Lady Lily sat purring contentedly in Dagon’s arms as he walked toward the staircase. The little ball of fur that was rounding in size quite nicely had created havoc in the kitchen. She had jumped from countertop, to countertop, to the table, and right onto Margaret’s floured board. She repeated the process, her stained white paws leaving her dirty tracks all over the kitchen.
Fortunately for all she had calmed down at the sight of Dagon, and with a heartfelt meow wandered over to him most willingly, cuddling against him when he picked her up.
He made apologies to Margaret and quickly exited the kitchen. He was about to take her upstairs to Sarina when Sydney intercepted him as he passed the receiving parlor.
“Just the man I wanted to speak with,” she said and hooked her arm in his, turning him around and heading straight for his study.
Dagon knew better than to protest. Obviously this was a command, not a request, and he went along most willingly.
Sydney shut the door and ordered, “Sit down, we need to talk.”
Dagon walked to his desk, leaning his backside against the front of it while he continued to appease Lady Lily with gentle strokes of his hand. “If it’s about Sarina—”
“It is about the Ancient One.”
Dagon immediately grew attentive, and Lady Lily grew quiet.
Sydney walked behind his desk and sat, forcing him to turn and take the seat in front of the desk. “Sebastian and Ali have chosen to leave before her arrival. Ali doesn’t think Sebastian is ready to meet someone of her status just yet. I intend to remain to make the introductions.”
Dagon hesitated to respond, not certain of how to inform Sydney of his change in plans.
“Something troubles you?” she asked, and he realized she sensed his apprehension.
He spoke truthfully. “I don’t think the meeting with the Ancient One is necessary after all.”
Sydney rose slowly, placing her hands flat upon the desk. “You don’t think it necessary?”
He wisely remained silent, knowing she didn’t actually expect a response.
“You insist that I arrange a meeting with a witch, who with the snap of her fingers, could bring this castle crumbling down around you, and when I make those arrangements, you decide it is no longer necessary? Are you a fool?”
He nodded; disagreeing was futile.
“Well, at least we agree on something,” she said with annoyance and stood straight, folding her arms over her chest—a sure sign that she was angry. “You have no choice but to meet with her.”
“But if you explain—”
“Explain!” she said in a near shout. “Explain what? That a foolish male witch demanded an introduction with her and has now changed his mind? She will want to know why—” She held up her hand to prevent his response. “And she will accept no explanation.”
“You’re saying she is not a reasonable witch?”
Sydney laughed at him as if he were an ignorant child. “She was born with the dawn of time. Do you understand the magnitude of her powers?”
“She is wise, therefore she must be reasonable,” Dagon insisted, growing agitated that he may have gotten himself into a situation that he could very well have difficulty getting out of.
Sydney nodded slowly. “Yes, reasonable enough to think that if someone wished to meet with her that he had given that meeting careful consideration, which meant it was important to him and therefore he would not waste her time and would never consider canceling it.”
“You’re telling me I’m stuck with this meeting.”
“Precisely,” Sydney informed him and sat down.
Dagon gave his predicament thought while petting Lady Lily. “I suppose my only recourse is to formulate another reason for meeting with her since I am in love with Sarina and wish her to become my lifemate.”
Sydney smiled and allowed Dagon to feel her pleasure over his words.
“You’re happy for me,” he confirmed with a smile of his own.
“Happy, pleased, and delighted that you have finally found love.”
“True love, a fantastic love, a rare love,” he admitted freely.
“You deserve the love you have found with Sarina and you both deserve happiness, but remember your words, dear boy, they will serve you well.”
Dagon looked at her oddly. There was an important message behind her reminder, but how to decipher it he wasn’t sure.
“You must be truthful with the Ancient One when she arrives.”
“Has a time been set?”
“No, we are still negotiating an equitable time frame.”
“Then I have time yet to give this matter thought, though I think I know how to appease her.”
Sydney grinned. “Then you will be the first,” —Sydney paused and shook her head before she continued— “the second who has learned the secret.”
