Down at the Bottom of the Garden

Down at the Bottom Garden by Daisy Banks

New Concepts Publishing www.newconceptspublishing.com

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Down at the Bottom Garden by Daisy Banks

CONTENTS Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

One Two Three Four Five ****

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Down at the Bottom of the Garden By Daisy Banks © copyright by Daisy Banks, Nov. 2007 Cover Art by Eliza Black, Nov. 2007 New Concepts Publishing Lake Park, GA 31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author's imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

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Chapter One 'Kyle and I have been lovers for months, our baby will be born in January. I thought you'd like to know.' The words Kathleen had heard from the sickly sweet voice down the phone still rang in her head. She had fled to the far end of the garden, a ball of fury lodged in her stomach. She'd suspected he didn't love her, but this a week before their wedding. The weeds were high. The lazy afternoon bees buzzed as Kathleen looked down at the massive blue diamond ring. Tears blinded her vision. "Bloody ugly thing," she sobbed as she twisted it from her finger. The only thing that prevented her from throwing the ring into the ditch by the back wall was the memory of her father's insistence that things of value were important. She shoved it into the tiny pocket of her jeans. "Bloody, ugly thing." She sniffed the tears back and smelled the sweetness of honeyed Alyssum. There was no way she was marrying Kyle De Corsie next week, no matter what everyone thought. The dress would stay on the nasty purple silk hanger and they could all whistle Dixie until they felt better. If she didn't arrive at the tiny church, though, the press would be on her tail hotter than the hounds of hell. She'd be in all the Sundays, Weekly's, Daily's and anything else, her picture plastered over the net once more, the poor little rich girl who just couldn't cope. Even worse than that would be her grandmother's tearful disappointment. They were only here at the cottage for the wedding and grandma was so very 5

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thrilled. Despair trickled over her, there was no way out. Daddy had stitched up the deal with Kyle and his publishing company so tightly. He was a grand man was Daddy, but he didn't understand how it felt to be a twenty year old heiress. At home she'd been leeched on by any and every guy with a dwindling stash from sea to shining sea. There had never been one who wasn't more interested in the money than in her, and Kyle was just the same. A huge sigh escaped her as she sat amongst the remnants of grandma's garden nursery. This part of the garden hadn't changed since she was a child and grandma insisted it stayed that way. The weeds were thriving, the ragged, spiny sticky weed rampant and the old fence posts struggling to stand tall. The rickety shed was lopsided now, part of the roof crumbling away and only cobwebs grew in its window. "Be dammed the lot of them! I won't marry him. By Nightshade, by Foxglove, by the bitter dregs of the cup, be dammed if I will." Her tears slid softly down her cheek and she buried her face in her hands. **** Ash only stirred when the hard toe of Beech's boot hit his thigh, not once but twice before he finally lifted a lazy eyelid. "What boy?" he asked. "Tis a spell, a witchy at work, a spell like I ain't heard for a generation of them." Beech had grabbed his tunic and was pulling hard. 6

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"What?" Ash couldn't be bothered, not tired as he was, his tongue like a sandy path from last night's nectar. T'was just as well to sleep the day away, for t'would be just the same as the last. Life had been dull for months and if they didn't get an invite from the court soon he was fair likely to go mad. "Rouse yer self. 'Tis a spell. There's a witch working out in the weeds. Come on. If we're quick we'll have her as ours for as long as she'll stay." Beech was already moving towards the door. "If this is a jape, I'll kick yer arse from here to the middle of next week boy." Ash lifted his head and let the dust motes settle before he opened his eyes. A witch in the garden, unlikely at best, but if it were true that would certainly liven things up. "Will ye shift yerself my bucko? 'Tis a witch. Listen to the bloody words. Look at her, green, red, and white, look at the body, listen to the poor plaintive creature. She's ours for the taking. Shift yer bloody arse." The fervour of Beech's words hit home and Ash hauled himself up. He looked through the dull, dingy window of the shed. His jaw dropped and the flood of blood to his groin made him wince. For once, his brother was right. Red, soft hair slid over her shoulders in waves. It shimmered with a multitude of autumn leaf colors and hung to her waist—wonderful her hair. T'was as beautiful as the sleek coat of a vixen. When she opened her tearful eyes, they were green as the pines in winter, green as the dappled glades in the forests and spoke softly of love. The white skin of her breast and the hand that beat against it looked softer than the winter's snow. The 7

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power of her words was weak, like the sick sometimes mumbled, but she had the idea. She just needed some help. Poor, wee little thing. She fair stole his heart, or could do if he let her. "Have yer bloody looked enough boy?" Beech kicked him again and Ash just grinned. His mouth stretched slowly in a smile. This was the best news they'd had in years. "Aye, for once yer misbegotten toadling, yer right. Come on, haul yer arse out of here or she'll be gone and her like not seen again for an eon." The door creaked on its old hinges, but she did not turn. They crept to where she sat, her head bowed in her hands, and Ash could have wept with her heart wrenching sobs. Poor, wee little witch, her heart so heavy that the tears spilled through her fingers. "We heard ye calling and have come." Ash spoke loud and strong and waited impatiently for her response. Kathleen turned but saw nothing, there was a tinny stinging jumble in her ears. She scanned behind her to find nothing but the tall weeds. The air seemed to still, hushed now and she shivered as she waited for the roll of thunder or the flash of lightening. Time seemed to stop as she listened and looked. "Down here yer dozy doxy," Ash finally called. Beech grabbed his elbow. "Is that how yer address a lady? Is that how ye speak with one who is part of nature? Yer bloody fool." Ash blinked at his vehemence. "Lovely Lady, we hear yer sorrow. We hear yer spell. If yer would have it so, we will make it well." The ancient words 8

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swelled through the afternoon light. Beech's voice reached up through the tangled weeds. Ash watched her pale face, the wide tearful eyes. He had never heard tell of a lovelier witch, that sweet face with its tip tilted nose, the full breasts and long legs in those ridiculous blue things the mortals wore. Every part of him twitched in anticipation. This one would be a witch worth having. "What the...?" Kathleen turned and scanned the weeds again. The tinny noise only made her wonder if the press had bugged the spot. She had fallen for that nasty trick before now. She wiped her face quickly, tried to drag on a confident expression as she looked again. Another photograph of her looking dazed and confused plastered all over the papers would be more than she could stand. "Lady we hear ye. We will help in yer work. Yer have only to call on us and we will be with ye." This was the last part of the magic but Ash wondered if she would hear it at all, she seemed so distracted. The soft hair flew about her as she twisted and turned. He almost expected the tiny buttons on her blouse to pop as she took such deep breaths. Once more, he solemnly intoned, "Lady we hear ye." The words swelled through the grasses, thrumming loudly as they grew in power. Finally, she looked down in their direction. "Contact," whispered Beech as her green eyes beheld them. "Oh my God." Her hand flew to her mouth. "Lady, we will aid ye in yer work," Beech said. 9

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Ash flicked a cobweb strand from his tunic and smiled up at her. "We heard yer call." Her wide green eyes were pools of delight and the ripe heaving breasts made his mouth suddenly dry. Trembles of shock ran over Kathleen's flesh. The tiny creatures looked almost human but the way they glimmered wasn't normal and she could have sworn they had wings. Yes, shimmering, wings of green and blue. Kathleen shook from head to toe. This was just like her grandmother's stories about the little people, but that was all such nonsense. Her skin prickled as she gazed at them. This was crazy, they were crazy, maybe some kind of new beetle from Europe or something. She hated beetles and these were big ones. Whatever they were wasn't normal for a cottage garden, of that she was sure. "What are you?" Kathleen bent down and looked closely at them "As a witch we know yer won't howl, tis fairies we are and always have been." The words echoed to her as one bowed, his green cap in his hand. "What? You're not any such thing." She shook her head and closed her eyes. "You're most likely the residue of that stuff Kyle got me to try last month." She ran her hand over her forehead, opened her eyes expecting them to be gone. No, the talking beetles were still there. Ash frowned. Disgust slid over him. The wench was no witch, not even a trainee and she had not greeted them properly. She was a meddler and worse didn't believe what her lovely green eyes saw. Fury rushed in a hot blaze up from 10

