Part 30 (1/2)
”True love, a fantastic love, a rare love,” he admitted freely.
”You deserve the love you have found with Sarina and you both deserve happiness, but remember your words, dear boy, they will serve you well.”
Dagon looked at her oddly. There was an important message behind her reminder, but how to decipher it he wasn't sure.
”You must be truthful with the Ancient One when she arrives.”
”Has a time been set?”
”No, we are still negotiating an equitable time frame.”
”Then I have time yet to give this matter thought, though I think I know how to appease her.”
Sydney grinned. ”Then you will be the first-” Sydney paused and shook her head before she continued. ”The second who has learned the secret.”
”You make her sound ominous.”
”She has her moments, but you must remember the vastness of her knowledge, the scope of her
existence, the demand for her powers, and the loneliness she must have endured over the centuries.”
Dagon suddenly realized of what Sydney spoke. ”She looks for love.”
Sydney shook her head. ”She knows the true meaning of love and has suffered for it. Be gentle and
wise in your opinion of her. She does what is best, and she does it for love. Understand this and you will understand the magnitude of her magic.”
”You guide wisely, Sydney.”
”I had an exceptional teacher.”
”The Ancient One.”
”Yes,” Sydney said with pride. ”She teaches without teaching and guides without guiding. She knows the way of the soul and understands the heart. She does nothing without knowing it is the wise way.”
”And wise choices can bring pain.”
Sydney smiled her pride in her own student. ”Very good, dear boy. You have learned well.”
”I had an exceptional teacher.”
”Then the cycle continues as it should,” she said, pleased.
”You will teach my children?” he asked.
”Planning children already?”
”I'm already three hundred years old! I think I've waited long enough.”
Sydney laughed at his teasing. ”I would be honored to teach your children.”
”It is I who would be honored, Sydney.”
Her laughter erupted softly yet again. ”Perhaps not.”
”Why?” he asked curiously and answered his own question. ”Don't tell me. Ali and Sebastian's child
will grow along with mine and Sarina's and no doubt will create havoc as only a mixture of mortal and witch could.” ”Sebastian is now a witch.” ”A b.u.mbling witch.” As soon as his words escaped his mouth, he winced. ”Think wisely before you speak.” He thought about Sarina and how hurt she would have been if she had heard him speak those words. ”I am a fool.” ”A fool in love,” Sydney corrected. ”A fool nonetheless. Those words were unkind of me.” ”Yes, they were, but since you realized you erred, the words hurt no one but you.” ”Always the teacher,” Dagon said proudly. ”Of which I am forever grateful.” Sydney's expression turned serious. ”Wise witches look and see, listen and hear. While many witches understand this concept, they never truly practice it. Look and see, listen and hear, Dagon, and you will learn more than you ever thought possible.”
”You're telling me I have more to learn.”
”We all have more to learn. I for one would never want to stop learning, and heaven forbid Ali should.
I'm still hoping she'll master the art of cooking.”
Dagon laughed. ”I plan to teach Sarina much.”
”And she you.”
Dagon raised a brow. ”She teach me?”
Sydney sent him a look that warned he was a pupil disappointing a teacher.
He thought better of his remark. ”Let me amend that to 'I look forward to whatever Sarina may teach
me.' ”
”Now you are being a wise witch.”
Dagon felt honored by her words. It took many centuries and many life experiences to acquire the t.i.tle of