Free The Druid Series 9: Baird (A Druid Novel) by Marata Eros Page B

“I am Titus.”
    “ Baird.” He tosses his chin toward Carrig and the introductions stall.
    Carrig is more amiable than Baird. “What blood are you?”
    Titus moves swiftly beside them though he carries Siana’s dead weight. “I am blood of the demonic, and also Exotic.”
    “ Obviously vampire,” Carrig replies.
    “ Aye, I am, though I have enough Exotic blood to shadow skip.”
    Baird frowns.
    “Baird,” Carrig says, but Baird sprints ahead.
    He smells the wetness from the hot spring, musty yet sweet. Baird zeroes in on it as he runs, and Titus follows.
    They arrive at the water's edge, and all of them slip off their clothes.
    Carrig nudges the edge of his rucksack open and plucks out soap.
    Siana moans, flopping an elegant arm over her eyes.
    She gasps as hot water slides over her body. Every scratch, wound, and piece of filth responds with a biting sting.
    “What?” Siana asks, her voice thick.
    “ We are bathing then seeking shelter nearby,” Carrig explains.
    Baird takes Siana from Titus, and he resists.
    Their eyes lock.
    “ I will not harm the Druid queen, Faction,” Baird says.
    Siana holds an arm around Titus's waist as she half floats in the warm water. “He does not believe you.” She looks up at Titus through half-closed lids.
    Carrig snorts, and Baird frowns.
    Her naked shoulders lift. “What assurance does he have, based on your rabid behavior?”
    Baird casts his eyes to the ground, properly shamed.
    When he lifts them, he is more himself. “I wish to have some time to speak alone with you.”
    “Ah,” Siana says, “you need but ask. We're obviously on intimate terms.”
    She says her words with mirth. They are barbs sinking into his flesh, and he deserves it.
    Siana lets herself be pulled through the water by Baird.
    Something tight and hard eases within Baird's chest when she is beside him.
    He kisses the top of her head, wrapping her tightly against himself.
    They float away while the other men clean. Only the sounds of splashing can be heard.
    Baird turns to Siana. “I am so sorry. I have handled every encounter with you in the worst way.”
    “ That is true.”
    “ You were a virgin when I accused you of being a whore.”
    She nods, and he goes on.
    “I allowed Kael to take you first, thinking you were experienced.” His eyes lift to hers. “Only to find he stole your innocence from underneath my nose.” He sighs, and she treads water, listening.
    “ Then I could not see straight with Kael.”
    “ Now he is gone,” Siana says.
    Baird exhales in a rush. “Is it true?”
    Siana hides her expression. “Is what true?”
    “ Is it true that you are with child... from two days prior?”
    Her stillness is absolute, then Siana nods.
    Baird sucks in a breath. He feels as though he is drowning though he is above water. “Is it mine?”
    Siana hesitates before nodding a second time.
    Baird's shoulders drop in relief.
    Siana's arms bear circles where his hands gripped her. His eyes snap to hers.
    “I have also been impregnated by Titus of the Faction,” she says.
    He feels sucker-punched. “Impossible,” Baird whispers in denial.
    “I think many things were made possible when you and Kael took me upon the Sacred Stone.”
    “ You must get pregnant at one sitting.”
    “ No.” Her eyes glitter with wetness. “My body chooses what seed it wishes. I am ripe even now, if the male be the choosing of my womb.”
    Baird thinks. “You are Druid queen.”
    Siana nods.
    “ I cannot bear to share you with any more men, Siana.”
    It is Siana's turn to be silent.
    Finally she says, “It is not my choice, but that of my body. Something is happening that is beyond my control. The Faction have taken my sister Druids, and all you can do is worry over who might fuck me next? It was you and Kael who took me as a virgin upon the Sacred Stone and opened my womb for breeding. I do not know how long or with whom, may spill their seed inside me. However, this is my destiny as Druid queen