"Thyme, a protection from evil.” He sprinkled the herb into the cauldron, then replaced the pot and picked up the next. “Three pinches of Juniper to repel dark spirits and ... one dash of Valerian, to deflect evil plans away from milady."
The wooden spoon swirled through the watery contents. He bent over the cauldron and sniffed the sweet-tangy aroma. There still was a lot missing.
"Where is Alayne?"
He glanced at the doorway. She had left that morning and dusk was now approaching. Alayne's fortitude reminded him of Gavenia. The very thought of his love heated his blood. He would do anything to be with her right now.
The front door opened and Alayne rushed through, her scarlet hair messed with a twig in her braid. She emptied a sack of plants on the kitchen table.
"I was able to find all of the ingredients except the mint."
"That is all right, this potion will still work without it. She will not like the taste, but that will be the last of her worries.” He looked at her and pulled the green stick from her hair. “What took you so long?” his tone held no reproach.
"I could not purchase all of them from the crone in the nearby village, so I searched the field near the river."
Blind or not, Alayne really was remarkable.
"Get some rest, lass. Unfortunately, this potion is going to take some time."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Fifteen
Sunrise filtered into the kitchen through cracks in the wooden shutters when Tremayne corked a vial of the final potion. He ran his hands down his face and collapsed onto the hard chair. The eve's precious moments were spent mixing and brewing, only to find he could not get the right consistency. After throwing out the contents three times, and cursing his mother in several different languages, fortune finally took pity on him. With the last of his ingredients, he had the potion.
His large boots thumped upon the stairs, his feet dragging with each step. The door to his room screeched open when he entered. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots, each one landing with a loud thud on the floorboards.
Behind him the bed moved and groaned. His head turned sharply to see Alayne asleep in his bed, her slim shoulders exposed. The curve of her breasts peeked from beneath the coverlet. Was she waiting for him? He could not believe she changed her mind. Perhaps she had lost her way in the house. Tremayne shook her shoulders and Alayne slowly woke and smiled.
"Are you finished?” she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Aye, but it is no use. You will not be able to travel across country in time to save milady. I have failed."
Torment ate at him from inside. His head fell onto the bed, his back facing Alayne. Defeat was not something he could ever get used too, but to have Gavenia die at his mother's hands while he waited for his own death was agonizing.
Alayne ran her hands over his rigid shoulders. The contact sent energy through him, and his whole body stiffened. She tugged on his shoulder and pulled him over to lie on his back. “What are you doing?"
"I am giving you back yer powers."
"I..."
"Do not speak or else I will change my mind."
"Alayne..."
"Please. I could not live with myself, knowing I could have done something to save yer lady."
He didn't need to be offered twice. “I will be gentle,” he assured and rose from the bed to undress. It was some time since he last lay with a woman, but he would force himself to go slow. Alayne deserved tenderness.
His manhood stood erect, and familiar stirrings of arousal increased the energy around his body. He was finally going to get his powers back. Tremayne sat on the bed beside Alayne and peeled away the covers. The early sunlight glowed upon her breasts, her nipples erect from the sudden chill.
Her hands fidgeted at her sides and Tremayne wished he had another way of regaining his powers. Taking a blind girl's maidenhead would never have bothered him before, but it did now.
Alayne must have sensed his trepidation, because she pulled the back of his neck down. Face to face. “I want you to make love to me,” she said and lifted her head to kiss him on the lips. “Ye may be the only mon who would ever touch me."
He breathed on his chilled hands to warm them before lightly running them over her taut nipples. A gasp came from Alayne. Her arousal gave him encouragement to continue.
"You have beautiful breasts, Alayne.” His fingers tweaked each nipple, causing her breathing to increase. “Any mon would be lucky to touch you."
He lowered his head and flicked the hard buds with his tongue, his hands ran over her flat abdomen and down between her legs. Resisting the urge to touch her most sensitive spot, he massaged her inner thighs, allowing her to grow accustomed to the new sensation of having a man's hands upon her flesh.
