“His private chambers?” Sarina asked for the third time.
It had been three days since the chimney incident and she was feeling her old self. A few aches here and there, but nothing that would keep her from doing her chores. So she had asked Bernard for her new assignment.
“Yes, his private chambers,” Bernard confirmed with a touch of annoyance.
“He knows you are assigning me there?” she asked incredulously.
Dagon was all too aware of the damage her clumsy skills could inflict. Why would he ever want to take the chance with her in his private chambers?
Bernard smiled. “He insisted.”
She nodded, though wondered over his motive. She supposed she should be grateful for the chance to be nearer to him. How was she ever going to break the spell if she kept her distance? But his bedroom? That was moving things along a little too rapidly.
“You will not be starting your duties there until tomorrow,” Bernard informed her. “You have one more day to recover.”
“But I feel fine,” she protested.
“Perhaps, but His Lordship specified three full days of recovery time before you were allowed to return to partial duties.”
“Partial?” she asked.
“He wishes you to return to your duties slowly, and since he has so instructed that is what you shall do,” Bernard said in a tone that warned he would not argue the point. “Now go and rest, tomorrow will be soon enough to discuss your new duties.”
Sarina wanted to scream. She had rested more than enough. She needed to be active, and she intended to do just that. There must be something that needed doing in the castle, and she intended to find it.
An hour later she walked out the kitchen door and headed toward the mermaid pond. No one would allow her to do anything. They all but chased her away, shooing at her as if she were a pesky fly. The exquisite pond that always managed to catch her eye and give her pause did not interest her today. She walked right past it and toward the woods. She needed to be in her element, needed to feel the energy of the wood spirits surround her.
She heard the small pitiful cry before she entered the dense woods. She stopped and looked around, but heard nothing. Before she took another step, the tiny pleading cry reached her ears again.
This time she glanced up, and there on a bough huddled in the branches of the large spruce was a tiny kitten. If she hadn’t been a ball of white fur, Sarina would have never seen her. She thought of Lettie, her own cat and a remarkable intelligent tabby. She had found her nestled in a rotted old stump when she was a mere baby. They had been together ever since.
She sighed, shook her head and looked with a smile to the kitten. The little ball of white fur released a mournful meow that tore at Sarina’s heart. “I guess I have no choice but to rescue you,” she said, approaching the bottom of the tree. “I must warn you that I am usually the one being rescued.”
The kitten meowed softly as if reassuring her.
“I’m glad you have confidence in me, because I certainly don’t.”
Sarina stared in awe at the towering size of the giant spruce. At least the kitten wasn’t too far up, and there were enough low branches that she could use to pull herself up.
She looked down at her slim skirt, hose, pumps, and the white cardigan she wore over her blouse. Not exactly clothes for tree climbing. The kitten’s meow sounded more urgent, and when Sarina looked up she could see from her position that the kitten looked about to take flight higher up into the tree. She would never be able to rescue her then.
She spoke softly to the tiny creature attempting to win its trust and keep her from moving. No time to run back to the castle and change. It was now or never, and she couldn’t think of the little kitten spending the night frightened and alone high up in the tree.
She extended her arms up and jumped for a low hanging limb, missed, and fell on her backside. She laughed at herself. “Good start, Sarina.”
Her hands brushed at the pine needles stuck to her skirt, and then she dusted her hands off before attempting another jump. She missed again and stubbornly returned to her feet. Two more times and she finally made it, catching on to a low branch. Now all she needed to do was pull herself up, climb the other few branches, and grab the kitten.
She pulled on the branch and felt the tug in her sore muscles.
The mournful meow of the tiny kitten reminded her of her presence and her courageous reason for dangling from the tree branch.
Sarina smiled. “What’s a little exercise after being stuck in a chimney?” With much exertion, a tear in her stocking, pine needles protruding from her disheveled hair, and her face smudged with dirt, she worked her way up toward the kitten.
o0o
Dagon sat in his study at his desk reading a report he had just received on the computer. His investments were going remarkably well, his businesses successful, and he had a major business deal pending that looked quite favorable. Not that there weren’t problems to deal with, but he employed top-notch people who did exceptional work, and any problems were usually handled professionally, quickly, and accurately.
