“You live in a protective grove where the world cannot touch you. I did not want you upset by the unpleasantness of the world.”
“Either you wish for me to be ignorant, you think me a fool, or still consider me a child.”
“I have explained before.” He held up his hands in defense. “I would not have you worry over things you cannot change. I would not have you upset and wished for you to live peacefully. I am the reason you are stuck here so I wanted to make it happy for you.”
“You kept me ignorant,” she told him. “I felt the fool speaking with Orion today.”
“You should not have been speaking with him at all,” Cassian countered, his voice rising in anger.
“You wish to keep me sheltered as you have since I was a child. I am no longer a little girl. I am lonely. Do you not understand that?”
“The dryads.”
“They are decades…centuries older, and from a different world. They would coddle me as well and warn of dangers.”
“It is because of him.”
“No,” Nina answered quietly, suddenly exhausted. “Orion has nothing to do with this. I have been thirsty for the outside for as long as I can remember, otherwise I would not sneak out of the sacred grove and go to the water’s edge so that I can spy on the residents of Nightshade Manor when they are here.”
Cassian sank into a chair. “I am sorry, Nina. I truly thought that I was doing what was best.” Cassian pushed his fingers through his hair.
“I do not need to be protected any longer. I do not want to be coddled or shielded as if I were a wilting violet. I need more, Cassian.”
He nodded and faced her again. “You do, and you will have whatever it is in my power to give you, even if it means Orion visiting daily, and any other Norcott, Drakos or Cardwell.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “I will enjoy their company until they leave again.”
“Yes, they do tend to be gone for long periods of time.”
“There is always correspondence,” she offered and hoped that her new friends may write.
“And I will make arrangements to receive every newssheet.”
“Thank you, Cassian.” At least her brother now understood and just perhaps her small world may grow a little.
Ten
Orion lingered at the breakfast table while his female cousins discussed the day and Petra whispered that they should visit the grove. He hid his smile by taking a sip of coffee. Petra wouldn’t risk mentioning Nina or the sacred grove when anyone could hear, but her nearest cousin had nodded enthusiastically, which meant she understood Petra’s intention.
He hoped that she had liked the newssheets. Cassian had been none too happy when Orion had asked him to deliver them the night before, not that the brother knew what was in the parchment. Hopefully they were delivered, and Cassian didn’t decide to dispose of them before giving them to Nina.
As if summoned by his thoughts, Cassian entered the breakfast room and went to the sideboard. Only the women knew where he lived and Orion shouldn’t know, therefore, Cassian kept up the pretense of being in the house all to protect Nina.
Though in truth, Orion still didn’t know where their home was other than in the sacred grove.
Cassian filled his plate then took a seat beside Orion. “She thanks you,” he whispered. “And was quite engrossed in her reading when I left.”
Again, Orion hid his smile in his cup of coffee.
He needed to find a way into the grove. He could take the boat again but feared his mother would be suspicious of him doing so. Besides, where would he say he was going. He’d supposedly taken the boat to Bocka Morrow a few days ago so it was likely that she’d not accept that excuse again, given it was quicker and easier to ride a horse into the village. So, what was he to do today since she was not leaving and likely would be watching him.
Or perhaps she was no longer worried that he would go to the grove. It had not been mentioned again.
Orion lifted his cup of coffee and glanced down the table to where she sat. His mother lifted an eyebrow of inquiry looking at him, then Cassian, and back to Orion.
She was still watching and waiting to stop him.
Maybe he would just not visit Nina today. His cousins were going there so Nina would have company.
