Coming out of the tunnel, the air almost crackled with magic. “Do you feel that?” Rachel whispered.
Sam looked at her and smiled. “Yeah. The air is alive, isn't it?"
Continuing along the path, they watched the people ebb and flow around the ancient stones. This was one of the only times people were even allowed near the stones. Most of the time, one had to stand behind a rope. Rachel ran to one of the outer stones and slid her hands lovingly over it. It was as if it were alive. Turning to Sam, she smiled broadly.
"Touch it. It feels warm.” The moon shone around them and their shadows could now easily be seen. “It's beautiful."
"It is. Look at the people,” Sam whispered, indicating everyone around them.
There were a few dressed in what was considered the normal Druid outfit of a long cream-colored robe. Still others were dressed in more normal fare of blue jeans and sweaters, dresses and coats. All manner of people had turned out to see one of the most important events in the ancient calendar. The ceremony would have a special connotation to many people. It was as if the earth's long-lost lover had come back to claim her after a long, dark night.
Rachel stood and breathed the clean, fresh, morning air. “Can you believe it? We've finally made it."
"No, you finally made it. This is something special only you and the earth can enjoy.” Sam grabbed her arm and hugged it tightly. “I just can't imagine what it would be like to be born today."
"Someone's birthday is today?” One of the Druids heard her comment and turned to them. “Which one?"
"Not me,” Sam stated, indicating Rachel.
"That would be me.” She waved her hand.
"Then you have the favor of the goddess. You must be very special to have been born this day. The priestess will want to talk to you sometime during the day."
Rachel didn't know whether to be happy or not. She really hadn't thought about what it meant to be a Druid or anything like that. “Thank you. But I'm sure she'll be very busy today."
"Not too busy to talk to someone as special as you. Today, you will be tuned into things most of us can only imagine."
Now Rachel's interest was piqued. “What do you mean?"
"In some circles, it is said that on this night and day you alone will have a special sight where you can see what we cannot."
"Such as?” Rachel didn't know what to think of this.
"Fairies, shape-shifters, the very gods themselves, it's said.” The man looked quite serious.
"I'll keep that in mind.” She smiled at him. “Where's the best vantage point for the sunrise?” she asked.
"Everyone will gather on the east side of the henge in about twenty minutes. Sunrise is only about an hour away at this point."
"Thank you.” Rachel took Sam's arm and started to lead her away.
"Blessed be."
She looked at Sam and started to laugh. “Can you believe that?"
"You shouldn't laugh. People take it very serious. The veils between the worlds are thin and many people experience it profoundly according to the literature you had me read."
Rachel pulled back and looked at her. “I didn't know you read everything."
Her friend met her gaze. “Actually, it was all quite interesting."
"I'm sure it is. We should try and get a spot toward the sunrise.” Suddenly something buzzed her head and she tried to swat it away. “What was that?"
"What was what? I didn't see anything."
"I guess it was just a bug. A really big bug.” Rachel peered into the predawn light and couldn't find what had been flying around her. “I'm glad I brought some water and food."
"I agree. We'll be here for hours and we'll need something."
"I think this is one of the times a meal is served around here somewhere. We'll play it by ear."
"Agreed.” Sam startled and looked intently at the crowd. “Is that Devon?"
Rachel turned and followed where her gaze was pointed. Sure enough, standing not more than twenty feet away was Samantha's ex-fiancée, Devon Kincaid. “I believe it is.” She turned to look at her best friend, trying to judge if this would be something good or bad. Sam had been very hurt by the turn of events. “I'll get rid of him if you want me to."
The question hung in the air as the man walked toward them.
"No, that'll be okay. After all, I should see him if he's come all this way.” She turned and looked at Rachel then let out a big sigh. “I wonder what he's here for."
"Silly, that should be obvious. He can't live without you.” Rachel squeezed her hand. “Now, you've just got to decide what you're going to do."
Samantha stamped her foot in typical Samantha style. “This isn't fair. This was supposed to be our time."
"We've been here a week. I'm sure that something can be worked out."
"Are you really okay with this?"
Smiling broadly, she pushed her friend in Devon's direction. “Of course I am.” She watched Samantha's receding back and stood for a moment. Now what am I going to do? She had no one special to watch this with and it made her sad. Something darted in front of her eyes. Something bright and shiny. Trying to be patient, she decided that to focus on whatever tried to make her miserable. Focusing directly in front of her, she squeaked in surprise and jumped back. There was just no way!
Excusing herself for running into a few people, she moved slightly away from everyone, which was hard with a whole field full of people. Analyzing what she had seen, she just couldn't believe it. She had seen a fairy, or maybe it was a pixie. She wished Sam were here so she could talk to her friend about it. She'd help Rachel figure out what to do. Pondering what she had seen, her thoughts were drawn back to what the Druid had told her earlier. Maybe she was special.
Whatever it was flew in front of her face again, the buzzing louder than before as she pulled her head back away. Watching whatever it was, she saw that it stopped and seemed to beckon her to follow. Looking around, she spied Sam and Devon several meters away in what seemed to be a serious conversation, their heads leaning together. Sam wouldn't miss her for a while it seemed. What harm was there in following what seemed to be a fairy? Weren't they generally considered good?
