The Mating Intent-mobi (16 page)

She could feel the darkness inside her, itching for freedom. Chortling with glee because nothing could save her now.

Sienna spent the rest of the day planting flowers in Gabriel’s garden. As the sun began to set, she sat by the pond, staring at the bubbling fountain he’d restored. She loved it here, loved the feel of a cooling breeze caressing her cheek, loved listening to the hum of insects, the flap of birds’ wings as they soared into the air.

“I’m going to miss all this terribly,” she told a dragonfly landing on a lily pad. “Maybe someday, if there are miracles, I’ll return as one of you.”

Surely it wouldn’t be terrible to be reborn as a dragonfly. Even a scaly alligator. If the goddess permitted.

But there was little forgiveness for an Elf doomed with darkness on her spirit.

A scuffling sounded behind her. Gabriel dropped to the bench beside her. “George and Willow made us dinner. It’ll be ready in thirty minutes. Come back to the house.”

“I’m not very hungry.”

“I’m sorry, Sienna. I know how upset you must be.”

She gave a little laugh. “Why would I be upset, knowing the only way I can eradicate this evil inside me is gone forever? Knowing the Enforcer will probably decide to destroy me now.”

Resting her chin on her knees, she considered the water. “Maybe the Enforcer will be merciful and ask the Crimson Wizard to grant me a quick, painless death.”

“She has no mercy.”

“How do you know? Have you ever met Lana?” Sienna asked.

“Once. It was enough.” He clasped her chin, forcing her to face him. “But you needn’t think about that bitch. There is a solution. You’ve been too stubborn to realize the truth.”

He pulled her into his arms. She rested against him, fighting the despair threatening to seize her. Surely there was another way.

“When did the spring turn into acid? Was it always like that?”

Gabriel sighed, the motion lifting his chest. “No. When I was first given the responsibility of guarding it by the Silver Wizard, it was a quiet pond filled with peace. Birds used to frequent the trees and animals drank from it and were refreshed. But shifters and Others began using it to rid themselves of evil and strengthen their inner white light. The spring cleansed them, but the contamination was left behind and the evil turned the waters to acid. Tristan warded it with magick to prevent wildlife from coming here and I guard it against innocents.”

“Did you ask Cael or the Crimson Wizard to cleanse it?”

He laughed bitterly. “Cael has no power here and neither does the Crimson Wizard. It’s a shifter territory and Tristan, the Silver Wizard, rules it. But even Tristan has no power over the spring. Only the goddess does and she wants it left as is, a reminder of the evil that can overtake Others if we are careless.”

She felt terrible for Gabriel, spending his life guarding a deadly, fouled pond that once had birthed new life. He was a guardian of darkness.

“We’re alike,” she realized aloud. “Both of us, guarding light and dark. Only your task is more important. If you allow an unwary visitor to venture into the pond, he will die.”

Gabriel clasped her chin, staring into her eyes. “Your duty is essential as well. Without you cleansing the earth, it would grow as polluted and contaminated as the spring, killing all within reach. Never underestimate the good light you have inside you, and the power to fight evil.”

She smiled sadly. “All I feel inside lately is the heavy darkness that was Terithen. It clogs my spirit and I need to eliminate it. But the only way I can do that is gone now.”

“There’s always another means, pixie. Have faith in life and faith in me.”

She wondered what he meant by that.

Sienna did join them for dinner, but only picked at her meal. Sitting across from her, Willow regarded her anxiously. “Don’t you like the meal? I grilled the vegetables to keep them fresh, just for you.”

She mustered a wan smile. “It’s delicious. I’m afraid I don’t have much of an appetite.”

George gnawed on his chicken leg, light from the overhead fixture reflected on his bald head. “Willow spent all afternoon in the kitchen, making this meal and trying to please you.”

“It is good,” she hastened to assure the pouting Fairy. “You’re a very good cook. I wish I could eat more, but my stomach’s upset.”

Willow speared a carrot with her fork. “I heard what happened.  Maybe it’s best you left. Seems like you’ve had nothing but trouble since arriving.”

“Don’t be so quick to send her packing.” Gabriel sipped water, his gaze meeting hers over the glass. “Sienna may be sticking around for a while.”

“Oh? Now you’re making decisions for me?” she asked.

