10. Chapter 10
10
BEATRICE
Auntie Bella always told me that I let other people’s opinions influence me to an unhealthy degree and that I must learn to make my own decisions and accept the consequences instead of living my life by proxy, expecting other people to tell me what to do and then blaming them when things don’t go well.
Which created a quandary, since right there she’d basically advised me not to follow her advice.
I was fine at making practical and intellectual decisions. But when it came to relationships? Not so much.
With my final conversation with the Gamekeeper more than a year in the past, that story was obviously over. Yet for some foolish reason, I kept hoping he might contact me. Sometimes I wondered if I should take the initiative. I could have quit my low-key job and become a nanny or companion to a princess again, or maybe taken on the daughter of a social-climbing tycoon; I’d received plenty of such job offers. That way I could have returned to Faraway Castle.
But why didn’t he ever attempt to visit or contact me? Was he unable to leave the resort? I found that difficult to believe. My one vestige of magical power told me that the Gamekeeper was the most powerful mage I’d ever encountered . . . except possibly Geoff Bryant, aka Prince Briar.
Although, I sometimes wondered about Auntie Bella . . .
Arabella
The council’s plan to hide the Mirror gave me a bad feeling from the moment I heard it. Why I lacked sense enough to express my doubts to the Gamekeeper, I can’t explain. His hands were tied anyway, since the full council had the final say on such decisions, but we all should have been more alert.
Soon after our plotting session in the cave, Pukai and I had begun happily conspiring to snatch Beatrice out of her doldrums (I’d arranged everything with her employers weeks ago) and whisk her away to Faraway Castle at Christmas. We’d figured a week or two should be time enough for her to reconcile with our beastly fool who was convinced he’d ruined everything.
But when Pukai still hadn’t contacted me a few days after her mission should be complete, my bad feeling developed into worry. The merqueen and I always had our differences, but she’d become like a big sister to me: bossy, often annoying, and utterly necessary in my life.
Currently the resort bustled with preparations for a top-secret double wedding in the castle’s chapel on Christmas Day. Only a few trusted friends and certain family members were invited to the ceremony; more guests would arrive the following day for a big reception.
Surely, I told myself, Pukai would return before the wedding. But as the big day approached and guests began to arrive, still no merqueen.
On Christmas Eve, I stole into the castle’s rose garden, which was warm and fragrant despite its snow-covered surroundings, and silently called for the Gamekeeper. A breath later, he stepped into view, mostly concealed in shadow. “Any word at all?” I asked, my voice a mere whisper.
“None.” His voice rumbled like distant thunder. “I suspect foul play from our supposed allies on the council.”
Fear stole my breath. Surely a sahira as powerful as Pukai could handle any number of council members. But if they’d taken her by surprise . . . “What can we do?” I croaked.
“Pukai is well; I sense her soul’s presence in this reality,” he stated. “She is furious, mostly at herself.”
I heaved a relieved sigh before he continued: “I have already assigned the royal twins to accomplish her rescue immediately after their brief wedding reception. Both couples chose to delay their honeymoons until this crisis is averted. They and Pukai will return in secret and go underground.”
“Literally and figuratively.” I nodded my approval.
“I shall convene as usual with the remaining council members and attempt to identify the traitors, who, we must assume, have claimed the Mirror,” he continued. “They will most likely use the Mirror to overthrow the entire council, unaware until too late that the Mirror has taken control of their own minds and actions just as it controlled Miss Cambout.”
“It is that powerful.” I felt numb.
“It is.” Despite the discouraging words, he sounded indomitable. “The fay creature trapped in that Mirror is desperate to throw off its magical chains and rule over our world. What better place to begin than the World Magic Council?”
Hearing our possible fate spelled out so clearly sent a chill to my old bones.
“What can we do?”
“Faraway Castle’s outer defenses are already on alert, prepared to defend and delay. Our troops and allies understand the importance of this stand against a fay invasion and are guarding their minds. I have also fortified the boundaries of the Forbidden Lands, and the creatures who have taken shelter there are prepared to defend or escape in case its barricade falls.”
“Have we any hope at all?” I asked in sudden weakness.
