The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado)

by Muir, Siobhan

  “It is much reduced,” he agreed, but remained behind her with his warm hands on her shoulders. “I’m relieved you’re all right.”

  “Me, too.” Sabrina closed her eyes as his fingers caressed her shoulder muscles. “Ooohhhh, that feels great.”

  “Why are your shoulders so stiff, Sabrina?”

  “Maybe it’s because I’m a single mom in a dead-end job trying to make ends meet and periodically accosted by determined men with conflicting beliefs.” She shrugged. “Just a theory, of course.”

  His seductive chuckle rumbled behind her. “Oh, is that all?”

  His understanding of her sarcasm startled a laugh out of her. “Yes, that’s all.”

  Darius gave her one last rub then trailed his fingers over her neck and shoulder as he moved to the counter to grab the teapot. Sabrina suppressed a shiver of pleasure and tried to concentrate on the heat of her mug rather than his hands. Your focus needs focus.

  “And if you could do anything, Sabrina, what would you do in your dead-end job’s stead?” He returned to the table and refilled his mug before sitting down.

  “I don’t know.”

  “What?” He raised his eyebrows. “Surely you have dreams and aspirations.”

  “You mean in a perfect world where dreams come true and happily-ever-after exists?” Sabrina laughed derisively. “There’s no such place.”

  “Come now, don’t allow bleak reality to steal your hopes.” Darius grasped one hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb. “If you could do anything, what it would be?”

  Sabrina sighed and closed her eyes, trying to remember a time when she believed in dreams. Long before Tommy Two-Faces and Merrilee Fuckstwice.

  “I’ve always wanted to have an herb garden where I grow my own herbs and brew my own oils, creams, and poultices.” She pictured the whole set up in her mind. “I’d set up a shop where I could offer Cloudburst some homeopathic remedies for health and beauty using home-grown ingredients.” She bit her lip and opened her eyes. “I know it sounds hokey, but I’ve always wanted to do it on a larger scale than just for my kids.”

  Darius grunted with thoughtful appreciation.

  “Where would you choose to have this shop? In town?” He sipped his tea, hiding his expression.

  “No, there isn’t any space for rent and I couldn’t afford it anyway.”

  “Do you have another place in mind?”

  She wished she could judge his thoughts, but he gave nothing away and she hoped he wouldn’t laugh at her outright. Sabrina rubbed the handle of her mug.

  “There’s this old abandoned gold mine on Oro Creek two miles up our road from here. It’s got an old mill with a working waterwheel right on the creek.” She squirmed in her chair and refused to meet his too discerning eyes. “The bones of the structure are still sound and clearing there has great energy. My girls and I go up there every summer to pick wildflowers and herbs.”

  “What’s stopping you from doing this?”

  Sabrina snorted. “You mean other than not having the money to renovate, much less purchase the property?”

  He grunted again, but she couldn’t decipher the sound. “Why have they called the town Cloudburst if their mine produced gold?”

  “The first settlers who came here weren’t miners, but families just trying to find a safe place to live. When they first settled, the rain storms here were fantastic, but short. So they called the town Cloudburst for the weather. Later they found gold in them thar hills and named the creek Oro. I don’t know what they named the mine.”

  “Who owns the mill now?”

  “I don’t know. I’d have to do some research in the town records.” A derisive laugh escaped her lips. “What am I talking about? I don’t even have the funds to consider buying the land. There’s no real point finding out how to purchase it.”

  “There’s always a reason to find out such information, just in case.”

  “Just in case, what? I win the lottery?” Sabrina laughed again and shook her head. “I can barely make ends meet by working at Mazie’s. I can’t afford to set money aside to buy land.”

  “You know, if you do the rituals, you may ask a boon of the Summer Court. Perhaps you could ask for the funding for a land purchase.”

  Cold horror filled Sabrina’s stomach and she swallowed hard. “No way. I’m not taking any favors from the Fae. I’ve heard the stories of what happens to people who receive the Fae’s ‘gifts’. You’ve heard of Rip Van Winkle, right?” She waved her hand over her mug. “No thanks.”