Lapping her breast, he moved his body close to hers. Alayne's skin was warm against his, her hip pressed closer to his cock. The pressure sent a thrilling sensation through his body. He wanted to climb on top of her and sink it in her warm abyss, but he knew she was not ready. He grazed his hand over her sensitive mound and she arched closer to his fleeting touch. Aye, she was almost there. He allowed his fingers to brush across her mound again and she opened her legs wider, permitting him better access.
His middle finger glided easily between her moist lips. The silky feel of her arousal increased his desire. Lightly he circled her sensitive bud, around and around. He dipped inside her opening and the juices oozed around his finger. The warm walls of her body hugged his finger, urging him to explore further. His shaft pulsed, anticipating the same welcome his hand was receiving.
The stirrings of power flowed through his veins. He needed more to defeat the curse on the house, but he had enough to take away any pain Alayne would feel when he entered her for the first time.
With one last flick from his tongue on her nipple, he raised his hand and sucked her essence from his fingers. Alayne's eyes glistened with wanting.
She was ready.
Shifting his weight, he climbed on top of her, her legs cradled around his waist. With one hand, he waved it over her face. Take away her pain.
A violet light shot from his hands and surrounded Alayne's body. Only he could see the power he wielded. It felt good to be using magick again, even if it was a diminutive spell.
The aching head of his cock throbbed near her entrance. The slick heat rubbed against his tip. Devil's balls, she felt good.
"Are you sure?” he asked. He stared into her unfocused blue eyes and waited. His arms strained while he hovered over her. Sweat poured down his forehead and stung his eyes, but he was not going to plunge inside her until he got the word.
She nodded.
Good enough.
He slowly eased himself into the hot, sweet pleasure. The canal expanded, massaging his manhood. His body wanted to rock inside and out, fast. Increase the stimulation he had been denied for so long, but he resisted.
His attention was pulled back when stopped by Alayne's barrier. He pushed through her maidenhead, and studied her features. A smile whispered across her face while her chest rose and fell. She was in no pain. Alayne's red aura showed she was in the throes of passion. He kept a slow pace, rhythmic and sensual. Even though she was enjoying their love-making, he knew Alayne was holding back.
They must both reach their peak if he was to gain full powers.
Lowering himself, he whispered against her ear, “Release yer inhibitions, lass, and take me into yer body and soul."
She screamed.
Like an overflowed dam releasing its water, her hips ground against Tremayne, manipulating his shaft by her pulsing insides. She felt incredible! His body strained to stay on top of her, taking the onslaught of her frenzied hips.
Toward the end of her pleasure, he allowed his desires to explode, and he pushed inside her. The moment his seed was released, an inner sexual power shot through his body. An animalistic growl erupted from his chest.
Rising up, he
threw his head back, his arms open wide. A glow of golden light surrounded his body.
His powers had returned!
A pain shot through his abdomen and he doubled over, clutching his stomach. “Ah!"
Alayne raised her head, concern etched on her face. “What is amiss?"
He rolled off her body and to the side. What was happening to him?
"Ah!"
"M'laird?"
"I ... I know not.” The pain seemed to subside, but left him feeling weak. “'Twas like a dagger slicing me from inside, out."
Alayne supported herself with one hand, her other hand rested on his chest. “It sounds like you were in a state of parturient."
"Of what?"
"What a woman feels when bearing a child."
Tremayne jolted up in bed. “Gavenia!"
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Sixteen
"Argh!"
"Milady, are you well?” Vika asked her.
"The babe ... it is coming.” Gavenia clutched her stomach. Pain tore through her like she was being ripped apart.
Vika cradled her elbow and helped Gavenia up from the chair, the scenic tapestry dropped from her lap to the floor in the solar.
"'Tis wondrous news the babe is finally coming,” Vika said.
