Of the Woods

by J A S Bennet

  “Slam the door all you want, sweetheart, but there can only be one reason why you are arriving at your door this early in the morning and have dirt and grass stains on your ass.” Ava put her hands on her hips and waited for a response, but all she heard was Sheridan closing her bathroom door with yet another slam. A giggle rumbled from Ava as she walked down the hallway to the stairs in search of her coffee.

  Expecting to see Deaglan and tease him about the state of Sheridan, Ava was surprised to see Cian standing near her two coffees instead. It stopped her in her tracks. She instantly adopted a defensive attitude.

  “Deaglan is still finishing up on a call from earlier this morning. He was setting up breakfast when he got it.” Cian didn’t look at her as he spoke. He sat down in the chair and picked up a book. He slid her computer across the table. She shoved the one from her shoulder to him.

  “A man of so few words as usual. Actually, I think this is the only time you have been truly helpful to me. Is it cold in places it shouldn’t be this morning?” Ava waved at him with the back of her hand. He had spent all day staring at her training yesterday without saying a word, and already his word count for today had been exceeded. The coffee in her hand would be much more enjoyable if she didn’t have to drink it in his aggravating presence.

  He chuckled, motionless. It was infuriating. He opened his mouth for more words and Ava wasn’t quite sure how this was going to play out, but she was always up for cat and mouse. He smirked and said, “I can think of a few places that must be cold on you, is that what you are referring to?”

  Chancing a glance at him, she saw what he was reading. Her face went slack. It couldn’t be. That book was her favorite, it meant the world to her. Dammit.

  “I was referring to Hell, you know, where the devil lives. You must know the place, because I’m pretty sure you two are related.” The grin on his face as he looked up at her and closed his book could melt the panties off any hot-blooded woman in Hell or anywhere above it. Ava held eye contact as Cian stood to his full height and tucked the book under his arm.

  “I believe my work here is done, princess. Should you need any further assistance from me, you know where to find me.” As Cian turned to walk away, Ava hurriedly thought of something to say so he wasn’t the one who got the last word. Which never happened to her, she always thought out responses before opening her mouth. Lately, all she appeared to be doing was having a walking case of verbal herpes. The kind that broke out of your mouth before anyone even knew what was happening and boom, open sores all over the place.

  “Why do I feel like you always leave me hanging? Just when things are getting good, you up and leave me hot and ready to go?” She closed her eyes as soon as she finished the sentence. Waiting for his response was the longest three seconds of her life. He simply bit his tongue, put his hand on his chest, and bowed to her before turning and leaving. It was just as well, she needed to take her computer back up to the room and get to training, so she could work off some of her energy, especially since he just gave her more fuel for her inner fire. That’s not to say she didn’t watch his fine ass departing.

  When Cian stepped outside he felt the need to gulp air again. After a few gasps in rapid succession he looked over his shoulder at the door he just exited and gave the response he wanted to give Ava to her face but thought it would be better just to leave. “Princess, you haven’t seen how hot and ready to go I can make you.” Feeling better saying the words, Cian turned and walked into the woods.

  Jenny entered the dining room, expecting to see Deaglan like she had every day. But it was empty, save for her lonely cup of coffee, a few pastries, and some fruit. She poured in the sugar and creamer to make her coffee sweet enough to consume. Then she sat and nibbled on some fruit and a pastry. It was quiet, too quiet. And still. Which bothered her immensely. There was still too much time before training began for her to head to the guard house.

  She grabbed what was left of the pastry in one hand and her coffee in the other. The search for anyone to talk to was on. The great room was empty, the library was quiet. She’d finished the pastry before she made it to the kitchen, which she’d never seen before.

  It was vast, bigger than any restaurant kitchen she’d seen, and prettier. Copper kettles and pots reflected the morning light shining through the bay windows. Glass cupboards stocked with stemware of all shapes and sizes added a beauty to the stone room. A fireplace with two comfy chairs sat at the end of the room. She could imagine sitting here, smelling dinner cooking and reading a book with tea. Something didn’t add up. Why was Deaglan bringing breakfast every morning from the tiny kitchen in his pub, when there was more than enough room to do it here?