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his knees. The girl was young and fair, but she was no witch and had caused them to reveal their presence in this place. He glanced at Beech. The enraptured expression told him his brother had not registered any of the dangers of this. "It must be the drink or that stuff I took, to see talking beetles, it must be. I swear never again." Her voice broke into his thoughts. "None of yer disbelief lass, we came when yer called, we've upheld our side of the ancient bargain." Ash did not bother to bow. "What are you going on about beetle?" She glared, her luscious lips pursed and the green eyes shot sparks at him. "If yer want yer spell to work yer'll need a wee bit of assistance, hence we came when yer called. If t'was just a game girl, then go back to yer house and leave us in peace." Ash looked her over once more and Beech put a restraining hand on his arm. "Yer can't talk to her like that." "I can because she's a fool and don't know what she's started." He shook Beech's arm away and glared at her. "Who are you calling a fool? I'll squash you! You're just a nasty little beetle, you nasty little bug." She lifted her highheeled foot and his fury blazed bright. The sky spun, the grass shimmered, the breeze in the leaves softly murmured and Ash found himself nose to nose with her. Her loud shrieks as she looked around her did not bother him at all. He was furious with her. He grabbed her arm, turned her round and landed a hand-stinging swat on the seat of her jeans. She yelped and twisted from his grasp. 11

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"What have you done to me you rotten little beetle! What have you done?" "Naught but what yer were asking for and if ye carry on howling I'll give yer a lot more of it." Ash scowled at her. Close like this she was beautiful but the petulant mouth made his hand itch to continue to try to cure it. Beech stood opened mouthed in shock at what had happened. Ash met his stunned gaze with a shrug. He had never done anything like this before. The blistering rage had never filled him like this. He wondered if Beech understood or if he would begin bleating about the rules to the thing. Beech's eyes were almost as wide as hers, and Ash could only nod to his brother. This demonstration of his power made him glow. It was a great satisfaction to know he alone had brought a mortal down to their size, not only a mortal, but a sort of witchy one, too. No full-blown powerful witch to be sure, but she was a beauty with the witchy look to her. A shame she seemed such a silly, spoiled wench. He watched as she tried to rub the sting from his hand away. T'was good to start as you meant to go on. No nonsense. Beech was busy bowing to her again. Kathleen was still rubbing the seat of her jeans as she watched one of them bow. "Put me back to normal and do it now!" She stood hands on hips now as the bowing one rose and she spun round to see the nasty one laugh, his hand had hurt more than she would have thought possible. "Ha, and as if I would, yer bad tempered wench. Yer disturb us from our sleep, insult us, threaten to squash me 12

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and spark the magic without a thought. Ye'll stay as yer are till I'm good and ready." "Brother, tis not the way tis done this, tis not the way at all, she should be willing, be wanting to take the power, not forced. The magic t'will all go wrong. I swear it will." The other one ignored her as he spoke. "Put me back the way I was!" Her high-pitched shriek filled the afternoon air. The nasty one grabbed her arms and shook her. "Cease the squawking or we'll have the cat on us." He told her firmly. "Put me back," Kathleen managed to say as she twisted. "No." He held her until she stopped struggling. "I'll only do it when yer've earned it, when ye've some sense in yer empty wee head." Tears began to slide slowly down her face and she let out a sob. The other one hauled her to him and glared at the one with the hot blue eyes. "Now look what ye'v done. The tears of a witch ain't lightly shed. If her's really angry ye could be dead. Will yer stop yer foolishness Ash!" His singsong intonation as he patted her head was followed by soothing hushing sounds. "Brother, she ain't no witch! Mayhap she's some talent, but she's just a bad tempered female who don't know nothing." He turned away and she hoped he would go. The flurry of hissing fur was the first she realized the cat was there. The tall one let out a yell as he kicked it as hard as he could, the one whose arm was round her, grabbed her and 13

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bundled her into the shed. The tall, blue-eyed one followed, gasping as he shoved the door shut. "See, I told ye! All that hullabaloo and what did ye bring us but the damn cat." The blue eyes glared at her again and Kathleen sank to the floor sobbing. "There, there lady, don't ye fret now. We'll put yer back, I swear it. We'll help with yer spell. Don't take on so." A hand rested gently on her shoulder. Kathleen wept uncontrollably her loud gasping sobs filled the air. "Twen't no proper spell that anyway. T'were just a wish, was it not?" Kathleen raised her eyes to his blue glare and saw the gleam from across the dingy shed. If he hit her again she would kill him. The judo would come in useful for something. The first time he had surprised her, but if he tried that again she'd be ready. Another sob broke from her mouth as he stood over her. How could the little beetle have got so tall? "It were just a wish and yer muddled it up with some words ye've heard or read. T'were no spell at all. Is it not so?" he said. She lifted her head and nodded slowly. "I don't know any spells. It's just I don't want to marry Kyle." Her chin quivered as more tears fell because right now she would even be pleased to see Kyle, to see anyone except this tall blond creature whose blue eyes bored into her and made her afraid. The other one just smiled but this blue gaze made her shiver, and she had never longed so much to tell someone to piss off in her entire life. 14

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Ash sighed. The girl was a real beauty with those teary green eyes to melt the hardest heart and her shuddering breasts enough to stir the coldest flesh to throbbing. The sulky mouth, well perhaps that could be cured. But she was a meddler and they always caused trouble, her tongue was sharp and her temper probably a match for the grand mass of her flaming red hair. "As I thought, no witch, no spell just a daft wee wench with time on her hands. Have yer no pans to scrub to keep yer busy instead of coming disturbing us?" He scowled down at her on the dusty floor. "I don't scrub pans. It's the maid's job and anyway there's a dishwasher in the kitchen." She scowled back as she sniffed. "You're a nasty bully and you can damn well leave me alone." "Why have yer never been taught to be civil?" Ash asked. "And why don't yer want to marry the poor lad who's made such a bad bargain as to get ye for a bride?" "I don't love him. He doesn't love me. It's all about money and business and I don't want to marry him. That's why I was using Grandma's words." "So yer were trying someone else's spell." Ash nodded. "Never a clever thing that. Someone else's magic rarely works well." He turned from her and called Beech to him. They walked far enough away so she would not hear. "We can keep her," he murmured. "The girl has no idea. She don't know the rules." "Keep her?" Beech whispered. 15

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"Aye, a year and a day, cleaning and cooking and getting this place fit for a visit from decent folk." Ash watched as Beech slowly shook his head. "T'would not be fair brother. She's just a wee lass, put her back, let her go." "No, a year and a day, I ain't heard of that one's been done for an age." He grinned. "No, three days and three nights, tis the normal way of it," Beech murmured. "Oh come on, we've had no fun since Pan's visit, and her so ripe for it, and just the right size now." His grin spread wider at the thought of her. "No, three days and three nights then yer put her back as she was. Tis my shed this, not yourn and yer will put her back, if she wants it by then." Beech said firmly. Ash glanced back at her. The lush ripe curves were temptation enough to make him wish his brother's knowledge of the rules was less firmly ingrained. "Aye brother, as yer say if she wants it by then." His gaze joined Beech's as they both turned back to her. Kathleen watched as they walked toward her, so similar yet different. The tunics both rust colored, the tights green, the brown boots, both pairs looked in need of polish and certainly weren't Prada. More than the costume party clothes, though, it was the shimmer about them, the glow of their blond hair, the soft sheen to their skin, which drew her gaze. But most of all their glowing eyes could drag her soul from her body if she let them. 16

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One of them had green eyes similar to hers but deeper, richer, fringed with dark lashes and somehow softer than the blue blaze of the other's. Then there were those blue eyes like a brilliant deep ocean, they glittered and the sweat trickled between her breasts as that blue gaze stayed fixed on her. Thoughts the like of which she rarely had filled her mind and suddenly her clothes all felt too tight, too hot, too restricting. The mouth under those blue eyes twitched into the most enticing smile she had ever seen. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Two "So, now you'll put me back to normal," she said as they sat in front of her. "Not yet, girl who has never learnt to say please. Yer were wishing were yer not?" The blue eyes held hers and though he spoke softly, the waves of his irritation still flickered at her. "Wishing for something to change the life yer don't want, that's right ain't it?" The other one murmured softer still and she nodded to them both. "Well, tis part of our job to grant wishes, surely yer know that much?" Again she nodded her agreement. The whole situation was so very dreamlike. She almost expected her grandmother to wake her as she sat looking at them both. Their weird clothes, the soft lyrical voices and at least the blue eyes weren't scowling now. In fact, his mouth wore the kind of half smile bound to make any girl look twice. She shook back her hair as she looked at him. "Well, we can help ye should yer wish it, can help with yer spell or grant ye a wish but o' course there has to be a bargain." The other one drew her attention and she lost herself in his green eyes. It was like being swallowed by a forest. She couldn't concentrate on anything but those green eyes that held her fixed. "A bargain which we all agree to, in return for granting yer wish." She turned back to the blue eyes as he spoke so softly now. His voice was hypnotic. The half smile grew. She nodded 18