“Never give up hope, Bella.” Hearing the old brotherly affection in his voice buoyed my spirit. “When we first captured the Mirror back in September, the fay in it attempted to hide itself from us. Both Briar and I let it believe that it had succeeded—an instinctive move we hadn’t coordinated ahead of time. I’m telling you, Bella: that young man is wise beyond his years, immensely powerful, and just beginning to discover his abilities.”
I gave a quick nod. “I promise to play dumb about the fay influence around any council members I might encounter, and if anyone asks about Pukai, I’ll say she must have decided to visit family while in the Dynamic Ocean. Of course, she often travels there and back in a matter of minutes from her magical island, but I can hope they’ll swallow the story.”
“The fay creature is subtle. I keep thinking we might be missing something . . .” He shook his shaggy head and squared his shoulders. “We’ll conquer this, Bella.”
“I’ll make myself scarce during the wedding celebrations,” I warned him, “but I promise to be ready for battle when it’s time.”
He didn’t need to know exactly how “scarce” I would be. And this time, Beatrice and I would return by magic.
Beatrice
After a quiet Christmas Day with my father at the home of some old friends, I was dozing in a chair beside the kitchen hearth in our drafty little castle when I heard, “Wake up, Beatrice! I need your help.”
I nearly did a sitting high jump. “Auntie! When did you get here?”
She leaned forward slightly in the opposite chair and gave me a look I couldn’t ignore. “Child, there’s no time for social niceties. You must come with me to Faraway Castle. Now.”
“What?” My heart jumped into overdrive, but old habit compelled me to correct my “social solecism,” as Auntie would call it. “I mean, I beg your pardon?”
Auntie Bella raised one hairless brow. “No pardon. You heard me clearly.”
I frequently forgot my grandaunt’s age, she was so lively, strong, and . . . well, odd . In the flickering firelight, with her gnarled hands gripping the knob of her walking stick, she could’ve easily been mistaken for a haunting spirit.
“I believe you’ve attended winter camps with that flighty princess.”
“Uh, yes, three times.”
“This visit won’t be like a camp, but you won’t regret it. Don’t worry about packing. I’ve already planned for everything.”
I opened my mouth, but she forestalled my objection: “You also needn’t worry about getting time off. At my subliminal suggestion, your employers are even now setting out on a three-week family cruise in the Begaian Sea, and your services will not be required.”
I clenched my fists to keep from visibly shaking. My mind whirled. Was that even legal? But who cared? I would see him ! “Thank you. Thank you so much!”
Did I see a flicker of amusement in her faded eyes? “You’re most welcome, child. I believe our holiday adventure will prove both thrilling and illuminating. And, who knows? Perhaps you’ll meet the man of your dreams while we’re there. However, strictly between you and me, this will not be entirely a pleasure excursion.”
“Oh?”
“Indeed. Now, stop denying reality. Look at me and listen.”
My heart pounded as I obeyed. She didn’t compel me, though I knew she could.
In the back of my mind, I’d always known.
Those penetrating eyes held my gaze as she spoke. “You must hear and accept the truth about me and about yourself. First, you must know that I am not your grandaunt. I am your great-great-grandaunt—my sister was your great-great-grandmother. In our line, your mother’s family line, the magic has dwindled over the past century, leaving only me and you. In truth, your magic is the first to manifest in several generations. It is small yet vital, and it is your responsibility. Do not despise your gift. Acknowledge, claim, and nurture it, Beatrice. Do you hear me?”
I nodded, but she quirked a brow. “You’d better hear with your heart, soul, mind, and strength as well as your ears, or we’re in big trouble.”
I had no idea where she was going with this, but maybe I could find a way to be useful while reconnecting with the Gamekeeper. On that thought, I nodded. “I’ll try.”
With a quirk of her thin lips, Auntie Bella nodded. “Try hard , girl.” But then her gaze softened. “I believe you will when the time comes.” She sat back, and the familiar glint of humor returned to her eyes. “You’ll be helping out while certain former and current staff members are adjusting their honeymoon plans.”
A working holiday. Nothing new for me. “Okay.”
Wait. What? “Honeymoons? Who got married?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” She paused to check her windup wristwatch, and something startled her. “Oh! Oh, no! Here we go. I’ll have to drop you at the gate.”
There was a whirl of magic, and . . .
I’ll take some credit for freaking out silently when I found myself in Faraway Castle’s parking area at twilight. Snow sifted over me like powdered sugar.
