Witches Night

Excerpt:
The young woman replied, “I didn’t run into you, you ran into me.” Belatedly she seemed to realize he was a person of importance. “Are you Diogenes the Vain?”

“The name is Diogenes DeVayne,” Diogenes replied. Now that she knew who he was, perhaps she would show a little more respect. He asked scornfully, “So you know about me?”

The little witch shrugged. “I know you are a used-broom salesman.”

Such impudence. He held onto his temper as he asked, “And who might you be?”

The young woman replied with a tilt of her chin, “I am Marigold, Endora of the Dark Wood’s apprentice.” Turning her head to one side, she shot him a sidelong glance. “Endora isn’t home.” The respect he had expected never materialized. Instead Marigold said, with a touch of arrogance, “If you were much of a wizard, you would know that.”

Diogenes shot back indignantly, “And if you were much of a witch, you would know not to go riding around on a stolen broom when you’re not even a certified rider.” He stood and shook dirt from his crimson lined cloak. “Come along with me. We are going to the Western District Office of the Witch’s Tribunal and settle this matter once and for all.”

Marigold stood and pointed to the battered broom that lay on the ground not twenty paces from them. “That broom is not stolen. It belongs to my mentor, Endora of the Dark Woods.”

Diogenes’ patience was wearing thin. “Do you have her permission to ride it?” Before Marigold could respond, he answered his own question. “I think not.”

“What you think doesn’t count,” the impertinent little witch shot back before adding haughtily, “Why don’t you attend to your own business and leave me alone?”

Diogenes turned his head to one side and studied the small figure before him. Such defiance both annoyed and intrigued him. “Ah, but it is the business of the Western Witch’s Tribunal. You can explain that to them, just after you tell them why you were riding solo without proper certification.”

Marigold swallowed as she relented, but only a little. “When they meet, I will have to, I suppose. But that won’t be tonight. This is a very important holiday. Witches everywhere are celebrating and making merry.” She inspected the torn sleeve of the lovely long black gown she wore, “Endora is going to kill me,” and then sidled in the direction of the broom. “I’m going home now. When you need me, you know where to find me.”

Did she really think he would let her escape so easily? Diogenes told her matter-of-factly, “You are not going anywhere out of my presence until this matter is settled.”

Marigold stopped in her tracks. “But that could be days, even weeks from now.”

That was true, and in the meantime he would have this delightfully infuriating creature all to himself. That should give him enough time to tame her properly and seduce her completely. The prospect pleased Diogenes immensely. “You should have thought of that before you decided to steal a broom and go joy riding.” He was a majestically imposing figure standing with both hands on his hips, looking tall, dark, extremely handsome and just short of menacing.

Marigold protested, “I can’t go anywhere with you or anyone else.” She hastened to explain, “Endora will be away for a fortnight and I am in charge while she’s away. I have chores to do and lessons to practice.”

Diogenes’ devious mind instantly latched onto the words, Endora will be away for a fortnight.

He could have two whole weeks alone with this challenging, charming creature. In that length of time he could…Marigold’s clear soprano impinged on his lecherous thoughts. “I’ll be going now.”

Diogenes caught up to her and grabbed her arm. “I’m going with you and I’m going to stay with you until Endora is home once more.”

He knew little apprentice witches who would beg for the privilege of his company. This one was an exception. She yanked her arm free. “You will do no such thing. I have chores to do and lessons to study and rites to perform. The last thing I need is some bothersome male hanging around, always under foot, getting in my way and expecting me to see to his creature comforts.”

Diogenes grabbed her arm again, this time in a much tighter grip. Bothersome male indeed. He could take care of himself, and in the process, he would handle this pesky little would-be witch. “Either I go with you to Endora’s or you come with me to my cave.”

Marigold relented, but most ungraciously. “Oh, all right, tag along if you must.”

Diogenes propelled her toward his pitchfork. “I intend to do just that.”

Marigold dug her heels into the soft sand. “And you have to promise to stay out of my way.”

Diogenes was a wizard of rare sexual talents and lascivious love-making abilities. He prided himself on being able to seduce any fair creature who caught his fancy. He was also expert at holding onto her until that fancy faded, which it always did, and often sooner rather than later. Marigold’s words hit him like a bucket of cold water. He vowed that she would pay for her disrespectful behavior. Before the next two weeks were over, this little witch would be begging him to not only be near to her but to make love to her over and over again. That prospect made that the portion of his body that he referred to as his magic wand grow to a tremendous size and tighten until he ached.

Once again Marigold balked. “What about Endora’s broom? I can’t just leave it here.” Darting around him, she raced for the battered broomstick. “I must ride it home.”

Diogenes raced after her. “Come back here!” He tackled her before she could reach the broom and wrestled her to the ground. He was set to give her a genuine tongue lashing when the feel of her satiny skin against his body made him forget to be stern. He sat on the sand and pulled her into his lap. His magic wand rose majestically to the occasion and pushed insistently into Marigold’s backside as the magnificent mage was suddenly as bemused as a bashful school boy. Pulling Marigold nearer, he put his chin on her shoulder and whispered seductively in her ear, “What are you going to do now, little witch?”

Marigold twisted around to face him. Putting her arms around his neck, she pressed her body into his. Her breath was an erotic puff in his ear. “I am going to…” Her breasts pushed into his chest. The sweet scent of her filled his nostrils. She pushed him down onto the warm sand and leaned very near his face. “I am going to…”

Diogenes’ self-assurance was his undoing. He was so certain that he had this woman under his spell that he relaxed his body and his vigilance. “Yes, my sweet little wench, tell me more.”

Marigold purred, “Close your eyes.”

Entranced fool that he was, Diogenes obeyed.

“I am going to say,” Marigold vaulted to her feet and raced for Endora’s broom, “good bye, Mister Mage.” She was on the broom and in the air before Diogenes could scramble to his feet.

Diogenes swore under his breath as he mounted his pitchfork and took off after the soaring witch on her broom. As he sped away, he vowed once more that the would-be witch Marigold would pay for this little episode. Oh yes, she would pay and pay and pay…