Page 46 of Twisted Thorns

I growl at that, whipping my head back to meet Kieran’s piercing gaze as I bare my teeth. “I don’t think that. I’ve never thought that.”

Kieran grips my hips, flipping me onto my back, and his lips come crashing down against mine. It’s a kiss of desperation and salvation, of seeking the wildness that echoes in me as surely as it races through him.

I latch onto him, wrapping my arms and legs into a snare of my own so he can’t run away. My fingernails graze his back, their bruising bite shifting into claws as Kieran lines his hips up with mine and slams into me. My back arches and Kieran’s head descends to my breast, sucking a nipple into his mouth before biting. I buck against him, lost to the pressure building, to the sensation of stretching fullness as my core quivers around his cock.

We’re both mindless now, rocking into each other with a snarling symphony, seeking the release that can only be found with each other.

The wave I’m riding finally crests, and I shatter as Kieran relentlessly pounds into me, stars bursting behind my closed eyelids. Kieran’s breath is hot on my ear and I hear his sharp inhale before he is chasing me down the tumbling abyss of his own release.

Chapter 23

Avalina

My phone rings, the shrill sound cutting through the quiet morning. I glance at the display to see it is a call from Sarah. It's early and one of my day’s off, so alarms ring in my head at the sight of Sarah’s name lighting up the screen. Adrenaline courses through me, and I fumble with the phone, almost dropping it in my haste to answer.

"Sarah? Is everything okay?" I rush out, almost tripping over my words.

A chuckle answers me. "Everything is fine, Avalina. I just wanted to let you know that Mavis is at the hospital and in labor. She was at the library with me when she started having contractions. But no need to rush over here, the doctor's say it could be a few hours still. They’re still in the early stages."

A shudder of relief washes through me. "Oh, thank goodness. I was so startled when you called, I almost dropped the phone, thinking something horrible had happened."

Worry laced Sarah’s voice. "I'm sorry, Avalina. I didn't mean to worry you. Just thought you'd want to know."

"Of course! Yes, I definitely want to know and I'm so grateful you called. Should I bring anything? I can bring coffee or breakfast on my way in."

"I don't think my nerves can handle food right now, but coffee sounds great."

"You got it. I'll see you soon, Sarah. Give Mavis my love."

I hung up, excited about this new journey Mavis was on, but also afraid of what could happen. My accident never left me far from the idea that you never knew what was around the next bend.

Arriving at the hospital with coffee and pastries in tow, I walk through the maternity ward, surrounded by the sounds of folks in various stages of labor, and I quickly make my way to Mavis's room. The pale-colored walls contrasting with the nurses in their bright pink and green scrubs.

Greeting Sarah, I hand her the coffee and snacks so I can give Mavis a giant hug. Despite what Sarah said on the phone earlier, Mavis is clearly uncomfortable, and I do what I can do to distract my friend and keep her at ease.

"Have you heard the story of Macha?" I ask as I sit in a chair next to the bed.

Mavis lets out a pained laugh. "No, who's that?"

"She was a goddess of Ireland, who took a human lover. Her one rule for her husband, Cruinniuc, was that he was not allowed to tell anyone about her. One day he went to a festival put on by the King of Ulster, where Cruinniuc couldn't stop himself from boasting that his wife could outrun the King's fastest horses."

Mavis grimaced. "Who says things like that?"

"I know! Some folks just can't handle someone else having more power than them. And of course, the King demanded that Cruinniuc prove his claim, so his very pregnant wife was brought to the festival and forced to race against the steeds."

"She had to race against horses? While pregnant?! This story seems awful. Please tell me she at least won."

"Of course, she won! And she also gave birth to twin boys just as she crossed the finish line."

"Ouch."

"But it gets better! Remember, Macha was a goddess, and her husband did not do the one thing she required of him. So, she laid a curse on all the men of Ulster, that during the time of their greatest need, they would be stricken with the pain of childbirth for nine days."

"HA! Serves them right. I like that story."

"I thought you might."

A knock on the door announces the doctor’s return to Mavis's room to check on her progress, and I quickly excuse myself to go to work. Thoughts of Mavis and her baby consume my mind as I drive to the library.

---