“Sigurd might never have to fight, if she keeps bearing females.”
“Her father is hoping to find some way to protect all her children. He’s still really pissed about us burning down the old oak in the woods. Now, he has to travel to find another entrance into the fae world to seek the answers he needs.”
Khan glanced down at his cock. “I like how your hands look moving on me.”
Her hands withdrew, and she moved from behind his back, sliding into the hot pool then stepping in front of him. “Do you like how they look now?” she said, as she again wrapped her fingers around his cock. Then she bent and stuck out her tongue to tease the tiny slit atop his crown, her hair obscuring some of the view. When he reached out to tuck her hair behind her ears, she paused and sank in the water, coming up with her hair slicked back. This time, when she bent over him, nothing hid the sight of her lush mouth consuming him.
“I wish…” she whispered when she came off him, “that you won’t come until I tell you that you can.”
Even in sleep, his body stiffened, and he felt the change come over him, his attention riveted to her eyes and mouth, his every thought consumed by his desire to please her. “I won’t,” he rasped.
When she took him again, she let him slide along her tongue to the back of her throat before she bobbed backward, letting him slide out. Again and again, she moved on him, her tongue gliding along his shaft, her mouth suctioning, pulling at his cock and tightening his balls.
When he was sure he couldn’t take anymore, she moved off him again. “Scoot backward.”
Knowing what she wanted, he reached downward and slipped his hands beneath her arms to jerk her from the water. Then he moved back, bringing her body over his. When she lay sprawled over him, he released her to let her decide how she wanted to proceed. Fortunately, she was as desperate to join their bodies as he was. Bracing her hands on his chest, she rose and trapped his cock against her entrance then slowly sank, pumping on his long shaft in shallow downward thrusts until he filled her.
When their groins met, she closed her eyes and rocked. “This feels so good.”
“How long has it been since you’ve fucked?” he asked. “In reality.”
“More than six, maybe seven years,” she said, hissing air between her teeth.
“When we do this, outside our dreams, I’ll take care with you, Radha,” he promised.
Her eyes opened and locked with his. She bent over him and pressed a kiss against his mouth, all the while teasing him with clasps of her pussy. “When we do this outside our dreams, I won’t allow you to hold back.”
His lips twitched. “You said when, not if.”
Chapter 4
Radha grunted and pushed up to sit perpendicular to his body. “That was a slip of the tongue.”
“But telling. I am getting to you.”
With a bounce, she began to move, fucking him, using his cock to please herself while he gritted his teeth, because her wish was working like a cock ring. Pressure built in his balls, and his dick felt so engorged the skin stretched painfully around it. Soon, she’d have to come. Have to tell him he could let go.
But she slowed her movements then rose from his body, leaving him lying with his dick pointing toward the ceiling. With a grin, she turned and dove into the pool, skimming the bottom before coming up twenty feet away. “Catch me, Ali.”
He pushed up and slid on his butt to the edge of the pool, aware of every bob of his cock as he did. Once in the water, he chased her around the pool, always reaching for her foot, only to have her shake off his grip and dart away again like a seal.
At last, she halted, her hands gripping the ledge in the shallow end. She stood then bent, backing up her ass. An invitation he couldn’t deny. Grasping her hips, he pushed inside her and began to stroke with gusto, water splashing all around them, loud slaps adding to the sounds of their panting breaths.
The way it felt—hot water, hotter slick channel, the cushion of her soft ass—fuck, he wished he could stay like this, savor it a while longer, no matter if his balls exploded from the pressure.
When she threw back her head and gave a warbling shout, he thudded against her, giving her hard strokes, prolonging her orgasm.
Without warning, she faded away like a wisp.
When he blinked open his eyes in the dark, he realized she was no longer beside him, but bent over him, her mouth consuming his cock. When she pulled back, she glanced sideways at him. “It’s okay to let go, Ali,” she whispered then sank again, as far down as she could until he hit the back of her throat. Then she sucked, drawing hard on him, murmuring around him, and he let go…jetting into her throat as his eyes rolled back.
