She was not because Larisa loved her brothers equally.
“Unfair,” Maia called. “The one who wins must accept and cannot question it.”
“Nor would I tell,” Samantha returned with a smile.
As the rounds continued, spouses kissed when the other won, compliments and sometimes coins were exchanged and by the time half of the participants had been eliminated, she and Cassian still remained, which increased their chances of encountering the other. She would just need to be careful that she did not intentionally put herself in his way. Had he spoken to her at all today, it might not be a concern, but he had been avoiding her and she didn’t know why.
“Move all,” Lady St. Alban called and Samantha moved for an open seat only to encounter Petra who gave her a gentle shove backwards, which had her falling until her landing was softened by a lap.
She glanced around at those seated to note that none of them were Cassian and slowly turned, coming face to face with him, their noses nearly touching.
Heat coursed through her veins, and his lips were so close…
No. It would not be proper no matter how much she wished for a kiss from him. Besides, it would be her doing the kissing and she wanted him to kiss her first.
“What forfeit shall it be, Samantha?” Lady St. Alban asked.
Her heart pounded against her breast and a small amount of panic began to rise, not certain what to do.
Chapter 18
Cassian looked into her blue eyes full of questions and indecisions. His pulse increased, and Cassian was not even certain he breathed while he waited and silently willed her to kiss him. Malcolm could have no complaints if it was Samantha who placed her lips against his.
He waited and hoped, her soft bottom warming his lap and his arms aching to wrap around her and draw her close.
Then she rose and stepped away, much to his disappointment.
She then surprised him when she bowed before him, lifted his hand and placed a kiss on the back, then curtseyed and walked away.
And for the first time since Malcolm had taken him aside last night, Cassian felt like smiling, but he did not because he did not want anyone speculating further on his intentions toward Samantha.
The game continued and he lost to Simon who beat him to a chair. “I promise to buy you a tankard the next time we visit the Crown and Anchor.
By the time the game had concluded with Petra winning, having collected coins and compliments from her cousins, it was nearing midnight.
“There is much to do tomorrow,” Eugenia warned. “Sleep late because not only will we honor the lunar eclipse but following will be Haloa and I do not think there will be much sleep until the morning of the twenty-seventh.
“Would it not be better to remain awake until three or four, which will make it easier to sleep later, thus not tire while we partake in the feast of Haloa?” Ajax asked once his mother and the other parents retired for the evening.
“If we sleep too late, we will not be able to help with preparations,” Maia reminded her brother.
“What time does the lunar eclipse actually start?” Ares asked.
“According to my father, at 11:08 p.m.” Malcolm answered.
“How long does it last?” Chedworth questioned.
Malcolm looked at his sister and Samantha bit her bottom lip. Cassian nearly groaned because Chedworth, and likely nobody else was going to like that answer.
“Well?” Chedworth demanded.
“Approximately an hour and fifteen minutes,” Samantha answered with a wince as if she were preparing herself to be yelled at.
“We are supposed to meditate that entire time?” Simon asked.
“Well, witches should and, of course, the bride and groom, because of the transformation and renewal. A time for reflection and discovering hidden aspects within oneself.”
“What benefits do witches gain?” Cassian found himself asking.
