Now Samantha’s face burned. Had she known that there was a chance that any man, especially Cassian, would be in the Sacred Grove tonight, she certainly would not have pulled up her skirts to cool her legs in the lake.
She should have realized that he would have to go home at some point but assumed that he would be with the men until the early morning hours just as the women were going to feast all night.
“Well, that is enough revelry for me,” Lady St. Alban announced. “I am not as young as I used to be and require my own bed.” Her sister, sister-in-law, Antonia’s mother as well as Samantha’s all stood murmuring their agreements.
“Do not forget that tomorrow evening is also important. Make certain you are also well rested and try not to over-indulge.”
Only then did they leave the younger women in the temple.
“Have you watched the sunrise with Cassian recently?” Antonia teased.
“We have,” Samantha answered noncommittedly.
Petra leaned in, her eyes bright with curiosity. “How often?”
Samantha shrugged. “I cannot remember.” She knew exactly how often.
Maia slid a look at Petra from the corner of her eyes. Neither believed her.
“You need more wine,” Nina announced as she poured some into their glasses, though little was left by the time she got to Samantha’s.
Nina was married to Orion but Samantha did not know her all that well. She was quieter than most and maybe that was because she had married into the family.
“How much wine have you already had?” Petra laughed with her question.
“None!” She announced and looked up at the sky. “It is beautiful here, is it not?”
“Yes.” Samantha sighed. “The music is wonderful too.”
“What music do you hear?” Nina asked excitedly. “What lives in the Sacred Grove that you can hear?”
“Is this a test?” Maia asked with a chuckle.
“No, not at all,” Nina responded. “I find it fascinating that she can hear what nobody else can. Music in a tone, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Samantha answered.
“So, what can you hear?”
Samantha sat in silence and concentrated on hearing all that was around her except for the women celebrating Haloa. And then, she heard the faint laughter. “Fairies.” She smiled. “They are enjoying the celebration too and there is mischief in their music.”
“Aren’t fairies always full of mischief?” Maia asked.
“I do not think so,” Nina frowned. “However, despite having lived here most of my life, I have never seen one.”
Samantha frowned. “You lived here most of your life?”
“Yes.”
“In the grove?” Except Cassian lived here.
“Nina is Cassian’s younger sister, Samantha,” Petra explained.
How could she have not known? But why had Nina lived here and not with the Cardwells as Cassian had?
“That I am.” Nina grinned. “And this bottle is empty.” She practically skipped away twirling the empty bottle.
Nina had one of the happiest souls she had ever heard and just below her joy was a newer music sprinkled with magic. Except, Cassian did not come from a magical family.