  “Master Van Winkle irritated the Fae rather than received a boon.” Darius gave her a sardonic look.

  “Still, I’m okay without any Fae favors.” She smothered a yawn with the back of her hand and her head throbbed with the remainder of her concussion. “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m tired and there’s more to do tomorrow.”

  Sabrina grasped her mug and carried it to the sink. She jumped a little as Darius brought the teapot to the counter beside her.

  “How is your head feeling? Any pain?”

  “A little, but I’m sure it will be better after I sleep.”

  He frowned. “Go get ready for bed. I’ll turn out the lights and tuck you in.”

  Sabrina chuckled. “I’m a big girl, Darius. I can tuck myself in.”

  “I’m sure you can. The Goddess knows you’ve had no one to offer you such comfort.” His smile made her wonder how she’d ever done without someone tucking her in. “Go ready yourself for bed and I shall be there anon.”

  “Darius…”

  “Please, Sabrina.” He grasped her shoulders and stared her down. “I just want to be sure your head is on the mend.”

  She searched his eyes, looking for his motives. Had she heard real pleading in his voice? Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just making sure his pet witch isn’t going to fall over dead before I do what he wants. At least he’d been honest with his intentions.

  “All right.” She almost added he shouldn’t get any funny ideas about crawling into bed with her, but some traitorous portion of her suggested it wouldn’t be so bad. Shut up.

  “Go on. I’ll be there in a trice.”

  Sabrina retreated into her thoughts and her bedroom, wondering when she’d started to like him. When he treated her children with respect? Or helped them prepare for Beltane? Or had he been more subtle, using a small spell to shift her regard?

  Ha, fat chance. I’d notice.

  She threw her clothes in the laundry hamper and pulled her fleece pjs on just to discourage her traitorous voice. No way he’d be getting any nookie through those babies. By the time she’d settled into the bed, Darius appeared at her door and knocked softly.

  “May I come in?”

  “Yes, I’m ready for you.” Geez, can I sound any more sexually interested?

  His chuckle told her he’d thought the same thing. “Good. How is your head?”

  “It’s not pounding, but the headache has settled into the background.” She shrugged. “It’ll be gone in the morning.”

  “Let me take a look.”

  He settled on the bed beside her and reached for her head, his spicy scent enveloping her. She closed her eyes and drank in the heat of his body along with the energy of his presence. Warmth from his fingers digging gently into her hair caressed her face and she fell into it with a sigh. Behind her eyelids he glowed with healthy energy, although the swirls of color moved somewhat sluggishly as if he hadn’t reached his full potential.

  She’d had this sort of experience before with a few of the people in town. Everyone had a distinct energy signature, but some showed tarnish where their physical or mental health suffered from one malady or another. She’d always been sensitive to those who needed healing, often knowing exactly which herbs or creams to use to relieve the symptoms.

  With Darius, it appeared he needed something to invigorate him, but not something physical. From what she’d seen earlier, he hadn’t required physical energy. No, not at all. Inst
ead, he seemed to need a mental spa day, something to recharge his internal batteries, as if his lifestyle had run him down.

  “Are you tired, Darius?” She opened her eyes to scan his face.

  “Sorry?” He looked startled. “Tired?”

  “Yeah, you know, like you need a break from the stresses of life.”

  He chuckled, but the warmth had drained from his laugh. “Not at all. Visiting your world is no travail for me.”

  “Just the difficulties of convincing one stubborn witch.”

  His eyes smoldered for a moment before he winked. “’Tis a challenge, to be sure, but a welcome one.” He frowned. “But I’m afraid my small magics aren’t enough to relieve the last of your pain. Perhaps you could help me by augmenting my abilities with your own.”

  “What?”

  “I have a little healing magic, but as you know, most of the Goddess’s strengths are passed through the maternal lines.” He stroked her hair and she resisted the urge to close her eyes again. “I have more ability than my brothers, but in truth, my magical strengths are greatly reduced by my sex. If you could lend me the energy, I could help you heal yourself.”

