Page 21 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)
Temptation lay before him. Perfect coral lips that were meant to be tasted, savored and appreciated.
But not by him.
With willpower he had not known that he possessed, Cassian was able to step away so that Samantha could pass without the slight brush of his lips against hers.
Her brown eyes also softened with disappointment, which was both a blessing and a curse. At least she wanted him to kiss her so Cassian knew that he was not alone in his attraction, but it made being forced to ignore his own yearnings doubly difficult.
Cassian followed Samantha out of the Witches’ Garden and onto the terrace, waiting until she had entered the house, then turned and made his way to the Sacred Grove. He enjoyed the quietness that surrounded him, but it was also lonely.
Yes, the Dryads lived and hid among the trees, and there were other magical creatures, but there was little interaction because he was a man. He was allowed to continue to live here because of the past but he wondered if they wanted him gone.
Loneliness, heavier than he had ever experienced in his life, weighed down on his chest as he laid in bed and contemplated his future.
One that would never include the woman he loved—Samantha.
And it was her face that followed him into slumber and then into dreams that turned into nightmares of her having wandered away with nobody able to find her.
He had panicked, called out, but everyone assumed that she was lost to them forever.
Cassian jerked awake, his heart pounding and his body drenched in sweat.
The dream was too real, but it was only a nightmare, likely brought on because his last thoughts before falling asleep had been that Samantha was lost to him.
Yes, that was the reason for the dream.
Thank goodness that he did not have magical gifts such as premonitions, or he would be truly panicked and on his way to the house to make certain Samantha was safe.
As it was, he could not get back to sleep, which shouldn’t be a surprise, so instead, he made his way down to the grotto beneath the ledge where he and Samantha had watched the dolphins, taking the stairs along the side of the sloped cliff then entered from the side.
At first, he announced himself since this was where the Nereids liked to sun themselves on boulders in their human form, and quite naked.
When there was no response, he peeked around the corner because it would not be the first time that the three had remained quiet only for Cassian to discover them, which caused him to quickly retreat, his face burning while they laughed.
When he was convinced that he would be alone, Cassian stripped out of his clothing and slipped into the water that had gathered in the basin from high tide.
It was warmer here because when the boulders warmed from the sun, while protected from the wind, it heated the water.
Not that it was hot by any means, but it was a perfect relaxing temperature even in the last days of December.
However, he still could not shake the nightmare and maybe it was telling him something—that his heart wanted Samantha in his life despite all else.
Which was all well and good if his heart had also delivered answers to his difficulties by way of a dream or nightmare.
* * *
Samantha woke just as disheartened as she had been when she drifted off.
Cassian had the perfect opportunity to kiss her.
He had even looked at her lips, his single focus for the longest time, and then he stepped back.
Why didn’t he want to kiss her?
Yes, he had acted strange yesterday, and she was certain he had tried to avoid her but maybe he hadn’t had the opportunity because there were always so many people around. Then, they had watched the sunrise in quiet solitude together and it had been perfect.
No, it would have been perfect had he kissed her.
What was wrong with her that nobody wanted to kiss her?
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.
He must have just recently bathed because his hair was wet.
“Take the basket Samantha is carrying and accompany her. She knows where to go and what to do.”
Lady St. Alban then turned away and walked off in another direction giving Cassian no chance to object.
He came forward and took the basket from her then frowned. “I hope you have not been carrying this long. It is rather heavy.”
“Not long,” Samantha murmured suddenly uncomfortable in his presence. He had the opportunity to kiss her this morning and hadn’t but her worse fear was that he had known how badly she wanted him to do so and rejected her.
Hopefully she could put that awkward memory away for good so that it did not ruin her day, evening…the rest of her stay at Nightshade Manor.