The Gazing Globe (24 page)

"I'm going to find her," Blain declared. Without waiting for Shayla's response, he turned and walked toward the woods.

***

Aftonwalked as far as she could then sank into the grass. In her anger, she'd pulled out all the stops and had started a fire that would have the entire Order talking for months. She hadn't meant to show off, just put some wagging tongues to rest. In doing so, she'd even surprised herself. What more was she capable of? There would be hours more of practice ahead of her so she could gain control over the other elements. No one, especially her family, would ever have to worry about her after this. She could choose any man she wanted. That had her grinning like a fool as she attempted to close her mind to everything around her except the clean smell of the forest.

When Blain sawAftonhis heart almost stopped. Her small figure was so still. He ran forward and knelt beside her, placing his hand on her cheek. "Afton, are you all right?"

Aftonheard Blain call to her, but her mind was so tired. It took everything she had to pull herself back to consciousness. "Blain...where did...you come from?" she managed to mumble.

"Honey, are you okay? Can you sit up?"

"I think so. Just give me a moment."

When she tried and failed, Blain took her in his arms and held her to him. "Lie still. Don't try to move if you're too tired. Just rest." He stroked her hair as he spoke. Where were her parents and her brothers?

If they knew such an effort physically cost her so much, why weren't they with her? "Don't worry,Afton.

I'll get help if you need it."

"No. That isn't necessary. I just need to sleep for a few minutes, that's all." She snuggled against his chest.

"I'll hold you, then. You shouldn't be alone after exerting yourself so much." He thought of what could happen to her if she'd tried such a thing inNew England. He began to understand why these people were so secretive and wary. "You're vulnerable right now."

"Not anymore," she whispered. "You're here. I'll be safe."

Blain's heart warmed at the trust she showed him. He held her for about an hour and gently stroked her hair. During that time,Aftondidn't move. Her breathing seemed normal, and her pulse was strong. He couldn't sense anyone in the vicinity, but his anger grew with each passing moment. Where the hell was her family? If she agreed to handfast with him, he'd never let her be alone after using so much of her strength. He'd guard her with his life until she recovered. For a family who was supposed to be so close, this didn't make any damned sense. He let his wings enfold them both, shutting out the world and the distant sound of merrymaking. Finally, she stirred.

"How long did I sleep?

"Quite a while. Are you feeling all right now?"

"Yes," she sat up but kept her arms wrapped around his neck.

He stood up, lifting her into his arms. "Tell me how to get to your cottage. I'm taking you home since no one else seems to give a damn about checking on you."

"Why are you angry?" She tilted her head and gazed at him in confusion.

"Afton, you were lying in the middle of the woods in the dark. You used almost all of your energy to start that damned fire, and not a single soul has come looking for you. Not one of your family has shown any interest in finding you. They must have known this was going to happen Shayla did."

"Blain, if they saw you come after me, they probably thought we wanted to be alone."

Blain stopped walking and gazed into her eyes. The starlight reflected in their blue depths and called to him. He hadn't thought of that. All he'd been able to think about was making sure she wasn't hurt or ill.

"Do we?" he murmured

"What?"

"Want to be alone? I seem to recall you saying something earlier today about seeing me later. That was right after I almost threw you to the ground and made love to you."

She smiled at the memory. "I'd like to be alone with you. Very much." She leaned her head against his shoulder.

He slowly lowered her to the ground but held her close. "I've missed you all day. So many things have happened to me, but it looks as though you were putting your time to good use, too. Shayla says you've finally got your powers."

"I was never able to call upon so much power before I met you," she said. "I think you must inspire me."

He cupped her cheek in his palm. "Maybe I can give you other inspiration."

He lowered his mouth to hers then brushed his lips across her soft cheek. His hands caressed her back through the thick fabric of her robe, and he heard her moan so softly he thought he might have imagined the sound

"Afton," he breathed, "I want you, but it might be a good idea if I took you home. You used too much of your energy starting that damned fire. I don't want to hurt you."