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again and the prickling of her skin only increased at the warmth of his tone. "Then the bargain is, yer to stay with us. Yer do what we ask and no arguments or gainsaying. Yer will stay for three nights and three days. At sunset of the third day yer will be able to leave, go back to the mortal world and we will grant yer wish. Yer won't have to marry the man yer don't love." The green eyes smiled softly at her. The blue eyes she turned to dazzled like ice in the sun. Kathleen looked at them both as the words filtered through her befuddled brain. "What will I have to do?" The question slid uncomfortably from her mouth because she hardly wanted to hear the answer. "Whatever we ask of ye wench." The blue gaze held hers and she swallowed hard. "Whatever?" "Aye lady, whatever." She turned to the other one who again gave her a reassuring smile. "And if I should refuse this bargain?" Kathleen dug her nails into her palms to try to keep from saying yes already. Her body longed to say yes. The level of arousal that slid over her flesh as the blue eyes captured hers was unknown from her experiences with Kyle or any boyfriend she'd had. "Then I'll probably forget how to turn yer back. We'll probably not have room for ye tonight and the cat will probably enjoy yer company." Her breath caught in her throat at his words. Surely, he couldn't be serious, and surely, he wouldn't feed her to the cat. She stared at him open mouthed. 19

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"We never agreed that! If she don't agree she gets no wish and no spell help, not fed to the damn cat." The green eyes turned savagely to the blue. "It's kidnapping that's what this is, kidnapping and my father will kill you," Kathleen tore her gaze away from them both. Icy trickles of fear slid down her spine, warm waves of arousal throbbed through her breasts and looking up into that blue gaze again was enough to make her want to weep. "Why, tis spiky yer are girl, sharp as a thistle, not a soft thought in yer head." His mouth frowned and the blue gleam blazed. "Being honorable folk, something I think yer know little about, we will return ye to yer home. If yer don't agree, yer can simply marry the man yer don't want." His smile made her want to spit, but she snapped her open mouth shut and she swallowed again. "Would it be such a hardship to stay just for three nights?" The voice broke into her thoughts like a velvet caress. He was doing things to her with his mind and she knew it. She concentrated on looking at the filthy floorboards because the image of warm hands stroking her soft and very willing flesh filled her thoughts. "Well?" The other one asked as she kept her gaze fixed on the floor. Slowly like a daisy blown by the softest summer breeze, she nodded. Her throat tight, she found a faint, small voice to whisper, "It's a bargain." "Sensible lass, most sensible and I swear by the moon's bright beams yer will have yer wish." The green eyes were kind. The two of them rose and retreated into the corner as 20

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Kathleen sat and wondered what on earth had possessed her to agree. Long minutes passed as the pair of them muttered and murmured, their heads close together. Only once did she hear a voice loud, as one of them said "No." More soft mutters followed and her stomach churned. What on earth were they planning? The images in her mind constantly turned back to flesh, to love, to sex, and part of her was longing for it all to start. "What is yer name wench?" The one with the blue eyes called over and she held his gaze for half a second before she answered. Those eyes had to be the bluest she had ever seen and seemed to strip all her defences away with just that gleaming glance. Her skin grew goose bumps but sweat made her palms sticky. "Kathleen, Kathleen O'Banyan." There was no knowing look at her words, no swift exchange of glances, not a flicker of recognition. But of course there wouldn't be because they had never heard of her, nor her father, nor the money, nor the business. To them she was only a girl, Kathleen relaxed for a moment, and it was almost pleasant to have that kind of anonymity. Used to the spotlight of the media from before she could walk Kathleen found being an ordinary girl a kind of relief. "Well Kathleen, the first thing I want ye to do is this pile of washing through here. I've been meaning to do it for an age but, well, it ain't ever got done." His smile with the words beguiled her and she got up to walk towards his outstretched hand. She followed him into the section of the low shelves 21

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and cupboards that had once held pots and recoiled at the sheer smell of the enormous pile of clothes. Her mouth fell open as he chuckled, the images of soft caresses still filled her mind and this was not what she had expected or wanted right now. "Where is the machine?" she asked. She wished it was the other one standing beside her. The memory of this one's hard, swift hand made her uncertain. He turned and shook his head, the blue eyes bright, and they slid over her slowly until she longed to rip off the thin cotton blouse. "Normally we dip the stuff in the bird-bath. We have no machine." The dancing blue eyes were amused and she longed to tell him to do the stuff himself, but the memory of his hand smacking her rear was enough to keep her quiet. She saw his smile begin at one corner of his mouth and then stretch wider. "Sorry if yer were expecting something more." Kathleen breathed out slowly to disguise her fury. Handwash this lot, and worse the wicked creature could read her mind. She was certain of it. He knew what she had been thinking. As she looked up at his smile, she realized he had given her the thoughts. Her heart thundered to think of his hands on her, that soft smiling mouth on hers and all the other things that had slid through her mind while she had watched them talk. "Where's the bird-bath?" she snarled at him. "In the garden. If yer like I'll take yer there, if yer grab some of the stuff." He smiled down again. Her flesh tingled and, despite her fury, she wished his lips were not so very attractive. 22

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"Thank you." She had never sounded less grateful in her life as she bent to grab a great armful of the stinking tunics. His low chuckle did nothing to soothe her temper. She bundled some of the clothes up and held the pile at arms length in front of her. "Are yer ready? Then come let's go." She followed him and squeezed out of the tiny space of the gap in the door. The afternoon air was much fresher than the stink of the bundle and she breathed deeply then gasped as his arms slid round her. They hooked tightly under her breasts and his body was close behind hers. They rose into the air. Not even a shriek left her lips she was so surprised. The sensation of him so tight behind her only stoked the incredible thoughts in her head. The heat that flooded through her body was enough to make her long to take off the tight jeans, and her breasts ached. Her nipples were rigid inside her bra. Her breath came quick and she shut her eyes. "Don't yer fret Witchy. I'll not let yer fall. Not till yer've finished the laundry at least." His whisper was hot in her ear. "I'm not frightened that you would. I know you wouldn't, so don't think you can frighten me." She craned her head back towards him. Her shiver of sheer terror to see the ground so far away was impossible to hide and he laughed at her. "You're just a bully! Do you know that? Has anyone ever bothered to tell you?" She tried to think but the best she could come up with was to repeat, "You're just a big bully." "Yer words drip sweet like honey. I could listen to yer all day." His arms gripped her tighter. 23

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Softly, they landed on the rim of the birdbath. She turned to look at him and open-mouthed astonishment registered as she watched the blue shimmering wings, which matched the color of his eyes, fold away. "Well Kathleen, get scrubbing girl." "How am I supposed to do that? There's no powder or soap?" She glared at him. He was so smug she could have kicked him. "I've never used any. It don't matter. A dunk will freshen it all. Just give it a rub through." He shrugged at her. She unwrapped the bundle and dropped the whole lot into the water as he lay down on the rim, his ankles crossed, the blue eyes closed and he whistled like a blackbird. Kathleen tentatively picked up a sopping tunic and rubbed it between her hands. He hardly moved and she glared at him again. He just wanted to gloat. The sun was almost on the evening horizon when finally she had roughly scrubbed all she had brought. A belligerent row of thirsty looking sparrows had lined up on the wash line over the way and he lay snoring softly. Not once had he spoken, just lay there whistling and then dozed off. "The washing is done," she called as she rung out the last tunic and those blue eyes took her again as they lazily opened. "Where shall I hang it to dry?" The question was a whisper because her throat was suddenly dry. "I'll take ye back and yer can hang it round the shed. It don't do to advertise our presence to all and sundry. We've found it so in the past. Folk with nasty black boxes come and life becomes impossible." She wrapped the soggy bundle in 24

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her arms. He didn't move to offer to help. He was the most horrible thing she'd ever encountered. He loomed large over her and made her so uncomfortable with his gleaming gaze and that lazy smile. Once more, she was in his firm embrace and wrapped in his arms the evening breeze slid over them. She watched the ground move swiftly beneath her as they flew back. She lay her head back on his chest for a moment. His firm grip on her made her feel very safe as the hedges sped past. When they landed, for just one extra moment she felt the heat of him behind her and could have pleaded to stay that way. "O' course it's not all done yet, but I'll take ye to do the rest tomorrow. Ye'd best hang it to dry and then do some cooking." "What?" Kathleen looked at him. "Cooking lass, that one is Beech's request. For some reason he thinks yer will be able to cook like a queen. To be honest I doubt it, but I would think yer hazelnut loaf will be just as good as mine." He shoved open the door to the shed. "I can't cook," she whispered. "Now there's a damn shame girl. Ye'll just have to do yer best. I need a drink." He walked away and Kathleen, her stomach growling and her body cold holding the wet washing, wiped tears of frustration away. The thoughts he had sent her had plagued her all afternoon. She longed for him to make just one of those burning caresses reality, and yet here she stood, alone and the washing dripping on her shirt so she was soaked to the skin. Slowly she hung all of it up on the shelves 25

