Constant Cravings (18 page)

A feeling of complete rapture swept over me as he whispered, “I’m coming.” Magic broke over us as Cernunnos cried out with release. I could hear startled birds flying away as the trees around us shook.

Cernunnos rose slowly and, to my delight, seemed unsteady on his feet. He reached for me and helped me sit up. Liam’s face was flushed with arousal and even though he hadn’t participated, I could tell he was pleased.

“I need a minute,” Cernunnos said, still breathing hard. He was covered in a fine sheen of sweat that highlighted his every curve. The demigod turned slightly and I found myself staring at his ass as if it was my job. He walked to the edge of the circle before turning back to me with a smile, “I’ll be back.” He disappeared into the woods.

103

Tracey H. Kitts

Chapter Fourteen

Liam and I were silent for a moment while I took a few steadying breaths. What happened with Cernunnos was beyond a doubt the sexiest and most intense experience of my life. Despite his reassurance earlier, I awaited Liam’s response somewhat anxiously.

“Wow. You really got to him,” Liam said. “In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never heard of Cernunnos losing control.”

I was relieved to see he wasn’t angry. No matter what he said before, I only had experiences with human men to compare to. Maybe others were more fortunate than I’d been, but I’d never had a man who would go along with something like this.

“Do you really think he lost it?”

Liam smiled as he replied, “You took it. You took
him
. I don’t believe anyone’s ever treated him that way in the whole of his existence.” I was touched and impressed to hear this. Truly, I didn’t know I had it in me. Then another thought crossed my mind. I remembered the way he’d spoken to Liam when he asked him to enter the circle.

“You said he’d helped you before. When you summoned him in the past, you paid the price, didn’t you?”

The flush on Liam’s cheeks appeared to be more from arousal than from embarrassment. “Nym can never hear about this.” I laughed. It didn’t bother me at all to hear he’d been with Cernunnos. Actually, I thought it was kind of sexy. Images of Liam with Cernunnos flashed through my mind.

Their bodies were entwined, their lips locked in a kiss. My heart fluttered and I knew that Cernunnos had sent me his memory. I looked around, but the demigod had still not returned.

“I thought you weren’t attracted to men,” I said to Liam.

He sighed. “I’m not, only to Cernunnos.”

“That was a long time ago,” Cernunnos said, stepping into the circle once again in his centaur form. “Besides, what happens with a demigod stays with the demigod. Isn’t that right, Liam?”

“Well, I never heard any rumors,” he said, laughing softly.

Cernunnos looked down at me and asked, “So do you feel up to that ride?” I was about to say no, but realized I felt invigorated after sex with him instead of exhausted. However, I was also covered in sweat and my inner thighs were slick.

“Is there someplace I could wash up first?” I asked.

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“There’s a stream through the woods there,” Cernunnos said. “Unless you need to go to the house. I’ll wait.”

I could not imagine how Liam’s aunt would react if I went up to the door naked, in this weather especially, and covered in sweat. What would I say, “Hi, nice to meet you.

Could I use your bathroom to wash up?” I tried not to laugh at the thought. Even though he could read my mind, I didn’t want to take a chance that Cernunnos would misinterpret my humor.

I offered him a smile. “The stream is fine. I’m just a little sweaty.” And my pussy was soaking wet, but I saw no reason to point that out. I took a small hand towel from Liam’s bag. “I’m borrowing this,” I said. “You boys be nice.” Cernunnos knew my comment was a subtle reference to the memory he’d sent me and smiled.

Ordinarily, a cool stream in the middle of winter did not sound like a place I’d like to go skinny dipping. However, Liam’s warming spell was still working and my blood was thoroughly heated from my encounter with Cernunnos. I walked in until the water reached my waist, then used the towel to wash my face and chest. I couldn’t get over how great I felt! Every part of me was so alive, it was as if I tingled with energy.

As I walked back into the clearing I heard Cernunnos say, “If that’s all right with you.”

He turned to me and smiled. “I was just telling Liam that I would very much like to see you some time. You know, when I’m not tracking down someone with a death sentence.”

