Sarina couldn’t sleep. It was one in the morning, and she had lain awake for the last hour unable and not wanting to slip into a troubled slumber. She decided that her thoughts were much too chaotic to make sense of them, and she was simply much too exhausted to try.
Tea sounded the proper antidote for her dilemma, and so she scooped up a grumbling Lady Lily off the bed, slipped her thick white socks on her feet, but left her bathrobe behind. Her long white flannel nightgown kept her warm enough, and besides she only planned to make the tea and hurry back to her room. She didn’t wish to disturb anyone, it being so late.
Lady Lily snuggled in the crook of her arm as she carefully made her way down the two flights to the kitchen. Margaret kept a small light burning in the kitchen at all times, a sure sign that anyone was welcome at anytime.
She set the kettle to boil, fixed a mug with raspberry tea, and while she waited for the water to boil, she fixed Lady Lily a small bowl of milk. She kept her thoughts silent the whole time she worked, focusing on her task at hand.
Sarina grabbed the kettle before it whistled, filled her mug, and looked down at the kitten to see if she was finished with her milk. Lady Lilly sat at full alert, her green eyes fixed on a spot near the kitchen door. Sarina turned to see the little mouse sitting in the doorway staring back at the kitten. Neither one moved; they both sat poised and waiting.
Sarina doubted she could scoop up Lily before she took off, and she was at least grateful the castle was quiet and all were asleep. It would make the chase after Lily that much easier.
But then she forgot how fast Lily could run. The little kitten sprang after the tiny mouse so fast Sarina caught only a blur of white fur zipping past her. She didn’t waste a minute taking off after her.
o0o
Dagon pulled his long black hair back and fastened it with a pewter clip, the design the Celtic knot. He then dressed quickly in black wool trousers and a light gray wool sweater. The phone call had come only a few moments ago informing him that Alisande, Sebastian, and Sydney would arrive shortly. He had called Bernard and informed him of their imminent arrival and requested that Margaret prepare light refreshments.
He was eager to visit with them, not having seen Ali and Sebastian since their wedding and wondering how the newlywed couple was faring. He was more than pleased that Sydney had joined them. He wished to speak with her; actually he required a touch of her wisdom and was glad for her presence.
Eager to be downstairs to greet them, he hurried from his room. Ali had explained they would arrive by car, Sebastian insisting that until he was proficient enough at travel spells, he would travel the old-fashioned, mortal way, which meant they would be arriving by car. He planned to be at the door himself to greet them. He quickened his step, anxious and happy over their impending visit.
o0o
Sarina chased Lily and the mouse down the hall, into and out of Dagon’s study, around the dining room, through the receiving parlor back down the hall to the kitchen, sliding on the tile floor around the kitchen table to the surprise of Margaret and herself.
“Oh, dear,” Margaret said, her hands steadying Sarina as she tilted to one side as she rounded the table on a fast glide.
“A mouse,” Sarina said, attempting to explain as she slipped away from Margaret and continued her chase.
Margaret smiled with delight. “It’s going to be an interesting night.”
Dagon was descending the staircase to the foyer, Bernard was opening the front door to greet the guests who had just arrived, and Sarina was about to scoop Lady Lily up when her sock-covered feet hit the marble tile in the foyer.
Everything happened so fast Sarina didn’t have time to react. She slid straight for the front door that Bernard had just opened, her arms flew out in a frantic attempt to stop her frenzied flight, but she could grasp nothing but air. She saw the crash coming and could do nothing to prevent it, and neither could the startled man she collided with.
His body was solid enough to take the unexpected impact, and they tumbled together to the floor, he landing on top of her.
Sarina blinked several times and with rounded eyes looked at the strange man who lay stretched out over her. He was a good-looking man, not near as handsome as Dagon, but a man who could turn a woman’s head, and he certainly was firm in body and she imagined strength as well. She immediately sensed he was a fair and reasonable man and quite new to the craft.
He smiled at her. “Hello there.”
“Hi,” came another greeting and Sarina blinked twice at the woman who leaned over her head, peering down at her.
She was beautiful. Long blond hair, stunning features, intriguing green eyes, a charming smile, and she wore a white wool suit that accented her eye-catching figure. And besides all those qualities she was a witch, a witch of enormous power.
“Hello, dear,” another voice said before a new face popped into view.
Her eyes rounded even wider and she found herself speechless. This woman she knew, though she remained silent, preferring to keep that knowledge between them.
“Sarina!”
For once she was grateful for Dagon’s familiar voice, though when he peered down over her, his expression was anything but happy.
“A mouse” was all she could say and the strange man laughed, moved off her, and with gentle hands helped her up.
“Sebastian Wainwright,” he said and took her trembling hand in his.
