Chapter 15
SOMERSAULTING THROUGH nothingness, she tumbled onto very hard ground. Carolyn rolled over grass and bounced against one of the megaliths with her legs up over her head. She scrambled to her feet, scanning the field first to see where she was—the Druid’s Circle—then she looked for Rory.
He was nowhere around the stone circle, and it was late afternoon. What afternoon? Was it after Samhain?
“Rory. Rory!” She roamed around the meadow, staying far away from the ruins. She walked the periphery of the forest, peering in, searching for the white buck.
He had rescued her when she was locked in the women’s house. He’d risked missing the portal, missing his chance to return safely. He really did care for her and not just for her part in his ritual. Could she blame his desperation? Trapped on this mountain for over three hundred years, wouldn’t she do the same?
She loved him, she couldn’t deny it. She’d remain at the Druid’s Circle for however long it took for him to return. Rory must’ve made it through the portal. They were holding onto each other the moment the fireflies surrounded them, and the earth dropped out from beneath them. She didn’t want to think of the alternative.
Cautiously, she approached her sleeping bag, blanket, backpack and ritual offerings of butter and milk and dragged everything next to the stone circle, then sat on the bunched-up sleeping bag. She didn’t move, but she’d avoid the center of the circle this time.
Twilight eased into the valley, that shadowy darkness before night. She pulled the sleeping bag around her shoulders, expecting to spend the night. A rustling noise at the edge of the forest startled her. The white stag crept onto the field and slowly stepped to the ruins, at the opposite side from her. “Rory,” she whispered. She didn’t move, afraid he’d run away.
The deer lifted his head, apparently searching the sky. Waiting. The moon hadn’t risen yet. Could they have returned on the same day, at the same time?
The snap of a twig startled the white buck. A whistling sound pierced though the trees and a sickening thud followed. Carolyn shrieked as the white buck collapsed on the ground and fell inside the circle. A yellow arrow impaled his side. He didn’t move and didn’t appear to breathe.
Carolyn pressed a hand to her heart, feeling a sharp pain as if the arrow had pierced her chest. No, no, no! This isn’t happening.
Her throat constricted as she choked back a sob, afraid to move because if she did, then it would be horribly real.
“I got him. Clean shot.” The hunter she had seen days ago ran to the buck with another arrow notched in his bow.
“Stop. Don’t touch him.” She raced over to the white deer and dropped to the ground, blocking the hunter’s next shot. She stroked the buck’s neck. Uncontrolled sobs burst from her, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Come on lady, he’s dead.” The hunter kicked the buck’s hind legs, then put down his bow and arrow.
“Murderer. Evil, heartless murderer.” Each breath fought through her heaving sobs.
“Leave him be lady, it’s too late—”
The buck moved. He slowly lifted his head, gripped the arrow with his mouth, wrenched the shaft out and dropped it on the ground.
“Oh, sweet Jesus,” the hunter whispered, taking a step back.
The full moon hauntingly appeared between the trees and a white haze glowed within the stone circle. The buck became transparent and as the image of the deer faded, Rory appeared.
The hunter, his bow and arrows forgotten, stumbled backward and disappeared into the forest.
“Don’t weep, lass. I’ve wept enough tears to fill the oceans.” Rory stood and took Carolyn into his arms.
“But you were shot.” She patted his side.
“I told you, this is sacred ground, no creature can be harmed here.” He tilted his head, captured her mouth and kissed her fiercely. He pulled away and cupped her face in his hands. His blue eyes reflected the milky orb of the moon. “Carolyn, can you forgive me for misleading you earlier?”
“I can forgive you. I understand your desperation. Let me help you break the curse. We aren’t too late, are we?” She moved into his embrace.
“No, we aren’t too late.” He gently moved away from her. “But I do not wish to place you in danger. The spell must take place within the circle when the ley lines cross. I’d rather spend eternity trapped in this curse, than see harm come to you.”
She grasped his hand.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You are a brave lass, Carolyn.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Rory, I want to do this spell.”
“All right. And it be my promise that I use no Glamour to force you to do this. Although you be a strong-willed one and I doubt my powers would’ve succeeded.” He smiled playfully.
“I trust you and I’ve come prepared.”
He laughed as she led him by hand across the field to the sleeping bag and offerings and moved them within the center of the stone circle, all the time not taking her eyes off him.
He hesitated, then grinned, a wonderful crooked grin and studied her for a moment. “You sure, lass?”
“Never in my life have I wanted another man more.”
