Christian said nothing, just walked through the gate, looked around, and motioned for her. Stunned, she stared for a moment at Vulpine, opened her mouth to say thank you but, with a scowl, he turned on his heels and hurried away.
They stood at the edge of the forest. Silver light frosted the tall trees and a breeze blew, softly smelling of pine and flowers. Thank God, it wasn’t roses. Christian held a finger to his lips and pointed to the right. He moved out ahead of her. Silently, she followed.
The hem of her gown brushed the tall grass as she walked, and in moments, its chill dampness clung to her ankles and calves. Christian stopped in front of her.
“What are you doing,” Brianna asked as a shiver moved up into her stomach.
He held a finger to his lips in answer and pointed toward a dark bush. Its leaves rustled and a nose poked through. Brianna drew back and then smiled as the rest of Gnaw’s head emerged. The wolf pup sniffed the air and then bounded from the brush and ran to her. Brianna knelt and scratched behind Gnaw’s ears as the wolf pup wiggled in delight.
“Yeah, I’m glad to see you, too. Did you bring Mason with you?”
“Mirabella comes,” Christian said close to her ear. She saw his look focus on a large tree trunk as Mirabella came from behind it.
Brianna blinked. A glow surrounded the other woman. It pulsed as she came toward them. Without words, Christian moved to meet her. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment, then he opened his arms and she walked into them. She rested her cheek on his chest and he kissed the top of her head.
Tears filled Brianna’s eyes and a lump formed in her throat.
“Brianna.”
The softly spoken word drew her gaze back to the tree. Mason stood there. Looking into his eyes, she moved toward him, her footsteps as first slow, and then, with a low sob, she ran the last few feet. His arms closed around her, pulling her close against his chest, and she felt him tremble. Her arms circled his waist and she pressed closer yet. If she could have, she would have crawled inside him. His heartbeat thudded against her cheek.
“Again, I almost lost you.” She heard him whisper into her hair.
She tilted her head back and looked into his face. “But you didn’t. We’re together.”
He ran his hands down the length of her arms. “Did she hurt you?” His lips tensed as he touched her bruised jaw.
“It could’ve been worse.” She turned her head and looked across to Christian and Mirabella. “What now?”
“We’ve talked,” Mason said. “This night belongs to us. Tomorrow…” His words trailed off and he shrugged. “Tomorrow we do what is required.”
Their arms looped around each other’s waists, Mirabella and Christian turned toward the trees. “Where are they going?” Brianna said.
“To be alone,” Mason said. “The cottage is ours until sunrise.”
Gnaw yipped. “Well, ours and Gnaw’s.”
“But they can’t make love—not until tomorrow during the eclipse.”
Mason smiled. “True, they can’t have sex until then, but there is much more to lovemaking than the final act of conceiving.”
He stepped back from her and reached to take her hand. A curious sense of shyness moved through her as she laced her fingers with his and let him draw her forward.
At the cottage door, Mason hesitated. He turned to face her and clasped both her hands. Gnaw, who had trotted before them, now yipped and continued toward the backyard. She watched in bemusement as the wolf pup disappeared around the corner, recognizing the Goddess’ hand in providing the two of them with some private time.
“Brianna,” Mason said. “I have loved you in many lifetimes, and will continue to do so throughout eternity. “
His words made her breath catch in her throat. Unable to speak, she nodded and gave his hands a squeeze.
“Our love before has always been blessed by both the church and the Goddess.” He lifted her hands and kissed each one. “In my heart, we are already joined, but before we go inside, I will give to you my vows so that the gods themselves will know of my commitment to you.”
She felt a chill move along the back of her neck. Were Mason’s words a challenge to Rhonal?
Still holding her hands, he knelt before her and lifted their linked fingers to rest against his heart. His gaze held hers as he spoke. “You hold it within your hands.”
If someone else had said those words to her, she would have laughed in his face, but here and now, they seemed right. She swallowed and licked her lips. “And you’ve got mine.”
