“I understand.” He leaned in, the tip of his nose against hers. “I really do.” Then he brought his lips to hers.

  “Bentford! Why are you kissing my sister?”

  The two of them jerked apart and turned to find Adam standing there staring at them.

  “Might I have a word, Lynwood?” Damon asked. “I have the most fascinating story to share.”

  Chapter 22

  Lynwood had given his blessing, though Damon had never been concerned that his request for Cordelia’s hand would be rejected. He was glad to have it settled and the marriage contract would be drafted. He just hoped that Cordelia didn’t need much time to become used to the idea.

  He really couldn’t blame her for her reluctance, no matter the emotions they shared. Any reasonable person would never consider marrying after knowing someone for such a short time. At least now he was free to court her, which he would do later this afternoon. The more time they spent together, coming to know one another, the sooner they could wed.

  Had the vines not sprouted, he’d not even be considering marriage so quickly. But they had and he knew better than to go against Gaia or his life would be miserable.

  Damon chuckled and shook his head. He’d been avoiding marriage for years and until recently had been adamant about not marrying for ten more years.

  He hadn’t expected to meet Cordelia and it wasn’t just the flowering vines that prompted his urge to marry her as quickly as possible, but also because of the passion and desire that ignited within his being the first time they kissed. Never had he wanted a woman so quickly with just the brush of the lips. In an instant, need, love and passion had filled his being as if he’d suddenly come under a magical spell. All he could think about was her and wanting her. He had experienced desire before, but never so intense that it burned within and he’d since wondered if he ever really had experienced passion before because everything he felt while kissing Cordelia eclipsed every other encounter he’d had in his life.

  Damon needed to make her his. He wanted to worship and devour. To share and merge and become one. He wanted to bring her to the heights of passion until it burst into a glorious release. He wanted to give her that joy and lie in sated comfort each night for the rest of their days. Had the vines not wrapped around their legs, Damon would have swept her up in his arms and taken her to where they could be alone and he could make her his. He lost all reason and he truly meant that he’d been bewitched. She was his destiny and Damon couldn’t be more content.

  In fact, that was his very first thought upon waking this morning.

  He used to believe content was simply accepting circumstances when denied something more. It was such a bland simple word that in his mind he associated with boring. He’d been wrong. There was such an ease, comfort and happiness in being content. It was calm and Damon looked forward to years of such.

  He would need Cordelia’s steady, quiet influence when it came to his nieces. Ianthe already relied upon her and Nephele and Clio liked her, so he need not fear them being at odds with the woman he married. It had been a worry that he’d kept in the back of his mind, even though he hadn’t intended to marry when they were this young.

  There were only three matters that concerned him. The first, Miss Perkins. Though in truth, she wasn’t a worry because she would be gone in a few days. The second, the darkness that surrounded him remained; however, he’d not received word of any strangers arriving in Bocka Morrow.

  Could Madam Boswell have been wrong?

  Or could it be so far in the future that he could spend anxious days waiting, afraid to relax and enjoy?

  The third, his guilt for not marrying a witch. Therefore, his mother would need to remain at Nightshade Manor.

  Damon had put off speaking to her about it all morning, but after luncheon, he knew he had no choice. After searching the gardens, he finally found her in the back parlor reviewing correspondence.

  “Might I have a moment?”

  “Of course.”

  “I know that Cordelia wasn’t your choice.”

  “I am surprised.” She smiled and set aside the letter she’d been reading. “You may be the first of the Drakos line not to marry a witch.”

  She was smiling so his mother couldn’t be too upset.

  “When Gaia chooses, then we must all accept, and she is never wrong.”

  “But it doesn’t free you,” he finally said.

  “Free me?” She leaned back in her chair and frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “If I had married a witch, you’d not be tied to Nightshade Manor and could return to Kent.”

  Her eyebrows rose as her eyes widened. “So, this other woman could train my granddaughters.”

  He frowned. His mother was almost insulted by the very idea. “You wouldn’t feel trapped? Don’t you wish to be free?”

  “Where did you get these ideas?” she finally asked with a chuckle.

  “Miss Perkins told me that it was unfair to you because you had raised your daughters and shouldn’t be forced to teach your granddaughters.”

  His mother blew out a heavy sigh. “I’ll be glad when she is gone. I was so wrong about her, which I’m trying to come to terms with because I’m rarely wrong.”

  Damon was surprised she had said rarely instead of never.

  “If you were to marry the most gifted witch in all the land, I would remain here.” She leaned forward and poured more tea into her cup. “Those are my granddaughters, and they need to be taught as all those of Drakos blood have been taught. The ancestry, history, truths, beliefs and tenets. Nobody else knows what flows in our veins. I do. I will see to their education, and your sisters will as well. One day, they will have daughters and our knowledge will be passed on to another generation.”

  Damon’s guilt finally eased. “I should have known better than to listen to her.”

  “I hadn’t realized she was so manipulative. I believe she needs to be guided and I have considered writing to the Council.”

  “Council?”

  “Yes, the Witches’ Council.”

  “I’d not realized there was one.” How come he’d not heard of it before? “What do they do?”

