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‘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 bethetable,’ 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.
