Lucky's Charm (2 page)

“Faster, Dubh!” Lucky gazed at the woman’s behind as he held her across his lap by the loop holes in her odd pants. She wiggled and the way her buttocks jiggled distracted him.

Lucky shook his head and glanced beyond the two bountiful orbs that made a delectable sight. His cock hardened in his leather britches and just as quickly fell to half-mast when he saw the green strip evaporate. They were only halfway down the rainbow.

The mist dispersing, Dubh galloped, his feet barely touching the colorful surface. The purple band slowly began to fade.

Lucky leaned forward, placing his face near the unicorn's sleek neck. “I will break your damn horn off and beat you with it, ye damn show pony, if you don’t get a move on.” The currents blew across his face, making it hard to breathe. The strange woman’s soft curves bumped against his dick.

Ground rose up fast to meet them. Another strip of color—yellow—dissolved, and Dubh jumped.

They landed with a heavy
thud
a few feet away from the rainbow as it completely disappeared. Lucky straightened and blew out a relieved breath. The woman he’d saved so valiantly didn’t move.

Tolley came running up, his weighty steps making the ground shudder. He stopped short and stared at the woman on Lucky’s lap. “Damn this is bad on many levels, Lucky. She’s from the other side. If Dicklaus gets wind of her….” Tolley wrung his hands. “Fuck a goat! He’s already hunting us.”

“Stop worrying, old friend. You’re a giant. No one will bother us, and who’s going to tell?” Lucky jerked her over to the side, and she dropped onto the soft patch of deep lavender-colored grass. He climbed off the animal and peered down at her.

She was certainly exotic-looking. The closest he’d seen to anyone that resembled her were the tree nymphs. And those women were quite the entertaining lot. He leaned over to study the dark-skinned beauty. Thick locks of knotted hair the color of golden wheat were a sharp contrast to her skin, the hue of the darkest night. Her chest gently rose and fell beneath the vee of her blouse. Three buttons were open, revealing the deeper shadow of her breasts between the flaps. Her pants were practically molded to generous hips that tapered down shapely legs. Perhaps she had a bit of fae in her, as their clothing left nothing to the imagination. He shook his head in wonder.

She beat the ground with her palms, arched her body, and started to cough.

He crouched and clutched her hands to draw her to a sitting position. Her eyes fluttered open and he was briefly taken back by her deep chocolate irises. She yanked her palms free and covered her mouth as another wave of coughs racked her voluptuous frame.

“What language do you speak?” Tolley’s voice boomed as he enunciated every word.

She looked up then extended her head back as far as it would go. A small sound escaped her as she twisted her body, glancing around. Her eyes filled with panic as they darted back and forth. She scrambled backward, putting distance between them. Dubh trotted up behind and dipped his head. Her eyes widened and she screamed.

“Bloody hell, you two scared her.” Lucky held his hands up, palms forward as if he was soothing a wild animal. “My name is Lochlan, but my friends call me Lucky.”

Dubh flicked his tail in her face and moved away, trotting toward the stream. She sputtered, wiping a hand down her face. “I wonder why?” Her tone was dry, and she kept her gaze on Tolley.

An inkling of jealousy glided through Lucky. Why would she look at his friend? He dropped his hands and peered at the giant. “At least we know she can speak one of our languages.”

The big guy nodded.

She cleared her throat. “She is right here, and you can tell Don and the guys this joke has gone far enough. I mean, setting up a fake sinkhole that almost gave me a heart attack was bad enough, but this…” She waved a hand. “I will write every one of those assholes up.”

“What are you talking about? You’re in the realm of Tuatha De Danann. Did ye bump your head crossing the veil, lass?”

She opened and closed her mouth like a fresh-caught fish starving for air. Lucky crossed his arms and sighed. He had enough troubles. She would never last in his world. She could end up enslaved or worse, dead. Her fate rested in his hands and he was responsible for her survival.

TWO

Landis willed her heart to slow its rapid pitter-patter. She was being pranked by her co-workers for April Fools’ Day. It had to be—there was no other rational explanation. She gaped at the man standing over her. Was his hair really light, leafy green? She leaned forward, squinting at his head, trying to get a good look at the strands falling from beneath the leather cowboy hat. One brow slowly rose as he tilted his head to stare back at her.

