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Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 130
Leonard couldn’t look Matilda in the face at breakfast the next morning.His brother had returned late last night, refused to say anything about what he’d found regarding Briallyn, and only insisted that today they’d all meet at the river house and learn of it together. Leonard hadn’t cared. He’d barely listened to Matilda asking about training.He’d come in his pants after a few touches from Nesta, soaking himself like he was no better than he’d been in his youth.But the moment she had kissed him in the hall, he’d lost all semblance of sanity. He’d turned into something just short of an animal, licking and biting at her neck, unable to think clearly beyond the base instinct to claim.The taste of her had been like fire and steel and a winter sunrise. That had just been her mouth, her neck. If he got his tongue between her legs … He shifted in his seat.“Did something happen that I, as your chaperone, should know about?” Matilda ’s dry question dragged Leonard from his rising ar
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 131
“Do you think Matilda can find the Trove?” Azriel asked Leonard as they relaxed in the sitting room that separated their bedchambers, flames crackling in the hearth before them. The night had turned chill enough that they needed the fire, and Leonard , who’d always loved fall despite the pricks in the Autumn Court, savored the warmth.“I hope so,” Leonard hedged. He couldn’t stomach the thought of Matilda putting herself in danger, but he understood her motivations entirely. If he’d had to pick between sending one of his brothers into danger or doing it himself, he would always—always—choose himself. Though he’d winced at every harsh word that had come out of Matilda ’s mouth to Elain, he couldn’t fault the fear and love behind her decision. Could only admire that she had stepped up—if not for the good of the world, then to keep her sister safe.Azriel said, “Matilda really should do a scrying.”Leonard gazed across the space between their two armchairs. They’d sat in them, befo
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 132
Curled up in bed, a book propped on the thick down comforter, Matilda was just getting to the sizzling first kiss in her latest novel when a knock thudded on her door.She slammed the book shut and sat up against the pillows. “Yes?”The handle turned, and there he was.Leonard still wore his leathers, the overlapping scales of them full of shadows that made him look like some great, writhing beast as he shut the door.He leaned against the carved oak, his wings rising high above his head like twin mountain peaks.“What?” She slid the book onto the nightstand, sitting up further. His eyes dipped to her sleeveless silk nightgown, then quickly returned to her face. “What?” she demanded again, angling her head. Her unbound hair slid over a shoulder, and she saw him mark that, too.His voice was rough as he said, “I’ve never seen you with your hair down.”She always wore it braided across her head or pinned up. She frowned at the locks that flowed to her waist, the gold amongst the brown
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 133
Five days later, Leonard sat before the desk of the library’s high priestess and watched her enchanted pen move. He’d met Clotho a few times over the centuries—found she had a dry, wicked sense of humor and a soothing presence. He’d made a point not to stare at her hands, or at the face he’d only seen once, when Mor had brought her in so long ago. It had been so battered and bloody it hadn’t looked like a face at all.He had no idea how it had healed beneath the hood. If Madja had been able to save it in a way she hadn’t been able to save Clotho’s hands. He supposed it didn’t matter what she looked like, not when she had accomplished and built so much with Rhys and Mor within this library. A sanctuary for females who’d endured such unspeakable horrors that he was always happy to carry out justice on their behalf.His mother had needed a place like this. But Rhys had established it long after she’d left this world. He wondered if Azriel’s mother had ever considered coming here, or if
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 134
Hoping Clotho wouldn’t come shove him over the railing for disobeying her orders, he said, “All right. Throw the right hook.”Matilda did so. And dropped her damn elbow.“Get back into position.” She did, and he asked, “May I?”Matilda nodded, and kept perfectly still as he made minute adjustments to the angle of her arm. “Punch again. Slowly.”She heeded him, and his hand wrapped around her elbow as it began to dip. “See? Keep this up.” He maneuvered her arm back into starting position. “Don’t forget to flow the weight through your hips.” He took her arm, keeping a good foot of distance between their bodies, and moved it through the punch. “Like this.”“All right.” Matilda reset herself, and he took a step away. Without his order, she did the punch again. Perfectly.Leonard whistled.“Do that with more force and you’ll shatter a male’s jaw,” he said with a crooked grin. “Give me a combination one-two, then four-five-three, then one-one-two.”Matilda ’s brows bunched as she reset
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 135