“Sarina,” she said and held on to him for dear life.
“Alisande Wainwright.” The beautiful woman introduced herself and gave Sarina’s back a comforting pat.
“And I’m Sydney,” the woman who needed no introduction announced with a smile.
Dagon stood with his arms crossed over his chest in a pose that demanded she explain.
“Lady Lily went after a mouse,” she said to him, clinging to Sebastian’s hand. It was warm, comforting, and reassuring.
“Lady Lily, what a charming name,” Alisande said with a sprinkle of laughter that sounded like wind chimes.
“And a name that suits her well,” Dagon said and looked down to see the little precious kitten winding her way around Sarina’s sock-covered feet. He stared at her white socks, noticed the way she held tightly to Sebastian’s hand, and raised an arched brow at her.
“Did she catch the mouse, my dear?” Sydney asked, reaching down to cup the little ball of fur in her hands.
Sarina shook her head and shivered.
“Cold?” Sebastian asked and slipped his arm around her, drawing her near.
Dagon did not at all care for the intimate gesture. He stepped forward, yanked Sarina out of Sebastian’s arms, and lifted her up into his own arms, shaking his head. He then walked into the receiving parlor.
Sebastian laughed and hugged his wife to him. “He’s got it bad.”
“How do you know?” she asked with a gentle kiss to his cheek.
“He shakes his head. It’s a sure sign that you think you’re losing your mind, which you are, but you don’t know and by the time you find out it’s too late.”
Sydney smiled. “Your wit and wisdom amaze me.”
Sebastian held his arm out to Sydney. “I learned from a very wise woman. Now let’s go torment Dagon.”
Dagon sat Sarina on the small sofa, retrieved the moss green chenille lap throw from a nearby chair, and covered her legs, making certain to tuck the blanket over her feet.
“Those damn socks are going to drive me insane,” he mumbled.
Sarina heard him and smiled.
“So tell us about Sarina, Dagon,” Sebastian said entering the parlor with Ali on one arm and Sydney on the other.
Sarina obliged him, hoping to prevent an awkward situation from turning worse. “I’m a servant at Rasmus Castle. I tend to Dagon’s quarters.”
Sebastian smiled so broadly he almost laughed.
Dagon sent him a lethal look, but Sebastian continued to grin.
Bernard entered with a tray of tea and scones, and conversation came to a brief halt. “Shall I serve, sir?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Dagon informed him.
Bernard nodded, saw to lighting the logs in the fireplace, took Sebastian’s black wool overcoat from him and Sydney’s white wool cloak, cast a notable glance at Sarina, and then quietly left the room.
“Margaret’s scones. Blueberry and cranberry,” Alisande said with excitement and proceeded to pour tea for everyone, though not before taking a bite of a scone.
Sebastian sat beside his wife, and Sarina noticed what a perfect pair they made. That they loved each other was obvious, that they were a perfect match was also obvious.
“Now about Sarina,” Sebastian persisted, accepting a cup of tea from Ali.
“How are we doing with our new skills?” Dagon asked, pointing to a filled teacup on the table. The cup floated up and over to him, and he took hold of it, carefully offering it to Sarina.
She nervously accepted the delicate cup with trembling hands. Dagon wrapped his hand around hers to calm her tremors and offer his comfort. She sent him a grateful smile, and the affectionate exchange was not lost on the three people watching them.
“I’m getting better,” Sebastian said proudly and pointed his finger at a sugar cube in the sugar bowl on the table. The tiny cube swiftly rose up and shot at Sebastian’s cup, pinging off the side and landing in his wife’s lap.
“That’s all right, dear,” Ali said, picking up the cube and dropping it into his cup. “Practice makes perfect.”
Sebastian leaned over and deposited a tender kiss on her cheek. “So patient with my bumbling attempts.”
“Darling, you never bumble,” Ali said with a wickedly sinful smile that made Sarina blush.
“I can see that you’re in love with this mortal as much as ever,” Dagon said, sounding irritated and causing them all to stare at him with surprise, though Sebastian grinned as if he was having the time of his life.
“Is something troubling you, dear boy?” Sydney asked with concern and settled back in her chair with a cup of tea in hand, a white linen napkin spread over her lap, and a sleeping Lady Lily curled in a contented ball right in the middle of it.
Sarina felt responsible for the early morning events and voiced her own concern, pushing the blanket down and slipping her feet to the floor in an attempt to make a wise and hasty exit. “I must apologize, this is all my fault and—”
“Stay right where you are,” Dagon ordered firmly and shoved her sock-covered feet back up on the couch, pulling the blanket over her.
Sebastian gently poked at his wife’s arm, and she smiled knowingly.
