“And you did not feel it important that I know, especially after what happened?”
“It was too soon.”
“Too soon!” Orion yelled. “Do you know how much bloody heartache could have been saved if I had known what those blasted vines meant.”
“Oh, the vines,” Damon muttered then wandered to the sideboard and poured himself a brandy.
“Did it happen to you?”
Damon blinked innocently. “Did what happen?”
His cousin knew exactly what he asked. “Did vines grow about your feet and ankles when you kissed Cordelia?”
Damon didn’t answer but looked to Orion’s father.
His father nodded.
“Yes, they did.”
“Did you know why?”
“Not at the time, and it was rather disturbing, but I was eventually told.”
“It would have been nice if someone would have told me.” Orion glared at his father.
“What would you have done?” his father demanded. “Neither you nor Pierce has even considered courting anyone, let alone do any actual courting. Further, you had known Nina barely a sennight when you first kissed her. Had I told you that she was your destined mate, you would have fled Nightshade Manor and likely Bocka Morrow.”
“You do not know that,” Orion argued.
“Nor could I trust that you would remain.”
Orion crossed to the sideboard and poured himself a brandy. “It would have been easier had I known.”
He took a drink and welcomed the burn down his throat and the warmth in his belly.
“Why could I not have known, or any of the sons?”
“Because there have been various reactions over time when a son learned before he’d met his future wife. Some panicked when the vine sprouted before they were ready to accept and disappeared until they decided that it was time. Others went about kissing every woman they could until a vine grew without putting any effort into courtship or sometimes learning her name. Some refused to kiss anyone for fear vines would grow. Because of those past examples, it was decided that the vines growing and blooming was to remain a secret until they had done so, and then only revealed to that son.”
“Bloom?”
“Did your vine not bloom?” Damon asked.
Orion frowned. “No. It had buds, but it did not bloom.”
“The kiss probably ended too soon,” Damon reasoned.
“Can you promise that you will not say anything to your brother or male cousins?” his father asked.
Orion thought they should know, but in retrospect, understood why it was held as a secret. Ajax and Ares, his twin cousins, would likely go about kissing every female in England to find a mate, while others would avoid kissing anyone at all so as not to be caught in the web of matrimony, or vines of marriage.
“I will say nothing.”
Though, another concern bothered him. “Will they grow every time I kiss her? That would be quite awkward.”
Damon laughed. “They stop after she has agreed to marry you.”
Nina had not been expecting Cassian to join her for dinner but was happy for the company as it kept her from being left alone with the thoughts that had been plaguing her all day. She just hoped that her brother didn’t notice that anything was amiss. He could not know of the turmoil within. First, she didn’t want to explain and second, she didn’t want him angry at Orion. They were friends and must remain so.
