The energy pulses increased again and the wind in the circle picked up, swirling around them like a dust devil. Sabrina gyrated to each burst, moaning in time with her motions, and Darius suckled harder.
Sabrina slammed her mound against his chin. Darius bit his tongue and the pain jerked him back into the present, his awareness taking in the swelling energies swirling around the sacred circle.
Bloody fucking hell! Sabrina writhed before him, her wet pussy clenching against his still tongue, and she wailed her frustration. Sexual demand beat against his mind, but he realized they had to anchor the magics to the altar, or they’d blow everything wide open, and no one would be safe.
“Sabrina!”
“Darius, I need you. Come to me. Now!”
“No, you have to focus.” He laid a teasing kiss against one thigh.
“No, no, don’t want to. You have to fuck me. Please!”
“I will, acushla, but you must do something for me.”
Sabrina shook her head and grimaced, her hand sliding down to rub her clit. “Oh, Goddess. Don’t stop, Darius. Please.”
“Sabrina, I need you to push the ley lines into the altar.” He removed her hand and massaged her mound with gentle strokes, hoping to bring some of the sexual energy to heel. “Take all the energy and wrap it around the altar like the ribbons on the May Pole. Remember? Envision a ring inside the stone and tie the lines there.”
“I can’t.” She tossed her head. “I need you.”
“And I need you, acushla, but you have to do this, or all is lost.” Darius pulled back from her glorious body and gritted his teeth. It was up to her now. If she gave into the seductive pull of the magic, the energy would destroy the sacred site, and Sabrina as well. “Please, Sabrina.”
****
What did he ask? To focus on something other than his fucking tongue? What the hell is wrong with him? Sabrina struggled to hold on to the lovely arousal he’d been building within her, but it faded into a dull throb as he pulled away from her.
“Please, Sabrina.”
Something in his voice brought her back to herself. She opened her eyes and looked around. From her prone position on the altar, everything seemed off kilter, and the world swayed before her eyes. It took her a few moments to realize the world didn’t move, but the trees bent and strained under the force of the wind.
“What’s happening?”
“The magics are unanchored and they will tear this site apart unless you tie them to the altar.” Darius gripped her thighs as the wind whipped his hair around his head.
“How do I do this? I’ve never done anything like this before!” Panic welled up inside her, burning away any sexual desire.
“No, focus, Sabrina!” Darius held her still. “This is the Goddess’s energy. You have it within you, and you’re strong enough to manipulate it. Reach down inside yourself and take hold of it.”
“I can’t, Darius.”
“You can! Focus.”
Sabrina closed her eyes and tried to picture the energies swirling around them. A vision appeared of a whirling maelstrom of color, like a rainbow tornado, spinning around her. She rested within the calm eye, but tendrils of magic shot out of the swirl with blinding speed, crackling against the tree ring.
Dear Goddess, help me. Sabrina tried to catch the lines of color with her hands, gathering them like reins of carriage horses trying to escape. At first, the “reins” flowed through her fingers without substance, but Sabrina kept after them, raking her fingers through the air.
The first line she caught burned her hand, but she gritted her teeth and held on, reaching for another. Each new line thrummed with untapped power in her grip, but as she added more, the rampant winds calmed around her. At last she held a thick cable of swirling color cords in her hands and the world outside settled into breathless anticipation.
“Very good, acushla.” Darius’s voice bolstered her confidence, but she shook her head.
“What do I do now?”
“You must anchor the lines to the altar of the Goddess.” She felt him settle between her spread legs again, and realized she lay half naked on the stone.
“What the—”
“Easy, little witch, there is more yet to do.” He patted her mound and some of the energy in the strands surged, filling her with unrelenting lust. “I can smell your desire, but you will need it to help you secure the ley lines.”
“How? Oh, Goddess, Darius. I need you so bad.” Desire burned a path straight to her pussy and cream soaked her nether lips.
