Page 12 of Promised to the Satyr

“And you, Mr. Barbaros.”

Letting my hooves clomp more than is polite, I say, “There will be no wedding today.”

Nocturn sits in a very large chair that resembles a throne with a wide, fanned back that extends above his head. “What is the arrangement between the two of you?”

I offer my hand to Astra so that she will sit beside me on the love seat and I can abandon the smaller chair.

She looks confident and sure, but her hand shakes and her inhalation has a hitch.

Smiling, I give her a nod. I hope she knows I will stand beside her no matter what she says.

Six

Astra

As much as I love to make my father angry, I don’t like to disappoint him. I know that is exactly what I’m doing now. Having Niko beside me somehow makes it easier. “Father, I will not get married today. Niko is a good man and very kind, but I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me.”

“You will know each other after the marriage,” Father growls.

The help can be heard arranging the ballroom across the foyer. My anger returns. “If you had told me about this plan months ago and not intercepted the letters Niko sent, you might not be sending your guests away today.”

Paula gasps. “Nocturn, you didn’t.”

“She would have run away in March if I had told her.” Father is less sure of himself.

I shrug. “We shall never know as I wasn’t given the chance and now, I have an agreement with Niko to spend enough time together to decide if we wish to spend more time together.”

“How much time?” Father demands.

“That is none of your business. You will stay out of our way. You have already made a mess of this. If you so much as step foot on Niko’s property, I will leave this forest, which I love, and never return.” My chest aches with the idea, but I mean what I say. At least, I think I do.

Father opens his mouth and sorrow darkens his eyes.

Drawing a deep breath, I say, “It is to Niko’s credit that I agreed to give us both an opportunity to walk away or stay.”

“You agreed to this?” Father’s question to Niko is full of accusations.

“It was my idea. Astra is a grown woman with a mind of her own. She’s different from other nymphs who are satisfied to frolic in the trees. We will get to know each other, then each decide if we suit.” Niko looks at me gently, then at my father with a glaring disapproval.

The longer he defends me, the more I like him. If my father wasn’t here, I would take Niko’s hand, but I won’t give Father the satisfaction. He doesn’t deserve to know that there might be affection between us. Honestly, I’m not sure there is. I like him more than I planned to, that much is certain.

“Fine.” It’s a monumental agreement for my father.

Paula claps. “Excellent. Will you two stay for dinner?”

“Not tonight, but thank you.” I hug Paula and tell my father goodbye before practically running from the house. The clomp of Niko’s hooves is my only comfort. Knowing that he’s behind me is the most security I’ve ever enjoyed.

When we’ve returned to Niko’s cabin, I go directly to my room and lock the door. Disappointing my father, his showing no care for me, and even Niko being so kind and supportive, all make me feel less somehow.

I strip out of my sundress and lie on the bed. I do like the option of human clothes, but it’s good to be in my natural state.

Rolling to my side, I pluck the unopened letter from the nightstand and open it.

Dear Astra,

I am disappointed not to have received a response from you. It occurs to me that the reason for your silence is because of me. I am to blame as my first letter was disjointed and uninformative. My only excuse is that the notion of marriage was still new to me. I imagine it is the same for you. Please forgive me.

Hopefully, it will please you to know that I have purchased a home and large property in New York. I thought you would prefer to remain in your home forest as it has been my experience that nymphs are deeply attached to their trees.

---