PRIMAL MAGIC : SWAN ’S LAKE
…Reynaldo tensed when he felt the warmth of Satrius’s hands on his ass, separating his che...
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PRIMAL MAGIC : SWAN ’S LAKE
…Reynaldo tensed when he felt the warmth of Satrius’s hands on his ass, separating his cheeks. Anticipation shot through him. “Keep your eyes on the lake, my young lord. You think you want the Maiden, but I know better. You would defy me if you could, wouldn’t you? Are you thinking of her now?” Reynaldo shook his head. “No, Satrius.” His hands stroked Reynaldo’s ass. “I think I must remind you of your true desires. Help you to remember.” Reynaldo hissed when the first strike connected. A rhythm began as a sharp series of spanks ensued and his ass warmed to the pain. Each strike landing differently until he shuddered and sweat broke out over him, yet he still focused on the lake as Satrius directed. The powerful blows stopped. “What are you thinking of?” His buttocks throbbed, his cock pulsed, pre-cum dripping from the bulbous, purplish head. “I want you to fuck me,” he whispered. “I want you to touch me.” “What? No thought of the Maiden now?” “No.” His mind had room for only one thing. Only one man. Only one need…
ALSO BY ADRIANNA DANE The Argadian Heart Trilogy The Boy Next Door Carnal Carnivale Come Into My Parlor The Diary Of Lillian Manchester, Book I: The Stranger Eluria’s Enforcer Esmerelda’s Secret The Exile: A Seductive Tale Fertility Rite Graphic Liaisons If You Dare… I Want Images Of Desire Immortal Treasure
Kierra’s Thread Jebediah’s Promise Legend Of The Beesinger Mariposa Soul Nights In White Satin No Choice Primal Magic: Scent Ravager’s Redemption Realm Of The Ice God Ruthless Acts Sequestered Passion Smooth Finish Sylvie’s Gift Therapy Train Me Whisper
PRIMAL MAGIC: SWAN’S LAKE BY ADRIANNA DANE
AMBER Q UILL PRESS, LLC http://www.amberquill.com
PRIMAL MAGIC : SWAN’S LAKE AN AMBER HEAT BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.amberquill.com http://www.amberheat.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2007 by Adrianna Dane ISBN 978-1-60272-030-5 Cover Art © 2007 Trace Edward Zaber Layout and Formatting provided by: ElementalAlchemy.com
PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
For the adult fantasy and fairy tale lover in all of us. Enchantment will never go out of style.
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CHAPTER 1 “She is very beautiful.” Reynaldo couldn’t look away from the view of the serene lake surrounded by the lush forests. So different from the barren fields and fallow grounds on the other side of the estate. At one time, the lake had been just as stagnant as the dried up land. Before she came. But only the lake and the surrounding woodlands seemed to have been affected by her magical appearance. He felt Satrius’s presence behind him, but Reynaldo was focused on the beauty of the swan who was about to take flight. He watched as her powerful wings extended and she 1
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glided across the lake, her mirror image reflected in the shimmering, clear blue water, and finally soared into the air. His gaze was glued to the arc of her neck as she stretched out, and he could almost feel the wind against his own face, the freedom of the sky as he followed the perfect symmetry of her form. He felt his soul reach out to her, yearning to soar with her. His thoughts faltered as he felt Satrius stroke his long hair, drawing his attention back to the room. Closing his eyes, he absorbed the seductive touch. Satrius was a powerful magician and Reynaldo had summoned him to the estate in hopes that his magic would heal his land. What he had never understood was that his own soul was much like the land, barren and rootless. He had been listless and despondent until the arrival of the magician and his entourage. Satrius had changed everything. He had touched a deep, hidden part of Reynaldo. He felt alive when he was with Satrius, saw things differently. Reynaldo had been warned of the dangers of summoning Satrius to the estate. His magic was indeed powerful, but also very dangerous. This land was a legacy of his ancestors and he was losing it, yet he was unsure why. He needed help, desperate to restore the land to its former fertility. Satrius promised it would be as it once was and assured Reynaldo his magic could do what needed to be accomplished given time. He wove a spell around Reynaldo—a spell steeped in dark lust that Reynaldo was unable to combat. Slowly, he was drawing him deeper and deeper into the web of passion 2
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from which he now felt no desire to break free. Yet still the land lay barren. At least he felt something, even if it seemed he moved in a shadow world where he only came alive when driven by his sexual arousal. If Satrius could awaken something inside his dead heart, could he not also revive the land as he promised? It was the man himself who mesmerized Reynaldo over the many months he had been ensconced at the estate. He had seduced Reynaldo until he could envision no future without Satrius being a part of it. Not only to return prosperity to the estate, but in order to convince Satrius to remain with him, he had finally agreed to act as stud to the protégé who accompanied him. Satrius had convinced him it was the best way to return prosperity quickly to the land. Reynaldo did not love her. Truly, love played no part in any of the emotions he felt even when it came to his desire for Satrius. He was promised that as a child would grow in Belinda’s womb, so would his land again become fruitful. There were two reasons to bed the woman. The important one for Reynaldo was that the magic he wove with her would help his land and the people who depended on him. The second was that Satrius wanted the child to train in the ways of his magic. Reynaldo had asked why he didn’t bed the woman himself if he wished an heir, but had been told Satrius was no longer able to sire children. Reynaldo had given up a search for romantic passion and thought himself incapable of any greater emotion than that of the lust and need he felt for Satrius. 3
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Until the appearance of the Maiden. Everything had changed since her unexpected arrival. Suddenly he was torn in his desires. “She is not for you,” Satrius murmured from behind him. He turned Reynaldo to face him, forcing him to looking deeply into the mesmerizing emerald depths of the magician’s eyes. Satrius cupped his face and locked with his gaze, searching for his soul. “She must have some magic to have healed the lake and the forest. I have run there, I know it has recovered. But why not the remainder of the land? That is what I cannot figure out.” “She has not the power you think she has. She is weak. She cannot give you what you desire. Only I can do that.” He looked into Satrius’s eyes, felt his willpower ebbing, giving over to the magician. “Yes, I know you are right.” Satrius penetrated inside him, Reynaldo could feel the heat blazing from his presence. The lust grew to twine around him. Satrius tilted Reynaldo’s head back and studied him closely through a narrowed gaze. “Do you? She should never have been brought here. She is not of our kind. Her magic is different. You must not allow her to come between you and that which you want.” Reynaldo felt the heat of him as he lowered his head and his lips claimed Reynaldo’s in a demanding kiss that scorched through him. He felt his cock rise thickly against his leg. Satrius held him fast with his hands and with his mind. He wanted to please the master magician. He needed him and 4
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submitted to him, even knowing Satrius used him for his own ends as well. He could not deny him—they had moved far past that point. Satrius broke the kiss and looked deeply into his eyes once again. “You know what you must do. It is time to send the Maiden away. She and her kind are a distraction.” He stroked Reynaldo’s hair and calmness dropped over him even as his passion soared. Any thought of his desire for the light of the Maiden disappeared from his thoughts as Satrius drew him forth into the passionate darkness. Even in bringing the maiden to the house when he had found her wounded and unconscious he had defied the will of the magician, a thing he did not often do. Something stronger had driven him and he could not fail her, even knowing Satrius might leave him because of the act of defiance. Satrius demanded obedience in all things and would accept nothing less. “I will tell her she and the others must leave now that she is healed. I could not send her away when she was so near death.” Satrius slipped his shirt over his head, baring his muscular chest, taunting him with his flesh. “Soon.” Reynaldo nodded as he lowered his head to draw one of Satrius’s nipples into his mouth and sucked deeply, hands gripping the magician’s hips. He heard his sharp intake of breath. “It will please me when this is done. Her presence agitates Belinda. If you do not handle this quickly, I fear for the life of the Maiden. Do you wish her death on your hands?” 5
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Reynaldo knew Satrius used the threat to force his hand. He knew Reynaldo was drawn to the Maiden—her magic so different from that of Satrius and Belinda. There was a freshness, a purity in the swan magic. He had tried to keep himself separate from her, but something kept drawing him back to her. His own level of magic was nothing compared to that of the swan, or Satrius. He had never exercised his inherited power, never wanted it. Until now. But between Satrius and Belinda they sapped him completely until he was totally powerless to fight their control. He looked up into Satrius’s dark gaze. “I do not want to talk of her any longer today.” The dark, seductive magic wove its passionate spell around him. He needed the intimacy with Satrius, like one addicted to opium. His cock grew heavy with anticipation. Satrius cupped his face. “When I have given you what I see in your eyes you desire, you will go to Belinda, and you will appease her unrest.” “Yes, I will do as you ask.” Belinda was a means to an end. And if it would please the magician, he would do what he must. In the end, it was no great hardship. She was a lush, seductive woman. Satrius stepped away from Reynaldo and took his hand, guiding him to the bed. “Come then. A few hours of passion will assist in restoring your focus.” After stripping Reynaldo, he stepped away to study him and removed the remainder of his own clothing. “You are a beautiful young man. I have chosen well. Get onto the bed and lie on your stomach. You 6
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are too tense. We will speak no more of the Maiden. Only of desire.” Reynaldo eagerly did as the magician requested. He turned his head to the side and watched as Satrius took a blue bottle from the assortment resting on the shelf. He came back to the bed and climbed onto it, straddling his hips. He felt Satrius’s thick cock against his lower back, felt it slide along his spine as Satrius leaned forward and drizzled some of the oil over his shoulders. “You like when I do this for you?” “Yes,” he managed to say in a guttural tone. “Your hands are knowledgeable. I would do anything to feel them on my body.” He began to knead at the tight muscles in Reynaldo’s back. There was something in his touch, an energy that transmitted to Reynaldo, warming him thoroughly, building the fire within him. These intimacies with Satrius were becoming fewer and farther between as he pushed Reynaldo toward Belinda and securing the relationship. He used the intimacies as rewards for the sexual encounters with the witch. He had been bedding the wench for months now and still no sign of fertility. He treasured these moments, even knowing that once Belinda carried the child he had no idea how the relationship with Satrius might change. He might take the babe and leave Reynaldo alone. He dreaded that day, for he felt no true love for Belinda. Her body was delectable and fucking her was certainly no punishment, but there was no depth of feeling for 7