“You make her sound ominous.”
“She has her moments, but you must remember the vastness of her knowledge, the scope of her existence, the demand for her powers, and the loneliness she must have endured over the centuries.”
Dagon suddenly realized of what Sydney spoke. “She looks for love.”
Sydney shook her head. “She knows the true meaning of love and has suffered for it. Be gentle and astute in your opinion of her. She does what is best, and she does it for love. Understand this and you will understand the magnitude of her magic.”
“You guide wisely, Sydney.”
“I had an exceptional teacher.”
“The Ancient One.”
“Yes,” Sydney said with pride. “She teaches without teaching and guides without guiding. She knows the way of the soul and understands the heart. She does nothing without knowing it is the wise way.”
“And prudent choices can bring pain.”
Sydney smiled her pride in her own student. “Very good, dear boy. You have learned well.”
“I had an exceptional teacher.”
“Then the cycle continues as it should,” she said, pleased.
“You will teach my children?” he asked.
“Planning children already?”
“I’m already three hundred years old! I think I’ve waited long enough.”
Sydney laughed at his teasing. “I would be honored to teach your children.”
“It is I who would be honored, Sydney.”
Her laughter erupted softly yet again. “Perhaps not.”
“Why?” he asked curiously and answered his own question. “Don’t tell me. Ali and Sebastian’s child will grow along with mine and Sarina’s and no doubt will create havoc as only a mixture of mortal and witch could.”
“Sebastian is now a witch.”
“A bumbling witch.” As soon as his words escaped his mouth, he winced.
“Think before you speak.”
He thought about Sarina and how hurt she would have been if she had heard him speak those words. “I am a fool.”
“A fool in love,” Sydney corrected.
“A fool nonetheless. Those words were unkind of me.”
“Yes, they were, but since you realized you erred, the words hurt no one but you.”
“Always the teacher,” Dagon said proudly. “Of which I am forever grateful.”
Sydney’s expression turned serious. “Wise witches look and see, listen and hear. While many witches understand this concept, they never truly practice it. Look and see, listen and hear, Dagon, and you will learn more than you ever thought possible.”
“You’re telling me I have more to learn.”
“We all have more to learn. I for one would never want to stop learning, and heaven forbid Ali should. I’m still hoping she’ll master the art of cooking.”
Dagon laughed. “I plan to teach Sarina much.”
“And she you.”
Dagon raised a brow. “She,” —he shook his head— “teach me?”
Sydney sent him a look that warned he was a pupil disappointing a teacher.
He thought better of his remark. “Let me amend that to ‘I look forward to whatever Sarina may teach me.’ “
“Now you are being a wise witch.”
Dagon felt honored by her words. It took many centuries and many life experiences to acquire the title of a wise witch. He hoped to one day earn that title, and with Sydney’s praise and encouragement he was well on his way. “Thank you.”
“You receive what you earn,” she said, though pride in her student remained evident in her smiling face. “Now to return to the problem of the Ancient One, you must be certain you will be able to appease her, or you will suffer her wrath.”
“What could she do to me?”
Sydney spoke low, as if wanting no one to hear her response. “She could take Sarina from you.”
“Why?” Dagon demanded in an angry shout.
“Shhh,” Sydney ordered with a finger to her lips. “I can say no more.”
It was then at that very moment that Dagon realized the startling truth. “You know Sarina.”
Again Sydney pressed a finger to her lips in caution. “I can speak of this no more.”
“I want to know,” Dagon demanded with concern.
Sydney answered softly and with patience. “Would I tell you if I could?”
Dagon bent his head back and sighed to the heavens. “There is more going on here than I realize.”
“Much, but you are wise enough to unravel the mystery if you put your mind to it.”
“You can give me no help?”
“Little.”
He attempted another question, but she raised her hand. “Fate has already been tempted. The remaining answers are within, look and you will see, listen and you will hear. That is all I can tell you.”
