Chapter One
"Make our horses go faster, Rhee."
Lady Rhiannon Campbell laughed at her long-time companion as they raced their sable highland ponies across the open glen. It may be the sorceress within her, but Rhiannon loved it when that wicked gleam entered Mary's jade eyes, her bonny, oval face flushed with exhilaration.
Rhiannon threw her golden braid over her shoulder to peek behind at her personal guards. Even their warhorses struggled to keep pace with her purebreds.
Her rebellious spirit settled in her stomach with bittersweet satisfaction. Lowering her head over the pony's neck, a sinister smile tugged on her lips. She was going to get into trouble for using magick in the open, but it was worth it for the intoxicating euphoria that coursed through her veins.
"Hold on to the saddle horn," she yelled to Mary. Closing her eyes, she summoned her powers. A yielding heat prickled the skin down her back. "Swift and agile, allow our steeds to soar through the air."
With a jerk, their horses' hooves lifted a foot above the soft grass as they flew through the air. Traveling faster than any normal animal, they covered leagues within moments. It was not until they reached the base of Ochil Mountain that Rhiannon pulled the magick from their mounts. The horses touched the ground, slowing to a walk as if they had not exercised at all.
"Huzzah!" Mary wielded her hand through the air, her wavy, auburn hair disheveled from the wind.
Rhiannon granted her a half grin and slid from the saddle. She walked her mount over to a nearby tree and tied the reins to a low branch. Her heart still raced from the thrill, but her stomach had turned queasy. She lowered herself to the grass to lie down. Picking a thick, green blade, she popped it in her mouth; the taste was bland on her tongue. White puffy clouds endlessly floated by and Rhiannon allowed her muscles to relax, enjoying the cool breeze caress her heated face.
"If I had the powers of a Celtic witch and sorceress, I would enchant a thousand handsome men to give me all the exotic jewels I could ever want." Mary collapsed next to her, resting her hands behind her head.
"Do not envy me, Mary. Because I have the power of good and evil, my family watches me with wary eyes. Even the villagers treat me differently than the rest of my enchanted family."
"They are jealous," Mary said. "You are more powerful than your mother and father combined."
"Perhaps. Or maybe they are waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"I know not. However, there seems to be something my family does not want me to know. A secret everyone keeps from me." Rhiannon turned to her friend, a dull ache in her chest. "Do you know what it could be?"
"Nae. I do not." Mary sighed; her large breasts rose and fell within the tight confines of her pink gown. "Although, I am not surprised. Everybody hates me, including your mother."
Rhiannon lay back down. "Do not be vexed. She hates me too."
Mary scoffed, "She does not. Lady Gavenia is just overly protective."
"Aye, she is going to protect me to death." Rhiannon flicked the chewed piece of grass. "I just wish I were not so ... special."
Mary turned on her side; the mild smell of perspiration invaded Rhiannon's senses. She studied the striking features of her friend's face. A violet mist gathered around Mary's body that only she could see. This was one of the few times Rhiannon enjoyed being part sorceress. It granted her the ability to see sexual energy, feed from it, empower her senses with it. Mary's sea-green eyes were hooded with half lids, gazing at her with a seductive look--her friend was aroused. And it excited her.
Slowly, Mary leaned over and placed her soft lips on Rhiannon's mouth, her plump breasts pressing against hers. Rhiannon opened her lips and allowed Mary's tongue to dance with hers. The mist from her companion seeped into Rhiannon's skin, filling her body with a hot tingling sensation. The erotic feeling was exhilarating. One she enjoyed since their curious youth. Hidden from prying eyes, they would explore each other's bodies. Rhiannon found that sexual energy fueled her powers beyond anything she had ever experienced. A forbidden obsession they enjoyed many times.
Mary's hand cupped one of Rhiannon's breasts, her finger gliding along the edge of her emerald low-cut gown, heating the skin beneath.
"We have not done this in a while," Mary said in a low tone, her sweet breath wisped across her face.
"Aye, I have been occupied."
"With what, pray tell?" she asked, her energy changing from lust to irritation.
Rhiannon shifted her eyes away from her friend's probing observation. She did not want anyone to know what she was doing with her days. It was bad enough she had to hide from her family, but it was worse hiding the truth from Mary.
"Mother has me engaged with duties."
"Duties?" Mary arched an eyebrow and lightly flicked Rhiannon's nipple as if punishing her for lying. "Since when do you care about duty?"
A shock of pleasure coursed to her groin, making her deliciously moist. She enjoyed the familiar sensations, the comfort of another woman's body.
Rhiannon licked her lips nervously. She did want to tell her secret. The pressure of keeping it to herself was toiling on her conscious. "Pledge to me you will never repeat this to anyone."