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the woman, no deeper connection like there was with Satrius. It was strictly a duty he must perform to receive the reward. He melted beneath the hands commanding his body. Hands that now turned him onto his back as Satrius re-situated himself, his cock pressing against Reynaldo’s, skin to skin. It was an exquisite sensation feeling their flesh press and slide together. He undulated his hips as Satrius’s hands stroked across his chest. “Do you want me to leave, Reynaldo?” The question came out of nowhere and he stiffened. He pinned Satrius with a panicked look. “Why would you ask such a thing?” He rose up from the bed. “Of course, I don’t want you to leave.” Satrius’s hands brushed soothingly across his chest as his eyes imprisoned Reynaldo’s, until finally Reynaldo looked away silently acquiescing to Satrius’s dominance. Satrius rose from the bed and reached for Reynaldo’s hand, pulling him up as well and leading him back to the window overlooking the pristine lake. He whirled him around, bracing his hands to either side of the window. He then kicked his legs wide. Reynaldo felt opened and vulnerable to the whims of the magician. He gazed out over the still lake as he waited, his cock hot and hard, desire raging through him. There had been a time when he was the one in command of his estate, when he had fought against all intruders who would claim what was his. How had he come to this point? Slowly his will had been sapped from him. Satrius had done 8
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more than claim his body, he owned his soul, wooed him with the dark magic of his personality, bribed him with the knowledge of the power. Belinda was simply the baggage he must accept to hold the prize. Somewhere along the line he had sold everything he was for the carnal pleasure of Satrius’s presence, and he was thoroughly caught up in the magical web. He tensed when he felt the warmth of Satrius’s hands on his ass, separating his cheeks. Anticipation shot through him. “Keep your eyes on the lake, my young lord. You think you want the Maiden, but I know better. You would defy me if you could, wouldn’t you? Are you thinking of her now?” Reynaldo shook his head. “No, Satrius.” His hands stroked Reynaldo’s ass. “I think I must remind you of your true desires. Help you to remember.” Reynaldo hissed when the first strike connected. A rhythm began as a sharp series of spanks ensued and his ass warmed to the pain. Each strike landing differently until he shuddered and sweat broke out over him, yet he still focused on the lake as Satrius directed. The powerful blows stopped. “What are you thinking of?” His buttocks throbbed, his cock pulsed, pre-cum dripping from the bulbous, purplish head. “I want you to fuck me,” he whispered. “I want you to touch me.” “What? No thought of the Maiden now?” “No.” His mind had room for only one thing. Only one man. Only one need. 9
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“Please, Satrius.” Hands slid across his warmed ass and he hissed sharply. A thick finger glanced along his crease, halting at the puckered hole of his opening. It circled around, then the hand moved down between his legs to cup his balls and squeeze. “It’s my cock you want driving into you, isn’t it?” “Yes.” He thrust his hips back. He was devastated when the hands left his body. He saw the swans returning to the lake. More of them than before. Their numbers had multiplied drastically since the arrival of the Maiden. He felt the fiery heat of slick oil as Satrius poured it over his ass and allowed it to drizzle along his crack. A finger again traced along the crease, teasing at the small opening and then the tip of a finger slipped inside, just enough to drive his desire to a burning edge. Satrius slipped it out, circled the puckered entrance, slid it in again, no more than a taste. Out again, between the throbbing cheeks of his ass, hands circling his hips, sliding down his groin, beneath his cock, grasping his scrotum yet again. His cock was bursting with the need to be touched, hot as a glowing coal in the fireplace, yet once again the hands slipped away. “Satrius,” he begged. This torture would drive him insane. He needed to be used, to be fucked. He tried to focus on the lake, but nothing was in his mind but the need to be taken by Satrius. Only Satrius. 10
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The taunting finger was back at his hole, deeper this time. Oh, yes, deeper. Then swiftly pulled free, circling and circling. Torturing him. Satrius pressed close and Reynaldo could feel his rigid length pressed against his ass, sliding along his slippery length over his anus, between his legs and he pushed back against him. “What do you see?” he whispered in Reynaldo’s ear. “You,” he gasped. “No lake?” “You,” he repeated. His ragged breathing eased somewhat when he felt the tip of Satrius’s cock positioned at his entrance, between the hot cheeks of his ass. “Do it.” Satrius pressed deeper, splitting him wide. Pain and pleasure swirled inside him like a tornado just beginning to gather momentum. Satrius’s hand gripped his cock as he burrowed deeper inside, inch by inch, until he was fully anchored there. Reynaldo felt the waves of pleasure rock over him, the heat encompassing him, the throbbing pain in his ass. And then Satrius began to move in a short, staccato rhythm. He met his thrusts, felt his hand stroking along the length of his cock. Hard, hot heat. Dark, swirling need. He wanted to come. Needed to. Only with Satrius had he ever felt this depth of passion. A huge force that was about to explode. 11
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Satrius kept up the steady rhythm. He would slow as he felt Reynaldo close to orgasming, then return to the steady rhythm. It seemed they stayed like that for hours. Satrius driving him to the edge, then pulling him back. Controlling the wild passion as no one else could. Sweat dripped from his body, a red haze engulfed his vision. The only thing he could see was Satrius riding him, driving him harder and harder. And he wanted it that way, wanted the edge, wanted to be controlled. No thought entered his mind of anything but Satrius. His scent filled his senses, driving him crazy with the need. He heard the whimpering cries for release, but never associated that it was him making them, pouring out promises to the magician, vows of loyalty and commitment as his cock pummeled into him. He gripped the window sill as he again felt the burgeoning desire building inside, but this time Satrius didn’t stop and he exploded so powerfully he thought he’d lose consciousness, as wave after wave of ecstasy shot through him. A shower of cold water poured down on him as Satrius emptied the pitcher over him. He shuddered at the shock and he convulsed harder, shouting with ecstasy, and would have dropped to his knees if Satrius had not held him up, his cock still deeply entrenched in Reynaldo’s channel. Reynaldo trembled forcefully with the power of his orgasm and then unbelievably, Satrius began to move inside him again, drawing him up from his exhaustion. Amazingly his own cock again began to harden. 12
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It was the magic of the man, as no normal man would have recovered so quickly, but Satrius was no ordinary mortal. Nor was Reynaldo. Satrius had changed everything. Satrius leaned close to him. “I think you understand. She can’t give you want you need. You know that. You belong to me of your own free will.” Reynaldo could only nod his head. Of course, he had known all along where he belonged. Known there was no other course for him. He inwardly collapsed, recognizing his master, defeated by his own lust. Demanding hands pressed into Reynaldo’s hips, and Satrius forced him away from the window, pivoting him toward the bed. He shuffled forward, Satrius still buried inside him, directing him. Only when they reached the bed did he pull free. “On the bed. On your back.” Reynaldo did as he directed. He looked up at the imposing continence of the master magician. Reynaldo’s cock was at full attention once again, ready to be dominated and pleasured at the master’s whim. Satrius lifted his legs and separated them. His ass at the correct angle, he positioned his cock at his entrance and pressed deep. Reynaldo inhaled sharply at the forceful penetration, reveling in the domination. Satrius’s hands slid up his chest to his nipples, grasping each one he twisted and thrust forward. Reynaldo cried out at the sharp pleasure that consumed him. “Yes,” he yelled. “Whatever you want is yours.” This man gave him power, offered him the secrets and the ability to 13
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have anything he wanted. To enjoy erotic possession in ways he had never dreamed of, with unbelievable stamina both in spirit and in body. He arched upward, melding himself more tightly to Satrius. With Satrius there were no limits, no boundaries. He plummeted into the abyss. Satrius lifted away and grasped Reynaldo’s cock with both hands sliding over the slick flesh. The world spun and he could not catch his breath as the dark desire rocked through him. Satrius called forth the pleasure, pulled the semen from his body, spurting across his abdomen. Satrius pulled out and thrust deep, coming with force inside his rectum. He then pulled his softening penis from Reynaldo’s gaping hole and slid up onto the bed, leaning back against the pillows. Sluggishly, Reynaldo slid from the bed and walked over to the basin. He wet a cloth and turned back to the bed. First he cleaned the master magician and then returned to the basin and cleaned himself, dropping the cloth back into the bowl. He could not help glancing out the window longingly, seeing the purity and peace represented by the plethora of fragile looking swans nesting on the mirrored waters. He broke away from the vision and turned to look at Satrius lounging on the bed. The world outside his window was not for him. Satrius opened his arms and without hesitation, Reynaldo went to him. He had chosen his course, accepted his magician lover and all that might be necessary to keep him at his side. 14
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He crawled over the thick quilting to rest between Satrius’s legs, and lowered his head in supplication against the dark magician’s muscled chest. Satrius tilted his head back to look into his eyes and then lowered his head to claim his lips, pressing his tongue deeply into his mouth. Reynaldo cupped his thick neck. Satrius raised his head and Reynaldo saw the hard determination lingering in his eyes. “Tonight you will go to Belinda and provide her with the assurance she needs.” Reynaldo again rested his head against Satrius’s chest, could hear the steady thundering of his strong heart. “I will do as you ask.” He glanced toward the window. The swan maiden was not for him. He was no longer the young lord he once was, looking for a bride to grace his home. Something else had taken hold of him and he could not retrace his steps to human naïveté. He closed his eyes. Satrius’s hands stroked over his hair and down his back. How had he become so accustomed to the touch of the man? So needy for it he could not think of a time when he had not required it? The steady stroking of the firm hands soothed him and he thought no more of the whys of the situation.