  Hearing someone in the hall, she went to see who it was. Fergus was whistling as he walked. “Good morning, Jennyver.”

  “Good morning, Fergus. It’s just Jenny. Do you know where everyone is?” Jenny wasn’t holding out hope that he would know, but it felt good just to be talking to someone again.

  “I saw Ava walking upstairs a few minutes ago with her computer. Sheridan isn’t back down here yet. Cian brought the coffee, but got called out. I believe there are a few guardians at the guard house ready to train when you are.”

  Jenny hadn’t realized the abundance of information Fergus was. She was going to remember this in the future. He was always aware of what was going on in the castle and immediate grounds. It was like getting a live news feed.

  “Great, I’m going to go train then. Bye, Fergus. Make it a great day!” She was ready to get her own great day started.

  Sheridan stayed in the shower for much longer than she needed to be clean. She needed to cleanse her libido and memories of embarrassment. She fell on her ass. Half-naked. Kissed a man without his permission. And came back home – was this home? – only to be made fun of and feel like an idiot.

  She was starving, and her new muscles were sore. Her ass hurt, too. This was ridiculous. How was she supposed to help these people and save the woods when she couldn’t even land properly? She needed food and peace. She needed to not see people at all, if possible. Food and peace and solitude.

  Sheridan got dressed in her usual. Cut-off shorts and a Fleetwood Mac shirt. She didn’t put on shoes. Shoes and pants were stupid. However, she went with the shorts. Walking in this morning wearing only her underwear and a ripped shirt was not fun. She didn’t have a problem with nudity, other people did. Other people had problems with many things that Sheridan found ridiculous. She found herself wondering about her parents as she sat on her veranda, enjoying the morning sun and watching the trees dance in the wind.

  Growing up with vagabond parents made for an interesting childhood. They moved around in their converted bus, selling art and charms. Her mother read tarot cards and her dad would find odd jobs to put food on the table and gas in the tank. When that place didn’t suit them any longer, they moved on to the next one.

  She had traveled around the United States her entire childhood. Her mother and father were both brilliant and homeschooled her. She never went to a public school, played on a T-ball league, or attended summer camp. It was just her and her mom and dad. They were so happy together. She never felt as if she needed anything else. She never felt as if she missed anything.

  She never wondered why their life was so different from everyone else. This was her life. Now a tickle in the back of her mind made her wonder if they knew. Did they know she was going to be whatever she was now? Why didn’t they tell her? Going down memory lane made her happy and sad at the same time. She needed someone to talk to and she felt so utterly alone in this huge castle with people she barely knew. Being alone for years, after her parents died, worked for her. She didn’t feel alone. Now she was surrounded by people and had never felt so isolated.

  She turned off the self-pity and decided to find food. She headed downstairs to the kitchen. Breakfast was surely over by now. Maybe she could fix a sandwich or something simple and then head to training. She didn’t want to
go to training. She would never be the fighter Ava was and Jenny was getting better after only two days. They both seemed to take to it so easily.

  The kitchen was empty, but Sheridan made herself at home. She found pasta and butter, cream and cheese. Brunch would be super easy and comforting. If she found a special brownie in this place, this meal would be spectacular! She set about making her meal and wandered around as the pasta boiled. She found nothing of interest. There were no knickknacks or pictures to look at for clues about the people who resided here. The décor of the kitchen was warm, but it didn’t have any heart.

  After her meal, she headed toward the training facility. She took the longest, slowest route she could manage, and stopped to say, “Hello” to a beautiful Merlin falcon flying above her. She had caught sight of it from her terrace and it was here again. It landed about ten feet in front of her with all the grace she wished she had landed with last night. Dear lord, what a sight she must have been. At least they were kind enough to not laugh in front of her face.