Mason smiled. “You are my other half. I am not complete without you.”
She felt her knees begin to shake.
“Here, before all,” Mason said. “I declare my love and take you for my wife.” He reached inside a pocket and held his hand out toward her. In his palm lay the warded charm of bone.
“Not much of a wedding gift, but priceless under the circumstances.” He slipped the braided cord over her head.
Brianna closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply. When she opened them, a serene calm flowed through her. Her knees strengthened, and her words came clear and strong. “Mason Warren, I love you. I feel it in my soul that we are meant to be together. And here, before all, I declare my love and take you as my husband.”
He released her hands, put his arms around her waist, and pulled her close. They stood in silence, her ear pressed against his heart. Then Mason stepped back, clasped her hand and drew her into the cottage.
Warm lips nuzzled Brianna’s shoulder and, with eyes still closed, she laughed. She lifted her hands and her eyes flew open as her fingers burrowed into soft fur. Golden eyes stared back at her, and then Gnaw yipped and swiped her tongue the length of Brianna’s cheek.
“Hey,” Brianna said, wiping her face. “I love you, too.” She looked around the cottage. “Where’s Mason?”
She stretched and then groaned. Their lovemaking last night had been vigorous. Her face heated as some of the Mason’s more inventive techniques played themselves over in her mind, and she hadn’t been too bad herself.
He walked in the cottage door and, seeing her awake, grinned. “Good morning there, Stretch Armstrong.” Her faced burned hotter as she remembered their little game of Stretch Armstrong and Johnny-Flame. Who would have guessed the two of them would both love the “Fantastic Four”?
Her gaze moved over him. He wore nothing but a pair of trousers. They were damp and clung to his thighs. His bare chest glistened and his long hair grazed his shoulders. She remembered its silkiness beneath her fingers and how it fell forward to frame his face as he lay atop her.
She felt a flame ignite in her stomach. She couldn’t believe how she wanted him right now. She’d never considered herself particularly sexual. She’d had lovers before, but could never figure out what the big deal was. She sure had never felt the over-the-top, star-seeing climax the romance books talked about, that is, until last night. Oh, yeah, she was sexual. She just needed the right lover to show her.
“Had a bath in the lake,” he said.
She squirmed and pressed her thighs together before saying. “I could use one of those.”
“Maybe I could join you?”
Brianna licked her lips. “You just had a dip.”
He reached out his hand toward her. “One can never be too clean.”
She grasped it and let him pull her to her feet. The chill air brought her nipples to attention.
“Cold, my love?”
Before she could answer, he lowered his head and took one of her nipples into his mouth. She gasped as his warm tongue circled it. Pleasure arced through her, and her knees threatened to buckle. She pressed closer against his solid length and felt him swell hotly against her rib cage. His mouth switched to her other breast as his hands moved to clasp her hips and rotate her against him. Behind her, she heard Gnaw whine, and then the wolf pup bounded by and toward the cottage door.
“Mason? Brianna?” She heard Mirabella�
�s voice call. With a squeak, Brianna pulled back from Mason, whirled and dove back beneath the coverings.
“May we come in?” Mirabella asked.
“Of course,” Mason said, flinging a wicked grin to Brianna.
Mirabella entered, Christian following behind. Gnaw yipped and wiggled as if she’d just been reunited with lost friends until Brianna patted the coverings and called to her.
She watched Mirabella look from Mason’s face to hers. A knowing look entered the sorceress’s eyes and she smiled. “I trust you are well rested?”
Brianna hurried to answer before Mason did. “Yes, very much. And you?”
“As rested as you are, I am sure.”
The two women exchanged self-satisfied smiles.
Brianna heard a stifled snort of laughter and looked sharply at Mason, who quickly said. “What is the first thing to do today?”
Mirabella sighed. “Katarina will be seeking us.”
“And Rhonal?” Mason said.
“No doubt the dark god will guide her. Neither will wish the spell to be completed,” Christian said.
