Sabrina gripped his shoulders to steady herself as they moved in an easy rhythm and arched her back, brushing her aching nipples against his chest. He dipped his chin and nuzzled her breasts, kissing the skin above her bodice. Electricity shot straight from her chest to her pussy and she clenched again, making Darius growl.
Arousal smoldered at the back of her mind as they moved together. She met and held his gaze, falling into the teal depths. The gilded mask glittered and flashed in the light of the sacred circle, and Sabrina realized she fucked the ancient god of fertility and virility. Lust surged, burning at path straight to her pussy as the magic between them grew and strengthened.
She rose off his cock faster, slamming down harder as she angled her head to kiss him. The rich taste of wine combined with the throbbing beat of the drums pushed her arousal higher. She tightened her fingers in the shoulders of his tunic, wishing she could touch the flesh of his hard chest. He seemed to have the same idea because he palmed one breast and squeezed gently, rocking his hips as he thrust into her.
The pressure built and she whimpered as she threw back her head, riding the pulse of desire. Darius growled and thrust, then dropped his hand between them where her mound ground against the base of his cock. His thumb found her clit, swirling over it with determined motion, and her orgasm broke free from her control.
“Come for me, sweet Goddess. Take my seed and become one with me.”
The sexy words spoken in his husky voice sent her straight into the stars, carried on wings of passion, and something else. Something more.
Love.
Her release burst through her like fireworks, but instead of flashes of light, the world blazed white. Pleasure exploded through her and filled her with delight of renewal and strength. Scents of new grass, wet mountain air, and fresh pine hit her nose, and a warm, summer breeze caressed her cheeks, both of her face and of her ass.
Sabrina gasped and opened her eyes.
The world around her solidified into soft mists and glorious new growth. The breeze cleared some of the mists and the ends of a suspension bridge appeared, leading off into the fog. Darius stood before her, holding one of her hands. He still wore the horned mask and the long hunter green tunic, but his eyes glowed with teal fire as if lit from within.
Sabrina wanted to ask where they were when someone ambled toward them from the direction of the bridge. Sweet glory, who is this? The figure clarified into a tall, statuesque woman with eyes full of stars and rich, nut-brown hair. Sabrina recognized the Matron form of the Goddess. Amazement stole her breath and Sabrina bowed her head in reverence as She stopped beside them, a gentle smile on Her lips.
“Be welcome, May Lord and Lady.” The feminine voice rolled over them like a velvet balm. “You have come here to seal your sacred site against negligence and misuse, and to finalize the paths you both have taken to get here. It is with great love and respect I offer you my blessing on this endeavor, and accept the gift of your communion this Beltane.”
The Goddess’s gaze fell on Sabrina and she wondered if any of this could be real.
“Yes, dear little witch. More real than you might later realize. You’ve been offered a great many gifts by those who love you. Have faith and take them to heart.”
She turned her gaze to Darius. Sabrina heard nothing but the breeze through the ropes of the bridge and her own throbbing heartbeat, which seemed to be growing louder. The Goddess rested Her hand on theirs where they joined and power flared, turning the world white once more. But before everything faded away, Sabrina caught the pale smudge of a great spreading tree emerging from the mists.
Tír na nÓg.
White hot bliss seared all conscious thought away and the throbbing music and drums returned full force. Sabrina panted with the aftereffects of her release, the bliss slowly draining away. She came back to herself seated on Darius’s lap and her pussy tightly gripping his cock. He seemed just as winded and surprised to return to the bonfire in the sacred circle. He met her gaze and she read wonder and awe in his eyes.
“Did you see Her?”
“Yes. She blessed our offering.” His cock flexed within her and she moaned, her pussy squeezing in appreciation.
“What else did She say to you?”
Darius took a breath to answer, but a fanfare broke out, and they turned their heads to watch the Summer Queen depart. Courtiers gathered to follow after, taking their mage fyre globes with them. The music had dwindled to the whistle of the wind through the trees and the thunder of their own heartbeats. The Queen disappeared into the trees, taking the light and excitement with her. Sabrina and Darius sat alone on the altar to the Goddess with a few pairs of dancers reclining together at the edges of the sacred circle.
