“I will not hold out hope but appreciate your attempt.”
“Do not give up,” Petra insisted. “I am seldom deterred in creating what I set out to do.”
Nina longed for her to be successful, but also reluctant. “I am afraid that the only way that I will ever be able to leave is by the approval of the Goddess Gaia.”
“Have you asked her?”
Nina frowned. “No, but I also do not want to appear ungrateful. She had a hand in saving my life and I do not wish to offend her.”
“Perhaps it was only to be a temporary gift.”
That was something that Nina had never considered, but she would not dwell on the possibility. Entertaining ideas of leaving the grove and not dying would only lead to disappointment in the end. “I will think on it.” Besides, how could she even ask a goddess for assistance?
“And I will see about brewing a potion,” Petra said as she stood.
“I will await patiently,” Nina promised though she did not anticipate that Petra would have success.
Nine
Orion found Nina sitting on the steps of the temple, elbows on knees and her chin in her hands, staring out toward the sea. Today she wore various shades of purple, and not all of them matching, and as usual, her feet were bare. She did have all the appearances of a woodland nymph and if she possessed wings, he would assume she was a fairy. But Nina was a human living in a world inhabited by dryads.
“What are you contemplating so deeply?” he asked.
She startled and looked to him, then a smile burst.
Yes, a beautiful woodland fairy without the wings.
“Tell me of the world?”
“The world? That is a rather broad subject.”
“Yes, well, I have no idea of what is truly occurring outside of the grove.”
“Do you not read the newssheets.”
“Cassian has never provided those. Only books.”
“Does he not tell you?” Orion questioned.
“I used to ask, but he told me that it was not important as it mattered not here.”
Perhaps it was to protect her so that she wouldn’t long for the world beyond, but Orion could not be certain. Still, she had a right to know.
“Where would you like me to start?”
She tilted her head and studied him. “With your family.”
“You know my family,” he reminded her as he settled beside her.
“I know the names of the family, but have only met the females and you.”
“I have a brother and a sister,” he started.
“Yes, I know that, but not about them. Cassian does not like to offer too much detail because it makes him feel like he is gossiping. That has never been my intention, but I cannot help but wonder about those who granted us both shelter and saved our lives.”
“I have no trouble talking of my family.” Orion grinned. “Pierce, the oldest brother, is well, a stick in the mud, I suppose.”
Nina giggled. “He cannot be so bad.”
