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‘My fault again! I’ve caused so much damage.’
‘Yeah, you have a bit,’ Killian said. ‘But look, I want you all to understand that the fae aren’t looking for the keys because they want to release the dragons. They’re only trying to make sure that witches don’t have both of them, so they don’t have access to the dragons themselves.’
‘That’s right,’ Aidan said. ‘Fact is, they’re losing all trust in witches. They’ve been scared ever since the alarms went off to tell us a witch had broken the deal and had arrived in our time, but we managed to reassure them that a Great Guardian was coming who’d bring peace. Since then it’s been all rumours but nothing’s materialised, has it? I mean, our parents have assured our people that the Great Guardian is here among us, because they’ve already met him, but they want proof.’
He sighed. ‘To be honest, you need to find that sword, Wulfram, because I don’t know how much longer we can keep the lid on this, and I suspect—from the way your High Council is acting—that they’re having an even harder time of it than we are.’
I opened my mouth to speak but Emrick interrupted before I could.
‘I think some of us should get some sleep. It’s been an exhausting night here on the island, and a weary day for all of us, and we’re none of us any good right now. We need to rest, catch up on the sleep we’ve lost, and then we can look at this with fresh eyes.’
‘Why did you lose sleep?’ Aidan asked. ‘I thought the body was only found this morning?’
‘I’ll fill you in,’ Killian said, putting his arm around his brother’s shoulders. He glanced over at Harley. ‘I’m going back to An Teach Bán, darlin’. I need to talk things over with my family. And truth to tell, I’m not tired, so I’d only disturb you. You get some sleep while I’m away. Is that okay?’
Harley shrugged. ‘If that’s what you want.’
Killian gave her a wistful look, and Aidan glanced sharply at his brother and sister-in-law.
‘Right,’ he said, having clearly decided not to mention the obvious tension between the two of them, ‘we’ll leave you to it.’
They disappeared, along with the Castle Clair branch of the family, and the rest of us trudged wearily to our beds.
‘What’s going on with Harley and Killian?’ I asked, as I pulled off my jumper and jeans and clambered in beside Keely.
‘Oh, exactly what we could have predicted really,’ Keely said sadly. ‘Very different expectations of married life. I think Harley’s missing her old life. She wants a home of her own, and a little garden, and she’s really missing the library. But of course, Killian’s never been interested in that sort of thing. He flits from one place to the other, doesn’t he? And he’s not really the settling down sort so… Harley thinks Killian’s gone off her. That she’s too dull for him.’
‘I don’t think he’s gone off her, do you?’ I asked. ‘I just saw the look he gave her, and it seemed to me that he was hoping she’d ask him to stay. I mean, I might be wrong but…’
‘Who knows?’ Keely sighed. ‘We did warn her that marrying a Shining One was going to be fraught with difficulties. They’re so different. But I know they love each other, deep down. I just hope they can work it out.’
So did I. Somehow, Killian and Harley had come to symbolise the possibility of peace and love between fae and witches. If these two, who loved each other so much, and had fought so hard to be together, couldn’t make it work, what hope did any of us have for the future?
Chapter 32
Wulfram
I barely slept at all, despite the weariness I felt in my bones. My body might be exhausted but my mind refused to switch off. So many questions buzzed around my brain. Why would witches attack one of their own? Why someone as harmless as Bob? And where was the Sword of Feidhlim?
I’d been so sure, standing in that crypt, that this was the place I’d find the sword. It was—I was certain—the room I’d seen in my vision. But if that was so, where was it? Because as far as I could see there was no sign of it in there. What was I missing?
Eventually, worried and confused, I must have dozed off. When I woke up the bed was empty, and I glanced at the clock shocked to find it was three o’clock in the afternoon.
I yawned and threw back the duvet, then headed into the bathroom for a hot shower. I needed to think. Something was buzzing round in my brain, and funnily enough I often found ideas came together when I was standing under the water, humming some tune or other and thinking about anything other than magic.
By the time I’d stepped out of that shower I had the germ of an idea. As I towelled myself dry and got dressed, the idea took shape. As I headed downstairs I knew exactly what I had to do, and even though the thought filled me with trepidation I knew there was no alternative. I had to call a meeting.
‘Good afternoon, Wulfram,’ Ewella said, smiling as she spotted me in the hallway. We were obviously both heading towards the kitchen. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Eventually,’ I said. ‘Where is everyone?’
‘In the living room. We’re having a moviethon. Emrick decided we all needed a couple of hours of normality, so we’ve been watching an old comedy film and eating nachos and dips. There’s plenty left if you want some. I’m just putting the kettle on. Do you want a cup of tea?’
I shook my head. ‘Can that wait, Ewella? I really need to speak to you all.’
Her smile faded. ‘Sounds serious.’
‘It is a bit,’ I admitted. ‘I’m sorry to spoil everyone’s fun.’
