Of the Woods

by J A S Bennet

  “A storm is rolling in from the sea. Lots of wind and lightning being reported. I need to get the three back to the castle and I need you guys to stand guard. I may not be able to make it back. I will stay in the guard house if necessary.”

  “Got it.” Cian was closest to the kitchen door so he grabbed Deaglan’s hat for him. At that moment, Ava burst out of the bathroom with determined steps and they were all off. Deaglan and Sheridan headed for the door with his arm at the ready around her shoulders. She clung to his waist. Tadhg set his guitar down and offered his arm, escorting Jenny out of the bar and up to the roof. It was only a few steps before their hands gently wrapped around one another. There was a connection there.

  The flight was scary. As was the part when they were getting in the helicopter and Ava thought she should sit in the front. Deaglan insisted that seat belonged to Sheridan. Ava threw her typical fit, how was she supposed to learn all there is to know about flying when the tree-hugger always gets to sit shotgun? Ava tried to pay attention to everything Deaglan did from the back seat, but her eyes kept moving from one window to the other trying to see through the driving rain. Where did this storm come from? The helicopter dipped repeatedly in the wind and Jenny started doing some kind of chant that was completely annoying.

  “What the holy hell are you saying over there? Are you praying?” Ava didn’t really see that any of the girls were the praying type, but she guessed stranger things had happened in the event of looking at the possibility of impending death.

  Jenny looked over at Ava with a look of embarrassment. She started saying the words again and moving her hands this time. No one had on headsets because they took off too fast, so Ava couldn’t hear shit. She finally got aggravated and leaned up to get the headphones and handed a set to Jenny.

  “What the fuck are you doing over there?” Ava crossed her arms and waited for a response. She could tell that Jenny didn’t want to give it.

  “It is something my mom and I used to do when I was a kid. It calms me.” Ava stared and waited for more. That’s when Jenny started to sing, Bye, Bye, Bye by *NSync. The whole time she sang, she made the arm movements the band does in the video. “You know the words, sing with me.”

  Ava had had enough of this nonsensical episode. She switched over so Deaglan could hear her. “Dude, if you don’t get me out of this chopper, I’m going to jump out. This crazy bitch is singing boy band songs and doing the dance that goes with it. I knew I should’ve sat up front.”

  Sheridan turned around, and even though her eyeballs should have been closed from all of the Maker’s she had tonight she seemed perfectly fine in this moment. “Leave him be and let him fly this damn bird, got it?” As Ava looked at Sheridan she could see the fire behind her eyes and knew she was feeling the liquid courage.

  “Easy there, woodling.” Before she could get out another word they all felt Deaglan begin the landing process. The castle was barely visible. He gave a few adjustments and they landed safely. They all exited as fast as they could and walked into the castle soaking wet.

  The caretaker was there, handing out towels and offering hot tea. Some bitches never learn. Jenny was the only one to respond to that nonsense. “How about some hot chocolate?”

  “Sure. I’ll have Fergus bring it to you. Anyone else?” That’s when a bright bolt of lightning hit somewhere outside the castle, but extremely close.

  Sheridan’s response was to grab her leg and moan in pain. “That one hit a tree. I think I can heal it.”

  This was not good. Jenny and Ava had heard about how she felt the baby deer’s injury, but they weren’t prepared to witness it firsthand. It was still a bit of a shock how much their lives had changed, and now they were seeing how much their bodies were going to change, too. Not just in form, but in their uses.

  Deaglan was right beside Sheridan, looking helpless. There was nothing he could do, there was nothing any of them could do. Her connection to the forest was to blame for the agony, but it also made her its best protector. The bad came with the good. “Let’s go,” she said weakly, struggling to ignore the pain.

  “Wait!” Deaglan blocked the door. “You can’t go out there until the storm passes. You won’t be able to heal any of them if you’re the one who gets hit next.”

  What he didn’t say was, “Hey, remember how a few days ago you didn’t know how to fly, also, do you know how drunk you are? It was hard enough for me to fly in this storm completely sober and I’ve been doing it for decades.” But Ava thought maybe he should have. Lord knows she would have.

