Destiny of the Witch, page 44
The rest of us fairly galloped up the stairs of the tower and threw open the classroom door, shuddering to a halt as we saw, on the wall at the back of the room, a portrait of three people: a white-haired man and a red-haired woman, perhaps in their mid to late forties, and a young black-haired boy with dark eyes, aged around eleven or twelve. Perched on the man’s shoulder was a beautiful raven. Nightwing.
Awestruck, we crept slowly towards it and stared up at it, drinking in every detail. Celeste read the attached plaque out loud.
‘Phoenix and Wren Tremayne with their son…’ She hesitated, and I saw her swallow hard before continuing. ‘With their son, Bevil Emrick Tremayne. 1690.’
‘He named his son after his brother,’ I said.
‘The brother he never stopped adoring,’ Celeste said.
‘And Emrick, too,’ Wulfram added. He smiled. ‘He looks a bundle of mischief, doesn’t he? But at least we know he grew up and took care of his mother. A good man.’
We all looked at each other and I knew we were all struggling to contain our feelings.
‘She looks happy,’ Keely said. ‘She does, doesn’t she?’
Wren and Phoenix gazed unseeingly at us, their smiles wide, their eyes bright. Their body language told us they were as much in love as they’d always been.
‘She really does,’ Harley agreed, putting her arm around her twin. ‘They all do.’
‘Look at Blaise with his white hair,’ Celeste said. ‘I can’t believe it. He came good in the end.’ She leaned against Star who linked arms with her. ‘I’m so glad. I’m happy for him, I really am. Funny to think that he bought that pocket watch especially for me. Oh, this has been such an adventure. Finally, finally I feel it’s coming to an end.’
‘We won’t know what to do with ourselves,’ Harley joked.
‘Find the other key,’ Keely said firmly. ‘That’s our next task.’
Wulfram frowned. ‘Find the other key,’ he murmured. ‘You’re right. We have the Golden Chalice Key, the Sword of Feidhlim, and the magical wand, Excalibur. All that’s missing is the Silver Pentacle Key.’ He ran a hand through his hair, clearly thinking. ‘Chalice, Sword, Wand, Pentacle. The four suits of a tarot deck.’
‘Oh, don’t mention tarot,’ Keely said. ‘Those cards are driving me nuts!’
‘Keely,’ he said suddenly, standing very still, ‘I think maybe we’ve been overthinking this. You said Lyrica normally used her own design of cards, not the traditional tarot she left for you. Maybe she didn’t attach any deeper meaning to those cards. Maybe she meant us to take them at face value.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Sky asked, confused.
Jethro gave a whoop of excitement. ‘Of course! The tower and the pentacle!’ He grinned round at us all. ‘What are we standing in right now?’
‘A classroom?’ Star ventured.
‘A tower!’ Keely cried. ‘And the ace of pentacles—she means the Silver Pentacle Key, doesn’t she? She’s trying to tell us the key is in this tower. I’m sure of it!’
‘But where?’
We all gazed around us as if the key would magically dangle from the ceiling in front of our faces.
Then it seemed one thought seemed to occur to us all at the same time.
‘The second floor,’ Killian said. ‘You said you could never find it, but what if…’
‘How?’ Keely asked. ‘How do we get up there?’
‘It has to be down to you, Wulfram,’ I said. ‘Come on, you’re the Great Guardian. If anyone can do this it’s you.’
‘But how?’
‘I don’t know.’ I shrugged, even as a thought struck me. ‘How do we transport ourselves? Fae, I mean.’
‘We think the words,’ he said. ‘It isn’t difficult.’
‘Then maybe you could try that?’ Jethro suggested. ‘Just think the words: second floor.’
Wulfram nodded. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘I’ve thought them. Now what?’
‘Maybe,’ Star said drily, ‘we should check the staircase.’
‘Good idea,’ Killian said laughing, and we scurried out of the classroom onto the landing. This time there were stairs going down and up.
‘They weren’t there before,’ Sky said, stating the obvious. ‘Do you think you’ve done it? Do you think the second floor is really up there?’
