Spellbound Souls

Chapter 14. Stealth and Secrets (spicy)

Sebastian

"How do you like Arthur Conan Doyle?" Cassandra asks, as we sit on a blanket in the sand of her coastal vivarium. Magical beasts are scattered around us, enjoying the beach.

"It's great! I'm amazed by the detailed observations and deduction skills of Sherlock Holmes," I respond enthusiastically.

"I'm glad you like it," she says with a smile, before returning her focus to her book.

Curious, I glance at the pages in front of her.

"Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to him. His sins, if there are such things as sins, are borrowed. He becomes an echo of someone else's music, an actor of a part that has not been written for him. The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes to one's self. Of course they are charitable. They feed the hungry and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked. Courage has gone out of our race. Perhaps we never really had it. The terror of society, which is the basis of morals, the terror of God, which is the secret of religion—these are the two things that govern us. And yet—"

"What are you reading now?" I ask, intrigued.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray," she replies, showing me the cover. It reads 'By Oscar Wilde.'

"What's it about?"

"It's about a man, Dorian Gray, who sells his soul to stay young forever," she explains.

"Sounds... fascinating," I lean back on my hands.

"Do you recommend it?" Cassandra nods enthusiastically. "Yes, I do," and she closes the book and lays it besides her.

"You can read it after I'm done," Cassandra says, resting her head on my shoulder. I kiss her softly on the head and wrap my arm around her. She smells of vanilla and cinnamon, the scent embedding itself in my memory forever. Together we enjoy the beach, the wind, the sounds of the waves, and the playful antics of the magical beasts. After a while, Cassandra yawns.

"What time is it?" She asks sleepily. I glance at my pocket watch. It's six o'clock. Dinner is in an hour. I show Cassandra the time. She nods and lays down on the blanket. I position myself next to her, and I grasp her hand in mine. A soft hum of satisfaction escapes her, and I give one in return. Then we fall asleep.

"Sebastian, wake up!" Cassandra is shaking my shoulder and I open my eyes. With a quick pace I sit up.

"What, what!?" Frantically, I look around. Cassandra laughs at my panic.

"Calm yourself, nothing so dramatic has happened. We missed dinner, and curfew," she explains. I look around, the sun is still shining, but the families of beasts are are laying together, sleeping.

"What are you talking about? The sun is still out," I say yawning.

"Remember when I told you the light in here is different? It's late," she giggles.

I take my pocket watch and glance at the time. Shit, she's right. We missed dinner and curfew.

"Well, that bed is big enough for the both of us, isn't it?" I tease her. She smiles and she has a glint in her eyes. "Yes, it is."

I stand up and offer her my hand, without hesitation she grabs it and we run out of the vivarium.

With her hand in mine, I lead her to the bed. Standing before it, I turn to face her, our eyes locking. Gently, I brush my fingers against her cheek, and she leans into the touch. Without hesitation, we share a fiery kiss. As our bodies touch, we cling to each other. She tilts her head back, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. In a swift motion, she pushes me onto the bed, climbing on top of me, and our lips find each other once more.