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she could reach and then went back to where they lay in a patch of their own glimmering light, a jug between them. "He says you want me to cook and I can't. Its not I don't want to. Its not that I won't, but I can't." The green eyes held hers as her voice broke and more tears slid down her face. He rose and put an arm around her. "Why Kathleen, then ain't it a good job I've got some hazelnut pie. Come sit and ye can have a wee bit." He got up and glared at his blue-eyed brother. This one was kind and she almost liked him. His arm was a warm comfort. Now the sun had gone down it was almost totally dark in here and she shivered in her wet clothes. "Yer cold, Kathleen. Let me get yer something warm to wear." He sat her down. Kathleen sniffed as she watched him hurry off and return with a green length of fabric. "Here girl, yer take off them nasty clothes and wear this." He handed it over and the fabric felt warm in her hands. She sniffed and nodded and went over to the dark corner. She checked twice in case they watched before she stripped off her blouse and jeans and slid the green gown up over her hips. The thing fitted well, too well, for it hugged her hips and clung to her breasts so they strained at the laces of the bodice. But at least it was warm. In the end, and only when she was very certain neither of them was peeking, she slid off her wet bra and knickers from under the gown. Warmth flooded her as her cold breasts and buttocks were rid of the wet cloth.

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The inside of the shed was filthy and dark. She stumbled as she tried to make her way back to where the glow of them lit a small patch of floor. "Better?" the green-eyed one asked gently. The other one was once more swigging from the jug. "Much," he murmured. Kathleen watched his blue eyes over the jug and nodded to them both. "A thank you might be in order Witchy. Do yer know that?" The blue gaze was on her once more. He seemed to enjoy making her feel small. She turned to his brother. "Thank you." "You're welcome, Lady, now eat this, then yer can sleep should yer wish. Yer can begin the housework tomorrow." He handed her a slice of pie, brown crust pastry and brown chewy stuff inside. She ate a small mouthful. No wonder they wanted someone to cook. This was the worst thing she had ever tasted. She smiled, though, just so he wouldn't be able to pull her up for being rude again. She sipped from the small cup he handed her and sweet warmth flooded through her. The drink was much better than the pie. The blue eyes were still on her and suddenly she was defenceless in the dark green gown. Waves of tiredness crashed over her. "I'm so tired. I'll sleep now." "Fine girl, yer curl up in the corner and sleep." The blue eyes slid over her again. They were hot like a searchlight. "What? Don't you have a bed for me?" This was beyond belief. 27

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"Not one for yer to share tonight, not wi' yer being so tired, maybe tomorrow." His smile was an open invitation, the blue eyes hot on her now and Kathleen's mouth dropped open at his words and the other's low chuckle. "You are disgusting. You're bloody disgusting." Her flesh prickled once more as she backed away. "Sleep over there Kathleen. There is a nice old sack and it's comfy. Sleep till the dawn." The green eyes were soft on her and the words somehow made her eyelids even heavier. She dragged herself to the sack and lay down. The last thing she saw was the glimmer about them as they sat passing the jug. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Three Somewhere in her dreams she sighed, warm fingers slid over her, soft kisses covered her face. As her flesh burned and tingled at the lightest of touches, gentle hands pulled the gown from her and she could only long for fulfilment. Her body writhed in pleasure, the fires in her flesh blazed brighter with each caress that teased between her thighs. She spun up with the stars as a hot mouth covered her nipple and the tormenting fingers slid rhythmically into her moist flesh. The low, husky voiced question, "Will yer ride with me Witchy?" took her far away from the world that lay below her. Her gasping pleas, "Yes. Please now. Yes. Please!" contained all the longing of her aching need. Eyes still closed in sleep Kathleen thrashed her head on the sacking. Panting moans of pleasure left her mouth. They echoed loud. Again and again the rippling orgasmic flesh between her thighs contracted around a throbbing hot, pulsing erection. Smooth skin slid against hers and the pleasure was more than she had ever known. When finally it was over, she lay gasping small breaths. Her thighs twitched and her breasts heaved. Strong silken arms held her, a warm mouth slid over hers. Her limbs were too heavy to move, and only the creeping, slow realization that this was no dream made her open her eyes. She looked into the brilliant blue of his. "You—not possible," she murmured. A scream would have been out of the question as her flesh contracted again. She 29

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closed her eyes as another orgasm ripped through her as his body slid from hers. "Why, t'was I won the toss last night my luscious little Witchy. Yer a fine ride indeed. I'll win again today when yer will be less tired. Now get up and make breakfast." He hauled her to her feet while she trembled still, and he thrust the gown into her hands. Her bitterness to realize she had missed the full force of all those caresses in sleep bit like a February frost. That he should be such a tender wonderful lover filled her with surprise and the realization she wanted him again gnawed through her. "This wasn't part of the bargain." "Indeed t'was, anything we should ask. I asked ye and yer said 'please', I swear yer did my honey, 'yes please'." His arms slid round her waist, and his warm mouth rippled over her breast and she couldn't stand. He held her firm as the need filled her again. The memory of how she had pleaded with him in her dream broke on her as he sucked her nipple deep into his mouth. "Oh God," she whimpered. His warm hands roved over her flesh, slid soft over her and the next orgasm hovered as she panted. If he wanted, she would plead again, plead or beg, anything to have him inside her again. "Sod breakfast," he murmured and lifted her up into his embrace. She wrapped her thighs around his hips and his throbbing hot flesh again blazed into hers. Her cry of pleasure was lost to his hot mouth on hers. His tongue wrapped around hers as her body pulsed and gripped his tightly. 30

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Kathleen could not have said where it began or ended, only that his flesh as it slid deep into hers was sweeter than breath. The rhythmic force of him as he filled her was enough to spark a nerve-splintering climax and the sensation grew stronger. The pleasure blossomed and fruited again and again. Each rolling wave through her body matched his slow thrusts until she thought nothing had ever mattered as much as this peak, until the next arrived. His warm mouth on her neck and shoulders was the most beautiful thing she had ever known and she could never have enough of it. Her hands clenched tightly in his hair, his mouth hot on hers he finally thundered into her and buried his body deep in hers. As he filled her with his seed, the dawn shone through her flesh. He slid from her and his breath was swift as her own. "By Pan's twin horns, yer a hotter ride than I've ever heard a mortal could be." He slid her feet to the ground and she wept. She couldn't help it to feel him gone and her flesh as satiated as she had ever dreamed it could be. "Breakfast now, my little Witchy." He hauled her to him. His skin gleamed in the dawn light. The brilliant blue eyes were soft on her for a moment. His light kiss fell like a petal on her cheek. He let her go and, her bones weak and wobbly, she bent to pick up the dark gown. She slid it over her sensitized flesh as he pulled a blue tunic on. Why on earth was it him she wanted this way? He was a bully who'd smacked her and her heart was in tiny pieces as her flesh ached to have him once more. Never had there been anyone like him. She watched the tunic slide over his 31

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glimmering, muscular body and her breath stilled. This was magic. It had to be for her to want him so much. "What is your name?" she asked softly. "Ash, like the tree not the burnt stuff, Ash Thistlebrite. My brother is Beech. Come I'll show yer where we cook. Can yer cook at all?" "Not much, toast, eggs, steak but not much. At home we have a chef who cooks." Kathleen followed him and watched his shoulders move, his hips where the slender belt hung. He was like a beautiful cat, strong and supple and so very, very sleek. No one had ever made her feel like this. She recognized the danger but could do nothing to stop. She was half way to loving him and the thought terrified her, for he wasn't human but something quite different. She watched the golden waves of his hair and longed to run her hands through it again. He led her to a very small hearth where a fat black cooking pot swung away from the small blaze. "Is this it? No microwave, no oven, no nothing?" He turned and her flesh melted from her bones at his gleaming gaze. "This is all we have my warm little Witchy. Yer can make toast if yer wish." He held up a long toasting fork. "As to the rest make yer own plans." The finger that traced over her lips held her captive. She could have been captive forever. "Then toast it is," she whispered. "Aye girl, I'll go wake my brother." He walked over into the shadows and she could have wept to have him back. This was worse than she could ever have imagined. She had been 32

