Chapter Ten
Tiernan
I push through the dense foliage; the mist curling around my ankles as I make my way deeper into the unearthly woods bordering the academy grounds. My thoughts are in turmoil, torn between what I want to do and what I need to do. The agreement to distance myself from Brigid weighs heavily, and I feel a pull towards her that I can ’ t resist. It killed me to see her so disappointed when we told her we wouldn ’ t work with Marius to try to open the rift again.
My sacred grove beckons, promising quiet and a place to calm my mind, but my thoughts keep wandering to forbidden places. To soft curves and stormy gray eyes. To promises and primal need.
A flash of movement catches my eye, and I stop breathing as Brigid steps into my path, her chest heaving slightly.
“ Tiernan,” she says, her voice low and breathy. “ I ’ ve been looking for you.”
My cock twitches at the sight of her flushed cheeks, the way her tongue darts out to wet her lips. I struggle to maintain control.
“ Brigid. I ’ m a bit busy right now.” My voice comes out rougher than intended, the lie doesn ’ t come easily.
She takes a step closer, boldness flashing in her eyes. “ I had to find you. It ’ s about Rory, about opening the rift—”
I cut her off, closing the distance between us. I know exactly why she ’ s here and what she ’ s about to ask. “ I want him back as much as you do, Brigid. But we ’ re not working with Marius.”
Brigid ’ s eyes widen, but she doesn ’ t back down. Her chin tilts up defiantly as she meets my gaze. “ Please, just hear me out.”
I try to focus as Brigid explains, her closeness overwhelming. The scent of her skin, a mix of lavender and something distinctly hers, clouds my senses.
“ Eira found an ancient text,” Brigid says, her eyes alight with hope. “ Now, everything said that the shadow realm can only be accessed with pure magic. The magic of the gods. But the book Eira found—it describes a purification ritual that could open a path to the shadow realm without divine intervention.”
My brow furrows. “ That ’ s... intriguing. How would it work?”
Brigid steps closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “ It involves channeling my shadow magic through a complex series of spells. The ritual is meant to purify the caster, stripping away mortal limitations.”
My cock throbs as her breath ghosts across my neck. I try to think rationally. “ It sounds dangerous, Brigid. We don ’ t know the consequences of a ritual like that.”
Her hand brushes my arm, sending heat straight down. “ I know it ’ s probably risky,” she says, her fingers trailing up to my shoulder. “ But I need your help, Tiernan. Your grove—we could do the ritual there.”
I swallow hard, fighting the urge to pull her flush against me. I ’ m not even supposed to be talking to her. “ And what exactly would this ritual entail?”
Brigid ’ s cheeks go red. “ It requires a deep connection to primal energy and… a pure, clean state.”
“ Meaning?” I arch a brow.
“ I think I have to be naked,” she mumbles.
Suddenly, this ritual just got a lot more appealing. I take a deep breath and exhale. “ Fine. Let ’ s go quickly, before I change my mind.” And before Callen or Lochan can spot us. If they see me breaking our pact to avoid Brigid, I ’ ll never hear the end of it.
We make our way to the grove in silence, the anticipation of what we ’ re about to do preoccupying us both. I can ’ t help but sneak glances at her curvy ass swaying in those leggings. As if she senses my stare, she glances over her shoulder and blushes again before busying herself with gathering the frost-kissed berries and herbs needed for the ritual.
In the center of the grove, a mossy circle lies in the middle. I watch as Brigid undresses, my cock straining against my trousers.
She hesitates, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hemline of her shirt. I can feel the apprehension emanating from her—she expects me to look away, to maintain my usual restraint. She ’ s only familiar with that side of me. She doesn ’ t know the other side yet, the part that will not be denied the pleasure of admiring her body.
Slowly, she peels off her shirt, revealing the creamy skin of her heavy breasts, and rosy nipples that harden as the chilly breeze caresses them. She shivers, crossing her arms protectively over her chest. I force myself to look away, focusing on the preparations for the ritual.
But my gaze keeps drifting back to her, unable to resist the pull of her naked form. She catches me staring again and averts her eyes, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. My length hardens in response, demanding to be released from the confines of my trousers.
As the ritual begins, I note Brigid ’ s deepening blush as she sits naked before me, her breasts and pink nipples fully exposed, her pussy bared to me while I remain clothed. Her eyes dart nervously, avoiding my gaze as I begin the incantation.
“ Shadows part, veil lift,” I intone, my voice resonant. “ By blood and breath, we seek the rift.”
Brigid ’ s fingers tremble as she traces the glyphs on the ground. “ Chaos stirs, order bends. Light and dark, their borders rend.”
A dense, highly charged energy permeates the air. I crush the sweet red berries called for in the ritual, their juice staining my fingers crimson. Brigid ’ s breath hitches as I reach out, anointing her hardened nipples with the sticky extract. Her back arches involuntarily as I move lower to anoint her mound,
The energy builds, the atmosphere thickening with every second. Brigid ’ s eyes flutter closed as she channels her shadow magic, her body trembling with the effort. Dark swirls of power coil around her legs and arms, pulsing and gliding over her pale skin.