Once he was empty, he gripped her hair and pulled her up his body.
She straddled his hips and lay against his chest. Together, they breathed hard, their hearts pounding in unison.
He turned his head and kissed her temple. “I’ve never wanted another the way I do you,” he whispered.
“I feel the same way. I just don’t know how this will end…how we can make this work.”
He understood. For now, he was simply grateful to be the one holding her.
When her breaths deepened, he waited, hoping she slept. When she snuggled closer and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, he knew she’d be okay. At least, for now.
The next morning, Radha stood at a workbench, folding a table runner she’d woven in blue and green threads. It was gossamer-thin and looked as sheer as a fairy’s wings. The woman who’d ordered it wanted the delicate runner to lie atop a linen tablecloth at her wedding reception.
Radha tied twine around the fabric then wrapped it in tissue paper before setting it inside a shallow box.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and she didn’t need to look back to know who was there. The scent of flowers, apple pie, earthy clay, and sea air announced the arrival of her sister witches.
She set aside the package in a stack of boxes she’d be mailing later that day and turned to greet them.
Bryn’s gray-blue eyes narrowed as she studied her face. “You’ve slept.”
Miren walked in a circle around her. “Your back isn’t as tense.”
Aoife grinned. “You got a little some-some, didn’t you?”
Darcy waggled her auburn eyebrows. “Question is, was it the horsey or the genie?”
“I think we all know who put the color in her cheeks,” Bryn murmured.
“I don’t know why you don’t assume it’s both of those demons,” Miren said.
Darcy grabbed her hand and led her through her workshop, past her small galley-style kitchen to the dining table in the open room beyond. Once they were seated, Bryn began unpacking the basket she’d carried over her arm, setting a covered cake on a plate Darcy drew from the cabinet. Darcy also pulled out a tea set she’d made for Radha, painted in a deep magenta with sprigs of white flowers circling the plates.
Aoife placed a marigold in the bottom of every cup then poured fragrant green tea spiced with ginger into the cups, which were then passed around the group. When everyone held their cup and saucer, she dipped her head.
“Goddess, generous though you’ve been,
once more we seek a boon.
Darkness lurks,
a heart hurts,
and your daughter lingers between earth and veil.
Please, light a path as bright as marigolds
and moonbeams for her to see.
If it be your will, so mote it be.”
Leaning toward Radha, the women lifted their cups and blew on the steaming liquid, directing the steam toward her. She drew in the fragrance of the tea and the brisk scent of ginger, and smiled, feeling instantly relaxed. “Thank you, sisters.”
Miren pursed her lips. “Last night, we heard no echo.”
“Although I’ve given up my abstinence,” Radha said, “I have yet to give myself completely to the jinn.”
“But he gave you relief…?” Bryn said, a small smile tilti
ng her lips.
Radha couldn’t hold back a wide smile. “I haven’t slept like that in…forever.”
“So, what’s his magic?” Darcy asked, her green eyes sparkling. “His fingers or his tongue?”
Radha shook her head. “Have you no shame?”
Her friend and sister wrinkled her nose. “Not a bit. I’m just so happy for you.”
“Did the mare come to you last night?” Miren asked.
“No. Thanks to Khan, I fell straight to sleep, without traveling first. So fast, I think he can’t have latched onto me to follow.” She sighed. “But I’m not fooled into thinking this is a solution.”
“Well, while we wait for the vanir to arrive, we have some gifts we hope will help,” Bryn said. She reached into the pocket of her long skirt and pulled out three small polished stones. “The red stone is coral for protection from evil. This shiny black one is obsidian, also for protection and deflecting negativity. And the emerald will protect you psychically, while you travel—”
“As well as open your heart to lo-oove,” Darcy said, again, waggling her eyebrows.
Bryn dropped the stones into a small pouch. “Touch them several times throughout the day. And wear them in an amulet bag against your skin at night.”