  “Ugh!” Sheridan was frustrated and drunk and in pain. Another flash outside resulted in Sheridan grabbing her arm above her newest tattoo.

  “Do you want me to rub it?” Deaglan still looked helpless.

  “Seriously, you two need to get a room. Did you just ask if you could rub it? Like, oh my God.” Ava was such a classy lady.

  “That’s not a bad idea.” Sheridan held her arm out to Deaglan. As soon as he began massaging it, her head rolled back and she moaned. His hands on her brought both relief and calm. It didn’t take away the pain, but it lessened it. His face showed that he was taking some of the pain for her. Could he do that with everyone, or was it just between him and her, she wondered.

  “Okay, I’m not going to stand here and watch this orgasm build any further.” Ava stormed off and hit the stairs as fast as she could, mumbling something about a guy named Bob not being with her on this trip.

  Jenny left right behind Ava, meeting Fergus coming out of the kitchen she made her way up to her room with her mug. Watching this storm over the water was bound to be a magical experience and she couldn’t wait any longer to get started.

  After the pain in her arm eased, Sheridan suffered another strike and another. Deaglan was trying his damnedest to keep up, but this storm was wreaking havoc on his woman’s body. Her knees had buckled at one point and he sank with her to the cold stone floor. Wet and cold, he held her. His arms were wrapped tightly around her and she had nestled her head in the crook of his neck. Even the smell of him soothed her pain.

  She stopped crying out. Sadly, she was going numb and growing weak and tired. Maybe the alcohol was helping with the pain, but it was wearing her out. Shawn always hated storms as well, but as much as he hated enduring them, he hated seeing the carnage when it passed even more. Sheridan didn’t need to know the hardest part was yet to come. She just needed to know he was here and he would help her through whatever tomorrow brought as well.

  “I want to go to bed. Will you help me?” Deaglan didn’t ask permission to touch her as it was her idea in the first place. He slipped her arm around his neck and scooped her up. She didn’t complain or fuss. She felt so perfect in his arms.

  He carried her up the stairs, down the hall, and into her room. Being in her space so near her bed gave him lots of thoughts. Not many of them were entirely innocent.

  He set her down on her feet and kept his hands on her until he knew she was steady. She was too tired to fool with common decency. Her clothes were wet and she needed to go to bed. She kicked off her shoes and stripped off her shorts. Deaglan felt the air leave his lungs. Her shirt came off next and she dropped it to her feet. She didn’t look as if she was trying to seduce him, but Deaglan felt every muscle in his body go rigid.

  She stood before him in only her bra and panties. She had a softness about her that hid her natural physical strength. She was looking up at him innocently and he almost felt guilty for staring at the curves of her body. He so desperately wanted to feel them with his hands, his mouth, his entire body.

  She moved around him and climbed into her bed, her lace-covered bottom on full display. She laid her head down and pulled the quilt up over herself with a sigh of pleasure. Deaglan almost came undone at the sound of it. He wanted so badly wanted to be the one responsible for her making a sound like that. Over and over. His erection was pressing against his pants, making him a bit uncomfortable.

  Trying to back away was
unsuccessful, as she grabbed his hand, whispering only three words, “Stay with me.”

  Deaglan was strong enough to lead a whole community of guardians, he was strong enough to control a helicopter in the midst of storms, he was strong enough to carry her to her room, but he was powerless against her desires. “Always, Agra.”

  He kicked off his shoes and crawled on top of the quilt beside her. He didn’t trust himself to be any closer to her. She rolled to her side and looked him in the eye, finding the fogginess from before was gone. He guessed all the pain had sobered her up faster than normal. She placed her hand on his chest and whispered, “Kiss me, please.”

  He didn’t hesitate. He needed to feel her. He pressed his lips to hers and passion was all he felt. This wasn’t like the last kiss. This was instantaneous heat and desire erupting between them. Her mouth opened to his and his tongue intertwined with hers. He was on top of her within seconds. His brain was barely functioning with his blood flow heading south, but apprehension suddenly took hold. She had more alcohol than usual tonight at the pub, but she also endured more pain than she’d likely ever experienced before. He wanted her, but not unless she was sober when wanting him.

