“This is really neat.”
Glancing over at Ryan, she realized he wasn’t experiencing distress but was enjoying flashing the light beam over the sparkling rock wall. She’d always wondered if they were filled with diamond dust, but her selfish desire to keep this place to herself had prevented her from asking if anyone in the family knew.
They walked for some time before coming to the cavern she wanted to take. When they entered, Ryan gasped, and though she’d seen it all many times before, she felt as bowled over by the beautiful scene before them as he.
The ceiling and walls were only twenty or so feet in circumference, forming a large tunnel that ended at the opening at the mountain’s side. Sunshine lit the room, throwing prisms of blue light all over the cave’s ceiling and walls, and a shallow stream came from a tiny vein to their left, and flowed down the center to spill like a waterfall into the lake, miles below.
“This is amazing,” Ryan whispered reverently, releasing her arm and stepping forward. He slowly walked the narrow edge millennia of passing time and rushing waters had left behind after forging the indention to narrow the water’s flow so it no longer filled the entire cavern floor. He reached forward, then froze, before touching one of the long crystals that sat in clusters, spiking upward from the cave floor like ice blue prisms cut by a master jeweler’s chisel. He glanced back at her, excitement reflected in his turquoise eyes.
“Is it okay to touch them?”
Dia nodded, as in love with his gentlemanly nature as with the man himself. She moved to his side and watched as he ran his finger down then back up the length of one before testing the sharpness of its tip. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
Ryan straightened and smiled at her. “Yes. Are they amethysts?”
Dia shrugged. “I’m not sure. They’re more blue than purple, although I know of blue amethysts. I always thought they were sapphires, except they aren’t as dark as those my mom has in her personal collection.” She grimaced, wondering why she’d shared that, and then was embarrassed to admit her lack of knowledge was due to selfishness. “I never told anyone about this place because it was my special secret as a kid, and I was afraid others would disturb something if they knew about it.
“I dreamed so many dreams in here.”
She held her breath, only just realizing she’d connected with the earth even back then. The crystals hadn’t filled the cave the first time she’d stumbled across it. It had been a dark dank cavern. If she hadn’t been mad at Sapphire that day for whatever reason she’d had, she wouldn’t have taken her mom’s four-wheeler and set off into the forest. She wouldn’t have found the hidden opening. And she wouldn’t have braved searching the caves alone.
It nearly took her breath, knowing when she’d ended up in this cavern with the moon nearly filling the opening at the end, she’d been in a full-fledged panic because she’d gotten mixed up and couldn’t remember the way out. And her flashlight batteries had been close to dying and the cave had grown dimmer by the minute. She’d cried out in terror and wished for light to scare away the darkness. To her delight the crystals had pushed from the rocky earth in clusters, and the light of the moon filled the cavern with prisms of magical light.
Dia stood frozen in amazement. How could she have forgotten all that? Why had she never questioned the mountain’s ability to meet her desperate need? Sure, she’d only been eight at the time and knew their lives were filled with magic, but she hadn’t recognized it was her own that connected her to all that was happening. Was it because it preceded her ascension? Or because her desire to be a White Witch overrode the possibility her magic would come in another form? Was it because she always felt like the odd one and feared she didn’t really deserve a gift of her own? The possibilities flooded her mind even as relief filled her soul. She was worthy of her family’s heritage and now knew how blessed she was.
“Dia? Are you okay?”
It took a moment to pull herself together, to hold back tears that wanted to form in celebration of this moment of enlightenment. She swallowed, took a shaky breath, and wished with everything within her heart she could share this discovery with the wonderful man looking at her with such concern.
“I’m fantastic!” She reached for his hand, needing his touch more than her next breath. “Make love to me.”