Miren handed her a flask. “It’s water I charged with a spell during the last full moon. Drink it before you sleep.”
“Thank you, sister.” Radha nodded at Aoife. “And thank you for the marigold.”
When she looked at Darcy, the redhead pulled a necklace over her head. “I made this pendant from clay mixed with bayou sludge.” When Radha made a face, she laughed. “The sludge grounds the pendant here, to Bonne Nuit. So, no matter where you travel, you’ll be tethered.”
Radha gazed at the pendant lying across her palm. It was a tiny statue of a very pregnant Goddess. The glazing was white to represent the Akasha, or Spirit, which was Radha’s guiding element. On the back of the Goddess was the impression of a dove, her animal totem, which was a spiritual messenger. Radha stood and leaned across the table to give Darcy a hug. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” Then she pulled the leather cord over her head and let the Goddess charm settle between her breasts.
“We were thinking…” Bryn began with a glance around the table, “that we should be here at night. To hold vigil.”
Radha shook her head. “I don’t think you have to do that. You have your own lives…”
“We could do the same thing we did in the early days here,” Aoife said. “Do a series of interlocking warding spells to keep the mare away.”
“No,” Radha said. “I won’t let you. Besides, I have my guardians…and Khan…well, he helped last night.”
Bryn cleared her throat. “The Harvest Moon is coming in three days. We could set our warding spell as we dance.”
“Are you sure Ethan’s going to let you?” Darcy teased. “The last time you did, he kept trying to make you wear a sheet around you, like a toga.”
Bryn laughed and waved a hand. “Ethan will be fine. And the second we finish our ritual, I’ll be dangling over his shoulder while he runs to the nearest clearing to have his wicked way with me.”
Radha couldn’t help feeling envious of how jealously protective Ethan was of Bryn. He’d hovered over her all the months of her pregnancy. Even now, if he sensed she was tired, he carried her to the nearest chair or bed to ensure she didn’t overdo.
Bryn pulled away the cover from the cake, and they all drew in the scent of apple cake, allspice…and cinnamon.
Darcy giggled. “Have you worked your cinnamon lust spell?”
“If I have, it’s only to make sure your jinn will continue to perform as your sleep aid.” She arched a black eyebrow. “Make sure he eats a slice after dinner.”
When Bryn began serving the women, Radha held up her hand. “I’ll wait until later. I still have work to do.”
The other women tucked in. Soon, their cheeks grew flushed. Their pupils dilated.
Radha chuckled as one by one, they made excuses to hurry away. Bryn’s cooking spells were powerful, and the lust spell was one she’d perfected over the months since the demons had arrived.
She tidied away the dishes and set the covered cake on the counter for later. However, she ignored the pinging of her phone announcing email notifications for sales in her online shop. Instead, she wandered around her open living area, admiring her work. Pillows, rugs, wall-hangings. From carding and spinning thread and yarn, to knitting and weaving, casting spells as she worked to bless and protect her surroundings, her home was her creation. A cozy nest she’d made—she’d thought for herself—but now, everywhere she looked, she wondered about improvements she might make that would please the jinn and the satyr.
The door opened behind her, and she turned with a smile. Only it wasn’t Ali.
Nikon gave her a wink. “Don’t look so disappointed.”
“I’m not dis—”
He cut her off with a quick rise of his brows.
Radha rolled her eyes. “I’m feeling a little restless.”
“If you like, we can walk into the village. We need to restock the refrigerator. We need more meat.”
“I thought horses were herbivores,” she teased, knowing his love of beef.
“Only half horse, here.”
Radha gave a glance in the mirror, decided the long work apron she wore over her wrap-around sari skirt would have to do, and grabbed a large tote as she headed toward the door.
Nikon held it open but stared down at her feet.
“What?” she said, staring at her toes. “I’m earthing.”
“As much as you witches like to be barefoot, it’s a wonder you don’t all have calluses as thick as hooves. Or how you don’t find every pebble in your path. And it’s October.”
