Highland Raven (10 page)

“I’m sorry…for you and your mother. In the very least, it is a blessing you have her,” I said, the sting of the poem of Emer and Cú Chulainn still fresh.

He smiled softly at me. “You lost your mother?”

“In childbed.”

“She must have been very beautiful, though. You are quite stunning. Are your eyes purple? I’ve never seen violet eyes before.”

“My looks come from my father. My mother was fair.”

“And your father, is he—”

“Dead as well.”

I realized then that Banquo was still holding my hands. He gently stoked my fingers, my knuckles. He looked deeply into my eyes. “You’re an orphan,” he said gently.

Surely, I was drunk. I fell silent and started to weep. Somehow, this man, this newcomer had brought up all my hurt and anger at the loss of my parents. Maybe it was the ballad of Emer and Cú Chulainn. Or maybe it was Beltane, or maybe the ale, or maybe it was just…him. My parents, their loss was a deep sorrow I rarely touched, and here it had been uprooted.

He wiped a tear off my cheek. “I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…I just opened my mouth and…the words just came tumbling out. I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s not you,” I whispered. “It’s the drink,” I said, trying to chuckle.

“Balor is like a father to me,” he said, his gaze going to Balor and Epona. Calean had moved off and was chatting with Druanne. Poor man. Balor and Epona were sitting very close to one another, talking in low tones. But Epona was smiling in a way I’d never seen her smile before. I realized then that she was flirting. I was surprised.

“He and Epona are…familiar,” I commented.

“By the end of the night, I’d wager they will be very familiar,” Banquo said with a grin.

I giggled, wiping the tears away.

“How old is she, I wonder?” Banquo asked.

“Her face tells one tale, her hair another.”

“They say that those who have done grim magic sometimes loose the pigment in their hair, the magic draining them, but she seems very kind.”

I gazed at Epona, wondering what arts she might have worked that would have changed her so. “She is.”

“It’s good that you are with her.”

The tears welled again, but I fought them back. “Have you any siblings?” I asked.

“A sister who died during the harsh winter two years ago,” he said sadly. “And you?”

“Two half-brothers who did not outlive their cradles,” I said. My father had taken a second wife, but she had produced no surviving heirs, and like my mother, had died trying. It made me terribly sad to think of it. “Let’s talk of happier things. What does Balor teach you, if I may ask?”

“To read, write, heal, and…well…other things.”

“Other things…now, that’s the interesting part.”

Banquo smiled at me again, once more evoking his dimples.

“Do those ‘other things’ include your tattoos?” I asked, reaching up to just barely stroke the tattoo on his forehead. When I did, I felt a sudden jolt. My whole body shook and for a brief moment, I was caught up in a vision. I saw and felt Banquo and me in bed together, naked, making love. In my vision, my long red hair fell in a wild tumble around me. Banquo’s hair was also red and was pulled back in a long braid that tickled my nipples as he thrust into me, his hot mouth on mine. But the eyes, his eyes were still the same chestnut color. I gasped.

Banquo quickly grabbed my hand and peered deeply at me. He’d gone pale.

“Did you…did you see?” I stammered.

Banquo nodded. “Heady magic,” he said, leaning in, away from the bards. “There are old places where the world is thin. Old places,” Banquo whispered, “where old souls remember. Balor says this coven is special, that it is a place of heavy magic. The forgotten world lives just beyond,” he said, motioning to the dark woods around us. “I made my voyage and came back full of old knowing. I feel that same energy here. Soul magic,” he whispered, looking down at my hand. He wore an odd expression on his face.

“I know the places you speak of,” I replied in a whisper. Truly, the barrow where Sid had taken me was a place of heavy magic. But I had journeyed there and elsewhere through the thin veil between the worlds to the Wyrd Sisters. And where, exactly, was it that I had found them? Where did they reside? I didn’t know. I wondered if Banquo had seen them as well. Would it be a betrayal to ask him? I wasn’t sure. I looked at Banquo. The symbols he wore were men’s magic, the craft of the horned god, not the Wyrd Sisters. But what of soul magic? It was often said that when two old souls who have lived many lives came together once again, they remembered each other. That was what Banquo meant. Our shared vision…it had been soul magic.

“Banquo…” I began but a movement caught my eye. Gwendelofar and Sigurd rose and went into the cabin we shared. The others noticed as well, but no one said a word, not even Brant. A moment later, Thora came padding out, looking as if she’d just been awoken from a nap. Confused, she paused and looked around at all the newcomers.

“Here,” I called. I gazed at Banquo but said nothing else.

Thora scampered happily toward me.

“This is Thora,” I said, scratching her head when she joined us.

She began attacking Banquo’s boot laces.

“Thora, eh?” He ruffled her ears. Thora cut the odd energy between us, the nervous familiarity. Soul magic.

Thora nipped playfully at him.