"You would never hurt me, Blain. Sleep and contact with the earth renewed my strength. Please...I want you, too. No one will interrupt us here. We've all the time in the world."

When she saw his green eyes glowing for her and the indecision within them, she placed her hands behind his neck and pulled him down to her level. "Don't make me beg, Blain. I want you."

His mouth came down on hers with crushing force. He could taste her innocence as if it were sweet spring wine. Going slowly would be hard, but he had to hold back. She was as new to making love as he was to this magical Order he'd entered. And in fairy form, he was more powerful than ever. He pulled away from her far enough to help her stand, lifted her robe over her head and let it fall to the ground. She was naked, and moonlight illuminated her beautiful body making his heart pound and blood rush to his groin.

He took her hands in his, placed them over his hardening member and saw her smile bewitchingly.

When her slender fingers unlaced his pants and touched the solid flesh beneath, he thought he'd go insane. He dropped his head back and let her hands move over him. Exploring, learning.

She knelt before him pulling down his leather boots and then his pants. He stepped out of the clothing.

His calves tingled at her touch. Her soft palms lingered there, massaging. She leaned her cheek against his lower thigh.

"Blain.. .Blain,"Aftonwhispered over and over until he pulled her roughly into his arms and molded their bodies together with his strong hands. The kiss he bestowed on her made her weak and replenished her all at once. The world spun out of control. All she knew was her love for this man. There was no earth, no sky, and no boundaries for them.

Go slow, he reminded himself. She's a virgin. He wanted to make her first time very special. In a way, it was his first time, too. He felt he had the strength of several men and the endurance to go with it.

Her hands moved to one of the most sensitive places on a fairy's body—the base of his wings. She traced a small pattern with her fingertips, and he felt his control flee. He lowered her to the sweet-smelling grass and covered her body with his. He devoured her with his mouth, teasing at each nipple until she cried out and writhed beneath him, and he could no longer stand the sweet torture. Still, he had to make sure she was ready for him. He ran his palms down her thighs then between them, stroking the sensitive flesh there. Afton cried out again, and he knew she was finally ready. She cradled him between her soft, smooth legs and gently, ever so slowly, he pushed forward.

Afton knew a moment of tearing pain, which quickly diminished. Blain crooned sweet words of encouragement until she nodded. Then, he began to gently thrust. Just small strokes at first, then more deeply. Her breath left her. His green gaze seared into her heart, warming her body. Then an incredible pressure began to build, and she wanted more. She clawed at his shoulders to bring him closer.

Afton's soft cries and the instinctive rocking motion of her body told Blain she was quickly reaching climax. When her womb began to contract, he lost himself with her, and the world fell away. She lay in his arms, trembling from the beauty of it. He held her against his chest and rocked her in a slow, easy motion. When he felt moisture against his skin, he lifted her chin and kissed away her tears.

"Did it hurt that much?"

"It didn't hurt but a moment. It was wonderful, Blain. It was...I have no words."

She hid her head against his chest and wept again, but Blain knew this was her way of dealing with the emotions besieging her. Nothing in the world—not man nor beast nor magic—would ever take her away from him. She was his sweetest desire and hope for the future. He was determined to make a life with her somewhere, somehow. No challenger would ever part them.

"Blain?" she called his name in a soft voice.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I eavesdropped and heard what you told Rhiannon the night you sent her away. You said I could never be more than a friend to you." She paused and waited for his response.

"Honey, how could you remotely think such a thing after what just happened?" He held her tightly.

"Sweetheart, I was lying to myself and Rhi. Rhiannon and I never cared for each other the way I care for you. She's just one of those people who like having things their own way, and I went along with it because I felt so alone." He realized that with crystal clarity now. "I'd already begun to fall in love with you, but I didn't want Rhi confronting you. She can be a bit vindictive. I was also afraid that if the Order didn't accept me, I'd lose you. I didn't want to get close knowing I might never see you again. And while I do need your friendship, little Druid, you're far more than any friend to me. I love you,Afton."

