by Jaye Shields
Closing her eyes, her lids grew heavy and her mind was free of sarcastic commentary and worry over Tera. Focusing her eyes on the rambunctious crystal swaying from within her grip, Sparrow realized that indeed, she was drunk.
Suddenly, the crystal came to a halt and pulled heavily toward the map. Muir Woods.
Sparrow sprang from her chair in a rush and nearly fell to the ground as the room spun around her. Making a mental note to get up more slowly next time, she made her way through the house and out the back door into the garden.
Hopefully, this is as drunk as I get. She crossed her fingers that no more of the absinthe would kick in as time passed. She felt the owl tattoo burn and tingle on her skin before she became the bird of prey and shot straight up into the air. Northwest to Muir Woods, I know the path well. Here I come, Tera.
Chapter Seventeen
A thick fog hung around the perimeter of the clearing, knocking out any possible visitors. Sabin sat comfortably against a massive tree, his long legs stretched out before him. Soft moss cushioned the exposed skin of his back. The gentle whisper from a nearby waterfall hummed through the woods. His crystalline eyes had been focused on Tera’s sleeping form for three days now. Artemis had assured him that when she awoke, the healing properties of the forest would have her fully recovered.
The Goddess of the Hunt had not been in a good mood and she certainly did not appreciate his presence. However, he wasn’t happy with himself either after allowing harm to come to Tera. Artemis had not stayed long, instead leaving to rein in Chaos’ wrath.
Three days had been a long time to contemplate a life without Tera. It only took two seconds to realize that he could not fathom the thought. His immortal soul would simply not be complete without her. Although not able to forsake his duties as a Knight, he had already decided that he’d spend every spare moment convincing Tera that he could be her life-mate.
Although she would have the long life span of a redwood tree, and he would keep a watchful eye upon Chaos, he knew that eventually he would lose her to mortality. But to turn away from the Dryad now, Sabin could only live a menial existence knowing his love lie just on the other side of the portal. His Tera. So full of life and wit, an earthly beauty unrivaled and strong in both mind and body. And her heart — if only he could have a small corner of it, he would be fulfilled.
Three days had been enough time to imagine their life together. After his daily duties in the Fog were over, he’d travel to her realm, wherever she was. If she were making coffee in her shop, he’d brew beside her. If she were eating, he would feed her. If she were sleeping, he’d awaken her with pleasure.
He guessed that Tera, raised by the Goddess of the Hunt, would be resistant to his more serious affections, but he would persevere. He would pleasure her until she became addicted to his presence. After all, he was already addicted to hers and they had spent only two days together, five if you counted present unconscious circumstances. And he did. He counted every precious moment he was with her.
Sabin removed one of the knives from the holster strapped to his chest and began to sharpen the blade with a stone he found. Sharpening the weapon took a sliver of the worry away from the concern he held for Tera. Artemis had spoken briskly to him in her assurance of Tera’s recovery; the myths were certainly true regarding her adversity of men. All the tales of the Goddess of the Hunt that he had heard consisted of deceit, treachery, and disrespect from men, which led the Goddess to adopt her bitter level of distrust.
From high above the fog that settled upon the forest, a screech permeated the air. He looked up just in time to see an owl dive-bombing his head. Sabin ducked and caught the bird gently within his hands. Careful not to injure the owl, he smiled against the angry pecks to his fingers. He was almost sure that the bird was probably Tera’s Wiccan friend that she had spoken so fondly of.
The bird writhed and squawked within his grip before it suddenly became a young woman with long yellow-blond hair and angry blue eyes. He dropped his hands from her immediately.
“Allow me to introd — ”
“What did youuu do to herrr?” Sparrow yelled and he took the impact of her flimsy jab. The girl was much shorter than Tera, and probably couldn’t even reach his face if she tried. To get on her good side, Sabin let her exhaust a few more enraged punches at his midsection. But when she reached for the knife in his hand he held it high above her head and clearly out of grasp.
“Youuuu jerk, where is she?”