“Vicious little monster,” he said teasingly, “I bet she can track though, can’t you, you little wild thing?” he asked Thora, playing with her. Thora chewed on his shirt cuff and tried to nip hands. She was loving every minute of it.

“Is tracking difficult to train?” I asked.

Banquo shook his head. “Give her the scent of something then go hide it. She will learn to find it, won’t you? Little bad girl. Why did you name her Thora?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t. She told me her name.”

“How?”

“I think that goes into the ‘other things’ category.”

Banquo laughed then smiled at me. I stared into his soft brown eyes. My whole body felt alive, tingling. Something about this man sparked an inner fire in me. I felt light, giddy, near him. It was the first time I’d ever experienced such a feeling before.

Banquo was right about Epona and Balor. After the moon had risen to its zenith, they disappeared into the woods. Uald, who had been drinking great quantities of ale, passed out by the fire. Druanne and the Druid Calean were still deep in talk when Aridmis and Bride went to bed. I sighed, figuring Gwendelofar would not be out of the house again until morning. The bards had spread out their blankets and slept by the fire.

By the end of the night, if not before, I was drunk. The world around me blurred, and the passage of time slowed considerably.

“It seems you’ve lost your bed,” Banquo said.

I nodded.

“You can share my mat, if you will. No harm will come to you. The Mother knows, you are the loveliest creature to ever step foot on this green earth, but I swear to keep my hands to myself,” Banquo offered.

“Only if there is room for Thora,” I said with a grin, but my stomach was full of butterflies. Did I dare lie down with a handsome stranger?
Was
he really a stranger?

I watched as Banquo spread out his blankets by the fire. He lay down then held out his hand to me. Nervously, I lay down beside him. He gently curled his arms around me. How loving it felt. He smelled of musk and mint. It was a sweet, manly smell. And it smelled so familiar. His body was warm, the blankets soft. I could feel the curves of his muscular arms. I looked up at the stars overhead and exhaled deeply while Thora made a bed at our feet. For a moment, I felt something I’d never felt for a man before. It felt a little like love.

The revelry of Beltane eve
would continue on to further revelry on Beltane day. I woke, however, with my head pounding, a sour taste in my mouth, and my head lying on Banquo’s chest. It was early morning still; the sun had barely risen. I closed my eyes and soaked up his warmth. I surprised myself. It felt so good to be close to him.

I opened my eyes again to see Epona, Druanne, and Aridmis setting food out on the breakfast table. The sweet scent of fresh baked bread filled the air. Bride was sitting by the fire turning sweet cakes over on the cooking stone. She winked at me. My cheeks reddened. It wasn’t like that. Nearby, Uald snored loudly. Untangling myself carefully from Banquo, I rose quietly. He stirred but slept on. I covered him then headed to my house.

I entered quietly. I hoped Sigurd and Gwendelofar would still be asleep. I didn’t want to interrupt their intimate time. My wish was granted. They were both sleeping. I moved silently so not to wake them. Gwendelofar was covered by her soft coverlet, but Sigurd lay uncovered and stretched out on the bed beside her. He was a hulking figure and naked as a babe. I saw he had tattoos all across his chest and down his waist, the tattoos stopping just above his sleeping cock nestled on a bed of straw-colored hair. I paused, feeling my heart beat harder. For a moment I imagined what it would be like to bed him, to feel him inside me, but his image got tangled up in my imagination with Banquo. Gwendelofar stirred and turned, uncovering her breasts. Her small pink nipples were erect in the morning air. She looked so beautiful. I wondered for a moment what it would be like to join them in that bed, to feel both of their naked skin against mine: his cock and her soft, sweet breasts. My cheeks reddened. I turned away from them, knowing the energy of Beltane was getting the better of me. I grabbed a clean dress from my trunk and headed back outside.

Beside the fire, Banquo still slept. Thora had taken my spot on the mat beside him, no doubt soaking up the last of my warmth. I followed the small trail behind the coven to the deep pool at the spring. I removed all my garments and jumped into the water. It was far colder than I expected, but the nipping chill felt wonderful. I was dipping my hair into the water when a huge wave splashed my face. The massive spray came as someone jumped into the spring. Surprised, I wiped the water from my eyes and looked around to find Sid grinning at me.

I laughed and splashed her. “Back again! And just in time. I didn’t think we’d see you so soon.”

“And now you’ve seen me right down to My Lady,” she said with a naughty laugh. She bounced around in the water, washing the dirt from her face.

“Where were you?”

“It’s Beltane for the Fair Ones too,” Sid said with a wink but then frowned. “I need to be clean. Hush,” she called to the invisible apparition above her. “Do they call you Cerridwen now?”

“Yes, and Ludmilla has become Gwendelofar.”

Sid grinned wildly and dove under water. Jerking on my legs, she pulled me under. Laughing and spitting out water, I clambered back upward.

“I am glad you’re back,” I said, “I think.”

She laughed. “Are the men here?”

I nodded. “Epona and the others are preparing breakfast for them now.”

