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‘An honour to meet you. I never imagined that I would meet a Great Guardian. Although, I know the fact that you’re here at all means this world is in peril. I’m glad to be able to help in some way, even if it does mean sacrificing one nephew and the reputation of the other.’
I nodded, understanding how emotional he was feeling, and he and Robert left the hut, closing the door carefully behind them.
‘He’ll have a lot to process,’ Phoenix said sadly. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. ‘As do I.’
‘I’ll leave you both to it,’ I murmured, and headed to my bedroom. I had a feeling he and Wren had a lot to talk about that night.
Chapter 53
Wulfram 1673
‘Welcome, Phoenix Tremayne.’
If the two Shining Ones hoped their appearance would intimidate us they would, I thought, be sadly mistaken. Wren and I had, after all, seen Shining Ones in their true form before and it didn’t worry me. In fact, I considered a Shining One to be one of my best friends. We’d warned Phoenix what to expect so it didn’t come as any shock to him either.
I hadn’t been sure what to expect when a leprechaun arrived at our stone hut to escort us to the meeting. I’d almost asked him how he’d known where we were, but having had dealings with Sweeney in Ballydraiocht, I doubted I’d get a civil answer, so didn’t bother.
Of course, Phoenix and Wren had never met a leprechaun before. I’d had to reassure them that everything was fine, and not to worry.
I’d already advised them that, just because this was the Seelie Court which supposedly consisted of friendly members of the fae community, as opposed to the Unseelie Court which most definitely didn’t, that didn’t necessarily mean we could fully trust them. The fae were tricky creatures, and felt no loyalty to human beings, let alone the witches who had, after all, betrayed them all those years ago. I’d also warned them that, in this time, the termfaemight not be appreciated, and suggested they refer to them as the daoine sidhe or fair folk instead.
‘Just be polite and respectful,’ I told them. ‘And keep your wits about you.’
I vaguely remembered the O’Briens telling us that the meeting between me and the Seelie Court had taken place in a castle, so I wasn’t too surprised to find myself in this magnificent throne room, although I had no idea where the castle actually was, or what it looked like from the outside, as the leprechaun had transported us all directly inside.
Two golden thrones were at the far end of the room. Sitting upon them were the two Tuatha Dé Danaan. Gathered around them were various elves, brownies, sprites, and various other creatures I couldn’t identify. Every head turned in our direction as we approached the thrones, and I heard some muttering—not all of which sounded positive.
I bowed before the Shining Ones, wondering if these were Killian’s grandparents. I was relieved to see, out of the corner of my eye, that Phoenix and Wren had also bowed.
‘Thank you for accepting our request for an audience and inviting us to your home,’ Phoenix managed.
There was some laughter behind him, and the woman held up her hand to silence the gleeful audience.
‘This is not our home,’ she explained. ‘This is the home of one of the noblest families in this country, who have graciously invited us to stay.’
I couldn’t help wondering how much choice this noble family had had in the matter.
‘I am Eithne,’ the woman said. ‘This is my husband, Cormac. You said you had information about the witch who travelled through time.’ Clearly, she wasn’t big on small talk. She eyed him curiously. ‘I take it you are Phoenix Tremayne?’
‘I am,’ he said, his voice breaking with nerves. He cleared his throat and tried again. ‘This is my future wife, Wren Pendragon, and her brother, Wulfram. We’re here to reassure you about Blaise St Clair.’
‘And why should we trust the word of Pendragons?’ Cormac asked. ‘How do you know what happened to the witch, and why do you bring two Pendragons with you?’
‘I know what happened to the witch,’ Phoenix said nervously, ‘because Iamthat witch. And I bring the two Pendragons with me because Wulfram is the Great Guardian of the future, who has come back in time to be with me today to help explain what happened.’
There was a great deal of excitement at his announcement. Eithne got to her feet.
‘We were told you carried with you the blessing of the Great Guardian. We didn’t know you would be bringing him with you.’
She walked towards me.
‘Can you prove you are who you say you are?’
I nodded. ‘I can.’
‘Then do so.’
I glanced down at the sword that hung at my side and told it I wished our audience to see it.