  Sabrina stared with amazement. “Heal myself? I wouldn’t even know how.”

  “That’s why we must work together.” Again, he stroked her hair. “I know how to direct the healing energy, I just don’t have enough of it.”

  “You want me to give you energy?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  He sat back and took her hands, staring into her eyes. “It’s a simple enough procedure, but it requires honesty and trust between those transferring energy.”

  “And I don’t know you very well.”

  “Precisely.” Darius nodded with a rueful smile. “However, desire can take the place of trust, at least for short bursts.”

  “Desire? As in ‘sexual’ desire?” Oh, please Goddess, don’t let him know I’m remotely interested in him. He’d use it against me.

  His rich laugh flowed over her, warming her as much as his hands. “Much as I’d prefer such desire, this is merely the intention for the transfer to work long enough for your pain to be vanquished.”

  “Oh. So I have to want it to work bad enough to override the trust issue.”

  “Yes.”

  Sabrina mulled the idea over in her mind. “Can I trust you enough not to do damage with the energy I give you, particularly to me?”

  She felt the surge of his anger before it suffused his expression, but it cut off as his logic caught up with his emotions. “Ah, you have no reason to trust me, but I might remind you I’ve helped you heal this head injury for the last few days without your extra energy. And I made the vow to protect you before the Goddess. I don’t wish to hurt you, Lady Foxglove. Far from it.”

  Something about the way he said the last convinced her. More than just the words, her gut told her he meant them with every fiber of his being. Ha, you’re probably just tired and wishing a handsome man like this could truly feel something for you.

  It wouldn’t hurt if he did.

  “All right. Let’s try it so I can get some sleep. What do I need to do?”

  “First, close your eyes and try to mesh your energy with mine. I’ll be looking to receive you.”

  “Oh, something easy, then.” She snorted as she closed her eyes.

  He chuckled. “No more lip, woman. Focus.”

  Pleasure bloomed through Sabrina’s chest at his humor and his energy signature glowed clearly in her mind’s eye. It swirled in warm earthen colors: brown, gold, orange, yellow, crimson, and pulsed to the beat of his heart. Her own energy looked bluish-green to her, almost the same color of Darius’s eyes. With the recognition of the similarity, her energy surged into him, locking on the gold and yellow swirls until they turned a summer green.

  “Holy Goddess!” Darius’s exclamation surprised her and she opened her eyes, losing the connection.

  “No, no, I’m sorry, Sabrina.” He smiled at her with wonder. “It was amazing and so well done. Please, try again.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you or anything.”

  “No, you were fine. I simply wasn’t prepared for the strength of your offering.”

  “I’m sorry, Darius. I don’t know how to dial it back.”

  “Fear not, I’m ready for you this time. Try again.” He squeezed her hands with reassurance.

  Sabrina bit her lip, but closed her eyes and reached out with her energy again. This time when the swirls changed color, Darius inhaled sharply but didn’t pull away. She tried to modulate the flow of energy to him, but she had no idea if she’d succeeded in stemming the current.

  “Well done, Sabrina.” Darius placed his hands on her head again and soon the throbbing stopped while her vision filled with green light.

  She sighed and relaxed, completely losing grip on her energy flow. The throbbing pain didn’t return, but the heat of Darius’s hands faded, and she opened her eyes.

  “What happened?”

  He smiled. “It’s done and you should be feeling better. True?”

  “Yes, no more pain.”

  “Excellent.” He patted her hand and stood. “Then I shall bid you good night and leave you to rest.”

  “Thank you, for everything, Darius. I really appreciate it.”

  He paused on the threshold of her room. “You’re welcome. Sleep well, Sabrina.”

  She belatedly realized she hadn’t made up a bed for him. “Where will you sleep?”

  “Your divan was very hospitable last night.”

  “Div—oh, the couch.” Why did it seem so gauche? “At least let me get you some blankets.” She threw off the covers and pushed her feet out of bed.

  “No, no, it’s not necessary.” He strode back into the room and stopped in front of her. “Please, get back into bed. I’m quite comfortable there.”

