He pressed a tender kiss to Rowan’s forehead. His body ached with fatigue, but he wasn’t ready to leave her yet. In fact, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready to part with her. But sooner or later, he wouldn’t have a choice. His strength was fading. If he remained here with the constant draw on his resources, they’d be depleted and he end up as nothing more than a human—though possibly a human with the ability to use magic. Possibly not. But as he stared down at Rowan, he wondered if that wouldn’t be such a bad way to live.
He pushed her camisole and skirt down over her hips and off her body. He wanted nothing between them this time. Only the welcome heat of her body and the gentle promise of her kisses. Capturing her lips, he kissed her deeply, needing her once more without the glamour of magic between them. Just a man and a woman coming together as nature intended. And if he had his way, they’d spend a lifetime exploring each other.
* * * *
Rowan woke to the feeling of grass tickling her nose and the scent of flowers. Squinting against the bright sunlight, she opened her eyes. She was in the orchard. Naked. What the hell? Memories of the night before came rushing back, slamming into her with the force of a freight train. Gwydion…the vines…the spell.
Pushing herself into an upright position, she looked wildly around the clearing. He was nowhere to be found. Quickly tugging on her clothes, she picked up her ruined underwear. Flowers had sprouted everywhere she looked. Delicate blue and white willow asters, rock cress and some sort of odd-looking, pink-speckled white orchid type bloom. She’d never seen so many flowers here—even at the height of summer.
Movement near the tree trunks caught her attention. Odd brown and yellow ground birds hopped around digging for bugs in the dirt while dark bluish-gray butterflies fluttered around the lupine that had sprung up overnight. Even the nearby stream seemed clearer and fuller than she’d ever remembered seeing it.
Insistent chirping drew her gaze upward. Two yellow-headed blackbirds sat in a nest in a branch directly above her head. Hope and happiness collided. When the Environmental Protection Agency inspectors arrived, there’d actually be a chance at saving the land. But where the hell was Gwydion?
She glanced around again looking for any sign of him, but all she found were two piles of dead leaves at her feet looking chillingly out of place with all the greenery and growth. Still clutching her ruined panties, she ran up the path toward the house. She threw open the backdoor startling Meaghan where she sat blearily cradling a cup of coffee.
“Have you seen Gwydion?” Rowan asked.
Meaghan shook her head. “The last time I saw him was when he went out to look for you last night. Didn’t he find you?”
“He found me.” She raced toward her bedroom, hoping that maybe he’d snuck past Meg and was taking a nap on her bed. Neither one of them had gotten much sleep since they’d met, and he’d looked so exhausted last night after the spell. When she opened the door, she saw her bed was empty, looking the same as it had when they’d crawled out of it yesterday.
Maybe she’d missed him outside. Maybe he was still out there, wondering where she’d gone. After dropping the undies she still held in a wastebasket, she headed back outside. Her steps slowed as she approached the orchard. Everything looked the same as it had when she’d woken up. There was still no Gwydion.
Then it dawned on her. He’d said he’d stay until he’d done what he’d been summoned to do. She sat down on the ground, suddenly empty. He’d done it. He’d saved what needed saving. And he’d broken her heart in the process.
“Ro…you okay?” Meaghan asked from behind her.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Rowan blinked back tears and looked back at her friend.
The other woman slowly turned in circles staring dumbfounded. “Ho-lee shit. Look at this place,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Then more loudly, “You did it! Oh my god! You did it!” She spun around again. “Where’s Gwydion?”
Rowan shook her head. “Gone.”
Meg dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around Rowan. “I’m so sorry, honey. I could tell you really liked him.”
Liked? No. She was far stupider than that. She’d gone and fallen in love with a man who wasn’t supposed to exist. She’d fallen in love with a man she’d probably never see again. Leaning into her friend’s embrace, Rowan told her everything—from the moment she’d summoned him to waking up alone. It helped to get the words out, but it didn’t stop her chest from aching or her tears from falling.
She’d like to call him back here and demand an explanation or at the very least a proper goodbye, but since she had no idea what she’d done to summon him the first place, she had no idea how to get him back.
* * * *
Gwydion reached out for Rowan before he realized he was no longer in his physical form. Panic assailed him. What was she doing? Was she all right? He tried to project himself back to her, but the poisons he’d absorbed while restoring health to Rowan’s orchard still fouled his being. No matter how hard he tried, he wasn’t able to move.
Another presence entered his chambers, and though it had no physical shape, he recognized the essence of Cerridwen his onetime lover and longtime friend.
“It’s not the same world it was when we ruled,” she said.
He shook his head. “No, it’s not. There are poisons everywhere—destroying the earth, destroying her people. It’s become a far different place than I’d remembered.”
“And yet you would return.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes,” he admitted.
He felt a sense of sisterly love and amusement emanating from Cerridwen.
“What’s her name?” she asked.
For a moment, he considered denying it, but why? Rowan was what he wanted. He wanted to be with her. “Her name is Rowan.”
