The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) by Siobhan Muir

her a sardonic look.
    “Still, I’m okay without any Fae favors.” She smothered a yawn with the back of her hand and her head throbbed with the remainder of her concussion. “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m tired and there’s more to do tomorrow.”
    Sabrina grasped her mug and carried it to the sink. She jumped a little as Darius brought the teapot to the counter beside her.
    “How is your head feeling? Any pain?”
    “A little, but I’m sure it will be better after I sleep.”
    He frowned. “Go get ready for bed. I’ll turn out the lights and tuck you in.”
    Sabrina chuckled. “I’m a big girl, Darius. I can tuck myself in.”
    “I’m sure you can. The Goddess knows you’ve had no one to offer you such comfort.” His smile made her wonder how she’d ever done without someone tucking her in. “Go ready yourself for bed and I shall be there anon.”
    “Darius… ”
    “Please, Sabrina.” He grasped her shoulders and stared her down. “I just want to be sure your head is on the mend.”
    She searched his eyes, looking for his motives. Had she heard real pleading in his voice? Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just making sure his pet witch isn’t going to fall over dead before I do what he wants. At least he’d been honest with his intentions.
    “All right.” She almost added he should n’t get any funny ideas about crawling into bed with her, but some traitorous portion of her suggested it wouldn’t be so bad. Shut up.
    “Go on. I’ll be there in a trice.”
    Sabrina retreated into her thoughts and her bedroom, wondering when she’d started to like him. When he treated her children with respect? Or helped them prepare for Beltane? Or had he been more subtle, using a small spell to shift her regard?
    Ha, fat chance . I’d notice.
    She threw her clothes in the laundry hamper and pulled her fleece pjs on just to discourage her traitorous voice. No way he’d b e getting any nookie through those babies. By the time she’d settled into the bed, Darius appeared at her door and knocked softly.
    “May I come in?”
    “Yes, I’m ready for you.” Geez, can I sound any more sexually interested?
    His chuckle told her he’d thought the same thing. “Good. How is your head?”
    “It’s not pounding, but the headache has settled into the background.” She shrugged. “It’ll be gone in the morning.”
    “Let me take a look.”
    He settled on the bed beside her and reached for her head, his spicy scent enveloping her. She closed her eyes and drank in the heat of his body along with the energy of his presence. Warmth from his fingers digging gently into her hair caressed her face and she fell into it with a sigh. Behind her eyelids he glowed with healthy energy, although the swirls of color moved somewhat sluggishly as if he hadn’t reached his full potential.
    She’d had this sort of experience before with a few of the people in town. Everyone had a distinct energy signature, but some showed tarnish where their physical or mental health suffered from one malady or another. She’d always been sensitive to those who needed healing, often knowing exactly which herbs or creams to use to relieve the symptoms.
    With Darius, it appeared he needed something to invigorate him, but not something physical. From what she’d seen earlier, he hadn’t required physical energy. No, not at all. Instead, he seemed to need a mental spa day, something to recharge his internal batteries, as if his lifestyle had run him down.
    “Are you tired, Darius?” She opened her eyes to scan his face.
    “Sorry?” He looked startled. “Tired?”
    “Yeah, you know, like you need a break from the stresses of life.”
    He chuckled, but the warmth had drained from his laugh. “Not at all. Visiting your world is no travail for me.”
    “Just the difficulties of convincing one stubborn witch.”
    His eyes smoldered for a moment before he winked. “’Tis a challenge, to be sure, but a welcome one.” He frowned. “But