Sabin bent his head down toward the girl, risking a jab, and took a whiff of a peculiar scent. The smell was floral with a hint of anise and fire. He recognized the aroma immediately. His Knights had spent many evenings through the portals in Czechoslovakia and France sipping Artemisia absinthium during l’heure verte, or what the French called the green hour. Ironic, he thought, that the proper name referred to the Goddess of the hour, Artemis.
“Perhaps, tiny one, your skills in combat would be more effective if you were not highly intoxicated.” He placed a hand atop her head, his long arm keeping her at a distance. But the girl was gone and an owl dove toward his head once more. He threw an arm up to shield his face from the talons and began chanting to bring the fog closer. He wouldn’t need much to put out the already intoxicated Wiccan.
In just a couple of moments the owl’s flight pattern turned clumsy and Sabin caught it as it fell through the air. He laid the owl on the ground gently just before it turned back into the young woman.
An hour later, Sabin heard what he had been waiting for. A soft murmur escaped from the mound of moss. He was at Tera’s side in an instant, peeling the green tufts away from her body.
“Tera.” Sabin cradled his love against his body as she hesitantly took in her surroundings and the moss still covering her legs. Placing a palm lovingly against her cheek, he comforted her like he wanted to do for the rest of her life. “You’re okay, my love.”
• • •
When Tera peeled open her eyelids, darkness still covered her vision. Panic slammed through her body. She was dead. A whimper escaped her, but in a moment, the darkness parted and she took in the sight of her woods. A strong body held her tightly. Tilting her head upward, guided by a gentle hand, she saw the gorgeous warrior. His hair hung against his shoulders, framing concerned eyes, eyes the color of aquamarine. His face was otherworldly; perhaps she was in heaven.
Hearing Sabin speak to her so lovingly was dreamy. Heaving a sigh and smiling up at the warrior, she decided that heaven wasn’t half bad. It seemed like a better version of home actually. But then a subtle pain gnawed at her stomach and Tera realized that she was very much alive, and hungry.
“Your love?” she squeaked.
“Yes. But I will not overwhelm you with such matters now. How do you feel?”
Tera hesitated to discontinue the topic he so expertly evaded. “A little sore.” Then the events leading up to this moment flooded her. The dragon, the fire. Horrified, she reached to touch her face and feel for the burn marks, the scars that would surely be there.
“You are just as beautiful as always, my love, but you should not be so vain. I would love you no matter your form.” Sabin smiled. “Although I will admit that you have a very pleasing form.”
Her fingers proved that Sabin was correct, her skin showed no traces of the fire. “You took the brunt of the fire, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I’m sorry to say that I could not take it all. I’m a hulking brute as you once said, but apparently not hulking enough.” He traced his finger against her soft skin. “Your redwood did take some heat, but the moss that grew over you healed you.”
Tera clawed away at the remaining moss that encased her legs. Grimacing slightly from pain, she pulled her shirt up. Two large scars existed where the tree had suffered from the axe. “You’re right, the mystical qualities of the forest have taken good care of me. I have onl
y a subtle reminder. I thought that I was dead.”
Sabin clutched her to his naked chest, and she let herself be comfortable there. Tera still couldn’t confront the elephant in the forest. “I know that we just had really great sex, but love? You don’t have to feel guilty about Chaos or the Nunanish or the dragon or anything.”
Dark flicks of gray entered Sabin’s eyes. “Thanks.” He paused before continuing, as if he had taken the time to silently condemn himself. “And we didn’t just have sex. It was three days ago.” Now his eyes held a familiar hunger.
“Three days ago?” She tried to stand, but weakened and relaxed back against Sabin. “The coffee shop is probably falling to pieces without me. I bet you we’re all out of our popular loose leaf teas and Sparrow doesn’t even have the supplier’s number.” Tera realized her coffee shop related rant was Greek to Sabin. Actually, he probably knows Greek.
“Yes. Perhaps that’s why Sparrow came here in such a fury. I can imagine the loss of certain beverages in such an establishment would be troubling.” His mischievous smile was not lost on her.
