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“I assume so. Everything growing in the courtyard got an instant boost. My garden’s never looked so alive. And these,” he gestured above us, “opened up.”
“It was daylight when that happened.”
“It was.”
The Otherland’s moon was high in the sky, bright enough to cast shadows across the courtyard. Moonbeams streaked through the canopy making it look like the blooms were glowing. Torches were lit all along the wall, orange flames flickering, giving the illusion the greenery was moving. There was profound beauty in the ghostly ambiance of this part of the garden.
I looked away from the scenery and up into the luster of Casimir’s silver eyes. It was like getting hit with an arrow. My pulse sped under the intensity of his gaze. My soul stretched towards him and I did nothing to stop it. When my spirit touched his, he exhaled harshly.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized, reeling it back quickly.
“Don’t be.” Casimir’s hand lifted, his knuckles brushing the side of my face. “What do you feel when you touch my soul like that?”
“I feel you. The essence of you.”
His hand dropped. “Do you sense darkness?”
“No.” My head canted. “Why would you think that?”
Casimir’s smile was sad. “Because I hold onto my sins tightly. I hold them so I never forget.”
“Never forget what?”
“How easy it is to become something I don’t want to be. To be corrupted by circumstances beyond my control, despite my best intentions.”
Emotions swirled through me and I thought some of them were his, coming through the bond. It shouldn’t be this advanced. It scared me, but I couldn’t say I regretted it.
My father’s experience with my mother had turned me off to Fate knowing anything about what was right for Others. Circe was a piece of work and Father deserved better. But if I really thought about it, my father had been utterly and totally devoted to my mother. Sadly, she hadn’t realized how lucky she was.
I could tell myself I wanted the choice, but I really wanted what Circe had thrown away. I could choose what Fate had set before me or I could run from it. I knew then and there I was actually considering this, of giving it a real chance.
Casimir had said he’d felt the character of my soul. He had to know I would have been able to feel the same in him. It wasn’t dark. It was strong and righteous. Whatever stained his past hadn’t destroyed his soul in the ways he assumed.
“I don’t feel darkness, Casimir. I feel your decentness. That you worry so much over things you’ve done in the past should tell you that you’re not dark inside.”
He pulled me into a tight embrace. For long minutes we stood under the moonlit canopy of otherworldly flowers. Something inside my chest settled and the nearby lemon trees didn’t feel like such a big deal.
I yawned and Casimir sighed. “How easily I’ve forgotten you were comatose only this morning. Come on, let’s get you upstairs and settled.”
I didn’t protest as he led me back inside and up the stairs. It had been a long day and I’d had a lot to process. I still had a lot to plan and think through … and worry about, especially not knowing what my father was up to.
Tonight, though, I’d let my mind rest. I could worry about it all tomorrow. In fact, I was looking forward to the soft bed, having gone so long without one.
When we entered his quarters, he suggested I use the bathroom first and I could find sleeping attire in the closet. After brushing my teeth and undoing my braid, I went in search of something suitable to sleep in.
I heard the sink faucet running as I opened and closed drawers. I found a soft pair of leggings and a matching tank top, both in a very dark blue. After putting them on, I looked at my chest, debating if I should wear a more supportive top.
I decided to put a tee shirt over it, which would help cover the scars as well as my hardened nipples. Like Casimir, it seemed I was to live in a state of perpetual arousal.
When I came back into the living space, he had turned down the bed linens on one side and was standing, pointing a finger. “Get in.”
“Are you tucking me in?”
“Of course.”
I passed by and had to hop up onto the enormous mattress. He frowned.
“What?”