The bonfire had settled down to crackle happily in its bed, its heat retreating as its fuel dwindled to charcoal. A breeze snaked across the open space and caressed Sabrina’s bare buttocks. She shivered and cuddled closer to Darius’s chest. He smelled of wood smoke, hot sex, and…home.
“Are you cold, Sabrina?” He wrapped her in his arms, surrounding her with his heat.
“Yes, a little. My ass is hanging in the wind.” He chuckled at her words and slid his hands down to grip her butt. “Oh, glory, that feels good.” The heat of his hands seeped into her.
“Perhaps we should get dressed.” He moved his hands to her waist under her skirt, caressing as he went. “It looks as though the party’s over.”
Sabrina nodded, but didn’t move to get up. She held his gaze in the fading light of the fire, trying to decide if she should say anything. She didn’t have much time and it could all be for naught, but she screwed up her courage and took a deep breath.
“I love you, Darius.”
****
Darius couldn’t have been more surprised if someone had cracked him over the head with a club. Did she just say she loved me? He sat with a sexy, wanton woman on his cock and lost all coherent thought to his overwhelming joy and excitement.
“Darius?”
“Yes, sorry. Can you repeat that?”
She gave him a shy smile. “I love you.”
The joy bubbled up and spread across his face in a wide grin. “That is most excellent news.”
He reached up and tilted her head to his lips. She sighed and opened for him. Her acceptance warmed his heart as he slipped his tongue into her mouth and kissed her with all the joy pouring out of him. The slide of her tongue against his stirred his cock, and she moaned, breaking the kiss.
“I think I should get down. My knees are starting to hurt.”
Nothing like reality to kill an erotic moment. He murmured an apology and helped lift her off his half-hard shaft. She hissed as she straightened her legs and stood to the side of the altar, rubbing the backs of her knees. His own hiss lit the air as the cool wind touched his wet cock, wrapping fingers of cold around him. He rose and searched for his discarded pants, belatedly recalling she wore less than he.
Darius searched the grounds beside the altar, spotting her clothes first.
“Here, acushla, let’s get you dressed and wrapped up. The wind has turned chill.” He offered her the trousers and watched as she slipped them over her legs. Shivering as the breeze nipped his balls, he found his pants in a pool of shadow. He jerked them on and tied the drawstring, sighing with relief as the cold cut off.
“Feel better?” Sabrina’s voice held amusement. Her lavender eyes glittered through the mask in the dying light of the fire and the aragonite necklace flashed as she turned. “Come on. Let’s head home. I think the Fae want to clean up and we’re just in their way.”
She held out her hand to him and chagrin slid through him. Where had his manners gone? He grasped her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow, gathering her against his side. She sighed and snuggled closer, a sweet smile curling her lips. The smile fueled his joy and pride. His mind ran around in happy little circles like a puppy when its mistress returns. She loves me. She loves me.
The mag
ic energy floated around them in swirls of sparkles like pixie dust, but the tingling flurries cut off as soon as they stepped out of the trees. Darius took a deep breath with the sense of a new life unfolding before him
Sabrina retrieved her shawl just outside the sacred circle and he helped wrap it around her, stealing a kiss when she stood encircled in his arms. The noses of their masks clacked together and she giggled.
“Maybe we should take these off.” She trailed her fingers over her auburn mask, lifting it off her face. She’d looked exotic in the mask, but the beauty of her face stirred his cock, even after all the sex.
Darius pulled his own mask off and tucked her close to his side again. “Come. Let’s get out of the wind. Shall I drive us home?”
“Do you want to? I can do it.”
“I’d be happy to drive us back.”
“Okay.” She handed him the keys and he escorted her to her door. She pulled it open and he handed her up into the seat. She gave him a tired and grateful smile as he closed her in.