  Sheridan felt him stall. It was just a twinge, but panic struck her. Did he not want her? She slowly opened her eyes to look at him.

  “Do you want this ... me?” Deaglan asked.

  “I want you more than anything I have ever wanted in my entire life. Feel my heart.” She responded. She took his hand and placed it over her beating heart. “Do you feel that?”

  “Yes, but would you be doing this without any alcohol in your system?” He sounded hopeful, but unsure.

  “I had no alcohol in my system the last time I kissed you, and I don’t feel tipsy at all now. I want you.” She took his other hand and put it to her mouth as her heart was beating strong and true. He’d heard no slurring and no hesitation, easing his concerns.

  Kissing the tip of his finger, she slid in between her lips. He moaned with desire. Her mouth was hot and wet, sucking on his finger and creating vibrations that traveled through both of their bodies. He imagined how it would feel to have her do this to his cock. Even though he didn’t think he could get any harder than he was in that moment, he did. He pulled his finger slowly out of her mouth and replaced it with his tongue.

  The quilt was still between them and Sheridan needed it gone. She maneuvered him to his back and pushed the quilt down to their feet, pressing her body to his as soon as she straddled him. His hands ran down her bare back and she shuddered with pleasure. She reached under his shirt with one hand and felt the heat of his skin beneath her palm. Her fingers trailed over his ribs and she felt the muscles residing there beneath his skin. Resting her hand above his heart, she felt it beating fast and strong.

  Sheridan pushed his shirt up with her other hand and he finished stripping it off over his head. Sitting up above him and admiring his strong body beneath her hands made her feel powerful. She slowly bent forward, keeping eye contact, her panty clad crotch moving against his hardness. When her breasts pushed against him, her mouth took his again.

  Deaglan urgently needed to feel all of her pressed against him. Reaching behind her, he unhooked her bra. After pulling it free, he felt his desire ratchet up another notch as he took her breasts into his hands. She moaned with pleasure as he touched them, rubbing her nipples with thumbs. He swiftly moved his hands to her bottom and sat up to place her in his lap straddling him, noticing how extremely beautiful she looked. Wanting her closer, he pulled her softness up against his length. Without hesitation she leaned back to give his mouth access to her chest.

  He took her nipple in his mouth as she held onto his neck, sucking and licking one, then the other. The bed met her back, as he settled himself between her legs and kissed her with a passion she had never experienced. His hand slid down her body to the rim of her panties. Seeking permission to continue, he lifted his face to look in her eyes. Her teeth grasped her lower lip while she pushed her pelvis up in invitation. Not taking his eyes off her, his hand travelled lower, sliding between her folds and met moisture.

  “You’re so hot and wet,” he moaned with pleasure.

  Her skin felt like velvet, soft and smooth. She gasped when his finger pushed inside of her. Their kissing turned hard and fierce. It made her need to feel him impossible to ignore. Reaching down, she undid his pants and wrapped her fingers around him. There was no surprise in finding how hot and hard he was.

  “Oh, Sheridan. Yes!” He pushed a second finger inside of her and rode his palm on her clit. Her strokes on his length matched up with his thrusting fingers as a pleasing tightness deep in her belly grew fast.

  “Oh!” she screamed out as her orgasm hit her quick and hard, like the lightning from the storm outside. It rocked through her body as he took her nipple in his mouth and sucked. She was on the down swing of her orgasm when she felt his thighs tighten and he came in her hand.

  They both lay holding on to one another as if they were each other’s lifeline in a sea of passion. Their bodies shivered from the waves of pleasure that crashed into them. Sheridan was both numb and throbbing all at the same time. It was as if she could feel everything, the heat between them and the static that began to build, yet she was so overcharged she had no idea which feeling was which. For that single moment, she lay there in his arms accepting his touch and growing like the trees she so loved, becoming rooted to that very place, hoping like hell it was all real. It took several minutes for their breathing to even out. Even then, it was only Deaglan who moved. He went to the bathroom and returned with a warm wash cloth to clean Sheridan up.