“Do you remember how we merged our minds when healing your head?”
Sabrina groaned as another blast of power shot lust through her. “Yes.”
“We will do it again. I will guide you and you will provide the strength.”
“Are you telling me you’re the brains and I’m the brawn of this operation?” Humor kept some of the overwhelming sexual need at bay.
He chuckled, his breath fanning over her slick clit. “In this case, yes. Now, let me in, acushla.” And he licked a warm swath from her clit to her weeping cunt.
Sabrina wailed as she sank into the roiling flood of passion swamping her mind. She almost lost her grip on the seething bundle of ley lines, but Darius’s hand reached out and steadied hers.
“Darius.”
“I’m here with you, Sabrina. Let’s tie these off and go home.” She felt more than saw him smile at her as his tongue danced on her pussy lips, pushing her arousal higher.
“Okay. Show me what to do.”
In her mind’s eyes, a great iron ring appeared sunk in a thick slab of granite, and Darius helped guide the bundle of magic lines to the thick loop. He showed her how to wrap the lines around the ring, twisting them over the iron curve until they tangled upon themselves in a tight knot. Then he pulled slowly back and allowed her to survey their work.
“That’s it? That’s all I had to do?”
“Not quite. Now you must solder them to the ring, fusing them there long enough for the Fae to arrive tonight and help secure them permanently.” Darius sprinkled light touches down her thighs and Sabrina remembered her body lay on the slab in the sacred circle.
“How do I fuse them to the ring?”
“Like this.”
Hot arousal surged through her as his mouth sealed to her pussy, and his tongue flicked her clit. He licked her long and slowly, each stroke setting her body afire, and her buried lust flared to life. Sabrina gasped as the ley lines shook on their moorings and Darius inserted a hard finger into her quaking pussy.
“Oh, Goddess!”
“Come for me, Sabrina. Fuse the lines and come for me.”
He thrust his fingers into her, setting a hard rhythm to push her into the stars as he sucked on her clit. A burning surge exploded from the base of her spine and shot straight through her, spilling from her hands and searing the ley lines to the iron ring. The flood of bliss took her with it and threw her tumbling and spinning into the sky, wrapping her in warm clouds of joy.
At last, Sabrina settled back to earth and opened her eyes. The sacred circle lay quiet and serene, a gentle breeze teasing the grass around the altar. She lay with her legs spread wide and draping over the edge of the top stone. Darius tenderly cleaned her release from her nether lips with his tongue, each stroke offering a soft reminder of the pleasure they’d shared.
She watched as he withdrew his fingers from her pussy and licked them, his eyes closing as he savored her taste. His evident pleasure warmed her heart and sent a flash of arousal to her groin. She couldn’t be ready for him again so soon, could she?
“Thank you, Darius.”
He slanted her a satisfied smile. “It was my pleasure, acushla. Truly.”
She glanced down at his straining pants and quirked an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“Watching you come is equally as satisfying as coming myself.” He reached down to adjust his bulge. “Besides, I know you will give me release this evening at the rituals.”
>
Sabrina sat up and scanned the circle again. “Did we do it? Is it safe now?”
“You did, little witch. You secured the lines to make them safe.”
“Thank the Goddess.”
“Indeed.” Darius offered her a hand and she slipped off the altar. He helped her get dressed, peppering her skin with little caresses before taking her mouth with a deep kiss. “You were magnificent, acushla. It will be a great honor to perform the rituals with you tonight.”
He kissed her again and ground his rigid cock against her belly, sending new jolts of arousal through her. Sabrina moaned and fell into his kiss, enjoying the taste of herself on him. Arousal stirred, but it highlighted another emotion wrapping around her heart. She’d fallen deeply in love with Darius. He’d left a little piece of himself in her when they’d merged, but he’d stolen her heart when he retreated. And she doubted she’d ever get it back.
