The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado)

by Muir, Siobhan

  “I’ll keep you safe, Sabrina.”

  She had her doubts. With his upcoming departure, they’d be in the same boat they’d always been. Her alone and the only defense for her children. She thrust the thought away and leaned on him, taking what she could get.

  Somehow, they made it to the van and Holly found the keys in the slushy gravel. Sabrina sighed in gratitude as she settled into the passenger seat while the girls fussed around her, their voices ringing with worry. She wanted to comfort them and tell them everything was all right, but her energy level ebbed low and she couldn’t find the words.

  “I love you, Mommy.” Tansy peered into her face, her breath puffing the cold interior.

  Oh, dammit, I didn’t turn the heat on. “I love you, too. Tansy. Don’t worry. It will be okay.”

  “Is Darius gonna take us home, now?”

  “I hope so.”

  “Why aren’t you driving, Mommy?” Holly touched her shoulder.

  “Because my head hurts. Get clipped in, now.”

  Darius spoke a short time with Lieutenant Fitzroy then climbed into the driver’s seat of the van. Sabrina grasped his arm as he turned the ignition.

  “What did he say?”

  “Your assailant has been arrested and will be taken to their holding cells. Tomorrow, you’ll need to come down to make a statement against him, but tonight I’m taking you home.”

  “Okay, good. Maybe we can have some hot cocoa when we get there.”

  “I don’t want hot cocoa. I want some tea.” Tansy leaned forward and rested her hand on Sabrina’s shoulder. Sabrina laid her hand over her daughter’s.

  “Sounds very good, Miss Tansy.” Darius threw the van into gear.

  Yes, it does. Sabrina closed her eyes and leaned back against the headrest. Now she just had to make it through Beltane and everything would get back to normal.

  ****

  Darius cursed his clumsiness as he hit another slippery patch in the road and they skidded a little. He had no idea how difficult driving on icy slush could be until now, but he’d be damned before he let Sabrina stay at the roller rink after Marty Robinson attacked her.

  Fury flared again and he made sure to slow his motions as they turned a corner onto Sabrina’s street. When Darius had seen the bastard on top of Sabrina, he’d thrust the girls at the nearest bystander and launched himself into the fray. He’d been prepared for a real fight, but Marty Robinson had no formal fighting ability and had immediately started whining and crying beneath the force of Darius’s blows.

  The mewling blighter used his weight and strength against a weaker woman, bullying her. Darius had only stopped from beating him to a pulp when it became obvious Marty couldn’t match his warrior skills. Darius had given him a few injuries of his own. The man would be feeling his decision to attack Sabrina for a long time.

  Before he’d let him up, Darius had snarled a warning to leave the Foxgloves alone. He courted Sabrina now and wouldn’t tolerate anyone poaching on his turf. She and her daughters were under his protection and if the little puke got anywhere near them, the consequences would be far more dire than just a beating. Marty had whimpered his understanding when Darius shook it out of him.

  Fortunately, Lieutenant Henry Fitzroy, an off-duty police officer for Cloudburst, had taken care of the girls while Darius took down Marty. He witnessed the whole event and had no compunction against arresting the stupid bastard. Fitzroy promised to keep an extra eye on the blighter if anyone came to bail him out, but he’d need Sabrina’s statement to hold him longer than twenty-four hours. Darius promised to bring her to the station the next day.

  Right now, he just wanted to get his family home where they’d be safe.

  They are not my family. But he wanted them to be. He wanted it more than he wanted anything else in his life. Seeing Sabrina fighting an attacker enraged him beyond reason and he’d damn near killed the man for daring to harm his woman.

  Darius gritted his teeth against the furious howl wanting to break loose and slid the ungainly van into its place before Sabrina’s garage, praying he wouldn’t crash into the door. It took him a moment to figure out how to open the garage, but Tansy pointed to the black box on the sun visor. He thanked her and told her to open the door while he helped her mother inside. Holly raced inside to turn on the lights as Tansy held the door wide, and Darius carefully pulled Sabrina out of the van. She’d fallen asleep and his heart leapt at the idea she may be badly injured.

