“Thank you for looking.”
“What are you two whispering about?” his mother asked as she came upon them.
“Is there a spell that could break Nina’s tie to the tree so that she could leave the grove?” Petra asked.
“Is that what Nina wants?” his mother countered.
“She has never told me such, but I assumed if given the opportunity that she would like to leave,” Petra answered.
“There is no spell, potion, or incantation to break the tie,” her mother finally offered. “Your aunts and I already searched.”
At least he now had an answer and would stop hoping for one. Nina could never leave the grove and he would just need to accept the situation.
“Will you be visiting Nina today?” his mother asked.
“Yes. I have planned a picnic.”
She smiled, then wandered off.
Ever since the incident with the vines his mother’s attitude had completely changed. It was almost as if she were encouraging him to visit the grove.
Now, only the vines stood in the way of him getting what he wished.
The vines!
“Petra, did you read anything about vines that…” Orion glanced about but there were too many family members around that may ask intrusive questions that he did not wish to answer. Instead, he grasped her elbow and led her outside. “In your reading, did you come across anything about vines suddenly growing and curling about legs?”
She frowned in confusion. “Vines do not do that unless you happen to stand one place for a very long time. A very, very long time.”
“Yes, they do,” he argued.
“Did it happen to you?”
“Yes, twice, and to Nina.”
“Why?”
“If I knew the answer, I would not be asking you,” Orion blew out in frustration.
“Were you doing anything unusual or different when it happened, or were you just sitting or standing? Could you have said something and unintentionally released them from the ground.”
“Even if I had accidentally recited a spell, which I did not, the vines wouldn’t have grown because I am not a witch, and neither is Nina.”
“You must have said or done something,” Petra argued.
Did he tell her the truth? This was his younger sister, and he may not hear the end of it if he did say something.
“How can I help if I do not know what you were doing or saying when it happened?”
“Fine!” Orion blew out. “Each time they did this is when I kissed Nina.”
Petra’s eyes grew wide as did her grin and she gave a little skip.
This was the very reason he had not wanted to tell her.
“You kissed Nina—twice. Are you in love?”
“Please, keep your voice down.” He quickly looked around to make certain none of their relatives were about. “And please, do not tell anyone,” Orion practically begged.