She slipped past him and skipped down the porch stairs to the grass, chuckling softly. “October in the bayou isn’t that cold. Besides, the Goddess protects us. Without shoes, our feet connect more directly with her. It gives us a recharge.”
His long legs brought him quickly to her side. “Have you ever actually talked to her? Or seen her?”
“I’ve heard her. Not as clearly as I hear your voice, but like an echo inside my head. And I feel her when I stand in the moonlight.”
She gave him a curious sideways glance. Nikon really was a handsome man. Bright glints of red and gold shone in his brown hair. His hazel eyes were more green than brown. With a rugged body and square chin, he looked the part of a guardian. Her guardian. Why hadn’t she experienced more of an attraction for him? Her life would be a lot less complicated with someone like him rather than her tricky jinn. “Do you plan to stay here in Bonne Nuit, long-term?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I like working for Vindlér Construction. Ethan’s a fair boss, and he encourages his employees to move up. I hope to run my own crew someday.”
So, he had ambition. “Where are you from, originally?”
He grinned. “Kentucky,” he said. “I was raised on a farm. Not some little operation. Our horse clan owned a huge tract of land, a grant from some governor when Kentucky was being settled, so we were free to be ourselves, hidden away.”
“Why did you leave?”
He grimaced and glanced up at the sunlight peeking through the tree branches. Many trees were already losing their leaves. “Wasn’t by choice. The council demanded more tribute. More than we could sustain. So, we disbanded quickly, before they had a chance to claim a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the land. Every family took its cut and fled. My father moved us to Oklahoma. When Katrina hit, I was looking for work and saw that Vindlér was hiring more people to expand their operations during the cleanup. That’s how I got here,” he said, flashing her a toothy smile.
“Did you know Ethan was Other?”
He shook his head and smiled. “Not until he shook my hand and gave me a quick flash of his troll eyes.”
She nodded. “A human would have thought it was a trick of the light.�
��
“Ethan had a knack for finding those of us who were living outside of council control, even when we were doing our best to blend in.”
A sudden cool wind sifted through the trees, and Radha was glad of the three-quarter sleeved shirt she wore beneath the apron. The wind blew again, a little harder this time, and she felt something drift across her arm, like a fingertip, only she was standing away from Nikon.
Nikon frowned and lifted his nose, scenting the air. “Something’s wrong.”
“I feel it, too,” she said, her teeth beginning to chatter.
“Hope you can ride,” he muttered then tore off his shirt, kicked away his boots, and dragged down his jeans. Before she had a chance to think about the fact he wore no underwear, he shook his body and transformed.
She’d forgotten how large he was in his satyr’s skin. He reached out a hand, and she let him swing her up onto his long horse’s back. Then she scooted toward his torso and slipped her arms around him, holding tight.
Nikon made a sound like a loud whinny and charged down the darkening path toward Bonne Nuit.
Chapter 5
They skirted the village, keeping to the trees so the humans wouldn’t see them. Unfortunately, they didn’t count on passing Gus Hearn, the local ferryman, who sat high in his deer stand in the woods.
When they were hidden again by brush, they heard cussing and a crash behind them, and then more cussing as he shouted to himself, or into a phone.
“They’ll think he drank a little too much of Ole Winnie’s hooch,” Nikon muttered, sounding not a bit out of breath although he galloped like a racehorse.
They passed the trail leading to the bed & breakfast, and Radha didn’t say a word, knowing he was likely heading straight for Vindlér, where there would be less chance a human might see them. She held on, her knees gripping his sides, her arms tucked under his, and her palms clutching his chest.
“I don’t feel it anymore,” she shouted. When the fear dissipated, another emotion rose, bringing with it some very confusing sensations—like the way her breasts tingled as they rocked against his back, and how the coarse hair on his horse’s body abraded her inner thighs.
Harvest Moon: Beaux Rêve Coven, Book 4 Page 3