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CHAPTER 2 Martine drifted to the ground near the border of the lake and shifted from her swan form to that of a human. She glanced around as she unfolded to rise to her feet and then stopped as her gaze met that of the glittering, deadly stare of the cheetah crouched not thirty feet in front of her. Reynaldo. Pressed low to the ground, he approached her, but she refused to back away. Still as a statue she waited. She was not afraid of him no matter what form he chose to take. He wanted her to be, wanted to frighten her enough that she would leave and take the rest of the swans with her. He feared his attraction to her. She knelt on the ground, hands pressed to the earth, 16
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watching. Would this be the time he shifted to his man form and took what he wanted from her? Right now he was all male predator. She could hear the low rumbling, like the buzz of a million bees. He was now close enough for her to smell his animal heat. Her body responded, nipples tightening and her juices splashing onto her thighs. Her body recognized the scent of the male, even if it was not of her species. Instead of turning to flee, she inched toward him, crouched and defying his snarl. He was in danger from the dark magic swirling around him and his land. She sensed his sensual interest in her. But it was not enough that she could break him free of the shadowy web that seemed to hold him a willing prisoner. The lake and forest had only recovered because of the power of the swans working together. She alone could not have done it—her magic was not strong enough to combat that of the magician. But was it powerful enough to sever the magical bonds created by Satrius and the whore Belinda? Oh, yes, she knew he fucked Belinda, that he was Satrius’s lover as well. They must find a way to break the spell before it was too late. Or it would be more than just Reynaldo who suffered—the whole land of Valliana would reap the havoc created as well. Reynaldo had no idea what he was involved in. He had been susceptible to Satrius—like a sponge soaking up the magic. He had been easily seduced by the magician and his witch whore. But Martine and the swans would succeed in breaking the dark ties that bound him. Some way. 17
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Reynaldo screamed, pivoted, and leapt back into the forest, disappearing from view. Martine rose to her feet and pulled her swan cloak close. She shivered at the close call. The waiting was not yet over. She had entered this world through the enchanted swan gate, fleeing from her demented jailor, determined to escape his ruthless persecution. Oh, she understood very well the power of dark magic. Her own seducer had used a form of it on her as well. At a time when she was sated with pleasure he had hidden her cape. She only managed to discover it by accident and wasted no time in fleeing his captivity. She had heard of the ancient, enchanted arch and knew her only chance would be through it, even though she did not know what might await her on the other side. Anything was better than being recaptured by her pursuer. He almost caught her, but then she shapeshifted and soared out of his reach. Just as she was about to pass beneath the arch, a searing pain smashed through her when an arrow pierced her outstretched wing. She had almost faltered, but even with an arrow lodged deeply in her wing she managed to make it through the arch, into the abyss of nothing. As she broke through into the other world she saw the outline of the lake. Although it had been ill-kept and stagnant, she had no choice. Unable to continue flying because of the excruciating pain, she tumbled to the earth and lost consciousness. When next she awoke, she was lying in a huge canopied bed, her arm bandaged and Reynaldo bent over her. A darkly 18
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beautiful young man with a soul webbed in shadow. She saw hunger and pain in his heart and she knew in that first moment she had been sent here to save him. “My cloak?” she had croaked, searching frantically around the room. She had attempted to rise from the bed, but found herself too weak and fell backward against the pillows. She could not lose her cloak again—retrieving it had already cost her too much. A strong hand had gripped her shoulder, staying her movements. He then pointed to a chair where she saw the white feathered cloak resting. “Do not fear. You are safe here and no one shall steal from you.” Her mind calmed at the deep assurance of the man. There was honesty in his voice. “How did I get here?” Something had shifted in his eyes, soon gone. “I found you lying unconscious by the lake and brought you to my home. We removed the arrow and you are mending nicely. There should hardly be a scar to remind you.” “Thank you for your kindness. Where am I?” He handed her a glass and she drank. “You are at my home. My name is Reynaldo Donata and I am lord of this estate.” She gazed up into golden eyes the color of autumn leaves warmed by the sun. They seemed to crackle and spark, mesmerizing her. There was something about him, but she could not quite figure out what it was. There was some element of magic surrounding him, but not the same as her 19
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own. It was not long before she discovered the truth of the situation. Reynaldo’s loyalty belonged to the great magician, Satrius. And whatever Satrius wanted, he received. Reynaldo seemed enthralled by the man. She sensed untouched strength in Reynaldo, but somehow the soul inside him had become twisted. She wasn’t sure why, but she knew she must reach out to save him. Her instincts told her Reynaldo did not belong with Belinda, the wicked, as she had dubbed the wanton woman who was Reynaldo’s female lover. Martine carried the blood of the swan and he did not. They should not have been compatible. She should not have desired such a one as he, so shrouded in the blackness. But not all in nature was as clear cut as they should be. There was goodness in him. In her heart she knew that Belinda would destroy every speck of what was left of that goodness about him. As she recovered, more swans came to the estate. She saw them fly past her window. In the other world, there had been few of her kind, but here she was dumbfounded to discover she was not unique. And surprisingly, as more and more gathered, the lake and surrounding land grew lush once again with the help of the swans. As soon as her arm had healed, she took to spending more and more time on the lake, away from the house, which wreaked of Satrius’s and Belinda’s cloying magic. She needed to be free, out in the open, close to nature. She could not go back through the arch. What awaited her on the other side, in 20
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that other world, could mean her death. Here, the very air breathed magic and enchantment. But also an element of danger lurked. Each time Reynaldo came to the lake he was in his predator form, never as a man. Sometimes a lion, others a panther, and today a cheetah. He had the powers of a shifter, but in this world it was a natural order. He was of the cat line, she of the bird. There should not have been an attraction. Maybe the attraction was her white magic and nothing beyond that. Maybe he only coveted her magic for himself. Or for Satrius. She sensed he was tempted by her human form. Some part of him knew and reached out to her. She stared at the woods, the path he had taken. Time was growing short. She must reach him before he sired a child with Belinda. She must be the one to receive the vital, fertile seed meant for Belinda, in order to stop Satrius’s power. If she could not couple with him before that happened, all would be lost. She had tempted him with all of her womanly wiles and magic available to her with no obvious success. He had a strong will. Or Satrius’s magic was too strong. She knew that Satrius was hiding something from Reynaldo, something dangerous and deadly. On the surface, he appeared a man of good, but he was not. There was a cloud of gloom that clung to him. And he also sensed the danger that Martine represented to his plans. Yes, it was much better for her to steer clear of the house, at least for the time being. She turned away from the forest and looked out at the lake, where swans could be seen in all directions. There had been 21
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none when she first arrived on the Donata Estate, but now she had never seen so many swanshifters in one place before. In her world, shifters stayed hidden because humans feared their powers and believed that any presence of magic was evil. But in this world it seemed the magic was open and accepted, and she was surrounded by it on all sides. It was as though the world were opposite, and humans without powers were the oddity. “He will destroy you, Martine. If you do not act soon, it will be too late and Satrius will find a way to be rid of you. Of all of us.” She turned swiftly to face one of the elder shifters, Arwen. He was a gruff old man, but beneath that she had come to determine he had a heart of gold and he meant well. He led the northern flock, those who had arrived in the first week. Yet all seemed to look to him for guidance. News traveled quickly in this magical world, and when word reached them of a strange swan maiden from the other land, they had begun arriving daily from throughout Valliana. Usually a bird or two at a time, but within Arwen’s flock there were at least eleven. “I cannot act too quickly, Arwen. I know the urgency— you have all more than made that clear.” “You are the chosen one. We all knew it when we heard of your arrival from the other world. What we attempt here has never been done before. For a swanshifter to mate with one outside our species—we do not know if it can even be done. Not even in Valliana.” He had told her that was the name of this world. Valliana. 22
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So very different from her own where her kind had been hunted down and killed—or sacrificed in hopes of pleasing the unseen gods. The man who had imprisoned her had killed her parents and taken her for himself, hoping that one day she would provide the riches he felt he deserved. She had been too young, misunderstood his kindness, and had paid a heavy price because of it. She had been only seventeen when he imprisoned her below the surface, away from the sunlight, and had stolen her cloak. For three years she had suffered his touch, trying to gain his trust so that she could escape. He had grown lax over the years, and one day he had allowed her from her prison into the main part of the house, but under his watchful eye. She remained patient, knowing that one day she would get her chance. When it came, she’d wasted no time in gaining her freedom. To be alive and free and with her own kind was more than she could ever have expected. She would not fail them. She reached out to touch Arwen’s arm. “I will do what I can. Would I have been led here if it was not my destiny? There is purpose, even if we cannot discern the rightness of it ourselves.” She glanced over her shoulder toward the house. “I am here because of him. I have survived thus far because of him. I know this.” He placed a gnarled hand over hers. “Do not fall in love with him. It will be the weapon of your destruction. I have seen this. Accepting a mate is a very, very serious matter, Martine. You must be careful.” She nodded. “I know that.” 23
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“There are many young cobs here who would gladly form a pair bond with you if you should decide otherwise. They would accept what is your duty.” She shook her head. “I would never ask such a thing. To pair with one of them, yet bear the child of another? In some ways I am not like the others. I think you know this.” She looked up at him. “What of you, Arwen? Why do you not pair with another?” He heaved a heavy sigh. “All right then, Martine. We will stay until the pairing is complete or the announcement of Belinda’s pregnancy. If that should happen, we must prepare for a great and devastating battle. If you change your mind and decide you cannot do what we ask of you, we will understand. Will you promise me this one thing?” “What is that, Arwen?” “If you are unable lure him to you, will you come with us? We would welcome you into our flock, offer you a home.” “I will think on it. Thank you. You have been a true friend since my arrival. You have taught me much.” “Do you really think he will accept you, having been with Satrius and the witch?” A shiver raced down her spine. It was, in fact, Satrius, she feared far more than Belinda. Not his magic, but the intimate bonding that could be more powerful than any magic ever could be. She again turned toward the water and gazed out at the shifters resting there. It was then she came up with a dangerous alternative. Would any of them agree? Could she 24
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accept it, herself? She whirled back toward Arvin. “What if we could give him what he seems to desire? It would be taking a chance, but if we can break the darkling magic it might be worth a try.” Suddenly, it all became clear. “That’s it.” “What are you saying?” She laughed and a weight lifted from her shoulders. There was a way to beat Satrius and possibly to break his hold over Reynaldo. “It has never been done before—not among the swanshifters.” Would it be such a sacrifice for her to accept another into the pairing? She felt a tingling begin between her thighs at the idea she was considering. It was a desperate chance, but one she was willing to take if the others could agree. “You can’t be considering what I think you are.” “Would it be so wrong? Help me, Arwen. You have told me how dangerous it would be for a child of Reynaldo and Belinda to be brought into this world. If it was not so, this gathering would not be taking place.” “It is dangerous. If you have not found a cob to your liking thus far, what makes you think you will find one acceptable for the relationship you are considering?” “I was not thinking of a cob instead of Reynaldo, but someone who would enhance our pairing. Help me find the right one. One to tempt him from Satrius—one he could not deny. Please.” “You ask a great deal, Martine.” “I know. I know he wants me, but he holds back. If we 25