I struggle to focus on the incantation, distracted by the erotic sight before me. Brigid ’ s nipples are taut peaks, glistening with the juice of the berries. A bead of red liquid trails down the curve of her breast. I have to stop myself from leaning down to lick it off.
“ Shadows dance, chaos reigns,” Brigid chants, her voice husky. “ Open wide the hidden veins.”
A swirling vortex forms above us, dark fingers of ink-black mist reaching out. Brigid gasps, her back arching as the magic courses through her. “ I can feel it,” she moans. “ The rift, it ’ s opening!”
But then, just as quickly as it formed, the vortex collapses. A gust of wind whips through, scattering leaves.
A sharp crack echoes through the grove as a branch snaps overhead. I lunge forward, shielding Brigid with my body as it crashes down beside us. The leftover energy from the ritual dissipates in a rush of wind, leaving us panting and shaken.
“ No,” Brigid whispers, her voice breaking. “ It didn ’ t work.”
I pull back slightly, keeping my arms around her trembling form. Her skin is flushed and clammy against mine, our skin meeting where my shirt is partially open. My heart thuds.
“ It ’ s okay.” I run a soothing hand down her back. “ We ’ ll find another way.”
Brigid looks up at me, her gray eyes glistening with unshed tears. “ I thought... I really thought this would work.
“ I know.” I cup her face gently.
I gaze down at Brigid. Her breasts press against me, nipples still stained crimson and pebbled from the chill air. Our faces are mere inches apart, breaths mingling in visible puffs.
A current seems to pulse between us, the mate bond flaring to life with an intensity that steals my breath. Brigid ’ s eyes widen, pupils dilating as she feels it too. The rest of the world fades away until there is only her - the softness of her skin, the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the intoxicating scent that is uniquely Brigid.
“ Tiernan,” she whispers. Her fingers trail up my arms. Her eyes are wide with need.
“Yes, Brigid?” I manage. Gods how I want this woman. Right now.
“ I need—” she pleads, her voice barely above a whisper. A flush creeps across her cheeks, making her even more beautiful.
Though she can ’ t say the words, I know instinctively what she ’ s asking me for. Brigid wants the burden she ’ s been carrying off of her shoulders. She wants to let go, and for someone else to take control.
That ’ s something I can indulge her in.
I stop denying the growing hunger within me. Primal instincts I thought I ’ d tamed long ago claw their way to the surface, demanding release. The urge to claim Brigid, to have her completely under my control, surges through my veins.
“ Lie back.” The authority in my tone tolerates no argument, and Brigid doesn ’ t try. She eases herself back onto the mossy ground, the cool air now caressing her flushed skin and the contact with the cold ground making her shake.
The sight of her, laid bare before me, obeying my command, her breasts heaving with each ragged breath she takes, nearly sends me over the edge.
“ Spread your legs,” I order. “ Show me everything.”
She hesitates for just a moment before slowly parting her thighs. My cock throbs painfully as her glistening folds are revealed to me.
I kneel between her legs, my hardness pushing against the resistance of my trousers as I take in the breathtaking sight before me. It ’ s the most beautiful thing I ’ ve ever seen.
I need more.
“ Wider,” I demand. “ I want to see all of you.”
Brigid whimpers softly but complies, spreading herself open with her hands. Her clit peeks out from its hood, swollen and begging for attention. I growl in approval.
“ Good girl,” I praise, running my hands up her legs, holding them open. Her body shivers with anticipation or fear, or perhaps a potent mix of both.
“ Tell me what you need, Brigid.” I command, my voice thick with raw desire.
Her eyes widen, her pupils dilating further as she looks at me with a mix of lust, longing and... fear. “ I...” she gulps, biting her lower lip. “ I... I want you to take control,” she finally manages to spit out in a trembling voice. “ I... I need you to make it all go away.”
A surge of dark satisfaction courses through my veins as the knowledge that she ’ s willing—not just willing, but asking—to submit to me washes over me.
“ Is that what you really want?” I ask.
Brigid nods.
“ Then show me how you touch yourself,” I direct.
Brigid hesitates for a moment before she reaches down, slipping a hand between us. With a shy glance in my direction, she begins to circle her clit. I watch, hypnotized, as her breath becomes shallow and her hips buck.
“ Good girl,” I praise. “ Show me what you like.”
She inserts a finger into her slick entrance, moaning softly.
“ You ’ re going to make yourself come for me, Brigid. Show me how you touch yourself when you ’ re alone.”
Brigid moans, her fingers moving faster. “ Please, Tiernan. I want you to do it. I need you inside me.”
“ Not yet,” I say. “ Be a good girl and come for me first. Then I ’ ll fuck you.”
Her eyes widen at my crude words. I stretch out beside her, propping myself up on one elbow. My free hand drifts to her breast, fingers lazily circling her nipple.