  The falcon turned to face her. Right in her path. She took eight of the ten steps between them and waited. It looked up at her as she gazed at it. “Hello, I’m Sheridan. It’s very cool to meet you.” She took a seat on the path. The falcon walked right up to her and stood. She reached out and, to her amazement, it let her pet it. Closing her eyes by instinct, she listened. An image of the bird in flight entered her mind. It felt as she did in the air. Then the falcon tucked its wings and landed gracefully on the castle wall.

  She quickly opened her eyes. “You are trying to teach me how to land without bruising my ass, aren’t you?” She watched as the bird nodded its head, spread its wings, and flew into the sky. The smile on Sheridan’s face grew when the bird swooped down and smacked the back of her head with its wing.

  “Okay, I get it! I promise to listen to the expert next time!” She laughed as the falcon rose higher and let out a scream of what Sheridan knew was laughter. Her spirits lifted, she finished her walk to training with a full stomach and light heart.

  She refused to let this stupid guardian training crap get to her. She just found her happy and she wasn’t letting it go. Please don’t let Deaglan be there, she thought. She entered the facility and didn’t even trip. If he was there, so be it. He liked that kiss, she felt it from him. Spine straight and chest out. Okay. Her ample chest was always out, but still.

  Everyone else was occupied with doing whatever it was they were doing. She began with stretching. It felt good to blend her calm soul with her body. A guardian she didn’t recognize slowly approached her.

  “Hi, my name is Grayson. I know we haven’t met yet. It’s an honor.” He proceeded to do that heart-to-chest bowing nonsense. He was easily a foot taller than her. Blond hair and blue eyed. Built like a Greek god. Or was he an Irish god? Her composure disappeared, and she tripped over the mat on the floor while trying to reach her hand out to shake his.

  He caught her, set her to rights, and let go. His smile was enchanting, and he had two freaking dimples. Oh, for heaven’s sake. Did life get any dumber?

  “I’m Sheridan, nice to meet you.” She wanted to crawl under that stupid mat hazard and die. She didn’t and just looked up at him. She took a step back, because she had somehow ended up under his chin. She rolled her eyes at herself.

  “I am here to help you train, if you would like.” He was still smiling at her.

  “Oh yeah. I like.” Oh, dear God in heaven. Did she say that out loud? She heard Jenny giggle. Yep. That was out loud. Her face caught on fire and she looked for help. Deaglan walked right in the door. Oh no. No. That wasn’t what she needed right now.

  He looked over at her as soon as he walked in. He had a not happy look on his face and Grayson retreated. She needed more help than she realized.

  Ava was watching Sheridan in the training room and she wasn’t sure if she should laugh at her or cry with her. As soon as Deaglan walked in the room she felt the tension immediately. Walking over in her direction, Ava wondered why Grayson left so quickly until she saw the look on Deaglan’s face. It took Ava exactly one half of a second to realize why jealousy and horniness were both colored green, because that’s exactly the emotion that was written all over the poor lad’s face. Trying to decide when the right time was going to be for introducing Deaglan’s new nickname, Kermit, to the girls was now her top priority. It was a weird emotion for Ava to even speak of her relationship with these girls. She’d never had much of a family.

  Walking up to Sheridan, Ava tapped her on the shoulder and watched as she almost fell down from fright. “Whoa, little tree-hugger, are you okay?”

  “Yes, yes. I’m just not comfortable with him in the room after this morning.” Ava’s face lit up with wonder at the words she just heard out of her friend.

  “No, no.” Her head was swinging around to look at Deaglan, then back at Sheridan. “No, no...” She pointed at each of them in turn. “Wait, are you telling me what I think you are telling me?”

  Sheridan gave her one of the looks she was so famous for and tilted her head to the side like a puppy asking a question. “What the hell is your problem?”

  “Are you telling me that you saw Deaglan this morning?” Upon hearing his name, he turned to where the girls were standing and paid attention a little more obviously.

  “Yeah, I saw Deaglan in the woods this morning, there was a, uh, a nature problem.” Sheridan grew confused at the questioning.

