The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) by Siobhan Muir Read Free Book Online Page A

Sabrina’s house softly and settled his cloak around him as he traversed her frozen yard. Her resolute stubbornness surprised him and he’d started to wonder if she could be convinced at all. Her voice had been full of pain and betrayal, but he didn’t think it all stemmed from the near-death experience she’d had at the coffee shop.
    Whatever betrayal she’ d experienced, it had pushed her away from the healing rituals and the development of her own natural gifts. Darius suspected it had to do with the man who’d walked out on her and his lip curled in disgust at the cock-swinging churl who’d mounted Sabrina and run from his responsibilities. Darius had no problem with recreational pleasure, but running from responsibilities sickened him. He had no patience for it.
    So now he stood in a frozen forest in the dying grip of winter waiting to speak with the Summer Queen of the Sidhe. He’ d received a message from Her Majesty while he’d prepared Sabrina’s tea and he had no idea how he’d tell the Queen of Sabrina’s refusal. He suspected Her Majesty wouldn’t take it very well. He doubted anyone turned the Queen down, not and lived happily ever after.
    He could almost hear Her Majesty’s voice saying, “You’re in a position to take care of things like this. I do not care how, just make it happen.” And he would, he simply needed a little more time. When the Queen of the Summer Court called for an audience, any Chamberlain worth his mettle would never refuse.
    The air around him shifted from biting winter cold to a soft, spring breeze. Frost under his boots melted and the ground grew fragrant. The surrounding trees sprouted new life from embryonic buds and a soft glow permeated the dark forest, pushing back the cold shadows with healing warmth.
    Darius shifted into a bow as the Summer Court materialized around him. Tall forms of the Queen’s most favored courtiers filled the widening space around him between the softly glowing trees. Scents of hyacinth and honeysuckle replaced the winter pine immersed in damp cold. Darius closed his eyes and bowed lower as sibilant whispers of the Court took the place of the soughing wind.
    “Be welcome, Chamberlain Winterbourne. What new developments have you to tell Us of our Beltane ceremonies?”
    Darius rose and opened his eyes to gaze upon the Summer Queen. Girlishly slender and smooth of skin, Her Majesty never seemed to age . Her ancient green eyes twinkled with continued amusement at his surname. Taking a Winterbourne as her Chamberlain had been her way of thumbing her nose at the Winter Court. Though younger than most of her Royal Elven cousins, the current Queen had assumed the throne when Titania stepped down after the Midsummer’s Night Dream debacle in the early 1500s. Darius had been appointed her Chamberlain soon after.
    Well, “soon” as Elves figure it.
    “I have not made too much progress, Your Majesty, but it is early yet and I’ve only just gotten into the witch’s good graces.”
    Her Majesty cocked her head. T oday her white-golden hair had been gathered up in a complex chignon wound around a delicate gold filigree circlet with emerald oak leaves, the symbol of her house. The air around Darius cooled a little as the Queen rose from her throne and closed the distance between them.
    “Only now, Chamberlain ? It seems to have taken more time than necessary.”
    “Yes, my Queen. The witch , Sabrina Foxglove, has no love of strangers or men in general.” He chuckled and inclined his head toward her. “I found her cornered by five men.”
    “Blessed be!” The Queen settled a warm , elegant hand on Darius’s arm. “Is she all right?”
    “Yes, Your Majesty. I arrived just in time, but it made her less than welcoming.”
    “She had no gratitude for your efforts?” The Queen raised an eyebrow as she led him toward a small intimate garden she used for private audiences.
    “I’m sure she did, but I was a stranger and far larger than her five