  If she is, I’ll kill the bastard before he makes it out of the jail.

  Sabrina moaned as he shifted her into his arms and he kissed her forehead.

  “Easy, acushla, I’ve got you. We’re home and you’re safe.”

  “Head hurts.”

  “I know. We’ll fix it soon.”

  “Put me to bed?”

  “Not right now. I think you have a concussion. Again.”

  “Why is everyone hitting my head?”

  He chuckled at the plaintive tone in her voice. “I don’t know, acushla, but we have to keep you awake for a short time. How about the divan?”

  “The div—Ugh, just call it the couch, ok?”

  Darius kissed her forehead again and set her down on the couch before he removed her boots and helped her out of her jacket. He dragged the fleece afghan he’d used as a blanket over her and checked her eyes, losing his smile.

  “I think you may have avoided another concussion, but we’ll have to check after I help the girls with supper.”

  Sabrina sighed and struggled to get up. “I can do it. Just give me a minute.”

  “Peace, acushla, you need to rest. I’m happy to make the meal. Just rest.”

  “Wait, you can cook?” She eyed him narrowly. “I thought you had servants for that sort of thing.”

  “Only when I’m at Court.” He winked as he tucked the blanket around her again. “Stay put. I’ll have Tansy bring you some tea.”

  Sabrina sighed and settled back into the divan, holding her head away from the back. He suspected she had another bump to add to the one she’d gotten at the coffee shop and his anger flared. How dare the little bastard touch Sabrina just because she spurned him? Didn’t he know it came down to female choice?

  Darius forced himself to calm down as he marshaled the girls into making the evening meal and bring Sabrina tea. Tansy willingly helped, but Holly wanted to stay by her mother’s side and Darius couldn’t blame her. I want to stay there, too. And not only for a single evening.

  He refused to examine those thoughts and focused on the girls. Sabrina read them a goodnight story on the couch and his heart clenched while watching the girls snuggle with her. He wanted this, wanted it so much he could barely see straight, but he knew his responsibilities lay elsewhere.

  Darius tucked the girls in, but Holly sat up and held his hand for a moment before he could leave her room.

  “Are you gonna take care of my mommy?”

  “Yes, I am, Miss Holly.”

  “I mean more than just tonight. She likes you.”

  Warmth mixed with sadness in his chest. “I like her, too.”

  “So are you gonna stay for a long time?”

  The earnestness in her eyes damn near unmanned him. How could he tell this courageous little girl he’d only stay long enough to convince her mother to protect the world? Correction: to convince her mother to perform sexual rituals to restore the wards. Even the description curdled his stomach.

  “I’ll stay for as long as I can.”

  She frowned. “That’s not very long, is it?”

  What could he tell her? “Probably not. I’m sorry.”

  Holly shook her head. “Don’t be sorry, just don’t hurt my mommy. I don’t like it when she’s sad.”

  “I don’t, either.” His words rang with so much truth, Holly patted his hand and settled back into her pillow.

  “Good. G’night, Darius.”

  “Good night, sleep tight, Miss Holly.”

  He returned to the living
room where Sabrina diligently sipped her tea, but he saw her head nod as exhaustion stole her energy.

  “How are you feeling?” He sat before her and she opened her eyes. Lines of fatigue creased her face and he wished he could take some of it away.

  “My head hurts and I’m sleepy.”

  “Shall we try to take away the pain?” He grasped her hands around her mug and let the heat of them seep into him.

  “You mean the whole merging magics thing?” He smirked at her dry tone. “Yes, please. I really don’t need to feel like I’ve been hit by a bus tonight.”

  “Very well. No ‘bus-impact’ sensations.”

  Sabrina laughed and some of the sorrow from the conversation with Holly dissipated. “Close your eyes and reach out for me.”