Simmons pulled her bloodred cloak tightly around herself and pressed into the shadows of the closet, listening to the three men who had broken into her cottage.She’d tasted the rising fear and rage on the wind all day and had spent the afternoon preparing. She’d been sitting on the thatched roof of the whitewashed cottage when she spotted their torches bobbing over the high grasses of the field. None of the villagers had tried to stop the three men— though none had joined them, either.A Crochan witch had come to their little green valley in the north of Fenharrow, they’d said. In the weeks that she’d been living amongst them, carving out a miserable existence, she’d been waiting for this night. It was the same at every village she’d lived in or visited.She held her breath, keeping still as a deer as one of the men—a tall, bearded farmer with hands the size of dinner plates—stepped into her bedroom. Even from the closet, she could smell the ale on his breath—and the bloodlust. Oh, t
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 136
Matida and Leonard rode down the dusty road that meandered between the boulder-spotted grasslands and into the southern foothills. She’d memorized enough maps of Wendlyn to know that they’d pass through them and then over the towering Cambrian Mountains that marked the border between mortal-ruled Wendlyn and the immortal lands of Queen Maeve.The sun was setting as they ascended the foothills, the road growing rockier, bordered on one side by rather harrowing ravines. For a mile, she debated asking Leonard where he planned to stop for the night. But she was tired. Not just from the day, or the wine, or the riding.In her bones, in her blood and breath and soul, she was so, so tired. Talking to anyone was too taxing. Which made Leonard the perfect companion: he didn’t say a single word to her.Twilight fell as the road brought them through a dense forest that spread into and over the mountains, the trees turning from cypress to oak, from narrow to tall and proud, full of thickets a
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 137
The King finished off the roast chicken and sipped from whatever was in his bloodred glass. “You’re quiet this morning, Prince.” The conqueror of Texas reached for a platter of smoked fish.“I was waiting for you to speak, Father.” Night-black eyes shifted toward him. “Unusual, indeed.”Maxwell tensed. Only Matida and Bolton knew the truth about his sword —and Bolton had shut him out so completely that Maxwell didn’t feel like attempting to explain himself to his friend. But this castle was full of spies and sycophants who wanted nothing more than to use whatever knowledge they could to advance their position. Including selling out their Crown Prince. Who knew who’d seen him in the hallways or the library, or who had discovered that stack of books he’d hidden in Matida ’s rooms? He’d since moved them down to the tomb, where he went every other night—not for answers to the questions that plagued him but just for an hour of pure silence.His father resumed eating. He’d been in his
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Chapter 271
The tension in the air was palpable as Matilda prepared herself for what Leonard had in store for her. Richard 's eyes shone with a dangerous intensity, his intentions unclear but menacing. Matilda's mind raced with horrible possibilities, each more horrible than the last. She felt a shiver run down her spine as Richard 's laughter echoed in the dimly lit room. Despite her fears, Matilda remains defiant, refusing to show any sign of weakness in the face of Richard 's twisted desires. "I can do more than you imagine and make you hot!" Leonard smiled as he read the expression on Matilda's face. It's really fun teasing Matilda at the moment. Her lips trembled, hoping she wasn't thinking anything. "Are you making me hot?" Would it really roast me alive or burn a part of me? Matilda asked stupidly Although she is a stripper who must know a lot about the tactics of men, unfortunately she is a l
Chapter 270
"How dare you?" Leonard roared like a lion as the champagne spilled over his dress and poured freely into his trousers. Matilda was shaking terribly as she searched for towels to clean Leonard clothes and shoes. He had just poured himself a glass of champagne. "I'm so terribly sorry! I was---sss" stammered Matilda , trying to finish her words when Leonard pulled her hair and picked her up. "You are here to pay your brother's debt, but you are clearly unable to do so! Leonard said in a very intimidating voice, letting the lumps fall on Maris's neck. "Please, I feel weak!" He had never felt this way in his entire life as he searched for ways to survive. He felt his strength leave him and let his body fall into Richard 's grip. Everyone's eyes in the VIP room widened. "This girl is really doomed," commented one of them and motioned for Leo
Chapter 269
They'd been able to not only beat Broadway Enterprise's weakness but also strengthen theirs. "To say the least, I'm quite impressed with this proposal, and so is everyone here today, as such, we wouldn't have any other company partnering with us other than F and A. Congratulations, Richard and Matilda , your intelligence is meritorious. I see why you're a couple now," he added with a smile. "I'll have my lawyer get the agreement ready for you for your signature in the next 48 hours. Congratulations again."With that, Leonard left, and a few others commented about Matilda 's intelligence, and how lucky Richard was to have her by his side, one of whom was Ryan Porter."From the day I saw you at the party, I knew you were one intelligent woman. Congratulations, Matilda . Richard also, you got yourself a gem. If she weren't hooked with you, I might have stolen her away. Good luck with the project." Richard 's jaw hardened at Ryan's words. His heart sank also. R
Chapter 268