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present him with something more, something he cannot deny, strong enough to turn him away from the evil. Offer him so much pleasure he is blinded by it. If Belinda is allowed to bear his child, the chasm of evil will rip wide open. Is that what you want?” “No, of course not.” “You know the flocks better than I. Help me find the right cob who could bond with two others for a lifetime. One who is strong enough to help me woo Reynaldo away from his sinister lovers. Yes, he seems to want me, but it isn’t enough.” She again turned to scan the waters. “There must be one among the many—one who would welcome this strange pairing.” “You are asking that he submit to another. It will not be easy to find one that will accept the sharing of a pen. This is far beyond anything that has been attempted before. For you to share yourself between two—is this really what you want?” She turned to look up at him. “I must pair with Reynaldo. To lose this chance, could mean all of our deaths.” She touched her abdomen. “In here, I know this is right. What we plan is the path I must follow. That we must follow.” She looked beyond him into the cloudless, vibrant blue sky as though drawn into a trance, seeing a vision of the future. “A child created from this special pairing will be powerful enough to combat future evil. He will be embraced by white light stronger than any before it, with strength unmatched, a combining of powerful magic—cat and swan, loved and protected thrice. He will be accepted in both the worlds of 26
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human and shapeshifter alike. A force of white magic to be reckoned with as never before.” She again turned to look at him. “It must be a strong cob, not one who will submit. It is not a submissive male that is needed. That is not what Reynaldo seeks. It is why Satrius and Belinda have succeeded. They both reach down into the twilight shrouding his soul. We must reach down into the blackness to bring him the light. Until there is no corner inside him that is not illuminated, no place for Satrius and Belinda to find purchase. This I have seen. So it shall be. Will you help me?” “You are the force to be reckoned with, Martine. I see in your eyes the truth of what you see. I will go to the flocks to see if the right cob for this unique pairing is among them.” “We do not have long, Arwen. We must find him soon, before it is too late.” As she watched, Arwen shifted into the form of a Trumpeter swan. Spreading his powerful wings, he left her as he glided across the waters to land in the very center of the lake. His strong bugle call went out and several of the larger cobs swam close, forming a ring around him. One seductive bird might not be enough to tempt the appetites of the human shifter. But two might be just the right bait to lure him. Reynaldo was no simple human with ordinary needs. He had the power of a shifter and the magic clung to him. She should have discerned that sooner. This was dangerous ground she was treading. This would be a true mating, not like the 27
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fucking with her captor in the other world. She had felt nothing but loathing for the man who withheld her swan cloak to imprison her. She was a maiden, unmarried, but not unused. Her captor had long ago taken her virginity, but he had never captured her heart nor her soul. And he had never conquered her spirit. After what she had suffered at his hands, she found herself unafraid to consider what had never been attempted before in pursuit of happiness. And of pleasure, if she were honest with herself. She could only pray that she was not too late.
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CHAPTER 3 Satrius would not allow Reynaldo back into his bed until he presented himself to Belinda for the coupling. He wanted the relationship cemented. Not that he didn’t get satisfaction from fucking her, but that flea-bitten mongrel was always with her. He never left her side. Unlike his desire for Satrius, he had no interest in being touched by Wolfard. But he had to suffer his presence in these fucking sessions with Belinda because she wanted him—she wanted them both. And she wouldn’t fuck Reynaldo unless Wolfard was with them as well. It didn’t seem to matter what Reynaldo desired. She planned to use him as much as he would be using her. Once they created the child Satrius 29
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wanted, he doubted he’d be spending much time in her bed. There was just something sinister about Wolfard that made him shudder every time he was near. He always had that feral, assessing look about him, as though he awaited a tasty meal in the form of Reynaldo. It was near midnight and he had stretched out the time as much as he dared before going to her. He stopped at her door and glared down at the gleaming brass handle. Cocking his head, he listened, but all he could hear was the distant call of the swans. It made him think of her. The swan maiden. He could see her before him even now in all her delicate beauty, with her cloak of swan feathers. Platinum hair as fine as fairy wings, falling to her calves, fluttering in the breeze like gossamer wings, eyes a crystal lake blue, gentle. In some way he felt cleansed when he thought of her and her brethren of swans. Ever since her arrival, after those first few days when he had been so tempted by her, he had kept away from her, fearing the lure of her ethereal beauty would be too much. Satrius wanted him to send her away, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not yet. For some reason Satrius himself could not be in the same room with the Maiden and he tended to stay far away from the lake. It almost felt to Reynaldo that the swan magic was much more powerful even than Satrius, and he sensed some hesitancy in the magician when it came to the swans. He was adamant about wanting them gone, but appeared unable to force their departure himself. Reynaldo would rather have been required to bed the 30
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maiden. He certainly would have preferred her to the witch Belinda. But he wanted Satrius more than either of the women and thus it must be Belinda. Bending to Satrius’s will, he stood at the door to Belinda’s bedroom and pushed away the thought of the perfect maiden and the blinding white heat that beckoned to him. He turned the brass handle of the door and stepped inside. He waited a moment to accustom himself and allow his vision to adjust to the murkiness of the room. As he stood there, he could hear her moans of pleasure. “Yes, like that,” he heard her say. Then he heard a growl and knew who was with her. He moved closer to the bed. He saw her turn her head, her narrowed fiery gaze resting upon him. Her pale thighs were splayed wide and he saw Wolfred bent forward, lapping at her pussy. Her hips rotated, forcing him deeper, as she stared at Reynaldo, her fingers entangled in his long ebony and silver hair. Reynaldo felt his cock thicken against his thigh. He might not love her, but he wanted her. He should be the one between her legs, but even watching as Wolfred ate at her hot core had him burning to join them. All thoughts of the maiden were incinerated by the sight before him. “We didn’t think you were coming.” She arched up again, her white skin flashing in the moonlight. “Wolfred thought to start without you.” Reynaldo removed his shirt and then dropped his trousers, after kicking off his boots. “I am here now.” 31
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“Wolfred, my lord wants a taste. He should appreciate how you’ve prepared me for him.” Wolfred glared up at Reynaldo, his face slick with her juices. He licked his lips and offered Reynaldo a wolfish grin. “She tastes good tonight.” He shifted to the side, allowing room for Reynaldo on the bed. Reynaldo wasted no time as he climbed between the witch’s open thighs. He stared down at her stiff clit, her lush engorged pink labia lips, glistening with her juices. She arched up, offering herself to him. He dived forward, sinking his tongue deep inside her, sucking at her juices. Through his lustladen brain he heard them both laugh, but it didn’t matter. His cock burned to be inside her. Her cream tasted of dusky magic, swirling around inside him, magnifying the need to possess her, the intimate cream acting like an aphrodisiac magnifying his lust. The witch belonged to him, a gift of Satrius. One more swipe with his tongue and he lifted his head to looked at her. She was busily engaged in servicing Wolfred’s cock as he straddled her, pumping his thick tool in and out of her mouth. Reynaldo could hear her moans of appreciation as she sucked at his length. He swiped a tongue across her slit as he stared at the lean, muscled ass of the shifter being serviced by his witch lover. His cock thickened at the view laid out before him. The rush of lust split him open. He wanted to sink his cock not in the woman opened to him, but the ass of the shifter, undulating and beckoning to be taken. 32
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Unable to help himself, he reached out to knead the hard cheeks, liking the feel of him, but also enjoying the taste of the witch. Raw desire grabbed hold of him. Wolfred glanced behind him and Reynaldo met the assessing gaze of the predatory mongrel. His grin was one of wolfish delight. “Do you want to fuck me, my lord? Would you prefer my ass to our witch’s hot little cunt?” Reynaldo refused to answer the challenge. He refused to acknowledge that was exactly what he wanted to do. In his many sexual encounters with the pair, he’d never wanted Wolfred before. Why tonight did he seem so appealing? Wolfred turned back to Belinda. “Make it hard. Your lapcat wants some fucking from me. Since I am not allowed in your pussy, I think I shall oblige him tonight. While he’s enjoying your body.” “Mmm,” was the only sound that came from Belinda as she sucked at his prick. Reynaldo felt the bed shift as Wolfred rose and walked to a shelf on the other side of the room. Reynaldo glanced up at Belinda and she beckoned to him. She licked her lips and smiled. “Come here. Let me feel your cock inside me. Tonight you shall truly belong to me. You will fuck me as my pet fucks you.” He wanted to resist her, but tonight more than at any other time, he wanted what she offered. He glanced over at Wolfred who was greasing his cock, readying to split him open. He 33
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could not stop thinking about that huge tool breaking him apart and tunneling deep inside his rectum. Quickly he rose over Belinda and pressed the tip of his throbbing penis against her slick opening. Her flesh accepted him, opening and conforming to his length and width, gloving him, sucking him in. He reached up to finger her hard nipples, then cupped and dropped to suck one rosy bead into his mouth. “Yes,” she gasped, as his cock sank deeper inside her. And then he felt Wolfred return to the bed and climb behind him. He gasped when he felt well oiled fingers stroke across his anus, pressing past the ring of muscle and lodging deep inside. There was nothing inside his head but the need to fuck and to be fucked by this pair. He sucked harder on Belinda’s nipple, gripping with his teeth and twisting the way she liked it. She jerked and arched, driving him balls’ deep into her clutching body. He felt Wolfred position his thick penis and press inward. Yes, damn him, yes. He needed him to wedge that blasted cock all the way in. He began to move, to thrust and retreat from Belinda’s body, driving Wolfred’s cock home and then retreating. Wolfred’s fingers dug into his hips as he sank into Belinda’s welcome channel. Then Wolfred embedded his own cock to the hilt inside his colon. Reynaldo lifted his head and a cat scream of animal pleasure erupted from his throat at being claimed so completely. Why had he waited to allow this? The intensity 34
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was almost more than he could handle. He lifted his head and sealed his lips with Belinda’s, sinking his tongue deep into her mouth, slowing rocking his hips back and forth between Belinda’s cunt and Wolfred’s cock. Nothing had ever felt like this before. Back and forth, again and again and again. He felt Wolfred’s rod thicken inside his channel, as Belinda’s pussy gripped his cock like a vise. The sensations drove him higher and higher until finally he toppled over the edge and his seed poured into Belinda’s welcoming pussy. Within seconds Belinda screamed as she climaxed, and Wolfred was not far behind as he howled his own release. Wolfred slipped free and Reynaldo collapsed to the side of Belinda, panting in the aftermath. Belinda stroked his chest, emitting a satisfied purr. “I knew you could not deny us forever,” she whispered against his chest. “Wolfred is very hard to resist, don’t you agree?” Reynaldo wanted to deny it. He had become so weak since the arrival of Satrius and Belinda. It seemed the longer they stayed in his home the less he was able to exert any sort of command over his body or his mind. Slowly they were drawing him down into their web and would consume him totally if he wasn’t careful. Suddenly Belinda rose up and claimed his lips, her nimble fingers going to his cock, stroking and pressing, forcing his response. And his rebellious prick again rose, thick and hard as though it had been weeks since he had fucked, rather than 35
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mere moments. Belinda slid over him and sucked his cock into her greedy pussy. He gasped with the hot sensations of having his soul dragged from inside his body. She began to ride him in slow, undulating gyrations. His heart pumped like a man forced into a hard climb up a steep mountain. He sensed movement on the other side of the room and, glancing over, saw Wolfred in his mangy wolf form lying on the wooden floor cleaning his own glistening cock. Wolfred stopped and looked up, his dark, predatory gaze tangling with Reynaldo’s. Reynaldo could have sworn the wolf smiled before returning his attention to himself. Reynaldo thrust up, sinking his steely cock deeper into Belinda, knowing he was being drawn into the black chasm of their seductive magic and soon any thought of retreat would totally be obliterated. He felt her climax and his own followed quickly. He could think of nothing beyond the pleasure, beyond the decadence and numbing lust, more potent than all the wine in the cellars beneath his house. Willingly, he descended into the arms of their wicked seduction where there was no hope of escape— nor will to want it.