  She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she felt was him pressing up against her. She had moved to lay on her side and their bodies were now pressed together from head to toe. She smiled, feeling safe and warm.

  Deaglan had never felt so much physically and emotionally as he had since he met this woman and he smiled because he knew. He knew she was to be his. She didn’t know yet, but he would make sure that when she did, it would be the most amazing experience of her life.

  The hot chocolate didn’t last long, but Jenny’s fascination with the storm lasted for hours. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t spend most of that time thinking about Tadhg and his song while she took in the view. How had he known the song that was in her heart? She still couldn’t believe how kind he was to her, even though she was taking turns putting first her right and then her left foot into her own mouth. It was important to her to see him again soon to try to make a better impression.

  Morning seemed to come much earlier after such a late night. Jenny wasn’t sure if anyone would be bringing coffee today, since the helicopter was still here. But she would need something with caffeine if she was going to be useful in any way. Tea couldn’t be as bad as Ava made it sound, could it?

  She took a nice shower, got ready, and decided to go to the kitchen to find out. The castle was quiet, which wasn’t surprising after a night like they’d had. There was nobody in the dining room, as she predicted. On her way down the hall, she heard a noise coming from the kitchen. Opening the door, she didn’t see anyone right away. Her attention was drawn to the oven, where the door hung open and a rag was apparently cleaning the interior surface on its own.

  Jenny rubbed her eyes, pinched herself, and did all those things people do when they can’t believe what they are seeing and then proclaimed, “Just like Hogwarts, I knew it!”

  At those words, a furry thing appeared holding the rag that had looked like it was moving under its own power. It looked like a short old man covered in red fur with pointy features. This thing could have been a stand-in for the Muppets in its younger years. It stood about as tall as the counter and the hair on the top of its head had a very mad scientist vibe to it. And he was naked. Naturally, Jenny took a step back and swiped at her eyes again.

  It looked at her. She looked at it and blinked. It was still there. She’d seen Sheridan sprou
t wings and fly, so she believed anything was possible, but this was beyond her expectations.

  “Hello.” Her curiosity about this creature was growing.

  “Hello, Sheridan’s friend.” Its voice was high and squeaky, reminding her of exactly what a mouse would sound like.

  “Oh, so you know Sheridan.” That kind of explained things, if she allowed all sense of normalcy escape her. Jenny reminded herself when faced with an unfamiliar situation to start with the basics. “What’s your name?”

  “Sheridan is my goddess, she flew for me. Sign for me to take care of her, and her friends. I followed home from the water sprites. I am Grog. I clean kitchen, you give me cream.”

  Jenny shrugged. What the hell, she was going to need some cream for her tea or whatever she could find, she might as well pour some for Grog while she was at it. It was easier than arguing or convincing herself she was still asleep and he was merely a figment of her imagination. Also, if the caretaker had a problem with this, then she could handle it herself. “Okay, Grog. That seems like a fair trade.”

  Grog resumed cleaning the oven, then disappeared. Jenny could still see the rag moving. So the thing could just go invisible whenever it wanted, she supposed. If nothing else, this castle was full of interesting surprises.

  Tea turned out to be way worse than she imagined it would be. Fergus arrived in the kitchen shortly after Grog finished cleaning the inside of the oven, and began cleaning the countertop next to it. Fergus was happy to make some tea for Jenny; he didn’t even notice the rag moving on its own less than three feet away. Jenny was certain he didn’t know what he was doing when he made the tea or else she was simply too American for it. He had to leave when she began doctoring it up, claiming something about how he couldn’t witness her assault firsthand. It didn’t help anyhow, no amount of cream and/or sugar would give that filthy water enough taste to be enjoyable. “Ugh, gross! Ava was right.”

  “Of course I was, you smart bitch.” Ava was wearing her new disgusting boots, so that explained why Jenny didn’t hear her coming. “But about what specifically this time?”