Chapter Eleven
Ryan smiled and pulled her into his arms. Her mouth tasted of mint, her scent that of a woman hungry for his touch. He was always ravenous where she was concerned. He had tried to temper his actions, knowing she still didn’t trust the sustenance of his love for her to carry them through a lifetime. His intent to convince her of his devotion was quickly overridden by the desire to fulfill whatever had sent her into a wild, clawing, ball of need. She tugged at his jacket making sounds of frustration when her fingers couldn’t find purchase. She clutched handfuls of his hair and pulled his lips to hers when he tried to move back enough to undo the garment that had angered her. She cried out in desire when he grasped her blond glory and forced her face upward, so he could devour the softness of her neck and try to catch his breath.
Knowing he had to settle them both down before he ruined everything by completing too soon, he lifted her, placing her on the other side of the stream. Her shock was plain, her hurt as much, and he shook his head with a grin. “Give me a minute,” he said, breathless. “I need a minute or you aren’t going to get as much pleasure from this as I am.”
Dia’s little laugh of delight was music to his ears, the colorful kaleidoscope irises topped by arched blond brows, though still surprising, filled him with delight. He loved the evidence of her heightened emotions, the wildness of her disheveled nearly white hair, and the urgency with which she shed her clothes. He loved everything about her and needed to find a way to prove it wasn’t just lust for the amazing body she now displayed.
Ryan took his time undressing, keeping his eyes on hers, or her lips, or the perfectly formed globes topped by surprisingly dusky nipples. He slid off his shoes, his pants, and his socks last, empowered by her interest in all of him not just that which had every intention of filling her again and again, until she begged for merciful release.
He smiled at her and wet his dry lips, then glanced to the stream at their feet. In one motion he stooped down and scooped a handful, taking a drink of the ice cold water. An amazing infusion of energy filled him and he stood, wanting to tell her how much he loved the water on the mountain. But his excitement quelled as her smile faltered, her eyes were filled with fright, and she looked from him to the water like she couldn’t believe what he’d just done. Ryan frowned, not knowing what had taken the gleam from her eyes and the joy from her expression.
“Dia?” He glanced down at the stream and then back up to her. “Is there something wrong with this water?”
She shook her head quickly and took a drink herself and then smiled at him a little unevenly. “It’s just water.”
Ryan nodded, trying to ignore the uneasy feelings her reaction evoked. Wondering… he looked to the far end of the cave and couldn’t help but blink as his heart began to race. The distance between him and the opening should have had his sight deteriorating, but just like the last time he drank the local water, and his nearsightedness had improved, it appeared now his farsightedness was much better as well. He turned back to her, thrilled, but apprehensive that she wanted to deny the obvious. There were properties in the water that were special, and she knew it.
“That isn’t just water.”
Dia stared at him, but said nothing, and his heart sank. “Do you want to tell me why you deny this water is more than it appears to be?”
“It comes from the mountain. I told you that before. Other people drank it. Many other people, but it hasn’t affected any of them in any way. So I’m not lying to you. I’m just afraid you’ll make something of it doing something special for you and draw others here. We are very protective of this mountain. It is sacred.”
“Then why did you act
like you knew it would do something special for me?”
Dia swallowed visibly. “Did I?”
Ryan nodded. “Yes.”
“Did it?”
Again he said, “Yes. My sight is even better than before.” He looked at her pensively. “Do you know why?”
She nodded slowly, but didn’t speak.
“Will you tell me?”
She looked so frightened, so lost suddenly. He was certain she knew something, but whatever it was scared her into silence.
“Dia, I swear to you, I won’t tell anyone, but I have to know.”
Something deep within the earth rumbled and the floor of the cavern shook splashing the water onto their feet. Storm clouds suddenly appeared, throwing them into near darkness until lightning slashed across the opening at the end of the cave, illuminating the room with blinding light that burned his now healthy eyes. Ryan’s heart jerked into action within his chest and he turned back from the mouth of the cave to tell her they needed to get out quickly. An earthquake could trap them, or possibly kill them if the cavernous ceiling gave way. But the words lodged in his throat when he turned from the light show outside to shout the warning, because the woman he’d entered the cave with was no longer there. In her place stood a woman aglow, with her white hair flying with static electricity and her kaleidoscope irises spinning with a multitude of violets, blues, greens, and yellow-golds that threw sparks from the corners of her eyes.
