler when I want something,” I lie, shrugging. “I have these pretty eyes that can make anyone want to do something special for me.”

“So you have been planning something behind your Master’s back?” Storm asks, determined he is on to something. “Haven’t you?”

“Nothing that should concern you, mate… I have simply whispered a few words in a few ears…” With my knowing smirk, Storm is instantly unamused.

“What did you say?” he asks, clearly catching onto my little plan.

I may have spread the word of my real plan in this Horde—my destiny.

“They know I am the ~Lady~ of the Horde,” I announce, deciding to jump to the point.

“You are still the Lord, but they know of my Twin Leading Breed.

“They know the significance. I explained that a Legend is still not a Twin, that a Legend is not automatically a Lord, but that ~I~ have allowed you to remain a Lord.”

I see Storm’s confusion at my words, and he seems unsure of how to react. “Let me explain. You’re now leading with me by your side as an equal. I have equal say—I am spreading the word.”

“No you do not. ~I~ have the final say,” Storm snaps, finding his words eventually.

“Now ~you~ sound like a child, Storm, a spoiled child,” I mock him back.

“I will challenge you to a fight right now if I must.” Storm raises his voice, his full cave-Dragon side taking over.

“You shouldn’t bother to do this, pipsqueak… Do you wish to never leave our nest? I will chain you down. I will enjoy it—and you’ll still be used for pleasure. My pleasure.”

“I knew you’d react this way, which is why I asked everyone to remain respectful of you…” I smile now, hoping to make him smile.

Storm does not.

In fact, he’s starting to look furious.

“I’ve heard enough. You will return to my wagon now, pipsqueak. Right. Now.” Storm does not break his golden gaze from mine.

I almost start to feel quite affected and upset… Until I feel… Whole.

It is the only way I can describe it.

Storm’s angry eyes falter, flicking in confusion as he looks me over.

“That is no way to treat my sister.”

It comes from behind Storm—and I’m certain that we have both gone crazy, or a grand trick has been played.

Storm pauses, his eyes lighten—and as he turns to see her, she walks right past him without a second glance.

I’ve forgotten how to breathe as my mirror image walks right up to me, blue eyes sparkling as she gazes into my own eyes.

“Silver,” she continues casually, “the way to break Storm is not through negotiation—but to please him beyond words until he is napping like a dead fish—or like a dog.

“He’s not very complicated underneath.”

“You are…not real,” I whisper—lying, because the truth could certainly not be real.

“I’m back, for now…I guess.” Jinx can’t explain her appearance, but I can’t dwell on it as she steps back to face Storm. “You somber peace of shit… Smile, will you?”

Jinx turns back to me, slowly smirking, as she can’t keep up the casual act for long.

She glances between both of us, and she waits for us to react properly.

Somehow, we’re on the same wavelength. Storm and I lunge toward her, wrapping her in a huge hug at exactly the same time.

“This is not true, Jinx!” I cry out and hold her so tight, I think she might suffocate.

Storm’s arms literally engulf both of us into his chest, and I feel like we are two fledglings with our heads poking up, gazing into Storm’s adoring gaze.

“Sky Gods blessed me,” Storm chokes up, releasing us suddenly to grab Jinx’s cheeks, stealing her breath in a quick, hard kiss—and then he grabs my chin, lightly placing kisses along my lips while smiling into me.

“My mates.” We can’t react as he sweeps in behind us, reaches down and sweeps us off our feet.

With an arm under each of us, I sit on one arm and shoulder, while Jinx sits on the other.

She smiles warmly at me, and I smile back.

“You are my other half,” she whispers. “You—I could not be more proud.”

“This is unreal,” I whisper back. “This is a dream.”

“She’s back!” Storm calls out, loud and clear and damn proud as well.

Almost everyone hears, and everyone gathers—while Rawk and Zoraul are still snoozing loudly, completely unaware of the unexpected arrival.

“Shh.” Jinx strokes Storm’s hair. “Calm… Calm, you silly brute.”

“He is our silly brute,” I giggle, tears running down my cheeks as Jinx holds out her hand to shake mine.

“~If~ we survive,” Jinx adds, pretending to sound serious. “He has a temper; surely you know by now… Isn’t it adorable?”

“It is…” I grab a bunch of Storm’s hair, and he looks up, and his golden eyes gaze over both of us.

“My dream…my dream…,” he whispers, almost delirious as he growls while crying, “I have you both—you are back, Jinx, you’re back.

“I have been blessed with two mates. I am not worthy… I am not worthy of this moment.”

“Yet, I’m not really here,” Jinx murmurs, a new sadness in her eyes. “I’m glad you could see me this time. But I’m not really here. I’m…”

“What?” I whisper—and then I am closing my eyes.

My whole body seems to cringe and mold—until I am horizontal and back… Back in a red nest.

In Storm’s cabin.

He is holding me tight again—but this time he is holding me down, looking over me…down into my eyes.

I feel dizzy and completely disoriented.

“She’s not there,” Storm murmurs. “You had a blood vision. Breathe, pipsqueak, breathe.”

I close my eyes, speechless.

Eventually I open my teary eyes to look into Storm’s golden all-knowing gaze.

“I don’t understand.” I say.

“Your blood, pipsqueak… It’s just a vision…one of your first,” Storm murmurs, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Do not worry—you are safe… You’re okay… You have me to look out for you.”

“Did you see it?” I ask, knowing my feelings would have been strong enough for him to use Heart Knowledge…to see my own dreams.

“I saw it… I may have indulged in it.” Storm smirks a bit, a small tear running down his cheek at the raw, vivid dream…so true…but now gone.

“It’s just you and me, pipsqueak. But I am still blessed by the Sky Gods.”

I nod, but tears run down my cheeks anyway.

“Hold me?” I whisper, even though he is already holding me down.

“Always, pipsqueak…” Storm nods. Rolling to his side, he pulls me into him, holding me tight while he spoons me from behind.

“Rest in my arms, pipsqueak, rest… And breathe slowly to set your mind straight.”

I try to, but I feel so disconcerted.

It felt so real.

Yet after all that…

It was just a dream.

A vision.

A wish.

It came true for a brief moment…and then it was gone.

Jinx is gone.