The Wolf and the Druidess (3 page)

Raising his mouth from her neck, his blue gaze met hers. “Arianrhod will bring forth your mother and after you visit with her, I can be alone with you. I must have you and I will, afore the Samhain moon sets. I am off to tell Arianrhod about this, but
I will return soon.”

“Hurry back, “she said in a breathy voice that changed to a more matter-of-fact tone as she added, “and bring
Mam
with you.”

Seren’s breath caught in her throat while she watched Gwydion spread his arms out and soar into the sky. Flying so high she could no longer see him, he passed through the portal of the dark atmosphere, sprinkled with glistening stars. She knew she should be thinking about her mother, but instead her thoughts were full of Gwydion. Imagining his hot body lying over hers, she wondered what it would be like if they could have more, if he would stay around after Samhain, but she knew that wouldn’t happen.

Chapter Three

When Gwydion landed on the island in the sky, the star Caer Sidi, he shifted his stance to catch his balance, for the star turned as if built upon a giant potter’s wheel.

He darted through the outer yard, past rows of leafy trees with spreading branches, weighted down with gold apples. The sweet scent wafted through the summer air and his ears tingled from the loud buzz of the bees in the orchard. He had to find Arianrhod as soon as possible. He needed Seren and to get her he had to find her mother. After she had her Samhain feast, then and only then could he hope to enchant the druidess into a night of love play. Until he’d seen Seren in person, he’d thought he’d have her out of his mind after one night, but he knew now, one eve with her would not be enough. He might stay on the other side of the portal, on Earth, until long after the New Year festival, but he couldn’t tell any of the gods, especially the goddess Arianrhod. The other deities would be angry. The mixing of gods and mortals was frowned on, though not forbidden, Gwydion reminded himself, not forbidden at all. Gwydion ran to the fortress on the other side which was guarded by six thousand warriors. After entering through the golden gate of the palace, he walked straight to the feasting hall. He dashed pass the central fire where nine maiden druidess’ surrounded a majestic gold cauldron, their cheeks filled with air and their lips drawn into a pout as they all huffed onto the clear, pristine water to keep it bubbling. He darted between short oaken tables and over white stag pelts strewn across the floor, then ran out the back door and down the hall to Arianrhod’s bower.

He flung the white bull hide door flap aside. “Sister.”

The woman, with skin so luminous it glowed like the moon, gave him a quick nod as if she expected his visit. “Hail, brother.”

A bulky, dark, curly-haired god with a thick black moustache sat beside Arianrhod on a pallet of furs. “Greetings, Gwydion.”

“Brother,” he stepped over to Govannon, and in a tone laced with sarcasm asked, “how goes your work at the forge? Making weapons to kill another river god like Dylan?”

Arianrhod fluttered her hand. “That is of no matter, you barge in and interrupt a conversation between Govannon and me. What do you need, Gwydion?”

“I need you to help Seren, a druidess, call forth her mother so they can celebrate Samhain together.”

“If the dead do not come, there is a reason.” She folded her arms across her chest. “What is this druidess to you that you come to ask a favor of me?”

“She caught my eye.” Gwydion shrugged.

One of Arianrhod’s eyebrows arched higher than the other. “I know it is the one you scried earlier in the orchard. If it is a woman you want, why not conjure one from flowers, like Blodueed?”

“That was Llew’s bride, not mine, because you would not allow him to have a wife, and anyway it did not work well.” Gwydion shook his head. “She’s an owl now.”

“Yes, I know. I put three curses on Llew that was one of them. But you ruined all three.” Arianrhod leaned back.

“What are brothers for?” He plopped down on the pile of furs with Arianrhod and Govannon. “Find the mother for me, her name is Carys ferch Delfrig ferch Gruffudd of the Ordovices.”

“You mean for Seren.” Her mouth twisted into a cynical smile. “Do not tell me you have already forgotten that the last time you went after a woman, it went bad for you. Math turned you into a stag, a hog, and a wolf.”

“It was Gilfaethwy who took Math’s woman, I merely helped him since he is my brother. That’s all over with now. Math and I are once again the best of friends and in truth, I met Seren as a wolf.”

“Well, that is fitting.” Arianrhod let out a sarcastic chuckle. “It will take me a moment to find this Carys.” She rose to her feet and strode to a tall chest near the pallet. Peering into a laver bowl there, she starred into the lucid water.

