“I can assume mother has told you.”
“Yes, just now. To think that for two years I could have been exploring this room.”
“What would you hope to find?” Pierce asked.
“Spells, potions, and the like. I have so much to learn, and assumed the ancient knowledge was lost, but it appears that is not the case.”
“Your mother told you the rules?” their father asked.
“Yes. I am not to touch any relic. Only books and journals,” Petra answered dutifully.
“Then I shall leave the three of you to explore.” Their father then left them alone.
“Oh, where to begin?” Petra rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
“Father was wrong,” Pierce observed. “He said we would be disappointed. That is certainly not the case.”
Like his brother and sister, Orion didn’t know where to begin either, so he slowly walked the aisles and read the labels. He slowed when he first noted a sign marked “Nymphs”. Then labels for each type and name of nymph known. He almost reached for the book on dryads but took the thicker journal on nymphs.
Petra came up next to him and studied the journals as well. She didn’t hesitate and took the dryad volume for herself.
“What are you looking for?” Orion asked.
“That maybe there is a spell,” she whispered, though doubt laced her tone.
“There are also ancient spell books in the back,” Pierce announced.
“I will review those after I read this.”
Orion hoped that she found a potion, spell, or whatever was necessary to free Nina. Then at least she could have a choice whereas she did not now.
Of course, that was assuming that she truly wanted to leave. She spoke of wanting to know what was in the world, but had she ever said that she would leave if given the opportunity?
“It is not because you are a nymph.”
Nina had been so lost in her book that she’d not heard anyone approach, nor had the dryads whispered through the trees as they usually warned.
“I asked you not to return.” Nina stood. She wanted to be in a position that she could walk away from him and not sitting where he might join her, and possibly kiss her again.
“I thought on what you said. You claimed that my draw to you was because you are a nymph or part nymph, but it is not that.”
“You cannot know that for certain.”
“Ah, but I do.” He grinned.
Nina’s heart hammered in her chest as he drew closer. It would be so much easier to get over Orion Drakos if he didn’t return, or at least stayed away for a while.
“I discovered a history yesterday.”
“What is that?” Nina found herself asking then scolding herself for showing interest. She needed him to leave.
“Centuries ago, the Drakos men were known for protecting witches and all nymphs and living creatures that Gaia would protect. However, when it came time for sons to marry a witch, they were too busy lusting after nymphs. Therefore, the goddess decided that Drakos men would be immune to the allure of all nymphs so that they, along with their magical wives, could continue to protect those who were in danger.”
Nina simply stared at him.
“Do you not see what that means?”
She was afraid that she did.