Sudden headlights nearly blinded me as one of the new magically propelled luggage carts approached, and soon I recognized longtime staff members Ben and Jeralee Weatherby in its front seat. When the cart pulled up beside me, they both stared in evident disbelief.
“Well!” Jeralee, who sat at the wheel, recovered first. “Hello, Beatrice. You’re possibly the last person I expected to see tonight, but hey! Merry Christmas, and welcome back to Faraway Castle.” I saw her elbow Ben in the ribs.
“Uh, yes! Welcome, Miss de Callen.” Ben hopped out, shifted several expensive-looking bags from the snow beside me into the cart, helped me into his former seat, then jumped on the back, gripping a protective rail.
How strange this seemed! I’d pretty much watched Ben and Jeralee grow up and fall in love over the course of several summer visits. Now I remembered hearing that they’d married . . . and that Ben was now the resort’s director.
I suddenly felt old.
“Thank you,” I said belatedly. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Director!” My gaze dropped to Jeralee’s generously rounded belly. “And I see there will soon be a little Weatherby running around. Congratulations twice over!”
They both thanked me, and as the cart smoothly turned and headed back toward the castle, I gathered my thoughts. “Pardon my confusion. My grandaunt first informed me I was going on holiday just minutes ago. She said something about . . . honeymoons?”
They exchanged glances. “Think it’s safe to tell yet?” Ben asked his wife.
“They’re all long gone.” Despite her words, Jeralee sounded uncertain.
“I’ll place a silent space around the cart,” Ben said, “and then we can tell you what little we know.”
As soon as Ben gave her the go-ahead, Jeralee blurted, “This morning, Princess Marielle Toulouse of Auvers married Prince Omar Zeidan of Khenifra. You know, Ellie and Omar? The cinder-sprite wrangler and her handsome prince?”
I smiled, nodding. “I remember. I was there the summer they fell in love, and they’ve been all over the tabloids for the last few years.”
“True, but there was no press here for their wedding. It was attended only by close friends and family. The media will lose their minds when word gets out.” Jeralee chuckled. “But there’s more! You tell her, Ben.”
“It was a double wedding,” he announced. “Prince Briar married Rosa Bravo, the head gardener.”
I sat blinking in surprise until facts clicked into place. “Well, that makes sense. The romance between him—I mean, him in his Geoff Bryant disguise—and Rosa was no secret.” How lovely that the royal twins could marry on the same day, and at Faraway Castle, where they fell in love! “Do their parents know yet?"
“They all showed up for the ceremony and put on happy faces, at least for the photographs,” Ben told me.
“I have a lot of respect for both couples, but especially Princess Marielle and Prince Omar,” Jeralee stated. “They’ve waited patiently for almost three years, spending most of that time apart and the rest under heavy chaperonage.”
“They gave Ellie a harder time of it since she’s heir to the throne. Briar just informed his parents of his intentions.” Ben sounded amused. “Respectfully, of course. And ultimately the royal parents gave their blessings to both couples.”
“It was a simple ceremony in the chapel. But the flowers!” Jeralee sounded dreamy. “They arranged themselves into gorgeous wreaths and bowers, and animated shrubs were Rosa’s attendants.”
As we drove up to the lobby doors, Ben listed several notable people who’d attended the ceremony. Among them I heard an unexpected name: “Lady Beneventi came with her grandson—”
“The bazillionaire,” Jeralee inserted.
“And his wife, Lady Gillian,” Ben continued without missing a beat. “Remember her? They got married last summer. She’s changed a lot.”
“For the better,” Jeralee added before I could say something regrettable. “So has Lady Beneventi, or that’s what I’ve heard. She still seems cranky to me.” Jeralee stopped the cart at the main doors. “And here we are! Welcome back to Faraway Castle.”
While Ben consigned my mystery luggage to three young pages, Jeralee kept chatting. “Oh, and Kamoana the siren and her husband came for the reception tonight. You should hurry and join the fun. Pretty much everyone who’s anyone will be here all weekend.”
They adamantly refused my tip, reminding me that we’d practically grown up together, so I gave Jeralee a hug and thanked them both for my ride. I didn’t recognize any guests when I entered the lobby, but Sten greeted me at the front desk with a beaming smile, and several brownies waved to me, their sober faces briefly brightening.
