“That, I will not tell you, but it is what I hold over his head.”
“That is what you threatened to tell my mother!” Orion had wondered what knowledge she could have possessed to cause Cassian to capitulate and hold their secret. Nina was blackmailing her brother.
“I am certain your sister knows things about you that you hope your parents never learn and has threatened you before.”
Orion had to think on it for a moment. Nothing so damning. “She knows that I visit you, and she will use that information when it best suits her. Of that I have no doubt.”
“If your mother knew that the dryads had agreed, then would she not allow you to do so?”
“I am not certain because now it would not be so much my visiting as that I had defied her order.” When mother did learn, it would not be pleasant. But he was also no longer a boy.
“My mother did not live long enough for me or Cassian to defy her,” Nina offered sadly.
Orion really shouldn’t complain about his family when Nina had but one sibling. Not only did he have his parents, a brother, and a sister, but also thirteen cousins, two aunts and two uncles. “Do you have no other family?”
“My mother’s family still lives in Vannes, France. Cassian visited with them when he returned to see what had become of the chateau.”
Orion could kick himself for asking because her good humor disappeared. “He told them of what had happened to Mother and how we had found a home here. He said that he would try to bring me for a visit, but we both know that will be impossible.”
“You do not know that for certain. One day you may be free of the grove.”
Her smile was sad as Nina placed a hand on his cheek. “It is impossible, as we both know. I have accepted what is to be and am thankful that I have found a friend.”
Orion covered her hand with his so that she did not escape him. “Friend.” His heart ached saying such a simple word when it was his heart that longed for more.
He was falling in love with Nina but their situation was impossible.
Or was it? “Maybe my sister will have success with her potion.”
“Maybe.” Nina didn’t believe such would be the case. Her grey eyes may be warm but her smile indulgent.
Even if she accepted her fate, Orion did not.
Their eyes held as his heartbeat increased but as soon as he looked to her lips, Nina slid her hand from beneath his and scooted away. She then pulled her legs from the water and stood. “You should probably go. You will be missed.”
He was not yet ready to leave, and Orion wasn’t certain that he ever would be.
He stood and walked toward her. He needed to kiss her but more than anything, Nina needed to be kissed.
“I once asked you to dance, do you remember?”
She remembered everything of the time they spent together. “Yes.”
“Will you dance with me now?”
She should tell him no. “I am not certain I even know how.”
“I will teach you.”
“What of music?”
“I will hum.”
“I do not think that is wise.” Nina stepped away from Orion. She didn’t know why she was afraid of dancing with him, but it was suddenly frightening.
“Please, Nina.”
He held out his hand.