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CHAPTER 4 “I have found what you seek, Martine.” Almost a full week had passed since she had made the strange request of Arwen. She had begun to think there were none who would accept the odd pairing she proposed. She rose from her nest hidden among the tall evergreens. “Where is he? Does he understand what is expected?” She saw something flicker in his eyes just before he pivoted and walked away. “Come with me. You may decide if it will work.” Now she was curious and hurried after him along the packed dirt path leading to the lake edge. She stopped abruptly when she saw who awaited. “Arwen,” she called uncertainly. 37
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“A moment.” He turned and strode back to her. She studied him for a long time, uncertain how to proceed, her whole body quivering with some alien emotion. He straightened his wizened shoulders and met her look of confusion. “You required something special. That is what I have brought you. They are unique in our world—a one-of-a-kind pair. They are the only ones left of their species.” “They are—they are—” She could not find words to describe what was presented. Such beauty and power as she had never encountered before. The energy of their unique magic reached out to her across the distance separating them. Her body trembled with desire such as she had never known before. Their sexual vibrations were stronger than anything she had ever encountered. Slowly she approached them. There were two of them—both cobs. Both their demeanor and looks spoke of royalty. She turned to Arwen. “Where did you find them?” “To be truthful, they found me. Word spread of your strange request. They have come from the mountains, from a distant, solitary place.” Martine turned to study the beautiful specimens of manhood waiting silently for her acceptance. They were peak dwellers, mostly found near the high mountain lakes in the colder climates. She had once heard of their kind, but many had thought they were just myths—stories to entertain. But here, standing before her was the truth to the myth. Tall, elegant, sculpted muscles, and pale as moonlight, 38
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with long, thick hair the color of snow, blended with streaks of ebony and firelight. They were as sirens to seafarers—almost gods of a sort among the feathered shifters. She had to touch them. She couldn’t help herself. Both had long, thick necks encased in tight, wide collars of feathers, containing the same colors as reflected in their hair. Broad single feathers floated downward at intervals from the collars. She reached the first one and looked up at him, mesmerized by the clarity and brilliance of his expressive eyes. They were amethyst jewels glittering in the sunlight, perfect and pure. She turned to the other one, a twin but for his eyes, which were the turquoise depths of a deep Mediterranean sea. She felt gripped by their attention. Picked up and held close, stroked without touch. Ripping her gaze away, she swerved back to Arwen, her body humming with awareness. “They’re perfect. Maybe too perfect. They are a pair?” Arwen nodded. “When they came to me, I knew they were special. Special enough to gain the interest of Reynaldo. And they hold much magic between them. Together with your magic, I believe it will be enough to overcome the web surrounding him.” She turned back to gaze at them. She could do it with this pair. A cob pair of royal ancestry. They had to be. “Their names.” “The purple-eyed one is known as Dion and the other is Renn. They speak telepathically, but are otherwise mute.” “Yes, this I know from the myths told of their species. 39
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Dion and Renn.” She found it difficult to look away from them. She felt them pulling at her. “They will accept a pen into the pairing as well?” “They have agreed. They understand our need.” Again, she broke her gaze away and turned to Arwen. “They want something in return.” He nodded. “They are the last of their kind as I have said. Their pen was murdered, thus ending any chance of a continuation of their line.” Of course. Now she understood. They did not want their line to die out. If they agreed to pair with her and Reynaldo, there was a chance that a child of their blood would one day be born. She turned back to them. “Do they understand that the first child must be from the seed of Reynaldo?” “They understand this.” She cocked her head to study them. “Are pens so rare then, that they must bargain for a child?” “It is you who is rare, Maiden. And they know this. You are no ordinary swanshifter.” He swept his arm out over the lake. “They all know this. You are the chosen one.” She shook her head. “I am but a simple woman. I never asked more than that. You all expect too much.” “No, Martine. You expect too little. You are from the other world. Do you not realize that few pass between the worlds as you have done? And even less survive. If anyone can save our world, you can do it. These two know this as well. They would not accept any less to carry their progeny. Only you. And they will wait for the timing to be right.” 40
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She walked over to them and slipped a hand beneath each cape to glide up over hard, smooth chests. She looked at each of them, saw their eyes darken, their chests expand. She dropped her hands to grasp each cock, her eyes widening at the breadth and length of each. “They are acceptable, Arwen. Please leave us so that we may become better…acquainted.” She did not turn to see if he did as she requested. Nothing was in her mind but these two perfect specimens. Hands reached out for her. Strong arms gripped and lifted her until she was eye level with both. As she looked into their eyes she swore she could see into eternity. Lips nuzzled to each side of her face as they drew her closer between them. First one mouth clamped over hers, driving his tongue deep into her mouth. Her stomach somersaulted and tightened. They lifted and spread her lengthwise between them, forming a strong bed of muscled arms supporting her. Dion leaned forward to taste her breasts, suckling as though they belonged to him. Renn sucked at her lips, bent her back, then raised his head to gaze down at her. It was then that Dion lowered his head and feasted on her lips as Renn sucked at her breasts. Slowly she felt herself being lowered to the ground. As she rested on the bank of the lake, Renn moved down between her legs, spread her open and lowered his mouth to her labia and began licking and tasting of her cream. She was dizzy with the desire she experienced, the world about her spinning out of control as pleasure consumed her. 41
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Renn was at her breasts, using his hands to play across her skin like ethereal feathers fluttering over her. She felt herself gather momentum, like preparing for flight. Running, skittering over the surface of the water, rising higher and higher. And then she exploded, soaring free in ways she had never done before. She gasped and arched and then fell back upon the ground, striving for control. Hands stroked her body and Dion rose above her, looking down at her. She saw a faint smile hovering at the edges of his beautiful mouth. ::This is what he will see when he comes tonight. And he will be unable to resist you.:: His words were in her mind, his gaze searing and possessive. She turned as Renn moved to her other side, drawing her gaze to him. ::We will pair with you, pen, and we will care for you and the cat shifter well. Have no fear.:: She reached up to stroke each of their strong jaws. “He will not be able to resist you, for I cannot resist you myself. You will make me love you, won’t you? How can I not?” Hands again began stroking her body as they each lay stretched out beside her. She inhaled their aroma, memorized them, blended them with her own. Their scent became hers, and her scent theirs, mingling into one aroma that became theirs, always recognizable as belonging to each other. She had been able to set aside emotion with her imprisonment, but she saw now that her whole being would be 42
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intertwined with the pairing. It could not be otherwise. One day she would give these beautiful swanshifters, who were destined to be paired with her forevermore, their greatest desire. Together they would bring Reynaldo the love and peace he sought without understanding his deep need to be loved. She understood it now, for she had the same need and had hidden it away. Strong, elegant hands touched her, making her come alive. Healing hands, took away the horrors of the past, of the other world. ::If we could fly away now—take you away with us to our mountain nest, we would do so. There you would be safe.:: It was Renn who spoke as he kissed her neck, down across her chest, to her full breasts. ::To share you with the catman will take getting used to. Already we love you.:: She gasped and arched as their hands reached into secret places, driving her pleasure higher. “We cannot,” she whispered. “He must be part of our pairing, you know this.” She saw him nod. ::And so it shall be. We will accept and welcome him to our nest.:: “Thank you.” He leaned forward to brand her lips with his kiss and his scent. There was no separation in her mind between Dion and Renn. They were not separate beings in her soul, to her body. There could not be one without the other. And from this moment on there could be no her without them. They may not have fucked her as yet, knowing that Reynaldo must be first, but they were paired as surely as the 43
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sun blazed in the sky brightly each day. There could be no going back—their future was set before them. She rose from between them, shivering as she separated from their body heat. She reached out to them and they lifted from the ground to take her hands. “Come. We will go to my nest. I would become as well acquainted with your bodies as you have become with mine.” She looked up at them with passion-filled eyes. “There is much about you I will take my time in memorizing before the full moon is upon us. It is then that Reynaldo will come and we must be prepared.”