  “I bet there was, you naughty girl.” Ava was looking over at Deaglan when he started to move closer to help a guardian who had yet to be introduced stretch out his back before sparring.

  “Ava, I wish you would start making sense sometime soon. I’ve got better things to do.” Sheridan was irritated.

  Ava was getting louder and louder as she spoke to her. “Did you really hug Deaglan’s wood this morning? It’s kind of a surprise that you were the first of us three to hookup.”

  Sheridan slowly turned her head to Ava. No expression on her face. “If you are so hungry for sex talk, I suggest you talk to Cian.” With that she turned and walked away. If she “hugged” Deaglan’s anything, it would be for love not a quick hookup and … did she just say love? She needed the forest. Immediately!

  Sheridan set off for the door. One problem. Deaglan was still standing there. He had his feet braced and arms crossed as if to prevent her from leaving. She couldn’t help but notice the black T-shirt hugging his arm muscles. She loved strong arms on a man. He also hadn’t shaved today. He had scruff. Her mind was reeling at the look of him. The thought of feeling him made her melt inside.

  “Excuse me,” she said with more authority than he expected from her.

  Her feet were set shoulder-width apart and arms crossed as well. He looked down at her with those damn eyes of his.

  She cocked her head to the side as if to say, “Hello, I am trying to escape here, please.”

  He just looked at her. His expression changed to one of concern. “I’m sorry about last night.” He actually didn’t know what he was apologizing for, but he knew he was sorry.

  She took a breath, looked down for strength and looked back into his eyes. “Me too,” she said.

  His heart dropped. She was sorry she kissed him. Damn it! Please don’t let her be sorry for that!

  “Look. You need to train and I need,” to be near you, was what he thought, “to do my job. So, let’s start new. Today, we will train. I promise I will do my best to take care of what you need.” He needed her to stop making him want to fling himself at her. That would be great, thanks.

  “Okay, I understand I need to train, but I have no idea what that is going to entail. I do know that being in the woods, in my place, will help me learn more than anything in here.” Her landing lesson was a fine example of that.

  “One thing we need to do is work on your upper body.” Sheridan gave him a look. “Your upper body is spectacular, seriously. However, I know that with the addition of wings, your muscles will be c
hanging and taking on new tasks. I can help you with that.” He looked disconcerted and uncomfortable. That fact made Sheridan feel a whole lot better. She grew up watching people. She picked up on small physical clues that people didn’t realize they were putting out there. Deaglan was embarrassed and almost shy. Maybe she did have an effect on him. Things had changed after their reluctant kiss. There was no denying their growing attraction to one another. This could be fun.

  “Where do we start?” Her eyes met his and a challenge was introduced to this new relationship. They both felt it. She knew, but he didn’t get it yet. She made him uncomfortable. She had every intention of figuring out why.

  Deaglan took a second to catch his breath before following her nice round ass back into the training room. This woman was an enigma. One second she was soft, sweet, and clumsy. The next, she was bold and free. He didn’t know how to think around her, let alone act. Which sucked, because he had a fucking job to do. He shouldn’t be taking care of his charge and thinking about her lush ass at the same time. Then the eyes, the smile, the laugh, and where the hell did she go? He stopped walking, hung his head, and sighed. She was messing with his entire life and he just met the woman!

  She was actually about ten feet away, but guardians tended to be tall and she was not. He gathered himself and walked up to her. “One thing you need to work on is your shoulders. They carry a lot of power when wings appear. You need to make sure that you strengthen those. If you don’t, that soreness you feel will always follow a flight. Your legs are strong. Stronger than most, so just keep that up.” He gazed down at her legs. Holy leprechauns, stop! His head jerked back up as if someone had slapped him. She giggled. She seriously just giggled at him and it sounded enchanting.

  “I need help,” Deaglan said loudly, with great control. A guardian appeared within seconds. “This is Danny. He will work with you today.” His sentence uttered quickly, he turned on his heal to escape. He walked quickly past Ava.