“Oh, be sure, and I have no will to refuse you.” His smile faded, his eyes were heavy-lidded as he gazed into hers.
She raked her fingers through his long hair, then ran her thumb over his full lips. Taking her hand, he licked her finger then traced hot, wet circles with the tip of his tongue in the center of her palm. Her body vibrated with erotic sensations that shot through every nerve.
She gripped his shoulder and opened her mouth slightly, begging for his lips, his tongue to take possession of her mouth. Instead, he continued to playfully tease her palm, the inside of her wrist, then moved tortuously slowly to the crease of her elbow, her shoulder. She gasped as he licked her neck.
She curved her hand around the back of his neck, then pulled him to kiss him. He took her hard, opening his mouth and offering his tongue, searching and probing. Carolyn moaned beneath his lips.
He kissed her harder and deeper until she was breathless and had to pull away slightly to gasp for air. “Do we have everything we need for the ritual?” she asked against his lips.
“Yes, love.” He grasped her breasts, rubbing her nipples through her shirt with his thumbs and kissed her neck.
“Are we standing in the right place?” she asked as she stroked his back.
“Oh, to be sure,” he mumbled.
“What if we’ve forgotten something? It must be right. Or you could wake up tomorrow and…nothing would be changed.”
He stopped kissing her, stopped fondling her breasts and looked intently into her eyes. “What’s this all about, Carolyn? What are you trying to tell me?”
She faltered, finding it difficult to meet his gaze.
“No, don’t look away from me. Get yourself together, lass, and tell me straight away.” He turned her chin with his finger to face him.
She sighed in resignation. “For the ritual to work, do we need to be in love with each other?”
A grin twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Ah, I see.” He stepped away from her, crossing his arms and looking at the moon. Like an intruding beacon, the moon shone from the highest point in the sky, casting no shadows from the stones. “I understand. You not be in love with me then?”
She groaned. “That’s not true, I do love you.”
He chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Why was he making a joke of this?
“Of course, I love you, Carolyn. I was willing to give up the chance of becoming a man because I feared putting you at risk.” He pulled her close, tucking her securely against his body. “Yes, Carolyn, I do love ya, lass. Now, any more questions you be having, or can I show you how much?” he said huskily.
Her heart swelled with emotion. The knot of tension twisting in her shoulders finally relaxed. She smiled, shook her head and with shaky hands unbuttoned his shirt. Coarse hair tickled her fingers. She slid her hands along his hard chest, but it wasn’t enough; she wanted to feel more of his warm skin. Hooking her fingers inside his shirt, she undid all the buttons, then yanked off his shirt.
He stopped for a moment. “There is one more thing I have to do for the spell.” He placed the bowls of milk and curds on the ground above their heads then sited these words,
“Quarry the innocent on sacred ground
Hath suffer the sting of silver arrow,
And dwell as fair creature, woodland bound.
May cede the Glamour of faery sorrow
With dance of bliss on Samhain moon,
Wee bounty of milk and offer of curds,
The powers that be will find the way soon,
To pierce the veil betwixt the worlds.
Accept this offering and release my watch.”
He directed his attention to Carolyn and smiled. “It is done.” His hands then grasped the bottom of her tee-shirt and slipped it over her head. She wasn’t wearing anything beneath it, and he smiled as he admired her.
“Ah, lass, you are beautiful.” He palmed her breasts and when she moved against his hands, he squeezed and fondled them harder. Her nipples puckered from his touch and the cool night air. Crouching, he trailed kisses from her stomach upward between her breasts, to her neck. His heated tongue then retraced his path, grazing along her neck, to her breasts and teased each peak, sucking and nibbling gently. Sensual delights rippled from deep within her, then surged and inflamed every nerve.
“Yes,” she breathed as he continued to tug on one and then the other sensitive nub.
Her hands first gripped his hips, then moved to the swollen ridge beneath his pants.
“Carolyn.” His voice was rough, eager. He leaned forward and kissed her deeply.
She quickly unbuttoned his pants and slid her hand inside, grabbing his thick cock. His breath caught, and she slipped his pants over his hips. He kicked them to the side and stood naked before her, his muscular body gleaming in the moonlight. Wet heat moistened her panties and desire surged through her body when she saw his aroused shaft.
She fumbled with her jeans and he helped her ease them off, tossing them next to his clothes on the grass. His hand slid down her body, a sensual tease that covered her skin in goose bumps. His touch danced over the thin wisp of panties now soaked with her dew. Her body quivered. “Cold?”
“No. Sensitive and deliciously warm.”