“ Let me help you,” I murmur, pinching the hardened bud. Brigid gasps, her back arching.
I watch with interest as Brigid obeys my command, her slender fingers teasing her swollen clit and then sliding down to delve into her wet center. The sight of her fingers dipping in and out of her cunt is magnificent. I want nothing more than to plunge my cock into her heat right then and there, but I force myself to wait, savoring her submission and vulnerability.
“ That ’ s it. Show me how badly you need it, Brigid. Show me what a good girl you are.”
I trail kisses down Brigid ’ s neck, reveling in the taste of her skin. My hand moves to her other breast, cupping it and pinching her nipple roughly. She cries out, her fingers moving faster between her legs.
“ That ’ s it,” I growl against her throat. “ Come for me.”
Brigid groans at my words, her hips writhing. I can tell she ’ s close, dangling on the edge.
“ Please,” she begs. “ I need—”
“ I know what you need,” I interrupt, leaning over and sucking hard on her breast, marking her. “ And you ’ ll get it when I decide you deserve it. Now come for me,” I demand.
Brigid picks up the pace as she fingers herself. Her hips arch off the ground, pressing against nothingness as if craving for something more substantial. A sheen of sweat glosses her skin despite the frosty air, making her flushed complexion even more enticing.
“ Come for me, Brigid,” I say again, my voice low and commanding.
With a strangled cry, Brigid ’ s back arches as she climaxes. I watch hungrily as pleasure washes over her face, her body spasming in response,
She collapses back, panting and spent. I pull her close, feeling the rapid beat of her heart against mine. For a moment, we simply exist like this, wrapped in each other ’ s embrace.
But I ’ m not done with her yet. Not by a long shot.
“ Now, Brigid. It ’ s my turn.”
She looks up at me, her eyes glazed with pleasure. I can see the question in her gaze.
“ Say please, sweetheart.”
“ Please,” she whispers.
“ Roll over,” I command, my voice husky with desire. “ On your belly.”
Brigid complies, her movements languid in the aftermath of her orgasm. I drink in the sight of her pale back, the gentle curve of her spine, the swell of her ass. Placing my hand under her waist, I hoist her hips up until she ’ s on her knees, ass in the air.
I run my fingers over her exposed pussy, marveling at how wet she is. Her pussy glisten in the light, practically begging to be filled. I trace her slit slowly, savoring the way she shivers at my touch.
“ So wet for me,” I murmur approvingly. “ Such a needy little cunt.”
Positioning my thick cock at her entrance, I tease her mercilessly. I inch forward, just barely breaching her. I push just the tip inside, feeling her tight heat envelop me, before pulling back out. Brigid moans in frustration, trying to impale herself on my length.
I grip her hips firmly, holding her still as I continue to tease her entrance with the head of my cock. She whines, trying to push back against me.
“ Please, Tiernan,” she begs. “ I need you inside me.”
“ Patience,” I growl, giving her ass a sharp spank. Brigid gasps, her pussy clenching around my tip. “ You ’ ll get my cock when I decide you ’ re ready for it.”
I slide just the head in and out a few more times, coating myself in her juices. Brigid trembles beneath me, her fingers digging into the moss.
“ Tell me what you want,” I demand, stilling my movements. “ Beg for it.”
“ Please,” Brigid whimpers. “ Please fuck me, Tiernan. I want you inside me.”
With a growl of satisfaction, I slam into her fully. Brigid cries out as I fill her completely, her tight walls clenching around me. I give her no time to adjust, setting a punishing pace as I pound into her.
Brigid gasps at the swift intrusion. There ’ s no gentleness in my touches now, but judging by the way her body responds, clenching tightly around me, she enjoys it.
My thrusts are deliberate, powerful. Each one brings out a soft moan from Brigid, her rear pushing back to match my rhythm. I love the feel of her beneath me, the way her body molds underneath mine. Our rhythm is steady, primordial, two bodies moving as one.
“ Oh, Tiernan,” she cries out, her voice hoarse with pleasure. “ Don ’ t stop.”
As if I could. My release is building, the pressure mounting with every thrust. But I hold on, wanting to draw out this moment for as long as possible.
Then Brigid tightens around me, her walls pulsing rhythmically. She screams my name, her climax triggering mine. With a groan, I empty myself inside her, filling her up.
We both collapse, spent and gasping for breath. My seed trickles out of her, evidence of our shared pleasure. Despite just having come, I feel myself stiffen again at the sight.
“ Oh!” Brigid murmurs.
With a soft sigh, I pull out of her gently and lay down beside her. I cover her with my wool cloak, as I ’ m still clothed, shielding her from the cold. We remain silent for a while, unwilling to break the spell created by our coming together as we just have.
Yet, a sense of unease lingers. There are things left unsaid.
But for now, I just want to stay this moment, with her. Two souls connected by more than just lust. We are bound by fate, by magic, by a love that destiny tells us will transcend time and space.
And as the grove falls silent around us, I can ’ t help but wish we could stay here forever.