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CHAPTER 5 Reynaldo was restless. He kept looking out the window at the lake shimmering in the moonlight. Satrius had shunned him tonight and he had no wish to go to Belinda. Let her mongrel service her if she was that badly in need of a good fucking. He yearned for something different, he just couldn’t put a name to it. But he had an idea where to find it. Striding out the front door, afraid someone would try to stop him, he headed for the path through the forest that would take him to the edge of the lake. To where he knew the Maiden nested. He shifted easily into the form of a cougar and ran through the night, his eyesight keen. He slowed as he approached the 45
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clearing and then crouched, sidling closer to the forms at the lip of the lake. He could not be seeing what he thought he was. He shifted back into his human form, his attention glued to the tableau before him. It was a woman and two men. Beautiful men servicing the woman. She stood beneath the light of the full, silvery moon as though it shone just for her, its light drawn to her alone. It was like a ballet of images moving with fluid, otherworldly grace. She was arched, her full breasts thrust toward the shimmering light of the full moon above, her arms thrown back encircling the neck of the man behind her. The other man knelt in front of her, his head thrust between her snow-white thighs, his mouth delving into the shadow of her pussy. Reynaldo could not remember ever witnessing such an erotically charged sight in his life. His cock grew hard and thick, aching for not just the women but the perfection of the males attending her. He saw her buck, bowed to the sky, and knew the man who was kneeling had brought her to orgasm. Reynaldo fisted his own cock as he stood and watched the passion play out at the edge of the lake. Their positions altered. The one kneeling slowly rose to his feet, turning toward where Reynaldo stood watching. The other man released the Maiden’s hands and she floated forward to stand beside the other man. She moved behind him and her arms encircled him, brushing across his chest and down over his groin. The man who had held her arms moved to his knees and in slow motion consumed the cock of the other as Reynaldo watched. 46
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Reynaldo licked his lips, wanted to be a part of the scene taking place before him. He took a hesitant step forward, meaning to join them. Then he stopped when he was close enough to discern exactly who they were. All three were swanshifters. Beautiful, ethereal, desirable. His cock ached to be touched by them. To bathe in their light. Suddenly, the one kneeling turned to look at him, then rose and walked to him. He took his hand and led him forward. Martine stepped from behind the other one and stood facing him. Reynaldo was at a loss for words, consumed by desire and need. “They wish to give you pleasure, Renaldo. This one,” she pointed to the man standing behind her, “is Dion. The one holding your hand is Renn.” Dion stepped out from behind her and moved toward Reynaldo. He was blinded by their beauty, seduced by their sexual magic which seem to reach out for him. “Come with us, Reynaldo. You belong here, not back there with them.” He allowed them to lead him toward where he knew Martine’s nest was located. When they reached the secluded spot, Dion and Renn helped him to lie upon the thick bedding. Dion moved immediately to take his cock into his mouth, suckling and licking. Reynaldo had never experienced such pleasure, not even with Satrius. This was beauty. A blinding surreal joy flooded through him. Renn moved over him, kissing him, teasing his tightly beaded nipples. No words were spoken, none needed as he gave himself over to them. 47
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After long moments, just as Reynaldo felt he was about to burst, Dion stopped and raised his head to look at Martine. As though by unspoken command, she moved to lie next to Reynaldo. She leaned over and looked down at him. With a finger she traced the lush expanse of his lips. “Fuck me, Reynaldo. I have waited a long time for you. They have prepared me and now they have prepared you. Come to me.” He felt safe here, loved even. Protected from the darkness that had invaded his senses. Without hesitation, and with the help of Dion and Renn, he rose over her. Dion and Renn each clasped one of her legs and gently opened her to him like folding back the petals of a flower to reveal the inner, rich liquid nectar hidden inside. Her sex glimmered wetly, deep pink, her clit stiff, her lips engorged. He leaned down to kiss her and she eagerly greeted him, thrust her breasts upward to graze against his hard, pelted chest. Desire sizzled brightly inside him. It was not the consuming lust of Satrius. This was so very different. It was clean and right and stunning. He sank his cock into her heated core. He felt hands on his ass, stroking, encouraging as he thrust in and out. He was surrounded by magic, glorious and wonderful. My God, she felt like heaven as he sank deeper into her welcoming channel. She was slick and hot and tight and welcoming. She wrapped her arms around him and he powered easily within the silky glove of her flesh. Dion and Renn sprawled next to them, arms around both of them, stroking them, 48
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nuzzling and encouraging. He had never felt so loved in his entire life. Dion and Renn lifted Martine’s legs to wrap around Reynaldo’s waist hugging him closer. He lifted his head and first his lips were claimed by Dion and then by Renn, and finally by Martine. His movements changed. He brushed against her clitoris and felt her stiffen and then melt beneath him. He tunneled deeper into her pussy and exploded, his semen emptying deep into her womb as Dion and Renn lifted her hips and supported her as Reynaldo pulsed, filling her with his seed. He felt drained, but they didn’t allow him to rest for long. Hands again began to stroke him, lips kissing and licking, driving him again to harden inside Martine’s vagina until once again he could feel her gentle walls expand to accommodate his rigid girth. He began to move, faster and faster, driving deeper, touching her heart, reaching for her soul, hot friction searing them both. He heard her scream as she climaxed again, and it wasn’t long before he followed her, rapidly filling her with his seed. Long moments later he finally pulled from inside her and Dion and Renn helped him to lie beside her. Dion stroked his sweat-streaked face. Dion then rose to his feet and helped Reynaldo to stand. ::Come with us.:: The words were in his mind and he turned a startled gaze to Dion’s face. Dion smiled and nodded. ::She must rest. Renn and I will care for you now.:: Renn carefully placed Martine’s swan cloak over her and bent to kiss her cheek. Dion then bent to kiss her and Reynaldo did the same. A ritual of love and protection. 49
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He followed them out and into the lake where they washed each other, swam beneath the moonlight, and then he lay with them on the bank partly in and out of the water. He gained the courage to push Dion onto his back and kissed him with a long, lingering kiss, licking at his wet lips. He reached down to caress his cock which he found hard and throbbing, glistening with pre-cum. He moved down to suckle him, the flared head reaching the back of his throat. He tasted of light, of purity, of desire. Reynaldo felt cleansed by them. He felt a presence behind him and knew it must be Renn. It was Renn’s fingers, wet and cool, that entered his anus. It was not a hard touch; it was seductive and pleasurable as the water lapped against and over their bodies. Dion’s hands were tangled in his wet hair, encouraging him, kneading and accepting. He felt Renn position himself behind him. Felt his cock at his opening, pressing past the tight ring of muscle and burying himself deep inside his passage. Reynaldo sucked more greedily at Dion’s cock. It tasted of pure, exotic heaven. He felt him thicken, hot and engorged. He traced the veins with his tongue, consumed him thoroughly as Renn built a steady rhythm of fucking him long and deep. Then a cool, wet hand wrapped around his own throbbing penis. God, it was perfect. Pleasuring and accepting, pushing him over the edge, and the others were not far behind as they came hard. He felt joy, so much joy he cried out with his passion, and tears spurted from his eyes. He was so filled with light, so much blinding light. He had shattered into a million 50
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pieces. After swallowing every drop of Dion’s cum, he dropped over him, his head resting on Dion’s abdomen. He felt Renn pull his softened prick from him and he dropped down beside him. They lay like that wrapped in each others arms as the water lapped over their bodies. And Reynaldo had never felt so content or so fulfilled. Their hands stroked and caressed him, making him feel one with them. ::You are a part of us now, Reynaldo,:: he heard Dion’s voice inside his head. ::We are paired with Martine. Nothing can change that.:: The hands soothed away his fears of what the sunlight would bring. Here and now, in the deep, silent night, he accepted Dion’s soothing words. They comforted him. After a time, they rose as one and returned to the nest and to Martine. They bathed her in fresh water and then lay down beside her. Reynaldo wrapped his arms around her and Renn and Dion held them both within their embrace. Martine snuggled closer to him, her head beneath his chin. He felt their warm acceptance cocoon him. This is what he had sought all along. This feeling of closeness, this acceptance. The protectiveness of family. He had not felt that with Satrius or Belinda. There was so much warmth emanating inside him now, a burning flame that he never wanted to dowse. He now knew the difference between lust and love. The empty sexual, consuming lust that he had with Satrius and Belinda was not what he wanted. He wanted this. 51
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Dion’s hand stroked his hair, soothing him. ::We shall help you, Reynaldo. We are as one now. They will not hurt you.:: But Reynaldo knew differently. Dion and Renn, and even Martine, were beautiful, loving creatures. They didn’t understand the malevolence beyond the lake. That which resided in his house. Not really. He wanted to protect them, but he wasn’t sure exactly how he could go about doing that. He was afraid if Satrius discovered what had taken place tonight, he would try to kill them all. He could not let that happen. He must protect the ecstasy he had found here with the swanshifters. And there was no way he would send them away. Not now. But he must find a way to send Satrius and Belinda and their kind away without destroying them all.