A warm and companionable silence enveloped them as they drove back toward her house. Darius glanced over at the woman he loved seated beside him and his heart swelled. She was perfect. Strong, intelligent, and beautiful, he thanked his lucky stars she’d returned his love. His admiration for her had grown over the time he’d spent with her, and he drove on with the determination to stay in her world.
The headlights of her van swung across the front of her house as they turned up the gravel drive and unease slid across his gut. A subtle golden glow illuminated the front porch and he swallowed hard when he caught sight of what waited for them.
The Summer Queen and a few privileged members of her Court stood in the trees beside the house. The Queen looked lovely in her pale green and gold finery, elegant and regal, but cold. When she offered a sweetly malicious smile, Darius’s heart sank. What is she up to?
****
Darius pulled the van to a stop and sat for a few moments with the motor running. Sabrina followed his gaze to the Summer Queen and wondered why her smile gave Sabrina the willies. Something had gone wrong, but she couldn’t think what. They’d performed the rituals. The Goddess had blessed them and accepted the offering. What else needed to be done?
“Darius?”
He gave her a wan smile and handed her the keys. “Come. Let’s find out what Her Majesty needs.”
Sabrina slid out of her seat and tossed the door closed as she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. While the Fae Court looked beautiful, her instincts wailed in warning. She didn’t think the Fae Queen usually made house calls to the witches who performed the rituals, and Darius’s reaction supported her belief.
“Welcome, Chamberlain Winterbourne and Lady Foxglove.” The Queen’s musical voice floated over them along with her magic, but it didn’t ease Sabrina’s worry. “We wish to offer our thanks for your efforts in the rituals, Lady Foxglove.”
The Queen inclined her head and Sabrina resisted the urge to curtsey.
“You’ve chosen an excellent guardian for the sacred site, Chamberlain Winterbourne. We are pleased someone of such strength shall preside over it.”
Benign gratitude suffused Her Majesty’s words, but despite the magic cajoling them to believe, Sabrina waited for the other shoe to drop. She glanced at Darius as he bowed graciously, but tension mantled his shoulders. He knows something’s up, too.
“We are honored by your approval, Your Majesty.” Darius gave his own false smile.
“In honor of your faithful and excellent service, Chamberlain, We shall grant you two boons. Because you’ve upheld your end of our agreement, you’ve been reinstated as Chamberlain at Court, you shall retain your longevity, your family sword, and your honor, and the Winterbourne name shall be held forever sacred, with respect and honor. Your position is assured.”
Darius dipped his head in acknowledgement, but Sabrina’s gut clenched. “Agreement? What agreement?”
“The agreement to keep his position in exchange for your performance of the High rituals.” The Queen offered her sweetly malicious smile again. “And you performed admirably, Lady Foxglove.”
Sabrina heard the compliment, but anger seethed in her gut. Darius did this to keep his job? It didn’t matter she’d decided to attend the ceremony on her own. He’d betrayed her for a position at Court. For family honor and name. For a sword.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” She curtsied to hide her expression.
“And now for your second boon, Chamberlain.”
“Perhaps Your Majesty would grant me the opportunity to ask for this boon at a later date.” Darius shot a wary look in Sabrina’s direction, but she ignored him. “Your generosity is beyond my expectations.”
The Queen smiled at the flattery. “Very well, Chamberlain. We shall grant your request as We are feeling quite generous tonight. But We expect your report on tonight’s events as soon as you return to Court.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Darius bowed again.
“You’re returning to Court?” Sabrina couldn’t stop the incredulous question bursting out.
“Please excuse us a moment, Your Majesty.”
The Queen inclined her head as Darius took Sabrina’s hand and dragged her away from the Fae, their curious eyes gleaming with renewed interest. Nothing like a good intrigue to send the gossip flying.
“What’s going on, Darius? Did you really make a deal with the Summer Queen?”
“Yes. At the time it was the only way to protect my family and my honor.”
