Page 12 of Curse of the Healer

“Talia,” he murmured. “Will you have me?”

“Always,” I whispered back, rising to straddle him.

He tried to sit up, but I pressed one hand on his firm chest and kissed him hard. His manhood rubbed up against my bare bottom and, stripping off my shift, I hovered above him. He entered me in one swift thrust, his broad hands covering the bare skin of my hips.

“Closer,” he gasped, pulling me down until we were face to face. He kissed me with a passion that stole my breath away as I rode him, over and over again.

One by one the candles went out. One for each sigh, another for each kiss, and yet another for our lovemaking which lasted throughout the night. When at last, exhausted, we lay still. Wilhelm cradled me in his arms, and a buzz of contentment hummed through the enchanted wildwood.

Chapter 15

Magic twirled through the air as hand in hand, Wilhelm and I walked down the winding path to the town. Even before we arrived, I heard the merry shouts of children and the deeper laughs of adults. It was the fourth day of the festival of Yule, and there was nothing but merriment in the town, for young and old, rich and poor.

Wilhelm and I returned to his home, put on fresh clothes, and slept for one peaceful night without worrying about the monsters of the wildwood. The next morning before we crossed over into town, I dared glanced back at the enchanted wildwood one last time. I imagined the Queen of the Wildwood in her ongoing battle to drive back the darkness. I also understood the gift she'd given me, the curse she'd lifted, the life she'd returned to me. I could have been like her, doomed to wander the wildwood. But instead she let me return to my village, to redeem myself. When she called, it would not be hard to return and help her drive back the darkness.

A light squeeze made me look up at Wilhelm, and his forest green eyes gleamed at me, with hints of passion and lust dancing behind his eyes.

"Wilhelm," I scolded, "we are about to enter town."

He threw back his head and laughed. "I'm glad you are well, Talia."

Then he swept me into his arms and kissed me, and for the first time, I believed, truly believed, in the magic of Yule.