“Fairies?” He knew that there were many magical beings in the grove but the fairies liked to keep to themselves.
“Yes, fairies,” Lady Samantha answered. “Have you not seen one?”
“No, I have not.”
“They are quite joyous today.” She wandered over and settled onto the steps that looked out at the lake. “I do not know if they are celebrating or if they are simply happy.”
“Can you hear what they are saying?”
“I can hear the music in laughter. I can hear the music through the trees or when a flower is unfurling. Music in the wind and music from the ocean. I can hear it all, just not the words being spoken.”
“Does that mean that you could hear someone from across a ballroom even if nobody else could?”
“No, not in the same manner as you might hear laughter whether it was near or far, though I do have excellent hearing, and likely better than most people, but I can hear music from a greater distance—the notes from the heart as it dances on the air.”
Cassian was certain that he did not understand.
“The same with sadness when I hear someone crying. Those notes are lower and bring a heaviness that pulls on the heartstrings whereas those of laughter are higher, lighter and can fly further.”
He was not certain what to think. Yes, laughter and crying evoked emotions and anybody that heard was affected, but he never described it as music.
“Do you know how Antonia can see auras?” Lady Samantha asked.
“Yes.”
“For me it is music…the sound…it is what I hear and not what I see, but a similar gift. The same as someone pretending to be happy when they are not. Most everyone would believe what they see and hear except Antonia would see the difference in the aura and I would hear it in the music of their tone.”
“Ah, now I think I understand.”
“It is difficult to explain, I suppose. Everyone understands auras, but not music.”
“Is that your gift?” If it was, it wasn't a very active one, unless there was more involved. Then again, being able to tell if someone was being deceptive could be a valuable ability.
Then a more disturbing thought occurred. “Can you hear the music of everyone just as Antonia can see auras?” If so, what did she hear from him? Cassian was very careful not to reveal his inner turmoil about his future and his attraction to Lady Samantha and preferred to keep it private.
Lady Samantha tilted her head and studied him. “Not everyone,” she answered.
“Me?” he asked.
“No, Mr. Jourdain. I do not hear your music, so your inner secrets are safe.” She smiled as her blue eyes lit with teasing while he was simply relieved.
Lady Samantha’s smile slipped as she grew thoughtful, almost serious. “There is power in music and I must always be mindful when I play so as not to affect the emotions of others.”
“How would you do so?”
“I would not.” She answered emphatically.
Was she afraid of her power? “If you were not mindful, what could happen?”
“My music can ease the pain of loss, calm the anxious, sooth a distraught child…To dull any emotional state, if I wish.”
“How is that bad?”
“Because people need to experience all emotion, no matter how pleasant or unpleasant. It is not my decision to take that away from someone.”
“What if they were to ask?”
“They would need to know I am a witch to make that request.”
