The Wolf and the Druidess Read Free

Thin, leafless limbs stretched over her head. She gaped as one branch seemed to transform into a long, bony arm with lengthy fingers, reaching out to grab her in its clutches. Her heart pounded. As she lifted the torch, shining light on the branch, it appeared as normal-looking as all the other trees.
    Dried brown leaves and brittle twigs crunched beneath her feet as she trudged on. The apex between her thighs felt empty and on fire, from gaping at the men’s bare bodies. She craved to be held in the sturdy arms of a warrior as he slid his hard, sinewy length into her pulsating core. The cool breeze soothed her flushed skin. It lifted a few strands of her hair, reminding her of Cynfarch’s long, warm fingers playing with her red tresses. She throbbed again.
    Glancing at the basket, she breathed in the strong, meaty scent of blood pudding links, sweet honey, and fresh apples. The aroma turned her thoughts back to her mother. Her lust slacked as she ached anew for the only parent she’d known, as her father had died shortly after her birth. Soft warmth filled her at the thought of seeing her mother’s ghost tonight.
    Tears threatened to fall, engulfed by the memory of her mother. The moon had waxed and waned only ten times since she’d fallen ill in winter and death had taken her.
    Seren glanced at the white, gleaming orb overhead as she entered a small clearing, but the movements of the wind or small creatures in the dark, caused it to appear as if other people or creatures loomed in the shadows, hiding, watching.
    Shaking from the chill wind, she swallowed hard and spoke aloud. “I come to visit my mother. If you are spirits, follow the path to the village and meet with your kith and kin. I have not come for you. Hasten to the homes of your loved ones and leave me alone.”
    If they were ghosts, they would listen. She hoped. Seren didn’t have time for a spirit to take over her body on Samhain. After waiting ten turns of the moon to visit with her mother, she wouldn’t let anyone or anything stop her. The pain of her mother’s death reminded her of a minor parting when she was twelve and went to the druid center of learning for fostering, just across the Menai River to the island of Ynys Mon. She‘d been horribly homesick away from her mother at that age.
    Her mother had been so proud and told everyone, “See how wise my daughter is, so blessed by the gods, the druids took her to foster.”
    Few were chosen, training took many years, and a druid’s ranking in the tribe placed as high as the chief’s. Seren was surprised how much older she was now, five and twenty years, still she had a need for her mother. The loss was deep. It had left a hole in her. Warmth and joy would return to her heart tonight when she celebrated her favorite feast day, Samhain, the New Year, with her departed mother.
    Just moments ago she’d heard the call of an owl, the chirp of a bird, and the whistling wind, but the forest had grown so quiet she could hear the crackle of dried leaves and the rustle of her elbow brushing across a bush.
    As she walked, she glimpsed a creature passing like a black shadow between the spooky trees. It crept in stealth like part of the darkness itself. A shiver shot through her. But the mysterious being didn’t make a sound and seemed uninterested in her. Seren held the torch out as she turned around, searching for anything there. She saw nothing.
    Seren kept to the narrow path as she walked deeper into the forest. She’d sensed something. Mayhap a spirit, they came to earth tonight, but she knew it wasn’t her mother’s ghost, she’d recognize her.
    There was no turning back. Whatever it was, she would make peace with it. Seren had to bring the Samhain meal to her mother and honor her, yet she couldn’t shake the odd feeling someone was watching her.
    Holding the torch high, she chanted. “The torch is burning, the year is turning, by this light, I greet the spirits of Samhain night.” Seren called