‘Well I can’t see any other reason for a flight of stairs, can you?’ Star said witheringly. ‘Wulfram, you should go first. You did this. We’ll be right behind you.’
Wulfram headed slowly up the stairs and turned to us. ‘There’s a door,’ he said in hushed tones.
‘Well,’ Killian said, an excited gleam in his eyes, ‘it would be really useful if you could open it.’
‘Sorry.’ Light flooded the stairs as he pushed the door open, and we heard him gasp. ‘You’d better come up.’
We all followed him as he walked into the room, but we quickly drew to a halt as we saw what was in there.
‘How…’ Jethro rubbed the back of his head in bewilderment. ‘How does this even fit in here? How is this room so much bigger than the one below it?’
‘Look at it! It’s beautiful,’ Harley breathed.
‘You know what this is, don’t you?’ Killian said, watching Wulfram closely.
Wulfram moved forward slowly and stretched out a hand, lightly touching the polished wooden table, a look of pure reverence on his face.
‘I know,’ he whispered. ‘And look what’s waiting for us.’
A large, carved dragon adorned the centre of the table, and lying on top of it the Silver Pentacle Key gleamed brightly. It had been right here all the time. Lyrica hadn’t let us down after all. Carefully, Wulfram picked it up and held it for a moment, before putting it in his pocket next to the Golden Chalice Key.
‘We’ve found it,’ Sky breathed. ‘The second key. It’s over!’
‘And this,’ Killian said, nodding at the table. ‘I mean, would you look at it? I can’t believe what I’m seeing.’
‘But it can’t be the table,’ Star said. ‘Surely not? After all this time?’
‘Look at the symbols on it,’ Celeste said. ‘What else can it be?’
She was right. As we gazed at the huge, round table, we saw four more beautiful carvings surrounding the dragon: a sword, a wand, a pentacle, and a chalice.
‘It’s the round table, isn’t it?’ Jethro said. ‘It’s Arthur’s round table. Can’t you feel it?’
We could. There was no mistaking it. And I could see by the look on Wulfram’s face that he knew it instinctively. It was like it already belonged to him. No longer Arthur’s round table but Wulfram’s round table. I felt a rush of pride for my brother and a sudden certainty that, no matter what might happen in the future, he would make everything all right.
This was what he’d been born for, after all.
Chapter 56
Wulfram
The winter solstice wedding of Aidan O’Brien and Derwa, one of the Nine Sisters of Avalon, took place in a candlelit ceremony at dusk in An Teach Bán in Ballydraiocht.
Anyone who was anyone was there, including Derwa’s aunts and the full complement of the High Council of Witches. Sirius and Elinora were warmly welcomed by the Shining Ones and their fae guests, and both fae and witches agreed that their brave announcement regarding Bob’s betrayal heralded a new era of accountability and openness, which could only be another positive step in the peace process.
Aidan, who barely knew his bride, behaved impeccably, and made his vows firmly and with no hesitation. It was generally agreed that he looked incredibly handsome with his dark hair and green eyes, and privately the witches admitted how relieved they were that the O’Briens had deigned to attend the wedding in their human form, rather than as Shining Ones.
Derwa, who was unquestionably a beautiful bride with her long dark hair and blue eyes, made her vows quietly and with no fuss. If her heart sank as she did so she gave no outward sign. As Elinora and Orlagh pronounced them man and wife, Aidan dutifully kissed his bride, and everyone congratulated them, and each other, on a job well done.
Sweeney played the harp as the happy couple signed the register, and afterwards we were treated to a spectacular feast, prepared with love by Mammy Ryan and her assistants.
‘Well,’ Killian said heavily, as we sat watching the guests mingle, with champagne flutes in their hands that never seemed to empty no matter how many times they sipped from them, ‘it’s done then.’
‘You’re still not happy about this?’ I asked.
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Do you really have to ask me that? Look at us. We’re lucky, Wulfram. We have women in our lives that we love and adore, who love and adore us in return. Don’t you think I want that for my own brother? It’s not fair on him. It’s not fair on either of them. And I really don’t know what Derwa’s going to do with herself living here. She’s going to be out of her depth. This is going to be a disaster.’