She searched his face for some semblance of a smile. No one could keep this charade going for long without cracking up. His hazel eyes lit up, laugh lines fanning out from the corners. A Roman nose and a full upper lip over a thinner bottom one added to his attractiveness. His square jaw clenched as if he was grinding his teeth. He narrowed his eyes and his long, leather coat rustled as he squared his broad shoulders. The pants clinging to his muscular thighs were made of the same material and tucked into the tops of dusty boots. He towered over her but was nowhere near as tall as his companion.

She glanced over at the giant lounging against a reddish-orange rock ledge. The niche had to be at least eight feet high. He flexed his humongous hands, forming them into meaty fists. At first she thought he might be standing on stilts, but a quick glance at his legs beneath the form-fitted trousers confirmed how wrong she was.

She took in her surroundings. The sky was still blue, but the patchy grass was an odd shade of purple. Landis scratched her head.
How many people did Don involve in this joke?
It must have taken the landscapers hours to tint the vegetation that color.

“Listen, I don’t know how Don…” Landis chose her words carefully. “
Uhm
, this farce has gone on long enough. Don!” She jumped up and spun in a circle.

“The lass has a fine set of lungs in her,” the big fella rumbled as he rubbed his ears.

“Inside voice, Tolley,” the green-haired cowboy uttered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, lass, but let’s start with a few questions. Who is Don and how do I contact him?”

“It’s going to be hard, shoving her back to the other side.” The giant nodded toward her. “But best to be rid of her before she starts trouble. We’re already wanted by that damn troll, Dicklaus.”

“Maybe if you hadn’t slept with his intended betrothed, making jest of him by teaching her to chant ‘Dicklaus the Dickless,’ we might have actually made it out without having to fight. Hell, we would have gotten paid for our troubles if you had been able to keep your cock in your britches.” The shorter fella yanked off his hat then combed his fingers through his hair. The strands were actually red with green tips.

“The bastard was robbing us blind, undervaluing our gems. Don’t blame me for having a bit of fun. I’m a lover, and a beautiful woman is hard to pass up.” The larger man straightened. “And I said the taunts under my breath. It’s not my fault she picked up on my quips. Anyway, how many caves did we mine to gather those jewels?”

The two men were so caught up in their discussion, she took the opportunity to discreetly leave them by slowly backing away. This area didn’t look like any part of the zoo she’d ever seen. The topography was all wrong.

She hit a warm, hard body. The horse laid it’s head on her shoulder and whinnied. Its heated breath drifted down her neck. She wrinkled her nose and her gut rolled. The horse needed a change of diet badly. His breath reeked. The men stopped talking and turned to gaze at her.

She twisted her head and glared at the horse. “Thanks a lot.” An ebony spiral of bone protruded from the center of the creature’s head. Mesmerized, she reached out and traced it with her fingertips. She pushed against the cold, hard bone, hastily snatching her hand back when it didn’t give.

She glanced at the cowboy. “What was your name again?” Dizziness sent her swaying and her body felt too heavy for her legs.

“Lucky. Are you okay?” Concern etched his features. His lips turned down at the corners.

That horn was real. “I think I may be sick.” Panic made her heart gallop in her chest.

The unicorn chuffed and trotted away. Her legs buckled and she was yanked up into powerful arms. She peered into Lucky’s eyes. Tiny flecks of gold floated among the brown and emerald green. He grinned down at her, exposing straight, white teeth. Deep dimples etched his cheeks. Auburn scruff covered his chin, and his ears ended in slight points.

She reached up, rubbed his ears between her fingers then tugged hard. There was nothing fake about them.

He closed his eyes and shivered. “Don’t do that, lass, unless you plan on finishing what you’ve started.” Lucky’s lids lifted, and she felt the heat of his gaze as it traveled along her body.

“Your—um—ears.” Landis swallowed. “They’re real.”

“I’ve a bit of elf in my bloodline.” A pink hue rose up his neck. “But I assure you, there is nothing false on my body.”

“Good Gods!” the giant muttered. “She’s not a
baen
, ripe for the picking, ye jackass.”

“No, I don’t believe she is naïve woman at all.” Lucky winked at Landis then looked at his friend.

“Keep your cock in your britches. I see the gleam in your eye.” The large fellow’s tone rose with every word as he stared off into the distance. “We have bigger worries on the horizon.”

