Magical Moments Part 44

"You saw her powers," Dagon reminded. "And you also know her better than most. What can you tell me about her that might help us?"

Sydney sipped her coffee before answering. "She is an excellent teacher."

"You could have fooled me," he said with a laugh. "For a minute there the other night I thought the castle was about to lay at my feet in ruins."

"At least you have retained your humor."

"I do not wish to upset Sarina with my own concerns, though the situation troubles me more than I care to admit." He looked to Sydney and produced a charming smile that never failed to please a woman. "And, my dear, you know how much I hate to lose."

"Turn that smile on Tempest and she may just melt."

"Melt? I would say she is too icy to melt easily."

Sydney scolded with a shake of her finger. "You lack full awareness because of your love for Sarina."

"Are you referring to the old mortal saying that love is blind?"

"Mortals do not understand that it is awareness they are blind to. So much sits right in front of their eyes, and yet they fail to see because they fail to look."

"Okay, I get it. You're telling me that I'm not looking clearly."

"You were always my prize student," Sydney said with a pleased smile.

"Who needs reminding of his lessons."

"Who knows his lessons but has not called on them for a.s.sistance."

"My worry over losing the woman I love is preeminent on my mind."

"Which negates necessary action on your part," Sydney reminded.

"I sought your help," he insisted, feeling like a foolish schoolboy who failed to learn his lessons well.

"At least I took a step." "I am glad you sought my help, but remember, it is your actions and Sarina's that will prove to be your best defense."

"How about love? Can it not conquer all?"

"It depends on the truth of the love."

"Our love is true," he argued.

She laid a gentle hand over his where it rested on the table. "Do you truly know love, Dagon?"

He was about to shout his love for Sarina at the top of his lungs when he suddenly calmed himself and spoke gently. "Now I do."

"Then rely on it to help you."

He wasn't quite sure he understood her message, but he would think on her words. Presently, he wished more information on Tempest. Sebastian once told him that you could never gather enough information on someone. That after a while you see a pattern that offers you more exact information than you thought possible. He was looking for that pattern. "Tell me more of what you know of the Ancient One."

"She is wise."

"She is a good teacher and she is wise. Why did I see a different person?" He raised a hand to prevent her response. "Don't tell me, I failed to look."

"Very good, I taught you well."

"Evidently not well enough. I did not see."

"You did not look. Tell me what you saw when you met Tempest."

His response was quick. "A beautiful witch with an att.i.tude."

Sydney laughed. "She can be temperamental."

"Why?" he asked, suddenly realizing that it was a small bit of information that might prove invaluable.

"Even the wisest witch can grow upset."

Curiosity grabbed hold and Dagon leaned forward to rest his arms on the table. "But why would she be

upset by a request for a simple introduction? I am sure requests to meet with her are common, and she

has the option to refuse any or all of them. So why be upset over one she had agreed to?" "That I cannot answer," Sydney said honestly. "I can only tell you that she becomes most upset when-"

Her pause and tightened brow had him waiting anxiously for her to finish.

"When she thinks she has failed in helping another."

"Helping?" he asked confused. "She certainly didn't appear to be helping her sister last night or by

casting the spell over her."

"Perhaps the answer is in the spell."

"The spell seems obvious."

"Sometimes the most obvious are the ones we fail to fully comprehend."

"I will keep that in mind," he said. "Do you think the love she lost could have anything to do with the

reason she cast the spell? She was angry at Sarina for predicting her fate." "But Sarina did not actually predict her fate, she merely warned her of his arrival, not of the consequences."

Dagon nodded slowly. "You're right. I didn't think of it that way. She never did tell her the outcome of the reunion, only that they would once again meet. So her fate will be of her own making." "Which upsets most people when they realize their fate is actually in their own hands." "But a wise witch should know better." "Perhaps she does, perhaps she realized more than you think." "Now that remark puzzles me. Want to explain it?" he asked hopefully.

Sydney smiled sweetly. "How will you learn if I give you all the answers?"

"How did I know you were going to say that?"

"Because you are aware?" she asked teasingly.