"What are you doing, Richard ?" She asked the moment one hand cupped her face, while the other slid down the curve of her waist. Her question came out as a whisper, which surprised her. "Helping you relax around me. We can't go to the meeting with you looking like this.""Like how?"Richard leaned closer to her, bringing his lips to her ear and her body jolted as his hot breath fanned her skin. "Like a simple touch from me will send a wave of electricity through you. One simple touch, like this." The hand that was on her waist found her fingers and he intertwined his with hers, which were already clammy. Matilda shut her eyes in pleasure and pressed her lips in a firm line to prevent herself from making even the slightest sound. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her inviting flowery scent. The impulse to trail his lips up her neck tugged at his heart, but he acted against it. Instead, he just stood there, registering her scent in his mind and trying to decipher w
Chapter 267
Four months went by since that fateful evening, and Richard 's iciness had become even more noticeable. The unbearable emotional gap between us led me to detach from our dying relationship's toxic hold gradually. I kept track of the days until the contract would end. He already possessed the inheritance and the agreements. Our partnership was supposed to be over by now, but it isn't able to.In the meantime, Leonard and I had become even closer, reigniting the strong connection we had maintained since we were kids. We dedicated numerous hours to each other, reflecting on past memories and creating new ones.Melissa came back from her journey overseas, infusing our group of friends with a sense of excitement and joy.In celebration of Melissa 's hard-earned diploma, we opted to meet at a quaint bar located on the edge of the city. I quickly freshened up and then hurried to the bar. I was running behind because I was assisting Richard with organizing his documents."Melissa !" she
Chapter 266
When my time with Leonard was up that evening, I chose to make a decision that could alter my future significantly. I summoned up my bravery and met his gaze, speaking with conviction.Leonard , I appreciate all that you've done. Would you mind giving me a lift?Fear was evident on Leonard 's face as he considered my request. "Are you certain, keeping in mind his possible reaction?" he inquired, worried about how his words may come across.I let out a slow breath, calling upon my inner power. I am able to deal with Richard by myself. "It will all be okay."He nodded in agreement as his eyes softened with comprehension. "Okay, if you're certain." "I will transport you to your residence."While starting the car journey, Leonard grabbed the radio and switched it to a station he knew. The gentle tune of my preferred song enveloped the car, creating a mix of emotions that matched my inner turmoil.While the music played, a query escaped from my mouth. Leonard , when are we able to
Chapter 265
I was frozen in shock, speechless, as Richard 's words lingered in the air like a thick mist. For years, we have been close friends, sharing jokes, secrets, and even playful flirting. However, his unexpected question left me speechless and confused. Is it impossible for him to ever have me? His question's consequences made me shudder.I felt a swirl of confusion in my head while attempting to understand his abrupt question. Before I had a chance to collect my thoughts and reply, Richard appeared to dismiss it, as though he hadn't just posed such a deep question to me. He proposed finishing the day by having ice cream at his house, trying to shift the conversation to a more cheerful subject.Declining his offer politely, I managed to force a faint smile and replied, "Thank you, Richard , but I believe I should leave."He nodded, a brief flicker of disappointment appearing on his face. Noticing the discomfort between us, he proposed to accompany me to the entrance of the amusement park
Chapter 264
With a slightly trembling voice, she spoke up, my words now carrying a hint of confidence. "Leonard , I put on the lingerie like you requested." "Now, please enlighten me, what exactly do you desire from me?"While we glared at each other intensely, I silently vowed to control the situation according to my wants and limits. I had learned that real power comes from accepting my own vulnerability, even when things are uncertain.Leonard continued to hold on to his unfeeling attitude, remaining adamant in his penchant for mocking others.I felt a shiver down my back as his face became stern, his eyes narrowing with a touch of contempt. He clutched my hand tighter, his voice filled with scorn.Leonard mocked, saying, "I warned you it wouldn't look good on you," in a tone filled with bitterness. "You believed that wearing just a lingerie set could make me interested in you... turns out, it didn't work."I felt a wave of disappointment and hurt as my heart dropped, replacing the warmth I
Chapter 263
She tried on the dresses one at a time, with each one more captivating than the previous one. The gentle materials hugged my body's natural contours, as intricate elements shimmered in the light, producing a stunning exhibition. I spun around and looked at myself in the mirror, wishing to see a hint of love in Leonard 's gaze. However, his calm facial expression stayed unchanged as he stood just outside the fitting room, serving as a constant indication of his emotional disconnection.I put on a different dress and gazed at myself in the mirror once more. While fixing my appearance, I noticed Leonard 's gaze in the mirror. His eyes held a gentleness, showing a hint of kindness that was previously absent. The teasing and coldness had become gentler, giving way to a more tender emotion.Leonard spoke at last, his voice lacking any enthusiasm as he commented, "You appear pleasant." "Perhaps this one is overly glittery," he said, pointing to a dress decorated with detailed beadwork