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terrorized by the thought of really falling in love her whole life. Sheer gut wrenching dread at giving another person that kind of power over her had meant she never gave herself to anyone. The fear had led to her settling for something like Kyle but now there was no way she wanted anything less than Ash. His thoughts, his images of soft warm flowers filled her this morning. The flowers bloomed in her mind, delicate and sweet smelling as she toasted the funny brown looking bread. The thoughts didn't interfere with what she did or plague her senses as yesterdays had, but spread gently through her mind like a gift. The toast done, she looked up. The blaze of blue as she looked up to him made her heart pound. Ash he had said. He dissolved her. His brother arrived yawning and gave her a grin. She sat back and watched them both eat. "Good toast," Ash said after the sixth slice. Beech nodded. "Aye. Kathleen I want a decent dinner today. Can yer do it if I show yer where we keep the stores?" "There's the rest of the laundry and the place to sweep," Ash said. Kathleen's spirit plummeted only to then rise as she thought of flight with him holding her close. The memory of his hot flesh close to hers thrilled through her and she moved away from the small fire. Suddenly it seemed far too warm. "Aye, I know, but we ain't ate a decent meal since we last joined the court. Let her do that first boy." The leaf green eyes held hers and Kathleen felt them searching through her thoughts, even felt the flicker of the warmth as he found the flowers still soft in her mind. She followed him when he rose 33

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and opened two wicker boxes. "Here Lady, this is the stuff we keep. Could yer cook something tasty from this?" Kathleen anxiously looked and from somewhere deep in her memory she dragged up a recipe for a vegetable casserole that might work in the dark cooking pot. She spent the next hour chopping and throwing add vegetables into the cooking pot and still the flesh between her thighs throbbed. Her whole body ached from so much pleasure and for more as the flowers bloomed through her mind. When finally the casserole was ready to cook, she hung the pot on the hook over the fire and wiped her hands on the dark green gown. Going over to the cupboard that still stunk full of dirty washing, she grabbed a huge bundle and wrapped it together. She went out of the tiny gap in the doorway to find them both sitting deep in conversation, a jug on the floor between them. "Can one of you take me to the water please?" she asked. Ash looked at her and his lazy smile spread slow as he nodded. His brother's hand reached out for his arm and he shook it off. "Of course, honey, of course." His arms slid round her and she held her breath. His body nestled hot and hard behind hers as his arms hugged round her waist, his hands rose, his fingers feathered over her breasts, and she was gasping. The flight was as heavenly as she remembered. Morning coolness rippled against her skin and his heat lodged firm behind her, her nipples grew hard as acorns between his fingers. He landed softly with her, stood to watch as she dropped the heavy bundle into the water. 34

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"My little Witchy, do yer swim?" His wings were folded and he was already yanking the tunic over his head as she turned to answer. The golden glimmer of his flesh took her breath. She stood still as he slowly lifted the gown from her, pulled it over her head until there was nothing but his shadow between her pale flesh and the sun. "Yes," she whispered. He yanked her into the cool water and kicked away from the pile of washing. In the deepest part of the water, his flesh slid cool against hers. This time she breathed deep for she would not miss one single second of his touch. His hands were cool but warm on her breasts, his fingers soft and hard between her thighs as his mouth covered hers and any cry she made he swallowed into his breath. When finally he asked, "Will yer ride with me my Witchy?" She almost screamed, "Yes, please now. Now." His hot mouth tormenting her breasts, he lifted her over him and slid inside her. Her eyes wide, she could only gasp longingly and let him slide deeper still as every muscle clenched to hold him. Slowly with the water rippling against her flesh, he filled her, his hands on her buttocks holding her tightly to him and then controlling the rhythm. They stayed deep in the soft rainwater as his flesh thrilled hers and his soft thoughts filled her. Love filled her, love called her, love like the brightest of lights blazed with her gasping pleasure. This was all she had ever needed. The sun rose higher and still she writhed in his arms, her wet skin sliding against his, the heat of him driving her to 35

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orgasm again and again. His final cry spiraled around her and gasping they both lay back in the water. "Witchy, yer going to make a mortal of me, I swear it. If Beech ever finds out that coin for the toss is fixed he'll stake me out for the magpies, but you're worth it." His arm was round her and she lay back in the water speechless. He pulled her through the water back to the shallow edge. "Ye'd best get the washing done now my little Witchy," he said, and she dragged her arching limbs onto the rim. The water slid down her body, cascaded from her hair and the warm breeze caressed her skin as she stood on unsteady feet. "Ye've a lovely wee arse do yer know that?" he called to her as he lazed back in the water. "No, and just stop it, stop it all. I can't keep doing this. It's not fair and it wasn't in the bargain." Kathleen dragged the gown over herself, determined not to let him see how close she was to loving him. Falling in love with him wasn't in the bargain and the fear of it nibbled at her. She scrubbed at the grubby tunics. There had never been anything in her life to compare with him. What she felt for Kyle was total disinterest less than a milliseconds worth of the feeling this fabulous blond creature gave her. But it was all hopeless, her eyes skimmed over to him again just to get a glimpse of his shimmering flesh. That he was just using her body was a bitter thought. He had not mentioned love and neither would she. The three days would pass and she would go home, free from Kyle, free from everything except the need for Ash again. 36

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She glanced to where he lay still in the water. The sun glimmered on his gleaming flesh. The golden waves of his hair sparkled. He winked at her as he lazed back. She bent to the washing again as tears slid down her face. How could she think she could love him? But something deep in her heart told her she did. There had never been a man who spoke to her as he did, never been a man who's smile made her stomach lurch and never been a man who's body did the things his did to her. The few occasions she and Kyle had made love had been nothing like when Ash touched her, let alone anything else. But of course, she didn't love Kyle and never had. Confusion filled her as she pounded the washing. Ash watched her as she scrubbed. She was so much more than he had expected, and the temptation to have her was strong enough to make him cheat his brother. He lifted his eyes to the sky and wondered if he could keep her. It had been done before. In the old days such things were common. The mixed relationships had worked well. They had only dwindled because most mortals didn't cross fairy paths these days. Most fairies stuck to their retreats and tried not to have contact. "Mmmmmm," he murmured. Contact with her was better than any he had ever known, probably because her wide-eyed surprise when he took her was so delicious. The memory of her soft voice in the darkness as she'd dreamily cried 'please' thrilled over him. He sent the image to her mind and turned to watch her face flush scarlet.

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"Stop it. I know what you're doing. Stop it." She stood up and he watched amused as her foot stomped in the water. He chuckled and swam over to the rim. "My, my, yer a bad tempered wench are yer not? Most mortals would be happy to have spent half the morn ridin' wi' me. 'Tis a grand disappointment to find yer not." He hauled himself out and stood dripping. Her wide green eyes narrowed and for a second he thought she would spit. "No, I'm not happy, not happy at all. You've kidnapped me and turned me into a bloody slave to do you're stinking washing and be.... "She got no further because the blaze in her eyes and the heaving damp gown was too much and he pulled her to him and stilled her mouth with his own. Her breasts rubbed tantalizing against his chest as she wriggled against him. He grabbed her buttocks to pull her tighter against his throbbing flesh while her tongue lashed round his. Only when her arms clutched him to her, her body slid pliant against his and her soft moans sounded did he let her go. "Yer were saying," he murmured as he pulled on his tunic. Her breasts heaved deliciously. Her lips were moist and rosy, the green eyes sparkled like a dewy holly leaf. "Yer were saying?" he asked again. To his horror the rosy lips twisted in a painful grimace, the sparkling eyes shed tears that coursed down her face, and she sobbed. This was nothing to do with anything but him and he knew it. He slid his arms around her and pulled her close. A nasty creeping sensation that he had hurt her wormed into his head as it bent over hers. "Why?" he asked softly and her 38

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shoulders heaved as she sobbed. His tunic was wet with her tears. "Why, my little Witchy?" "Stop calling me that you rotten bastard. I'm no witch, never have been, never will be." Her voice choked and her small fist hit his chest hard. "Sorry, but yer so look the part," he murmured and stroked her damp hair all the way from the crown of her head down to her waist. His hand slid further to clasp her buttock. "Do yer want to go home lass?" The question tore at him for if she said yes the loss of her ripe flesh would be more than he could bear. Like the first star to light up midsummer's eve the need for her hit him. In less than two days, this witchy little creature had captured him, when half the willing beauties of the fairy court had failed. Stunned by his discovery, he swallowed and still there was no reply. He bent down to her face and lifted her chin so her tear filled eyes held his. "Do yer want to go home?" She shook her head. "No, I made a bargain. I want the wish. I don't want to marry Kyle. I made a bargain I'll be true to it." The pleasure that she would stay shattered as he realized it was only so she could have her wish to rid herself of the man she did not want to marry. Bloody mortals, selfish creatures every one and her no better than any. He had wanted more from her. "Fine, then stop snivelling. Yer have done nothing yer did not want, so get on with the bloody washing." He let her go and strode round the wide distance of the water before he pulled on his hose and boots. When he 39

