Except, she did hurt and wanted things that could never be hers. Yet, this pain was new and could very well lessen over time so it would be foolish to make such a rash decision now.
What if by losing the ability to experience this heartache also took away the elation of happiness, or wonderment or fascination of new discoveries and knowledge, or the inspiration at staring out at a star-filled sky? Did she simply just wish to be? Would simple peace be enough? She was already confined here, did she also wish to be nothing as well?
She might as well not even exist if that was going to happen.
Nina glanced at the newssheets that had been stacked on the table and the books beside them. She would still read everything and learn all that she could. Just because she could not leave the grove did not mean she wished to be ignorant.
It was also probably best if she avoided all humans except for Cassian. Visiting with Orion, his sister or cousins only made her long for things she could never have. Except, it was also so nice to speak with other females that were near her age. The dryads in the grove were ancient and had always been dryads and knew nothing else, nor did they desire to go anywhere or be anything other than what they already were. They did not understand Nina. But Petra had, as had the Norcott sisters. They now visited and Nina wasn’t so certain she wished to go back to how things had been, with no human friends or at least acquaintances.
Yet, it would be best if she did not see Orion again, but should she encourage visits from the females or should she ban everyone?
Her mind was a muddle, as was her heart and Nina wasn’t certain what was best for her.
No doubt she would encounter Orion in the future, but they could not carry on as they had, and they certainly could not kiss. Her heart hurt enough, and she didn’t wish for it to shatter completely. Therefore, she would not read in the temple, but near it so that she could disappear into the bushes if he returned. If women came to visit, then she would show herself and hope that true friendships did grow.
Nineteen
Orion spent a restless night not certain what he was to do. Did he stay away as Nina asked? Could he?
Following breakfast, he wandered outside and looked toward the grove, fighting the urge to go there. He would not. He could not. He had to prove to himself that he was strong enough to resist the urge, the pull, the desire to see and be with Nina.
Was this strong pull because of Nina or because she was a nymph?
He wished he had answers. If it was simply because of her being a dryad, then he could reason away his longing as being overcome with lust as those who had come centuries before him had experienced. If a god couldn’t resist a beautiful dryad, then how was a mere mortal, such as himself, to be immune to her? However, that did not mean he would ever behave in such a disrespectful manner as the ancient gods before him. Yes, the desire was there, thrumming through his veins, pulling him toward her, but he would not act on that need. He'd fight it no matter how strong his passion grew.
“Have you looked in the vault yet?”
Startled, Orion turned to find Pierce coming from the gardens. “No.”
“Why not?” he asked in surprise. “We have wanted to know what was locked in there since we were boys.”
It had been an obsession at one time. Perhaps going through the vault would also take his mind from Nina. “We should see what is in there.”
“We?” Pierce asked.
“You are as curious as I am, and I do not see what it can hurt if I show you.” Orion glanced around. “But, until we know what the vault contains, we should probably not tell the others.”
There was a reason the door was locked and why only one person was in possession of the key and Orion was not going to be the first Drakos to reveal something that nobody else should know. However, if something were to happen to him, the key would then go to Pierce, so there was no reason to hide the truth from him.
They waited until the others were occupied, then made their way down to the crypt and to the vault.
Orion’s hands nearly shook as he held the key. There was a mixture of excitement at finally seeing what had been kept from him as a child and apprehension of what he might find.
“It is not going to open if you do not put the key into the lock,” Pierce said with some frustration.
“Yes, I know. It is just that…” Orion didn’t even know how to explain, but once he discovered what was within, he could never not know again.
“If you are afraid of a dragon, I am pretty certain there are not any inside,” Pierce said with a grin.
“If there are, we will have to tell Simon.” Orion chuckled.
“But not let him see,” Pierce added with a laugh.
Orion tried to grow serious. “Stairs to Tartarus, is still a possibility.”
“Blast! And we do not have our wooden swords.”
His brother was making it easier to unlock the door and if Pierce had not been beside him, Orion wasn’t certain he’d do so on his own. Of course, it was very likely there was nothing inside to become excited about, but the fear and anticipation from his youth still lingered. “Let’s hope to find Titans, and then we can free them.” He put the key in the lock and turned. The bolt clicked and he pulled the door back wide enough for him and Pierce to enter.