“And your job and your sword, according to her. What happened to ‘I love you and want to stay with you forever?’ Was it all part of your plan to save your job?”
“Not just my position, Sabrina. At the time she threatened me, you hadn’t made your decision yet. I never hid my intentions from you. I needed you to do the rituals.”
“And aren’t you lucky I made the decision for myself. Made it so easy for you.” Her stomach curdled. “Fucking for employment. You’re the perfect man-whore, Darius. You even got paid with position, honor, name, and sword. Nicely done.”
“Sabrina—”
“No.” She pulled away from his reaching hands. If he cradled her against him, she’d capitulate. “Get away from me. Don’t touch me. You’ve made your choice and secured your job. Go back to your Fae Court and live with your ‘honor’ for your long life with your sword. As far as I’m concerned, you have no honor.”
“Sabrina, please.” He reached for her again, but she stepped back. “She threatened to ban my family from Court and strike our name from the records. I couldn’t destroy their hopes.”
“No, of course not. I see where I stand in terms of what’s important to you. Family name, honor, sword, then lover. Or am I even in that category? The way it looks, I’m just another pussy in a long line of them.”
“No, acushla, you’re so much more to me.”
“Don’t call me that.” She snarled straight into his face. “Nice job stringing me along. I applaud you on your skills of manipulation. I fell for all of it.”
“Dammit, woman, listen to me!” He grabbed her arms and glared, nose to nose with her. “I want you and I’d sacrifice everything to stay.” He softened his grasp and gave her a pleading look. “You promised you’d give me the time to take my leave. You said you’d wait for me to return to you.”
“I said it when I thought you meant your lies. But now you’re free. You don’t have to return. Ever. Your position and family honor are evidently more important to you.” She gritted her teeth and met his gaze, barely holding back her urge to spit at him. “Go back to your life and leave me alone.”
“Sabrina.”
“Get away from me, Chamberlain Winterbourne. I don’t need a man to save me, and I certainly don’t need you.”
The rage festering in her gut only made her voice harder and he released her, stepping back. Hurt and bewilderment shot through his expression before he resumed his Courtly mask.
“Very well, Lady Foxglove.” He bowed to her and turned, retracing his steps toward the Summer Court. They welcomed him with their tinkling musical voices and he accepted their greetings.
Sabrina stood back and watched them as they gathered to go, her heart folding in on itself. I don’t need a man, I never did. I knew he was a player. It’s my own fault if I fell for him. Her pep talk did nothing to stem the pain as the Fae faded into the new summer forest. But before they disappeared, Darius turned to face her, his expression solemn. He watched her as they vanished from view and Sabrina held it together until they’d gone.
Roiling emotions coursed through her as she unlocked her front door and stepped inside. The silence of her home gripped her heart and she crumpled into a heap on the welcome mat, the tears flooding down her cheeks. He’d said he loved her. He said he wanted to be with her forever. But he’d chosen his job and his sword over her. The knife of despair twisted deeper. Oh, Goddess, how will I get over this?
Chapter Fifteen
Darius paced the great hall with a measured stride commensurate for the Chamberlain of the Summer Court. He nodded and smiled graciously at the passing courtiers, even taking the time to hear some of their petitions to put before the Queen. He exchanged pleasantries, shook forearms, and agreed to hear their words. He performed his duties and dressed with the utmost care.
Since returning to the Court, he’d been more popular than ever. The Queen had honored him and his family, making a public proclamation of the service he’d rendered and the sanctity of his family’s name in the records. Invitations to all members had been issued for Court attendance and they came, even his brother Phinnius, who’d joined the military.
Darius swung his gaze over the teaming ballroom and met many a lady’s eye as he passed. Several twittered behind their fans while dipping their heads in coy invitation for more than just a passing look. His popularity among the Fae ladies had reached epic proportions, but his own interest had waned. He found none of them measured up to his ideal of beauty despite their elegant clothes and fanciful chignons. They appeared unfinished and ethereal to him, without the earthy feminine charms he wanted.
The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) Page 20