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sat, he could hear the low trembling sobs as she carried on with the scrubbing. Silly wee witch. **** The sun had hit noon by the time she had finished and his temper still flamed as she called across that the washing was done. He strode back round to where she knelt with the pile of sodden clothes. "I'll take yer back now, shall I?" he asked. She nodded and picked up the dripping bundle. The gown would be soaked. He slid his arms around her and she felt so very right in his embrace. Her buttocks molded to his flesh and the smell of her hair was enough to send his body thundering again. When he landed, she stalked off into the shed and he followed to find her hanging the wet tunics up. "Yer wet," he said. "I know." She glared at him and he longed to watch the narrowed green eyes flash wide again, to hear that little panting gasp she gave when he first slid into her. To feel her hands clutch him to her and hear those breathy cries of pleasure. The need rippled over him until he had to shake his head. "I need a drink." He walked over to the cupboard and hauled out a jug. After several deep draughts the nectar warmed him, he turned back and now she was yanking the clothes from last night off the shelves. Folding it swiftly, with the bundle in her arms she came to him. "Where do you keep the clean stuff?" "I'll show yer." He led her up the rickety shelving to the top of the cupboard where both he and Beech slept. He 40

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tossed open the large coffer and she dropped the folded tunics into it. Her gaze scanned over the bed, his bed. She turned to him and his arms slid round her again. "Come to my bed little Witchy?" he asked and his mouth slid over the delicious flesh of her neck, he inhaled her sweet smell deeply. Her intake of breath filled her breasts as he cupped one. She must be cold in the wet gown and he longed to warm her flesh. Her soft murmured 'yes' slid over him with her hands and he bent down and yanked the wet gown from her. He knelt, his arms round her waist as he pulled her to him so her soft curling maidenhair tickled his mouth and slowly, to her whimpers of delight, his tongue slid deep between her thighs. His hands filled with her buttocks he pulled her to him and found the core of her pleasure. The little button pulsed as he flicked it with his tongue and her hands grabbed his hair as a loud sobbing cry left her mouth. Her hot flowing juices coated his tongue while she moaned and cried out as he sucked slowly at her. Spasms rocked through her as he licked deeply. Her pleasure peaked and, unable to resist any longer, he rose in one swift movement, lifted her in his arms, and put her on the bed. Her body still quivered, her head thrown back in a blaze of red hair as he slid into the pool of hot liquid her pleasure had made. The green eyes flashed wide and that soft little cry tore through him and, unable to hold back, he grabbed her buttocks and rode her hard. Her cries of pleasure were incoherent for one orgasm followed another continually now as he pounded into her. This was so good he would never 41

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give her up, never. As the thought rocked through him, his own orgasm broke over him and he held her tightly to him as release came in dizzying waves. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Four Kathleen lay beside him. Her breasts still heaved as his breathing slowed. Her body thrilled still from his onslaught and she turned to look up at him. The knowledge that she would want him for all the years of her life hit hard. The world she had come from would be no compensation for the loss of him. "I know," he murmured and pulled her tightly to him. "What do you know?" she asked. "Tis a rare powerful feeling yer give me my Witchy, a rare powerful need." "I can't help it. You started it and I can't help it." "Aye, but yer feel it, too, my green eyed lass. Tis a trial to be sure." Kathleen sat up. Pain settled in her breast at his words. A trial he'd said, a burden he meant and unwilling to plead for his love she turned away from him. "I didn't ask to come here. You shrunk me. You kidnapped me. I didn't ask for you in my bed." Her hurt and rising anger meant she almost spat the words at the conceited wretch. "For sure, but ye've asked for everything else, have yer not?" His grin spread wide and the blue eyes lazily held hers. "I bloody well hate you." She bounced up from the bed and strode to grab the green gown even though it was damp. "If yer put that thing on I'll only take it from yer again. Know it my little Witchy." 43

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"No you won't. I won't bloody let you." She hauled the gown over her head and spun round in his arms. How he had gotten to her so quickly she had no idea. "Will yer fight me, my Witchy?" he asked as his mouth slid over her neck again. "Yes, every step, every move, you, you bully." She tried to maintain the flash of fury to protect her heart but with his mouth on her flesh and his hands sliding over her it was impossible. She couldn't believe he would want her again, not already and each time his body joined with hers he bound her stronger to him, enmeshed himself deeper in her soul and made it harder not to love him. "Leave me alone you rotten bully. I hate you." He cupped her face in his hands and his blue eyes searched hers. "Aye, I think I will. Yer too stroppy for yer own good, so yer can wait. Perhaps then I might find yer'll ask as sweet as yer did this morning." He let her go and walked back to the bed. "Go look at yer cooking. Go sweep the floor. I'll wait till yer sweeter." Kathleen's open mouth clamped shut and she fled down to the dingy floor. "You'll wait until hell freezes over you rotten little beetle." She shouted up to him and stomped over to the cooking pot and, using a cloth, lifted the lid. To hear his laugh at her words only enraged her further. Right now rage was her friend because if she let it go she would end up pleading or worse. The stuff in the pot looked a bit gloopy but all right. As for sweeping the floor, he could go to hell. There was no way. She clung tightly to her anger as she shoved the door open. 44

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Her fury hot, she went out of the shed and into the garden. She stayed close to the door because of the cat. The encounter yesterday had been terrifying. The only thoughts that filled her head were of him, his gleaming eyes, the blond curling hair, the warmth of his arms and the pleasure he gave her. "You can damn well stop it. I won't think of you at all." She shouted back to the shed. She turned at a small sound and saw Beech, his smile wide as he came over to sit. "I see yer have become well acquainted with the charms of my brother. T'would seem the two of ye are meant to be together, at least for this time. Would yer no say aye?" "No, he's a kidnapper, a bully, and I hate him." The liquid green eyes held hers and her anger fizzled out like a spent firecracker. She bit her lip, dug her nails in her palms, tried to blot out the thought of Ash with her, but despite that the tears gathered. "I think yer don't hate him at all. I think tis quite the reverse Lady. Now have we food in the pot?" Kathleen sniffed and nodded. She went inside with him. His pat on her shoulder almost made the tears fall. He gave her dishes to put the stuff in. They sat to eat and Beech smiled from ear to ear with satisfaction as he tasted the stew. Kathleen watched in disbelief as three bowls of it slid down his throat. She could not eat hers. "We'd better save some for.... For your brother," she said. "Aye, especially as yer hate him so much. Yer mustn't fear Lady. Yer would not be the first to join with one of us." He patted her hand. 45

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"He hasn't asked me, and I wouldn't anyway," Kathleen snapped, although she wasn't angry with Beech. He had been nothing but kind. The words only reminded her Ash had said she was a trial, a burden, and he had said nothing of love. Tears sparked again and she bit her lip. "Well Lady, tis only day one, now if yer would perhaps tidy the place, I'd be grateful." He smiled down at her and put the dish down and went to a cupboard. He pulled out an old broom. "I'll clean the plates, if yer would do some sweeping. 'Tis always best done by a witch. Do yer know I don't know why, but tis so and always has been." Kathleen nodded as she took the twiggy brush from him. The thing was a real witch's style broom, the sort you saw at Halloween. "All right, I'll try to clear up some of the worst." She sniffed and smiled up at Beech. He had a very interesting way of making her feel it was no hardship to do what he asked. If only his brother had the same talent. The afternoon passed with her sweeping clouds of dust and cobwebs away. They had obviously never bothered and it was a shock to see the pale pine wood floor of the shed come shimmering through the layers of dust and dirt. As she swept, Beech's words echoed in her mind, to join with his brother, to stay here like this. There would have to be some big changes. What was she thinking? She'd already done most of one day and a night, only two remained and then she could go home. There would be no marriage to Kyle. She tried to remember what he looked like but couldn't. Somehow, she'd make sure her father didn't set up anything else like it. But most of all she'd miss Ash. The ache for him 46