“Says the giant who couldn’t do that. Let’s not forget why we are in this situation.” Agitation colored Lucky’s words.

“It wasn’t easy at all. She was like a siren,” Tolley mumbled.

Landis pulled out of Lucky’s embrace then took a big step back. She studied his long, lean frame. The length of his dick was fully outlined in the crotch of his pants. Confined by the leather, it lay down his thigh. She snapped her head up and caught him smirking at her.

“Forgive Tolley. He tends to get anxious when we are being hunted,” Lucky said.

“Does that happen often?” Landis whispered as she wavered on her feet.

“More often than I care admit to.” Lucky gripped her elbows and held her steady. He looked over at Tolley. “Don’t be a simpering
cailin
. We’ll take care of this just like we’ve handled all our other
fadhb
. We need to get to Fizell’s home and explain our situation.”

“I say we go toward the sea and send word for your men to meet us when we know it’s safe. You’re leading Dicklaus too close to our people and trading one problem for another.” Tolley snorted. “And that damn fae gets us into more trouble than he helps us out of.” He tilted his head toward Landis. “We can’t very well bring her with us to the Winterlands.”

Lucky’s lips thinned. “Why the hell not?”

As they argued, fear skittered across her nerves. She raised her voice, “No offense, but I would rather go home.”

Shock at the realization that she was not being sat like lead in her gut. Even on their best days, her co-workers couldn’t create such an elaborate set. Warm tears rolled down her cheeks and she brushed them away with the back of her hand. Somehow, she had gotten sucked into a sinkhole and ended up in a crazy place. She hung her head and focused on the toes of her dirty tennis shoes. Raw determination gave her a solid resolve. If she got here, then there must be a way to get home.

Lucky curled a calloused finger under her chin and urged her head upward. She hadn’t heard him move. When she met his gaze, his eyes softened. He trailed his digits across her lips, across her cheek to her hair, where he fingered her locks. “I won’t leave you here alone. Dicklaus’ trolls are a day behind Tolley and me, if that. You may not feel we are your best option, but I give you my oath as a leprechaun that you’ll be safe with us.”

Landis wasn’t sure what to do. She couldn’t think clearly instead, focusing on the gentle touch of his digits against her skin. She needed, wanted to go home. A lump formed in her throat and the panic filling her made it hard to breathe. So many what-ifs.

~ * ~

Lucky held his breath then slowly exhaled when she gave a sharp nod. He noted the determined thrust of her jaw and. Her hair brushed her squared shoulders. The knotted tresses were softer than he’d imagined, like the silkiest down on a newborn foal. She watched him through bottomless, whiskey-colored eyes. He could get lost in her gaze.

Could she be a demon? Reluctantly, he looked past her at Dubh. The unicorn gave no indication that this woman was evil. Actually, the animal took every opportunity to get close to her. Unicorns only did that with people they felt a kinship with. Dubh only let Tolley pet him, and the giant had been traveling with his clan for ages.

Lucky and the unicorn were bonded. The beast had been in his to care from birth, and it had been quite the boon for his clan that a creature of the Obsidian line had chosen him to be its caretaker. A black unicorn was rare and treasured. They were the only ones that could create rainbows, which were gateways to other realms.

The only problem was, until you got to the other side, there was no way of knowing exactly where you were headed. Long ago, royalty and wealthy patrons would pay well for the chance to venture beyond their world. The fervor quickly wore off when people realized no one was coming back, and then folks no longer wanted to risk the unknown. He’d lost family, friends, and business associates as they disappeared into the haze that shrouded the other end of the rainbow, never to come back.

Lucky lifted his fingers to his mouth and whistled. Dubh raised his head and chuffed. Avid interest sparked in the woman’s gaze as she studied first him then his beast. “What’s your name, luv?” He had to call her something.

“Landis.” She rocked in place. “Where exactly am I?”

“We are in the outer plains of Droicheal Highlands. A few days ride outside of the bridge trolls’ keep. Soon we will be crossing the Agrona Lowlands. We’ll need to be quiet as we pass through that area. It’s home to the banshees. We don’t want to be get caught up in the hags’ shrieks.” Nearby, Tolley stomped out the fire and gathered his things. “There are several rumors, but one consistent one is that they enjoy our flesh for a multitude of reasons.”