Page 6 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Cassian had an appointment that he must keep. It was the same appointment that he had failed to keep yesterday, so he must make an appearance today.

“I can take you tomorrow,” he offered. “I know a perfect place that overlooks the water.”

“Where would that be?” Maia asked knowingly as if she expected him to take Samantha back to his cottage, which would be a very bad idea. Not only for her reputation but the temptation that he would need to resist.

“At the end of the path we used to play along as children. Beyond the evergreens is a cliff with enough room to sit. There is a bench there now.”

“Oh, directly above the grotto,” Petra stated with excitement.

“Where we were not allowed to go as children because everyone feared that we’d fall,” Maia added.

“We did go.” Chedworth laughed. “And we fell.”

“Is it dangerous to be there?” Samantha asked.

“Not for responsible adults,” Cassian answered while he shook his head at Chedworth. “Who would like to join us to watch the dolphins frolic?” Cassian asked those who were seated around the table breaking their fast.

Not a single person indicated an interest, which had not surprised him.

They were at Nightshade Manor often enough that seeing whales, dolphins and seals was no longer special.

Except, it always was to him. Perhaps it was because of the freedom they had to swim wherever they wished, just as the ships that passed could travel anywhere in the world.

Though, he did consider the wisdom of being alone with Samantha, especially in the morning when few people were about, if they were even awake. Yet, he wanted to be with her when she saw dolphins for the first time. “I look forward to meeting you on the terrace tomorrow morning, Samantha.”

“Thank you, Cassian.”

At the use of his given name, Petra arched an eyebrow and he nearly groaned. He did not need Petra nor Maia playing at matchmaker.

Nor Antonia for that matter. He kept forgetting that she could read his aura and no doubt something had been given away that he preferred to hide.

As the conversation turned to other topics, Cassian ate quietly and listened, as was his habit. More than a few times he snuck a glance at Samantha but was careful so that it was not so obvious.

He was very much looking forward to tomorrow morning, but he had much to do between now and then.

First, his meeting with Viscount Lynwood, then he would return to his cottage and sleep since he would need to be in the caves beneath Lynwood’s estate, Hollybrook Park, by midnight where they would work to bring in the shipment that was due.

He should have just enough time to get everything stored before the sun rose so that he could meet with Samantha.

He would just be very tired, but he often was after he had assisted Lynwood in the smuggling business that made much of Bocka Morrow wealthy. It was the secret kept from outsiders and the reason Cassian had been hired to be Lynwood’s man of business after the previous one retired.

Lynwood couldn’t disappear in the middle of the day to do inventory or balance the accounting and make certain everything was delivered and funds collected.

However, few people would miss Cassian, and if they did, would likely not ask where he had been.

It was a position that suited both him and Lynwood and the only person at Nightshade Manor who knew of his duties was Lynwood’s sister, Cordelia, who happened to be married to another son of Drakos blood, Damon Norcott, Viscount Bentford.

* * *

Samantha did not see Cassian again. After he had broken his fast, he had left the manor and did not return. Not that she watched for him.

Oh, who was she fooling? Of course she had watched for him, but he didn’t appear at tea or supper or at any time before she finally retired.

Now, she waited on the terrace. The sun had risen not long ago and had she not promised that she’d meet him, Samantha would be strolling through the Witches’ Garden, her second favorite place at Nightshade Manor.

Her first was the Sacred Grove, where music was alive and filled her being with peace and joy.

She glanced back at the manor again, waiting for him to exit.

Had he changed his mind, or had he forgotten about taking her to see the dolphins?

It wasn’t as if he had offered, but it had been suggested that he take her, just as he had been encouraged to take her to the Sacred Grove.

Had he only agreed to be polite? Had he asked if others wanted to join them because he did not want to be alone with her or spend any time with her?

Such a thought was disheartening.

Oh, if only she could hear his music, then she would know for certain.

“Samantha, I hope that I did not keep you waiting for long.”

She turned to find Cassian coming from the side of the estate.

Not from the area of the grove or Witches’ Garden, but the wall that bordered Nightshade Manor from the rest of Bocka Morrow.

If she recalled correctly, on the other side of the wall was land that led to Hollybrook Park and the Romani camp.

“No, not long,” she responded when she would like to know where he had gone or from where he was coming, even though it was none of her concern.

Unless, he had not come home at all last night and the only reason she could think that a man would sleep somewhere else was if he had a lover or mistress.

Of course, he would have a lover! Men his age and as handsome, often visited women of loose morals to take pleasure.

Cassian placed a hand over his mouth as he approached, trying to hide his yawn.

“I apologize. I did not sleep last night.”

That woman must have kept him awake all night! Did it take so long to…well…whatever it was that lovers did?

“We can visit the dolphins another day if you are too tired,” Samantha offered.

“No. I want to show you,” he promised, warmth in his grey eyes that put her at ease. “It is not far.”

He seemed genuine, and since Samantha could not know if he was, she followed down the path that led to the Sacred Grove, but instead of going through the hedges, he turned to walk up an incline and through the trees.

Along the way, she noted abandoned wooden swords, balls, an old doll and other childish toys.

“We played at being pirates and knights when we were younger.” Cassian laughed as they came to evergreens. “This way.” He put his back against the hillside and slipped past the tree and Samantha followed then stepped out onto a shelf above the sea.

She nearly gasped at the beauty. “It is a shame that this does not face east because I can only imagine the beauty of the sunrise from here.”

“Instead, it offers a magnificent sunset.”

Yes, she supposed that it would.

Then she saw the dolphins and her heart warmed.

Such happiness and joy as they played in the waves.

Their music of love and compassion as they talked to each other nearly made her want to cry.

Such marvelous creatures. Except… “Are there women swimming with the dolphins?” She then noted the tails.

“Mermaids!” She had never seen a mermaid before and had wondered if they truly existed.

Cassian chuckled. “Nereids. They are Galene, Maera and Eunice.”

“You know them?” Samantha asked in surprise.

“Their ancestors accompanied the Drakos family when they sailed from Greece over two hundred and fifty years ago.

They ensured that there were calm seas, quick currents and wind in the sails for safe travel.

Instead of returning to their home, they remained here.

Those three are the only remaining offspring.

It was then that she realized that the Nereids wore no clothing and nearly averted her eyes, uncomfortable at viewing their naked breasts, especially while standing next to Cassian, who did not seem to mind.

Of course he did not. He was a man.

Luckily, most of the time the water shielded the Nereids’ breasts, but even a few glimpses made her cheeks burn.

“I suppose when those three are gone, there will be no more,” Samantha offered sadly because with no males, there could be no procreation.

“If that were the case, then they would have been extinct centuries ago.”

Samantha frowned. “Why?”

“All Nereids are female.”

“Then how…” her face heated as she tried to reconsider her words.

“When out of water they take human form. They are water nymphs who like to tempt sailors,” he explained without providing the details, thank goodness.

By knowing their names, did that mean Cassian knew them better than was proper? She certainly could not ask.

“They live near here, and I have had occasion to talk to them since I was a child.”

Then perhaps the relationship Cassian shared with the seductive and beautiful Nereids was innocent.

They were beautiful. No wonder sailors were easily seduced.

Except, she was here to see the dolphins and would try to ignore the Nereids. “When do the whales visit?” she asked.