‘They’ll make it work,’ I said, more in hope than certainty. ‘They’re both determined so…’
He gave me a sad look and I couldn’t offer him any further reassurance. Deep down I worried he was right, but the decision had been made and it was too late now. I could only hope that both Aidan and Derwa would find a way to bring happiness to themselves, if not to each other.
‘It’s a lovely wedding,’ Sky said, dropping into a chair next to us, Jethro hovering beside her.
‘I’m sorry you had to cancel yours,’ I told her.
‘Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s actually worked out for the best. Jethro and I have been talking and we’ve decided we’re going to wait until next December to get married. But this time, we’re going to be married in the church at Castle Clair, just as we originally intended. It will be the wedding of our dreams, and we’ll have a whole year to plan it.’
‘That’s great,’ I said. ‘I’m so pleased for you.’
Sky nudged me. ‘Maybe it’s time you thought about getting married yourself,’ she said. ‘You and Keely—you’re made for each other. Anyone can see that.’
‘Sky, don’t bully the poor man,’ Jethro protested, but I laughed.
‘It’s okay. I’ve been thinking the same thing myself. Keely and I have talked about it, and now things are calmer at last, who knows? Watch this space.’
‘Ooh, how lovely!’ Sky said. ‘Maybe we’ll end up having a double wedding. That would be amazing.’
‘Would you look at that,’ Killian said softly. ‘It’s snowing! How perfect is that?’
We gazed out of the window, entranced to see snowflakes falling from the navy-blue sky.
‘You’re right,’ I said. ‘It is perfect.’
We all looked up as Sirius and Trinity came over to join us, Sirius leaning on the silver cane Emrick had presented him with.
‘Isn’t this lovely?’ Trinity asked. Her eyes were sparkling, and she giggled as Sirius took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. ‘Mind your leg,’ she reminded him. ‘You’re not healed yet!’
‘I’m doing fine,’ he assured her. ‘And nothing’s going to stop me from cuddling my wife, thank you very much.’
‘Ewella tells me the plans for the school are going well,’ Killian said. ‘You’ll be thinking about opening it soon, I expect?’
‘We’re thinking maybe in the spring,’ Trinity told him. ‘We have to think about the design of Peloryon House. It will have to adapt itself to make room for all those children!’
‘But don’t worry,’ Sirius said hastily, ‘the tower will always remain. And it will be safe.’
I should hope so, considering the secrets it held. The round table was still standing on the hidden second floor, and we’d carefully placed Excalibur and the Golden Chalice Key in the room, too, knowing it was undoubtedly the safest place they could be—at least for now. The Silver Pentacle Key and the Sword of Feidhlim, meanwhile, had been placed in the crypt under the chapel. Emrick and I had decided it would be wiser to keep them apart. If, in the unlikely event, one key was discovered, at least whoever had found it would still be unable to locate the dimension box without the other. I felt a lot easier that way.
‘Perhaps,’ Killian said slowly, ‘we could have a chat? There are some things Harley and I would like to discuss.’
Trinity and Sirius looked surprised. ‘Of course. Any time.’
Killian got to his feet. ‘I’ll go and find Harley,’ he said.
‘What was all that about?’ Trinity asked, sliding off Sirius’s lap and sitting on the next chair.
‘No idea,’ I admitted. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, though.’
‘Oh, I’m not worried,’ she said lightly. ‘I find, these days, I hardly worry about anything. After everything we’ve been through there doesn’t seem any point in making a fuss about the everyday obstacles any more. Funny how your perspective changes, right?’
I gazed at Keely who was currently dancing with Killians’ younger brother, Rian. She looked so stunningly beautiful she took my breath away. Yet she’d fallen in love with me when I was just a shy, awkward man with no idea of my true identity. How had that happened? How had I ever got so lucky?
True love, I thought. Maybe, in the end, finding the person you were meant to be with was the greatest destiny of all.
‘Come on,’ Trinity said, holding out her hand, ‘let’s you and I have a dance. My poor husband’s currently incapacitated, but there’s no one I’d like better to take his place than my big brother.’
I smiled and took her hand. ‘It would be my pleasure.’
