“So long as there are dangers to witches, there should be a custodian.”
“Who is this custodian?” Pierce asked with hesitation. Orion assumed it would be Pierce since he was the heir.
“The second son of Wharton, the second oldest Drakos male.”
Orion straightened again. “Me? Why? Why not Pierce?”
“It has been the second son since the first Earl of Wharton moved to Markella House and the spare remained behind to protect and defend.”
“I am to live here?” Orion asked, realizing what this truly meant. “Never leave?”
“You may leave,” his father chuckled. “But from now on, this will be your home. However, that does not preclude you from attending the Season and so forth, as any landed gentleman would do.”
At least he could come and go…as the realization sank into him, he was reminded that Nina was not given the same freedom.
“Then why has bramble and such been necessary to hide the estate?” Pierce asked.
“When fewer and fewer sons were born, there was not someone who could remain at the estate. As you know, I have only sisters and they married gentlemen who have their own estates. My father had been an only child, as had his father. Therefore, Nightshade Manor had to be hidden to keep intruders away and protect those who remained within. Cloaking was out of necessity. A need that no longer exists now that Orion is old enough to take on the role,” his father explained.
“The dryads?” Pierce asked.
“Yes. The custodian takes care and protects them, the home, the orchard of fruit trees, the gardens, the remaining secrets of Nightshade Manor, and all that the witches need.”
“Secrets?” Orion asked. “What other secrets?”
His father smiled. “In time you will learn all you need.”
The home that he had visited since as far back as he could remember was becoming more and more a mystery.
“Now that Orion will always be here, there is no need to hide the estate. Servants who we trust will remain and if he needs to leave while no other family is in residence, the gates will be closed and locked behind him until a family member returns, but it will not be cloaked any longer.”
This was almost too much to take in.
“It is likely Damon and Cordelia will live here for the next five years given the ages of his nieces,” Pierce observed.
“As it should be,” his father said. “No matter who the custodian is, those of Drakos blood can come and go as they wish or need. This may be where Orion will now live, but it is a home for all.”
Orion wasn’t certain how he felt about his fate being decided for him. Then again, what right did he have to complain? As a second son, he was lucky to have a property in which to live. Nina’s fate had been decided for her and she had far less freedom.
“Where is this sacred grove and why have I not heard of it before?” Pierce asked.
His father looked to Orion but for a moment then back to his heir. Orion said nothing while his father explained where the grove was, who lived there, including Nina.
“Cassian has a sister?” Pierce asked at the conclusion.
“Yes,” his father answered.
Pierce straightened. “The lady in the grove. That is what Nephele said. She had spoken to a lady in the grove.”
“Nina is the lady in the grove,” Orion answered.
“You have met her?” Pierce demanded.
He then explained to his brother how he met Nina and some of what had transpired since, but certainly not all the details, especially ones that involved kissing and clinging vines.
“But you must never, ever, tell anyone of the sacred grove or who is there,” his father insisted. “You are only being told because you will one day be Wharton and must know all there is to know of Nightshade Manor as your brother does. But you are forbidden from going there. The dryads were promised long ago that only women will visit. They accepted Cassian as a boy and continue to do so now.” His father looked to Orion. “Your brother has defied that dictate, but the grove accepted him.” He looked back to Pierce. “Therefore, you will not visit, nor will you tell anyone else what you know.”
“Why are we just learning of this now?” Pierce asked. “I am seven and twenty and Orion is five and twenty. Surely, we could have been told of this sooner,” he insisted.