“This has something to do with the lack of Sarina’s powers?”
“You look and see already,” Sydney said standing, a signal that their meeting was at an end.
“You said you will remain,” he said and stood with a sleeping Lady Lily nestled in the crook of his arm.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “I will not desert you.”
“Again, thank you.”
“Always remember your greatest source of strength and you will never fail,” she advised with a kiss to his cheek and left the room.
o0o
It was barely noon and he felt as if the day had already been spent, it had been such a busy morning. And he had yet to conduct any business. His first thought was to return to his bedroom and check on Sarina, but there were business matters that needed his attention, especially that one business deal Sarina had warned him about. It wasn’t going as smoothly as he had anticipated, and a successful outcome was extremely doubtful.
He looked to his computer and then down at Lady Lily. He would return to his room and deposit the kitten with Sarina, giving him a chance to look in on her, and then return to his study to work.
“Busy?” Sebastian asked, sticking his head around the open doorway.
“Business,” Dagon said, “but it can wait.”
“Good,” Sebastian said with a smile. “I was hoping you would help me with some magic.”
Dagon almost cringed and then recalled Sarina and all her failed and frustrated attempts to sharpen her skills and how Sebastian did not hesitate that disastrous night to help her, so he smiled. “Sure, I’ll help you, though,” he warned with a pointed finger, “no levitation.”
“Damn,” Sebastian grumbled, “no one lets me practice that.”
And both their glances immediately fell on Lady Lily, and they smiled in unison.
o0o
Sarina woke to the spit and crackle of logs and rubbed sleepy eyes to see Sydney poking at the logs in the hearth. She yawned loudly to let Sydney know her noisy endeavors worked, she was awake.
“Oh, did I wake you, dear?” Sydney asked innocently.
Sarina was wise to her ways and let her know it. “You wished to speak with me?”
“Never could fool you.”
“You tried often enough.”
Sydney laughed, walking toward the bed with Sarina’s lavender dress in her hand. “Many of us did and failed.”
Sarina sat up, the covers dropping off her, and reached for the dress to slip over her head. She climbed out of bed, and the dress slid down her body to rest at her ankles.
Sydney handed her lavender socks. She pulled them on, folding over the thick tops, and walked to Dagon’s bureau in search of a comb. “You’ve spoken to Dagon.”
“Your sight is as powerful as ever.”
“One skill that could not be damaged,” Sarina said and ran the silver-handled comb through her tangled hair.
“But cannot help you.”
“Still, there are advantages to retaining it, but my sight is not in question.” She stopped combing her hair and looked directly at Sydney. “You have interfered.”
“Marginally.”
“I appreciate the thought, truly I do, but you know I must do this alone.”
“A little help can go a long way.”
“Like last night when you made Lady Lily spin like a top into Janey’s and my feet causing complete chaos?”
Sydney looked contrite. “I knew you would realize the truth.”
“I didn’t at first, but then I was too upset to see clearly. It was when I had time to think about it that I realized the incident couldn’t have been my fault, otherwise the guests would have remained as they were... a mess.”
“A little push in the right direction.”
“But it was Sebastian who came to my rescue, not Dagon.
“But it was Dagon you sought out,” Sydney corrected.
Sarina nodded. “True and look at the results.”
“As they should be.”
“I am clever enough to realize the results are of my own doing. You had no hand in that, though you gave a little push.” She walked over to Sydney after returning the comb to the bureau and gave her a hug. “I am grateful for your little interference, your little push. Your actions helped me to realize what I had failed to see.”
Sydney waited in silence.
“I searched for a man. A man to rescue me from this crazy spell, and it wasn’t until I arrived here at Rasmus Castle and met Dagon that I understood that the spell was not about a man. It was about love, a rare love that demands nothing but gives all and in giving it receives everything. But you knew this, didn’t you, Sydney?”
“I had my suspicions,” she admitted. “And now what do you do?”
“Nothing,” she said, walking to sit on the edge of the bed.