“Sparrow’s here?”
If ever the tall warrior could look sheepish, he did so now. He jerked a thumb in the direction behind him, signaling her to peek around his shoulder. There lay Sparrow in a heap on the ground.
Tera’s eyes lit up with concern. “What did you — ”
“Why does everyone always accost me with this question?” But he grinned and continued before she could speak. “I got it — big, hulking brute. Don’t worry, my darling. The worst of young Sparrow’s problems will be a massive hangover.”
“She’s drunk?”
“Yes, and will be suffering from the after-effects of the narcotic fog as well.” Tera lifted a brow suspiciously. “What would you have me do, my love? She would not hear my words and continued to come at me like an owl. Literally. I can fight dragons, but I am not accustomed to such puny, fragile opponents. I did not want to harm your good friend.”
Tera smiled and laughed for the first time since her injuries. She noticed that he also seemed to glow, basking in the moment of lightness. He leaned into her and pressed a kiss upon her lips. The kiss was slow at first, but then Sabin parted her lips with his tongue against her own. He expertly stroked the inside of her mouth like a dance and she arched into his body. His chest was bare, his shirt in a bloody mess by her side, and she ran her hands along his body.
She shivered as a thread of desire coursed through her, urged on by Sabin’s intoxicating kisses. As if he could sense her longing, his hands traced down her body, stopping to caress her curves before continuing down.
Sabin used his free hand to undo the button of her leather pants. A gasp of anticipation escaped her lips just as he reached for her most sensitive spot. His fingers rubbed and teased her, circled her.
As Sabin slipped his tongue into her welcoming mouth, her body shook at the thought of what he could do to her. And now his able fingers circled her core, massaging her there gently when she least expected it. She felt her muscles begin to throb with pleasure and wetness seep from her core. Tera quickly escalated toward orgasm. Sabin took his lips away from her mouth to flash her a sensual smile. He was the image of hot sex. “I want to bring you to ecstasy.” And then he sank his fingers into her and fulfilled his promise.
Tera let her body go lax against Sabin as he wrung that last shudders of pleasure from her body. His voice was low and thick with need as he spoke, “Gods, I need you.” She looked into his eyes sleepily with anticipation. Sabin smiled. “I am glad that you feel the same, but I’m not so greedy as to take pleasure from your body so soon after injury.”
“But — ”
Sparrow’s spritely voice called out from across the clearing. “Geesh, since when did you become a sexpot? I’m right here for cryin’ out loud. I wake up from a drug-induced haze to moans and groans — you’d think I was in a sorority, not a forest.”
Tera laughed and peeked around Sabin’s broad shoulders. “You’re awake!” Her hands went to button her pants.
“You’re awake!” Sparrow exclaimed back. “And at least you don’t have a migraine the size of Texas.”
Tera stood up and pulled her shirt up to show Sparrow her war wounds. “I’ve got my own battle scars, dear.”
Sparrow shot daggers with her eyes at Sabin who stood tall next to Tera, his hand comfortably on her hip.
“Don’t look at him like that, Sparrow. He’s the reason it’s not worse.” Holding her hands out, she welcomed Sparrow across the clearing for a hug. “I’m lucky I’m alive.”
Sparrow hugged her body tightly to Tera. “I was so worried when I never heard back from you. And this morning worry turned into a complete freak-out after my Magic Eight Ball told me you weren’t getting any.” Sparrow winked at her. “But clearly that has changed.”
Tera laughed and both women looked at Sabin, who flushed under their attention. Sparrow slapped her palm to her forehead. “Oiii.”
Sabin smiled slightly. “Dragon blood does wonders for hangovers. Had I known, Tera, that your friend couldn’t hold her liquor, I would have bled more from the Quetzalem before sending him to prison. Your friend obviously needs a personal stash.”
“Hey,” Sparrow interjected.
Tera wasn’t fazed. “Dragon blood, huh? Guess I will not be ordering a Bloody Mary in the Fog Realm any time soon.”
