Beyond Bewitching (10 page)

A thoughtful smirk replaced John’s grim expression. “I think she’s been planning the ruin of the Black Triad all along. First, she influences the matings while Kazmer’s trying to stop them. Then, she makes sure everybody’s in the right place at the right time for the Macska matriarch to destroy him. Now, she’s on the hunt for a supposed replacement.”

“Except the Triad has never been the power of three. Naga is the only elder left, and she’s strong enough to do what Romána did.” A sudden realization made Tanner’s stomach pitch. “You don’t think she’s going to sacrifice herself to get rid of Naga, do you?”

John scowled. “Over my dead body. We need to convince her we’re better off together—fighting Naga
and
as mates.”

“How the hell are we supposed to do that when she’d rather be anywhere other than here with us?”

“I don’t know yet. Let’s get some sleep while we have the chance.”

Giving a nod, Tanner followed John out of the kitchen and through the now-empty living area. They walked side by side along the wide tunnel leading to the lookout room. At the entrance, both men kicked off their boots and stripped out of their clothes.

Although no one could approach the cavern without being diverted by the spell, they’d spent many a night watching and listening during their years of training. Sleeping in the open-air wing off the main chamber was an old habit now. The only way to break it was if their mate allowed them to share her bed. That wasn’t happening this night.

The straw on the dirt floor crinkled with every step, and Tanner breathed in the night air, savoring the crisp, green aroma of the surrounding forest. A sliver of moon peeked through the leafy branches. In a couple days, black would fill the sky, a week of Sarah’s fertility cycle gone.

The change came without conscious thought. His hearing grew sharper, and his sense of smell captured new scents. The low rumble of relief in his throat became nickering.
Goddess, it seems like weeks since we’ve shifted.

John’s answering snort sent a cloud of steam into the chill.
Too damn long.

Standing at the window-like opening, Tanner savored the brush of his coarse tail on his hindquarters. This form gave him such a feeling of freedom. He imagined racing over the ground, his hooves barely touching the earth and the wind blowing through his mane. Sarah’s long black hair would flow out behind her as she—

John, we need to shift in front of Sarah. Show her what we are. Remember what the bay told us about her? Maybe she’ll be more receptive.

That’s perfect. We can go for a walk in the woods. I bet she wouldn’t say no if we asked whether she wanted to ride us.

Tanner’s human brain immediately pictured her astride his hips, rocking back and forth as she fucked him. His cock responded, sliding out from its retracted state.

I really don’t need to see that, Tanner. Forget I said “ride.”

Too late.

Light footsteps carried to Tanner’s flicking ears from behind him, and he curved his neck around to look over his flank. The familiar fragrance of Sarah made his nostrils flare.

John swiveled to look toward the doorway as she stopped. The mind link faded, ensuring she wouldn’t detect the buzzing she’d claimed she could hear.

After a brief hesitation, she continued into their sleeping quarters. “Did they leave you to your own devices as well?”

Her hand eased forward to Tanner’s chin, and he nuzzled her palm to welcome her. A smile brightened her face, the first true sign of happiness she’d shown in their time together.

“You’re quite a handsome fellow.” She combed her fingers through his forelock and then turned toward John when he nudged her arm. Her quiet laughter was music in the near darkness. “Jealous, are you? Not to worry. You’re just as handsome, and I have plenty of attention for both of you.”

Standing between him and John, she ran her hands down their necks in long, firm strokes. Tanner didn’t even bother to try controlling his body’s response to her touch. He’d already been aroused from his thoughts, and she was only adding to the rush of desire. Had she been a mare, he would’ve wooed her into letting him mount her. As it was, he’d have to settle for petting and a one-way conversation.

“Would you mind if I stay out here with you tonight? My bed reminds me of the things John and Tanner did to me.” She pressed her cheek to John’s muzzle. “I don’t want to remember. Letting them bring me pleasure made me feel weak and helpless. I have to be strong.”

Her admission triggered a shot of guilt straight to Tanner’s gut. She’d never forgive them for not speaking up about having shifted. Of course, she also wouldn’t have confessed her weakness and alleviated his worry that she hadn’t really enjoyed their encounter.

“Do you get to run free in the woods? Or does their spell keep you trapped like me?” Her palm glided over his withers and along his back.

He turned to butt his head against her hip, hoping she’d understand his hint to climb onto him. A quick jog outside the cavern would do all of them good.

She laughed again as she grasped his mane and hopped up to swing her leg over him. “Okay, but it’s your fault if Tanner and John get mad.”

Waiting until she tightened her knees against him, he set off at a walk for the end of the sheltered stable. With a firm bump to the gate, John pushed it open, leaving Tanner to follow him onto the worn path leading toward the woods.

His breath steamed in front of his face, and the dim reflection of the moon’s rays on the fresh snow lit the trail enough to guide him. He set off at a trot, testing her stability. Her body moved with the shift of his weight from leg to leg, a sign of her riding experience. Ahead of him, John broke into a gallop, his gait eating up the ground between the cavern and dense forest.

Sarah clutched at Tanner’s mane and leaned over his neck to become part of him. “Faster!”

Obeying her command, he lunged forward to chase down his friend. Her careless laughter echoed through the late-night quiet as he kicked up wisps of snow with each muffled hoofbeat. His muscles stretched and flexed, and he lengthened his stride, gaining on John. Sarah relaxed lower to Tanner’s neck, seeming to urge him on.

They circled around when they reached the edge of the woods, heading back toward their cave home. He focused on the warmth of her pussy and thighs surrounding him. She was made to ride him—in both his forms. The Fates and the prophecy had chosen well for him and John.