  The first time they’d tried this, he’d damn near shot straight to orgasm with the power and pleasure of her energy. This time he knew what to expect, but he still moaned when the surge flowed over him. Her magic felt like hot velvet wrapping around him and pushing away any weakness he’d ever experienced. Strength pulsed through him, banishing any aches or pains, and setting his cock on fire. It felt as if someone had wrapped their hand around his dick and stroked softly.

  Focus! You’re supposed to help her with the pain.

  Her discomfort appeared like hole punched in a masonry wall, broken bits of brick and mortar littering the space around it. His skill pertained to removing the shattered bricks, replacing them with whole stones, and filling in the mortar around them. Each time he repaired her wall he found himself drawn deeper into her magic and spirit. He hadn’t meant to connect so profoundly, but sharing the magic tightened her grip on his heart.

  When the wall appeared whole once more, he “swept” up the broken pieces and “pasted” the excess energy into the “mortar”, then withdrew from her energy signature. Part of him didn’t want to let such glorious energy go, but he reminded himself he could only borrow it for a time, not keep it.

  A soft sigh from Sabrina made his eyes jerk open and he scanned her face for any signs of discomfort. Her expression remained soft and relaxed, and relief poured through him. Thank the Goddess her pain is gone.

  “Feeling better?”

  “Very much, thank you.” Sabrina gazed up at him and his cock rose with the heat in her gaze.

  Don’t be ridiculous. That’s your own lust talking.

  It didn’t stop him from leaning forward and sweeping his lips across hers, nor did it abate the cockstand straining his fly. Even as his mind screamed a warning, Sabrina tilted her head and opened her mouth. If Darius’s eyes hadn’t been closed they would have rolled back in his head from the pleasure blooming inside him.

  She tasted of tea and sweet woman, and he couldn’t get enough of her. The warning faded into the background and he gave in to the arousal swamping his mind. Sabrina’s answering moan only fueled his desire and he deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue with his.

  Darius pushed her down against the flat cushions and covered her body with his. The hard ridge of his cock pressed against her hip and pulses of exquisite pleasure spurred him on. Her woman’s scent filled his nose and he couldn’t stop tasting her smooth skin and lips. He caressed her breast through her shirt, the taut nipple thrusting up against the cloth.

  She tasted better than his fantasies of her suggested and he wanted more. More touch, more kisses, more time.

  Please, Goddess, give me more time with her.

  But reality crashed through the arousal as a small voice called from the bedrooms and they both froze. Darius reluctantly let Sabrina up when she pushed against his chest, and the moment disappeared.

  Darius rolled onto his back and watched Sabrina attend her daughter, trying to calm his cockstand. How could he let it go so far? He had a job to do and then he’d return to the Court. He shouldn’t lead her on or even entertain ideas of permanence. He’d be leaving in a few days.

  But what if I don’t want to return to Court?

  The question both thrilled and scared the hell out of him.

  ****

  Sabrina mentally smacked herself as she tucked Holly back into bed. Get a grip. He’s only here for a few days. Don’t get attached! But the sensation of Darius’s lips on hers still fluttered through her head.

  You don’t want another man in your life. Men leave.

  Somehow, her heart remained unconvinced. She returned to the living room where Darius sprawled on the couch and tried to analyze her feelings. Unfortunately, her mind kept replaying the kiss she’d shared with him and like a delicious cookie, she wanted more of it. He lay on his back with his eyes closed and his head supported with one burly arm. She wanted those arms around her, holding her tight.

  Stop wishing for things you can’t have.

  “Thank you for helping me tonight. I really appreciate it.”

  Darius turned his head and opened his eyes. “You’re welcome, Lady Foxglove.”

  So they were back to being polite. It’s for the best. He’s leaving after Beltane. The reminder didn’t settle the yearning.

  “How are you feeling? Has the pain abated?”

  She ran a careful hand over her skull. “Yes, no lumps this time.” She bit her lip. “Darius?”

  “Yes?” Those teal eyes stole her sanity, and her nerve.

  “I’m going to clean up the kitchen and head to bed. Is there anything you need before I turn in?”

