Wizard's Woman

by Solange Ayre

  Someone clutched her cloak. She gasped and whirled around.

  Sheepishly, she detached the material from a branch. She stood still with her hands raised skyward and murmured a prayer to the Goddess—a calming ritual that Kardos had taught her.

  The grove is at the west-most point of the forest. Glaventown is to the north. I need to go that way…I think.

  Why hadn’t she brought a compass? And a lantern?

  She tried to ignore the odd scurryings and squeakings she heard. Of course there are animals in the forest. Weasels and ferrets. Mice and conies. Nothing more.

  Yet her skin tingled.

  Hearing a soft sound, like a robe brushing past a leaf, she stopped.

  Keep moving! The faster you pluck the fruit, the quicker you’ll return to the Queen’s Mansion.

  White mushrooms glimmered like tiny fairy lights in the moonlight. Something blundered against her hair. With a cry, she shrank back.

  A moth, nothing more.

  Enchanted wolves lurk in the forest, you know. Was it true? Or had Kardos been trying to frighten her, to test her?

  And then she smelled the distinctive citrus aroma of lattals. This wasn’t the grove Kardos had described. Now she knew she’d gone in the wrong direction.

  The fruit hung high above her head. Deep pink in the daytime, they looked pale and ghostly in the uncertain light of the moon.

  Luckily, she’d been a skilled climber of trees, back in her village. There were no low-hanging branches here but she knew how to embrace a tree, get a toehold in its rough bark and ascend.

  The bark ripped at her tender palms. Shimmying her way upward, she gritted her teeth with the pain, pausing often to pant with the effort.

  Lattals indeed! I hope the spell is truly an important one!

  At last she reached the branch where the fruit hung. She reclined her body along it and inched forward, straining her arm to reach the lattals.

  The first one fell easily into her hand. She stowed it in the pocket of her cloak and reached for the other. It clung stubbornly to the branch. She twisted the stem.

  An owl’s harsh screech echoed through the night. Ash jerked and lost her balance. Tumbling from the tree, she landed on her back. The second fruit fell with her.

  Pain filled her world, stars spinning through her vision. She strove for breath.

  Running steps pounded through the woods. Her heart leapt and she tried to raise her head.

  Strong arms surrounded her. She struck out with her fists then choked back a sob of relief, recognizing Kardos’ cinnamon scent.

  He dropped to the ground, lifting her into his lap and cradling her against his chest. “Thank the Goddess I followed you!” She’d never heard his voice so strained.

  She gripped handfuls of his robe. “Master…” The word emerged on a gasp.

  He covered her face with frantic kisses then drew back to cup her chin in his hand. “Are you all right, Ashta?” He traced a sign in the air then spoke several rapid words. Most of her pain fled.

  He called me Ashta! She stared up into his face, blinking in confusion. “You—you know I’m not a boy?”

  He held her more tightly, rocking her in his embrace. “Of course I know. You make a handsome boy, my heart. But I infinitely prefer you as a woman.”

  “But when did you—”

  “Always.”

  Ash was mute with shock.

  “You’re much too pretty for a male.” He caressed her cheek gently. “It amused me, to see you affect a boy’s walk and manner.”

  Her thoughts whirled. He’s always known my secret. He didn’t make love to some stranger but to me, Ashta. “But master—why didn’t you tell me you knew?”

  His tone grew serious. “When you asked to be my apprentice, I decided to play along with your masquerade. That way I could teach you and flout the foolish law without seeming to break it.”

  His fingers stroked her hair. “And then I realized you loved me. It troubled me, for I believed your infatuation would not last.”

  Her heart soared with love for him. “It’s not an infatuation.”

  He gave her a deep look that connected them more closely than a kiss. “I have come to understand that.”

  “Is that why you finally made love to me?”

  The silence lengthened until she feared he would not answer. “For many months I resisted temptation.” He spoke slowly, as though explaining to himself as well as to her. “I thought it best to leave you free.” His heavy lids shaded his eyes. “But I was aware of your love surrounding me, easing the loneliness that had always been part of my soul. Each month when you left to visit your village, I felt bereft, like a man imprisoned in ice.”

  He’d always been difficult to please when she’d returned from a visit to her parents. She’d thought it was because she’d left him with all the work to do, never imagining he’d missed her company.

  He stroked her neck, smiling as though the feel of her skin delighted him. Her breathing quickened. Despite the glorious climax she’d experienced an hour earlier, she was desperate to make love again.

  “Wizards can sometimes control the material world but the human heart remains beyond control.” His fingers moved to her breast, fondling her nipple through her boy’s tunic. Thank the Goddess she hadn’t rebound her breasts. “Once I saw you in women’s clothing—so very alluring—I could no longer deny my emotions.”

  “You don’t regret our Hour of Passion?”

  “Not for a moment.” His voice deepened. “It was everything I had wanted…for so long.” His palms cupped her breasts, making her gasp with arousal. “At last I can touch you freely.”