Gavenia scowled at her sister. “It does not feel wondrous!"
Vika chuckled sweetly. “Soon the pain will be over and yer babe will grace the world with its magick."
They stumbled through the hallways together and Gavenia stopped her sister. “Vika, I am scared. I do not want to die."
Her sister patted her hand. “Perhaps yer vision was wrong, dear."
Gavenia shook her head and kept walking. “Nae, ‘twas foreseen."
"Let us not think on it. You need to use all yer energy for birthing the child."
Thankfully, before the next spasm contorted her body, Gavenia arrived in her chamber and lay on her bed.
"Argh.” She glanced up at her sister's concerned face. “All right, I do not wish to do this anymore."
Vika giggled and pulled the coverlet to Gavenia's chin.
"Could you request my mother's presence?” Gavenia grimaced through her teeth.
Vika nodded. “I will be right back."
In her white chamber gown, her mother rushed into the room. “Oh, my darling. The babe is coming.” Adela sat on the bed and hugged Gavenia. “How do you feel?"
"Like two knights are jousting in my stomach."
Her mother's hand ran over her abdomen, poking and prodding Gavenia like she was a mare having a foal. “Mother!"
"By Jupiter, it will not be long. Darling, try to relax."
Gavenia screamed. The pain was getting worse; the air in her lungs seemed thinner. “Mother, I need to tell you something."
"I know. I am so sorry I have not been here for you. Yer father's disappearance has stolen my days. No matter how many spells I cast, I canna find him.” Black lines under her mother's eyes showed how little sleep she had.
"Mother ... I forgive you. But that ... was not what I wanted to talk about."
"Do not worry. Yer birth lasted for three moons and I thought you would never come out, but you did in the end. Be patient."
"Nae, Mother. That is not..."
Vika hastened into the chamber. “I have extra cloths coming and hot water."
"Excellent,” Adela said and rose to face Vika.
Their chatter grated on Gavenia while she huffed through the next spasm. When would this pain end? No one told her it was going to hurt this much. Surely, she would die before her babe came into the world. She had to be strong and not allow that to happen. She must stay alive long enough for her child to be born.
"Mother,” she whispered, her throat raw from screaming.
Adela turned to face her. “Is there naught I can do for you?"
"Listen to me. Tell Callum, that I love him and I hope he finds peace."
"Gavenia, you can tell him yourself after yer strength returns."
"And,” Gavenia continued, “I love you—I pray you do not hold any guilt over what is to come."
Adela sat by her side again and touched her shoulder. “Why do you say these things?"
Another pain sliced through her body and Gavenia growled, unable to scream anymore.
"Do not overexcite yourself,” Vika said and wiped a wet cloth across Gavenia's face and mouth, briefly cutting off her air supply. She was having hard enough time breathing as it was.
Gavenia turned her head away. “Stop that, I canna breathe,” she snapped and instantly regretted it. “I apologize, Vika, for my foul disposition."
"Daughter, you are having a babe, of course you are in a foul disposition.” Her mother shifted sweat laden hair from her face.
"I must tell you something.” Gavenia looked into her mother's troubled eyes.
Vika announced, “I do not think this is the right time..."
"There will be no other right time.” Gavenia felt the stirrings of pain about to increase again. “Mother, my death vision..."
"Aye."
"When my babe is born.” Gavenia swallowed. “I will die."
* * * *
Impervious to his nakedness, Tremayne ran down the stairs. The steady patter of Alayne's bare feet following him.
He grabbed the potion from the table and placed the vial into Alayne's hand. “You must tie this around my neck after I transform into a falcon."
"I pray yer pardon?"
"I will transform into a bird so I can fly to Gleich Castle. That is our only hope."
Dread crossed Alayne's delicate features. Tremayne kissed her cheek and lifted her hand to the side. “Once I have turned, I will perch on yer arm. Loop the vial's string around my neck."
She nodded. Alayne looked like she wanted to speak, but did not utter a word.