Though no wind touched him, her hair flapped, twisted, and turned as violently as the sky brewing with rage outside. He backed away as his mind tried to grasp what was happening and stumbled over something large enough to devour his balance. Arms flailing, he flew backward, and the last thought he had before pain sliced through his skull was his father wasn’t crazy after all.
****
Dia fell to her knees, stunned by the power that had taken hold and transported her to places she never knew she could go. She’d been the moisture that made up the clouds in the sky, the rich soil that blanketed the earth, and she’d learned the secrets of the stars. Each experience seemed to take hours, yet she was certain only moments could have passed before she was once again herself. As sunlight filled the cavern, she struggled to her feet on legs so shaky she wasn’t sure they still held bone. Weakly, she jumped over the now still stream, and nearly fell on the other side when her ankles gave way. She struggled through the few steps it took to drop at Ryan’s side. Terror lodged in her throat, while tears of regret ran down her cheeks to splash against his arm.
The blood pooling as it seeped from the back of Ryan’s head was her fault, although she’d had no control over the storm that had built from her fear of his discovery. Her own heart bled as she tested his pulse. Though there, it was as weak as his breaths were shallow, and her terror increased tenfold.
She swung her head quickly at the sharp gasps of alarm coming from the interior opening of the cavern. Though dizzy, relief washed through her, and the tears increased as her mother and aunts ran to her aide. Before she could relay the danger Ryan was in, blackness engulfed her mind.
****
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
Dia opened her eyes and stared into Ryan’s happy ones, before she glanced around to find they were at the cabin she called home. Her breath caught as she struggled to remember how she’d gotten them back from the cave, but she couldn’t grasp a thought long enough to finish it.
“Or, I guess I should say, good afternoon.” He shook his head. “Your family must have really worn us out yesterday. I’ve never slept in this late in my life.”
Dia turned back to him and frowned. “What?”
He laughed. “It’s noon. And I’m starving. How about I make us a late breakfast?”
“What?”
Ryan sat up and stretched, but all she could do was look at the undamaged back of his head. There was no blood, no bandages, and other than being a little shaggy, his hair looked perfectly fine.
“Are you okay?”
Ryan turned back to pounce on her, and take her mouth in a hungry kiss before he pulled back enough to study her face. “I’m great. I’m not even sore. I thought for sure last night I’d be an invalid today!” He laughed again. “Your cousins are hard to compete with, but I think I held my own.”
He doesn’t remember? “What about the cave?”
For the first time since she awakened, he looked at her with questions in his eyes. “What cave?”
Certain now she’d been given a reprieve, she pulled him to her in a hug. Relief washed through her as she held on tightly. Her confusion nearly made her dizzy. Just like she’d been dizzy where her mother and aunts….
After a swift intake of breath, Dia exhaled heavily. That was what had happened. She hadn’t done anything to rescue them from the situation she’d created. It had been the three powerful mystics who had raised and loved her since her birth. She sent a silent thank you to her mother and aunts. She could relax and smile when he pulled back again.
“Good morning, or afternoon, or whatever it is.” Dia grasped his face and pulled it to hers and poured all the thanksgiving she felt into the kiss. He wasn’t hurt. He didn’t remember her going all mystic on him. And his exuberant response sent fire to the tips of her toes. Once they were both gasping for breath, she released his lips, which only allowed them the freedom to forage to his heart’s content. She wiggled and squirmed as he nibbled and lavished her body with erotic attention. She moaned and clawed when he bit a nipple then blew cool breath over it. She giggled when he found her most ticklish spot at the inside of her upper thigh, and rejoiced when he gave up the sweet torture to slide into her, filling her heart as well as her body. Finally, she screamed with delight when he took her over the edge of sanity and straight into ecstasy.