Cautiously picking her way through the crowd, she was surprised when it led her around a stone and no one was there. Absolutely no one. Rachel looked around and could see people but they seemed fuzzy. Looking down, she spied what looked to be a small fairy ring. She frowned to herself. Most of Stonehenge was surrounded by a fairy ring, so what was this one?
Leaning down, she tried to get a closer look, not realizing there was a stone underground. Hitting her head hard, she reached up and touched the bump. Pulling her hand away, she wasn't surprised to see blood. Still, it caused her to lose her balance and she fell forward.
And right through the ground.
* * * *
Waking up, Rachel groaned. Where am I? She remembered hitting her head and falling forward. But from that point on, she didn't have a clue about anything that happened.
"I see my guest has woken up,” a deep English-accented voice said from behind her.
Startled, she realized she lay on what appeared to be a couch. Trying to get up quickly, she was surprised when a gentle hand pushed her back down. Not knowing what else to do, she squeezed her eyes shut.
"You have taken a rather nasty bump on the head.” Soft fingers probed her tender forehead. “You can open your eyes. I assure you I am not an orge."
Slowly, she opened her eyes and was amazed to see an incredible looking man. True, he wasn't the most handsome man she had ever seen but he would surely turn her head if she passed him on the street. Eyes as blue as the azure sky and hair as dark as night framed a very masculine face, with high cheekbones, wide lips and a slightly broad nose were what met her awkward gaze.
"See, I told you."
Looking around, she was surprised to find herself in what looked like a cave. “Wh-where are we?"
"Below the henge. Somehow y
ou have managed to fall into my ... studio for lack of a better word."
Swallowing hard, her mouth suddenly felt dry. “Your studio?"
Sighing, he gazed at her for a moment. “My studio is what I chose to call it. It actually has been more like my prison for the last few hundred years or so."
Her eyes grew wide. “Prison?” Just what have I gotten myself into?
"Prison.” He looked at her for a moment before putting a salve on her head. “I suppose now you want all the sordid details."
She nodded her head. “I remember following a fairy or a pixie."
"I am afraid she is a fairy.” Looking up, they both saw her hovering in the corner of the room. “And a damn nuisance she is sometimes. But if it were not for her, I would not have survived all these years."
Rachel couldn't believe it at all. Her lawyer mind told her this was an impossibility, an illogical happening. “What do you mean by all these years? Who are you? What are you?"
He held up his hand. “I will tell you everything in due time. I need to know a few things about you first."
"Why?"
Sighing again, she could tell he was impatient with her. “Because you would not be here at all unless you were a really special woman. Are you a really special woman?"
Her mind again was drawn back to what the Druid said. “According to a Druid, I guess I am."
"The Druids are in charge of the world above?” A horrified look crossed his face.
Rachel wanted to snort with laughter. “Not really."
The man frowned. “Just who is in charge? Do not tell me that witch Morgaine has finally made it to ruler? That is something I just cannot accept."
Her eyes opened wide. “Morgaine ... as in Morgan le Fay ... antagonist to the wizard Merlin and King Arthur?"
"You know of them?"
"Everyone knows of the legend."
"Legend? They think it is a legend?"
Rachel blinked. Just how long had this guy been down here? “Who did you say you were?"
He eyed her cautiously. “I did not say at all. I was asking the questions. I need answers first.” He studied her face before continuing. “When were you born, child, and what is your name?"
She laughed wryly. “My name is Rachel Hamilton and I'm hardly a child. I was born on the twenty-first of June ... why?"
"The twenty-first of June? Summer solstice?"
"Yes, summer solstice. That's why I was here. I was to witness the miracle of sunrise at Stonehenge."
"Umm. That would explain why you could see my fairy.” He said little more and just watched her with narrowed eyes eventually making her squirm.
"Look ... you're making me uncomfortable ... what else do you need to know? I have questions of my own.” Rachel watched emotion, what one she couldn't tell, flash across his face.
"My name is Dewin, son of Kingston. Although I guess you would say it today as Dewin Kingston.” He sat as if waiting for some response.
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?” she questioned.
"You've never heard of me?” he looked surprised.
"No ... who are you?” Now she was really confused. First, something really odd and bizarre happened which enabled her to fall through the very land at her feet. Then the most handsome man she met in a long time thought she should know him. How much more bizarre could it get?
"That damn old buzzard. He swore people wouldn't remember me and I guess he was right.” He rubbed his chin. “I know so little of the outside world. What's it like?"
"Whoa ... wait a minute ... what old buzzard?"
"Merlin, of course."
"Of course,” she said sarcastically. “First, I fall down the rabbit hole and then a meet a good-looking guy.” She pushed her way past him and stood. Sure her head hurt but she could put a proper perspective on things if she paced. “Then this guy tells me he knows Merlin.” She turned to him, realizing she must look like a crazy woman. “Do you know just how crazy all of this sounds?"
Dewin looked at her confused. “Umm ... no."
She flopped down on the couch next to him. “Please tell me the whole story of how you came to be here, how I ended up here and maybe we can find a way to get us both out."