  “I hated to leave you this evening.” She lifted her eyes to his, suddenly curious. “Why did you send me here tonight, master?”

  He gave her an exasperated look. “I had several reasons. I hoped to frighten you into confessing your masquerade. When you bravely ventured into the forest alone, I followed to make sure you came to no harm.”

  “You should have warned me to bring a climbing rope,” she said with a grin.

  He raised his brows. “This is the eastern edge of the forest. I told you to go to the west-most point. The fruit would have been much easier to pick in the lattal grove there.”

  “Well, I did get it.” She pulled the lattal from her cloak’s pocket to prove it.

  “And terrified me in the process, by falling out of the tree.” His arms tightened around her. “Thank the Goddess you were not hurt.”

  She nestled against his chest, so happy to be close to him. To have him hold her, knowing who she really was. “Remember how we often went to the woods together?” she asked softly. “I used to hope you’d make love to me there. I longed for your kisses.” She lifted her face, parting her lips. She moaned as his mouth took hers, giving her a passionate kiss that immediately brought her to an overwhelming state of arousal.

  When at last they broke apart, he said, “I often dreamt of your kisses as well. And much more.”

  “So you felt desire for me—before last night?”

  With a smile that warmed her heart, he laid his hand on the side of her head. Once again she shared his thoughts, this time a memory from several months ago…

  “Pick only the ones with the black flecks,” he said.

  “You bet.” Ash bent to harvest the mushrooms.

  His eyes lingered on her shapely backside, her rounded cheeks straining so temptingly against her tight masculine breeches. Blood rushed downward. His cock swelled inside his codpiece.

  He ached to touch her, to caress her, to feel her nipples harden under his palms.

  She was his apprentice, not his lover. Far too young for a man of forty. He had to remember that.

  But he couldn’t help thinking how he’d like to come up behind her, pull down those breeches and plunge his engorged cock inside her. Would she part her legs willingly, buck against his forceful thrusts, moan as he fucked that lovely pussy she so carefully concealed?

&nbs
p; He imagined the velvet wetness of her clinging around his cock, stroking and milking him until he released his seed deep inside her body. She would cry out wantonly, frantic with the climax only he could give her.

  “I never knew you wanted me.” Looking into his eyes, she stroked his cheek. “We’ve wasted so much time.”

  He turned his head to kiss her palm. “There was no waste. All those months taught us to love each other.”

  She gave him a mischievous smile and disengaged from his arms. Rising to her feet, she spoke a word of power she’d learned from his secret book. An intricate pattern, glowing like fireflies in formation, hung in the air.

  She moved her hands swiftly, rearranging the pattern.

  From all corners of the forest, dead leaves gathered like a huge flock of birds. They swirled, arranging themselves into a neat pile at Ash’s feet.

  “Impressive.” Kardos stood beside her. “If you can do that so easily, my heart, there isn’t much more I can teach you.”

  “Magical matters can be learned from the master’s books. But sexual matters need to be taught by the master himself.”

  The expression in his eyes betrayed his pleasure with her words. “So you require a second lesson tonight?”

  “I believe it to be a necessary part of my training.”

  He lifted off his robe, revealing a plain tunic and tights underneath. Spreading his robe over the leaves, he completed the makeshift bed.

  He came to her and pushed her cloak off her shoulders. Pausing only to pull her tightly against him, he took her mouth in a passionate kiss. His tongue glided against hers while her excitement mounted.

  He lifted her tunic over her head. “How delightful to find such pretty breasts hiding underneath your clothing.” Holding the warm white globes in his palms, he stroked her nipples until they peaked. “Never bind your breasts again.”

  “They please you, master?”

  “I could look at them forever.” He knelt in front of her. Lifting her foot onto his knee, he removed her boots in turn, then coaxed her tights down her rounded hips.

  She stood naked, her body gleaming in the moonlight. He looked up, his avid gaze examining every inch of her. Her pussy throbbed, longing for his caresses.

  “Lovely beyond lovely,” he whispered. “I wish you could always be naked for me, ready and waiting for the thrusts of my cock.”

  She caught her breath, his words heightening her arousal.

  “On your hands and knees,” he ordered. “I have long dreamt of taking you from behind.” Trembling with anticipation, she knelt on his cloak then lowered herself on her elbows.

  He pulled off his tights and positioned himself behind her, caressing her cheeks with his palms, moving and spreading them. She moaned, heat flaring in her channel. Moisture gathered and dripped down her thighs.

  She quivered when his fingers insinuated themselves between her legs, fondling her slit, brushing her nub. Rubbing against his hand insistently, she whispered, “Master, I want you so much.”

  “What do you want? You must learn precision, Ashta.”

  “I want your cock.” He shifted behind her. She gasped as the thick head of his cock teased her swollen opening. “I need you to fuck me. Hard.”

  “Now?” His voice was husky with desire.