Chapter Twelve
They didn’t speak much on the way back from the homestead. Sabrina tried not to dwell too much on her revelation or Darius’s declaration of love, but the endorphins from her orgasm and the hope they could be together after Beltane fluttered through her mind. She allowed herself to be cautiously optimistic. Darius had proved to be different than any other man she’d met, but she’d seen enough Prince Charmings turn back into frogs. She’d wait to see how he acted after Beltane, when he no longer needed her.
The proof is in the pudding.
Last minute preparations needed to be finished before the celebration and Sabrina threw herself into them to keep her mind distracted. She called Moira to confirm her taking the girls for the night. Moira promised she’d help them celebrate with dancing around the little May Pole and offering May Boughs made of mountain ash and ponderosa pine to the fire.
“Are you going to extinguish the hearth fire and restart it from the bonfire?”
“Yes.” Moira laughed. “I’m not sure Aiden is thrilled with the idea of leaving the woodstove cold until after we celebrate, but I promised I’d make it up to him.”
“Aiden will be there tonight?” Moira had mentioned a guy named Aiden from her past, but Sabrina thought he’d left long ago.
Moira cleared her throat. “Yeah, he just returned to town a few days ago and has no one to stay with. Is that okay?”
“Well, I don’t really know him.”
“He’s really good with children. He always has been. He says their minds are the least cluttered with junk and judgment.” Moira paused. “And I’ll be there all night. I can vouch for him.”
“All right. I trust you, Moira. Thank you for taking the girls. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem. Thanks for trusting me and Aiden. You’re one of the only ones.”
“Your folks giving you grief over him?”
“They always have.” Moira sighed. “Comes with the territory. I promise your kids will be safe with us.”
As the oldest family in Cloudburst, the Callahans had been blessed with some sort of magical talent when they founded the town. They’d used those talents to benefit of their town, but it made the members a bit elitist when it came to selecting partners for their children. Especially their only girl. Moira had had to fight to start her coffee shop on her own. Sabrina could only imagine what she went through for Aiden.
“Not a problem. Have fun tonight.”
“I will. You, too, Sabrina. It’ll be great. I can feel it.”
Sabrina tried to ignore the surge of hopeful excitement. “Thanks. I’ll drop the kids by the Cloudburst around four today, okay?”
“Sounds good. See you then.”
Sabrina hung up the phone and glanced around for Darius. She couldn’t find him in the living room or bedrooms, so she searched the backyard from her glass door. Empty. Where has he gone?
“Mommy, can I wear my white sparkle dress tonight?” Holly held up a white velvet dress with gold glitter pattern on the skirt.
“Sure. Let’s get you and your sister packed.” Sabrina guided her daughter back into her room. “Tonight, Moira is going to have a friend over. His name is Aiden. He’ll be there to help you celebrate with the May Pole and the feast.”
“Is he nice?” Holly grabbed her favorite doll and hugged it, her expression curious.
“I’m sure he is. Moira thinks highly of him.”
“Okay. As long as he’s nice.”
Sabrina smiled to herself. “Yes, I think he is. Come on, help me finish packing so we can have a snack before we go get Tansy.”
Holly helped her pack and bind up the May Boughs for their little celebration with Moira and Aiden. They’d made extra so she could cover her own blessings for her home and land before she danced for the Summer Court. Each bough had been cut from the trees around their house to tie the blessings to this land, and fastened with a golden ribbon. Sabrina loved the scent of ponderosa pine burning and prayed the blessing would translate to her new homestead.
I can’t believe Darius bought it for me. Where is he, anyway?
Holly helped Sabrina pack everything into the back of her van, including Tansy’s favorite stuffed dragon and blankie, and Sabrina glanced at her cell phone. The time had arrived to pick up Tansy from school, but Darius hadn’t returned. She wished she could call him, but she’d never seen him with a cell phone.
“Where’s Darius, Mommy?”
“I don’t know, honey, but we have to go get your sister. Get clipped in now.”