“You realize that if you go back there before you’re fully rejuvenated, you won’t have the strength to return.”
And if he waited until he was, Rowan might already have passed into death. The thought of losing her gutted him. “I know.”
“And the majority of your powers will eventually fade, leaving you to live out your days as a human.”
“I understand.”
“And even if she doesn’t want you, you’ll be trapped there.”
The thought of Rowan not wanting him sent a chill through his ethereal body, but it was a risk he was willing to take. The alternative of spending eternity here without her was more than he cared to contemplate.
“I know,” he said again. The strain of remaining conscious wore on him, and it was difficult to focus on Cerridwen’s voice.
“Then I wish you peace, love and a long life with your woman,” she said as his consciousness drifted away again.
* * * *
Five days later, Rowan sat at the kitchen table with Meaghan, Reece and her father, drinking coffee while tensely watching the clock and waiting for the county inspectors to arrive. She’d been terrified that somehow the magic would have faded or worse, she’d imagined the entire thing. Somehow, the idea of Gwydion not being real hurt more than the possibility of losing the land. But of course both of those things had proved to be groundless worries. The orchard was still rife with endangered species and her friends definitely remembered Gwydion. But neither of those things offered much in the way of comfort. She needed to put him out of her head. He was gone, and he wasn’t coming back.
“So where’s your study partner,” Reece asking, scowling behind the rim of his coffee cup.
The sound of tires crunching over the gravel in the driveway saved her from having to answer.
Everyone left the uncomfortable silence of the breakfast table behind and filed outside to meet the inspectors. After the introductions had been made, Rowan followed the others to the orchard. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The flowers waved in the breeze and songbirds swooped through the clearing while the fox she and Gwydion had saved watched warily from the underbrush. It was practically a Disney forest, minus any
singing princesses.
“Hmm…” The inspector with the camera wandered around the site taking pictures of the various flowers and birds while the other made her way to the rock fissures and peered inside with a flashlight. Rowan knew what the other woman would find. Thousands and thousands of small brown bats. For the last few nights, Rowan had gone outside at dusk to watch them leave their hiding place to hunt for insects.
The man with the camera made his way to the rocks and, after a short discussion with the other inspector, took several pictures. Turning around, he aimed his camera at the tree, taking pictures of the yellow-headed blackbirds. Snapping on a telephoto lens, he aimed higher into the tree. Likely at the nest of the owl that had recently taken up residence there.
While the inspectors talked a short distance away, Reece stepped in front of Rowan and glared at her. “What the hell did you do to this place? None of these flowers and shit were here before.”
She blinked blankly at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Before he could respond, the inspectors approached.
“We need to file the paperwork, but you should know that we’re going to recommend that this parcel of land remain a habitat to the endangered species that live here.”
“What?” Rowan’s father demanded. “What endangered species?”
“It’s practically a miracle to see so many in one place, but there are yellow-headed blackbirds, a short-eared owl, Indiana bats, yellow rails, willow asters, rock cress—it’s amazing.”
“Wood turtles,” the other inspector added. “Karner Blue butterflies. Yeah—there’s no way you’ll get an approved permit to build here.”
“These stupid flowers weren’t here a few days ago,” Reece blustered. “They must have …planted them or something.”
The older of the two inspectors looked at him skeptically. “Son, that ground hasn’t been disturbed. Those plants came up the natural way.”
Reece glared at her, and her father merely raised his eyebrow. She could tell he was pissed, but she thought there might be a tiny bit of grudging respect in his gaze as well.
Rowan and Meaghan managed to refrain from squealing with glee until everyone else had gone, but once the last car disappeared down the road, they both shrieked happily.
“You did it!” Meg squealed.
Rowan shook her head and tried to ignore the sadness that swamped her. “It was Gwydion. None of this would have been possible otherwise.”
Forcing a smile for Meg, Rowan turned and went into the house. She had to get ready for work before it got any later. Stepping through the door, she stopped dead.
Gwydion stood there.
Her breath stalled in her throat. She’d thought she’d never see him again, but he was here. In her kitchen.
“Whoa,” Meaghan breathed behind her. “You know what Ro? You’ve had a really bad cough and fever. I’m just gonna go ahead and call your boss and let her know you’re sick. In fact, I’m gonna do that on my way to work. You rest up and feel better. I’ll make sure Kathy knows you won’t be in.”
Rowan was still nodding woodenly while Meg gathered her purse and car keys. Rowan still hadn’t moved even when she heard her friend’s car start and pull from the driveway.
“You’re here,” she finally managed, trying to control the quiver in her voice. She knew he was probably back to check on how the inspection had gone, but she couldn’t believe how much it hurt to see him and know he’d be likely leaving again soon.
He crossed the room to where she was rooted to the floor and pulled her into his arms, practically crushing her against his chest. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Sliding his fingers into her hair at the base of her skull, he lightly tugged her head back and kissed her. He coaxed open her lips, delving in and exploring her mouth. She couldn’t help but respond to his kiss, but she also couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
She shoved at his chest, pushing free from his embrace. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”
Concern clouded his eyes, and he took a step toward her but seemed to think better of it and stopped moving. “What is it?”