"Awareness," he said with a shake of his head. "What am I not aware of?"

"What is right in front of you."

"I suppose you think that is a sufficient answer."

"An accurate one," she corrected. "And one that you would be wise to understand. Now, if you have

no more questions, it is time for me to take my leave."

"One more question," he said anxiously.

Sydney remained patient.

"Can you tell me what would make a wise old witch like Tempest fall in love with a warlock? I cannot

understand the attraction or the sane reasoning behind such a strange relations.h.i.+p. Or is it the fact that

love is blind rings true?" "I can only tell you what I know of Tempest. I have never known her to be blind in any situation. I have seen her face adversity that would make most witches crumble in fright, and I have watched her defend and protect the weakest of creatures with great danger to herself. She is a woman strong in her convictions and powerful in her energy."

"Then could it possibly have been the power of the warlock's energy that drew them together?"

"His power was dark; hers is light."

"But wouldn't she wish to cast light on the darkness? And strangely enough, doesn't the darkness

attract?" Sydney was honest in her response. "I must agree with you on both. Where darkness exists Tempest would attempt to bring light and yes, the darkness does attract many and many are captivated by its intoxicating essence. It is the wise ones who see the truth in the darkness and attempt to cast light." "The Tempest you speak of doesn't fit the Tempest I met." Sydney folded her white linen napkin on the table. "You did not look with open eyes. You saw what you wanted to see. You were prepared to battle, to defend your love before she arrived, and yet it was you who invited her into your home."

"I was not rude to her."

"In a manner you were-" She raised a hand to silence his protest. "You were not truthful with her when she arrived, and she understood that and became defensive."

"I did not lie."

"You did not speak the truth. You did not tell her the real reason why you wished an introduction."

"That would have been rude to tell her that I thought I might be interested in her as a lifemate but changed my mind when a b.u.mbling witch entered my life."

"It would have been the truth, and the Ancient One respects the truth."

Dagon felt thoroughly chastised. "My manners disappointed you."

"You can only disappoint yourself, and I suspect if you gave it thought, you would realize your error and find a way to correct it."

"I don't think Tempest would be interested in an apology from me."

Sydney stood and tapped a finger to his temple. "You don't think, dear boy, at least not clearly in this matter. Now you have asked enough questions, and it is time for me to take my leave."

Dagon stood, suddenly feeling sad over her departure.

Sydney pressed a warm, loving kiss to his cheek. "You take care and enjoy the holidays with Sarina.

And do not worry, all will turn out well."

"You have confidence in me," he said with a charming smile and a generous hug.

Sydney gave his shoulder a playful slap. "I have confidence in Tempest."

Twenty-nine.

The Winter Solstice appropriately dawned bright. A new cycle had begun, new life would flourish, grow, and produce. It was a wonderful time.

What was even more wonderful was that Sarina and Dagon had the castle all to themselves for the next week. Dagon had generously and selfishly given the week off to the entire staff to the surprise of everyone, especially Bernard.

Dagon had wanted time alone with Sarina, time to love and time to prepare and the holiday was the perfect excuse to send everyone away. And they left with haste and glee before the lord of the castle changed his mind. That was, all except Bernard.

He had argued most vehemently with Dagon, insisting someone had to stay and see to the castle and to preparing meals. When Dagon informed him that Sarina and he would see to their own meals, he gasped out loud and shuddered at the suggestion.

It was Margaret who made her husband have a change of heart. She told him if he didn't leave with her, she would leave without him. In a matter of days she had arranged for a trip to the Greek Isles and nothing, not even a stubborn husband, would spoil her plans. She had heard of this little restaurant whose chef had yet to gain national recognition, yet whose cooking was gaining fame, and she hoped to learn about his much-talked-of olive sauce that was said to have a magical taste.

Bernard realized quick enough that where food was concerned, his wife would go with or without him and he decided, he didn't want his wife alone in the Greek Isles.

Of course, now that the two were alone and the holiday was upon them, not to mention Christmas but four days away, Dagon suddenly had second thoughts. His mind quickly changed when he walked toward the kitchen and a delicious aroma stung his nostrils.