***
The party was winding down, but a few of us hardy souls remained. I think Killian was reluctant to leave Aidan alone with Derwa, but I knew he’d have to at some point. Whatever happened between his brother and his new wife was between them now. No one else.
We found ourselves sitting in a beautiful room—white like all the others, naturally—with tall windows dressed in white drapes, looking out over a snowy garden.
Killian and Aidan looked slightly the worse for wear, but Aidan seemed cheerful enough. Trinity and Sirius were cuddled up together in an armchair, and I thought they’d never looked closer. Harley and Keely were sipping coffee, having decided they’d had more than enough champagne. Star and Benedict were reluctantly discussing the fact that they ought to go home, because it wasn’t fair to leave the children with Castor and Mrs Greenwood, even though both adults would probably be fast asleep in bed by now. Sky was humming a tune to herself while Jethro watched her, a sleepy expression on his face. I thought she ought to get him home soon before he fell asleep on the spot. Celeste and Hector were sitting on a sofa chatting quietly to each other. Everyone seemed relaxed and happy. Like they had nothing to worry about. Like everything was okay.
‘Can I talk to you about something?’ I asked tentatively.
They all looked at me in surprise.
‘You sound serious,’ Keely said dubiously. ‘Nothing’s happened, has it?’
I saw anxiety in their eyes and hurried to reassure them. ‘It’s okay, nothing’s happened. But,’ I added reluctantly, ‘that doesn’t mean nothing will.’
‘Meaning what?’ Trinity asked worriedly. ‘Wulfram you’re scaring me now.’
‘Don’t be scared,’ I said. ‘But I need to say this now, while we’re all here together. The thing is…’ I hesitated, reluctant to frighten them more than necessary but knowing I had to be honest with them, ‘the thing is, Havok might be gone, but Spite and Siofra are still out there somewhere.’
‘But now the fae know for sure you’re the Great Guardian, and you have the keys and the sword to prove it, they won’t listen to those two,’ Sirius said. ‘That was the whole point of finding them, wasn’t it?’
‘It was,’ I agreed. ‘Even so, we can’t take anything for granted. And the thing is, there are other threats out there. Creatures I didn’t even know existed until recently.’
‘You mean vampires,’ Sky said in a small voice.
‘Vampires, werewolves, who knows what else? I didn’t even realise there were such things as reapers, did you? Not,’ I added uncertainly, ‘that reapers are a threat. I don’t think they are anyway.’
They were all watching me with suspicion in their eyes.
‘What are you saying, Wulfram?’ Hector asked eventually.
‘I’m saying, I think it’s time. I think we found the round table for a reason. Arthur didn’t just rest on his laurels when the sword and Excalibur presented themselves to him. He went out into the world with his knights—’
‘Who weren’t really knights at all,’ Celeste reminded me.
‘No, they weren’t,’ I said. ‘They were members of the Pendragon Alliance, dedicated to keeping the peace and making sure everyone was safe from magical threats. And that’s what I think I need to do. Reform the Alliance. Be prepared for any threats that may occur in the future. Make sure we keep the peace so that none of us has to go through, ever again, the kind of anxiety we’ve had to face these last few months.’
‘You’re restarting the Pendragon Alliance?’ Keely said slowly.
‘I know it’s a lot to take in,’ I said apologetically, ‘but I honestly feel this is what I’m meant to do. And what I want to know is, would any of you like to join me?’
There was a stunned silence as they all absorbed this information.
‘Well,’ Keely said, ‘I’m in, naturally.’
‘You don’t have to,’ I began but she gave me an exasperated look.
‘Of course I do! I told you, I have your back and you have mine. We’re in this together and we always will be. If you’re determined to do this then I’m with you. Don’t even think about trying to talk me out of it.’
I shook my head, amazed as always by her loyalty and love. ‘Thank you,’ I said softly.
She looked over at Harley. ‘You’re in, too, right?’
Harley exchanged glances with Killian. She looked a bit embarrassed, and I had a feeling Keely was going to be disappointed.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, addressing me rather than her twin. ‘I don’t want to let you down, but Killian and I have plans of our own.’