His request shocked the hell out of me. Even more surprising, Liam looked agreeable.

“Socially?” I asked.

“Or privately.” He paused and glanced to Liam who nodded his consent. “Think it over. But first, I owe you some answers and you promised me a ride.”

“You want me to go naked?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Can I at least put on a bra? Seriously, breasts this big weren’t meant for riding centaurs naked.”

“I can see where that would be a problem,” he said, barely containing his grin.

Once I’d put on my bra I turned back to him wearing nothing else except for the smile I couldn’t help. Cernunnos reached for me and swung me up onto his back.

“Wow. I thought that would be harder to do,” I said.

“I’m stronger than I look,” he joked.

We took off at a light canter through the woods and once we were out of earshot of Liam he asked, “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

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Tracey H. Kitts

“No,” I said. I moved so that my body was pressed flat against the back of his human half and wrapped my arms around him. “I liked it.”

“Good,” he said, patting my arm. “I’ve never lost control like that before.” Even though he’d just confirmed Liam’s suspicions about losing control, I thought it best not to comment on the fact. Still, I was very flattered to know I’d had such a powerful effect.

“I can’t believe I’m not sore,” I confessed. “To tell the truth, I could go again.”

“Don’t tempt me. We’ve got business and I’ve got someone to track down.” His voice was softer when he said, “About before, you have no need to worry. You can’t get pregnant unless I wish it.”

Oh my goodness. How could something like that slip my mind? I was always so careful. Still, these were special circumstances and apparently no harm was done. After a moment’s hesitation, I decided not to beat myself up. It wasn’t as if I had unprotected sex with a demigod every day. What were the odds of even having such an opportunity?

“Thank you,” I said.

He turned in the direction of the city as he said, “No one can see us unless I wish that too.” His laughter rumbled through my chest where I was pressed against him.

“And I don’t. I wouldn’t mind being seen with a gorgeous, naked woman on my back, but I could see where this might be awkward for you.” I laughed then too. “Why is it I can’t help but like you?”

“I’m charming. As far as the business with your friend, I’m afraid I don’t have an easy answer.”

I sobered at the thought of getting back to the original reason for coming here.

He continued, “The creature you described doesn’t sound like a werewolf to me. It sounds like a barghest.”

“Pretend I don’t know everything and explain to me what that is.”

“It’s what happens when goblins survive a werewolf attack.” I gasped. “You mean it’s half wolf, half goblin? That’s scarier than a werewolf.”

“And meaner,” Cernunnos added. “It’s more than your description of the creature that makes me think your friend was eaten by a barghest. You see, I’m missing two.” My heart was beating way too fast and I felt lightheaded. “I’m sorry, but this is all confusing and really fucking scary to me.”

Cernunnos paused and reached back to touch my thigh. His touch wasn’t sexual, but comforting. The magic in his hands was completely different than Liam’s and yet it had the same soothing effect. As we continued to move forward, he kept his hand on my thigh, and I was grateful for the contact.

“How is it that death and cold follow you, but I feel
peace
when you touch me?” My voice was softer as I said, “I thought you only brought death.” 106

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“It’s often been implied that we die a little death when we experience a great orgasm.”

His deep voice made me shiver with excitement. My breasts were pressed against his back and I loved the subtle vibration I felt every time he spoke.

“I think Shakespeare said something along those lines,” I said. “Please, go on about what you were saying before. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He patted my thigh again. “Yes, the missing barghests. The Hunt is made up of all sorts of hunters. One of the most valuable to me is my trackers. I prefer barghests to werewolves because they lack humanity. That sounds harsh, I realize, but there is always a chance that a werewolf might have a change of heart once it locates its prey.” I swallowed hard. “Are you telling me these things are senseless beasts intent on nothing but murder and two of them are loose?”

“Not exactly. They can think and reason just like anyone else. Unlike a human who is infected with lycanthropy, a goblin becomes another creature entirely, not a combination of two.”

I thought a werewolf
was
another creature entirely, but I listened quietly while he explained.