“Ah, Epona the pleaser. Do you know she is over eighty years old?”

“She cannot be.”

“Glamour,” Sid said simply and scrubbed her dirty arms.

Just then, Thora appeared at the side of the creek. She barked a little bark and looked behind her.

“I told you she could track,” I heard Banquo call as he neared the side of the stream. Seeing both me and Sid naked, he then exclaimed. “Oh! I’m sorry, ladies.” He turned his back.

“Don’t be sorry. Strip and come in. The water is warm,” Sid told him.

Grinning, I pinched her under the water.

“Cerridwen?” he queried, looking over his shoulder.

Sid brought out the wicked in me. “Yes, come join us, Banquo,” I said. “Meet my sister, Sid.”

He laughed nervously. “Are you sure?”

Laughing, I splashed him. He chuckled then began to undress.

“Is he yours already, Raven Beak?” Sid whispered but then got distracted by the invisible Nadia near her shoulder. “Hush! I’m asking her—”

I thought on the result of an answer in either direction and decided not to reply.

Sid smiled.

Banquo stripped down and a moment later, before I could get a good look at him, jumped into the water.

“Ahh,” he yelled as the cold water hit him. “You lie, sisters.”

Sid and I both laughed, but Sid swam over to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I just wanted to see you naked,” she told him then looked deeply at his face. “You’ve the eyes of a king,” she whispered.

He grinned at Sid.

“What is it you say?” Sid asked Nadia. “Ah, the eyes of a queen as well. He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Sid asked me.

“Yes.” He really was beautiful. And for a moment, I saw both Banquo and Sid before me with that strange double-vision as I had seen in the barrow. Once more Sid’s face changed, and I saw her as Boudicca had seen her, with her pale golden hair. And I saw Banquo too. He looked as he had in the vision I’d seen the night before, his long red hair pulled back into a braid.
Prasutagus
a voice whispered from my memory
. He was Prasutagus, your husband.

My husband, but not my King, and not the raven-haired man from my visions.

Sid stroked her hand across Banquo’s chest then leaned in and kissed him while she moved his hands to her breasts.

Banquo quivered.

I giggled nervously, but for some reason, I didn’t feel jealous. It felt…okay…for Sid to be there with us.

“Don’t laugh, come,” Sid said and pulled my hand.

I glided easily in the water.

She moved one of his hands to my breast as she kissed his neck. “Eyes of a king,” she whispered in his ear.

Banquo stared at me, uncertain if he should take his hand away or not. Sensing his uncertainty, Sid pulled away from Banquo then guided me in front of him, putting his other hand on my other breast. I inhaled sharply. It felt so wonderful to have him touch me. My hands drifted to his waist. I touched his bare skin, felt his body. A feeling like lightning shot through me. Sid swam around behind me and joined her hands with Banquo’s. They both gently touched my breasts, playing with my nipples. Sid then took her hands away and stuck them under the water. I shifted, uncertain, when her hands drifted between my legs. She gently moved my legs apart and touched the soft folds therein.

“So sweet,” Sid whispered. “Feel,” she then told Banquo. Taking one of his hands, she guided him between my legs. He gently stroked me, his fingers never intruding, just touching me gently, his thumb working the sweet spot. My whole body shook. I closed my eyes. I could feel Sid’s hands on my breasts again, stroking me softly, then the feel of her wet, hot mouth sucking my nipples. Banquo leaned forward and kissed my neck as he rubbed me, touching all of me. I trembled when I climaxed.

Banquo took his hands away then held me gently by the back of my head and leaned in and kissed me. I didn’t resist him. His mouth tasted sweet. I caught the light doughy taste of sweet cakes and spring water in his mouth. After a moment, he pulled back. He was breathing hard.

Sid reached up, cradled his face, and kissed him playfully. Her hands roved under the water once again, but this time she found Banquo. “Impregnate Anwyn,” she whispered to him, “offer the spring your seed.”

Banquo closed his eyes. He breathed deeply, and his face began to twitch with excited sensations as Sid touched him under the water. I kissed him passionately, my tongue roving inside his sweet mouth. I felt him shaking. A few moments later, he contorted with excited release. Panting, he wrapped his arms around us both and kissed our cheeks.

“You are very sweet,” Sid told Banquo as she waded out of the water. Grabbing her heap of clothing, she tucked it under her arm then headed naked back to the coven, leaving me in Banquo’s arms.

Banquo sat down on a large rock underwater, and I crawled onto his lap, my arms around his neck, my head resting upon his chest. I could feel his declining manhood under me. We relaxed in the cold water, Banquo’s arms wrapped around me.

“What is she?” he whispered.

“A faerie thing,” I replied.

“How is it I feel so deeply for you but only just met you?” he whispered.

I smiled and looked deep into his eyes.
Prasutagus
. The named floated on the wind. “This is an old love renewed,” I whispered.

“May the Goddess let it be so,” Banquo replied.