  “They oversee so that no witch does any harm and provide discipline when they must.” His mother sipped her tea. “They are older, wise witches. When one passes, she is replaced by an experienced witch.”

  “Miss Perkins truly didn’t cause any harm,” Damon pointed out.

  “No, but she attempted to interfere with what should be. Change an outcome, alter a future, manipulate the truth. That is forbidden.”

  “But it didn’t work.”

  “Only because Ianthe saw her.” His mother took a sip of tea. “I wasn’t certain what to think. There was the snow, but no vines so I had already intended to keep an eye on her.”

  “All is well.”

  “Yes, it is, but had we believed the snow, you would not have kissed Cordelia, and you could be planning a wedding to Miss Perkins. So, son, her actions cannot be ignored.”

  A chill ran down his spine. He was so thankful that Ianthe was observant.

  “You mentioned my sisters. When will they arrive from Kent?”

  His mother smiled. “Likely today.”

  Damon sat forward. “You said a month or so.”

  “That is because I wanted you to get used to being here with the girls. But Ianthe’s training will take all of us. It is not an easy task. I had to call on my sister for my own children.”

  Damon had not realized that.

  “Larisa will be happy to see Miss Adriana, I’m sure, and now that they are to be family, there is little I can do.”

  “You do not like her?”

  “I worried what she knew or would learn. I suppose I had nothing to worry about at all.”

  “Not arriving, we are here.” Maia entered wearing a bright grin and followed by Larisa and Selene.

  “I do hope the brandy has been well-stocked,” Jax grumbled.

  “After traveling with those three, I need a bottle just for myself,” his cousin, Mr. Orion Drakos complained as he brought up the rear.

  “Did I hear you mention Miss Adriana?” Larisa asked.

  “Yes, dear. Her older sister, Cordelia, is to be Damon’s bride.”

  All five new arrivals turned to him, eyes wide with shock and mouths falling open.

  “Yes, well the circumstances are rather unusual,” his mother said. “However, before the three of you decide to visit anyone, you need to be aware of a danger,” his mother announced.

  “What danger?” Jax demanded.

  Damon glanced to his mother. “I’ll let you explain.”

  “Which I’ll do over tea and brandy. Let’s go to the sitting room.”

  Damon rose from his seat to follow his family when Ianthe burst through the door and ran directly to him.

  “Uncle Damon, come quick,” Ianthe screamed.

  When Damon left yesterday, he said that he would call on her this afternoon. Instead, a missive arrived asking Cordelia to visit with Ianthe.

  In time, the child would no longer need her, but if Cordelia recalled correctly, it had taken her weeks before she no longer needed the assistance of her governess and until it became habit.

  After she strolled through the back gate and the roses closed behind her, Cordelia emerged to the back of the manor to note that only Miss Perkins was about and down by the water’s edge beside a small rowboat. Cordelia offered a polite nod and continued toward the first terrace.

  “Miss Cordelia,” Miss Perkins called. “Could you please assist me?”

  She turned, wondering what she could possibly do.

  “I just need someone to give the boat a shove.”

  “You shouldn’t take the boat out alone,” Cordelia warned. Nobody should ever be out on the water alone, even if they were in a boat. Anything could happen.

  “I do it all the time,” Miss Perkins dismissed. “I am a water witch and have no fear.”

  Cordelia slowly approached. “I could call a footman. I’m certain he would have better luck. I may not be strong enough.” Nor did she wish to go near the water.

  “The water is rising, I’m certain it will not be difficult. Just a little push is all I need.”

  Cordelia pursed her lips and drew in a deep breath. A little push that was all. She’d likely not even get her slippers wet. “Very well.”

  Except, as she drew near the boat and Miss Perkins, she realized what she’d said. “If you command the water, why not have it rise as soon as you are in the boat and then you won’t need a push.”

  “I would, if I was the one going out.” Miss Perkins’ grey eyes grew dark as her face hardened.

  Cordelia took a step back, ready to scream when the waves suddenly rose, knocked her off balance right before Miss Perkins pushed her into the boat, causing her to strike her head on the wooden bench.

  When she came to and sat up Cordelia realized the boat was now in the middle of the cove and moving toward the sea. She grabbed the edge and searched the shore for help as the boat spun in circles. There was nobody outside. Nobody to help her.

  Cordelia summoned all her strength, opened her mouth, and screamed before it was too late and she was out to sea.

  Laughter responded. “Nobody can hear you.”

  That’s when she saw Miss Perkins standing on the hill. The finger of one hand circled as the other hand curved up and down above the water. “He was to have been mine. Once you are gone, he will be again.”

  Miss Perkins started twirling her finger faster and faster, causing the boat to spin.

  Cordelia closed her eyes because she was afraid of becoming ill. She swallowed against the bile rising, pushing it away as the panic rose.

  She tried her best to breathe in and out and not let the panic overtake her, but it was impossible.

  She gripped the edge of the boat harder. If it flipped, she needed to hold on so that she didn’t sink and drown.

  Just like Adriana.

  Her sister had been closer to the shore, but soon Cordelia would be out too far away for anyone to help her.