Sabrina half-expected to see the garage door to the house open and Darius stride through, but the door remained stubbornly closed. She tightened her hands on the wheel as she backed out and her stomach clenched. Where is he? Had something happened to him? He didn’t leave, did he?
She scanned the roads for Darius as she drove, her shoulders tensing with each empty street. Once she caught sight of a man in a long trench coat and her foot stuttered on the gas pedal, but he looked her way to cross the street and a tie showed at his collar. Her shoulders slumped as her gut churned. The Queen wouldn’t recall him this late in the game, would she?
“Mommy, where’s Darius?”
“I don’t know!” Sabrina took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Holly. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“Do you think he’s okay?”
“I’m sure he is, honey.”
But her certainty faded as they pulled in to the school for Tansy. Her eldest daughter waved at her teacher and scampered for the van, only to pause as someone called to her. Sabrina followed her daughter’s gaze and all the tension washed out of her as Darius appeared beside her girl. He smiled and waved then escorted her to the van and opened the passenger door.
“Where have you been?” Sabrina grimaced. “I’m sorry. When I didn’t see you at home, I got worried.”
He smiled and patted her arm. “I’m sorry to have caused you alarm. I made the last little arrangements with the Court. They shall be at the sacred site at the gloaming.” He settled himself as they drove toward town.
“At twilight? Why do they need to be there so early?”
“They will set the bonfire and make preparations for the rituals. The Queen won’t arrive until the dancing and chanting begins.”
“Is everything okay?” When he raised an eyebrow, she waved her hand. “I mean, everything ready to go and no snags for us to do this tonight. The site is secure?”
“Everything is fine, Sabrina.” He gave her a warm smile. “Are you looking forward to it?”
Sabrina let her gaze unfocus on the road. “A little. It’s been a long time since I’ve done the High Beltane rituals, but I remember liking the pageantry of it all.” She slanted him a glance. “I think it helps that you’ll be there with me.”
She expected him to flash an arrogant smile, but the expression on his face held more tenderness and joy than arrogance, and her heart swelled. She wanted him to love her as much as she’d fallen for him, but experience warned her to protect herself.
“This will be my first time in the ro
le of May Lord, but I couldn’t have chosen a better partner for May Lady.”
“You get to be May Lady this time, Mommy?” Holly chirped from the back.
“Yes, honey.”
“I wanna be May Lady.” Tansy met her gaze in the rear-view mirror. “Can I do that tonight?”
Sabrina smothered a laugh. “You’ll have to ask Moira. But I’m sure you and Holly can both be May lassies this year.”
Darius asked about the party and her overall day, and Tansy bloomed with his attention. Sabrina’s heart clenched with joy at his care of her children and she dared to hope he’d meant his words of love from the morning.
They arrived at the Cloudburst and dropped the kids off with Moira, Tansy and Holly chattering away as fast as they could. Sabrina kissed and hugged each girl, then had to swallow back tears as her daughters gave a special goodbye to Darius. He appeared as delighted by their actions as she. Moira waved them off and Sabrina couldn’t help the surge of excitement as she drove away.
Tonight would be momentous no matter what happened.
“How are you feeling, Sabrina?” Darius unclipped himself as she pulled into her garage.
“I’m…excited and nervous and happy and scared.” She laughed. “Does that answer your question?”
He chuckled. “Completely. Would it help you to know I feel the same?”
“You, the great Darius Winterbourne, Chamberlain of the Summer Court, nervous?”
“Well, when you put it like that…” He squeezed her hand before they opened the door to the house. “I have something for you.”
Sabrina followed him into the kitchen and he led her to the table. A large, elegantly carved wooden box rested on the surface with maple leaves etched on the lid. Sprigs of lavender ringed the sides, and plumes of ponderosa pine needles showed between the maple leaves. The wood glowed a rich red between the hand painted foliage, and the scent of cedar filled the room.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.” Darius gestured to the box. “It’s for you.”
The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) Page 17
