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‘If you seek revenge for Zephyr’s death you’re playing directly into their hands,’ I said. ‘Harm the fae and they’ll retaliate, and on it will go, escalating into scenes not known since the death of Arthur. But we have the chance to stop that now. By listening to reason, by refusing to be provoked, we can keep peace.’
‘And let the fae walk all over us?’
‘No,’ I said, addressing Golightly, who had almost spat out the question. ‘Not by doing that. Most of the fae don’t want war any more than the witches do. Don’t make them change their minds! You’re conflating the fae with Havok Pendragon and his minions. They’re not the same. What you’ve got to ask yourselves is this: how did Havok Pendragon know that Zephyr was in Whitby that day? Did he know who Trinity was? Was she the target, or was it Zephyr all along? Either way, someone informed Havok where Zephyr would be. Someone within our circle. We were betrayed, and we should be concentrating on finding out who the traitor is.’
‘We will find them,’ Kendrew assured me grimly. ‘And,’ he called to Golightly, ‘we’ll also find a way to make the Pendragons pay for what happened to Zephyr.’
‘Of course you will.’ Titania folded her arms and shook her head. ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’
‘Please, Mum,’ Easton begged. ‘Dad wouldn’t want this.’
‘Be quiet and sit down,’ Titania snapped.
‘Oh, Titania, will you just do us all a favour and shut up!’
We all turned, astounded, as Aurora got to her feet and yelled at her stepmother.
‘How dare you?’ Titania spluttered.
‘I jolly well dare!’ Aurora clearly had her dander up. ‘You’re a vile, loathsome, selfish, spiteful, malicious, self-centred woman, who used my father and drove a wedge between us, and I’ll never forgive you for that.’
‘Hear, hear!’ Star called, while Sky gave a gleeful cry and clapped loudly in support. I noticed Elvira was trying to suppress a grin, not entirely successfully.
‘I have no idea how you somehow managed to produce three rather wonderful children,’ Aurora continued. ‘Yes,’ she added, as Titania’s face reddened. ‘I do mean three. Two marvellous sons and a simply splendid daughter, all of whom I’m privileged to call family. You kept my father away from me and away from his grandson because you were too afraid to face your past transgressions. Well, you jolly well don’t fool anyone, so if you don’t mind I’d quite like it if you’d put a sock in it and sit down so we can get on with the funeral my father truly deserves.’
‘You don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Titania said, her eyes flashing with fury. She clutched the pearls around her neck and for the first time I saw Mrs Greenwood in her. ‘I’ve never been spoken to in such a fashion!’
‘Then you’ve been very lucky, haven’t you, Mother? Someone should have said this to you years ago. I’m only sorry it was Aurora, rather than me.’
‘Benedict!’ Star squealed in delight and threw her arms around him. ‘You superstar!’
Benedict folded his arms and met his mother’s icy stare with defiance. She crumpled, clearly unable to deal with everyone’s excited murmurings.
‘I think,’ Aveta said, thankfully taking charge again, ‘that we’ve forgotten why we’re here. Let us bury Zephyr in the graveyard outside and I will bless him as we lay him to rest.’
There were no more arguments. I think everyone had realised she was right. This day was supposed to be about Zephyr Ambrose, and it had got way out of hand. I, along with the rest of them, returned to my seat, feeling as if dozens of pairs of eyes were upon me.
Keely gave me a hug and told me I was a hero, but I brushed it off, not sure I’d done anything at all.
I risked a sideways glance along the row and saw Emrick and Hector watching me. Emrick’s face was beaming with obvious pride, and Hector grinned and gave me a sneaky wink. I settled back in my seat feeling suddenly more certain of myself. Whatever happened after this, I felt I’d done something right at last, and I had to admit it felt good.
Chapter 21
Romy
It was still raining when we all left the chapel. Everyone had been invited back to Peloryon House after the burial, but I wasn’t sure how many people would take up the invitation. There was a lot of confusion and clear anxiety, and I thought many of the guests would leave, either to head home to their families, or to gather in small groups to discuss the events of the day, perhaps to consider what should happen next. It wasn’t a cheering thought.
As the burial service began I decided to leave the gathering at the graveside and head back to see John. He’d been left alone long enough, and besides, it would be good to have a few moments alone in the house. I could probably get some of the food Mum had prepared for the wake and sneak it upstairs for us to eat before the crowd arrived.
It would be a long and dismal trek back to the house in this weather and I wasn’t looking forward to it, but I set off alone, knowing that if I told the twins where I was going they’d insist on accompanying me. Resigned, I began to follow the muddy track back across the island.
‘Going somewhere?’
I glanced round, startled to find Celeste just behind me.
‘I—er—decided to go back to the house.’
‘To spend time with Blaise?’