He wished he could say the same for his present problem. Sarina simply defied solving. He had contacted several witches, and while a few had heard of her, none could verify her age. One thought she was barely one hundred, another thought her closer to three hundred, and one fool thought her over eight hundred years old. One witch knew of the area in which she came from, but wasn’t certain of an address. She had told him it was around the Aberdeen area, a beautiful and mystical land. She had also remarked that Sarina was one to keep to herself and chose her friends carefully. She seemed more at home with animals and the woods than with those of her own kind, though she did have a few mortal friends.
It made him wonder why she led what seemed like a solitary existence, and how strange it was that she should leave that life to seek a servitude position. If she was young she should be in training, and that would explain her present position here in the castle, though Bernard balked at employing neophytes. He preferred that they be at least somewhat schooled in the craft.
She could be older than he thought, though if that were the case then, she should certainly possess significant powers and wisdom. Then there would be no reason for her to be here.
He turned away from the computer frustrated and stretched his arms above his head. “This is insanity.”
“Sir?” Bernard queried from the doorway, holding a silver tray with tea and sandwiches on it.
Dagon dropped his arms and motioned for him to enter. “Talking to myself.”
Bernard entered and walked to the table by the window. “Something I have found myself doing much too much of since Sarina’s arrival.”
Dagon stood and joined Bernard as he arranged the pot of tea and plate of sandwiches on the table. Dagon snatched a tuna sandwich, unable to resist Margaret’s special tuna spread.
“How is Sarina?” Dagon asked before taking a bite. He had limited his contact with her in the last two days. After tending to her in his room and admitting he was more than simply attracted to her, he thought it best to keep his distance. He didn’t need an intimate involvement with a staff member, especially when he had plans of meeting with the Ancient One. It wouldn’t be fair to Sarina to have a brief affair with her when he had other, more permanent plans in mind.
Not that he wasn’t tempted and not that he didn’t dream of her naked in his arms and not that he wasn’t interested in finding out more about her and not that he stopped thinking of rare love.
Bernard’s voice finally intruded on Dagon’s overwrought mind. “So, sir, I ordered her to rest for the day.”
Dagon realized he had missed most of what Bernard had said to him, and instead of appearing the fool, he simply nodded his head.
“I will start her in your quarters tomorrow, though limit her duties until the end of the week.”
Dagon understood Bernard was seeking his approval and he gave it. “Sounds fine to me, Bernard.”
“Good, then—” Bernard’s mouth dropped open and the teapot would have smashed down on the table if Dagon had not set it right with the quick point of his finger. “Good lord!”
Dagon followed Bernard’s wide eyes and his own mouth followed suit. Both men stood staring out the window at Sarina. They watched her grab twice for the tree limb and twice land on her backside. She finally grabbed hold of the branch and hung there as if deciding on her next move. It was when, with much difficulty, she pulled herself up and disappeared into the trees that Bernard commented.
“Whatever is she up to now?”
Dagon shook his head and dropped the remainder of his sandwich to the empty plate. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”
Dagon resembled a mighty witch approaching the woods. He wore all black from his wool trousers to his knit sweater to his flowing wool overcoat that had been left unbuttoned, the belt hanging to the sides. A chill autumn wind blew his unrestricted hair away from his face, and his blue eyes blazed with frustration as he approached the tree that Sarina had disappeared up in.
He stepped beneath the large outstretched pine branches and glanced up. “What are you doing?”
Sarina sat straddling a branch. Her skirt was bunched up to her hips, her stockings torn, and pine needles protruded from her white sweater.
“I am trying to rescue a kitten,” she said, her voice sounding much calmer than she felt.
Dagon threw his hands up in frustration. “Brilliant, and who will rescue you after you rescue the kitten.”
She smiled sweetly. “Well, you are here.”
The dried pine needles crunched beneath his pacing feet. “I can’t believe that after your last ordeal, you failed to learn your lesson.”
“Lesson?” she asked, not that the little kitten had grown curious and was making its way carefully down toward her. She encouraged its cautious approach with a soft purr of her own.