"You love me? Really? And you've accepted the Order without any reservations?" she asked as she looked up into his eyes and smiled.

"Afton, I accept it all. And I love you so much it hurts to be separated for even a short time. I want to handfast with you. That's why I wanted to make love with you tonight. I don't want anyone challenging me for you. But can you love a man not born into your world? Someone who'll spend the rest of his life learning what he is?"

"I do love you, Blain. I do. And I don't care where you're from, or what you have to learn along the way." She sighed and kissed his chest and neck.

"You're so damned sweet. I could lie here with you forever and let the world just rotate away." He pulled her into his arms and rolled them onto their sides. She cuddled close, and he felt pure joy and wonder in this, the most precious moment of his life. Like someone lighting a candle in the night,Afton's warmth reached out and led him to a safe place. He could sense the strands of it weaving a protective cocoon around his lonely soul, and he had been lonely so long. But all that had been missing in his life fell into divine place. She was in his arms forever, and he in hers. He was finding a place in this amazing world and wanted to know everything about it he could.Aftonwas the perfect person to help him. Her patience and tenderness brought as much peace as her lovely body brought passion. He ran his fingers down her side, to her slender waist and pulled her even closer. Life with her would be an adventure.

Aftonran her hands over every inch of Blain. He was hers. He loved her. Because of him, her powers had finally emerged. And they would make a future. She sighed and kissed his broad chest again.

He placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face. "You're so beautiful. So soft."

Soon the kiss heated, and their passion renewed. This time Blain took her more powerfully. The sensual motions she made with her hips soon had him breathless and crying out in ecstasy. She wove such an exotic and exciting spell, that he'd never doubt a moment of his life with her. Afterward, they lay facing each other, learning how to please and be pleased. Touching and telling each other those sensual places only lovers know.

"I shouldn't have taken you again, love. You're exhausted," he spoke softly as he held her to him. His hand lifted her long hair and let it sift through his fingers back to her shoulder.

"I'm not made out of china. Just because I'm a virgin doesn't mean I can't keep up with you, my man. I want to stay with you all night. And I even wish we could find Shayla and handfast now,"Aftonmurmured.

Blain smiled when he heard her throaty admonition. "I was told we have to wait until the next major celebration. That's a few weeks away, isn't it?"

"Yes. But it's so long to wait."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll meet you every night if you want. Right here. As far as I'm concerned, we already belong to each other. The vows have already been spoken."

"Oh, Blain, I love you so much," she turned her head into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. Then she smiled. For tonight, she was one of those women who had so annoyed her in the past.

She'd vowed never to cry over a man, yet here she was, lying in Blain's arms and about to sob all over him. She tried to stem the flow of tears and couldn't.

"Hush, sweetheart. It's all right," he comforted as his arms encircled her. "I think I'd better get you home. It's almost dawn, and you need to sleep."

"Do we have to?" She looked up at him and grinned through her tears.

He smiled back. "I'm afraid so. Your family will be missing you, and I don't want those brothers of yours beating me to a pulp because I had their beautiful sister in the woods all night."

"They wouldn't dare. They'd answer to me."

"After that display you put on last night, they might have seconds thoughts about it at that. I'll have to get you to show me how to call the elements. I don't know if my powers extend into the Druid realm."

"We'll find out together," she promised.

"Together." He grinned and rubbed noses with her. "I like the sound of that."

Blain changed back into human form, but dressing took a while as they kissed and caressed each other during the process. Finally, he placed his arm around her shoulders and they walked toAfton's cottage.

Dawn hadn't yet arrived, but it was fast approaching.

When they reached her home, he pulled her into his embrace, intending to kiss her once more before leaving. They were nearly as close as two beings could be when the door to the cottage swung open and Gawain stalked out.