Sydney showed no reaction at all, she simply watched.
Dagon offered a brief explanation. “Sarina has been under the weather of late.”
“Have you tried a comfort spell?” Ali asked, reaching for another scone.
Sarina answered quickly. “He’s been more than generous in helping me.”
“Dagon is always there to help a friend,” Sebastian said, stealing a piece of his wife’s scone and getting a slap on the hand for his sneaky action.
“If it wasn’t for Dagon’s help, Sebastian and I would have never gotten together,” Ali informed her and with a crook of her finger directed the teapot to refill her cup.
“Let me try that,” Sebastian insisted, drawing his finger out as if it was a gun ready for action.
“That’s my antique china,” Dagon warned.
Ali placed her hand over her husband’s trigger finger. “Another time, darling.”
“Later,” he said with a wink.
Ali winked right back.
Sarina smiled at their teasing antics. She had never seen two people so in love, or perhaps she had never looked before now. Their eyes often settled intimately on each other. They touched frequently, small simple gestures, they stroked with words, and then there were the pecks on the cheeks, a kiss of a hand or what looked like a whisper when really it was a whisper of a kiss.
Their affection was real and they weren’t afraid to show it. Had it always been this way for them? This love that could not be denied?
“How did Dagon help bring you both together?” Sarina asked, suddenly interested.
Everyone ignored Dagon’s scowl, and Ali related the story. “He was aware of my love for Sebastian and how unhappy I would be without him. And though he wouldn’t admit it, he liked Sebastian and knew full well how much he loved me.”
“And couldn’t live without you, don’t forget,” Sebastian added.
Ali nodded. “He’s right. His life would have been miserably boring without me.”
Sebastian also nodded. “She introduced me to the delights of chaos; nothing has been the same since, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Sarina laughed and Dagon shook his head, finally giving up his commanding stance and sat at the end of the small sofa by Sarina’s feet to listen to the familiar tale.
Sarina’s attention remained fixed on Ali, though she unconsciously stretched her legs out, resting her feet against Dagon’s thigh, a relaxed gesture he did not object to.
Ali continued. “I unfortunately was powerless, my energy had dwindled—” She stopped abruptly. “Is your energy low?”
“Finish the story, Ali,” Dagon insisted, his eyes warning her not to probe.
Her stubborn return glance informed him that she would have her answers, but for now she would concede to his wishes and proceeded with the tale. “Dagon came to my rescue.”
“He’s good at that,” Sarina agreed with a firm nod.
Ali acknowledged the same with her own nod. “He’s wonderful at rescues. He was forever saving me—”
“From yourself,” Dagon finished.
“He’s got you there, sweetheart,” Sebastian said. “It was your own fault for casting that spell and placing our love in jeopardy.”
“Excuse me,” Ali said with an indignant grin. “I believed our love was strong enough to fulfill the spell. If you weren’t such a stubborn mortal—”
“Stubborn?” Sebastian laughed. “Foolish I will admit to, but stubborn—never!”
“Huh, you just proved my point,” Ali said with a shake of her finger in his face.
“Watch it, witch,” Sebastian warned, still laughing as he drew out his own finger. “This time it’s loaded.”
Sarina smiled; she couldn’t help it. They even fought like two people in love. They grinned, teased, and their eyes shared an intimate glow that no witch or mortal could mistake.
They loved to the depths of their souls.
“What spell did you use?” Sarina asked, eager to hear more.
“Magical love,” Ali announced with pride while Dagon and Sebastian shook their heads, and Sydney continued to watch in silence.
“Oh, my,” Sarina said, stunned and with a twinge of envy. “Only the most powerful love can survive that special spell.”
Ali patted her husband’s leg that rested against hers. “I believed in our love and I had faith in him.”
“But as usual you didn’t look before leaping,” Dagon said, his hand having moved to casually rest on Sarina’s foot.
The intimate scene was not lost to Sebastian and Ali.
Sydney simply smiled.
“I looked,” Ali insisted and turned to look at her husband. “Right into his eyes and knew then and there he was all I ever wanted, and I intended to have him.”
“Was he hard to capture?” Sarina asked innocently.
That caused a burst of laughter from Dagon and Sebastian.
“Ignore them,” Ali instructed. “Men, especially mortals”—she paused, glanced briefly to Dagon, and continued—”and a few arrogant male witches are the last to realize and admit that they are in love.”
“Really?” Sarina asked with interest. “I would think that at least a male witch would be attuned to his emotions and better understand.”
“You would think,” Ali agreed, “but males, whether mortal or witch, are a stubborn lot.”
“That I most certainly agree with,” Sarina said and reached out to place her teacup on the table. The delicate china tumbled out of her hand and fell to the floor.