“Better to remain here and figure out a plan. As soon as you return to them, you know what Cael will be forced to do.”

The panther had a point.

After the dishes were washed, Willow and George murmured something about visiting the beach to walk in the moonlight. She watched them drive away and turned to Gabriel.

“They like each other. Odd pairing.”

“No more odd than a panther shifter and an Elven Shadow Guard.” Gabriel flung down the dishtowel and leaned against the counter. “Stop moping, pixie. Join us in the glen. We’re having an informal jam tonight.”

“Drumming?” She liked drum circles, especially during Solstice.

“Bluegrass. My clan likes to play. I promised to meet them at nightfall.” He put a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm through her T-shirt. “I left some new clothing for you on your bed. Wear it. It’s warm out. Meet me in the glen in half an hour.”

“What are you going?”

“Taking a shower and getting ready for the evening.” Gabriel touched her cheek. “Join us, Sienna. It’s about damn time you had some fun.”

He kissed the top of her head and left.

Intrigued, she showered as well and then returned to the guest bedroom. Atop the floral comforter was a sleeveless floral blouse and matching skirt. A white note sat beside the clothing in Gabriel’s strong, bold script. “Wear this. It’s warm out tonight and you need to feel comfortable.”

Then he’d added as a postscript. “Don’t wear anything beneath them.”

Sienna picked up the blouse and skirt. Pure cotton, light and airy.  She looked at her undergarments and plucked at the waistband of her white granny panties. Very conservative and very boring.

The proper wear for a female dedicated to duty and chastity.

Sienna tossed her underclothing into the trash and dressed in the skirt and blouse. Her nipples rubbed against the cotton, making her feel sexy and wanton.

And desirable.

Sienna went outside and followed the pathway of bread crumbs, her mouth quirking in amusement. Gabriel was wicked as a storybook witch, but she was no innocent.

She knew what she was doing.

A few minutes later, the trees thinned out to form a wide circle. In the clearing, Gabriel sat on a blanket spread out before a large pine tree. Dressed in jeans, a blue cotton shirt, he was barefoot.

Sienna stared. He’d shaved. Never had she seen him without a beard.

Gabriel rubbed his chin. “Like it?”

“You look naked.”

“Not yet. But if you want…”

She blushed at his teasing grin.

Ten panther shifters gathered on crates set around the glade. Gabriel introduced her. Sienna cracked a wide smile as they struck up fiddle, bass, guitar and banjo instruments. The males began playing “Cotton-eyed Joe.” Stephen, a young panther shifter with dark hair and an impish grin, strummed a guitar.

Rip-roaring down-home Southern music vibrated through the air. She glanced at Gabriel, who watched her. The musicians stopped playing and watched her.

“Too folksy for your blue blood, pixie?”

Sienna stiffened at the mocking tone. “I have no blue blood. Music is music and I’m tired of the classical compositions I always hear in Cael’s court.”

Stephen laughed as his fingers raced over the guitar strings. “Elves, they don’t know what real music is.”

The shifters looked at her as if daring her to respond. She was an outcast here, much as the court and the realization stung.

“I have no blue blood. I treat everyone fairly,” she told him.

“Then prove it,” Gabriel said softly. “Stay here with us, the wild beast shifters.”

Settling against the tree trunk, he patted his knee. Silvery moonlight spilled upon the ground, dappling the overhead pine branches and glinting on his dark blond hair. She stared at his lap, at the slight bulge in his jeans, knowing what might happen.

“Or are you afraid?”

That did it. She feared nothing he could do to her. She had nothing to lose anyway. Lana would order her destroyed and her life was over. So why not lose her inhibitions?

Sienna went into his lap, resting against him. It had been too long since she’d relaxed and enjoyed herself.  The muscled male behind her smelled like spices and suntan lotion as he slid his arms around her waist.

A tiny part of her protested. She could almost hear her mother’s voice:
You are special, child. You always have to be better than everyone else, work harder and prove yourself.

It wasn’t fair that other Elves had it easier, but for once, Sienna didn’t care. She was having fun, dammit.

The musicians started playing again. The music grew louder and more rambunctious. Sienna hummed and clapped along as the males strummed their instruments and sang. When the song ended, she applauded. Stephen grinned and bowed his head.

A shaft of pale moonlight spilled on the band like a spotlight.

