Page 37 of Druid Cursed

As urgently as he needed to be one with her, the ritual magic thrumming at every pulse point, demanding release, he did not want this moment to end.

Their joining would pour power into the land, far more potent than in past years.

A druid and his heartmate, making a harvest offering.

It had not happened for centuries. His connection with her, more than the physical act alone, filled all the dark corners of his soul, spaces reserved and awaiting their rightful resident.

Even if he could not use his regained power directly against Sorcha, even if the witch had driven Maggie to him tonight to increase his suffering when he returned to his prison, he could not bring himself to consider the consequences. At present, Maggie was all that mattered.

Kellen drew back. The sated expression on her face, the way she watched him, dreamy-eyed and as if he ruled the heavens, made his chest swell with pride.

“You druid zapped me again.” She sighed. “I think I like it.”

“I like it as well.” He left a lingering farewell kiss on the inside of her trembling thigh and prowled up the length of her limp form.

Along the way, the tip of his cock grazed her flesh, catapulting fire up his spine.

He tempted the edge, a knifepoint away from losing control, and yet he refused to rush.

He memorized every inch of her as if ’twas his only chance, for it may very well be.

In a matter of days, he would return to his prison, never to return.

This moment with Maggie was a gift he would not waste.

At her breasts, he paused and captured one peak in his mouth. He swirled his tongue, earning a moan from Maggie, attending briefly to the other before sliding farther up her body. He came eye to eye with her, settled on his elbows, and gently brushed a stray curl from her brow.

“Maggie, my heart. You taste like early morning dew sparkling on the heather of the wild moors.” Her face flushed a lovely pink, and he grinned. “You never cease to bewilder me.”

“Me?”

“Aye. You fearlessly plot to defeat witches, fight off the bones of your ancestors, brave storms and the creatures that stir at Samhain, and yet you blush when I speak the truth of your sweet flavor.”

The color of her cheeks intensified, and she scoffed. “Witches and bones? Piece of cake.”

“If you wish for cake, I will procure some for you.” His voice deepened as his cock throbbed impatiently against her. Her bashfulness only added to her charm. “Anon.”

“Kellen.” His name was more of a groan from somewhere deep inside her, and she fisted his hair, tugging him down so his lips were but a breath from hers. “Kiss me.”

“Was I not kissing you before?” he asked innocently. The flash in her eyes was delightful.

“Don’t be a smart-ass.”

“Whatever you desire.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her until she gasped and the need for her became unstoppable. He rose up above her, settled between her thighs, prodding her intoxicating heat.

“Wait.” She placed her wee hands on his chest, panting.

Kellen paused, and his entire being shook with the effort not to sheathe himself inside her, to feel her surrounding him, body and soul. His voice rasped. “What is it, leannán ?”

“What about, you know…pregnancy?” Her brow furrowed. “Disease?”

“I have not been with another for nearly six centuries. You are the only woman I have wanted in that time and longer, Maggie.” Her instant relief nigh felled him.

“I carry no disease, and part of the ritual includes a potion that both Caedmon and I drink to prevent any illegitimate offspring. While I had no intention to be with another, ’tis always better to be safe than sorry should an irresistible woman trespass in my castle and unexpectedly interrupt my ritual, do you not agree?

” He kissed her, long and hard, leaving her breathless again.

“Have there been a lot of irresistible women?” she asked through a gulp of air.

“Nay. You are the first. The only. Is there aught else you wish to discuss?” he whispered in her ear and grazed his teeth over her lobe.

“Nope,” she gasped and twined her arms around his neck. “I’m good.”

“Very well.”

Instead of shoving forward, he paused, absorbing her beauty in the dancing glow of firelight.

Her silken hair spilled around her head in a wild spill of ebony.

The flush remained in her porcelain skin, and her eyes were bright as a loch in sunlight.

A tiny birthmark in the shape of a bog rosemary bloom stamped her sternum, a captivating discovery.

Later, he would count the scattered freckles on her nose.

Her lovely breasts rose and fell with her quick breaths, her lips slightly parted. He would never have his fill of her. A handful of days were not enough. A lifetime would not be enough.

Forever would not be enough.

“Och, leannán . I would look at you for eternity and never tire of the sight.” His voice rasped, squeezed by emotion. “ Is ceol mo chroí thú .”

“What does that mean?” she whispered.

“You are the music of my heart, Maggie O’Malley.”

She caressed his cheek and held his gaze as she trailed her fingers along his jaw, down his throat to his chest, where she rested he r palm over his pounding pulse. “Tell me that again.” New heat awakened everywhere she touched. “Later.”

He pressed his hips gently forward, and her eyelids fluttere d shut. “Keep your eyes open, Maggie. I want you to witness how thoroughly you undo me.”

A hint of mischief entered her smile. Suddenly, she hooked her legs around his waist, drawing him flush to her center.

A surprised hiss rose from his throat, and then he found her mouth again with hers. He pressed the full length of his body along hers and, in one smooth thrust, possessed her fully. She fit him perfectly as though created for him alone.

Magic rolled through his veins as he moved, alive to every detail. Maggie’s lily scent curled around him, her fingernails scraping his skin. The heat of her hands branded his back. Every moan and sigh etched a new rune on his soul.

Kellen chained his desire and captured each bite of her lip and gasp, the darkening of her eyes and subtle arch of her neck as he discovered what gave her pleasure.

If he spent the rest of eternity in Sorcha’s prison, he would take these memories with him, this small measure of happiness.

No matter the future, she would always own every corner of his heart.

Her breath caught and her back bowed on a long moan as she shattered around him.

Desire broke all restraint. He pounded into her, kissing her sweet mouth, driving her across the castle floor inch by inch, harder, faster.

Lightning shot up his spine, and he threw his head back.

With a bestial growl, he shuddered through his release, Maggie clinging tight to his shoulders.

His chest heaving, he laid his cheek against hers. The thunder of his pulse kept time with hers, and her soft, contented sigh on his skin settled in his soul, claiming. He lifted his head, enough to meet her gaze. “Never forget this moment.”

“As if I could.” She caressed his cheek, as though she…loved him.

He captured her hand with his, holding it tight to his heart. “Vow it.” His voice broke. “Vow you will not forget, Maggie.”

“Kellen.” She kissed him softly, so sweetly he nigh wept. “I’ll never forget. I vow it.”

He kissed her again, filled her, shattered her all over again.

And again.

Splintering himself along with her, and the magic that engulfed them both in its endless flames.