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His mouth fell open, and Robert dropped his bowl on the floor. Luckily, we had a nice thick carpet, so it didn’t break.
‘You’re what?’
‘It’s true,’ Phoenix said, smiling. ‘This is Wulfram Pendragon, Wren’s brother. He and Wren are both from the future, Uncle. He’s the Great Guardian who, in the twenty-first century, will bring peace between witches and fae. I mean, the fair folk.’
‘After he’s calmed the Seelie Court tomorrow, naturally,’ Wren added.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Titus said. He got to his feet and bowed low. ‘I had no idea. Forgive me.’
I was mortified. ‘Please, it doesn’t matter. Sit down.’
‘But, but I insulted you! The way I spoke to you!’ Titus had gone quite pale. ‘How can I ever apologise enough?’
‘There’s no need to apologise,’ I assured him. ‘It’s sorted now.’
‘That’s very gracious of you,’ he said. ‘I think Robert and I should go home now. I’m feeling very tired suddenly.’ He frowned. ‘What do I tell Jennet? She should know. Or should she? And little Bartholomew. How will I explain this to him when he’s older?’
‘Uncle,’ Phoenix said solemnly, ‘there’s something I need you to do for me. One last favour and I swear you’ll never have to see me again.’
‘What sort of favour?’ his uncle asked suspiciously.
‘In a few years, the care of Bartholomew will fall to you.’ He sighed heavily and lowered his head for a moment. ‘I wish I could tell you different, but it’s true. You will become his guardian. Some of my—friends—will convince you that Bartholomew should grow up believing their story that Bevil betrayed me to the witchfinder, and that I was the innocent party in all this.’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ Titus said indignantly. ‘I’ll put him straight. I’ll tell them all the truth. I won’t let Bevil’s name be blackened like that. Not that anyone would believe he’d ever betray you anyway.’
Phoenix wiped tears from his eyes. ‘I wish that were true. That’s the favour I must ask you, Uncle. I need you to promise me that you’ll do as they say. That you’ll tell Bartholomew that his father was a traitor, and I was the hero who leapt from the castle wall that night.’
‘What?’ Titus stared at him. ‘But—but you loved Bevil! How could you do that to his memory? How could you askmeto do that to his memory?’ He shook his head vehemently. ‘I won’t do it! They can kill me if they must. I won’t tell such wicked lies.’
Phoenix gulped. ‘I know. I understand that. But you must, Uncle. This is what fate has in store for our family. You have to trust me. One day, the truth will be revealed and Bevil’s name will be cleared. But for now, you must let people believe that Bevil was the villain in this story. Please.’
His voice cracked and I felt a rush of sympathy for him. I knew how much his brother meant to him, and how he’d pleaded with Celeste to set the story straight and restore Bevil’s good name. This must be agony for him, understanding at last that it was his own pleas to Titus that had ensured Bevil became the villain in the Castle Clair legend.
Though, seeing the doubtful expression on his face, I could see Titus wasn’t fully convinced. I hated to do this, but I had no choice. I had to make sure Castor’s ancestor did what history had recorded.
‘He’s right,’ I said firmly. ‘I’m sorry, but for the sake of peace and security in the future, you must sacrifice Bevil’s reputation in the present day. I know it’s going to be difficult for you, believe me, but I’m asking you, as the Great Guardian, to do as we request.’
Titus was quiet for a moment, then he nodded. ‘I’m not happy about this. That poor lad, growing up, thinking his father was a traitor! But if the Great Guardian tells me it’s essential, who am I to argue? I’ll do as you ask, but I’ll do it with a heavy heart. And may the gods forgive me.’
He got to his feet. ‘Come, Robert. Time we were leaving.’
Phoenix stood and they stared at each other for a moment.
‘This is goodbye then?’ Titus asked.
Phoenix nodded. ‘Our paths won’t cross again, Uncle,’ he said sadly. ‘I must keep my distance from Yorkshire and from the St Clair family. No one must know I’m still alive. I’m sorry.’
‘Me, too, Blaise. I’ve already mourned for you once, my boy. Now it seems I must mourn for you all over again. For Jennet soon, too, and for everything else that’s to come. Well, fate can be a cruel mistress, but we must all do what we can to keep the peace between witches and the fair folk.’
He pulled his nephew into a hug.
‘Farewell, my boy.’
‘Goodbye, Uncle.’
Titus smiled at Wren. ‘A pleasure to meet you. I hope you’ll both be very happy.’
He and Robert headed to the door, and as he passed me he bowed low again, to my embarrassment.