The shifters started playing again. This song was mellow and richer, an old bluegrass tune that spoke of lost love and home. She relaxed against Gabriel’s chest, feeling secure as his arms wrapped around her.

“You smell like spun sugar, flowers and blue sky. My favorite things,” he murmured, burying his nose into her hair.

“I thought your favorite thing was deer meat.”

She felt him smile against her neck. “When I’m hungry for food. When I’m hungry for love, you’re my favorite dish. Sienna sprinkled with virgin coconut oil.”

A deep rumbling echoed in his chest as he laughed. Gabriel had a fine laugh, all male amusement and good-natured humor. She squirmed in his lap, suddenly feeling very hot all over.

As the music slowed, he turned her around and kissed her, a languid kiss that fired her blood and melted her bones. One muscled arm sliding around her waist, anchoring her to him, he cupped the back of her head and licked her mouth. Gods, the cat could kiss, and kiss well, turning her inside out with desire…

“I’m so warm,” she murmured against his mouth.

“You’re wearing too much clothing.”

And then he was tugging off her shirt, and unclasping her skirt, tossing both aside. Cool night air brushed against her naked body, turning her nipples hard. She hadn’t been nude outside in years, always wearing clothing to restrict all desires.

She was naked. And his men could see her.

“You’re a child of the earth and this is only natural. Don’t be afraid,” he said softly.

Gabriel’s eyes shone with desire. Sienna touched his face, needing him, not caring who watched.

He kissed her again. His kisses were intoxicating and she needed his mouth on hers, needed this. Elven that she was, a child of the forest, Sienna longed to feel the cool caress of the breeze, connect on a deeper level with her innermost spirit.

She undulated against him. When he put his hand on her bare breast and gently kneaded, she moaned and wriggled, trying to get closer.

Gabriel stopped kissing her and pushed her gently down to the blanket. He knelt between her legs. “Relax and look at the moon,” he ordered.

Dazed, she did as he asked, her fingers gripping the plaid blanket. He slid a finger across her soaked folds and she whimpered.

Gabriel thrust two fingers into her. Sienna bucked upward.

“Tight,” he murmured. “It’s been a long time.”

“Twenty-five damn years, cat.” She gasped against as he slid his fingers up and down.

Gabriel pressed his thumb against her clit. She squeezed her vaginal walls around him and drew up her knees, spreading herself wide. Not caring who watched, not caring about the hisses of approval from the other shifters gathered around them.

“Excellent,” he murmured.

Sliding his fingers against her core, he opened her wider. “You’re very tight, pixie and I don’t want to hurt you. I want to make it very, very good for my Sienna.”

She felt herself open to him, wet, wanting and so needy. Wanting him to mount her and push his erect, thick penis deep inside.

“Do it,” she moaned.

A deep chuckle. “In good time.”

Fierce disappointment speared her as he withdrew. Gabriel sat back on his haunches. Lifting her head, she watched him lick her arousal off his fingers.

“You taste so exquisite,” he purred. “I need more.”

And then he put his mouth on her.

Tasting her, his tongue sliding between her soaked lips, then suckling her clit. Sienna writhed and moaned, the blanket clenched in her sweaty grasp, her wide gaze taking in the moon shining down on them, the Blood Moon, grinning down at her as Gabriel licked and suckled…

Moisture gushed from her core as he kept pleasuring her with lips and tongue. She felt so warm, immersed in a bath of erotic pleasure. So close, closer….

And then the orgasm slammed into her like a fist, her entire body clenching as she wailed, staring at the moon, her hips pumping upward.

Dimly she heard the other shifters give low grunts of approval.

“Damn, she’s hot,” Stephen breathed. “My turn.”

“She’s not just hot. Look at her, she’s glowing!”

Sienna opened her eyes. A brilliant bluish-white light pulsed from her body, lighting up the darkness.

Gabriel sat back, wiped his mouth with the back of one hand, a prominent bulge in his jeans. “You taste like peaches and honey between your legs. Like hot honey gliding down my throat,” he murmured.

He went behind her and sat, drawing her back so she sat on the blanket between his opened legs. She felt the hard bulge of his erection press against her back. “Close your eyes, pixie and just feel. Lose all your inhibitions,” he murmured into her ear.