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I could hazard a guess that was exactly what was wrong with us all. If they were anything like Keely and I, they probably hadn’t slept a wink all night, wondering what would happen next. Having made public my decision to reclaim my magic, naturally thoughts turned to whether Romy and Trinity would wish to do the same. I should think my sisters, along with Blaise and Sirius, had wrestled with that conundrum into the wee small hours.
Ewella pursed her lips as she poured tea into a cup. ‘Well, you know my thoughts on the subject,’ she said firmly.
‘We certainly do, Mother,’ Keely said, rolling her eyes.
‘Romy and Trinity should forget all about magic and concentrate on living nice, normal lives.’ She added sugar to her tea and stirred it furiously. ‘Why invite trouble if you don’t have to?’
‘But the Pendragons might already know who Trinity is,’ Sirius pointed out. ‘Look, I’m as worried about her as you are. More. But she might already be in danger, and she can’t stay hidden on this island forever. I don’t know. Maybe magic would provide her with some safety? At least she’d have a means of protecting herself. Right now, she has nothing.’
‘Besides,’ Romy added, ‘it’s hardly fair to put all this on Lowen. He hasn’t got a choice in this. He’s got to become Wulfram. Why should he have to do this alone? We’re his sisters and he’s going to need us.’ She gazed round at us. ‘He’s going to need us all. Every single one of us. Arthur didn’t fight alone. He had a whole round table of knights. Well, we’ve got a breakfast table of friends and family, and that will have to do.’
She grinned at me, and I grinned back, thinking how much happier she looked this morning, despite the pressure we were all under. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she’d moved into Blaise’s bedroom last night. I guess the two of them were back on.
I’d been surprised, though I’ll admit relieved, to see Sirius being extremely polite and even friendly to Blaise. They’d chatted quite amiably over porridge, and even though Blaise was clearly wary of this change of heart—not to mention very obviously stunned by it—conversation had flowed, and it had been a very pleasant breakfast for once.
Until Emrick mentioned magic. Naturally.
I glanced at Keely and saw her watching me. We smiled at each other, needing no words. Keely and I had made our peace with what was to happen. I knew, no matter what the outcome would be, she had my back as I had hers. We would support each other to the end, however much it hurt. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
‘If you’re going to do this,’ Killian said, chewing—rather ill-manneredly—on a slice of toast as he spoke, ‘I need to tip the folks off. When the Pendragons get the message you’re back they’ll be on the lookout for you, Lowen. And if there’s more than one of you…’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Jeez, it’s going to be a fun few months, that’s for sure.’
‘You think it’s going to last a few months?’ Harley asked anxiously.
His expression softened. ‘Ah, darlin’, I was being optimistic.’
‘Oh.’
‘Whoever takes back their magic has to accept that, from that moment, they cannot leave this island,’ Emrick said. ‘Not until they’ve mastered at least a few basics in magic, and until they understand both the witch and fae sides of their natures. There will be people here to help you with that. Killian and Aidan have offered, and Suibhne has kindly said he’ll be of service if needed. The St Clair girls—that is, the Castle Clair St Clair girls—will also be visiting to help when they can, and I’m sure you, Sirius, can be of use. Hector will also be here to guide Lowen on Guardian matters.’
‘You’re right, of course,’ Ewella said, dropping her teaspoon resignedly. It clattered onto her saucer, and she stared at it for a moment, as if wondering how it had got there.
When she made no further comment, Keely frowned. ‘About what, Mum?’
Ewella blinked. ‘Oh! Sorry. I was miles away. I mean, Romy’s right of course. We can’t just leave this to Lowen. If he needs us we must be there for him. Shoulder to shoulder. So I was thinking, maybe a few refresher lessons, Emrick?’
Emrick stared at her. ‘Are you serious?’
‘It’s a long time since I did any magic,’ she admitted. ‘Any real magic, I mean. I might need a few reminders, but I’m sure I’ll get back in the swing of things when I get my confidence back.’
‘And you want me to teach you?’ he said incredulously.
‘Well…’ She laughed. ‘I wouldn’t exactly say teach me. Maybe nudge me in the right direction.’
‘Now that,’ he said smiling, ‘I can do.’
‘Are you serious?’ Harley’s eyes were like saucers. ‘You’re going to use magic again, Mum?’
‘Needs must,’ she said. ‘It’s not a course of action I’d necessarily have chosen, but this is our fight, not just Lowen’s. I can’t let my boy do this alone. It’s obvious that whatever’s going to happen will happen, whatever I feel about it, so I might as well shut up and get on with it.’
‘Well said, Ewella!’ Emrick beamed. ‘And welcome back to the fold.’
‘Hmm, let’s not get carried away,’ she said, lifting her teacup to her lips. There was, though, a distinct gleam in her eyes, and I had a sudden feeling that, deep down, she was quite looking forward to it.
‘I wish I could help.’
We all fell silent at Blaise’s words.
‘Well,’ Sirius said awkwardly, ‘I’m afraid you can’t really. Not without magic.’