  “I’ll tell them you wanted to take the boat out to enjoy the beautiful day and that I told you not to go alone, but you wouldn’t listen.”

  Nobody would believe her. Not her family and not Damon. They knew her fear.

  “Then I’ll tell them it sank from the storm. It’s coming in now. Just like I made the other storm appear. The lightning was to have ended you then.”

  The day she’d been soaked.

  How could someone have so much evil in her heart?

  “I’ll comfort Damon. He’ll turn to me and fall in love and forget all about you.”

  Tears sprang to Cordelia’s eyes, and she opened them for a brief moment and caught a quick glimpse of the shore before the boat turned. She did see people standing there but the boat spun too fast to know if they were servants or Damon. It didn’t matter anyway. They were too far away to help her now.

  The boat spun faster, and Cordelia grew even more dizzy and feared she would black out.

  She couldn’t. She needed to hang on to the boat.

  Darkness descended as the wind whipped up and thunder rumbled above.

  Cordelia ducked her head and held on. The darkness wasn’t just outside, but it was fighting to gain control of her.

  Waves battered the boat, and water splashed on her dress. Soon the boat would fill and there would be nothing she could do.

  Her throat closed as the pain in her chest became nearly unbearable.

  She would not fear.

  She must overcome her fear.

  Instead, memories assailed her.

  Adriana disappearing beneath the surface, her grandfather yelling at her and saying the most awful things. Horrible things, so horrible that she couldn’t sleep and worried all the time and then her governess taught her the calming.

  She must breathe and calm.

  Except that wasn’t the reason she had that governess.

  It wasn’t about the water.

  It was never the water.

  Cordelia’s breaths came heavier as a truth from deep down inside welled up within.

  It was never the water.

  She wasn’t afraid of water.

  Cordelia lifted her chin and stared up at Miss Perkins who had her arms raised, no longer spinning the boat. Her hair was wild as her dress pressed against her.

  Storm clouds swirled above her and lightning flashed.

  “You’ll never win!” Cordelia yelled, not certain if Miss Perkins could even hear her.

  Chapter 23

  Damon watched helplessly from the shore as the boat holding Cordelia spun faster and faster.

  She had to be terrified. This was her biggest fear and Damon needed to get to her.

  Miss Perkins stood on a hill swirling her finger to stir the water, but what sent chills down his spine was her smile. She was gleeful in harming someone.

  “Edward, go to Madam Boswell and tell her what has happened.”

  “My sister is out there,” he argued.

  “Madam Boswell needs to know what is happening,” his mother yelled.

  Edward didn’t argue a second time and took off running.

  “You need to do something,” Damon yelled. He wasn’t angry at his mother, but he hated being helpless. The woman he loved could very well die if someone didn’t reach her.

  “Girls, we need to get closer to her.”

  “Through the grove,” Maia called, and his sisters took off running to the trees.

  Damon raced along the edge of the cove, trying to get as close to Cordelia as he could. He’d dive in and swim out to her, but he could drown in the choppy, spinning water before he got to her. What the blazes was he to do?

  Miss Perkins hadn’t seen him yet, but he heard what she said.

  He’d rather be alone than seek comfort from her or anyone else.

  He wished Cordelia would look up, but this entire time her head had been down, blonde curls cascading over her shoulders, and he couldn’t even see her face.

  Then, in an instant she straightened and looked up.

  She was not afraid, but angry.

  “You’ll never win!” she yelled.

  Damon was rather taken aback and proud. She hadn’t let her fear rule her.

  Then in a blink, limbs and vines lashed out and wrapped about Miss Perkins. First her legs and then vines captured her raised arms and forced them to her side, then she was wrapped tightly from her ankles to her chest, much like a mummy. She was now incapacitated, unable to move and unable to command the sea and skies to her will.

  Had his sisters not arrived when they did, Damon wondered if his mother would have had the power to bring an end to the terror, then dismissed the thought. It wasn’t worth contemplating and he also knew that his mother could have done this all on her own. The combined power of his family had brought it about more quickly.

  The black clouds above faded away as the wind and the sea calmed.

  The most important thing right now was reaching Cordelia and making certain that she was unharmed. He paused only long enough to pull off his boots, toss his suitcoat and jumped into the cove. As he reached the boat, he grabbed the side and lifted himself inside.

  Cordelia simply blinked at him.

  Was she in shock?

  He’d not seen this expression before. Her blue eyes were cold, and her cheeks were flushed.

  “Are you unharmed?” he asked as he took her hands in his. She wasn’t even shaking.

  “I am,” she answered crisply.

  Was she going to blame him for what Miss Perkins had done?

  “What do you need? What can I do for you?”

  “Get me to shore,” Cordelia answered and looked past his shoulder. “Madam Boswell and your mother need to explain their betrayal.”

  What was she talking about? His mother hadn’t betrayed anyone. He didn’t know enough about Madam Boswell, but he did his mother.

  “What betrayal?” he asked slowly.

  “From when I was ten.”

  “When your sister almost drowned.”

  “Yes. It all came back to me. Things I’d forgotten. Or I was made to forget, and I demand to know why.”