When she released a soft sigh, Gwydion knew the image she sought had appeared.

“Carys ferch Delfrig ferch Gruffudd heard her daughter’s call, but she is hesitant to cross the portal.” Arianrhod put one hand on her hip and turned toward Gwydion. “She saw you. It frightened her. She knows you’re a god and could not ken why you were with Seren.”

“No.” He drew in a deep breath. “You’re saying my presence stopped her from coming to spend Samhain with her daughter.”

“Yes, that is what has occurred. Did Carys see something that vexed her? “Arianrhod’s eyes were sharp and assessing.

“No.” He paused, trying to recall everything that had happened. “Well, I did appear to Seren nude when I shifted from my wolf form.”

Arianrhod pointed to the bull-hide door flap. “Get out.”

“What about Carys and Seren?”

“As soon as you left, she crossed the veil to her cairn.” Arianrhod sat back on the pallet beside Govannon. “She’s with her daughter now, sharing a Samhain feast.”

“Then it is done.” He stood and wheeled toward the door.

He sensed a great deal of judgment on Arianrhod‘s part and felt relieved to leave. Gwydion walked out of her bower and down the hall at a brisk pace with nothing but thoughts of Seren on his mind, needing to return to her as soon as possible. Even in the little time he’d been back in the otherworld, he yearned not only for Seren but for the earth. Mayhap he would stay in the mortal world far longer than Samhain. There were too many secrets in the vast palace of Caer Sidi. Gwydion needed fresh air and to be around devoted, caring people. He needed Seren.

His fingers ached to roam her curvaceous body. To cup and squeeze her plump breasts and roll her rose-tipped nipples between his fingers. To skim his palms down the silken skin of her lush hips. Then, he would dance his fingers up to the downy mound at the junction of her thighs and slip his finger into the moist heat of her sheath and feel her muscles clench and squeeze. The bulge of his erection strained against his pants. His breath grew shallow.

He came to a sudden stop in the hallway. The image of Seren’s naked body writhing at his touch engulfed his mind so, he’d forgotten to bid Arianrhod farewell. Gwydion turned and strode back to her chamber. He pulled the door flap aside and walked in, but froze at the sight before him. A cold chill swept through him as he watched his sister and Govannon with their heads pressed together, whispering.

“I came back to say thank you. But I have to ask what you two are up to.”

“It is of no concern of yours.” Arianrhod curled her full, elderberry-stained lips into a malicious smile.

* * * *

Seren spread out her arms and welcomed the transparent glowing image of a tall woman with long brown hair and bright blue eyes peering out of a kind face. When she reached out to the floating spirit, her mother slipped through Seren’s body and stepped out on the other side of her. A surge of tingling warmth flowed in Seren and she turned around laughing. “How did you do that?”

“It is a magic of the spirit, which I now am, until I am reborn again.”

“I miss you so,
Mam
.”

“And I you.” The tiny lines around her mouth deepened as she smiled. “I heard you beckon to me, but then you summoned a god. I do not ken the druid mysteries and I did not want to disturb your rite, so I waited until you closed the ritual.”

“Do you mean the Samhain bonfire?”

“No dear, the rite you performed here at my cairn. I did not know you had such power. You changed a wolf into a god and then you magically shed his clothing, leaving him bare.” She whispered, “Can you teach me how to do that?”

“Mother, no. The god did that. Gwydion appeared to me and shape-shifted from a wolf to the form of a man, and then displayed his nude body.” She paused, wondering how she would say this to her mother. “It is Samhain and he crossed the veil to drink and make merry, and that is what he wants to do with me.”

“Oh my... God Gwydion.” Her mother winked “So bronze and muscular, in truth the most beautiful male I have ever seen.” A thoughtful expression crossed her face as she drew her lips in. “Do you care for him?”

“I do but let us not speak of him now.
Mam
, at this moment, I only wish to visit with you.”

“I do not think you should see him. He is a god and you are a mortal woman. If it was for naught but Samhain fun I would see nothing wrong with it. But I can see in your eyes that you feel something deeper for him. He will only break your heart.”

“I cannot say how I feel about him,
Mam
. I have just met him this eve. But please, I came here to celebrate Samhain with you not speak of Gwydion. I brought food from the feast so we may drink and sup together.”