The hard banging at the door had them both freezing mid-pant as Ryan slid from her body.
“Dia! Are you in there?”
Heracles! She sent an apologetic look to Ryan before screaming, “Just a minute!”
Ryan’s eye lit with laughter. “I think we were supposed to be back at your uncle’s house sometime today.” He frowned. “Weren’t we?”
Dia couldn’t believe she’d forgotten their promise to make it back to another family gathering and to check on Jewell and the babies. She allowed him to head to the sink first to quickly clean himself up and then joined him there for a quick wash down herself.
“I need panties!”
Ryan looked her over and grinned. “You need more than that.”
Dia shrugged. “He’s my cousin. He doesn’t even know I’m a girl.”
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her soundly. “I do. Cousin or not, you need more than panties.”
Laughing, she headed to her little dresser and pulled out a camisole and panties before snagging a pair of shorts. Pulling them on as she went to the door, she glanced back quickly to make sure Ryan was decently covered before she unlocked and opened the door. Heracles stood on the other side, smiling for all he was worth.
“Good afternoon! The family sent me over to see if you two wanted to have lunch with us since they couldn’t get you on the phone.” He glanced past Dia and looked Ryan over with a smile. “You might want to put on some clothes. Garrison is already making noises about a shotgun wedding if you two can’t keep your hands off of each other long enough for Dia to check on her sister. And Sapphire is in a snit because she says you’re messing up her day.” Heracles shrugged. “I don’t know what that means, but she seems really irritated, and I’m not taking any chances with that one. One angry swipe and my career is over. This face is my ticket to stardom, and that girl can grow claws.” He winked at Dia.
Knowing he was mocking her, Dia quickly but discreetly shook her head and glared at her cousin. She’d just survived the mistake of exposing their specialness to Ryan and she’d nearly killed him. Her cousin didn’t need to be throwing it in her face, whether intentional or not.
Dia frowned, unable to believe her
father would say such a thing, though she had little doubt he’d been informed of the family matriarchs’ dash to save Ryan from her earlier folly. The gleam in Heracles eyes confirmed he knew, and Dia felt a stirring of irritation. “Just who sent you over here?”
“Your mom. She said to tell you to bring your man and come on. Seems you all have some girl things to talk about.”
Dia groan inwardly and nodded, turning to Ryan. “You want to get some pants on? Seems I’m going to be taken to the woodshed.”
Ryan grinned. “I want to see it too. I hadn’t told you yet, with everything going on, but I have some of your dad’s pieces. I saw his work online when I was furnishing my house and commissioned several pieces for my home office.” His smile brightened even more. “I love the desk he designed. It stretches around two walls and allows me to go from one computer to all the rest.” He grinned, as if he were embarrassed. “There are eight of them going all the time.”
Glad he’d misunderstood, thinking she meant her dad’s shop instead of the figurative woodshed, which her family jokingly referred to whenever any of them had gotten into trouble as children. Not that a Cavanaugh child had actually ever been spanked as far as she knew. Though, with the Whitehawk boys, she knew that could have gone either way.
“It’s an old-fashioned term for a place where kids were taken to be spanked,” Heracles stated, and Dia could have whipped him herself.
She glared at him again. “Seriously?”
Dia glanced back at Ryan. He was pulling on his jeans, and she couldn’t help but admire how nicely the boxers hugged his butt when he’d leaned forward to step into the second leg. She turned back to find Heracles watching him as closely and punched her cousin in the gut.
Heracles brows rose and, amazingly, his naturally tanned cheeks filled with rich color. She frowned at him, confused, but he just winked back at her. Dia blew out a breath and pushed him back outside of the doorway he’d been filling. “Go tell them we’ll be there shortly.” And under her breath, “Stop now.”
Unforgettable Heroes II Boxed Set Page 168
