“I am a Drakos, and we own the land.”
“I have permission from the Earl of Wharton.”
The corner of his mouth quirked. “My father.”
Nina notched her chin. “Yes.”
That beautiful man, Orion Drakos, slowly approached. Nina stepped back. He may be the son of the family who saved her, and he may be beautiful, but he was a man and she had been warned.
“There is nothing to fear,” he said.
The trees rustled further. The dryads were warning her. Nina continued to step back. Once she was down the steps, she could run for the trees and hide from him as she had done yesterday.
“If I stop trying to approach, will you stop backing away?”
Nina stopped and studied him. “What do you want?”
“I would like to know who you are.”
“If I tell you, will you go away?”
“I am not certain.”
Did she really need to fear him?
Nina tilted her head and studied the beautiful man. There was kindness and curiosity in his light brown eyes, and she sensed goodness in him as well. But what did she know of men, or any human who lived outside the grove? Yet, he was a Drakos. They were protective and Nina truly didn’t think that he would harm her.
And she wished to know him.
“Are you going to tell me your name?”
“Nina.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“It is not necessary that you know,” she answered.
“Where do you live?”
“Here,” she answered again.
“But where in here? Certainly not in this folly.”
That was information that she would not provide. Her home was her shelter, where she lived and slept, and it could never be discovered by anyone. Besides, it was unlikely that Orion would ever find it because it was hidden so very well. As there were only two ways into the grove—by way of the break in the boxwoods or the grotto—and neither were near the cottage, it was unlikely he’d venture anywhere else, or the beautiful man may become lost.
She turned when she heard voices from behind. At least they were female.
“My mother,” he groaned. “Please, meet me later.”
“Where?” Did she dare?
“Above the grotto.”
Nina’s heart pounded.
“Please?” he nearly begged.
She wanted to desperately, and it would be easy to disappear if it turned out that he was not trustworthy.