“The barghest never shifts form, but remains a beast for the rest of its life. It’s for this reason that the creature is more likely to think as a beast than as a goblin. A barghest is capable of both good and evil, but they have a much different definition of evil.”

He took a deep breath before he continued. “The goblin king promised me four barghests, only two arrived. That was shortly before I came to Atlanta. I can tell you what my suspicions are, but because of my agreement with Oberon, I can’t tell you the reasons behind them. I believe the one I’ve been sent to kill has the barghests. That’s bad enough, but it gets worse. Atlanta is a perfect place for someone with fae blood to hide. Not long ago, in a location not far from where we are now, there was a place designated for executions.”

“Why in Georgia?”

“It is a place where the veil has always been thin, the fae are drawn here. The land where the executions were performed absorbed too much fairy blood. Evil fairy blood.

The soil there still contains much of their power.”

“You mean the power of the ones executed?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It gets worse.”

“You said that already.”

“I believe that my target is after that power. I also believe they are after Liam.” My sharp intake of breath conveyed my feelings perfectly.

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Tracey H. Kitts

“I’ve been trying to watch over him as much as I’m trying to locate my target.”

“You mean you’ve lost their trail?”

He gestured toward the suburbs and the city beyond. “In all this shit. Yes, I have.”

“That must be the rumor Nym mentioned, about someone wanting to steal Liam’s magic.”

“Unfortunately, I believe it’s more than a rumor. I also think the one behind all this might be using my barghests to track him down.”

“So did my friend just get in the way?”

He shook his head and his long hair tickled across my face. “I can’t be sure, but that’s possible. Track down these missing creatures, Liam knows how.”

“Can’t you track them down?”

“As much as it grieves me to admit it, I lack the proper magic. Liam will have to do it.”

“And what then?”

“Then you ask them what happened. I’m afraid that’s the only way to know why your friend was killed. I’m sorry I don’t have a better answer.” I sat there numbly for a moment, not knowing how to proceed. “You’re wrong,” I said after a few minutes.

“About what?”

“I enjoyed the price
more
than the answer. Now I’ve got to track down some monsters.”

Cernunnos laughed softly. “Can you show me the place where your friend was killed?”

“Sure, but that’s all the way into the city.”

“You underestimate me,” he teased. “Just think of the place.” The scenery rushed past, like looking through the window of a fast moving train. In no time at all, we were standing in The Courtyard. Not many people were there. Those who were didn’t notice us at all. It took me a moment to realize we were invisible.

“It feels weird to be here naked,” I said.

“Point out the exact place.”

I did as he asked. “There, in front of that bench.” Cernunnos patted my leg. “Hop down for a second.” He knelt down on one of his front legs to help me reach the ground without busting my ass.

He moved closer to the spot I’d indicated. Next, he knelt down with both his front legs on the ground and lowered his upper body as much as possible. With his face near the grass, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After a minute or so he rose and shook out his long hair.

“A witch has been here recently,” he said, “and a barghest.” 108

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“That’s not
me
, is it? The witch? My grandmother was a witch, and I’m psychic, but I don’t practice the craft.”
Except that one spell I probably botched.

“It’s not you,” he said, reaching for me. As I swung onto his back again Cernunnos said, “This witch has fae blood.”

“If you can track like this, why do you even need barghests?”

“Because I can’t be everywhere at once.”

“Can I ask you something else?”

“Sure. Any time I don’t feel like answering, I’ll let you know.” I smiled at the sarcastic yet charming tone of his voice.

“Have you always been the fairy grim reaper?”

He laughed. “The reaper, yes, but not the executioner.”

“Explain that to the mortal woman thrown into this mess, please.” He laughed again at
my
sarcasm. No wonder we got along. “Not so long ago, the executions were someone else’s job. I have always hunted those who were sentenced to death by our king, and when they would not surrender, I killed them. Many magical beings have died by my hand, not just fairies. However, for those who were captured, or surrendered to their fate without a fight, there was another who carried out that task.”