Chapter Twenty-Four (Amaya)

It had been four months since Samuel and Sin had made their arrangement. I had also worked with Abigail to control my magic and was improving faster than I had hoped. I still felt like everyone was keeping things from me. Especially the guys, the more I was with them, the more I noticed similarities in their appearance and mannerisms. Samuel still refused to take off his stupid hat.

My relationship with the two men seemed to be getting more entangled. The more I spent time with them, the more I was drawn to them, If I were asked to choose between the two, I don’t think I’d be able to.

Sin was impulsive, kind, flirty, and I found him easy to talk to and the chemistry was natural, with Samuel we had long conversations about different things, he was smart and a little awkward, which I thought was adorable; Although I noticed that he sometimes had an impulsive side that reminded me a lot of Sin. I loved spending time with both of them; I have gotten myself in a mess that I don’t know how I am going to get out of.

Samuel was pretty much healed now. He still had a slight limp and surprisingly, Abigail hadn’t kicked him out yet. Part of me thinks that she was taking advantage of him being here so she could spy on him and figure out what he was up to. She constantly told me not to trust him, that he was up to no good and was an enemy to witches.

“What are you up to, Little Dove?” Samuel asked as he sat down on the porch next to me. Putting his arm over my shoulder, I leaned into him, sighing.

“Not much, just reading some of my grandmother's journals.” I replied, as he looked down at the book I was holding.

“Have you decided to be a healer then?” he asked as he played with my hair.

I laughed, “No, but the information in here is interesting and it could be helpful, I like helping others, but I don’t feel like my path is taking me in the same direction as my grandmother.”

“What’s this one about?” He asked, trying to take it from me.

I closed it and set it away, “it’s a secret, she only shows her helpers.” I teased but also knew that the book would be proof of witchcraft as it described how she made a lot of her potions and some had incantations written under them, it instructed you to repeat the incantations as you made the medicines.

“So, what are your plans for today?” he asked, shrugging it off.

“I’m not sure yet, Grandmother went to town to pick up some parcels and I am waiting for her to come back so she can let me know what else needs to be done. I’ve already cut wood and weeded the gardens and the herbs have been collected, so I suppose I am free until she comes back.”

“Walk with me?” He asked as he removed his arm from my shoulders and stood holding out his hand to me.

I smiled up at him and let him take my hand. “Okay, but we can’t be too long.”

He nodded as we walked away from the cottage and down one of the many forest trails that had been made since the agreement with Sin and Samuel; they loved their walks. I could see why. It was the only place we could go without being scolded for not having a chaperone, and there wasn’t much to do in this time. It’s not like the future with their parks and shops and restaurants. That time was designed to entertain, whereas this one was designed to survive. Sometimes I really missed modern conveniences, hot baths for one.

We walked down the path laughing and talking about the different plants and their properties; he helped me study the different herbs and even pointed out ones that Abigail hadn’t written down yet.

And this one? He asked, holding up a plant with tiny purple flowers.

“Lavender.”

“And what can it help with?”

“Helps to ease stress and tension.” I replied. “I thought we were going for a walk, not a lesson.” With a smile, I teased.

“We are doing both. I find your mind very attractive.” He shared as he used my hand to turn me to face him, hugging me around my waist.

“Do you now?” I asked as I looked up at him, his eyes swirling their beautiful blues and greys. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, playing with his hair as I drew him to me and kissed him back as he pulled me in closer.

His kiss deepened, and I opened my mouth in welcome as he took the invitation, the passion in his kiss consumed me as I felt his desire for me making me react in kind.

“Really, of all people to run into, I run into,” Sin cleared his throat as Samuel pulled away from me frowning, “A sight that angers me.” He finished glaring at Samuel, his voice almost a growl.

“What are you doing here?” Samuel sneered at him as I stepped away from him. This whole situation was just uncomfortable.

“I am here to spend time with Amaya, obviously.” He rolled his eyes.

“Well, as you can see, I am spending time with her.”

“I can see very well, thank you, but it is my turn.”

“Are you seriously fighting over this right now?” I snapped as they looked at me. Angry at how immature they were being, I turned and walked away from both of them. They knew how I felt about the agreement they made, and they still made me feel guilty when I spent time with the other. I turned and added, "You two are bickering like a couple of toddlers over a toy. I am not your plaything"

"But you could be." Sin teased.

"Asshole!" I yelled as I turned and left.

I headed back to the cottage and ended up colliding with someone. “What the, who are you?” I asked as I realized that the pastor's granddaughter, Blythe, was standing in front of me. Great, just what I need.

“You know who I am.” she bit out annoyed.

“Yes, sorry Blythe, I didn’t see you. Why are you all the way out here?”

Her dark brown hair was up in a bun and her bonnet was askew, she looked at me accusingly, her green eyes narrowed at me, “Why are you asking, what are you doing out here?”

“Walking.” I answered, as Sin, and Samuel walked up behind me.

“Amaya, I apologize…” Sin paused when he saw I wasn’t alone.

Blythe looked from them to me and although I didn’t think it was possible, her eyes narrowed more. “You have all the boys in the village looking at you and here you are with two attractive men following you.”

“What do you mean? I only go to town when I go to church, boys aren’t looking at me.” I defended reading between the lines. She made me feel dirty, insinuating I was sleeping with both men.

“So, you’re not doing it on purpose, are you bewitching them?” she asked with a smile, like she had something over me.

“I have no interest in them.” I replied coolly.

“No, because you are out here sinning with these two men.” She yelled at me.

“Really." I laughed. "Are you jealous?" I asked, getting angry. "You realize envy is a sin, right?"

“No… I...” she stuttered as she looked at the men behind me. Finding her voice, she replied, “I wonder what my grandfather would think about this.”

“I work with your grandfather, and I would have to tell him you were walking alone in the forest, for what purpose I wonder?” Samuel asked as his eyes became darker.
As if in a trance, she said, “I was meeting Sage, he wanted to talk to me.”

“So, you were out here sinning? your bonnet isn't on properly, what were you up to I wonder?” he accused with a grin.

“No, I was just speaking to him.” She replied, looking confused, as her face reddened.

“Alone, without a chaperone.” He tsked her. "If you cause trouble for Amaya, I will cause trouble for you." He threatened.

She nodded and replied, "I won't, promise." Before turning and running away.

“Well, that’s just great.” I muttered.

“What?” Samuel asked.

“All it takes is a rumor like that to get out for someone to be accused of being a witch.” I pointed out with a frown as I continued back home.

“She won’t say anything.” Samuel reassured.

“She is human, humans are never honest.” Sin retorted.

“And you’re not human?” Samuel asked as he studied Sin's face with a grin.

“Of course, he’s human.” I informed not wanting Samuel to find out about Sin being a demon.

“Right.” Samuel laughed.

Once we got back to the cottage, I looked for Abigail and she was nowhere to be found.

“That’s odd. She should’ve been back by now.” I spoke aloud.

“Maybe she got held up in town.” Samuel suggested.

“Maybe.”

Sin walked up to me, “Sorry little flame, but I have to go, I will see you later, okay?” he replied as he kissed my forehead and headed back into the forest.
That was a quick visit even for him, is something going on that I don’t know about?