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Chapter 29
Wulfram
‘Not good enough, Wulfram Pendragon! You’re a dead man!’
I glanced down at the rapidly spreading patch of red across my chest and fell to the floor. I gazed up at the clear, blue, winter sky above me and thought ruefully that I’d seen it more from this angle than from any other recently.
Frey kindly came to stand by my side. He gave me a mournful look and tapped my nose with his paw.Better luck next time.
From the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of dangling feet, way above my head, and heard a giggle.
‘Dead again, Wulfram?’ Romy called. ‘Dear me, how embarrassing for you.’
Star held out her hand and I took it, somewhat sheepishly. ‘To be fair,’ she told my amused sisters, who were sitting on the branch of a tree watching my pathetic display, ‘he did a good job fending off my fireballs. It’s not his fault he was ambushed by two treacherous Shining Ones.’
Killian and Aidan laughed as I got to my feet and brushed the red powder from my jumper.
‘Treacherous? That’s fighting talk,’ Aidan said. ‘No respect for their betters, these witches, have they, brother?’
‘None,’ Killian said, shaking his head. ‘You should try being married to one.’
As it dawned on him what he’d said he bit his lip and gave his brother an apologetic look. ‘Aw, sorry, man.’
‘I don’t see why poor Wulfram is having to fight off fireballs from Star anyway,’ Trinity called, thankfully changing the subject. ‘It’s hardly likely he’ll be attacked by a witch, is it?’
‘Are you saying only fae are the enemy?’ Killian asked indignantly.
‘No, I’m saying only the Pendragons are the enemy,’ Trinity said. ‘Why would a witch be hurling fireballs in his direction?’
‘We already know it was probably a witch who betrayed Zephyr’s whereabouts to the Pendragons,’ Aidan said. ‘At this stage we can’t rule out anyone. Besides, look at the trouble the Golightlys and the Crossleys are stirring up. Can you honestly say you believe none of those would hurt Wulfram if they thought he was about to bring peace? They’re itching for war. Only the fact that they haven’t yet mustered up enough support is stopping them from upping their game. I hate to say it, but Wulfram out of the way would be very convenient for them.’
‘Great,’ I said. ‘And so far I’ve failed dismally to stop these attacks.’
‘Not true,’ Star said firmly. ‘You’ve stopped my fireballs many times, and Celeste said you were successful in dealing with the water illusion she sent your way.’
I shivered, remembering what an awful experience that had been. There’d been no warning. I’d stepped into a puddle in the woods, while dodging missiles Sky was zapping at me, and had found myself in a hole full of water that came above the top of my head. I’d tried and tried to get out of it, but for an agonising moment I’d been convinced I was going to drown. It was only when it occurred to me that the puddle hadn’t been there just minutes ago that the doubt had set in. Somehow, I’d managed to calm my mind enough to realise it was an illusion, and that I wasn’t drowning at all, and sure enough, I’d found myself dry and safe on firm land, no puddle in sight.
‘I’m not having as much luck with air, though,’ I said thoughtfully. ‘Sky’s trying so hard to get me to zap, but I don’t seem able to get very far. And I’m not great at moving things either.’
‘Well, you can’t be good at everything,’ Trinity said with a shrug, as she jumped down from the tree. ‘Is that it for today then? Time for dinner and an early night. We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.’
‘I don’t mind having another session if anyone’s up for it,’ Romy said eagerly.
We all laughed.
‘Do you ever stop?’ Star asked her. ‘Your enthusiasm is exhausting. I do admire you, Romy, but we have lives to live, you know. I need to get home and make sure the children are all right. Plus I’ve got to drop them with Nan as soon as they’ve eaten. She’s minding them for me while Celeste and I spend the night at Lily Cottage with Sky. Benedict’s staying with Jethro at his house, and I can’t imagine who’ll be the more nervous of the two of them.’ She sighed wistfully. ‘It’s going to be lovely to have both my sisters with me at the cottage again. It’s been years since we all lived there together.’
‘I can’t believe the wedding’s tomorrow,’ Trinity said, as we headed along the track towards Peloryon House. ‘I’m so sorry I won’t be there tonight, but I’ll see you all tomorrow.’ She hesitated. ‘Does Sky mind too much? I mean, about getting married here on the island, rather than in Castle Clair?’
Star hesitated. ‘She wanted to marry in the church where we all got married,’ she admitted, ‘but she knew it was a choice. Either marry on the island, or half the family can’t be there. She chose her family. I would have done the same.’
Trinity smiled and linked arms with her as they walked, chatting about Sky’s wedding dress, and flowers, and all that sort of thing.
I fell back and walked with Romy and the two O’Briens.
‘How are you feeling, Wulfram?’ Aidan asked. ‘Not too downhearted about today’s defeat, I hope?’
‘I’m getting used to defeat,’ I admitted glumly. ‘I don’t see how I’m ever going to get the hang of this. I could be stuck on this island for years at this rate.’