Mason looked at Mirabella. “You have a plan?”
She touched his shoulder. “You will be our weapon.”
Mason looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”
“It is your magik that will defeat Katarina.”
Mason frowned. “My magik is blocked from me in Alamonar.”
“It is, but you too will drink of the Goddess’ potion, and your magik will open to you and your commands. This Katarina does not know.” She turned to take Christian’s hand. “Even I did not know of this until last night. We will go to a place chosen by the Goddess. Its location has been blurred from Rhonal’s search until the Goddess wishes for us to be seen. And there we will await Katarina.”
*****
Katarina lifted her arms and her hair rose around her, writhing as if alive. Within the scarlet mass, lightning flashed from strand to strand. “Christian, Gone? What do you mean gone?” she said softly to the man who groveled at her feet.
“When we went to fetch him, the room was empty.” The words were spoken into the floor.
It was Vulpine. The surety of how Christina escaped flowed through her. “And the bitch?”
“Vulpine’s bed is empty.”
“And where is my loyal shape-shifter this morn?” she ground out the words through gritted teeth.
“He has not been seen.”
“Rise,” she said. The man’s first bungled attempts to stand pleased her. She looked into his ashen face. “You have displeased me.” She smelled the acrid bite of urine as his bladder failed.
“Yes, Mistress.” He pulled a knife from the sheath at his side and held it out to her.
“You do it.”
His lips trembled. “How do you wish it? Stomach or throat?”
She smiled. “ I leave the choice to you. Will it be slow or fast?”
He lifted the knife to his throat. Where the blade touched a thin red line formed. Blood trickled down his neck.
“Stop,” she said with a frown. “You will make a mess.” Her lips thinned at the hope that flickered in his eyes.” I’ll give you one chance to redeem yourself. Bring Vulpine to me.”
At her words, the ember of hope died, and with a flash, he sliced across his throat. Blood spurted, drenching her with warmth. Cursing, she stepped back as he fell. What a waste. She would make Christian take his place for a while before forgiving and allowing him back into her bed. She called out and the door opened. Three guards came into the room.
“Remove that,” she ordered.
“Yes, Mistress.” They scrambled to remove the body of the man who until this morning had been their superior.
She pointed at one in random. “You will take his place. All will answer to you, and you will answer to me.” The blood draining from the man’s face, helped to somewhat restore her mood. “My first command for you is to find Vulpine. I wish to speak with him.”
The man stiffened and then reached for the knife at his side.
“No,” she snapped. “It is a request and not an order. He may come to me at his earliest convenience.”
The man removed his hand from the knife and bowed. “Yes, Mistress.”
Fool, she thought, as he backed toward the door. I should have let him cut his own throat. But I will need every man when I am in control of Alamonar.
The blood still pooled on the stone floor. With distaste, she stepped over it. “Clean this up,” she snapped at the two remaining men as she exited the room.
Katarina pulled another rose from the bush, shredded it with her nails, then ground the yellow petals into the dirt with the toe of her boot. Wilted splotches of yellow surrounded her. The day was half over and she had accomplished nothing. Vulpine had not come, and all her appeals to Rhonal had been ignored. The dark god’s silence chilled her. For hours, she’d gone over her actions of the past days in her mind, and in none could she find things that would have angered him. Then why the silence between them?
“Katarina?”
She whirled at the word. Vulpine stood behind her. How had he gotten so close without her awareness? She was growing lax. Her irritation rose. “Vulpine.”
“You wished to see me?”
“Our guests are gone—both of them.”
He cocked an eyebrow and waited.
“The news does not surprise you?”
She held a rose out toward him. He took it and inhaled its fragrance before saying. “I’d heard they were gone. Do you think they went together?”
Her eyes narrowed as she said. “It would seem so.”
The question was there between them—had he helped them in their escape? Each knew the answer.
“The guard who let it happen has been dealt with,” she said.
