“Maybe…maybe just alittlemore.”
He nods again, stroking my cheek.
“Take as much as you need.Mykind can come over and over if we need to—it’s a gift from myDrake.”
I bend my head to take him deep in my mouth again, savoring his renewed hardness, when a shocked voice exclaims behind us:
“MercifulGoddess!Whateverare you doing,Elowen?”
21
ELOWEN
I jerk away, my cheeks flaming and look up to seeSisterAgathastaring at me with horror written all over her thin face.Hereyes narrow as she sees where my hand is–still wrapped aroundTheron’sthick shaft.
He’s already tucking it away but it’s too late–SisterAgathahas seen everything.
“Sister,”Ibegin, sitting up.“Please, if you’d just let me explain.Thewitch–”
“Enough!”Hernostrils flare.“Out.Getout–now!”
“But…but…”Istand on shaky legs andTheronstands as well, staying protectively close to me.
“I said get out!Andyou’re never to come back to the temple!”she snaps.“Inever want to see you here again, you little slut!”
“But…but the temple is my home!”
“Not anymore it’s not and it never will be again.”Shestrides towards me.“Nowwill you leave on your own or mustIhave you beaten from this place?”
Theron steps between us, a low rumbling growl rising in his throat.
“You’re not laying a hand on her,” he says, and his voice is so deep it sounds inhuman.
SisterAgathatakes a step back, surprise and fear crossing her narrow face.
“You…you wouldn’t dare to harm me!”
“I don’t hurt women,”Therontells her.“ButIdon’t let them be hurt either.Elowenis under my protection–you’re not touching her.”
She looks furious, her nostrils flaring and her eyes bulging with anger.
“Then get out of here–both of you!Andyou’d better never set foot on the holy ground of the temple again!”Shepoints at me.“MaytheGoddessherself curse you for your wicked ways!”
This stuns me more than anything else andIfeel a stab of shame as sharp as a blade in my heart.I’vespent my life worshiping theGoddessofNature.Willshe really curse me for whatIdid withTheron?ButIhad to do it–Iwas in so much pain and need from the witch’s spell!Ifelt likeIwas going mad before he came and gave me his seed.
“Come on, sweetheart.”Theronwraps one muscular arm around me and starts leading me away.“It’stime to go.”
“But…but…”Idon’t want to go–Idon’t want to leave the temple!It’smy home–the only homeI’veever known!
I try to hang back, but the bigDrakeShifterwon’t let me.Hepicks me up, swinging me into his arms as thoughIweigh nothing, and carries me away from the garden and the temple grounds.
I look over his shoulder, watching the temple disappear through a blur of tears as he carries me away.
My heart feels like it's breaking, andIknow beyond the shadow of a doubt thatIwill never get back unlessIcan somehow find a way to work theTimeWeavingspell.
22
THERON