Mists of Velvet

voice deep and gravelly.
    The wolf blinked, its eyes widening as it turned its head to look out the window. In a flash, the animal leaped up and ran to the door, which was slightly ajar.
    “Don’t leave!” he called hoarsely. The last thing he wanted was to be left alone in this cottage—in Annwyn—without any sort of ally. The wolf was the closest thing he had to a friend and guide.
    The wolf turned and gave him a last look, its blue gaze unblinking. Either Rhys was insane or he heard the beast say “Stay” before it lunged out the door.
    Fuck! Collapsing back onto the warm pallet of furs, Rhys groaned. He didn’t like being weak and not fully able to defend himself. He was also exhausted, just from that small amount of movement, which told him he’d be easy prey if anyone found him here.
    What he needed was to regain his strength and get the fuck out of here. And for that, he needed to find Keir.
    Closing his eyes, Rhys tried to focus on the wraith, but he kept seeing a pale-haired goddess leaning over him, her face awash in pleasure. She was an alluring woman, so damned tempting that he abandoned trying to locate his wraith and instead allowed himself to indulge in a few private and sexy thoughts about his goddess.
    He was safe enough for now. And his dream goddess beckoned, so he followed her like a damned disciple.

    Bronwnn crept quietly into Cailleach’s solarium. The Supreme Goddess was awake and dressed, and she was dining on bread and cheese. When Cailleach saw her, she motioned her over to the table and pointed to the empty chair beside her.
    “Be seated.”
    Bronwnn obeyed silently. She had no idea if Cailleach knew about her walk in the woods last night. She prayed she did not.
    “You appear tired. Have you not been able to sleep?”
    Bronwnn shook her head in denial, but Cailleach glanced at her skeptically.
    “Your time is close upon you. It can cause disturbing dreams and disrupt sleep. It is normal.”
    Nervously, Bronwnn clasped her hands together. With a nod, she acknowledged that her sexual maturity was not simply coming, but had, indeed, arrived.
    “You have no mother to guide you through this change, or tell you of the Shrouding. I will guide you when the time is right.”
    Bronwnn raised her gaze to the goddess. She had never before acted as anything other than her superior. Bronwnn had never known the love of a mother. She actually knew very little about the woman who bore her; all she had were her mother’s books.
    “I wish for you to take a mate. I have decided upon an appropriate male. One who is strong and worthy. One who will empower you. He is a strong male. Highly magical.”
    Bronwnn thought about the man she had left in her cottage. She could still feel his magick running along her body. Her nipples still tingled where his mouth had suckled her. She wanted him. She could hardly wait for nightfall so that she could return to him.
    “You will obey me in this.”
    She nodded, eager to obey this edict. She wanted this mate more than anything.
    “He is a Shadow Wraith. A most powerful one. An alliance between the goddesses and the wraiths will protect Annwyn.”
    Again she nodded and attempted to look passive and accepting. It was difficult, since everything inside her wanted to jump for joy. Not only was she going to sleep beside the man for the rest of her existence, but she was going to leave the temple, and Cailleach’s grasp.
    The goddess sat back in her chair and whistled. The white oidhche flew from its perch and landed on the sleeve of Cailleach’s gown. “There is a disturbance within Annwyn. I felt it last night. It is not the Dark Mage, but something else. Have you seen anything?”
    Bronwnn swiftly shook her head. Cailleach frowned and turned her attention to the owl. “I sent him out, but he came back empty-handed. He saw nothing. Yet even this morning, I still feel it. Something— or someone —is here.” When Bronwnn raised her head, she met Cailleach’s pointed gaze. “I would like you to look for me.”
    With a nod, Bronwnn rose from the chair to return to her chamber.
    “In here,” Cailleach demanded. “Before me.”
    Bronwnn stumbled but swiftly regained control. She didn’t want to perform a divination here, in front of Cailleach. She didn’t want the goddess to hear or see anything that Bronwnn had taken such great pains to hide. But there was no remedy. Cailleach would not bend, and she would only grow suspicious if Bronwnn kicked up a