Mary nodded, her eyes glistening. "Aye, I pledge."
She unlaced Rhiannon's corset and shifted the loose chemise fabric over her breasts, allowing the breeze and sunlight touch her sensitive nipples. Mary's pink tongue darted out and lapped at an erect bud.
The ache between Rhiannon's legs increased and she rubbed her inner thighs together. Gathering her thoughts, she continued, "I ... I have..." She looked away. "Never mind."
Mary jolted up. "You have been practicing the dark arts?"
"I did not say that," Rhiannon's words rushed out.
"You did not have to."
Rhiannon looked at the blue sky and rubbed her forehead. A bad feeling entered her chest. She should not have said anything. The old gypsy warned her to keep their rituals a secret, even from her closest friend.
Mary smiled. "You are a bad lass," she crooned in a seductive tone and then kissed her again, her tongue curled around hers. Her friend pulled away and probed into her eyes with a smug grin on her pink lips. "I like your evil side."
Mary's words sliced through her core.
"I am not evil," Rhiannon pushed her away, no longer aroused. "I am just ... curious."
"Curious about the forbidden? How unlike you," she replied sarcastically.
"I can handle the dark arts and I will prove it."
Mary laughed. "Prove it to yourself or to your mother?"
The sound of horses' hooves interrupted Rhiannon's retort. Frowning, she causally laced up her green gown while Mary undid hers, exposing her voluptuous breasts.
Rhiannon sat upright. "What are you doing?"
"I do not know about you, but I feel like having a man between my thighs."
Two castle guards halted near Rhiannon's horse, their faces relieved to find their charges safe and sound. Master Rob, the youngest son of the sheriff scowled down at them, his bulky form seated stiffly on his horse.
"Milady, you must not leave our company. If your father found out we lost you..." The guard stopped mid-sentence. His eyes bulged when Mary walked forward, her full breasts swaying as she slowly undressed, a smile of encouragement on her face.
Mary and Rhiannon always loved to entice men from their duties. A couple of years earlier, they seduced a traveling monk. Since then, they would join in making love with a few select soldiers. Rhiannon's personal guards knew her sexual appetite and indulged her tastes, but today, she did not feel like joining. Mary's cryptic words about her being evil whooshed over her like the icy highland wind. She took a deep breath, thoughts of her forbidden powers weighing heavily on her. If her family knew she practiced the dark arts with the old gypsy, they would bind her powers and lock her in her chamber for the rest of the season.
She rubbed the tingling spot on her forehead, her heart heavy. She grew tired of hiding who she was. From her clan, from the world.
She longed for someone to accept both the good and evil side of her nature. To accept all of her. However, she did not blame them. Truth be told, she was afraid of herself, along with everyone else. Afraid of the evil power that coursed through her blood, her soul. Would she one day turn into someone that could not be controlled? Someone who would hurt her family, her people?
Absently, she watched the guards swing from their saddles and quickly undress. Master Seamus, a tall soldier of twenty-four winters walked toward her, his erection boldly posturing. She shook her head and he stopped mid-stride, his face fallen. Turning around he joined Mary and Rob on the ground. Both men ran their tongues over her friend's body. She writhed on the thick grass, her breathing labored, eyes closed.
A thick violet mist deepened around the three. The light swirled in a cocoon and Rhiannon held out her hand, its power calling to her as if it were a living creature. The energy floated over to her and gathered around her hand like a warm glove, sizzling every inch of her skin while it climbed up her arm, saturating her soul. The pleasure they gained moved through her. Even though she sat far away, she experienced the same sensations. Touching, smelling, tasting the threesome in the throes of passion.
Mary opened her lips and took Rob's member into her mouth while Seamus kneeled between her legs and slowly pressed his cock inside her. Their moans traveled over to Rhiannon, luring her to join them.
She went to rise when a flash of black caught her eye. Rhiannon turned her head to find a mysterious woman in a sable cloak watching her from the trees. She was so stunning with raven hair and delicate features. Rhiannon just stared at her, mesmerized. The woman smiled and blew her a kiss, then disappeared beyond a shadow.
Pushing to her feet, she searched the area, but the lady was gone.
Who was she? What was she?
A shocking sound of thunder caused her to glance at the once clear sky. Threatening gray clouds swept overhead while wind picked up dead leaves from the ground, swishing in a circle around the group. An ominous storm soared over the land, one that could only be created with elemental magick.
Apprehension etched on the guards' faces. They stopped what they were doing and donned their armor and clothes.
Sighing, Rhiannon went to her horse and climbed up on the saddle.
"Damn your mother and her emotional powers!" Mary said as she quickly dressed.
Rhiannon led a horse over to her friend. "We must return to the keep." She glanced up at the darkened skies. "She is obviously vexed with me again."
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