Tremayne went to the door and opened it. Palms outwards, he chanted, “Unbind this house, three by three. By my powers, set me free."
He walked to the threshold and stuck his hand out the doorway. The cool morning breeze caressed his skin. At last, he was free! With only one day left to live, he would use it to save his fair lady.
"M’ laird?"
"Aye."
"About yer mother..."
"Aye, you must leave this house and travel to Gleich Castle. If fortune is on our side, Lady Gavenia will protect ye, even if I cannot."
"But...” Alayne gazed at him in despair.
"What is amiss, lass?"
A sharp pain went through Tremayne, and he doubled over. How did women stand this torture? He had caused this to Gavenia. Guilt wracked his body along with the convulsion.
His powers could take away his pain, but he refused to consider the notion. The physical and emotional pain connected him to Gavenia. He would not be free from the torture, if she was not.
Alayne grabbed his arm and led him to a kitchen chair. He had no time for this interruption.
"Breathe through the pain,” Alayne said, her calming tone soothing his nerves.
He took a deep breath and released it. The spasms subsided. He rose weakly to his feet. “I must away."
Alayne raised her hands to his face and cradled his jaw line. She kissed him on the lips and stepped back. “I wish you all success, Laird Tremayne Campbell."
"You have my undying gratitude, Mistress Alayne.” He granted her a courtly bow.
Without further word, he transformed his body into a kestrel falcon. Brown and black feathered wings expanded in rapid beat, hovering. His eyesight increased to where he could see an ant crawl between the floorboards in the next room.
Alayne held out her arm and he landed softly on it, careful his claws did not rip her tender skin. She slipped the vial's string around his slender neck and kissed his beak.
"Take flight, my friend, and save yer love."
* * * *
Vika edged toward the door, mother and daughter were talking in hushed tones, oblivious to her presence. “I ... I'll
go fetch ale for Lady Gavenia."
Closing the door behind her, Vika jumped when a young maid pulled up short before crashing into her.
"I pray you pardon, milady,” the maid curtsied. “I have mead for Lady Gavenia."
"I will take it in.” Vika forced a smile and took the wooden pitcher from the lass's hands. “Ye may return to yer duties."
The maid bobbed a curtsey and left.
Vika looked into the liquid and swirled the contents within the pitcher. The aroma of mint wafted up to her nose and she grimaced. She turned and walked down the long hallway, then entered her chamber on the eastside of Gleich Castle. The room was small, but afforded her the morning light. Once the bolt was behind the door, she waved her hand over her face.
The dainty lady transformed into her usual sultry self. Torella smiled and glided further into the room. Betrothed to Laird Callum, the real Lady Vika gave her a perfect way into Gleich Castle. To bad she had to die in order for Torella to copy her features.
She placed the pitcher on a table near the bed and ran her hands down the familiar curves of her voluptuous body. She missed her sensual form; although Lady Vika's petit shape did give her pleasure when Laird Callum visited her chamber in the early morn. Torella had never fucked a warlock before. She suspected the lad had no idea the underlining Celtic power he possessed. Just as well, he could not access it.
But she could through sex.
Once his sister was dead, he would need someone to console him. Hmm, the mere thought of his hard cock filling her mouth aroused her powers.
Torella pulled a small vial out of the plain wooden chest she stole from Vika's carriage. Uncorking the lid, she chuckled beneath her breath. To think the handsome Laird Callum searched the country for the sinister sorceress, when she has been in his bed all along.
Ten drops of the black poison of Caerleon fell into the pitcher and Torella stirred the ale with her finger. By sunrise, she would have possession of the babe and her son would pay for her sins in hell.
It was splendid to be alive again.
Tremayne's words of battle echoed through the black stillness of her mind. She giggled at his bravado. What could he do from his enchanted prison? Ink a nasty scroll?
The Celtic Witch and the Sorcerer [Celtic Series Book 2] Page 11