Together, Sabin, Tera, and Sparrow walked through the barrier of mist and through the forest until they reached an exit leading from Muir Woods. As they walked, Sabin drew many stares. Sabin had handed over his weapons to Tera for concealment, but the strap still crossed his strong muscled torso. The cold weather and thick fog only made the gigantic warrior more conspicuous with his leather pants and exposed chest. The park ranger eyed him curiously.
Looking directly at the uniformed employee, who was at least a foot shorter, Sabin smiled. “I get hot when I hike.”
“This guy just returned from Burning Man.” Sparrow added, patting him on the back as they passed. Pointing at the leather pants hanging low on his hips, she whispered playfully to the young park ranger, “Leather pants. Old habits die hard, I guess.”
• • •
The next morning, Tera woke in her own bed after a night of incredible pleasure. Turning over in bed, she nestled into Sabin’s warm, naked body. The Knight seemed quite comfortable despite the fact that his feet hung over the end of the bed.
“Good morning, Dryad.” Sabin cupped her face, satisfaction and adoration plain on his face. “You’re absolutely glowing this morning.”
A sensual gleam played in Tera’s gaze. “It’s nice to be fully recovered.” A laugh escaped her. “And by fully recovered, I mean fully pleasured.” She smiled at the man who, just the night before, had given her more orgasms than she could count. After the first two, the aunts had mystically enhanced the room with a sound barrier. Apparently the old walls of the Victorian left little to her roommates’ imagination.
“I meant what I said in the forest, Tera.” He tucked a wavy lock of auburn hair behind her ear. “I love you.”
His words triggered waves of incredible happiness and discomfort for a confusing mix. Artemis had taught her to be a strong independent woman. Not to fear men, but to despise them and recognize their weaknesses. Artemis had loved many times in her immortal life, and it had never served her well. Men had treated her like filth, like nothing, and in turn, she watched men treat nature’s forests and oceans with the same regard.
But Tera had seen none of that in Sabin. As a matter of fact, she hadn’t seen any weaknesses in him unless it was to love a mortal. The thought made Tera sad as well. Sure, she wouldn’t age before she died, but she’d still die. And dying would be all the more painful if she left behind a true love. And Sabin would live on, years and years after her, giving women the same pleasure
like he had just given her.
“Why does the thought of my love make you frown?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you that I love you back. And honestly, I think you’re crazy to say that you love me.” A dangerous storm brewed in Sabin’s eyes. She quickly righted her words. “I don’t mean to say that I don’t believe you love me. I saw the way you looked at me as you carried me through the forest, and while I laid on the ground. I’ve never had someone look at me like that. When I said thank you, I meant it. I was thanking you for letting me know love before I died.”
“Let yourself know love again, Tera. Don’t be afraid.” Cupping her face, he gave her a lingering kiss, the softness of his lips an adept persuasion.
When the kiss ended, she sighed. “It’s you who should be scared. If you spend a lifetime with me, and I probably have at least 400 years, maybe even a 1,000, you will be heartbroken to watch me die.”
“I only relish the luck that I have since most humans have a mere hundred years to find and enjoy their love.” Running his hands down her body beneath the covers, he grinned. “I’m a lucky bastard, and now I’m not giving you up. You can’t scare me away, Tera.”
Tera heart constricted at the confession. The thought of having Sabin by her side was incomprehensible happiness. But then a shadow crept into her mind, the darkness that reminded her of her mother. How will Artemis take it? If she knows I chose a man, she will forsake me.
“I’m sorry, Sabin. I can’t think about this now. Let’s just enjoy this as it is.”
Finally, Sabin spoke. “I have much business to attend to in the Fog Realm.” He got out of the bed and pulled on his leather pants. Bending to where she sat nestled in the covers, he pressed a chaste kiss against her cheek. “I’ll find the ferry myself.”
She leapt out of bed. “No, stay.” But Sabin’s determined look said otherwise. “I’ll walk you to the ferry then. Just let me throw on some clothes. And I’ll find you something to wear. I’m sure Sparrow has a shirt or something in her closet that might fit you. She always has men lusting after her.”