As soon as the lift doors opened to reveal the eagle-lion statue, I knew Auntie had reserved the suite we stayed in during our first adventure together. Sure enough, a beautiful set of luggage awaited me in my old room. Curious, I opened one bag and found top-of-the-line clothing in my size and colors.
I had to laugh. My sneaky great-great-grandaunt (a scary amount of greatness) had obviously planned this trip in advance.
But my smile quickly faded. Gorgeous wardrobe notwithstanding, something still wasn’t right. I’d had no time to recognize the problem when I first arrived, but as soon as I focused, my heart sank. The Gamekeeper’s magic, which I had always sensed as soon as I entered the gates, felt . . . weak . And he was nowhere nearby.
Arabella
Instant travel requires concentration and a great deal of energy. Sending Beatrice across the continent was tiring enough, but her luggage too? I should have had it delivered and waiting in our suite ahead of time, but who could have guessed things would so suddenly become urgent?
By the time I arrived at the planning center deep beneath Faraway Castle, I needed a hot bath and a long nap. But no such luck. The cave was humming with activity. Its secret chambers were designed to accommodate most magical beings smaller than a giant, although the centaurs, griffins, and yetis frequently complained about the low ceilings.
“Someone tell me what’s happened,” I immediately demanded.
Of all creatures, a goblin girl at a nearby table rose to greet me. “Hello! Who are you?” she demanded gruffly.
“I’m Arabella—”
Her ugly face lit up. “Oh, I’ve heard of you. You’re the fairy godmother who moonlights as a hedge witch,” she completed my introduction. “Briar and Kai told us about you. I’m Xiretta, a friend of Princess Eddi and Kai. I usually live right outside the resort’s boundary, but this morning Prince Briar asked me and my friend Olis to come and help out here during the wizard attack, since we know more about our unfriendly neighbors—you know, trolls, goblins, harpies, griffins, kobolds, and suchlike—than most humans do. Welcome to the party! So far, we’ve got mostly dwarves and magical beasts on our side, and their side got most of the Magic Council, plus those neighbors I mentioned, and a fay mirror on their side. But that’s okay—we all need a challenge now and then. I’m glad to make a new friend. Your skin doesn’t look human though. Do you have some hag in your bloodlines?”
I maintained a smile, but my voice possibly held an edge. “No hag blood. This is what a mostly human fairy godmother looks like after she’s been on the job for well over a century.”
Xiretta looked puzzled but said only, “Want to come downstairs with me to meet Olis and the others?”
“Sure, why not?” Hanging out with a goblin who did her best to smile sweetly (with terrifying results) was an entirely new experience. “So, could you catch me up on the latest news, Xiretta? I received an urgent message from Sten that the Gamekeeper is . . . Oh, never mind. Just tell me what’s been happening here, please.”
“Sure thing!” Despite her offer to introduce me around, Xiretta sat back down and kept talking. “Olis overheard the dwarves and brownies talking about how, right after the wedding ceremonies, the Gamekeeper slipped away. He does that all the time without warning, you know.”
“Yes, but does anyone know where he went?”
“I don’t think so. Everything here still seemed normal, but then the brownies sensed a drop in the Gamekeeper’s magic—you know, the magic that defends the resort’s borders? And I heard something about griffins and mirrors and reversing magic? Now they say the Gamekeeper is trapped in his home, wherever that is. If the enemy can’t break through his barriers to get in, it seems like he can’t break through to get out. Faraway Castle’s borders might be the weakest they’ve ever been.”
The Mirror could reverse magic?
I found myself a chair and dropped into it. Xiretta didn’t mean any harm, I’m sure, but her cheerful gravelly voice stating these devastating speculations made it all feel that much worse. The Gamekeeper had always maintained his protective barriers without conscious thought or effort. None of us had expected an attack on the Forbidden Land’s borders since no one except me and a few other people were supposed to know where it was.
How limited was the Gamekeeper’s magic? Would he be able to help us at all?
Did anyone on the council know that Faraway Castle’s Gamekeeper was also the Trollkarl, Head of the World Magic Council? Could they also know his true name and identity? Impossible. Neither Pukai nor I had ever told a soul our deepest secret, and no one else knew about the deadline.
But what if the secret somehow got out?