Sydney sat down beside her.
“There is nothing I can do. It is now out of my hands and in the hands of another.”
“You can continue to love.”
“I will never stop loving Dagon,” Sarina said, hugging herself as if she hugged his love to her and would never let it go. “And I know his love is strong and everlasting, but there is a tempest to face, and our fate remains there.”
“You worry he will not be able to fulfill the spell?”
“I have confidence in our love, but there still remains a part that I am not sure can be fulfilled, and that worries me.”
Sydney took her hand and offered a comforting squeeze. “You now know the main source of the spell—love. Simply let it work its magic.”
“There is no stronger power,” Sarina admitted.
“No, there isn’t,” Sydney agreed.
“And it is what started this whole mess.”
“And it is what will settle it.”
A terrible screeching pierced the castle walls, causing Sarina and Sydney to jump off the bed and race for the door. Once the door was open, Sarina’s fear was confirmed upon hearing another pitiful wail.
“That’s Lady Lily!”
The two women raced down the steps and were joined by Ali running out of her room.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
Sarina explained as they quickly descended the stairs. “It’s Lady Lily! Something dreadful must have happened to her.”
They all followed the pitiful cries.
The three women came to an abrupt stop and near collision in Dagon’s study, their wide eyes fixed on Lady Lily, who floated high in the air, on her back, around the room.
“Sebastian!” Ali shouted his name, and startled, he turned around.
Lady Lily descended rapidly, but Dagon immediately came to the rescue, slowing her fall and drifting her in his direction so she landed safely in his arms. She in turn wasted no time in jumping out of his arms and heading straight for Sarina.
Sarina’s welcoming hands scooped her up and hugged her tight while the annoyed kitten protested with several screeching meows and a few hisses for her own satisfaction.
“You have explaining to do and an apology to make, Sebastian Wainwright,” Ali said, walking over to her smiling husband.
“I was doing well,” he protested.
“Need I remind you Lady Lily was screeching,” his wife said, wagging her finger in his face.
“Watch that finger, witch,” he warned with a laugh.
“The only reason Lily grew annoyed was that I kept turning her in circles while attempting to float her on her back. She grew dizzy, and besides, I promised her fresh fish for supper tonight as a reward for helping me.”
That brought a generous meow from Lady Lily.
“See,” Sebastian said as if the cat had confirmed their agreement.
Ali looked to Dagon.
“He’s your husband, and you won’t help him learn to levitate people.”
“He’s landed me on my backside too many times, and I didn’t see you volunteering,” Ali said with an accusing glance.
“You can levitate me,” Sarina offered to everyone’s surprise.
Sebastian smiled his appreciation. “Thanks, Sarina, that’s sporting of you.”
Dagon was about to object when he realized that she, herself, needed to learn as much as Sebastian, and how would she learn anything if someone did not trust in her? He felt he had just learned a large lesson. And was about to offer himself as a guinea pig to Sebastian when Ali spoke up.
“All right, you can levitate me.”
Sebastian grinned from ear to ear. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she said and slipped her arms around his neck to kiss him. “But we go slowly and we don’t levitate over any hard surfaces.”
“You got a deal,” he said and hugged his wife to him.
He looked to Sarina. “Sorry about upsetting Lady Lily.”
“I’m sure she’ll forget the ordeal after she eats that promised fish.”
Lily meowed her agreement.
Sebastian laughed. “I’d better go talk to Margaret about a special meal.”
Lily jumped out of Sarina’s arms and walked over to Sebastian, purring as she wound her way around his legs.
“Come on, sweetheart,” —Sebastian said, scooping her up— “Compensation time.”
Sydney followed Sebastian and Ali out of the study, closing the door behind them.
Dagon walked over to Sarina, his arms going around her waist. “Feeling better?”
“Much.”
“You have nothing on underneath this dress,” he said, surprised as his hands roamed over her waist and backside.
Her smile was inviting. “Not a stitch.”