The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) by Siobhan Muir Page B

current.
    “Well done, Sabrina.” Darius placed his hands on her head again and soon the throbbing stopped while her vision filled with green light.
    She sighed and relaxed, completely losing grip on her energy flow. The throbbing pain didn’t return, but the heat of Darius’s hands faded, and she opened her eyes.
    “What happened?”
    He smiled. “It’s done and you should be feeling better. True?”
    “Yes, no more pain.”
    “Excellent.” He patted her hand and stood. “Then I shall bid you good night and leave you to rest.”
    “Thank you, for everything, Darius. I really appreciate it.”
    He paused on the threshold of her room. “You’re welcome. Sleep well, Sabrina.”
    She belatedly realized she hadn’t made up a bed for him. “Where will you sleep?”
    “Your divan was very hospitable last night.”
    “Div —oh, the couch.” Why did it seem so gauche? “At least let me get you some blankets.” She threw off the covers and pushed her feet out of bed.
    “No, no, it’s not necessary.” He strode back into the room and stopped in front of her. “Please, get back into bed. I’m quite comfortable there.”
    “But I’m not comfortable with you on my couch without any pillows or anything. I have to be the worst hostess ever.”
    You can always offer him space in your bed.
    “I’m perfectly comfortable and I have all the amenities I need.”
    Darius set his hands on her shoulders, giving her more warmth than she expected. Heat flooded her body and she had the sudden urge to throw her arms around him and lean her head against his chest. Sabrina met his teal gaze and sank into the seductive comfort swirling in his eyes.
    He’s just playing you. Yeah, I don’t care.
    “Darius…”
    He leaned in and her nipples pebbled with the anticipation of his kiss. But he diverted his motion at the last second to brush his lips against her forehead. Disappointment surged as he pulled back and gave her a gentle smile.
    “Be at ease and rest, Sabrina. I shall see you in the morning.”
    He left the room without another word, switching off the light as he sailed out the door.
     
    ****
     
    Sweet Goddess, I turned her down.
    Darius flopped onto the divan and wondered when he’d lost his mind. A beautiful woman had just offered herself to him and he’d walked away. What’s wrong with me? His cock wanted to know the same information as it throbbed hungrily against his fly. Sabrina made him hard as diamond, but he couldn’t take advantage of her after they’d shared her magic.
    Even if the Queen suggested I do the same.
    Something about using sex to coerce Sabrina into performing the rituals made his stomach churn. She’d been used for sex enough times in her life and he wanted no part in betraying her trust. He’d get her to agree, but he’d do it honestly, through offering his help and being respectful.
    This little witch and her charming daughters had gotten to him, filling his heart with real joy and comfort for the first time in decades. He knew his duty and he’d see it done, but he wanted her to perform the rituals because she wanted to, not because he’d demanded it of her. Anything else would brand him lower than pond scum.
    Darius turned out the rest of the lights and toed off his boots, before returning to the sofa. He pulled up the blankets and closed his eyes, trying to court sleep. But his mind swirled with the delicate scent of Sabrina’s hair and the gloriously sensual touch of her magic when they’d communed.
    He hadn’t expected her power to be so strong or so pleasurable. He’d never communed with anyone outside his family before, but her magic had slid over him like a tailored glove, meshing with his own abilities perfectly. He’d only wanted more. His suggestion to try again had been made more from desire than from encouragement.
    Even now his cock rose in response to the sensation memory of her glorious energy.
    Quiet, you. Go to bed.
    He resettled his body against the