Dagon continued his agitated pacing while keeping a sharp eye on her. “Yes, lesson. You simply do not possess the power, or the common sense,” —he stressed— “to handle minor chores, much less difficult situations.”
Her soft purr worked, the kitten now rested on the branch where she sat, and all she had to do was reach out and scoop it up. She did just that and found herself slipping; her arms and legs immediately hugged the branch as she toppled over.
“Dagon!” she shouted as she suddenly found herself looking up at the top of the tree instead of the ground.
“Damn,” he swore furiously, and floated instantly to where she precariously hung by her arms and legs. He grabbed for her, snatching her around the waist.
“The kitten!” she yelled when he began to descend.
He held her firmly around the waist, her back to him as he maneuvered them within reach of the kitten. Sarina snatched the little frightened ball of fur into her hands and cradled it close to her chest.
“She must be a female,” Dagon said, slowly descending to the ground. “Only a female would cause such trouble.”
Sarina held the kitten up to take a peek and she laughed. “Female she is.” The tiny feline licked her nose most graciously and curled against Sarina’s sweater when she brought her close to her chest.
Dagon deposited Sarina gently on the ground and then walked around in front of her. He intended to give her a good, sound chastising for her inappropriate actions. It was about time she became more responsible concerning her actions. She had to realize she couldn’t do things other witches could and that she lacked the rudiments of mortal skills. And besides, she was worrying him half to death.
He didn’t know what she would get herself into next, and the thought that he might not be able to help her caused him serious concern.
She was near on top of him before he could utter a word.
She kissed his cheek and smiled brightly, holding the sleepy little kitten out for his inspection. “Adorable, isn’t she?”
Dagon watched the tiny creature give a gentle yawn, close already drooping eyes, and curl contentedly asleep in Sarina’s hands. He also watched the way Sarina instinctively cradled the tiny animal against her. She offered the kitten unconditional love and protection, and the kitten wisely accepted, offering the same to her.
“Is it all right if I keep her in my room?” Sarina asked.
Dagon sighed. What was he ever going to do with her?
She looked a frightful mess, and her legs were scratched from the tree branches, and he wouldn’t be surprised if her body was beginning to protest her climb, but here she stood worried over the kitten’s welfare.
He plucked several pine needles from her hair and found it impossible to deny her request. Actually he found it impossible to deny his attraction for her. Even in this disheveled state he discovered himself lusting after her. And a lust it was, his urge so overwhelming it bordered on the insane. That word again. It haunted him of late.
He grew annoyed with himself and it showed in his response. “You rescued her, you’re responsible for her.”
His agitation could have annoyed her, but she refused to allow it to. Instead she teased. “Is that the way it works?”
Her smile challenged and he was in the mood for a good challenge. “I suppose it does since I am responsible for you.”
“Not entirely.”
A gust of cold wind swept around them, and Sarina shivered and tucked the kitten close in the crook of her arm, protecting it from the chill.
Dagon immediately slipped his black wool overcoat off and draped it over Sarina’s shoulders. “You don’t even have the sense to dress warm enough. And you dare to suggest I am not entirely responsible for you?”
“The wind but warns us of a change in weather which alerts me that I must be more vigilant in my choice of outdoor wear. And you need not worry about me—”
Dagon interrupted her. “Don’t dare say you can take care of yourself; you’ve already proved you can’t.”
Sarina’s laugh surprised him. “And you can take care of me?”
Dagon plucked several more pine needles from her hair. “I think the situation speaks for itself. I have taken care of you since my return.”
Her smile faded. “I think it’s time I took care of myself. It isn’t fair that you should be stuck with a bumbling witch.”
She spoke as though she was about to inform him of her departure, and he near panicked at the thought of her gone from the castle. “I am stuck with you and you are stuck with me. Until you improve your skills and show me that you are capable of looking after yourself, you will remain here at Rasmus Castle. Is that clear?”
Sarina was speechless, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Good,” he said, as though her silence confirmed her acquiescence. “Now take the kitten with you to rest. From the looks of you I would venture to guess that your already sore limbs are protesting your foolish actions.”
She confirmed otherwise. “I feel perfectly fine.”
He laughed with a shake of his head. “Not only foolish but stubborn.”