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CHAPTER 6 “I must leave,” Reynaldo whispered in her ear. She felt him move against her as though to rise from their nest. She stroked a hand along his well-muscled arm. “Must you? We want you to stay.” She saw another hand move to his chest and stroke across it. It was Dion, who lay to the other side of Reynaldo. She felt Renn move against her back, felt his hard cock against the small of her back. “It is dangerous.” “Just for a while longer.” Gently she pushed him to his back and rose over him. Dion leaned over to kiss him and Renn moved closer to nuzzle against them. Three nights he had come to them. And three mornings he 53
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had left. She spread her legs and straddled him. With both hands she reached for his cock, coaxing and preparing him to accept her. She lifted and dropped down, his long, hard length burying deep inside her. She heard the deeply-embedded purr of pleasure. Then she began to ride him, slow and easy, rotating her hips, driving him deeper inside her. He was a beautiful catshifter. She still marveled over the fact that she, a swanshifter was now paired with a catshifter. Two so unlike creatures. Oh, he felt good inside her. This was one of those moments when she knew why she had flown through the arch—she knew her purpose and reveled in this pairing so unusual in its makeup. She lifted and slowly dropped down, his thick cock filling every crevice. She felt his heat, smelled his scent, different from her own kind, yet now combined with theirs. She threw her head back, reveling in the feel of him. Renn rose up behind her, his hands coming around her to fondle her breasts. She looked down to see Dion kissing Reynaldo passionately, playing with his nipples. How had this happened? Each of these male shifters now paired with her, loving and binding themselves to each other in the most intimate way possible. It was as though their bodies knew each other and synchronized, bringing each to the brink of passion. When one came, it triggered the sum of them, as together they reached the pinnacle of pleasure as one. So much pleasure, doubled, tripled, quadrupled between them. It was as though all the pain she had suffered as a captive 54
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of the human prepared her to accept and know rapture when it was finally presented to her. Renn prepared her body with the special oils. Two fingers entered her anus and she gasped at the invasion. He was slow and careful as he prepared her to accept him. For the last two days after Reynaldo had left, when they lazed in the afternoons in her nest, Renn and Dion had aroused her to the edge of desire, preparing her slowly. She had been uncertain, but they had assured her of the pleasure she would receive when they came together as one. This was the morning. She turned her head to look out at the sky. Streaks of fiery red and molten gold were just beginning to bleed across the horizon. Then she felt Renn’s hands at her hips as he lifted her from Reynaldo and Dion repositioned Reynaldo on his knees before Martine. This was the moment when they would cement the pairing with a pleasure beyond all others. Martine saw Dion pick up the bottle of oil. She heard Reynaldo gasp and knew Dion prepared him. She looked down to see his cock hard and glistening, proudly towering from his body. She dropped her hands to grasp him and positioned him at her entrance. He slid in with ease. She felt Renn behind her, felt the tip of his cock poised at her entrance and then slowly he entered her virgin hole. She gasped and clung to Reynaldo, pressing close, crushing her breasts to his chest. “My, God,” he exclaimed as Dion pushed close and Martine knew he was buried inside Reynaldo’s passage. 55
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So intimate a bond could never be broken. And then the rhythm. In and out. Reynaldo’s cock brushed against her stiffened clit, shooting sharp flashes of pleasure throughout her body, driving her faster. All were in harmony, bodies brushing bodies, arms entwined, lips breathless, tongues touching. Nothing would separate them—not human, not shifter, not animal. Each in their way, one-of-a-kind, come together to create— She exploded just as the light of the new sun breached the entrance to the nest, cloaking them in red-gold firebursts. One orgasm of such intensity, her pussy grasping his cock, her womb accepting his seed into her fertile depths. She felt Renn’s seed spurt into her colon, saw the look on Dion’s face as he orgasmed. Her body opened to them all, accepted them as a part of herself, filling her in every single tiny crevice of her soul, her heart bursting with the love she had kept hidden for so long. As the sun embraced them in its warm aura, her heart exploded, drenching them all with such deep emotion, that nothing compared or would ever compare to this moment. When it was over and they shuddered back to the earth, they carefully separated and went to the pond, each washing the other, murmuring their love and devotion. Martine knew they had conceived Reynaldo’s child this morning. Reynaldo had promised to banish the magician and the witch that very day. He wanted to bring his new family home. He wanted to bring their love into the light, just as they had 56
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already done with his soul. She had feared for his safety, but he assured her he would handle the confrontation. Their love gave him the strength he needed. The day would be long until he returned to them. Martine smiled as she straightened her nest. Dion and Renn had left to join the other swanshifters on the lake. She had wanted time alone and assured them she would join them shortly. She could not help worrying for Raynaldo’s safety now even more than before. She could see the light inside him, the warmth that had been missing before. Satrius would see it as well and know its source. Reynaldo had not said in words that he loved them, but she could feel light spreading through him where there had been darkness before. Each morning it was harder and harder to let him return to that cold house alone. She and the other shifters could feel the evil growing, like thunder in the distance about to break directly overhead, bloated clouds, filled to breaking point, ready to drown them all. But this morning it was even worse. Arwen had called a meeting of the elder swans. Dion and Renn meant to discover from Arwen what the results of that meeting had been. She fluffed the bedding, then deciding it needed new greenery, she walked outside. Moving into the forest she began to gather fragrant, fallen boughs, those that still retained the sweet evergreen aroma of the forest. Except for the call of the robins and bluebirds among the trees, there was solitude and quiet in the forest. She smiled to herself as she thought of the passion-filled nights just past. 57
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After that first night, Reynaldo was unable to stay away. He’d returned to them, but knew he brought danger with each caress. They had soothed his fears, clasping him close to their breasts, letting him know he was no longer alone. There was not much time to speak of simple matters, the urgent need to pair him to them being of utmost importance. She placed a hand over her abdomen. This morning she knew Belinda had failed. Reynaldo’s seed implanted within Martine’s womb had found fertile purchase, an egg eager to be mated, and heat radiated outward—the warmth of a new life. But how were they to rid themselves of the magician and the witch, as well as the witch’s familiar mongrel always at her side? They had to discover a way to protect Reynaldo and rid themselves of the evil. “You think you have won, don’t you?” Martine dropped the bundle of bedding and whirled around. “Belinda,” she gasped. The witch had never ventured down to the lake before. She knows . It had been a risk that morning, keeping Reynaldo with them. And the pairing had been of such intensity there was no way Reynaldo could have hidden it from the witch and the magician. Martine lifted her head and stared hard at the witch, refusing to give ground to her. The cur accompanying her growled, his black eyes glittering. She was weaponless and in danger. Her duty was to protect the child. To stand and fight the witch and her familiar now could endanger the child’s life. She spread her arms, preparing 58
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to shift and to take immediate flight. She threw her head back and screamed to the winds. It was then she felt the searing pain in her chest. She staggered back, looked down and saw the blood. With hazy vision she stared at Belinda, who held a dagger in her hand, Martine’s life’s blood dripping from its angry blade. “When you are dead, he will turn back to me. I am the only one who can save his precious land. I will own him, then I will kill him the same as I have you, and his power will be mine as well.” Martine dropped to her knees, pressing her hands to the wound, her blood pulsing and shrouding her fingers in crimson. Spatters dropped onto the pristine feathers of her cloak, but she felt the palpable shade of death begin to descend and a deep sadness consumed her. She felt something hard shoved against her chest, throwing her to the ground. And then her cloak was ripped from her body. She gasped and clawed at the air, trying to retrieve the cloak. With what was left of her strength she turned and looked up at Belinda who had slung the cloak over her own shoulders. She twirled around, then glared down at the fallen swanshifter, her eyes filled with triumph. “Will this make him want me more? If there is any magic within its fabric, it now belongs to me. We shall see. One thing he will know is that my power is far greater than yours. You have taken the fertile seed that belonged to me and for this alone you shall pay with your life.” 59
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Martine’s head dropped back to the ground and her eyes closed. All was lost and there was nothing she could do. “Reynaldo,” she sobbed in regret. How could destiny have allowed her to come so far, just to fail? The taste in her mouth was bitter.
