“Orion,” Philip warned, not that he could do anything, being tied up in vines, but he would get free eventually.
“Will this happen every time he kisses me?” Antonia asked in fear.
“That would depend,” Orion answered.
“Would you just tell us what the bloody hell is going on?” Philip demanded. To which Orion laughed again.
“Oh, congratulations,” Nina said brightly as she came down the path carrying apples.
“On what?” Antonia asked.
“I have not told them why this happened yet.”
“Well, you best do so before someone comes around and begins to question that which is supposed to be a secret kept from all men of Drakos blood.”
“What secret? A curse?” Philip asked slowly.
“A blessing from the Goddess Gaia.”
Philip looked down at the vines that had him and Antonia locked in an embrace. “Blessing?” They could not move.
“Men have no magic. This is her gift, proof for when a Drakos male meets his mate. When they kiss, vines grow.”
“Every time?” The bedchambers of his married cousins must look much like an overgrown conservatory with vines growing everywhere. Yet, how did they break free of them?
“They will grow each time you kiss until Antonia agrees to marry you,” Nina answered. “I think they grew around Damon and Cordelia three times before she agreed to be his wife.”
All Philip could do was stare at his cousin and his wife. He wouldn’t put it past Orion to make up something so foolish. Except, Nina was standing beside him, nodding, and smiling. She would not lie.
“This is true?” The question was put to Nina.
“Yes. That is why I wished you congratulations.”
The vines certainly made matters easier, and he would not have to court her for weeks to make certain they were still not affected by a spell. Antonia was truly meant to be his.
Philip looked down into Antonia’s eyes. “Perhaps it is not necessary to proceed with caution after all.”
“If we are fated…the goddess would not have allowed the vines to grow if this was not intended.”
“Lady Antonia Kerrigan, will you be my wife?”
She gazed up at him and smiled. “Yes, Lord Chedworth. It would be my honor.”
Philip once again pressed his lips to hers and when Antonia kissed him back, the vines fell away.
“Ah, I see that all matters have been settled,” his mother said with a bright smile as she came to a stop beside Orion.
“What happened to the vines?” Stefanos asked.
“I told you. It just happens sometimes and then they drop.” Orion shook his head. “It is the strangest thing.”
“I am returning home today, before something happens to me,” his brother said and followed Orion and Nina from the garden.
“You do know that you can never tell anyone,” his mother insisted. “It is knowledge that is withheld until it happens.”
“Why?” Antonia asked.
“Because when some have known, they’ve kissed every female that would allow them to do so without taking the time to court, or even come to know the women, thus saving time. Others refused to kiss anyone for fear it would mean an end to their freedom. Given the extremes, it was decided long ago that it was best that a Drakos male learn as Philip just did.”