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lodged so deep that it had become part of her and the broom moved slowly as her need for him shivered through her. As the words she was 'a burden' flamed again, her anger came back, and she swept the broom harder. Let him sleep. Let him rot. He didn't care about her anyway. By early evening, she still swept, slowly now because her arms ached. She looked up at the sound of his steps and his limpid blue eyes held hers. "Are yer sweet yet?" he asked. "No, go away." She stood with the broom in her hand longing to hit him with it. He walked down to her. All her skin tingled as he stood beside her. Waves of his amusement slid over her as she looked up at him. "Why, tis a filthy wee Witchy yer are. Look at yer self." He roared with laughter as he took the broom from her. She looked down at the gown and saw it was coated in dark dust. She must be covered in it. "Will you stop calling me that." It was all she could think to say because he had lifted her in his arms. There was no better place to be in the world. "Would yer like to be clean my little Witchy?" he asked and she nodded. His smile shone like the sun. "Shall we wash all this off?" Kathleen gritted her teeth on her smile. She knew what he was going to say. "Shall I take this dirty gown from ye?" She couldn't say no and to say yes would kill her she was certain, how he always seemed to get his own way she could not tell. "If yer don't ask me nicely, I'll let yer stay filthy which would be a great pity, cause I'm sure cobwebs ain't grand for the skin." His finger traced over her face and then down her arm. 47

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He held her tightly in his arms and his laughing eyes danced as he carried her out of the shed. In the last glimmers of the evening light, he flew with her back to the birdbath. Kathleen said nothing. She clung onto his neck, his arms around her were heaven and his chest moving as he breathed made her heart beat with his. As he landed, he kept her clutched to him. "Now, will yer ask me nicely my Witchy? Or shall I just dunk ye as yer are?" His mouth covered hers as he folded the wings back and her whole body blazed for him. Aching need filled her and as his tongue slid over hers she was gasping and the pulsing between her thighs had already begun. Still held in his arms when his mouth left hers she looked up to see grime now round his face. She must be totally filthy. "Please, help me take the gown off," she murmured. Shivers of anticipation ran over her flesh. "A rare pleasure, my little Witchy." He sat and with her still caught in his arms slid the filthy gown over her head. He yanked off his tunic and boots and carried her into the cool water. Slowly and methodically he rinsed her clean, the sensation of his hands on her flesh stoked the flames of her need till she writhed against him. His smile as she looked up into the blue eyes captured her totally. "Now will yer ask nicely for it?" he murmured. Kathleen's breath caught in her throat. Her breasts heaved. Her nipples tingled hard as acorns between his fingers. "I want you, please Ash. I need you." His mouth dipped to her breast. He slowly rolled a nipple between his teeth. 48

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"Ash, please now, fill me, make love to me, please." The blue eyes lifted to her face as she moaned. His fingers slid more firmly now between her thighs, sliding over her pulsing flesh until she writhed on them. "Sweet indeed," he murmured and she gasped as he held her to him and slowly filled her with the length of his velvet hot flesh. The first orgasm sparked and then another as she slid over the heat of him. Each thrust drew loud, gasping cries from her. "Ye'll not fight me, my Witchy. Ye'll not fight me. Yer need me too much." His murmur only registered faintly. His arms held her tightly and the heat of him as he plunged deep inside her was more than she could bear. Her gasping breath as her body contracted and pulsed around the length of him was all she could give. The evening light dimmed and the stars lit up above as they clung to each other, her body ablaze and the shine from him glowing in the darkness. When his cries of pleasure joined hers and the last thundering orgasm sparked by his took her, Kathleen was up with the stars. Wrapped in his warm embrace, the cool water still lapping round her flesh, she slowly descended back to the garden. His soft kiss was the only reality she wanted to feel. The hazy, sensual pleasure of his skin against hers, his soft lips on her face, the cool water around them filled her senses. "My Witchy," he murmured, and then slowly slid from her flesh. "Mmmmmmmm," she replied, her hands holding him still, sliding over his back and shoulders. 49

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"No hissing or spitting now sweet little lass." He hauled her into his arms and carried her dripping over to the rim. "Yer'll have to go back as yer are. Ye can't wear that thing." He shoved the gown into the water with his foot. "No, not naked." "Don't fret. I'll cover yer if yer want it." Her arms wrapped about his shoulders. "Ash, I want.... "The words lodged in her throat. "Aye, I know what yer want." "No, you don't. You only think you do." He stood her up for a moment and dragged his tunic over himself. "Tis all getting complicated this," he said as he pulled her close. "More than I'd thought and tis only night two. Will yer share my bed tonight?" "No, not with Beech asleep in the next, no." The refusal came swift, but her body knew if he pressed her, she would agree. "I would wake with yer in my arms Witchy, at least one dawn. Come to my bed." He had her in his arms again and lifted her up. His wings spread and he carried her naked back to the shed. "Ash please, no, get me something to wear, please." She pleaded as they landed. "If I do will ye come to my bed?" "Yes, yes, yes, just get something to cover me." She stood and looked up to his eyes. "Wait here." He strode inside and returned swiftly with a very short flimsy white tunic, gossamer fine. "What's this?" She held it up. 50

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"A friend of Beech's left it a while ago, t'will fit yer a treat." He took it from her and slid it over her head. Her lips pursed in a frown. He was a cheat for the thing was like wearing mist. "Ash, I can't wear this." As she turned to him again, the fire in his eyes silenced her. "Tis fine indeed, yer the loveliest thing I've seen in an age. Wear it for me tonight. Now, come to my bed." "Yes, Ash," she whispered and he carried her inside and up to his bed. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Five Ash woke to her in his arms, her red hair scattered over the pillow and the dark lashes swept down on her pale cheek. He drank in the sight of her, so very, very lovely, her hair so softly natural in comparison to the vivid shades so many fairies used. The need for her beat through his veins like his blood. The longing to keep her and know he would wake each dawn with her beside him, spend each day with her, teasing her, loving her and listening to those sweetly gasped cries, burned in his heart. Today was day two, the next would be the last and then she would be gone. He pulled her to him, to lose her would be the worst possible fate. Today he would try to persuade her to stay. Her soft breath told him she still slept and he let her, content for now to hold her warmth in his arms and plan how to keep her with him. He wondered if she would stay, if she would agree, if she would want him. Never would he have thought when he shrank her down that the girl could come to mean so very much. He had to have her. He had to. Not just as a pleasant memory of her body with his, but always. She stirred slowly, and he kissed the corner of her mouth, her cheek, both eyelids, and she reached up to pull him to her. As his mouth slid over her flesh and her hands over his body, desire flooded through him. "Ash," she murmured. "Aye, I know what yer need." His hands caressed her breasts. His lips followed, sliding over the pale flesh to her 52

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nipples. Her moans of pleasure were the sweetest music. As he parted her thighs and his fingers slid into the moist heat of her, that cry was a clarion call for love. The need for her pounded through him and as he slid into her, he watched the green eyes flash wide. That tiny, soft cry as her moist flesh parted to allow him entry was enough to drive him onwards. He rolled her above him and let her lead the pace. The vision of her, the long hair cascading over her white skin, the ruby tips of her breasts and the dark red maiden hair that gleamed was a joy to watch as she rose and fell on him. He knew mortals made images. This was the one he would choose. His hands firm round her waist, he increased the pace as her cries filled the morning air. She had to stay and be his. The sheer strength of the orgasm that pounded through him was enough to leave him gasping as he pulled her down onto him. When she lay beside him, he kissed her once more. Then he rose from the bed and dragged on a clean tunic. He rummaged in the coffer to find her a gown. The only one he could find was buttercup yellow. He handed it to her. "Get dressed my Witchy, and then we will eat." Her green eyes looked tearful once more and he did not think he could bear it if she wept. When she pulled the gown on he grabbed her hand. "Now let us eat and talk." Her eyes narrowed for a moment. "What about?" she asked. "Wishes," he told her as he led her down to the floor. To see it so clean was a shock. "Shall I make toast again?" 53

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"If yer like. There is bread left. We'll have to make more today." He handed her a half a loaf and left her to make the toast. Going outside he found Beech snoozing in the early morning light. "I need to talk with yer brother." He prodded Beech's shoulder twice. "Aye, I know. Yer don't want to send the wee lass back. Yer want to keep her and don't know what to do." Astonished at Beech's perceptive words, he sat down beside him. "Yer right. I don't want her gone. She's a bad tempered wench, but I want her," he finally managed. "Have yer asked her?" "No, not yet, I was going to today. I think she might want to stay with me. I'm not sure." Beech rolled his eyes, "Not bloody sure, after last night. I came out here in the end to get some sleep. The Lady screaming for yer half the night and yer not bloody sure?" "Tis more than that and yer know it." "Ash, we've both had our share of lovelies but if yer really want her she will have to agree. T'would mean leaving her family, leaving everything to stay with ye. Tis a lot to ask any wee lass." Beech's green gaze held his. "Tis not like inviting one of the wenches from the court to stay for a while, t'would be permanent, no going back and yer know it." Ash sighed. Beech was right and the enormity of it weighed heavy. "I'll ask her today. She's making toast again." "Fine, then I might go back to bed and try to get some sleep." Beech patted him on the shoulder. "Good luck when 54