He smiled and lit up the whole room. “That is the spirit. I most definitely want to get out of here."
"You do realize that the world isn't what you remember it to be, don't you? That is, if what you are saying is true.” She placed her hand on his forearm and realized the strength it held. Just touching him brought an awareness of her body that she had missed. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply taking in his warm, woodsy scent. Her baser needs were going to take over in this small but comfortable room. But before she could allow herself to feel anything, she needed to get her mind around the facts that currently brought and held her here.
"I have told you my name is Dewin. It means wizard."
"You're a wizard?” she questioned lightly. If there was a fairy, there could certainly be a wizard.
He turned to look at her then and ran a gentle finger along her jaw. “You are beautiful."
Rachel leaned into his hand, her body's wants and needs taking over. “No, I'm not but it's nice to hear you say it. But ... I have to hear your story first ... please continue."
He withdrew his hand. “Yes, I'm a wizard. I was trained by Merlin himself."
"So he did exist?” She put her hand on his thigh and rubbed up and down.
"Umm ... that feels good ... did Nora sprinkle any dust on you while you were on the outside?"
"I don't think so but I really wasn't paying attention. She buzzed me a lot."
Dewin frowned and looked over her shoulder toward the fairy now sitting on a high shelf. “Nora, did you sprinkle Rachel?"
Rachel turned and watched the small light bob up and down. “I guess she did then.” She turned back to him. “So what does that do?"
"This."
His mouth swooped down to kiss her deeply. His kiss was extraordinary as he tugged on her lower lip with gentle nibbles. Leaning into his kiss, she snaked her tongue into his mouth and tried to illicit a response from him. She was rewarded with his tongue coming to war with hers for supremacy. Slowly, she pulled herself from the ever-enticing ritual.
"Okay ... we've established that fairy dust heightens one's sexual response ... is that all it does?"
He pulled up from kissing her neck, his large hand caressed her face. “No, the dust has a lot of magical properties. We will have to complete what we start ... I hope you do not mind ... it has been a long time for me. The fairy dust makes our lust palpable, like a living thing until the need is fulfilled."
Looking at him, she noticed his eyes darken. Leaning in, she gave him a quick peck on the mouth without lingering. It was hard for her to stop as she wanted to learn every aspect of this man's body. Still, she needed to know just why she was here. “I don't mind at all but I need to know more first.” She ran her hands up his arms and was rewarded with a shiver.
"You'll have to stop doing that if you want me to tell you anything."
She looked around the room to see if there were any place else to sit and didn't find anything. “It's going to be hard since we're both on the couch."
He lifted his hands from her. “I will try to restrain myself. Promise."
Smiling, she chuckled. “I think we better be quick before our resolve fades."
"Agreed."
"So, we've established that you were trained by Merlin. Then why are you here?"
"I believe the man wanted to punish me."
"Punish you? Why?"
"I was very good at what I did. So good that I had the ire of Morgan le Fay and her nephew, Modred, thrust upon me."
"Wasn't Modred Arthur's son?"
Dewin looked quite shocked as if she had touched upon a previously unknown secret. “I suppose he was. Only Merlin ever knew for sure. Arthur had three sisters and Modred was Morgawse's son for sure. I never could get Merlin to tell m
e the whole truth of it. Still, Arthur considered him to be more of a nephew than a son. Morgan brought him up to hate the king."
Rachel remembered once reading something about that but would have to research it further should she ever get back. “Okay. So what happened?"
"Merlin and I fought on the eve before the great battle. I do not suppose you know the outcome?"
Rachel shook her head sadly. “Everything is shrouded in mists and legends. It's said that Arthur and Modred killed each other on the great battlefield. No one really knows because no one has ever found anything which tells what actually happened. Most of our history comes from a time many years after the events actually took place. So how did you end up here?"
"It is sad really. Merlin brought me to the henge and cast a spell upon it. He told me it was for my own good since I meddled too much. I was only trying to save Arthur, which was my lot in life."
"I'm sorry. Is there anything that can break the spell?” She tried to comfort him the best she could since she still didn't understand the circumstance of how he came to be under the henge.
Dewin stopped and gripped both of her hands. “I think you are the one to break the spell."
Shocked, she pulled her hands away. “What do you mean I can break the spell?"
Reaching out, he pulled her hands back into his. “Merlin's spell was special, different."
She allowed him to rub her hands, to bring back the tightness in her breast and the wetness to her crotch. Rachel wanted this man like she'd never desired another. And that was something her logical lawyer mind found hard to accept. She felt as if this were a dream she would be waking from at any moment. “How different?” she questioned quietly.
"I believe it involved a love spell of sorts."
"Love spell?” she echoed, not wanting to believe her ears.
"Yes. One that involved a very special woman who was born on a summer solstice which was under a full moon. Was the moon full when you were born?"
She swallowed hard. Rachel has listened many, many times as her mother recounted the fullness of the moon as it cast shadows along the hills of her parents’ farm. Her mother had always told her she felt that night had been magical. “Yes, it was."
Summer Solstice Scorchers Page 4
