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breast?”
    “Yes. You could say that.”
    His reply was tame but his thoughts were not. The centaur was lurking just beneath the surface then. What Marius wanted was one more time in her before the appearance of the beast robbed him of pleasures he might never know again. Cloaked and guarded by trees older than time, whose powers not even he had ever tapped, the hidden pool was the perfect place for such a tryst.
    Linnea waved her arm and a garment appeared, a gossamer robe spun of spider silk spangled with the morning dew. She swirled it around her, and Marius wondered why. It hid nothing. It was as transparent as the air, the dewdrops like a million prisms giving birth to rainbows as the sunlight filtered down through the uppermost branches. It sparkled even more brilliantly once they’d left the sanctuary of the trees, catching the eyes of the revelers lazing about and taking advantage of the delectable fare in the colorful striped tents at the edge of the wood. A strolling circus had joined them, half-clad performers singing bawdy songs as they set up for their entertainments.
    The music of dulcimer, lyre, and flute surrounded them, though no musicians showed themselves. Marius had forgotten how hypnotic the ethereal Midsummer music could be. It resonated through his body, erotic and evocative. He couldn’t remember it ever having such an effect upon him before. Sounds, smells, images, like the dazzling gossamer wrap Linnea flaunted in the sunlight had increased in intensity a hundredfold. Yes, the centaur was near. There was no time to lose if he was to have her one more time before the beast within—the beast he abhorred—took possession of him once again.
    Linnea began to sway to the music, her long hair whipping the air, spreading her scent as she danced wildly, her tiny feet scarcely disturbing the sweet grass carpeting the forest floor in that sector. Mesmerized, Marius could do naught but stand and stare, his member swelling at the mere sight of her. She was feral then, his enigmatic antelope goddess, whose other self—like his centaur—lurked just beneath her golden skin. It was almost as if she were drawing his centaur out, challenging it—at the very least flirting with it. Did she not know what fire she played with? Still, he couldn’t bring himself to look away from her undulating movements. She was pure sex, a shimmering vision of seduction. All eyes were upon her as she whirled and spun and seduced the sun streaming through the clearing. It made love to her in turn.
    Reaching out, she beckoned him to join the dance. A gasp rumbled through the spectators that had gathered. It took a moment before Marius realized his naked arousal had caused it. Lords of the green had no modesty. Naked or clothed, their sexuality was not a private matter. Fertility was their purpose, and nudity was as natural to them as breathing. He gave their awestruck appreciation only passing notice, for he had eyes only for Linnea. Her shapely figure beneath the sheer robe had his full and fierce attention. She was exquisite, and she was his for the taking, at least until the Solstice revels ended.
    “Come,” he said, taking her hand. “Our bath awaits, my lady.”
    Linnea’s eyes held a playful glint filled with mystery and promise. Marius was thrilled by it but she avoided his hand and darted past him, her laughter like silver bells pealing.
    “I will race you there, my lord!” she cried out, streaking past him. “Catch me if you can!”
    Her words were like a caress riding the breeze as Marius raced after her. He dared not let her out of his sight, not with the threat he feared still looming. But he’d forgotten how swiftly an antelope could move. His own strong legs were carrying him at a good pace through a mist that had suddenly risen. He could no longer see her ahead, though he could hear her laughter. His heart began to pound, not from the exertion of the race but rather from a shadow of fear he could taste as her