  “Yes—now!”

  He thrust slowly and deliberately this time, letting her feel every long, delicious stroke. Each time he plunged in, he paused before withdrawing.

  “I can feel every inch of your cock.” Her breath caught on a gasp of delight. “Oh! It’s so hard…so big.”

  She thrilled to the thickness filling her, pleasuring her with every vigorous thrust.

  He reached around, fingers stroking her swollen nub as he pounded into her. A swift, shuddering climax overtook her. She cried out, her eyes closing in ecstasy as she rocked back against his cock.

  Gripping her hips, he plunged deeply once more, then groaned. She pressed down on his steely hardness, spurring his release.

  Kardos gasped. Ash’s eyes flew open.

  An orange glow surrounded them. An enticing scent filled the woods with an aroma of roses.

  Ash heard words, not with her ears but within her heart.

  Bless you, my sweet lovers.

  * * * * *

  Ash lay enclosed in Kardos’ arms, nestling against his chest, relaxing in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

  “Did you…hear?” she asked.

  “She has given us a great gift.” His tone was solemn. “Let us speak of Her no more.”

  Ash understood. It was unwise to talk too much of sacred things. But she would never forget the Goddess’ blessing.

  Wishing to lighten the moment, she picked up a brown oak leaf and tickled the side of his face with it. He smiled and kissed her fingers.

  “Master…now that you know I’m a woman…I can no longer be your apprentice. Will you send me away?”

  “I will never send you away.” Passion vibrated in his deep voice.

  “But what will we do? Shall I continue dressing as a boy?” She added wistfully, “It will be hard not to touch you in public, now that we’re lovers.”

  His midnight-dark eyes bored into hers. “Ashta, there is one way we can be together openly.” His chest heaved as he took a deep breath. “If we are handfasted.”

  Joy spread through her. Handfasted? He wished to exchange vows with her, to swear fidelity, to cleave to her for the rest of his life? She couldn’t imagine greater happiness.

  “Who can deny me the right to teach my wife anything I please?” He stroked her hair. “If you wish us to share a bedchamber, to learn from the same books and to spend every evening making love—then say yes. Will you join me in the Handfast Ritual?”

  She gazed back at him and caressed his cheek. “Yes, with all my heart.”

  He sat up, giving her his hand to help her arise. “Find the two lattals you gathered tonight. When wizards marry, they must eat three bites of the fruit and dedicate the rest to the Goddess.”

  Her voice choked as she asked, “Was this in your mind when you asked for the fruit this morning?”

  “After The Hour of Passion we shared, I could think of nothing else.”

  Ash found the lattals. They dressed then stood facing each other, holding the fruit in their palms.

  “One moment,” Kardos said.

  Ash drew in a frightened breath. Had he changed his mind?

  His quick smile allayed her fears. “Never doubt my love,” he reassured her. “But I prefer your true appearance.” He ran a quick hand over her hair and body.

  Startled, Ash looked down. Her own auburn hair was back. She now wore a moss-green velvet gown and soft matching shoes. “Thank you,” she murmured around the lump in her throat.

  They spoke the vows that joined them, then fed each other bites of the fruit. As they took their third bites, the moon appeared from behind a cloud.

  Ash gazed up at her husband, admiring the way the pale light illuminated the planes of his face and his dark eyes. He lowered his head to give her the first kiss of their new life together.

  The night breeze swirled softly around them as they walked back to the Queen’s Mansion.

  “Will we announce our handfasting to the court tomorrow?” Ash asked.

  “Tomorrow?” Kardos gazed into the distance as though envisioning the future. “I don’t believe so. I plan to spend the day in bed, pleasuring you in every way I can imagine. Does that sound like a good course of action, my heart?”

  Ash gripped his hand tightly. “As your apprentice, I would not dare to argue with you. You must teach me whatever you think necessary.”

  “I shall draw up an extensive curriculum.”

  Ash smiled, her blood simmering.

  She was already eager for her next lesson.

  About the Author

  Solange Ayre, galaxy-hopping investigative journalist, also serves as a policy advisor to the United Conglomeration of Planetary Jurisdictions. She ma
kes her home on Ayriana, her private island-republic in the West Caribbean region of Earth.

  After a whirlwind childhood living in the capitals of Europe, Solange married St. Georges Ayre, one of the wealthiest men in the world. The crystal palace he bought her on Ayriana is the primary tourist attraction in the area—at least, for those who can find it. St. George’s mysterious assassination is still mourned by his grieving widow.

  Directly descended from King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Solange graciously supports the democratic government of France and relinquishes her claim to the throne. Under no circumstances will she answer to the title “Your Highness.”

  In her spare time, Solange enjoys breeding and showing her prize-winning miniature dragons as well as researching and writing erotic romance.

  Solange welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at Comments@EllorasCave.com.

  Also by Solange Ayre

  One Thousand Brides

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

  www.ellorascave.com