“No, not long,” she responded when she would like to know where he had gone or from where he was coming, even though it was none of her concern.
Unless, he had not come home at all last night and the only reason she could think that a man would sleep somewhere else was if he had a lover or mistress.
Of course, he would have a lover! Men his age and as handsome, often visited women of loose morals to take pleasure.
Cassian placed a hand over his mouth as he approached, trying to hide his yawn.
“I apologize. I did not sleep last night.”
That woman must have kept him awake all night! Did it take so long to…well…whatever it was that lovers did?
“We can visit the dolphins another day if you are too tired,” Samantha offered.
“No. I want to show you,” he promised, warmth in his grey eyes that put her at ease. “It is not far.”
He seemed genuine, and since Samantha could not know if he was, she followed down the path that led to the Sacred Grove, but instead of going through the hedges, he turned to walk up an incline and through the trees. Along the way, she noted abandoned wooden swords, balls, an old doll and other childish toys.
“We played at being pirates and knights when we were younger.” Cassian laughed as they came to evergreens. “This way.” He put his back against the hillside and slipped past the tree and Samantha followed then stepped out onto a shelf above the sea.
She nearly gasped at the beauty. “It is a shame that this does not face east because I can only imagine the beauty of the sunrise from here.”
“Instead, it offers a magnificent sunset.”
Yes, she supposed that it would.
Then she saw the dolphins and her heart warmed. Such happiness and joy as they played in the waves. Their music of love and compassion as they talked to each other nearly made her want to cry. Such marvelous creatures. Except… “Are there women swimming with the dolphins?” She then noted the tails. “Mermaids!” She had never seen a mermaid before and had wondered if they truly existed.
Cassian chuckled. “Nereids. They are Galene, Maera and Eunice.”
“You know them?” Samantha asked in surprise.
“Their ancestors accompanied the Drakos family when they sailed from Greece over two hundred and fifty years ago. They ensured that there were calm seas, quick currents and wind in the sails for safe travel. Instead of returning to their home, they remained here. Those three are the only remaining offspring.
It was then that she realized that the Nereids wore no clothing and nearly averted her eyes, uncomfortable at viewing their naked breasts, especially while standing next to Cassian, who did not seem to mind.
Of course he did not. He was a man.
Luckily, most of the time the water shielded the Nereids’ breasts, but even a few glimpses made her cheeks burn.
“I suppose when those three are gone, there will be no more,” Samantha offered sadly because with no males, there could be no procreation.
“If that were the case, then they would have been extinct centuries ago.”
Samantha frowned. “Why?”
“All Nereids are female.”
“Then how…” her face heated as she tried to reconsider her words.
“When out of water they take human form. They are water nymphs who like to tempt sailors,” he explained without providing the details, thank goodness.
By knowing their names, did that mean Cassian knew them better than was proper? She certainly could not ask.
“They live near here, and I have had occasion to talk to them since I was a child.”
Then perhaps the relationship Cassian shared with the seductive and beautiful Nereids was innocent.
They were beautiful. No wonder sailors were easily seduced.