Vulpine shrugged. “The eclipse is today.”
She dropped the rose she held. “Yes.”
“And Rhonal has told you his wishes?”
She looked away from him. “I know what must be done.”
“How may I serve you?”
“I am waiting to find out the whereabouts of the bitch Mirabella. She has shielded herself from me. Rhonal will tell me soon. The…”
He interrupted her. “I know where they are. I have just returned from their hiding hole.”
Her head jerked toward him. “Oh, my loyal Vulpine. What would I do without you? Are they far from us?”
He glanced up into the sky. “Far enough that the eclipse could be upon us before we are upon them.”
“No! We’ve hours before…”
“Look.” He pointed upward.
She frowned. “I see nothing.”
“It has begun. I already feel the call of the night.” He stretched his neck from side to side as it to relieve stiffness.
“Then why are we standing here? Take me to them.”
“We will cover more area if you shape-shift.” His words held a challenge.
Katarina could not resist her urge to play coy. “What do you wish me to become? A vixen?”
Vulpine shrugged. “The choice is yours.”
His indifference made her flush and she reached out and placed her hand against his heart. He tensed at her touch and she felt his heartbeat accelerate. Yes, he still desired her. The thought appeased her, but the anger still simmered. How dare he make her doubt herself? Along with Rhonal’s continued silence, it became almost more than she could take.
Vulpine would pay. She would make him watch as Christian made love to her, he and Mirabella, too. The thoughts made her smile. She watched his eyes narrow as she smiled, and that pleased her even more, but her smile faded as he turned from her and began his shape-shift. Fog rose from the ground, shrouding him, red lightning flickered inside the gray-white cloud. Then it melted into the ground as fast as it had formed.
The fox stood before her. His golden eyes stared up at her, the challenge still there. With a grimace, she began her own change, feeling the instant itch as h
air sprouted and the pain as her bones shortened and changed skeletal shape. Her senses came alive, the air sweeter, bringing with it the scents of voles and rabbits. With a laugh, she willed her vixen form into heat, swinging her tail back and forth.
Vulpine’s mind-voice came to her, the tone harsh. “Do you really want to do that? I am not the only fox in these woods. Do you wish to waste time with mating battles?”
She bared her teeth at him before she changed her vixen form yet again. He was right. This was not the time, but she added it to the growing list of things he would later be punished for. She lifted a paw and held it out toward him. Even in her fox form, a greenish-black shroud hovered around each claw’s pointed end.
“An addition to my wardrobe,” she said. “One scratch will be the end of any who stand in my way. And it will not be a pretty death.”
Vulpine said nothing, but instead turned and bounded into the trees. She growled, and with an irate flick of her tail, followed.
*****
Brianna looked around. They’d walked for hours, crossing streams and winding among trees. Mirabella had apologized at the first stream, saying she could not levitate them across. Her magik had to be saved for the potion. Now they stood before yet another grove of spreading oaks. The sun rose high in the clear, crystalline blue of the sky. She saw no changes; the sun still beat hotly upon the top of her head. But she’d seen the worried glances Mirabella had cast upward as the time passed. Had the eclipse begun?
Brianna shaded her eyes with her hand and looked harder at the trees. Where their shadows shorter?
“Remove your clothing,” Mirabella said.
Brianna jerked her gaze to her. “What?”
“We go to the Goddess as we came into the world,” she said. Christian was busy with the laces that held Mirabella’s gown together in the back. He stepped away as Mirabella reached for her skirt hem and began to shed his own clothing.
Brianna glanced at Mason. He’d already removed his tunic and was undoing the drawstring at his wait. The gown she wore laced in the front and, with an inward shrug, she untied the first bow.
In moments, the four stood naked. With a natural, easy grace, Mirabella moved to the nearest tree. She closed her eyes. Sweet sounds came from her mouth; they couldn’t be called words, more like bird trills. When she finished, she lifted her hand, kissed her fingers and then touched the trunk of the tree.
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