She was the oldest and the wisest and should have the answer Nina sought.
“I can promise that we had nothing to do with what occurred,” Cressida assured her.
“Then who did?” Nina asked now, more fearful than angry. Vines did not just suddenly sprout from the ground and wind about a person.
“Perhaps the witches?” Hermia offered.
“Why would they do such a thing?” Nina asked with confusion.
“They may have set a curse in place long ago,” Zephyra suggested.
Nina walked to the edge of the Temple and sank down on a step. She had not considered such. The sacred grove was at least two and a half centuries old. Had the earlier Drakos witches cast a spell? Or, had the current ones?
“The vine did let go as soon as you stepped away and told him to stop. Orion did not pursue you and the vines ceased as well,” Cressida offered as an explanation. “Perhaps it is a protection spell for the females within the sacred grove to allow women to escape if needed.”
“It is a comfort knowing such exists and we do not need to be so fearful,” Cressida offered.
Nina shot her an irritated glare. “You need not fear anyone.” Cressida’s fears were from behavior witnessed in the old world and long, long ago. Nina had tried to tell them that Orion would not bring trouble, yet she was not believed.
“We could ask Lady Wharton,” Hermia suggested.
“No,” Nina nearly screeched before the question was finished. “We cannot tell her. Otherwise, she will know her son was here, what he did, and would not be pleased.”
“Then there is only one thing that will keep Orion safe,” Zephyra offered.
Nina glanced at her. “What?”
“Do not allow him to kiss you again.”
Nina slumped in disappointment. Zephyra, ever the cautious one, was correct. Not only should she not have allowed Orion to kiss her in the first place, she most certainly could not allow him to do so again. And if there was a curse on the grove or on any man taking liberties in the grove, it was safest if he never touched her again.
She had so enjoyed dancing with Orion.
Except, the vines had not attacked until he kissed her.
They could still dance without harm, Nina reminded herself, though disappointed that they could never kiss again.
Nina very quickly amended her thoughts. This was for the best. There was no future for her beyond friendship and if she kept that in mind, as well as the curse, she would not succumb to his affection again, and it may make it easier for her to recover from her infatuation.
At least she had enjoyed one kiss, which was more than she had ever expected to experience in her life. She should be happy to have such, yet it made her wonder what else she was missing.
Nina pushed the thought aside and stood with determination. It did no good to wonder or long for dances and kisses or anything else.
Sixteen
Orion and Pierce were called to the library following breakfast. While his older brother was only mildly curious, Orion feared there would be further discussion, or perhaps a lecture regarding the grove, even though he now had permission to visit.
Yet, that didn’t explain why his older brother would be here since he was not to know about the sacred grove or who lived within, so his father must need something else.
“It is time you learned about the Custodian of Nightshade Manor.”
Ah, yes, Pierce had mentioned such a person.
“When our ancestors first came from Greece they created a haven for their female relatives. The family lived here peacefully and only became concerned when James I became the King of England in 1603.”
“With good reason,” Pierce commented.
“Your grandfather of seven generations ago, or something near that, decided to become more known at Court and noticed by James I,” his father continued.
