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‘Wulfram has decided to reform the Pendragon Alliance,’ Celeste explained. ‘He’s just been recruiting some of us. Keely and I are going to join him.’
‘The Pendragon Alliance?’ Derwa’s eyes widened. ‘After all this time? Oh! What a wonderful idea!’
‘Is it?’ I mean, obviously I thought it was, but I hadn’t expected her to sound so enthusiastic. Then again, she was one of the Nine Sisters. Their history with Arthur was undisputed. She would know all about the original Alliance, of course.
‘Yes! It sounds amazing. I wish…’ Her voice trailed off and she stared down at her hands, resting in her lap. Her brand-new Irish gold wedding ring sparkled on her finger, and I thought it must feel like a manacle to her, a symbol of the life she was now trapped in. A life she hadn’t asked for and didn’t want.
‘You’re going to need a fae representative in the Alliance,’ Aidan said suddenly. ‘You can’t claim to represent all magical beings if you only have witches on the team. Killian’s got his own life to lead now, and that’s fair enough, but what about me? I’ll happily be part of it if you’ll have me.’
Derwa’s head shot up. ‘Is that right?’
Aidan’s eyes widened. ‘Well… Why not?’
‘So we’ve been married a few hours and already you’re planning a whole life without me?’ There was a distinct spark of fury in her eyes, and I thought hopefully that maybe she wasn’t going to be the submissive wife I’d feared she would be.
Aidan looked flabbergasted. ‘I’ve had to give up my job in The Green Man,’ he said awkwardly. ‘What would you have me do? I can’t just sit around at home all day, doing nothing. I’d go crazy!’
‘But it’s all right for me to stay here, I suppose?’ she said angrily. ‘Stuck in a house that feels strange and unwelcoming, with people I don’t even know and a lifestyle I can’t begin to comprehend. Meanwhile, you’ll be out every day saving the world. Thanks very much.’
‘Do I have to report to you then?’ Aidan gasped. ‘You’re not my keeper!’
‘No,’ she retorted. ‘I’m your wife, may the gods and goddesses help me. Well, I won’t have it.’ She turned to me, defiance in her expression. ‘I’d like to join the Pendragon Alliance,’ she said.
‘You? You can’t!’ Aidan turned to me, a plea in his eyes. ‘Tell her she can’t, Wulfram.’
‘Why can’t she?’ Star demanded icily. ‘She has a right to her own life. She’s not your property.’
‘Did I ever say she was?’ Aidan threw up his hands in despair. ‘It could be dangerous, and you’re…’
‘I’m what?’ Derwa demanded.
‘Well…’ Aidan shrugged helplessly. ‘I mean, look at you.’
‘What do you mean by that?’ Derwa’s chin lifted, and she gave him an angry look.
‘I just mean, well, you’re so graceful and elegant. And you’re one of the Nine Sisters and they just…’
‘Just what?’
Uh-oh. I recognised that tone. I’d heard it in Keely’s voice a few times when I’d annoyed her. Aidan, I thought with some amusement, had better think carefully before he said anything else.
‘Well,’ he said uncertainly, ‘you just sort of drift around Avalon, don’t you? Being all delicate and gentle and—’
‘You really know nothing about me at all, do you?’ Derwa said. ‘That’s what you think I am? That’s all you think I’m capable of? Drifting around? You’re going to get a real shock, Mr O’Brien.’
‘Well,’ he said, somewhat crossly, ‘I’m very sorry I’m sure,MrsO’Brien. If you think you’re up to being part of the Pendragon Alliance who am I to stop you?’
‘Oh, you won’t stop me,’ she said. ‘And I’m more than up to it.’
‘Go, girl!’ Star said gleefully.
‘Wulfram,’ Derwa said, ‘will you accept me as part of the team? Or do you think I’m incapable, too?’
I wouldn’t dare!‘You’re my cousin, Derwa. You’ll always be welcome on my team.’
Her eyes softened and she gave me a grateful smile. ‘Thank you.’
Aidan shook his head, clearly dazed by this turn of events. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘do I have permission from my wife to join this team, too, or is it family only?’