  He remained silent so long she had to clench her hands into fists to keep from fidgeting. The expression on his face remained stoic, but his continued regard suggested he sorted through various responses. At last he gave her a half-smile and shook his head.

  “I don’t need anything, thank you. Let me take care of the mess in the kitchen. You’ve had a rough day and deserve to rest.”

  A combination of disappointment and irritation flashed through her. “It’s okay. I can take care of my own house.”

  “Yes, I’m aware you can. But tonight you don’t need to. Come. Sit down at the table and I’ll bring you a cup of tea.” He rose with languid grace and reached for her hands to draw her into the kitchen, but she pulled back.

  “Why are you being so helpful?”

  Darius paused, frowning. “Why do you ask such a question? Can’t friends help friends?”

  “Are we friends, Darius?” Sabrina preceded him into the kitchen. “Or am I just a witch you need to get a job done? Is this just more manipulation?” She had to distance herself, no matter how much it hurt.

  He sighed. “Sabrina.”

  “No, just listen to me.” She turned on the tap for hot water and leaned over the sink as she gathered her thoughts. “I don’t understand your motivations here. You help me heal whenever I get into trouble, you spend time with my girls decorating for Beltane, and you stand up for me against Marty Robinson. Why? Why are you being so nice? What do you get out of it?”

  “You think I’m only doing these things for a reward?”

  “It’s crossed my mind, yes.” She filled the basin with soap. “Darius, you’re from the Summer Court, and you can’t tell me you don’t jockey for position to remain within the Queen’s good graces. You make calculated moves to get what you want from whomever you need it. What will I owe you at the end of all this?”

  His jaw clenched. “Nothing, Sabrina. I’m not expecting you to ‘owe’ me come the onset of Beltane.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I made no secret I would try to convince you to do the rituals, but I never intended to coerce you through kind actions. I’ve been happy to help you and your daughters.”

  “You have helped, and I’m grateful.” Sabrina shut off the water and stared at the suds a moment. “But you can’t keep fighting my battles for me, or them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Marty Robinson is a bother and a prick, but you’ve now embarrassed him twice, and gotten him arrested once.”

  “He got himself arrested, Sabrina.”

  “But he won’t blame himself or you, Dariu
s. He’ll blame me, and I have to live in this town after Beltane.”

  “He won’t be bothering you again.”

  Sabrina narrowed her eyes. “Why not?” She tipped her head. “What did you do to him?”

  “Nothing. He’s been arrested and the police are aware of his penchant for violence against you. Plus I informed him if he ever came after you again, I’d personally see to it he paid with more than a beating and incarceration.”

  “You threatened him?”

  “Merely a warning.”

  “And how are you going to uphold your warning? You’re outta here come Thursday.”

  “Sabrina—”

  “No. Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and the girls.” She took a deep breath against the pain arrowing through her heart from the words she needed to say. “But no more saving the day, no more heroics. Let’s just get through the week so you can get back to your life and I can get back to mine.”

  Goddess, it hurt to push him away. It hurt more than when Tommy left with Merrilee. Sabrina turned her head toward the sudsy water and fought back her tears.

  Why the hell am I crying? I barely know this man and he can’t mean so much to me.

  She sniffed hard and wiped a hand across her eyes, leaving a streak of bubbles along one cheek. Before she could brush them away, Darius stood beside her, his hand cradling her face and his thumbs smoothing her skin.

  Goddess, why does he have to be so handsome and kind? He used to be arrogant. What happened to that guy?

  ****

  Darius swore someone had stabbed him in the chest with the pain radiating from his heart. Not only had her words struck him, but her tears buried the blade deep. Everything within him cried out to make her stop crying, to ease her pain, to soothe her hurt.

  Even if he was the source of it.

  “Please, acushla, don’t cry.”

  Sabrina sniffed mightily and closed her eyes. “What does that mean?”

  “What?”

  “Acushla. You keep calling me that. What does it mean?”

  Surprise hit him. How long had he been using the endearment? “It means ‘dear heart’ in Gaelic.”