He slowed near the gate, reluctant to end the run but aware of her sudden shivering. Her sweater obviously wasn’t warm enough for the winter temperatures. She’d freeze if he and John didn’t share their body heat with her during the night. Keeping her warm wouldn’t be a hardship, though.

His puffing breaths faded when he entered the stable, the overhang holding in a little of the heat from the main cavern. He and John would have to work a subtle spell to block out some of the cold night air.

Stopping at the wide ledge jutting out from the wall near the doorway, he nickered at her and she climbed from his back to the ledge. John crowded in behind her, giving her a boost when she climbed onto the makeshift seat. She tucked her skirt beneath her legs and cuddled closer as Tanner offered his shoulder for a pillow.

“Thank you.” Her whisper held true contentment.

Warm mist rose around her from his and John’s exhales, and in only a few minutes, her breathing slowed to a relaxed, even rhythm. They’d deal with the consequences of their deception in the morning.

Snuggling into the warm blanket, Sarah tried to ignore the ache in her hip, but it didn’t ease even when she turned to her back. In fact, the stiffness spread. She gave up on sleep and pried her eyes open.

Dim light filtered through tree branches and leaves to cast shadows through the thick forest. Although time was of no importance to her, she peered past the overhanging roof to judge the hour. How long had she slept in the company of the two stallions?

She sat up, gathering the wool covering around her as she scanned the partially enclosed space.

Empty.

Had Tanner and John taken the horses for a ride or put them out to pasture? They must’ve wrapped the blanket around her as well.

The soft echo of boots on stone carried to her from inside the cavern, and she scrambled down from the ledge to stare out into the woods. The straw muffled the footsteps, warning her one of the men had entered the stable.

“Do you like tea or coffee with your breakfast?” John’s casual question suggested he wasn’t going to chastise her for spending the night in the equivalent of a horse barn. Not that she cared if he did.

“Tea please.” She pivoted to look at him, her years of polite behavior at Wyndham House ingrained in her.

She would’ve missed his almost imperceptible nod if she hadn’t been watching for it. He started to head back into the main chamber.

“Where are the horses?” Curiosity had gotten the better of her. Besides, the beautiful beasts had been excellent companions last night, listening without judging, allowing her to experience true happiness, and keeping her warm.

John froze mid-step, his jaw tightening. “They come and go as they wish.”

“Oh.”

Was he angry because she preferred sleeping with the horses to sleeping with him and Tanner? She only had their word that she was their mate.

Mate to two men?

While she had no qualms about a woman taking multiple lovers, her experience with sex left her with a preference to remain celibate. If she’d been inclined to mate, John and Tanner would probably top her choice of men.

“Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.” John’s parting words were fraught with an emotion she couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Frustration? Hopelessness? Anxiety?

She had no idea. “Okay.”

He strode away, leaving her to watch the movement of his wide shoulders, firm backside, and muscular thighs. A powerful flood of sexual need stole her breath, and she steadied herself on the waist-high wall that edged the stall.

What’s wrong with me?

More than anything, she wanted to climb onto the back of one of the horses and run free through miles of wide-open fields, escaping whatever compulsion drove her to desire. Why did this strange craving have to attack her now, when she needed to concentrate on her plan to destroy Naga? She also had to find a way out of the cavern so her powers would return. She’d vowed long ago to take care of herself and never depend on anyone else. Dependence equaled vulnerability and frailty.

She took a fortifying breath and aimed for the doorway. Luckily, the spacious chamber on the other side was vacant. Relaxing a bit, she hurried across the smooth floor toward the bedroom. A quick freshening up was in order after a night of resting her head on a horse’s back. Cleanliness would hardly transform her into a goddess, but three years of living in the woods with only a muddy creek for washing gave her a great appreciation for clear water and clean clothes.

With her hair woven into a long braid and the barn dust rinsed off her face and hands, she returned to the room with the pool. Once again, her hosts sat in the matching chairs, their appetites clearly unaffected by her presence, or lack of it. Each man held a plate piled high with some sort of egg-vegetable casserole and thick slabs of brown bread, and they hadn’t bothered to wait for her before digging into the meal.

Bad manners are a turnoff. Let them annihilate this infernal attraction themselves.

Tanner gestured for her sit. “I hope you don’t mind that we started without you. An hour of hard training takes a lot out of a man.”

An apology?

She suppressed the urge to sigh.

Reaching for the mug on the table, she settled on the couch. The wisps of steam teased her nose, and she sifted through her mind to try to place the distinctive aroma. An image of her mother brewing a bundle of roots in a pot of water sprang forward. The memory dissipated as quickly as it came, and Sarah traced the outline of the cloth sack in her pocket with her fingers.

What would’ve happened if you hadn’t died, Mother?

John set down his fork and then picked up his cup of coffee. “Sassafras. It’s all we had on hand for tea.”

“It’s fine. Thank you.” She sipped the fragrant drink and then traded the mug for her plate. Perhaps if she ate, the insistent itch to ravage her captors would subside.

How did he know I wondered about the tea?

Her fork was halfway to her mouth when Tanner spoke again. “Were you warm enough last night?”

Was he concerned for her comfort? Or was he about to scold her? “Yes.”

She waited for him to tell her she should’ve slept in the bed they’d given her, but he simply smiled. “Good.”

He and John had to know she’d spent the night outside. Why weren’t they raising a fuss about it? Why did they have to confuse her?

Make me hate you!

The silence through the rest of the meal nearly drove Sarah crazy. In her three hundred fifty years, no man had ever been able to resist advising her on what was best for her. How many times had she had to plant the thought that how she ran her life was her own business?

Far too many to recall. Why aren’t these men bossy?