She’d had five Seasons, was two and twenty and not once had anyone attempted to place their lips against hers.
Then again, she had never really been interested in anyone enough to want to kiss them.
Only Cassian.
She let out a sigh and pulled herself from the bed and wandered to the window.
From here she could see out over the cove and to St. George’s Channel. To her right was the Sacred Grove where he had a cottage!
Why hadn’t anyone ever told her?
He must have the perfect home at the top of the rise, surrounded by trees and water below. Secluded with only nature around him. Oh, the music that he must hear every single day.
Except, Cassian didn’t hear the music like she did, which was truly a shame because she knew in her heart of hearts that he had the perfect home.
With a sigh, she dressed for the day then made her way downstairs to where Lady St. Alban was directing those who were up to gather items for the evening to come.
“Samantha, could you please help Maia bring the candles and crystals up from the room beside the vault? As I cannot remember the last time we participated in the renewal meditation and reflection during a lunar eclipse, I am counting on you to choose which crystals we may need.”
As it was something that she had practiced since she was a child, Samantha was happy and eager to help in hopes that it kept her mind off Cassian.
“Why are they not kept in the vault?” she asked as they descended the stairs.
“They are not magical but are used for magic. The vault is for magical items.”
Dangerous items, and she understood why supplies for spells and divinations were kept separately.
Remembering their purpose for the lunar eclipse, Samantha studied each crystal and tried to connect with an energy from each but they had been put away in a cabinet too long and had not been charged by the moon or the sun, which must be done today or they would be of little use.
Instead, she chose the ones that should be of the most benefit and placed them in a basket before adding large candles to another, then closed the cabinet. When she turned to return upstairs, once again she heard music. It was the same that she had heard the day that she had exited the vault.
“Who is playing the piano?”
Maia frowned. “I do not hear a piano.”
“I do.” She then gave a shrug. “Maybe it is someone hiding so that they are not given a task to do.”
When they returned upstairs, Lady St. Alban was still issuing orders to complete preparations for not only the lunar eclipse but also Haloa, thus sending daughters, sons, nieces and nephews in different directions.
Antonia’s mother was beside her, issuing additional instructions for preparations for the wedding the following day to those who did not have a job yet.
There was a whirlwind of activity and emotions were high. There was no negativity in the music of their souls, but general emotions when one anticipated a celebration or activity and hoped that it was perfect.
When it was one person, Samantha did not mind, but it was coming from Lady St. Alban, Antonia’s mother, Antonia, and to a lesser degree others who had been ordered to help.
“Samantha, could you please take the crystals to the Witches’ Garden and place the ones needed by Philip on the altar, then the ones that will be of use to Antonia to the temple.
“Of course, Lady St. Alban, and I will make certain they will be placed to receive full sun until it dips beyond the horizon.”
“Thank you dear.” There was a gratefulness in her tone, which Samantha did appreciate.
“However, that basket is much too heavy for you to be lugging around.”
While heavy, half of the crystals would be left not far away so it would be much lighter when she walked to the grove.
“Cassian, you are just in time.”
She turned to find him enter then pause at the chaos around him.