In the blackness of the deep night, a purple light burst in front of the druidess and the ghost. Gwydion appeared in the colorful magical flash, garbed in his gold-speckled robe and blue tunic. Long, blonde curls framed his smooth, chiseled face and streamed down his broad back.

“You must be Seren’s mother. I am honored to meet you.” He shifted his gaze back to Seren. “Introduce me, druidess.”

“Mother, this is Gwydion, god of magic and wisdom.”

“The honor is mine, god of art and knowledge.” Carys bowed.

“God Gwydion, my mother Carys ferch Delfrig ferch Gruffudd of the Ordovices.”

“It pleases me to meet you.” He smiled at her and then leaned toward Seren. “I have come to partake of your goodies.”

“What say you?” Seren asked.

“Oh my.” Carys giggled.

Seren shook her head. “I am sharing the Samhain feast with my mother. I hardly think this is the time to discuss my goodies.”

“Is it that there are not enough? For I can take the goodies you have and multiply them to ten times as many.”

“Can you really?” Carys’ ghostly image glowed brighter.

“No. I will not need an increase in my goodies.” Seren quipped in fun. “My thanks.”

“Is it not the way of the Ordovices to offer hospitably? Do you really mean to not share your Samhain feast with me, not even as an offering to your god?”

“Oh, you are speaking of the Samhain fare? Those goodies.” Seren suppressed a laugh. “Yes, we have plenty, you don’t need to make more of them with your magic.”

She reached into the wicker basket and grabbed three shiny apples. After handing one to her mother and one to Gwydion, she brought the other to her lips and dug her teeth into the juicy fruit with a crisp, crunchy sound.

He opened his mouth wide for the ripe fruit and bit down. Their gazes locked on each other, until Gwydion had finished the apple. He tossed the core down to the ground.

Seren finished her apple as well and grabbed an oatcake from the basket. She munched on the flat, round treat.

“That looks sweet,” Gwydion said to her.

“It is.” Seren stuck her finger in her mouth and licked off the last crumb.

“Oh my.” Carys giggled as she stood up. “I do have to go.”

“Mother, we have more fare. Samhain has just begun.”

“I must leave, I am busy reflecting on my life so I can prepare for rebirth. I still have a lot of years to reminisce about. Spending this time with you, dearest, has reminded me how much I love this world. I must hasten back to the otherworld and continue the preparation for my next life.” She turned her head toward Gwydion. “Take care with my daughter’s heart. She is a special woman and deserves to be cherished. She is not a God’s plaything.”

“In truth she is a woman above all others and I would never hurt her. You have my word.”

“I told you not to worry about me.” Seren reached out to the glowing image of her mother and hugged the air. “I shall miss you.” The warmth of her
mam’s
spirit vibrated through her, filling her with love.

“I like him,” Carys whispered to Seren. “But do not forget he is a god.”

“I also like him and I shall never forget who he is.” She stepped out of her mother’s embrace. “Farewell.
”
Seren watched the ghost grow more transparent, fading bit by bit until she had vanished.

She turned to Gwydion. “Thank you for getting Arianrhod to bring her to me.”

“No, she came here on her own.”

“I am so glad she did, but I feel happy and sad at the same time. It is hard to say goodbye.”

Gwydion spread his arms, welcoming her into his comforting embrace.

Seren stepped into the circle of his strong, bracing arms. No other man had ever made her feel this secure. Her skin tingled as he held her. No other lover had caused her heart to throb whenever he was near, the way Gwydion did. As her hips pressed against his thighs, a hot shiver ran through her.

Winding her arms around his smooth, broad back, she tilted her chin and peered at his strong, pale gold face, and the sensuous flame in his eyes. Seren felt his breath hot on her cheek. He leaned down until his warm, wet mouth touched hers. She ran her fingers through his long hair and yanked on the strands, pressing his mouth tighter to hers. When the deep, lingering kiss ended, she untangled his yellow curls from her fingers.

He flashed an even, white-toothed grin. “There is something to be said for the mortal way of undressing. Here, let me help you.”

“No, Gwydion, I am a druid and it is Samhain. I must return to the hill fort, there is much to do for the feast.”

“I’ll come with you.”

If he came back to the hill fort, she could lie with him later tonight. Seren felt ready to jump on him and ride him hard right now, but her duties as a druidess waited. “Can you come in wolf form? I am not ready to explain to the tribe that I entered the forest for the Samhain feast with my ancestor and left the woods with a god.”