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CHAPTER 7 Over the last few days Reynaldo had felt himself growing stronger and stronger. He knew he was now prepared to face Satrius and Belinda. They would leave and the house would be filled with light and warmth, not the sunless shadows of consuming lust that had been brought by the magician and his protégé. He had thought they would help his people and the land, but he knew now that with each passing day any fertility that remained had slowly been drained, and they were the cause. It was as though blinders had been lifted from his eyes, and for once he saw clearly what had occurred. For so many years he had lost his way, unable to find 61
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purpose. The sludge of depression had grown dense until, sunk into such a deep well of despair, he had been a prime target for Satrius. But no more. Martine, Dion and Renn had offered him something far more powerful. The healing warmth of their acceptance, love, and the white magic of the swanshifters. He felt life pulsing inside him, pleasure and energy and the joy of looking forward to the rising sun of another day. As he walked across the dead lawn toward the house, hope had sprung in his heart when he saw a new flower blooming in the midst of the dry earth. That alone told him what he needed to know. It was the swans who would return life to his land, not the magician and the witch whore. It was not lust that instilled life, but love. Suddenly, he felt a shaft of pain drive through his chest, sending him to his knees. Urgency swamped through him. Something wasn’t right and he had to drive out the corruption as quickly as possible before he lost everything good that had come into his life. Quickly changing his clothing, Reynaldo strode along the hallway and down the staircase to the dining room where he knew he would find Satrius and Belinda. He wanted this finished and he wanted them gone. Before he reached the door of the dining room, Belinda walked out the door with her mangy mutt trailing her. He slowed his steps and waited for her to reach him. It was only as she came closer that a tremor of terror passed over him. She preened and twirled before him. “Do you like it, Reynaldo?” She wore a mantle of swan 62
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feathers. As she came closer he saw the ruby spatters of blood clinging to it. There was only one way she could have gotten it. She reached up to touch his face and he jerked away. How could he not have seen what she was? He grabbed her arm. “Where did you get it?” He dragged her close. “Where do you think?” She hissed in his ear. He could hear Wolfred growl from behind her. He ignored the implied threat. The mantle of their magic no longer held sway over him. It had been destroyed by the magic of the swans. “It was a gift.” She leaned up close to his ear. “From a dying bird. She has no more use for it.” She wouldn’t dare. But an ache steadily growing inside him, a sense of dread, and he knew she would have attempted exactly that. The pain in his chest. He should not have hesitated, not for an instant. He should have known it meant ill for his swan lovers. He ripped the downy mantle from her shoulders, whirled around, and raced out the door. He had to get to Martine. He ran out of the house, down the steps, and toward the woods, clutching the feathers close as though it was an amulet of protection. He had scented the spray of red, and the predator in him could smell the blood, recognized the scent as Martine’s. He paused as he heard a sound. God, no, it couldn’t be. It was the poignant music of the swan song. A death knell he refused to accept. He knew too much blood clung to the cloak, yet he could not acknowledge what it told him. He skidded to a halt at the 63
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edge of the clearing. He knew there were magical powers within its fabric and if she were hurt, she would need all the help she could get. As he looked down, he was horrified at what he saw. His eyes tracked the path to the edge of the lake where she lay, flanked by Dion and Renn, who were bent over her. The lake was covered with swans, all trumpeting the song of farewell. He would not believe she was dead. He should have banished Satrius and Belinda days ago. He raced to them and dropped to his knees. Dion and Renn looked up at him, anguish in their eyes as tears poured down their beautiful faces. Gently, he covered her with the mantle of white. ::It is too late. Her hold on life is slowly slipping away. We cannot help her.:: Reynaldo glared at Renn and then out to the lake. “Help her,” he screamed at them. “You must. She is our only hope. If she dies, we are all lost.” He leaned down and embraced her. “Live, Martine. Do not desert us. We will not survive without you. Live.” Her blood was everywhere—on the ground, on him, on her pure white swan feathers. Her skin was almost translucent, as though she were but a ghost about to vanish. He looked up at Dion, frantic with despair. “Help her,” he gasped. As he watched, Dion turned to the lake. As one, the swans moved toward the land where they knelt. Dion turned back to Reynaldo. 64
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::Release her and step back, Reynaldo.:: “I cannot. I will not let her go.” He clutched her tighter to his breast. ::You have asked for our help, now you must move away and let us do what we must.:: Reluctantly, he lay her gently on the ground and pushed away. Ten of the swans encircled her, joining Dion and Renn. Each reached out one powerful wing until Martine was covered with a white cloak comprised of many. There was silence in the air, a waiting, dense energy. The swans shifted into their human forms and lifted Martine, then walked toward the water. “Wait. Where are you taking her? She is not dead,” he denied fervently. They did not pause. As the water reached their shoulders, more swans came to them, and the humans shifted back into their swan forms, including Dion and Renn. And then they were gone into the flock, disappearing from view, as they all moved toward the center of the lake. Reynaldo raced toward the water, until he was knee deep. He did not have the ability to shift into fowl—his nature was that of the cat. In anguish, he was forced to wait. “She is dead, Reynaldo, you must return to us.” He whirled around at hearing Satrius behind him. He was flanked by Belinda and Wolfred. “She is not dead. And even if it were so, I would never give you what you want. I want you gone. You are banished 65
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from my land forever. Never return.” Satrius laughed, his eyes glittered. “It is too late, Reynaldo. Your magic is nothing compared to ours. You cannot win.” Reynaldo saw a haze of red—the blood of Martine. He screamed in rage, shifting quickly into the form of a panther as he vaulted toward Satrius. He sprang into the air and dove for his throat, meaning to tear him asunder, so filled with sorrow and anger as he had never been before. As he launched himself at Satrius, connected with his flesh, suddenly Satrius was gone, as though he had never been. Reynaldo dropped to the ground. He heard the growl behind him and pivoted around to face the wolf, ready for his attack. Wolfred was no match for the burning anger of Reynaldo. Reynaldo sprang forward and anchored his teeth into Wolfred’s throat. Wolfred’s lifeblood filled Reynaldo’s mouth. He struggled briefly and then was dead, Reynaldo’s fangs still buried in his tender throat. “Damn you!” he heard Belinda scream from behind. He released the corpse of the beast and, turning, shifted back into his human form. “It is over, Belinda. Leave while you still can.” “You fool. I am the one with the magic. I created the image of Satrius to lure you, to seduce you, to bring you under my power, and it worked.” He saw her anger, her eyes ruby fire. He should have known, should have realized the cloak of illusion she had tried to imprison him with. “You. Why have you done this?” 66
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She lifted her head in haughty defiance. “I needed you to succeed with my plans of power. I learned all I could from Satrius, the great and powerful magician, then I destroyed him and absorbed what little he had left. I needed more. You were the one to give me what I wanted. Your seed is potent—none other would do. But then she came and spoiled everything.” “Get out, Belinda, while you still have your life.” He nodded toward the lake. “They will fight your corrupt magic, even if I should die.” “I never wanted you dead. At least not for some time. I wanted the child you gave to her.” “You would never have healed my land. Any child I sired with you would have been a demon of the worst sort, like its mother.” He saw her slowly smile. “Now you understand.” “Get out. It’s over.” “It is not over,” she hissed. “One day the swan magic will desert this place. And then you will be vulnerable to me.” She drew herself up. “I can wait. I am patient. One day you will pay for what you have cost me this day. This I swear to you.” He felt the swirling shadows descend around him. The sky turned onyx dark, filled with smoke, blinding him for a moment. Long spears of lightning struck the ground all around him and then Belinda was gone, with only the lingering traces of smoke remaining. He whirled back around and ran to the edge of the lake. He didn’t care about Belinda or Satrius. His future might already be gone. Belinda might have already taken any chance of 67
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happiness he could have found. Even if that were so, he refused to give in to the evil of her magic. If there was one thing he had learned from Martine, it was to take what happiness and love he could and use it well. To live in the light. And then he saw it. The sun, brighter than ever before, shone down in a defined aura of rays focused on one spot. His heart burst as he saw one lone swan rise from beneath the surface of the water and soar into the sky. This time when the swans sang it was not of sadness, but of joy. He sank to his knees and tears rained down his face in thankfulness. Swan magic had triumphed and the aura of evil lying over his land was finally destroyed. He smelled smoke and turned in the direction of the house. It was engulfed with bright orange flame. He heard the echo of Belinda’s parting sinister laughter. It didn’t matter. They would rebuild from the ashes. Something far better than the empty structure the flames of Belinda’s anger now consumed.
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CHAPTER 8 Reynaldo sauntered down to the water’s edge, shifted back to his human form, and waited. Three swans broke away from the others and swam toward where he stood. As he watched Martine, Dion, and Renn shifted to their human forms. Dion and Renn both protectively escorted Martine to the shore where Reynaldo reached out to take her hand and guide her the rest of the way. “The three of you are ridiculous.” She laughed as she stepped onto the sandy shore. “I am quite capable of walking on my own.” Reynaldo encircled her waist with his arm. “Maybe we simply need to worry for our own sakes and not for yours.” 69
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“Well, in that case…” she responded as the four of them walked through the forest and out into a lush meadow filled with fragrant wildflowers on the other side of the estate. Reynaldo glanced back to the new structure that represented their dwelling. It was more of a castle made of sturdy crystal, mosscolored marble, and glittering gold. Nothing of its kind had ever been seen in Valliana before. The swans had helped rebuild. Many more would arrive when the birth of the child was imminent. Their home glittered in the sunlight, a welcoming place rooted in sunlight and beauty. Reynaldo stopped walking and the swanshifters halted also. “I still cannot believe the changes in the land.” Martine stroked his arm. “You only needed to believe, my dear.” “No, I needed you.” He turned to include Dion and Renn in his words. “All of you. I would never have believed it. I still can’t believe this is all real.” He leaned down toward Martine. “I love you, swan maiden. Your presence touched a place inside me and the light grew so large that even the wickedness of the witch could not contain it.” She stroked his arm. “You tried to deny it.” He removed her cloak from her shoulders and spread it on the ground. Dion and Renn did the same with their own. He rested a hand on her protruding abdomen and felt the life of their child growing inside. “I had no direction until you came here.” He stroked across her skin. “Nothing gives me 70
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more joy than when we make love.” He lay her upon the swan feathers. She was a vision of golden skin surrounded by the elegant white feathers—an angel in the land, soon to give them a most precious gift of a child. He may have sired the babe through his body’s seed, but this child would belong to them all. He dropped beside her, and felt Dion and Renn join them, stroking and kissing. They offered him the protection of their love, and acceptance and pure pleasure filled him. He loved the woman, but he loved the men as well. They were all a part of him, of who he was, and he reveled in their joining. Gently, he separated Martine’s legs and moved over her, his cock pressed between her wet labia lips. He looked down at her, a question in his eyes. She arched up. “Yes, my love,” she whispered. He thrust and his stiff, hard prick entered her, surrounded by her welcoming heat. He felt hands at his back, encouraging him. Looking up, he encountered the passion in Dion’s eyes. As he pressed deeply into Martine, Dion leaned forward and kissed him, thrusting his tongue deep into Reynaldo’s mouth. Renn leaned down to kiss Martine. He heard Martine’s soft sigh of pleasure. Thus, they were joined—a destined pairing for a lifetime in exquisite surrender, surrounded by the warmth of the sun, which beamed down upon them in acceptance. A cat and his swans. Who would have ever thought such a pairing would be so right? In the enchanted land of Valliana anything was possible. 71
ADRIANNA DANE
Theresa Gallup uses the pen names of Tess Maynard and Adrianna Dane. Theresa has been writing since the age of 10. A legal secretary for 30 years, she is currently working on another erotic romance, as well as a full-length romantic mystery/suspense. She has been married for 30 years and has three grown children (a daughter and twin sons), and is a new grandmother. Writing as Tess Maynard, her first published short story appeared in the ezine, The Whispering Forest, in January of 2004. Writing as Adrianna Dane, where adding sensual heat to romance is her motto, Esmerelda’s Secret was her first foray into the erotic romance genre. Having traveled and lived from the East Coast to the West Coast, Theresa receives inspiration for her stories from a variety of sources, including music and poetry, and her tastes are eclectic. For more information about current projects, visit Theresa’s websites at: www.tessmaynard.com or www.adriannadane.com *
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Their story began with If You Dare…Julian demanded her obedience. Rachel willingly offered her submission. The past has scarred him and only Rachel's magic can cleanse him and help to defeat his mortal enemy. Now a potion he has created will release her magic, but only if she offers her trust to him of her own free will and understands there’s more to Julian Donata than she could possibly ever imagine. Tonight the primal desire that is at the heart of her dominant lover will be unleashed once again…
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