“Why?”
Orion blew out a breath and then told Petra everything Nina had said to him the day before,
“She watched us?”
“That is not what is wrong with the circumstances,” he ground out.
“No, I agree. I am just realizing that all the time we were here we did not know she was just on the other side of the boxwoods, alone.” Tears filled his sister’s eyes. “Had I known…had any of us known…”
“You would have visited?” he demanded. “Have you called on her since that one day, or our cousins when they took her on a picnic?”
Petra blinked at him.
“No, you have not. You paid a call and went back to whatever it is that interests each of you, able to come and go as you please while she is stuck there.” It felt good to yell and let out anger that had been building since yesterday.
Some of the color left Petra’s cheeks. “I have meant to return, but the potion…I will visit today, and encourage the others to do so as well,” she mumbled.
“Thank you,” he said a little more calmly. “But please do not let her know that I told you anything.” One thing that he was coming to learn was that Nina did not want sympathy.
“I promise. I will not.”
Some of Orion’s anger dissipated, but it wasn’t all gone. He wasn’t certain that it would ever totally go away.
Nina had given up on the idea of seeing Orion when he didn’t arrive in the afternoon as had been his practice.
Was he angry because she had spied on his family?
She shouldn’t have told him. She’d be angry if strangers had spied on her.
While she had hoped for forgiveness, perhaps her actions had been unforgivable.
It was probably for the best if he did not return. While Nina’s heart may ache to see Orion again, she well knew the danger of their association. This infatuation and desire that stirred deep within would only lead to disappointment, though she would miss her friend.
She picked a biscuit up off the plate and bit into it. She had made them to share with Orion, as a thank you for bringing her fruit and because he should not be the only one giving gifts. But, if he wasn’t going to visit, she’d leave them out for Cassian for whenever he returned. Or maybe she’d leave them for the dryads. Except, they only ate fruits and vegetables, much like herself. When one was attached to nature, it was difficult to eat meat. Cassian never understood and delighted in the meals prepared by his adoptive family. But Cassian also couldn’t feel the life of nature around him.
“I come bearing gifts.”
Nina turned to find Orion walking toward her holding up a basket.
“You do not need to bring me gifts and you should stop doing so,” she chastised even as her heart warmed.
“I will be honest. These were chosen by Petra.”
“Your sister? Why?”
He settled beside her on the step.
“We ventured into Bocka Morrow this morning. I thought it was to be a short visit but had forgotten how much Petra enjoyed visiting each shop.” He laughed. “I did not think we would ever leave. These were items she insisted you needed from The Hourglass.” He handed her the basket.
Nina sucked in a breath of excitement. “The apothecary! Maude used to visit for supplies and would bring back the most delightful soaps.”
“Yes, I have been told that they are quite pleasant.” Orion laughed. “She also included bath teas, which I am not certain what those are.”
This time Nina laughed. “Herbs that are combined into a small sack cloth added to a bath. Some are simply for the fragrance, others to help sleep, rejuvenate. It depends on what one needs.” She grinned. “I learned quite a lot from living with a witch.”
“I hope you enjoy these,” he offered, his cheeks coloring as if he were embarrassed. “I think there are lotions in there as well.”
Nina sighed and turned more fully to him. “Thank you and thank Petra. I have attempted to make my own salts, soaps, and lotions, but I do not have a gift for such, and what supply I did have from The Hourglass is nearly gone.”