His accurate accusation got her dander up. “I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.” With that said she marched along the pebbled path and proceeded to trip on the belt of his overcoat and topple face first toward the ground.
His laughter echoed in her ears, and his hands reached her before her face hit the pebbles. The tiny kitten, so exhausted from her ordeal, slumbered undisturbed in the safety of her arms. He had her firmly on her feet in seconds, swung his overcoat off her, slipped it on, and then scooped her up into his arms before she could protest.
“Do you know you’re dangerous?” he said, laughter still evident in his voice.
“I can be very dangerous,” she said sternly, wishing she had just a fraction of her inherent powers.
He smirked, attempting to suppress his laughter. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“See that you do or you may be sorry.”
His laughter escaped yet again. “Is that a warning?”
She shook her finger in his face. “It’s a promise you better not forget.”
“Why? Will you turn me into a toad?”
A toad? How dare he think her capable of only childish tricks. She may not have her powers, but she certainly had her sight and she hit him exactly where she knew it would stun him. She proceeded to inform him of all the outcomes of his recent business ventures and future ones. She even told him to beware of the present business deal he thought so favorable. His facts were not as accurate as he thought and it could cost him dearly.
“But then with your exceptional powers,” she said, “I’m sure you were already aware of that.”
Dagon was surprised and impressed. Her ability of sight was remarkably accurate; not all witches possessed the skill, and some possessed that and no other. Was that her problem? Were all her powers focused solely on sight?
He marched into the castle, Bernard opening the door for him. Dagon walked past several servants, who seemed not at all surprised by the sight of him carrying Sarina. He took her to the kitchen and deposited her on a chair. He kept his eye on her but addressed Margaret “Hot tea, bandages, and ointment, Margaret. She’s been at it again.”
Sarina was disappointed with herself. She had allowed Dagon to disrupt her emotionally, and that was not acceptable behavior for a witch of her capacity. She had gained her wisdom many, many years ago and prided herself in her knowledge. And here she was allowing her own foolish pride to dictate, not a good reaction.
And neither was the fact that Dagon could agitate, annoy, attract. Was that what really disturbed her?
o0o
She sighed and snuggled deeper beneath the blue and green plaid flannel quilt. The tiny white kitten lay sleeping beside her on the pillow and a gusty wind blew outside the window of her small room, sounding like a mournful ghost. It was late, well past one in the morning. The castle was asleep and so should she be, but no matter how hard she tried sleep eluded her.
She had refused to allow Dagon to yet again tend her wounds, and with a hardy laugh he had left the kitchen and her care to Margaret. She had then spent the remainder of the day finding and preparing a box for her new kitten and seeing that she was fed.
Margaret, Janey, and Sarina debated over names for the feline until the three had agreed upon Lady Lily. It seemed that the tiny kitten was as demanding as any royal lady could be, and being her fur was as white as a lily, the two names blended well.
Lady Lily had settled herself quite comfortably into her new quarters in Sarina’s room, and many of the staff dropped by to make her acquaintance, giving her even more reason to believe herself to be royalty. When she had begun her pitiful wail in the box at bedtime, Sarina knew that only one place would serve the demanding lady, her bed.
The tiny kitten had curled up beside her head on the pillow and went directly to sleep. That was several hours ago, and Sarina still remained awake, her thoughts still on Dagon.
She was attracted to Dagon and there was no doubt that he was attracted to her, but could he give her what she so desperately needed? She thought him to be the one that would help her break the spell, but was she wrong? She couldn’t see her future, though she could follow her instincts, for they had never failed her. Only now she felt confused and unsure.
What if he wasn’t the one?
What then?
She had no choice, not really. She had to take a chance. There was nothing else left for her to do. It was either accept her fate and live with the results or charge full speed ahead into an uncertain future? Was she strong enough to do that, strong enough to face her fate?
No answer came to her, but then she didn’t expect one. It was her decision to make, and she would make it. She would toss caution to the wind and take a chance. Something she had never done in her life, and while the prospect concerned her she also grew excited with anticipation.
There were no guarantees, no promises, but there were possibilities and that was all she needed.
She yawned and began thinking about her new assignment to Dagon’s quarters—and possibilities.