Ali and Sebastian immediately attempted to right the falling cup with a point of their fingers. Dagon simply reached out and caught it in his hand before it hit the carpet. He returned it safely to the table.
Sydney saved Sarina from further embarrassment by saying, “It has been a long journey and I think it’s time for me to rest.” She surprised all but one with her next words. “Sarina, why don’t you show me to my room?”
“I would love to,” she agreed and hurried off the couch and over to Sydney. “It has been a pleasure meeting you,” she said to Sebastian and Ali, feeling awkward standing there in her flannel nightgown, vulnerable and all too powerless.
“We’ll talk again,” Ali assured her.
“A pleasure running into you,” Sebastian said with a teasing smile.
Sarina blushed with the reminder of their unusual meeting.
Sydney stood, lifting Lady Lily along with her, bringing Dagon and Sebastian to their feet, and she bid everyone good night. She reached out and took Sarina’s arm and leaned close, whispering softly near her ear. The two left the room with whispers trailing them.
Dagon looked directly to Sebastian. “There will be no plotting against me.”
“Like the way you did against me?”
“My plotting worked well.”
“And you think mine wouldn’t?”
“Boys, boys,” Ali said sweetly, “if there’s any plotting to be done, I will see to it.”
“Good lord, you’re in trouble now, Dagon,” Sebastian said with a hardy laugh.
“Sit down,” Ali ordered the two men. “Tell me about Sarina. She is quite lovely, utterly charming, and she appears young to the craft. Have you mated with her?”
The two men shook their heads and dropped back into their seats.
“That is none of your business,” Dagon said.
“I don’t know about that,” Sebastian said. “Since you interfered in our relationship, I think it is only fair we interfere in yours.”
Dagon found the situation amusing and smiled. “And do you think I would allow your interference?”
“Darling,” Ali said on a dramatic sigh, “you have no choice.”
Sebastian reached for another cup of tea and poured it the mortal way. “Now tell us about Sarina.”
o0o
Sarina sat with her legs crossed in the middle of Sydney’s bed while Sydney proceeded to change behind the painted wooden dressing screen that depicted the beauty of the highlands.
“Dagon knows nothing?” Sydney asked.
“Nothing,” Sarina confirmed.
“Do you plan on telling him?”
Sarina rubbed the back of her aching neck. “Admitting my identity would do little good and perhaps would even hinder my chance at breaking the spell.”
Sydney walked from around the screen, tying the royal purple velvet robe she wore securely at her waist. “You feel keeping yourself a mystery would better serve your purpose?”
“What good would the truth do me or him? It would only make a difficult situation more difficult. And besides, I look for—”
Sydney finished, “A love that is rare.”
“Is there such a love?” Sarina asked as if her life depended on the answer.
“You ask me for advice?” Sydney seemed surprised.
“I feel lost,” Sarina said candidly. “All that was familiar to me is gone. All I depended on is no longer. I feel like a babe just born with no place to turn.”
“But you have loved before.”
“Simple love yes, but then most of us are capable of that basic emotion. A love that is rare is almost impossible to find. It is said to exist, but yet I have never met anyone who claims to have experienced it.”
“And do you think Dagon is capable of this love?”
Sarina laughed softly. “Strangely enough I sense that he himself searches for it.”
“And you?” Sydney asked, sitting down at the bottom of the bed.
“My feelings for him frighten me.”
“How so?”
“That’s the problem,” she said looking to Sydney with concerned eyes. “I don’t know. My emotions are completely out of control when it comes to Dagon. I cannot understand my actions or reactions toward him, they make no sense. And then there are these feelings of safety and comfort when he is near, but the most disturbing emotion of all is the unrelenting need for intimacy with him.”
Sarina shook her head at herself and continued. “Not just mating, but more.” She sighed in frustration. “Does that make sense? This need to touch not only his naked body but deep within him, to reach out to his soul and touch on a level a rare few are ever able to do.”
Sydney remained silent, sensing she wasn’t finished.
“I ache for him more times than I care to admit or is even possible to act upon. It is an endless feeling of desire that haunts my body and soul.” She cast Sydney a gentle pleading look. “With all my wisdom I don’t know what to do?”
Sydney reached out and patted her hand. “I suggest you do nothing.”
“That does not seem a wise choice.”
“You once told me that not all choices are wise, some are necessary, though necessary choices often turn out to be the wisest ones of all.”
“So nothing then is necessary?” Sarina asked.
“What other choice is there?”
Sarina grew silent in thought. Sydney pointed out the obvious. She could do nothing about Dagon, only herself. She had to trust her own emotions and not fear them, but let them take flight, let them soar, let them free. Only then would she truly discover what she searched for.