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you ask her, but get her to make some of that stew or something first, will yer?" **** He lounged by the cooking pot as she made more of the stew for Beech. Watching her, it seemed she danced backwards and forwards to the big black pot, lovelier than the dancers of the court with her hair shimmering down her back and the odd flash of those green eyes at him. Her smile when it came was enough to pull his heart from his breast. When she wiped her hands on a cloth and looked at him, his courage almost failed. He got up and took her hand. "Have you nothing else for me to do today? I don't want you saying I am not sticking to the bargain." "No, I want you to come with me." He ushered her toward the door where the morning sunlight filtered through the gap. "Where are we going? Swimming again?" "No, it's a surprise." He clasped her to him and then rose into the air. He flew beyond the birdbath down to where the stocks bloomed. Their sweet smell hit him well before he landed. He carried her to a large rock and sat her on it. "Ash, it's beautiful here, just beautiful." She breathed in the fragrance and her smile made the journey worthwhile. "I have something I want to ask ye my little Witchy," "I agreed to anything, didn't I." She looked up into his eyes and again his courage almost failed. "No, this is not something the bargain could cover. Tis different, much more important." He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close beside him. 55

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"Ash, I...." "Don't say anything till yer have heard me out, not a word, promise." He lifted her hand to his mouth. She nodded, the green eyes widening as she held his gaze. "I want yer to stay with me. I don't want to have to send ye back. I want yer to stay. Will yer stay with me my little Witchy?" The words seemed to come out all wrong, he had meant to be romantic with it, but it didn't sound that way at all. "Why?" The green eyes were huge now, her moist mouth slightly open in her surprise. "Because I want yer as mine. I want yer with me always. I want to wake up tomorrow, the next, and the next with yer beside to me. I want to have yer forever." He found he was trembling with the words, shaking like an aspen. "What about my family? What about my life?" she asked. He ran his hand through his hair. He was going to have to do his very best to convince her. "Yer wouldn't be able to go back. If yer choose to stay, yer wouldn't be able to go back. Yer would gain the life of fairie but in exchange, yer would be dead to the mortal world. But t'would mean a long life with me my Witchy, an age to be together." He watched her breathe in the sweet scent of the flowers. Her gaze dropped to the ground, though. "Kathleen, I love yer, I have never loved anyone like I love yer. Stay with me. If yer like I'll get down and beg on my knees. Stay with me." The green eyes lifted towards him and her smile began to break but just as it did so, they both turned at the sound of a loud voice above them. 56

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"Kathleen! Kathleen O'Banyan where are you girl? Where are you?" He turned and there just above them was the old woman who was rarely seen in the garden anymore. He turned back to Kathleen. Her hand rose to her mouth as she breathed, "Grandma." Ash tried his hardest to refrain from cursing loudly. Of all the mornings for the old dear to come tottering out into the garden, how could she have decided today was the day. He squeezed Kathleen's hand tightly. The old woman hobbled slowly away from them down to the birdbath. The sparrows swished away at her approach. He watched her as she looked and then to his horror his vision seeming to pinpoint in on her hand. He saw her pick up the green gown they had left there last night. The gray head bent to study it, so small in her hand. She pushed her glasses up on her nose, turned, and she scanned the garden. "Kathleen O'Banyan, don't you agree to anythin' foolish. Do you hear your Grandmother? Don't you agree to anythin' foolish." Ash turned to his Witchy and saw her small nod. This called for drastic measures or he would lose her. "Do you want to speak with her?" The teary green eyes that lifted to his told him the instant truth. "Come on, only what ever yer do don't tell Beech I did this. He'll turn me into crow bait." He hoisted her up into his arms and flew swiftly to the edge of the birdbath. They landed and Kathleen's tears slid down her cheeks. 57

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"Grandma," she called and Ash called with her. The old lady's head turned and he knew at once that she had heard. She leaned forward towards them and her hand reached to her throat. "What have you done to my granddaughter?" The blue gaze through the lenses was piercing as she stared into his eyes. "She made a bargain with me," he said. "Oh Kathleen, you foolish girl, what did he offer? Whatever it was, chances are you won't be getting it. They're such rogues. Has he hurt you my dear?" "No Grandma, the bargain was so I didn't have to marry Kyle," Kathleen shouted back. "I don't love Kyle. I never did. It was all about money and Dad so pleased for the business arrangements. The bargain was I wouldn't have to marry Kyle." "How long has he asked you to stay for?" Ash had to smile at the old woman's words. She knew the rules all right. "Three nights and three days. But Grandma, Ash wants me to stay." She turned to him, the green eyes bright now, "forever." The old woman's blue gaze focused on him and he almost squirmed. "Why?" Her simple question rocked him, and it deserved his honest answer. "I asked because I love her, I gave her the choice. She still has it, but if she says yes, you will see her no more." He knew the old woman would know that but it was worth reminding her. 58

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"Kathleen, do you understand what he says? If you stay, you cannot return to us my child. You will remain locked in his world. Do you trust him enough for that? Do you love him enough for that?" Ash grimaced, the old dear really didn't play fair. It was hardly right for his little Witchy to compare less than two whole days and nights of passion with a lifetime of her family's love. He didn't stand a chance. He lifted her hand and kissed it, for he might only have the rest of today and tomorrow to do so. Her eyes were sparkling and he knew the signs, tears. "Kathleen, you tell him no and come home girl." She turned to him. "I don't know what it is about O'Banyan women! We have lost three over the centuries to you little wee rascals." Ash smiled because he understood why. If they were all as magical as his little Witchy, no fairy would be able to resist them. Now, it was time to pull a few tricks of his own. "Lady, I love yer granddaughter, by the moon's bright beams, by the wind in the leaves, I love her and will love her till the groves wither and die." Kathleen turned to him, and at last, he'd got it right. "Do you mean it?" she whispered softly. Her eyes glistened full, yet the tears hovered on the edge of her dark lashes as she blinked. "My Witchy, I love yer. I want yer like breathing, without yer I'd be less than a faded shadow in the sun." He kissed her hand again. 59

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"What did the little rogue say to you, child?" The wrinkled face came down towards them. "He says he loves me Grandma. He says he loves me a lot," Kathleen called up to her. "All fine and dandy, do you care for him at all? I know the ways of the wee folk, all that sex, but that don't last forever you know." Kathleen flushed scarlet and he winced for the color really clashed with her hair and the dress. "Grandma, how could you?" she called up. The wrinkled face came even closer. Ash worried in case the old dear ended up in the birdbath. "Kathleen, I may be old, but I still have me marbles. I know the tales and the wee folk's fine blandishments to tease you away. You have to be sure my girl. There would be no turning back." The smile was tender as she looked down. "Lady, I swear I will love her always. Until the night becomes day and the sun spins backwards, I will love her." He tried his most persuasive voice, but it was hard doing it shouting. "Hush up you wee rascal. You can't flim-flam me. Kathleen, I know 'tis handsome he is, but you have to be sure." She rose up for a moment. "Ash, could I not just come sometimes like this and talk to Grandma? Could I not do that?" The green eyes were pleading. "T'would break all the rules. It could mean disaster. If she spoke of it and were believed, we'd have all those fools with the nasty black boxes over us like a rash." He began to shake 60

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his head but as the first teardrop slid onto her cheek, he found himself nodding. He would do anything to keep her, anything and the odd meeting with the old dear was no worse than others had done in the past. She flung her arms around him and nearly knocked him into the water. "Would it make yer happy if yer stayed, to come talk with her sometimes?" Tearful again, she nodded. "Then we'll do it, maybe she could have a summer house put up and we could meet her there." The way she clung to him made the whole of it worthwhile. He hardly dared to believe, but it seemed she would stay. The old face was close now, the glasses magnifying the old blue eyes until they looked huge. Kathleen turned back and looked up. She squeezed his hand tightly. "Grandma, I'm staying. Ash says I can come to talk to you sometimes, and would you have a summer house put up so we can meet there?" "My shiny wee angel, of course. I'll try to explain to your father. Be happy my lass." She turned to him. The blue eyes took on a steely glint. "You listen to me you wee rogue, you have her and seem to have won her, and I won't ask you how. If I ever hear one tear has fallen from her bright eye and you caused it I'll do worse than set the cat on you, is that understood?" Ash nodded and smiled as wide as he thought was possible. "I swear by the moons bright beams, just tears of joy Grandma, just tears of joy." He pulled his Witchy towards him, heard the old woman's chuckle as he wrapped his Witchy's long hair in his hands and kissed her. 61

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The End

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