  “But I’m not comfortable with you on my couch without any pillows or anything. I have to be the worst hostess ever.”

  You can always offer him space in your bed.

  “I’m perfectly comfortable and I have all the amenities I need.”

  Darius set his hands on her shoulders, giving her more warmth than she expected. Heat flooded her body and she had the sudden urge to throw her arms around him and lean her head against his chest. Sabrina met his teal gaze and sank into the seductive comfort swirling in his eyes.

  He’s just playing you. Yeah, I don’t care.

  “Darius…”

  He leaned in and her nipples pebbled with the anticipation of his kiss. But he diverted his motion at the last second to brush his lips against her forehead. Disappointment surged as he pulled back and gave her a gentle smile.

  “Be at ease and rest, Sabrina. I shall see you in the morning.”

  He left the room without another word, switching off the light as he sailed out the door.

  ****

  Sweet Goddess, I turned her down.

  Darius flopped onto the divan and wondered when he’d lost his mind. A beautiful woman had just offered herself to him and he’d walked away. What’s wrong with me? His cock wanted to know the same information as it throbbed hungrily against his fly. Sabrina made him hard as diamond, but he couldn’t take advantage of her after they’d shared her magic.

  Even if the Queen suggested I do the same.

  Something about using sex to coerce Sabrina into performing the rituals made his stomach churn. She’d been used for sex enough times in her life and he wanted no part in betraying her trust. He’d get her to agree, but he’d do it honestly, through offering his help and being respectful.

  This little witch and her charming daughters had gotten to him, filling his heart with real joy and comfort for the first time in decades. He knew his duty and he’d see it done, but he wanted her to perform the rituals because she wanted to, not because he’d demanded it of her. Anything else would brand him lower than pond scum.

  Darius turned out the rest of the li
ghts and toed off his boots, before returning to the sofa. He pulled up the blankets and closed his eyes, trying to court sleep. But his mind swirled with the delicate scent of Sabrina’s hair and the gloriously sensual touch of her magic when they’d communed.

  He hadn’t expected her power to be so strong or so pleasurable. He’d never communed with anyone outside his family before, but her magic had slid over him like a tailored glove, meshing with his own abilities perfectly. He’d only wanted more. His suggestion to try again had been made more from desire than from encouragement.

  Even now his cock rose in response to the sensation memory of her glorious energy.

  Quiet, you. Go to bed.

  He resettled his body against the cushions and closed his eyes, but the arousal followed him down into his dreams. He found himself standing in Sabrina’s room beside her bed as she slept. She’d thrown off the covers and lay on her back in nothing more than a gossamer silk nightgown. The finely woven fabric cupped her breasts, offering the barest hints of dark areolas and taut nipples. Another dark smudge marred the cloth at the juncture of her thighs and his cock flexed happily against his trousers.

  “Holy Goddess,” he whispered. He could no more stop himself from bending to kiss her than he could stop the rain.

  Sabrina smiled sleepily and opened her eyes. “Darius.”

  “Shh. Let me pleasure you, acushla.” He traced her neck and shoulder with kisses as he slowly pulled aside her nightgown.

  When he exposed one full, plump breast to his lips, he sucked the nipple into his mouth, laving it with his tongue. Sabrina moaned and writhed beneath him with sensual, sleep-slowed motions.

  “Oh, yes, Darius. Please.”

  The pleasure in her voice sent blood rushing to his cock, impossibly hardening it more. Her rich taste against his tongue took his breath away and he couldn’t get enough of her. He thrust his hand under her gown and stroked the other breast, reveling in the taut nipple against his palm as she gasped.

  “Oh, Goddess, that feels wonderful.”

  Encouraged by her response, Darius released her nipple and gently worked the silk up over her hips to expose her legs and mound. To his delight, she kept it neatly trimmed and short, a perfect triangle pointing to the treasure between her thighs. He watched her hand slide down her body and stroke over the lips of her pussy as if she ached for stimulation. Darius just about swallowed his tongue and he groaned as his cock flexed.