“Good,” he whispered against her ear, as he hooked a finger under the edge of her panties and slid them off.
His fingers spread over her belly, then lower to her mound and rubbed her engorged clit. Her inner depths clenched and throbbed, aching for the feel of him inside her. Tension coiled, and she would come soon. She brought his hand to her breast, then wrapped her hand around his erection, hard and swollen, stroking it up and down.
“Mmmm,” she purred.
“Oh, lord,” he said, pushing her hand away. “Not yet, lass. We have plenty of time.”
The darkness in his eyes told her the moment had turned more potent and gone beyond the ability of either of them stopping it.
“What do we do with the milk and butter?” she asked.
He laughed. “Nothing. It be an offering.”
He knelt before her, delicately flicking his tongue over her swollen clit, then gently, so gently sucking her. He had a wonderful mouth. She grabbed his head with her hands, tangling her fingers in his hair, as a wave of pleasure began to rise out of control. “Oh, that’s so good.”
Thrusting a finger inside her opening, he pushed her over the edge. She cried out as the orgasm pulsed through her with such intensity she feared her knees would give way. He pressed his face against her thighs and wrapped his arms around her legs while her body continued to quake.
“I can’t wait. I want you now,” she breathed.
He stood, pulling her close, his erection pressing against her belly. A low growl vibrated from his chest, then he lifted her off her feet and gently lay her on the sleeping bag.
He eased his body over hers. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as she felt the wonderful warmth and weight of him, then his thick cock pressed against her moist opening and plunged deep inside with one effortless thrust.
“Oh yes,” she said, raising her hips to allow him to move deeper. Snaking her arms around his back, she grasped his buttocks and rocked her body in rhythm to his. The full moon enveloped them with a luminous glow. Passion raged in his face and tension strained the muscles in his neck.
“Tell me, lass, tell me what you want.” His voice was low and lustful.
“This… Yes… Like this.” Hot pleasure swirled inside her. “Rory.” Another release shook her.
The cries of her climax mingled with his groans.
“Ah, yes.” His body shuddered as he pumped harder, faster and then found his own release. She gripped his buttocks tighter, writhing beneath him until he was completely spent and collapsed on top of her.
She stroked his back, listening to his breathing slow, feeling his heartbeat pound against her breasts. She was still panting, her body humming.
After a time, he sighed, slipped from her body, then rolled beside her. She clung to him and rested her head on his chest. “Are we safe here, or are we going to be propelled to a strange place?”
“We’re safe, lass. Once the ritual begins at midnight, the ley lines part.”
A cool breeze blew across her heated, damp skin and made her shiver. Rory pulled the fleece blanket over them and they snuggled close.
Beneath the glow of the moon, surrounded by the dark forest, the megaliths and under the protection of the now appeased Sidhe, they affirmed their love for each other inside the standing stones.
* * *
The morning sun warmed the earth and burned off the layers of fog that had settled within the meadow. Brightness behind closed lids stirred Carolyn out of her dreamless sleep. Her eyes popped open and she sat up.
Rory lay beside her, still asleep, the blanket draped low over his hips.
She shook him. “Rory, wake up.”
One eye opened. He smiled, then pulled her down, cradling her in his arms.
“You won’t change back on me, will you?”
“No, the curse is broken, lass. Now, you best get under this blanket.” His smile was sultry and tempting.
“What about that ship, those people? Did they die?”
“I left a written message on the maintenance list and in the pocket of the man’s body I inhabited. I warned them to move their ship out of orbit or the ship would be destroyed. Hopefully, they acted in time….”
She nodded.
As they lay together, something bolted through the thick mountain laurel. They sat upright as a white buck burst out of the forest.
Carolyn gasped. “How is that possible? The curse is broken and you’re here.”
“A new curse. The hunter,” Rory said sadly. “He violated the sacred ground. It’s his judgment.”
The buck ran across the meadow and back into the woods.
“Now, lass….” He wrapped his arms around her. “I believe there be over three hundred years of loving I need to make up.”
Dear Reader,
Rory broke the spell and found true love.
Are you ready for a new paranormal romantic adventure?
On the distant planet of Somerled, Jaida, a biologist, is protector and companion to Kai, the last shapeshifting dragon. He’s powerful, willful and overly possessive of her. So, when Jaida’s ex-lover, Fleet Captain Brayden Stokes, re-enters her life, a complicated love triangle begins. When a natural disaster threatens colonists on a planet-wide scale, Brayden will do whatever it takes to rescue them, but at what cost? Can love survive the consequences?
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