“I can’t just fall back into your arms—not when—” She broke off and swiped at her eyes.
“Not when what?”
She thought about letting it go, brushing it off. But what difference would it make if she told him the truth? Who knew if she’d ever see him after this? After all, he was a god and likely had plenty of god-type things to do.
Wiping away her remaining tears, she met his gaze before quickly looking away. “I understand that you’re busy doing whatever it is that you do.” She held up her hand when he opened his mouth. “And I know I was nothing more to you than a quick lay, but when I woke up alone…” She whirled to face him again. “Seriously? You couldn’t be bothered to say goodbye?”
His eyes widened, and there was no way she could miss the pain flaring in the bright green depths. He reached out as if to touch her but let his hand fall to the side before he made contact. “I wouldn’t have left you if I’d been able to prevent it. The spell took more energy than I realized—especially combined with the pollutants that had weakened my abilities. I promise, I never would have left you if given the choice.”
She wanted to believe him more than she’d ever wanted anything, but five days with no contact at all made it a little difficult.
“And you have never been a ‘quick lay’.” He scanned her length of her body appreciatively before traveling upward to meet her gaze. “I thought we’d established that I wanted to take my time with you.”
She ignored the heat rising to her cheeks. Gwydion made her blush more than any man she’d ever known.
“So…you’ve recovered?” she asked, ignoring his comment as well.
“Enough.”
“Enough?” She frowned, concern starting to break down the barrier of her anger and hurt. “Are you okay?”
“My abilities are, for the most part, gone.”
Concern won out, and she moved to his side, grasping his hands. “What happened?”
“I had a choice to make.” He smiled tenderly at her. “I could either stay there and recover completely. Or I could come back here.”
She lifted her hand to his face. “Why wouldn’t you stay until you were better?”
“Because I would have missed my chance to be with you.”
“What?”
“Remember when I said that time passes differently in my realm?”
She nodded.
“If I’d waited until my abilities returned, your life might have long since ended.”
She stared at him as that sank in.
“But your powers—”
“Don’t matter,” he cut in. “The only thing that matters is right here,” he said, cupping her face and brushing his thumb across her lower lip. “And spending the rest of my life with you…if you’ll have me?”
A wave of emotion swamped her. When she opened her mouth, words wouldn’t come.
“I love you, Rowan.” Intensity brightened his gaze. “All the power in the world means nothing without you.”
Happiness, stronger than anything she’d ever experienced, filled up all of the dark and lonely places inside her. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. “I know it seems crazy. It’s so soon,” she murmured into his shirt. “But I love you, too.”
“Look at me when you say that.” The quietly uttered words enveloped her, wrapping her in warmth and desire. But there was no spell to blame this time. Just the two of them in the empty kitchen.
She titled back her head and looked up at him. “I love you.”
The most beautiful smile she’d ever seen curved his lips. Lowering his head, he captured her mouth again. This time, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she helped him undress as quickly as possible. She was about to show him that love was the most powerful magic of all.
Epilogue
Rowan laid her head in Gwydion’
s lap and stared at the stars through turning leaves above their heads. It was almost too chilly to spend the evening outside in the orchard, but he’d lured her from the warmth of the house with a blanket and a bottle of wine.
He handed her a glass.
“What are we toasting?” she asked.
“We got the contract for the renovation project at the historical museum.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“And of course, I’ll require the help of my beautiful assistant. I was thinking we should go with greenery and flowers that would have been popular when the building was constructed.”
“Perfect!” She raised her glass. “To Garden Gods Landscaping.”
Grinning, he clinked his glass to hers and took a sip.
It had been two and a half years since she’d summoned him up out of the dirt leaves of a derelict orchard. Now, the orchard was producing, they’d made peace with her family and had even gone into business together. Spencer Construction had switched their primary focus to renovation, and Gwydion focused on what he did best—making things grow. They didn’t call him the garden god for nothing. In fact, his organic landscaping business had become so popular they’d had to hire several new employees. Life was good.
With his free hand, he smoothed the hair from her face and gazed down at her. “You’re not having any wine.”
“Apparently, plants aren’t the only thing you’re good at making grow.” Taking his hand, she put it on her still mostly flat stomach. Screwing up that long-ago spell was the best mistake she’d ever made. She loved him more than she’d imagined possible.
He stared blankly at her for a moment then his eyes lit with understanding. “I love you—so much,” he whispered.
A smile curved her lips. “Show me.”
About the Author
Bronwyn lives in Michigan with her wonderful husband, two amazing sons and three somewhat-psychotic cats. When not tormenting her characters, she can usually be found helping with reading and writing projects in her sons’ classrooms as well as being the car pool mom extraordinaire for seven teens. Besides writing, she also enjoys reading, knitting, sewing, cross stitching, pottery, drawing—basically anything that helps her avoid the tortures of cleaning and cooking.
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